Meet Gen Vasquez! - Step 2
And finally (for now), the girliest girl to ever grace Riverview Peak (aside from Vianca, but even she can't outpink this cutie patootie), Imogene- I mean, Gen Vasquez!
> Gen might have been the shy, timid child of Golden Grove, but she really started to be more outspoken as a teenager! She just needed some time to get well adjusted to the home she loved so dearly.
> But the same can't be said for her and Opal. While Issac and Mamá have reconciled over the move, Gen and Mamá's relationship dwindled. Don't get her wrong, he ADORES mamá and she has to work to keep the family afloat, but it's at the cost of her availability. Gen is left taking care of everything by herself, and Issac is out doing God knows what. Why is she the only one who cares about her mamá's absence?
> Imogene insists on being called "Gen" for multiple reasons. But mostly because it's a cute, girly name! Gennie could've worked as well, but in her words, "I'm not little anymore. I'm mature."
> She was saddened by the reality of her neighbors not being friends anymore, but she accepts it rather quickly. Sure, she's upset, and even annoyed at times when they argue, but she understands that the two of them need space. If only her brother had the same sentiments as her.
> While Gen didn't mind telling people how she's technically sort-of a girl as a kid, she grew to hate it. The constant reminder of what she's not. The fact that she has to look in the mirror and remind herself that she's sort-of a girl. No matter how many times she keeps trying to tell herself "You are a girl. You have ALWAYS been a girl."
> Electives: Art Foundations and Work Experience
Come on, she was an artist ever since she was little. What did you expect from an art girl like her? Work Experience comes as a bit of a shock, however. Gen sees how her mamá is always working, so she decided that she would get work experience to take care of her. Maybe she couldn't be so absent in their lives anymore. And, how could anyone get bored with Qiu around?
> Clubs (yes, plural): Book Club and Writing Club
A.k.a. Gen's backup plan for when art isn’t working out for her. Gen got into reading fanfiction as a tween and even started writing her own. She figured that joining the book club AND writing club would improve her writing abilities, just in case she wants to get into creative writing in the future. Oh, and also Vianca is there. Even she is not safe from her passionate retellings of her favorite fanfiction.
> These two finally, FINALLY consider each other to be friends. Ironically after Qiu stops being that welcoming and accommodating kid four years ago. Even she gets caught reminiscing on who they used to be.
> Two words. GENDER. ENVY. Qiu doesn't have a label to their gender nonconforming appearance, and Gen cherishes that part of them. Even if they're not confident with who they are, Gen is jealous that they feel confident in what they're not.
> These two are opposites, but not in the way Autumn is an opposite to Tamarack. While Issac indulges in their chaos, Gen is the one who keeps them grounded. Autumn on the other hand encourages her to live a little, which gets her a little peeved.
> Qiu and Gen are each other's wing person. Qiu subtly roots for Gen and Tammy to get together, even to the point of teasing them both. Gen, however, is LOUD when it comes to her brother's massive crush on her friend. Their relationship is even the main inspiration for her fanfiction, much to Issac's annoyance.
> It’s safe to say that these two never changed. They're still the same in a lot of ways, from their sweaters to the two wanting to their desire to find belonging. They are a pair with mutual feelings for each other, and it's obvious to everyone including themselves.
> But the one thing that stops them from confessing to each other is their mutual envy for the other person. Gen's envy is consistent among girls and other non-male individuals, but it's intrusive and regretful when it comes to Tammy. How can you be jealous of the person you love?
> Tamarack's envy comes from the way Gen presents herself. She wishes she could be like her, pull off the cutest outfits like her, be as confident as her. If only she realized that for Gen, that's not the case. That Gen sees her as the most beautiful girl in the Grove.
> Most likely got her courage from Tamarack's ten-year-old self. She's taken some of her bluntness when it comes to standing up to others. Especially Tammy. Besides, they are each other's favorites, even if Gen hasn't said it out loud... yet.
(art with and without text)
I guess Gen didn't get rid of her low-confidence after all. Hopefully she can rid herself of her envy before it's too late!
(4/4 intros done! Until I get my hands on Steps 3 and 4 of course...)