Post by Lori on Dec 1, 2017 5:13:27 GMT
Full Name
Shayla Elizabeth Perkins
Nicknames
Although Perky was a common nickname growing up, tey answers to Shay currently.
Age/Birthday
Shay jus turned 24 on August 8
Zodiac
Leo
Reputation
Shay is (and has been) a perpetual student, the one night stand, the rebel, the bigmouth, the troublemaker, the cheater.... Need tey go on?
Job
Shayla's a waitress at the Shady Bar. It's one of the few places that Shay can get away with flaunting ter many tattoos - not to mention ter body - and that will actually put up with ter. Shay worked at Rips and Wrinkles prior to the bar, but the bar pays better and at least tey meets more interesting - not to mention more hookup worthy - people. Neither are close to ter dream job, whatever that is but hey, money is money!
Class
Shay is a freshman (again), this time attending Salem College.
Major
Although tey has had many majors in the past - music, photography, communications, fashion - none of them stuck by any means. So Shay is currently undecided. Maybe this time tey will actually find something worthwhile to pursue. Really, Shayla has never fully known what tey wanted to do and honestly doesn't completely care. Tey's just hoping that finally having a degree, even if it's just an Associate's, will shut people up!
Grades
Shay has never been a good student. While tey had never failed a class specifically, tey came pretty close a number of time. The majority of ter grades consist of D's and a few C's. While it certainly explains ter never getting into any good colleges, it's amazing even community colleges have accepted ter!
Friends
Sonny Alabaster tey would classify as more of a wingman than a friend specifically. They they don't work at the same bar they frequent where the other works and happen to have a mutual understanding of each other as well as shared interests. Shay keeps ter eyes open for anyone at ter bar looking for a good lay - at least, tey assumes they wouldn't be disappointed in Sonny. ey'll take the person's word for it. Shay will admit though, it's actually nice to have a go-to wingman any time tey feels tey needs something. Everyone else can judge ter for being promiscuous or a cheater all they want; at least Shay knows tey'll never hear that sh-t from Sonny!
Enemies
TBD
Interested in
Anyone! Man, woman, fluid, neither...Shayla will not turn anyone down, even if she's already in a relationship! But that's the beauty and the curse of being poly, tey supposes.
Relationship Status
Currently single. Shay has no problem being in a relationship...except for the loyalty factor. Though Shay has been in relationships before and has nothing against being in one, it's probably just for the best tey stays single. At least for now. Or maybe forever.
Body
Shay stands at 5'6 but doesn't pay attention to ter weight at all. As long as tey's still got ter curves, who cares? Shay thinks ter best asset is ter legs, although tey is not afraid to show off any part of ter body. Shayla loves tattoos and hopes to, at the very least, one day have a full sleeve tattoo. Tey already has multiple tats, although some are difficult to keep track of. Some of ter visible tattoos include hearts, arrows, a moon (arm), a skull (foot), an anchor (wrist), a cross, watermelon slice, peace sign, equal sign, eye (fingers), a chat bubble that reads "With a Little Help From my Fwends" (side), "Just Breathe" (chest), and "Love" (ear). There are definitely others, visible or not, but not all of ter ink was put on with a purpose. Tey may even forget one exists until someone asks ter about it! As far as makeup goes, ter philosophy is simple: yes please! Shay doesn't care; guy, girl, neither or anything n between, everyone should enjoy makeup!
Eye Color
Blue
Hair
Shay is a natural brunette, but tey has been dying ter hair blond since graduating high school. Sometimes tey will let ter brown roots grow out or maybe add highlights, but once tey went light it was difficult to go back completely! Shayla has had it both long and short. While tey does love the multiple options that come with keeping it long, tey also enjoys appearing more boyish when it's short. Shayla will try anything and everything with ter hair if tey could!
Style
The closest style to Shay's wardrobe is probably artsy as far as the idea goes, although tey would describe it as 100% Shay. Shay has ter own style and will mix and match anything. More often than not, Shayla's clothes are not subtle. They're only simple if tey is running late, honestly. Tey loves to stand out and, much like ter body, make ter outfits all ter own. No matter how many layers or how revealing Shay dresses, tey sets out to make a statement. Nothing is off limits! Unless it's made of real fur, anyway, then Shayla wants nothing to do with it. Although tey has ter nose and ears pierced - multiple piercings in the latter - Shay won't wear a nose ring as often. It's just so hard to find something flashy that suits what tey wants to that day when tey can wear, like, five things in one ear. After being conformed to a uniform for thirteen years, Shay has absolutely no intention of fitting in or looking like any other person. Shay will wear what tey wants when tey wants how tey wants.
Ethnicity
All American, baby!
Playby
Miley Cyrus
Positives
Confident; Perky; Stubborn; Opinionated; Unique
Negatives
Stubborn; Insecure; Guilty; Addicted; Indecisive; Bigmouthed; Cheater
Likes
Dogs; Tattoos; The Beatles; Mozzarella sticks; Marvel; Standing out; Chinese food; Power Rangers; Cold weather; Hookups; Frozen yogurt; Smoking; Halloween; Makeup; Sex
Dislikes
Cats; Conformity; People using religion as an excuse; Christmas music; Video games; Country music; Ter parents; Dr. Pepper; Christmas movies; Church; Animals wearing clothes; Rules; Laryngitis; Dating; Fur coats; Christmas in general
Nervous Habits
Although Shayla does enjoy smoking, tey typically does it more when tey is stressed. When failing at ter current endeavor or in the middle of a change, Shay will easily go from smoking one cigarette a day to around five within two days. It's a terrible habit but tey just doesn't see a reason to give it up. (Ter go-to choice is Malboro, by the way.)
Family
Father - Richard Curtis Perkins, Estranged - There's really not too much Shay can say about ter father. Racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, not to mention not accepting of anything that isn't 'the norm'.... Needless to say, it's pretty obvious who he voted for in the last election. Richard, in Shayla's mind, is nothing short of a conservative dick who chose his own fears and ideals over his kid. He might have been ok with a couple of ter tattoos and would have barely thought anything of ter dying, bleaching, cutting, or doing anything else to ter hair. But when it came to Shay's sexuality, ter body, ter so-called 'lack of morals', that was the end of it. Shay's more than happy to have him out of ter life for good. Who needs him anyway?
Mother - Miriam Irene Perkins, Estranged - Miriam is no better than Richard. A housewife and avid member of the PTA, Miriam just had to be involved in EVERYTHING. Basically, if Shayla tried anything then Miriam would know about it almost instantly. Tey could never get away with anything as a kid! The girlie dresses, the stupid idea of being a 'well behaved, quiet little girl', the constant lectures about how Shay should save herself and not to give into temptation or else tey'd be punished by the devil...all ter mother. Shay could still remember Miriam's reaction the first time she saw ter make out with anyone. First she went off on the boy for trying to corrupt her innocent daughter and then kicked him out and proceeded to call his parents. But the first time she caught Shay with a girl was even worse; not only did she curse and kick the girl out of their house, she let Shay have it and made ter go to counseling with their priest. As if the person Shay was growing into was so terrible and not good enough. And the sad thing is, Miriam gets a chance to redo everything 'wrong' with Shay with ter sister.
Sister - Sierra Michelle Perkins, Student - Sierra is currently a high school student back in Texas. She's still with her parents, she's in the same private Catholic school she and Shay had always attended, and Richard and Miriam's ideals are being just as forced on Sierra as they were on Shayla. Sierra, similar to Shay, has natural talent when it comes to music and was involved in school plays and church choir. Unfortunately, Shay has little to no contact with ter sister. Tey has no idea how Sierra's doing or what's going on in her life. All tey knows is everything that was forced on Shay growing up, everything ter parents tried to turn ter into, they are now doing the same thing with Sierra. Shay hopes that Sierra will be able to be independent and away from them one day, but until then tey is left only wondering.
Dog - Jane - After settling in at Salem, Shay had every intention of being on ter own, save for maybe some occasional companionship. That all changed one day when an older woman came into the thrift store Shay had been working on. The lady was buying the cheapest clothes possible for her grandkids, for Shay to learn that it was because the woman was currently fostering an older dog. At the time the dog, then named Biscuit, was almost seven years old. The woman was not going to be able to keep Biscuit much longer, but bringing her to a shelter would most likely end in her being put to sleep as most potential pet owners wanted something younger. Money was tight for Shay, but tey said tey would take the dog if no one else would. Shay had always been an avid lover of dogs and there was no point in seeing an innocent, healthy animal be put down. The woman gave Shay the dog, which tey renamed Jane, and Shay left Rips and Winkles to work at the Shady Bar where tey'd make a little more money to support Jane. Jane is now almost nine years old; she takes up a bit of a space and may not be the most active dog, but when Shay has no one else around at least tey knows tey can count on Jane. The first thing Shay did with ter first paycheck from the bar - after buying a huge bag of dog food for ter new pet - was get ter "With a Little Help From My Fwends" ink in honor of Jane.
Backstory
It was the most simple love story for Richard and Miriam - two teens who met in church and fell in love. They barely wasted any time into their marriage before having kids; less than a year in they found out they were pregnant the first time. Once they found out they were having a girl, they decided on the name Shayla; supposedly there was a variant of it in another language that meant 'gift'. All was happy and simple in the little family. They continued going to church. Shayla went to Sunday School. She was enrolled into a private Catholic school. She was a smart kid with a knack for singing and was automatically set up for church choir. On the outside, they appeared to be the picture perfect family.
Unfortunately for Shayla, she learned early that any and everything she did would get right back to her mother. Any time the slightest thing in class went wrong, Miriam would ask her about it. Whenever Shayla thought she was standing up for herself, Miriam questioned why her daughter was talking back. When Shayla spoke her mind, Miriam would reprimand her because little girls should be seen and not heard. Shayla didn't understand why. Girls were smart. Girls were cute. Girls were awesome. Why should they just sit at the sidelines with their mouths shut?
Shay continued pushing her boundaries, albeit in the most simple ways. Questioning a teacher. Pushing her limit in choir. Saying words that were off limits like 'hell' and 'shut up'. When she was eight, Shayla learned she was going to be a big sister. Her parents sat her down and told her that she had to behave better. She was going to have a little sister that looked up to her, to show her what it meant to be a good girl, that her innocent sister couldn't risk being put on the wrong path. They were even naming her Sierra, meaning 'mountain range' because of the high expectations Miriam and Richard had for her. For a short time, Shayla kept her mouth shut and obliged by her parents - even if she thought they were stupid.
As Sierra grew from baby to toddler, Shay took more notice of how her parents were handling her. They were putting her sister in frilly dresses. They were reading her Bible stories at bedtime, and telling her scary stories about things like hell and Satan when she misbehaved. They attempted to blanket train her. And whenever she had a play date with a boy, they would joke that he would grow up to be her boyfriend. All of it made Shay uncomfortable in a way she couldn't describe. It just felt so strict and structured.
She started personalizing her school uniform. Colored socks, pins, more noticeable earrings...it made her stand out in the crowd. And she liked it. She liked getting called out for looking different. She liked it if she got compliments. And admittedly, it was kind of nice being sent away from class and sit in the principal's office for a bit instead. When the time came that enough was enough and Shay had to stop, she read that as a something totally different. So she started wearing the boys' uniform instead. Sure, she got looked at. She got questioned. She lost count of how many times her parents questioned why she left the house dressing like a boy. But Shayla didn't care. Not having to dress or look like a girl, feeling like she had even one other option somehow...it felt like the smallest taste of freedom.
The older Shayla got, the more she tested her limits. She didn't pay as much attention in school. She started noticing more than boys as someone dateable. She dressed differently on weekends, whether it was more revealing or like a boy or anyway she wanted, really. She was a teenager; she should have been allowed to explore her options. Sierra thought Shay would get into so much trouble, but Shay didn't care. Eventually, her parents set her up with one of the sons of their pastor. He was supposedly a good, quiet, well-behaved and religious teen. Someone who would help put Shayla on the right path. Long story short, he had his own wild side that Shay encouraged to come out. He was the boy that Miriam caught her daughter making out with the first time. Even though both of them had gotten such the lecture from their folks, it was actually him who insisted that he keep seeing Shayla. She had no idea what the hell he pulled - something about building his confidence or whatever - but the parents bought it. It was alright, Shay supposed. But it was so...monogamous. And when he started talking about their future and getting married after college, something in Shayla snapped. It was like he was putting all this pressure on her. Like he just expected them to stay together through all that time and everything would just be all ok. That was the first time Shay cheated while in relationship. If some people call kissing cheating. At the time, Shay didn't; she merely saw an opportunity with someone cute who actually listened to her and she took it. But according to her 'boyfriend', that was cheating. He broke up with her, but she wasn't upset. She didn't feel like she was missing out on anything. She was just free to explore her many other options. If only everyone else saw it that way. A lot of boys wouldn't look her way because her reputation had gone from that of a rebel to a cheater. The super religious girls looked down on her for calling another girl cute, as if simply looking at one was a sin. Richard and Miriam saw it as a chance for Shay to do better in school and get into college.
But her grades had never been stellar. Shayla did pass and was able to graduate, albeit more towards the bottom of her class. It severely limited her options as far as colleges went. Although she was looking into schools to pursue music, nowhere good would even look her way. It didn't matter if she could sing or act or anything; her grades just didn't reflect that. Community college was essentially her only option. It wasn't glamorous and it wasn't something to be proud of - not in her parents' eyes, anyway. So Shay decided to make a change. She dyed her hair blonde. And she fell in love with it. Her new hair combined with dressing the way she wanted to - no dress code, no restrictions, no stupid uniform - she felt better about herself. More...her. Miriam was shocked, although it didn't bother Richard too much. She didn't dye it something crazy like pink or purple, that was all he cared about.
College was Shay's first real chance at freedom. Even though it was the local community college, she got to meet people from her area who didn't go to her school, who weren't as restricted as she was.She got to choose her classes, her schedule. She could come and go to campus as she pleased. She wasn't relegated to going home at three or five every afternoon; if she wanted to eat at the campus cafe or work out at the gym there then she damn well should! It was even where she met her next boyfriend... who she proceeded to cheat on with a girl. It wasn't Shay's fault; the tension was there and they obviously had chemistry! Fortunately for her, this boyfriend was not that sharp and Shay was able to keep her affair going for a good three months. That felt like a long time to her, at least. Classes, on the other hand, were nowhere near as exciting. Or good. Her grades were still questionable and she easily risked failing her first semester. During her second semester, Shay ended up withdrawing from a class so she wouldn't fail. But it wasn't entirely her fault; math was just so boring. How was she supposed to consider herself a music major when it felt like there was so little focus in music? Even when she did take music classes, they were all lectures. She didn't enjoy it. Shay went to her parents and said she wanted to switch majors and try a different college. Taking a semester off to do research sucked; to say it was boring was a severe understatement. Not to mention her freedom had been taken away once again even though she was technically an adult. However Shay did see another local school in Texas she could go to; it had a lot of different options, where she'd planned on attending undecided for a semester before choosing. It was slightly further, about an hour drive. Miriam was hesitant, though eventually relented. That all changed, however, when she caught Shayla in her bedroom with her girlfriend - one who would also be attending that school. There was a lot of shouting. There was hair grabbing. It even got to the point where Miriam cured her own child out. If Shayla was going to live under that roof, she would follow their rules. And there was no way in hell she was driving an hour away to do who knows what with a woman. Shay fought for her sexuality. She fought for her right to be herself. She even fought about the way she dressed or how she styled her hair. In the end, neither Miriam nor Richard wanted any part in a broken child. She left Texas the next morning.
Rather she started to leave Texas the next morning. It would take a while to get from Forth Worth to the next state (Shayla eventually found out she was going West when she hit New Mexico). Once she was a few hours away, she grabbed lunch at McDonald's and then got her first tattoo. She chose an equal sign in hopes that now she would be able to go somewhere that would actually treat her as such and nothing lower. Up until getting a part time job as a waitress to save up, Shay mostly stayed where she could for little to no money. She attempted to keep long distance with her girlfriend for the time being, although it was difficult. Her history aside, simply not having someone as a companion didn't make her feel much better. When Shay did find someone to crash with - another coworker - she actually did try to restrain herself. The guy was nice. He was cute. He was also surprisingly very understanding of her situation and was willing not to ask for anything in return. Shay tried that time not to cheat. Unfortunately it was only a matter of time. Between his personality, his praise and support - not to mention the very flattering photographs he took of her - it was hard for Shayla not to give into temptation. It felt like such a relief to actually have someone by her side, some encouragement for once. He was the one who helped her enroll in classes. This time, Shay chose photography as her major. She stayed at the school, as well as with him, for about a year. But during that time, something wasn't right. She didn't enjoy photography; he did. They saw each other all the time, she barely had a chance to even look at anyone else. Somehow Shayla went from some feisty rebel to a clingy girlfriend. She hated it. For once, Shay didn't end the relationship through cheating. She just left. She packed her things, dropped out of school, quit her job, went to a salon to chop off her hair, and ended up in New Mexico.
Another waitressing job and another school kept her in New Mexico for about a semester. Honestly though, Shay doesn't even remember how she ended up as a fashion student there. She was a part time student, taking only two classes at the time. It was what she could afford at the time, but looking back on it, it was probably better that way. Shay wouldn't have lasted much longer than she did. The only blessing in disguise? That was where she really learned about her style. Despite taking only two introductory fashion courses, what Shayla took away from it was the ability to express herself the way she wanted and to use fashion to show who she really was. And who she was, was a lot of things. Sometimes a bit of a wild child. A reckless thinker. A ball of energy. A confident person. Unique. But there was so much more to her than that. Her outfit could scream 'sexy woman' but her hair would seem so boyish. There were still plenty of looks that came her way; Shay didn't mind one bit. She liked the attention. And sometimes, she liked confusing people. She liked that her body was obviously female, but she could pair the right thing with her hair to make her look more like a guy. She could show off her body or she could be androgynous. It felt like more than just her hair and clothes had all of these possibilities she never thought of before leaving Texas. It was like she had all these possibilities. Like she could be more than a girl. Or maybe not a girl.
It took a little bit of time to figure out fully what that meant to Shay. If she had to pick one moment where it all came together, it was shortly after making it into California. She'd just turned 21 and got a job at a bar which paid really well. Well, more than any of her other waitressing jobs at least. Sierra left a message on her cell phone, asking her to come for her middle school graduation. Having nothing against her sister, Shay called back. Everything started off fine; until Sierra brought up their parents. She said that were thinking about Shayla. How she was doing. If she was ok. If she changed her ways at all. What she was doing to get by. Maybe it was the judgment Shayla heard. Maybe it was how Sierra described it. For all Shay knew, it could have simply been what Sierra was saying; that she was just innocently repeating the words of their parents because she knew no better. But at some point during that conversation, Shay snapped. She didn't want to be talked to like that. She didn't want to hear about Richard and Miriam. She didn't want to feel like she was in the wrong. And she didn't want to be called 'she' anymore. Shayla insisted that if Richard and Miriam wanted to know so bad how Shay was doing, then they needed to ask 'how's they doing? Are they alright?' Shay left it at that.
Shay enrolled in school yet again, this time for communications. It was really just a bs major Shay chose to prove the family wrong. That at the end of the day, Shay was going to make something of themself and earn a degree. But communications sucked. It was just so.... Boring. They had no plans with it. What was the point? Shay didn't even bother to finish the semester. They just dropped the classes and went back to work. Shay stayed like that until the new year, and then continued traveling through California. They had no idea what they were looking for, or if they were even going to stay somewhere for more than a year this time. Shay just needed...something. There were a few basic jobs along the way to earn an income. There were some hookups. There was a bit of drinking. And, when times got tough, a lot of smoking. Shay did a bit of experimenting.
When Shay got to Salem, they got a job at the thrift shop. They had no idea how that even happened; maybe it was just a pity hire or something. It wasn't like Shay was doing a bad job, it just wasn't what they had in mind for a job. Actually, they had nothing in mind for a job. Shay had no idea what to do with their life. But, similar to fashion school, Salem came with its blessings. The first was when they overheard a conversation between two shoppers; two teenagers gossiping about some other high school, like they were better than them or something. But what stuck out to Shayla was that the two girls were talking about multiple people. They were using the word 'they' a lot. It dawned on Shay that they were only one person. They wasn't a they. More like...tey. It sounded similar enough. It showed Shay still wasn't all girl. At the same time, it reflected only one of ter. Shay had been using those pronouns ever since. The second blessing was ter dog. Rather, an old lady's dog at first. But if Shay didn't take her and no one else did, she'd be sent to a shelter. Shay never had a dog of ter own. Tey took a chance. Jane could be expensive sometimes, and Shay did need to move into a bigger apartment as a result. Granted, ter current studio apartment isn't much bigger than ter old one; but at least it's enough for Jane to not feel completely cramped. Finally, Shay had a companion of ter own. It wasn't exactly the one they tey was expecting, but it's kind of hard to feel anything less with a dog next to ter at night.
Shay left the thrift shop and began working as a waitress again, though this time at an actual bar. Tey had been there for almost two years now and recently enrolled at Salem College. But this time, things are different. Shay can't go anywhere because tey has Jane; it's a bit difficult to travel by public transportation with a bigger dog. And maybe not declaring a major will be good for ter; Shay can still earn a degree even if it's the most basic one. But to have that would still be a big fat f you to anyone who thought otherwise. This time, nothing is going to get in Shay's way. Tey knows who tey is and will take anyplace tey is at by storm. In Shay's words? 'Watch out, bitches!'
Random
✗Shay's a dog person.
✗And can be a pottymouth.
✗Tey identifies as demigender, or demigirl. When tey cuts ter hair short, Shay can appear more androgynous. Shay loves ter body and curves but just doesn't like using she/her pronouns. It doesn't feel right. But they/their feels like there's more of tey. There's only one Shay. So tey uses tey/ter/tem/ters pronouns. Don't like it? Don't talk to ter.
✗Tey speaks with a pretty obvious southern twang, although tey can't stand country music. It just all sounds the same to ter.
✗Shay thinks video games are a waste of time. Why sit in front of a screen doing nothing when you can get out and actually do something?
✗Although tey is an atheist, Shay does have a tattoo of a cross. Shay wouldn't be where tey is without ter past, after all!
✗As far as all ter other tattoos, some do have reason (the equal sign for equal rights obviously, the anchor to keep ter grounded, and the Beatles/dog quote). Others have been mistakes, mostly drunken or after screw-ups (the eye, alien emoji, the quote, and roman numeral - seriously why did tey even pick...whatever number?). Some are just awesome; a watermelon slice? Come on, not many people have one of those. At least Shay was being original!
✗Shayla lives in a small studio apartment with ter dog Jane. It's the most amount of space Shay can afford currently, which is not terrible...except for the fact that the walls are incredibly thin. Shay almost feels sorry for Jane when tey has company over, but tey just has some needs that have to be met!
Music
✗Cheap Thrills - Sia
✗Just Like Fire - P!nk
✗Impossible - Shontelle
✗Centuries - FallOut Boy
✗Confident - Demi Lovato
✗Hot and Cold - Katy Perry
✗Stand Out - A Goofy Movie
✗Nowhere Man - The Beatles
✗Sorry Not Sorry - Demi Lovato
✗When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
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