Inspiration

He assumes the role of father to Jace when his parents die suddenly. He struggles to give Jace all that he needs to be a successful young man while keeping him safe. He only hopes, in the end, that Jace understands just how much he loves him, has always loved him, and will always love him.

She assumed the role of mother to Jace when his parents died suddenly. Although she does not have the same bond with Jace that Roman has, she still loves him with every fiber of her being and would give up everything to be sure that he is happy and safe. 

Marcus is the boy next door that wants desperately to be accepted. His insecurities stem back from the loss of his father. Not that he died, but that he abandoned his mom and him when he was a young boy. He has never truly gotten over it and has built up walls, which seem to draw unwanted attention at school. He wears clothes that are a bit too big and his hair a bit too long as a shield, although he does not realize he is doing this. Meeting Jace, he has finally met someone he feels comfortable around and who helps break down the walls he spent so long building.

Wants the best for her only child. After the rejection by her husband, she is left trying to keep the house together and raise her son to the best of her abilities. Insecurities that she has developed seem to have rubbed off onto Marcus, although he is better at hiding them with humor. 

She takes on the job as a tutor to the new boy that is about to move onto the street and is hopeful that the new job will give her more time with Marcus as well as give her son a new friend. When she meets Jace and his family, she is thrilled as all her wishes seem to have come true. Steady work that is close to home, a friendly family, and a new friend for her son. What more could she ask for?

Mrs. Hunter’s mysterious older sister. She has always been there for them and acted as Mrs. Hunter’s protector while growing up. She is more eccentric in her dress and actions but very old-fashioned when it comes to family and values. She feels guilt at being the cause of Marcus’s father leaving, but for how long could she hide who she really is?

You can almost make out Marcus’s computer table in the front window. Can’t you?

The youngest of the Lewis sisters and currently a sophomore. She feels that she has very big shoes to fill as her sisters have established themselves as very popular athletes and all-around students in their school, leaving her feeling the need to do the same. Although she excels at everything she does, she yearns for a simpler lifestyle, like the one she had in middle school, where she would spend hours at Marcus’s house playing Castle Core. Once she was in high school, she became so busy with school extracurriculars she just stopped going over there. This is something she deep down regrets but is unsure how to fix it. When Jace moves in next door, her world is flipped upside down. For the first time in her life, she is more interested in the boy next door than what is happening at school. Fortunately, it fosters the bridge back to Marcus.

The proverbial middle child, where the rules were created because of her. She has a fiery spirit and several goals in mind that she absolutely intends to reach. One of which is marrying her long-term boyfriend, whom she is completely head over heels in love with. Although she is very active in school, she has an impulsive side that sometimes will get her in trouble, but most of the time keeps her out of it. She is fiercely loyal, and once you are part of her group, it takes a gargantuan effort to be removed.

The oldest of the Lewis girls, she is about to graduate from high school. Alyssa was the one to set the all-around-student standard for the Lewis sisters. But her passion lies in the English literature and the legends from her Abuela about fantasy creatures and beings. Because of all the old stories, she immersed herself in the legends and has become sort of a fantasy encyclopedia.

She has been a stay-at-home mom to Alyssa, Zoe, and Izzie. While Kyle was out at work, Carolina would stay home and take care of the girls but always had a secret desire to open her own café and share the wonderful recipes she learned over the years. Now that her husband is retired, she takes the leap, with his support, and they open ‘Carolina’s Café’ in the heart of Williston. When the girls are not busy with school, they help their mother and father in the café.

Spent 25 years as a Corrections Officer and is, for the first-time enjoying retirement. Although you can take the officer out of the job, you can’t quite take the job out of the officer. He has a keen eye for things that don’t quite add up and is protective of his little corner of Crystal Court. Although he doesn’t actively say it, he watches out for all of the families in the block like they were part of his own.

Can you see Izzie in the front top window? Or perhaps her little oasis to the left of the house, which is nestled between hers and Jace’s house.

What more could you want? He’s tall, dark, handsome, and completely in love with Zoe. Not only is this hunk the kind of strength you would want as a backup in a fight, but he’s also smart and looking to get into a prestigious university where he can go into the sciences. He is fiercely loyal and protects all the Lewis sisters as though they were his own family, which he hopes will be in the future. When he meets Jace, he is instantly intrigued by the newcomer. Will they become friends, or will Brian decide that he needs to leave the Lewis sisters alone? 

One of the most popular Juniors in school. With some significant connections in town, he feels he can get away with just about anything and frequently tries it. He is also very narcissistic and feels the need to have anything someone else has. His interest in Izzie grows exponentially when he sees Jace, Marcus, and Izzie together at a pool party. Zooming in on his prize, will his interest in Izzie cause any headaches for Jace? 

After an adventurous night out, this imposing character shows up at Jace’s house with some serious allegations against him. Fear and anger from this encounter force Jace and his family to talk more openly than they ever have before. Will the Sherriff and the accusation destroy this family or bring them closer?

The bubbly blond at the local burger joint in town. After an unexpected encounter in the Burgerporium, Jace is surprised to see her later that night at the party at the Blue Grotto. Does she turn out to be a friend or foe?