Name Riley Grayson
Age: 18
Appearance:
Personality:
"This is unbelievable! Listen, Kim, we need to see that train! I mean, doesn't thinking about it get you pumped up? What do you mean no? This is just amazing! If we took a photo for the papers, there'd be no way they wouldn't want it. What do you mean I'm insane? Oh, puh-lease, last time we broke into that abandoned house, THIS, well, this'll be a piece of cake."
Stubborn and absolutely head-over-heels in love with adventure. Riley will almost never say no to a challenge. Why? Well, either it's because she's ridiculously brave, or insanely stupid, most likely it is the latter. The girl loves thrills. Roller coasters, camping trips, sports, just name your challenge and she'll be there in a snap. Aside from that, Riley likes testing her limits, tell her something is forbidden and she'll give you a cheeky grin and a halfhearted nod. However, give it a little time and that rule will most likely be broken. "Eh? You told me ages ago, how do you expect me to remember?" She'll give you an innocent grin and a handful of excuses as she tries to change the topic and get back on the offended or irritated person's good side. She doesn't like it when people are upset with her.
Despite her bad decision making skills, she usually means well. When she jumps out of a dark corner to scare people or tackles them into a rough and somewhat painful hug it is usually in an attempt to cheer them up. Riley is a big believer of "actions speaks louder than words" so if you get on her bad side, don't expect a retort, expect a shove or a punch coupled with angry yelling. She might be a little physical when upset, but Riley doesn't hold grudges and is usually very forgiving. The girl is rough and brash in demeanor, but is also compassionate and loyal. She gives people comforting shoves when she thinks they need it and will always be there to pull someone along if they need a little help.
Back story:
"Uh? So...you're telling me, you want the story of my life? Sorry to break it you, pal, but my life's pretty much a yawn. That's why I left home in the first place."
Born to a family of five, Riley is the youngest child of Dr. Sarah and accountant, Ryan. She's pretty much the black sheep of the family too. While her older sister went to medical school and her older brother to law school, she decided that she wanted to be a journalist. However, her parents didn't want that. Apparently, they already had the rest of her life planned out for her. The idea made Riley very angry and she and her parents had a legendary quarrel. They weren't very close to begin with and all the additional bickering and fights pushed them even further away.
Riley decided to be the captain of her own fate and when she turned 18, she left to live with her best friend, Kim, in an apartment two cities away. Things went well at first, but then came the bills and food and furniture. There were no more free meals or free electricity and she found herself short on cash. Riley tried to get a job writing for the papers, but she couldn't get a lucky break and it was just rejection letter after rejection letter. Soon, she began hearing rumors about a wish-granting train, so on New Year's Eve Riley decided to bring a camera and see it for herself. If she got a photograph, and wrote an article about the "magical" train then someone would HAVE to hire her, right?
Wish:
"I want to write about things that matter, things other people actually give a fudge about."
When the train stopped at the station she could have sworn she saw Mr. Harris inside. "Riley! C'mon in, you got the job." Eagerly, she entered the train, but just as she was about to shake his hand, he disappeared and the double doors slid shut.