Richard Henderson

[CJanosi*]

Name: Richard 'Rich' Henderson
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Grade: 12th
School: Bayview Secondary School
Hobbies and Interests: Drawing, ad design, GODspeed Christian Club, football(wide receiver), writing, exercise.

Appearance: Richard has a wholesome, all-American boyish look about him. He has a thin nose that compliments his narrow face, and a strongly set jaw. His dark blonde hair is matted down, with his bangs sweeping over his forehead(which he is rather insecure about, as he believes that he inherited his mother's 'fivehead'). His eyes are perfectly circular, with no visible slant unless he blinks, and light blue in color. His teeth aren't perfect, with a few notched ones from messing with them while he was a child, are at least an acceptable shade of white. His skin is clear, lightly tanned Caucasian tone. He has a few aged bruises and cuts on his arms, legs, and face, and other places as well, but nothing that would cause a sportsman such as him alarm. Richard's build is lithe and tall, standing at 5'11 and weighing around 180 pounds, and while muscular, he isn't a large guy. His limbs are long, and he has an average-length torso, making him ideal for his choice of position in football. He is clean-shaven, and never liked the 'rugged' stubble look.
For clothing, Richard doesn't stand out. Jeans and a white, black, or dark blue button-down shirt, usually.

Biography: Richard is the son of a five-person family unit. He was raised by two doting parents, and he rarely experienced anything unpleasant besides regular childhood scraps and arguments. Compared to his siblings, Michael and Stephanie, he was rather spoiled and babied, even well into his adolescence. Unlike the two of them as well, he never really liked physical contact or rough games, so he usually relegated himself to a spectator role during their more daring escapades.

It didn't take long for Richard to realize that he was 'different'. He wasn't as sociable as other kids, and couldn't really understand it when Michael talked about girls. These feelings remained unexamined until high school, at which Richard began to notice other people who were 'like him'. Facing down a question he'd held for several years, Richard came to terms with his own sexuality.

It wasn't until he was a Junior that Richard realized he was really 'gay', and even when he knew it, he struggled to hide it from his family. For the most part, he was successful; his parents remained fairly oblivious to his lack of dates, which was chalked up to 'shyness'. His siblings, though, were more intuitive and figured out their brother's situation quickly. Both were understanding, Stephanie more quickly than their more traditionally-minded elder brother, but Michael too got used to the idea with time.

His response from the school has been mixed at best. Although he's a valued member of the football team, the coach has received more than a few complaints about having a homosexual on the team. Naturally, a large number of GODspeed members have turned against him, in spite of his and Stephanie's best efforts. Still, Richard enjoys both activities, and wouldn't dream of quitting either one. His 'big sis' Stephanie is quick to defend him, even when he can do so for himself(on of the biggest drawbacks to being in the same grade level as an older sibling).

Richard's never been the savviest of people. He lacks street smarts, and he's been conned quite a few times in his life. It doesn't help that he's utterly convinced that most, if not all, people are truly good, and he rarely has a mean thought about anyone. Richard rarely lashes out in anger and has learned to keep a firm hold on his emotions, lest he do something he might regret.

His ultimate career goal is in the field of advertising. Richard believes that only the truly intelligent can 'sell' something really well, and that he has what it takes to make it in the business world. While he is intelligent, he lacks the cutthroat nature and step-ladder political mind that his father tries to instill in him.

Advantages: In-shape and is a well-liked person in general. Very even-tempered, not likely to get in over his head.
Disadvantages: Incredibly naive and overly trusting to anyone who could help him. Richard lacks self-discipline and would probably fail to come to a decision under heat.