<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=324786.msg15588689#msg15588689">Quote from: Dotley on 10-09-2020, 07:54:39</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Oh! Childhood friends. Now <em>that</em> has got the idea wheel turning. With a surname like Morales, I'm guessing Marc speaks Spanish? If so, Ramon's mom totally would have arranged playdates between Marc and Ramon just so he'd have another kid to speak in Spanish with. Maybe their moms, or Ramon's mom and Marc's dad, were friends? If Marc doesn't speak Spanish or not that well, maybe they arranged playdates between them in hopes that Ramon's Spanish fluency would rub off on Marc. Sometimes forced friendships can become real friends! I like the idea they might have drifted away from each other once they got older and their relationship downgraded into a more classmate/friend of a friend thing. And I also dig the idea that Marc purposefully drew away from Ramon once the hints about his sexuality moved into obvious territory. Ramon could still be a bit bitter it.<br/><br/>I could totally see Ramon dropping tid-bits here and there about girls that Marc was interested in. Ramon would have lots of "insider info" about the girls. And love the tidbit Marc enjoying the show when Ramon bullied back at bullies.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Oooh. As terrible as it probably is to leap to this idea, Ramon's mom and Marc's dad being friends kinda makes me wanna suggest there having been a possible affair when the boys were in high school. It could be something Marc picked up on, and if you'd like to up Ramon's bitterness a bit, since Marc taking out his anger on his dad probably would have been more likely to have an outcome that he wouldn't have wanted...well, Ramon's already being harassed. Maybe he could have used it as an avenue to cope one time or two, either flying solo or taking the lead? After previously being a bystander. (Admittedly, it'd probably raise eyebrows, especially if he claims it's for the same reason as the other bullies, buuut teens!) It could be something he tries to make amends for present day. Up to you!<br/><br/>But yes! I'm down for there having been arranged play dates to help develop their bilingual-ness. I do like the idea that Ramon was better at the language. From an early age, Marc probably learned to go with the flow on things, so, like, if Ramon was the type of kid to play out his aspirations of being an actor, or play fashion runway, or things like that, there could have been some color to their time together. I do like the idea of it having been a real friendship until the hints about Ramon's sexuality became clearer. If their parents would have been the type to have the occasional dinner where both households were present, there could have been some of that awkwardness until the parents (Marc's at least) stopped forcing it.<br/><br/>Marc's checking in early on the playable Sunday. Mayhap they meet at the cafe? Prearranged or by chance.