it all boils down to one quotable phrase

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( If you walk away, I'll walk away )

Your Name: Sammah
Contact Info: sammah@gmail.com/glitznevvie
Age: 26
Holds: Carter/Thomas Dekker under cartercrawford

Character Journal: cartercrawford
Character Name: Carter Crawford
Age/Birthday: 22 ; December 11th, 1988
Sexuality & Relationship Status: Gay, Single
Job: Groundskeeper at the Lodge.

How did they find Heritage Lake?: He first came to Heritage Lake to stay with his older brother Seth. Since leaving two more of his brothers, Charlie and Caleb, have moved to town as well. They all sing it's praises, and he does miss the small life he was building there.

Appearance: Carter, like his brother, is fairly tall standing at 6'1", with a nice athletic build that's slightly muscular but not overly so. Growing up he worked on the family's farm, like his siblings, and years of plowing, digging, and hauling was all the work out he ever truly needed. During his school years Carter played baseball and soccer, and he still enjoys being outside in the sunshine. Because of this he tends to keep at least some color on his skin, though he's not particularly 'tan'. He tends to stand up straight with a slight swagger in his step, though when it comes to attire he prefers comfort above all yes. He's most often found in well worn jeans and t-shirts or tank tops, though every now and then he'll feel feisty and toss on black slacks and a button up for a change of pace. He has several tattoos, including guns on his chest, a wolf on his arm, and an arrow on the other arm. He has a lip ring that he sometimes wears, but doesn't at others, and if he can get away without wearing shoes, then he most definitely will.
Portrayed By: Thomas Dekker
Example Images: 1, 2, 3

Personality: Carter is the youngest of the Crawford brood, and was admittedly rather spoiled growing up. Because of his he can be a bit difficult to deal with at times, as he's very thick-headed and set in getting what he wants. This aspect of his personality can serve him well at times, when he's looking to make progress in work or in school, though at other times it can get him into quite a bit of trouble. He has a lazy streak a mild wide, and a bit of a disregard for the authority figures in his life. He often butts heads with people who try and tell him what to do, which is obviously a rather big issue that he does, at times, attempt to work on and correct.

He's a flirt, but in a rather harmless and goofy sort of way. He even flirts with the ladies, just because he finds it entertaining. He can be a bit demanding, but if the right person came along and made him work for it, Carter would be willing to at least attempt to change. Growing up as the youngest, he always felt, though he'd never admit it, a bit like an outcast in his own family. He was never quite as good at things like school and sports as his older siblings, and was rather prone to given up after a fashion. He still tends to give up on things if he feels he isn't making any decent progress, and it's becoming a bit of a complex in recent years, that he truly needs help to get past and move on from.

History: Carter Crawford was born in the winter of 1988 as the last, and youngest, of the children born to the unconventional family of Elena Rice-Crawford and her husband Eddie Crawford. Growing up, Carter was the youngest of seven, with 5 years between him and the second youngest and 15 years between himself and the oldest. With such an age gap, Carter was admittedly very babied and pampered by his parents, spoiled right from the get-go. The older children weren't overly jealous of little Carter, though from time to time there would be arguments over why he got to have everything he wanted. There was no true debate to be made by their parents; that was just how it was, and there was no more to it.

Living on the family farm in Beaufort, South Carolina, Carter had chores to take care of as he grew older, just as his siblings did before him. So much babying, however, left him rather lazy, so he was most often found in the barn loft napping or hiding out in one of the fields rather than accomplishing the task he was given. It was easier, really, just to do it for him instead of leaving him to muck it up or let it sit until someone did it anyway.

In high school Carter was an average student, naturally smart enough that he passed with solid C's, but certainly not an A+ mongering overachiever either. He was satisfied with what he got, and didn't question it. Like his older brothers he played sports, though he preferred baseball and soccer over football and basketball. He was good on the field, but he didn't aspire to take his sports career beyond graduation day, as he wasn't even sure if he'd be going to college.

By the time Carter graduated, his older siblings had all left home to live their own lives. This was the reason he cited behind his decision not to go away for school, and instead chose to make the commute to Columbia three days a week to take classes at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort while continuing to live at home. Living with his parents, and not working a job and barely even bothering to attend the courses he was enrolled in meant that Carter had an abundance of free time, most of which he spent out with friends, just hanging out and doing absolutely nothing with himself.

Nothing much really changed until the fall of 2009, when Carter broke up with his girlfriend and stopped attending courses all together. A letter arrived in the mail, letting his parent's know that Carter had not only flunked everything, but that he was being held on academic probation. Finally, after 20 years of babying and coddling, Elena decided that something had to be done. She could not stand to watch her son waste his entire life, and so she gave him an ultimatum.

Either he got a job to pay the university and get back into classes, or he could leave home. The choice was, ultimately, up to him. Not one to enjoy being 'bossed around', Carter decided to leave, taking what little money he'd saved up and packing up his car. He left South Carolina and headed west, ending up at Heritage Lake where his brother, Seth Crawford, lived. He hadn't bothered to call Seth, and just showed up unexpectedly, and quite literally, on his doorstep with absolutely nothing but what he'd packed in his car.

While living in Heritage Lake, Carter spent a lot of time thinking about his life, and how he felt about anything and everything. He had always been different from his siblings, and not just because he was the youngest. He finally admitted to himself that, while he could deny it all he wanted and date women, he was much more physically attracted to men. The revelation startled him and, afraid his brother would find out and shun him, decided to skip town.

Carter headed to Seattle to visit some college friends, when his car broke down. He ended up sofa surfing and finding a job at a coffee shop to try and pay for the repairs. While working there he met a guy named Ryan Utley, and the two began dating. It was not only his first relationship since his girlfriend, but also his first with another man. Things were rough, however, after Carter moved in with Ryan, and finally one rather horrible night prompted him to leave.

Scared and tired of being abused, Carter's made the choice to take himself back to Heritage. He has three brothers there, and Caleb is especially a comfort as they were always rather close. He knows he cant' hide his secret forever, but that is something he's taking a step at a time.

Fears: Being completely alone, spiders or anything with more legs than four, total darkness. His brothers disowning him for being gay.
Desires: To find his own two feet, to meet someone who actually understands him and wants to help him, to have people be proud of him.

One Secret: He's always felt like he was never quite as good as the rest of his siblings, and it hurts that he's never given his parent's a reason to be proud of him.


Five Random Facts:
1. His favorite snack is peanutbutter and jelly on toast.
2. Caleb is his favorite older brother, and has been since he was small.
3. He likes to listen to the Beastie Boys.
4. He owns four different leather jackets.
5. When at university he wanted to major in public relations.
6. He's never left the country before.