What's in a Name?

Shelby Doherty

Shelby Doherty- Scottish ancestry; Often regarded as a little mousy, Shelby is a timid girl with wavy chestnut brown hair that is generally styled in a short, messy bob with bangs, slightly rounded hazel eyes, thin lips, and fair, lightly freckled skin that "doesn't truly tan, only burns". She is mild-mannered and tends to be unconfident with a somewhat self-deprecating view of herself due to the harsh judgment of her mother, with whom she has a difficult relationship. As a child, she was raised in an orange orchard in Florida, but moved to her mother's hometown of Valley Stream, Long Island once her parents underwent a temporary "separation". She likewise continues to have a noticeable habit of poking out her tongue whenever she is nervous or lost in thought. Shelby carries much of her depth beneath the surface, but is open with others about the things that spill over the edges, whether it's passions she wants to pursue or ways she wants to advocate for others. She is seen as someone who is not usually loud or noticeable, but is "just there", which her classmates' joke is perfect for stalking or as her best friend Daniella Nichols puts it "looking after her darling." Although she doesn't often have many close friends, the few friendships she does have are usually deep and intimate, even if these connections may consist of just one or two people. She is extremely bright and self-aware, quickly taking note of minor details many people would otherwise neglect or disregard. Shelby loves and hates the fact that she is so "different" from others, knowing that her differences are what make her unique, yet hating the feelings of isolation they incur. Her mind is constantly riddled with contradiction and uncertainty, as she yearns for closeness between herself and her peers, yet withdraws at the prospect of large crowds or being surrounded by too many people. 

Focus is something that she craves in every aspect of her life, as she struggles with multi-tasking and prefers to quietly delve into a subject or idea in-depth. She struggles to open up and genuinely trust people, yet cherishes her closest relationships and is inclined to serve as a protector of sorts toward those she knows most. Shelby is an extremely quirky girl and described as a complete nonconformist, with a sweet, endearingly awkward disposition and many eccentric beliefs and qualities. She is considered to be intelligent and unusually perceptive, as she lacks self-consciousness around Daniella and is not afraid to show who she truly is around her. Although many thought she was "bizarre", her classmates eventually became very fond of her, as she came to write a series of stories about her good friends that captured their true essence. Her demeanor and voice were often distant and dreamy, as she would drift away from a conversation she did not find interesting, yet develop a passionate side to her demeanor when one of her values was threatened. Shelby also has an uncanny way of making others uncomfortable by being bluntly honest, as her cousin described her as having a "knack for embarrassing honesty". She spends plenty of time overthinking everything in her life, which can often work her into becoming extremely anxious and unsure herself. What is most perplexing about her demeanor is that she can at one moment appear easygoing and content, and just as easily depress over the slightest issue or release an unexpected bout of her anger the next. Seldom does she question whether what she truly desires lies in mimicking the actions of others, or if she's merely being influenced by a desire to prove herself worthy with no gain. Shelby enjoyed reading and watching television and always seemed to be particularly fond of the Artemis Fowl series and the Berenstain Bears as a child. 

She tends to receive fragments of a story as downloads into her consciousness, during which she will randomly be pursuing an activity and "just know" something about her story as it begins to unfold in her mind's eye. With friendship and love, she ended filling the hole in her heart that could not be satisfied through what her mother had taught her. She began writing stories to fill the void in her heart and turn to the internet as an escape, but came to find the kindred spirit she always wanted in Daniella when she least expected. Because she is hardheaded and prone to dwelling on the past, Shelby unknowingly second-guesses herself and tries to remain nearer to the sidelines as a means of self-protection from negative experiences. Although usually conscientious and diligent, she also has something of a rebellious streak, engaging in an endless search for identity and seeking to actively express her individuality, which brings discord to her relationship with her serious-minded, no-nonsense mother. Independent-minded and withdrawn, she exhibits great tenacity and resolve when attempting to achieve a goal or fulfill a desire. She is likewise a world-class perfectionist who analyzes the people before her to a fault, occasionally allowing an uncharacteristically judgmental side to surface. Raised by a single mother for much of her life, her parents divorced when she was 8, leaving bitter feelings of resentment in her mother's heart and Shelby herself with a sense of abandonment. Her mother has since not remarried and devotes long hours to her work as a receptionist at an optometric office, while maintaining a distant relationship with her daughter. She is described as an alcoholic, as she passes out all the time and is disoriented when she wakes up, in addition to slurring her words.