Welcome to my reboot of Under The Tartosan Sun.🙂 The original story was my first try at writing SimLit. It's been crazy fun and I've learned and grown so much since April '22 when this journey started. These characters are very special to me and I wanted to start again and use all that I've learned in that time to make their story even better. Since I was starting over I wanted to go back in time. Back to when Danielle, Londyn, and the others were just graduating high school and embarking on adulthood. Before Danielle and Londyn, Liberty and Matteo, and Summer and Darian met and fell in love in Tartosa. For some it’s university. For others it’s chasing their dreams along a different path. 

The early chapters are going to explore what made each of them who they are. It's also a chance to right a few wrongs. Things like the characters too perfect lives. Romantic relationships that went from 0 to soulmates in no time. Secondary characters and storylines that went nowhere. I'm also bringing a character over from another story that is on hiatus, and for all intents and purposes done. Johnny Zest/Mimi Eleganza/The Lady Mimi is one of my favorites and many readers have mentioned how much they enjoyed the character as well. 

I'll be updating and adding new character bios as time goes by. For now I'm starting out with two bios, one for each group of roommates/dorm mates, Danielle, Summer, and Liberty, and Londyn, Venessa, and Johnny/Mimi. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I do writing it. ❤️

(L to R) Danielle Chabert / Liberty Lee / Summer Holiday 

Danielle, Summer, and Liberty have been friends for almost their entire lives. They met in the first grade and have been nearly inseparable ever since. So it's no surprise they're going to be dorm mates at Foxbury Institute.

Danielle comes from a creative family. Her mother is an accomplished painter and her dad is jazz musician playing in the clubs around Willow Creek. Though her mom pressured her to be an artist, painting was only a hobby. Danielle's dream is to be a romance novelist. 

Liberty's mom is an investment banker and her father is a video game designer. Liberty is an avid gamer and daddy's girl who dreamt of being an astronaut when she was younger. Now she's fascinated by psychology and computers. She's doing a double major in psychology and computer science with hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist or cybersecurity expert.

 Summer was born to do one thing, cook. It's in her genes. Her mother and her mother's side of the family are almost all chefs. Her dad is a bandmate with Danielle's father so her family is steeped in the two things Willow Creek is most famous for, sinfully delicious food and hot jazz music. Her dream is to become a famous chef and own her own restaurants or have a tv cooking show. Maybe both.

(L to R) Venessa Jeong / Londyn Huntley / Johnny Landgraab-Mimi Eleganza-The Lady Mimi

Londyn, Venessa, and Johnny/Mimi all come from different backgrounds and different parts of the country. But they have a lot in common. All three on part of the LGBTQ community, Venessa and Londyn are lesbians, and Johnny/Mimi is trans/non-binary. They also dream of fame and fortune. 

Venessa grew up in Chestnut Ridge, but she always believed Del Sol Valley was where she was meant to be. She took advantage of every opportunity she could find to get in front of a crowd and perform. Growing up in a rural area those opportunities were few and far between. But she wasn't going to be deterred. Now she's accomplished the first objective, move to Del Sol Valley. Now the hard work begins. Venessa has the talent and determination to make it big.

Londyn is an island girl at heart. She grew up in sunny Sulani dreaming of stardom in faraway Del Sol Valley. Some of her earliest memories were of sitting with her mom watching the Starlight Accolades. And countless movies. As Londyn reached her teen years she knew early that she was attracted to other girls. It was a source of tension at times between her and her parents. They loved her but they didn't support her being out and proud. But through it all her parents supported her acting ambitions. Londyn has always dreamed big, now it's time to make those dreams come true.

Johnny/Mimi grew up in nearby Oasis Springs. From an early age there was a disconnect between their body and their heart and mind. Mimi never felt like the boy everyone else said they were. As the years passed and life at home and at school became nightmarish Mimi found an escape in the world of drag. Mimi idolized the performers. The club scene in Del Sol Valley is a Mecca for gender outlaws like Mimi and a launching pad from some of the world's top drag performers. A list Mimi is determined to add their name too.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three

Again, well done. I also got a nice chuckle out of this line, “'Yeah, isn’t electricity amazing? You should check out the indoor plumbing too.'”  Clarissa took it well. I used to give my kids the evil eye when they told me my way of doing things was Old School. What did they expect from someone who has been on this planet since the mid-1950s?LOL

Again, well done. I also got a nice chuckle out of this line, “'Yeah, isn’t electricity amazing? You should check out the indoor plumbing too.'”  Clarissa took it well. I used to give my kids the evil eye when they told me my way of doing things was Old School. What did they expect from someone who has been on this planet since the mid-1950s?LOL

Chapter Two:

As the calendar moved from August to September, Britechester was buzzing with an anxious energy. Every year as the summer days dwindled and autumn beckoned the city’s famous and prestigious universities welcomed an annual ritual, move-in day. In the coming days a small army of students, parents, and faculty would descend on the universities and the surrounding city. Inquisitive young minds flocking to the two iconic campuses, the storied and hallowed halls of the University of Britechester...

... and the gleaming modern, high-tech giant, Foxbury Institute.

For first year students, like Danielle, Summer, and Liberty the craziness, the excitement, and the anxiety of move-in day started weeks and months before. The lazy, carefree summer days of years past were replaced by to-do lists, phone calls and email exchanges with the university housing and financial aid departments. There were student organizations to research. Maps of the campus to learn. For Summer there were medical exams related to her soccer scholarship beyond the exams and shots that every student needed before arriving on campus.

Not all of the tasks on the to-do list were boring and tedious. There was no shortage of shopping to do. Finding those little touches to make the dorm rooms feel cozy and like home is so important. 

First year students and their families began arriving in Britechester a few days early. It was a good time to do some sight seeing and  last minute shopping. It was a good time for a leisurely tour of the campuses too. Britechester and Willow Creek’s differences went beyond just culture and geographical location. The climates were worlds apart too. Winter in Willow Creek was fairly mild, with just a handful of cold days every year. A light jacket or sweater was usually enough to get you through the worst of it. The only snow was the kind on your tv screen when the cable went out. Britechester had four real seasons, and proper winter weather. It was much colder and snowier which required wardrobe additions that were nearly impossible to find in Willow Creek. 

Liberty’s mom Clarissa had received her business degree from Foxbury so she was the perfect tour guide for the girls. She helped them get set up with student ID’s. She showed them where to find the health center, the book store, the best dining halls. She went over their schedules with them and showed them where each of their lecture halls were located. 

Their tour ended back at the hub of campus life, Larry’s Lagoon. Officially it was Foxbury Commons, but of course no one in Britechester knew it by that name. “God this place has changed so much since I hung out here with my sorority sisters!.\"

Liberty didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, isn’t electricity amazing? You should check out the indoor plumbing too.”  

“Very funny Liberty.” Clarissa knew she’d set herself up for that one. Liberty had her father’s sense of humor. “Us old women are going to let you ladies spend the rest of the day looking around. Try to be back at the hotel by 6 so we can go have dinner together.” After a round of hugs they watched their mom’s retreat into the distance. In that moment it sunk into them, they were a long way from the only home they had ever known and they were free to do whatever they wanted. This adulting stuff was pretty sweet.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze. Nothing like the sweltering heat and humidity back in Willow creek. After their goodbyes, the girls decided to grab some drinks and snacks from the stalls in front of Larry's. They staked out one of the umbrella tables and enjoyed a spot of al fresco dining and took in the scenery. The campus greenery was vaguely reminiscent of the gardens that dotted the neighborhoods back home, especially along Orleans Street, the place that until now had been the only home they'd ever known. Those memories recalled the comforting scent of roses, honeysuckle, and gardenias. Danielle made a mental note to find some scented candles with those aromas, for that inevitable moment when she knew she'd need a reminder of home. 

Now that they were alone Liberty took the opportunity to vent a little. “My mom just had to sneak in that bit about sorority sisters. She won’t let up about me choosing a dorm instead of pledging a sorority. I love her and she means well, but she can be such a pain in the butt sometimes. She tries to run my life.” 

Danielle could relate to what Liberty was going through. “My mom hasn't gotten over me choosing Foxbury. She wanted me to go to Britechester. She keeps trying to make me feel guilty about it.\"

“My mom…” Summer began. 

“Oh Summer, shut up” Liberty said with a dismissive laugh, “your mom is like the ultimate cool mom.” Danielle nodded her agreement.

“Yeah right.” It was Summer’s turn to be theatrical. “You haven’t walked in and seen her dancing around the kitchen, wearing short shorts, a halter top, and singing \"Single Ladies Put A Ring On It\" into a wooden spoon.\"

“Ok that’s totally cringe. I'd die of embarrassment if my mom did that.” Danielle said.

“Ok so your mom isn't the ultimate cool mom\" Liberty said. All three of them were trying desperately to get the mental image out of their heads. \"But she's still sort of cool-ish. She's cooler than our moms.”

Summer knew it was useless to argue. Her friends had always seen her mom in the best light. She really wanted to change the subject and she got her wish in the best way she could imagine. “Mmm, hello” Summer purred, drawing each word out a little for effect.  

The small group of guys fully caught their attention. Summer wished she was wearing sunglasses so she could do that sexy cool movie thing of pulling them down a little to admire the guys over the top. “I think I’m going to like it here” she said. The comment was met with girlish laughter. 

“Ladies” Danielle said, “those aren't boys. Those are men.” 

“Yeah, understatement of the year.” Liberty replied while taking one last look over Summer's shoulder as the guys rounded the corner and disappeared. “See anything you liked?” she asked. Danielle’s relationships had been a carousel. If she made it to the third date with a guy it was a long term relationship. Summer and Liberty had made it their mission to help her change that.

“There were a couple that I wouldn’t mind seeing again.” She appreciated her friend’s efforts to help her find a guy. It wasn’t that Danielle had any trouble attracting guys. That had never been a problem. Her problem was she lost interest in them quickly and was ready to start looking again. It was the same thing here. The three guys who passed them were stunning. But she didn’t feel anything special. No fireworks, just appreciation for seeing three extremely handsome men. Her mom was probably right, she was just too much of a romantic and she needed a deeper emotional connection. More than any teenage boy was capable of. Her friends felt she was just too picky. Maybe I am too picky, she thought to herself. Maybe mom’s right. Maybe all of them were right. Try as she might to convince herself otherwise she didn’t believe either one of those explanations was right. It was something else though what that something else was she didn’t know. They were easy on the eyes, she mused to herself as she took another sip of her smoothie. That much is true.

Chapter Two:

As the calendar moved from August to September, Britechester was buzzing with an anxious energy. Every year as the summer days dwindled and autumn beckoned the city’s famous and prestigious universities welcomed an annual ritual, move-in day. In the coming days a small army of students, parents, and faculty would descend on the universities and the surrounding city. Inquisitive young minds flocking to the two iconic campuses, the storied and hallowed halls of the University of Britechester...

... and the gleaming modern, high-tech giant, Foxbury Institute.

For first year students, like Danielle, Summer, and Liberty the craziness, the excitement, and the anxiety of move-in day started weeks and months before. The lazy, carefree summer days of years past were replaced by to-do lists, phone calls and email exchanges with the university housing and financial aid departments. There were student organizations to research. Maps of the campus to learn. For Summer there were medical exams related to her soccer scholarship beyond the exams and shots that every student needed before arriving on campus.

Not all of the tasks on the to-do list were boring and tedious. There was no shortage of shopping to do. Finding those little touches to make the dorm rooms feel cozy and like home is so important. 

First year students and their families began arriving in Britechester a few days early. It was a good time to do some sight seeing and  last minute shopping. It was a good time for a leisurely tour of the campuses too. Britechester and Willow Creek’s differences went beyond just culture and geographical location. The climates were worlds apart too. Winter in Willow Creek was fairly mild, with just a handful of cold days every year. A light jacket or sweater was usually enough to get you through the worst of it. The only snow was the kind on your tv screen when the cable went out. Britechester had four real seasons, and proper winter weather. It was much colder and snowier which required wardrobe additions that were nearly impossible to find in Willow Creek. 

Liberty’s mom Clarissa had received her business degree from Foxbury so she was the perfect tour guide for the girls. She helped them get set up with student ID’s. She showed them where to find the health center, the book store, the best dining halls. She went over their schedules with them and showed them where each of their lecture halls were located. 

Their tour ended back at the hub of campus life, Larry’s Lagoon. Officially it was Foxbury Commons, but of course no one in Britechester knew it by that name. “God this place has changed so much since I hung out here with my sorority sisters!.\"

Liberty didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, isn’t electricity amazing? You should check out the indoor plumbing too.”  

“Very funny Liberty.” Clarissa knew she’d set herself up for that one. Liberty had her father’s sense of humor. “Us old women are going to let you ladies spend the rest of the day looking around. Try to be back at the hotel by 6 so we can go have dinner together.” After a round of hugs they watched their mom’s retreat into the distance. In that moment it sunk into them, they were a long way from the only home they had ever known and they were free to do whatever they wanted. This adulting stuff was pretty sweet.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze. Nothing like the sweltering heat and humidity back in Willow creek. After their goodbyes, the girls decided to grab some drinks and snacks from the stalls in front of Larry's. They staked out one of the umbrella tables and enjoyed a spot of al fresco dining and took in the scenery. The campus greenery was vaguely reminiscent of the gardens that dotted the neighborhoods back home, especially along Orleans Street, the place that until now had been the only home they'd ever known. Those memories recalled the comforting scent of roses, honeysuckle, and gardenias. Danielle made a mental note to find some scented candles with those aromas, for that inevitable moment when she knew she'd need a reminder of home. 

Now that they were alone Liberty took the opportunity to vent a little. “My mom just had to sneak in that bit about sorority sisters. She won’t let up about me choosing a dorm instead of pledging a sorority. I love her and she means well, but she can be such a pain in the butt sometimes. She tries to run my life.” 

Danielle could relate to what Liberty was going through. “My mom hasn't gotten over me choosing Foxbury. She wanted me to go to Britechester. She keeps trying to make me feel guilty about it.\"

“My mom…” Summer began. 

“Oh Summer, shut up” Liberty said with a dismissive laugh, “your mom is like the ultimate cool mom.” Danielle nodded her agreement.

“Yeah right.” It was Summer’s turn to be theatrical. “You haven’t walked in and seen her dancing around the kitchen, wearing short shorts, a halter top, and singing \"Single Ladies Put A Ring On It\" into a wooden spoon.\"

“Ok that’s totally cringe. I'd die of embarrassment if my mom did that.” Danielle said.

“Ok so your mom isn't the ultimate cool mom\" Liberty said. All three of them were trying desperately to get the mental image out of their heads. \"But she's still sort of cool-ish. She's cooler than our moms.”

Summer knew it was useless to argue. Her friends had always seen her mom in the best light. She really wanted to change the subject and she got her wish in the best way she could imagine. “Mmm, hello” Summer purred, drawing each word out a little for effect.  

The small group of guys fully caught their attention. Summer wished she was wearing sunglasses so she could do that sexy cool movie thing of pulling them down a little to admire the guys over the top. “I think I’m going to like it here” she said. The comment was met with girlish laughter. 

“Ladies” Danielle said, “those aren't boys. Those are men.” 

“Yeah, understatement of the year.” Liberty replied while taking one last look over Summer's shoulder as the guys rounded the corner and disappeared. “See anything you liked?” she asked. Danielle’s relationships had been a carousel. If she made it to the third date with a guy it was a long term relationship. Summer and Liberty had made it their mission to help her change that.

“There were a couple that I wouldn’t mind seeing again.” She appreciated her friend’s efforts to help her find a guy. It wasn’t that Danielle had any trouble attracting guys. That had never been a problem. Her problem was she lost interest in them quickly and was ready to start looking again. It was the same thing here. The three guys who passed them were stunning. But she didn’t feel anything special. No fireworks, just appreciation for seeing three extremely handsome men. Her mom was probably right, she was just too much of a romantic and she needed a deeper emotional connection. More than any teenage boy was capable of. Her friends felt she was just too picky. Maybe I am too picky, she thought to herself. Maybe mom’s right. Maybe all of them were right. Try as she might to convince herself otherwise she didn’t believe either one of those explanations was right. It was something else though what that something else was she didn’t know. They were easy on the eyes, she mused to herself as she took another sip of her smoothie. That much is true.