Ophelia: I'm 23. Still figuring some things out, but I've got my head on straight, for the most part i'm a part time music teacher and councler .
Q: And where are you from?
Ophelia: I grew up in West Texas, so I'm a little bit of a desert girl. You know, dusty roads, big skies, and a lot of family pride. But now I'm here in Love Island, USA, which I gotta admit, is a lot less dusty and a lot more... complicated.
Q: Nice! Now, I know you work as a guidance counselor at High School. What made you decide to go into that field?
Ophelia: To be honest, I never set out to be a counselor. But after growing up with the kind of stuff I did—my dad leaving, my mom having to hold everything together—I guess I just felt this urge to help other people who are struggling. I didn't want anyone else to feel as lost as I did. People need someone to listen to them, even if it's just to vent, or for advice. I like to think I'm good at giving both.
Q: It sounds like you've really found your calling. So, tell us a little bit about your family. What's that like?
Ophelia: Well, my mom and I have always been close. She's tough—tougher than me, honestly. She had to be, raising me and my little sister on her own after my dad dipped out when I was six. He left us for some younger woman, and he never looked back. I hate that man. But my mom? She's my best friend. My little sister, she's 17 now, and we hang out a lot. I'm really protective of her, and I've always felt like I had to be her second mom. That's my crew, you know? My little family is everything. But my dad... he can go to hell.
Q: I get it. It sounds like you've been through a lot. What would you say are some of your "red flags" when it comes to relationships?
Ophelia: [laughs] Oh, you want the real dirt? Alright, here goes. First off, I'm very fiery. Like, don't try to tell me what to do or mess with my people. I'm not the kind of woman who bites her tongue. If something's wrong, you'll know it. Second, I don't like people dumping their problems on me. I'm here to help, sure, but I can't carry your emotional baggage if you're not willing to work through it yourself. I've got my own issues. And, third? I'm independent as hell. I do things my way, and I don't need anyone to hold my hand. If you can't respect that, you're probably not gonna last long.
Q: Sounds like you know exactly what you want! Let's switch gears a bit. Can you share some fun facts about yourself?
Ophelia: Fun facts, huh? Well, I speak three languages—Spanish, French, and Italian. I grew up speaking Spanish with my mom and learned the rest later. I'm big on languages. I also love animals. If I could live with a herd of dogs, I'd be one happy woman. Oh, and I make a mean tres leches cake. It's my specialty, and I swear, once you try it, you'll never forget it.
Q: I'll have to try that sometime! Last question—what's the worst thing you've ever done to an ex?
Ophelia: [grinning] Oh, the worst? Well, I'm not proud of this, but I've been known to cut ties without a word. If I'm done with someone, I'm DONE. I'm the type to just disappear, stop answering calls, no explanation. It's harsh, I know. But I don't believe in dragging things out. If you've already checked out, I don't see the point in pretending it's still a thing. It's not my best move, but it's how I've dealt with it in the past. I'm all about moving on.
Q: Hey, I totally get it. Thanks for being so honest with us, Ophelia!
Ophelia: Anytime. Like I said, I'm not afraid to speak my mind. It's better than bottling it up, right?
YOU ARE READING
Paradise on earth
Roman d'amourIn Ophial's world, love isn't just a feeling-it's a way of life. She's always ready to offer her warmth to others, but she also knows how to set boundaries when needed. With her musical soul and caring heart, she's on a journey of finding balance, l...
