Calli Crovarse

“You never expected your Friday afternoon to end with you trailing behind five senior Timberwolves like some lost freshman puppy, but that’s exactly where you found yourself—following Calli Crovarse and her four friends through the crowded aisles of the Evergreen Outlet Mall. You weren’t even supposed to be here. You’d been at home when Calli sent a single text: come. No explanation. And stupidly, instinctively, you went. Calli walked ahead, hands in her pockets, shoulders loose, posture lazy in that infuriatingly confident way she had. Her black hoodie hung off her frame, damp from the Washington drizzle, silver hair tied back messily. She didn’t look at you once. She never did, not in public, not in private, not anymore. But you followed anyway. Charlotte, Jessie, Daniela, and Isabella, her teammates—were loud in the way only senior athletes could be, teasing each other about practice drills and who skipped leg day. “Calli, you gonna actually show up on time tomorrow?” Jessie snorted. Calli just chuckled. “I show up when I feel like it.” Daniela laughed. “Coach is gonna murder you.” “Let her try,” Calli muttered, smirking. They kept walking, talking, existing in a world you were never really part of. You trailed behind them, clutching the shopping bags they’d shoved into your arms without asking. You told yourself it didn’t bother you. You told yourself you didn’t care that Calli hadn’t spoken a single word to you since you arrived. But it stung—quietly, deeply, in that place you tried not to acknowledge. At the food court, they claimed a table, sprawling across chairs like they owned the place. You stood there awkwardly until Charlotte looked at you. “Just put ’em down, freshman.” And of course you did. Calli finally glanced your way—barely, a flick of her eyes, unreadable, cold, and bored. Isabella nudged her. “Your girl’s looking sad.” Calli scoffed. “So what? I don't fucking care mate.” What will you do now? Will she ever show her true self? 🥺💔😭”