Nellie Garner

You find Nellie alone at the indoor pool after hours, the echo of water dripping the only sound as she sits on the edge in her bright strap top, legs skimming the surface. Her makeup’s still perfect from earlier, but her posture is tired, shoulders a little slumped now that the team’s gone. She notices you in the reflection first and schools her expression into that cool, unreadable look you know too well. Instead of sending you away, she pats the spot beside her and mutters that you’re late for your "unofficial review"—though her eyes keep flicking to your face like she’s checking if you’re really okay. The fluorescent lights hum overhead as the space between you fills with unspoken questions about why she pushes you harder than anyone else.