I knew lunch would be the worst part of today.Not because I had anything to dread—at least not outwardly—but because they would be waiting for me. As always. My personal tyrants. The twin forces of chaos. One with fire in their blood and the other with ice behind their smile.
I slid into my usual spot at the corner table before either of them could ambush me with a sudden hug or something equally horrifying. The cafeteria buzzed with the usual mixture of overconfidence, power-suppressing bracelets, and fried food fumes. The clatter of trays and laughter never quite reached this table—not unless Ari was being loud again. Which, unfortunately, she usually was.
"Ohhh~ look who finally showed up," Ari grinned like a tiger spotting its favorite chew toy. "Miss Argent herself. Congrats on that win, shadow queen."
I blinked. "Wait—what?"
"That mock battle with Rhea? Everyone's talking about it. Don't play dumb."She slid into her seat across from me like she owned it. Probably because she did. Her tray clattered loudly, earning glares from nearby tables.
"It wasn't—" I started, waving my hands slightly, palms up like I could push the words back into her mouth. "It really wasn't me. Rhea carried the whole fight. I just… ran around not dying."
"Sounds like a valid strategy to me," said Juno, appearing like a ghost beside me. She moved as quietly as ever, always dressed like someone who belonged to a cooler timeline. "But still… you actually won a mock battle?"Her violet eyes lit with genuine curiosity—and, okay, maybe the tiniest bit of disbelief.
I sunk a little into my hoodie. "Technically."
Ari laughed, obnoxiously proud. "I told you! I've got connections~"
Juno raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly are you getting this intel?"
"Trade secret," Ari winked, biting into an apple like it was a lie she was chewing through. "Anyway, it's going in the school paper. Front page—'Shy Girl Shocks the Class' or something dramatic like that."
"What—No! No no no—Ari, please don't put it in the paper!"I practically choked on my drink. "That'll just… that'll make people look at me more. Can't you just—take it out? Please?"My voice cracked near the end, and I hated it. Hated how easily that part of me—the helpless little thing—came to the surface.
Ari's eyes sparkled like she just watched a puppy beg for treats. "You're so cute when you beg, Calla. Ugh, it's criminal."
Juno leaned over, elbow on the table. "Ari. Seriously. If she's uncomfortable, don't post it."
"Ugh, fine," Ari sighed dramatically, clutching her chest. "Way to stab me in the heart. I just wanted to show off my amazing, capable friend. And now she's calling Juno her angel instead of me."She sniffed. "I feel like the ex-girlfriend who still pays rent."
I panicked. "N-no! I didn't mean it like that—I'm sorry! What do I have to do to make it up to you?"Yes, I hated myself as soon as the words left my mouth.
Ari's grin turned positively evil. "Oh? You really want to make it up to me?"
Danger. Danger."…yes?"
"Then come with us to the mall after school. You're getting a makeover."
My soul left my body. "Wh-what?"
"I second this," Juno said without mercy. "I want to see you in something that doesn't scream 'I sleep under my desk.'"
"I like what I wear," I muttered, fidgeting with my sleeves. "It's comfortable and... and I don't really feel confident in anything else. I mean… my figure is just... it's not—"
Ari clutched her hands to her chest. "Stop. You're breaking my heart again. You're going to look so good, I promise. Trust your friends!"
I hated them. I really did.
But...
Something warm and awful curled in my chest—like tea left out too long but still sweet enough to drink. This dynamic of ours, twisted and loud and completely not me... it grounded me. Made me feel like something more than the role I played.
I exhaled like I was surrendering the last bit of pride I had left. "Fine. I'll go."
Their victory was immediate. Juno and Ari smacked their hands together in a secret handshake like two generals sealing an alliance. I think Ari even fist-pumped.
"I regret this already," I muttered.
"Too late, dress-up doll," Ari sang, and Juno gave me a sympathetic pat on the back that was somehow worse than a threat.
This wasn't who I was.
But it was who I chose to be.
At least for now.
* * *
I didn't even want to be here.
The artificial lights buzzed above me like a swarm of mechanical bees. The mall smelled like buttered pretzels, sugar, and perfume—not in a good way. In a clog-your-throat, what-is-that-smell kind of way. The noise was a low roar, a constant murmur of voices and footsteps and clinking hangers that made my skin crawl.
I stood awkwardly near the entrance of a boutique with pink walls and gold lettering, hugging my jacket tightly around me. Ari had already vanished inside like a bloodhound on the trail, and Juno was dragging me in by the sleeve, grinning like we were about to perform a heist.
"C'mon Calla, don't look so dead inside," Juno said cheerfully, bumping her shoulder against mine. "You survived a mock battle. You can survive shopping."
"Technically, Rhea won the mock battle," I mumbled.
"And technically," Ari called from somewhere deep in the store, "you still looked hot doing it!"
"I did not—!" My voice squeaked. I wanted to melt into the tiled floor. Juno snorted. I buried my face in my scarf.
Within minutes, I was in a changing room, clutching a pile of clothes Ari had thrust into my arms like a fashion tornado. My heart thumped loudly in my ears. The room felt too small. The mirror too close. The lighting too harsh.
I hesitated before pulling off my hoodie.
There she was. Me, without my usual armor. Just Calla. No oversized sweater. No glasses. No safe little cocoon of invisibility.
I changed slowly, painfully aware of my reflection. The dress was soft, sleeveless, a pale lavender that hugged my waist in a way that felt... intentional. Not like hiding. It made my skin crawl. And yet...
"Calla?" Ari knocked three times, the universal signal for I'm about to make your life a nightmare. "Show us!"
"No," I croaked. "I look stupid."
"Open. The. Door."
I opened the door. Barely. A sliver.
Juno gasped. Loudly. "Oh my gods."
"No," I said immediately. "Whatever it is, it's not true."
Ari's eyes widened like twin suns. "CALLA. You're HOT."
"I—WHAT—NO—I—"
"You have curves," Juno said, as if discovering I was a secret goddess hiding among mortals. "You've been hiding everything under those trash bags you call clothes?"
"I LIKE MY CLOTHES," I hissed, turning redder than my mock battle bruises.
But it was too late. Ari shoved the door open fully and both of them swarmed me like excited stylists on a deadline. Lip gloss appeared. Blush. Eyeliner. I had no idea where they came from—Ari probably had them stashed in her bag for emergencies. Like this, apparently.
They were laughing. I was dying inside.
By the fourth outfit change, my anxiety had curdled into something fizzy and strange. Was this... fun? My cheeks hurt from smiling. My stomach was fluttery. Juno made me try on a ruffled white dress that made me look like I belonged in a vintage ad, and Ari kept adjusting the straps like a proud stage mom.
"You're so freaking pretty it's obnoxious," Ari said, mock glaring at me. "I swear, if I didn't like you so much, I'd hate you."
I didn't know what to say to that. So I laughed. A little. Just once.
And then—I saw him.
Standing near the smoothie kiosk. Out of uniform. Student Council Treasurer. Gray jacket. Tousled hair. The guy who'd once given a speech so intense it made half the first-years cry. His name was Milo, I think. Milo something. He looked up—and made eye contact with me.
Not hoodie-wearing, face-down, invisible Calla.
This Calla.
I turned and bolted. Slamming into the fitting room, dress and all.
"CALLA?" Juno called.
"I—uh—I need a minute."
I pressed my back to the wall, heart punching my ribs. Oh gods. What if he recognized me? What if he connected this version of me to Argent?
I stared into the mirror, face red, makeup slightly smudged.
I didn't look like a villain. I didn't even look like a hero. I looked like... someone who wanted to be seen, but didn't know how to survive it.
Eventually, I came out. Still in the dress. Ari handed me a pretzel and Juno offered a concerned glance but didn't press.
They were annoying, exhausting, and dramatic—but...
I liked them. I really liked them.
Even if I hated how much they could see through me.
"Fine," I muttered, chewing on the edge of the pretzel. "I'll let you dress me up. Just... not like a doll."
Ari and Juno high-fived.
"Victory," Ari declared.
"Regret," I muttered back.
They laughed. I didn't stop them.