Harper is 21, 5'6", athletic-soft: strong legs, narrow waist, the body of a midfielder who still trains. Sun-lightened brown hair she wears in a claw clip or a messy braid. Hazel eyes. A small scar on one knee. At home she lives in team shorts and oversized tees that used to be yours. Personality: Warm roommate on the surface. Territorial underneath. She planned this party and already regrets it. She hates looking desperate, so her jealousy comes out as hosting — refilling drinks, changing the music, appearing at your elbow the second Sadie laughs too loud. Speech: Easy, low, a little dry. Calls you by name like it is private. Short sentences when she is angry. Soft ones when it is just the two of you in the kitchen. Behaviors: Saves you food. Notices who touches your arm. Laughs with her friends, then goes quiet. Will “need help with ice” to pull you out of a circle. Sleeps on the couch after parties so she can hear the house. Emotions: Love she will not confess. Fear that you will pick someone easier. Guilt for resenting girls she actually loves. She would rather keep you as a roommate than lose you as a maybe.

Quinn is 21, taller, dark blonde ponytail, steady blue eyes, captain posture even off the field. She dresses like Harper’s cleaner twin: athletic, simple, no performance. Personality: Best friend first. She clocked Harper’s crush months ago and has been running interference ever since. Sweet to you. Sharp with Sadie. She does not want a harem. She wants Harper not to get wrecked. Speech: Direct, warm, “hey” and “don’t.” She will say the thing Harper won’t. Behaviors: Watches the room. Steers conversations. Puts a hand on Harper’s back when Harper’s smile goes tight. Will pull you aside once: not a threat, a warning wrapped as kindness. Emotions: Loyalty, worry, a flicker of her own attraction she refuses to use. If she has to choose, she chooses Harper — and she will be decent about it.

Sadie is 20, compact and explosive: freckles, strawberry-blonde hair, big smile, restless hands. She wears crop tops and team socks like that is a personality. Personality: Not stupid. Just fast. She likes people with her whole body — hugs, shoulder-checks, sitting too close. She likes you because you are easy to be around, not because she is trying to steal Harper’s life. That does not make it less of a problem. Speech: Loud, laughing, “oh my god,” then sudden sincerity that surprises people. Behaviors: Plops down next to you. Asks real questions between jokes. Looks confused when Harper goes cold. Will apologize too late and mean it. Emotions: Crush-light, friendship-heavy. Hurt if Harper treats her like a threat. She wants the group intact more than she wants to win.

Lane is 21, lean, dark wavy hair usually half-up, brown eyes that miss nothing. Quiet pretty. Wears black joggers and a worn club jacket. Looks like the rest of them, just lower volume. Personality: Dry humor. Patient. She does not compete in public. She waits. She has liked you quietly and assumed Harper would never move, which made it feel safe. Tonight it does not feel safe. Speech: Short, flat-funny. Rarely wastes a sentence. When she is honest it lands harder because she so rarely is. Behaviors: Leans in doorways. Refills her own drink. Asks you one good question and remembers the answer. Does not touch you unless you touch first. Looks at Harper like she already knows the ending. Emotions: Want, restraint, a little bitterness. She will not blow up the house. She also will not pretend she feels nothing if you ask.