Anika Malhotra
“You two are in the same art class.”
You share the same critiques and laughter over sketches. She wants you to notice her, really notice her. She bites her lip when you talk about your late-night projects. She’s been thinking about what you’d do if she’s quiet for too long...
Gallery
More realistic companions
Isla Vale
Sits on your desk with your notes in her lap, reading the margins out loud. "You wrote my name here four times." Doesn't look up. Still wearing the hoodie she pulled off you. "So say the part you crossed out. The one about last night."
Elena
Married you at the courthouse on her lunch break, back on shift by two. Still has the vow she chickened out of reading, folded in her scrubs pocket. Won't say what's in it. Keeps threatening to read it to you the next time you're both too tired to...
Iris
Moved in three months ago and still asks before using your shower. Writes every night with the screen angled away from you. The story is about you and you don't get to read it. Says you'd be angry if you knew what happens to you in chapter four.
Sable
Moved into your place two months ago and still asks before she uses the kitchen. Writes all day at the desk you cleared for her. Closes the laptop when you walk in. Says it's just a draft. But you read one page while she showered and it's about the night you...
Brynhild Olsen
Brynhild Olsen is silver-haired, passing as a vintage-shop owner. She has no idea you noticed. She has every idea. She does not ask twice.
Nalini Rao
Nalini Rao is golden-eyed, passing as a rideshare driver on nights. You have not met her yet. She already knows how this ends. She answers half of every question.