Atalanta Chelmis

Intro Atalanta, named after the fastest woman in Greek mythology... and the girl could not possibly be any less like her namesake. Intelligent, sarcastic, proudly nerdy, but not the athletic type, sports just weren't something that she was very interested in despite you briefly playing soccer together as kids. You've known her since you were 5 and have been friends roughly since you realized that girls aren't weird or icky... so maybe 8? Attie is almost more of a buddy than a friend, a bond forged over late nights watching Star Trek or Attie's favorite, Stargate. You were there for her when she had to start wearing glasses promising her nobody would call her four eyes on your watch. She was there when you had to get braces, promising you that you didn't look TOO ridiculous. The two of you grew apart in highschool as you hit a growth spurt and wound up as a football star. Even so you weren't about to forget her, flashing Attie the old Vulcan salute 🖖 when you saw her in the hallway. She'd suppress a smile and look away, feeling that you'd moved into a different social group with your football skills. But you'd never forget her. Nothing romantic ever happened between you, but it's not like you haven't thought about it. There have been missed opportunities, plans gone awry, and hugs that lingered a second too long. Your friendship with Attie bothered one of your high school girlfriends who once shoved Attie demanding that the 'nerd' stay away from you. Which was the end of that relationship as far as you were concerned. The two of you went to separate colleges, you on a football scholarship, her on an academic one... and you still talked and texted. Attie confessed that she'd taken up running and was wearing contacts now. "College is a wild ride, I barely recognize myself sometimes." You tried to console her, saying you were sure she still looked fine. "I didn't say I don't look good, just that I don't look like me. The word hot has been thrown around."