identity: (noun)
1. the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

✣

Even in October the weather has been bright and hopeful. It's the end of an era for me and Ash, probation is over and summer is pretty much done. Time to get on with our new lives together, well... outside of curfew hours.

We're currently chilling in the park with a beer and some pizza from the pop-up truck at the entrance. It's slightly chilly but we knew to come in jumpers and jackets.

Sometimes it's nice to get out of the house and spend time outside. I certainly need it.

"Do you always go for a margarita?" Ash asks as he points to my pizza in my hand.

I shrug. "Yeah. Call me basic but it's the best."

"You can't beat plain cheese, that's true."

"You got plans tomorrow?" I question before taking a big bite, the cheese now dribbling down my chin.

Ash's eyes float to the mess I've made and smiles. "Not really, I think my mum wants to discuss modelling stuff with me but not like she used to. Think it's more of a friendly conversation now she's not shoving so many castings down my neck."

"Is she going to miss managing you?"

"Probably," he nods. "But it's best if I get someone else to do it to save our relationship."

My mouth opens to speak but my phone vibrates in my pocket, I pull it out to look at the caller ID and I'm surprised to see Elijah's name across the screen. It's been a while since I last saw him, one because I didn't want to see Reese but also because of all the shit with my dad.

It's been a crazy few weeks.

I hit the answer button and raise it to my ear. "Hey man," I say.

"Hey," Elijah's voice is soft. "I'm just with Ciara and Jules. I was wondering if we could meet up today. I heard about your dad, I'm so sorry, Bodi. We should have been there for you."

My eyes flick to Ash because I know he can't hear the conversation. "Oh, yeah it's okay. I didn't really tell anyone. Was just trying to deal with shit on my own."

"I get that, man," he sighs. "I'm still sorry. Could we come to see you?"

I swallow the piece of pizza in my mouth and stare at Ash. He frowns in my direction, something about letting him and Ciara in the same space makes me feel uncomfortable, but I'd like to think we're over that situation now and we can all be civil.

"Can I text you in like ten minutes?"

"Yeah sure, man. We're around so just let us know."

"Okay, see you."

"Bye." He says before I cut off the call.

Ash leans forward to catch my attention as I stare at my phone. "Who was that?"

"Elijah," I comment.

"Oh."

"He wants to come see me with Ciara and Jules. He apologised about my dad. I don't even know if they know anything that happened with Reese," a hand works its way down my face.

Ash's expression twists. "Do you want me to go so you can be with them?"

My hand slaps down on his knee to stop him from leaving, even though he didn't flinch to move. "No," I shake my head. "I don't want you going anywhere."

His lips stretch into a smile. "You sure? I honestly don't mind if you want time alone with them. I get it, Bodi. They're your friends."

"And you're my boyfriend and I say, I don't want you going anywhere."

We stare at each other for a few moments until smiles cover our mouths. "Okay, fine," he chews on his pepperoni pizza. "Bossy."

"Is it okay if I invite them here?"

"Sure," he nods.

I quickly shoot Elijah a text and we sit and eat the rest of our pizzas. Ash tells me a story about his friend Britt although I can't help the anticipation in the back of my mind about having all three of them here with us.

Ash notices because he leans forward to kiss me, attempting to push away my anxieties. Having him here already is helping, having to do this alone would send me into a spiral of itchy thoughts.

Even though he knows Ciara is coming, it doesn't seem to phase him which is everything I need right now. Maybe we can all be civil with her after all, learn to get over the past and accept the present for what it is.

For the fact I have a boyfriend. That's the reason why me and Ciara never worked out.

I can spot the three of them walking towards us in the distance. When they get close enough I stand up and hug all of them, Ash remains on the floor and offers a polite wave.

"Bodi, I'm so sorry about your dad," Jules frowns and perches beside Ciara who is nodding.

"Yeah I'm so sorry, Bodi. How have you been coping?" Ciara asks gently.

I suck in a breath and nod. "Okay," I admit. "It's been hard adjusting to everything but I'm okay. Ash has been helping a lot too so he's mostly to thank for the fact I haven't gone into some mental breakdown."

They all smile back at me and Ash does too, his smile is the biggest.

Elijah clears his throat. "We also know what Reese did."

The air turns silent for a moment. "Oh," I deflate a little. "Do you?"

"Yeah, he was such an egotistical pig," Ciara spits and folds her arms across her chest. "He was gloating about it the other day and we all turned on him. Think he was expecting us to back him up or whatever but what he did is so fucking unacceptable and I'm sorry you guys had to go through that."

I blink in shock and I'm sure Ash does too. This was the last thing I was expecting from her today but I'll take it.

"Mate," Elijah says. "I almost punched him for you. I can't believe we thought we were friends with him. He's the biggest prick I know."

"I wish I punched him too," I sigh playfully. "But I was still on tag and I couldn't risk going back to court."

Jules slips her lips into a frown. "Well that's a shame. He totally deserved it."

"So are you guys like... together?" Ciara asks as she flicks her eyes between me and Ash.

Ash swallows but I find myself nodding. "Yeah, we are."

Ciara's face crumbles into a look of adoration. "I understand now why you said what you said to me, Bodi. I wish you had the confidence to tell us how it really was. None of us would have judged you for being you. Nothing would have changed."

"I know," I nod. "But unless you're in that situation, you'll never know how hard it is to admit it to the people who are the closest to you. You fear it might change everything and soon you're left to be isolated. But I appreciate your support."

Elijah's hand clamps around my shoulder. "Man, just because Reese was an ass. Doesn't mean I'm not your brother. We've been through so much shit together. I want you to be happy, it doesn't matter who you go out with. We're all here for you and support everything you do."

My head rotates to Ash and he smiles brightly, we both know this is the reception I needed from my friends. Proof that humanity is still a thing.

"And besides, we kicked Reese from the group," Jules flicks her hair over her shoulder. "That guy is never going to make an appearance in our lives again. Now he's got zero friends because no one else even likes that asshole."

I widen my eyes in shock. "You did?"

"Hell yeah," Ciara says instantly. "Fuck him. He doesn't belong. Only true friends here. Friends who really have your back and are here to apologise for not being there for you more. So much was going on in your life, Bodi. And I'm sorry for not reading into the situation more."

My shoulders shrug. "Everyone has shit going on."

"True," her lips twist. "But now we can add Ash into the group."

I slide my hand over to his automatically. "Yeah," I give his fingers a squeeze. "We sure can."

"Don't feel obliged to," Elijah holds his hands up and points to Ciara and Jules. "These two are absolute crazy bitches."

Ash chuckles as Ciara punches Elijah's arm. "Don't worry, I have a friend who is probably equally as crazy."

Ciara gasps. "Really? Can we meet them?"

He hums and digs out his phone. "I reckon she's probably free today, if you guys wanna hang for a bit and meet her."

"Hell yes," she grins.

"Is she one of your modelling friends?" Elijah asks with a raised eyebrow.

Ash nods. "Yeah."

"Fuck," he curses and glances up at the sky. "I knew I should have worn a better jacket."

We all laugh in unison.

When Ash drops Britt a message, the gang asks him questions about himself. I feel pride in my chest that they want to get to know him better, bring him into a group where I can truly be myself without anyone shitting down my neck about my decisions.

Britt arrives forty minutes later and I physically see Elijah's eyes bulge out of his head at the sight of her. Then I realise I've never even met her myself. We all introduce ourselves and make her feel welcome.

Elijah pats the spot beside him and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course he wants a piece of her. Not that he ever struggles with female attention.

"So, are we going out tonight or what?" Britt flashes her dazzling grin at all of us.

"Out?" Ciara raises her brows. "I'm in."

"Britt knows all the best places," Ash comments with a wink in her direction. "Be prepared to be waltzing through the door at six in the morning."

Elijah continues to stare at Britt like he's found lost treasure. Any minute he's going to start drooling.

"What are we celebrating?" Jules wiggles her eyebrows.

"Lots of things," Elijah smiles at Britt and I try to hide my laugh.

"Coming off of probation," Ash comments.

"Coming out." I say straight after him.

Britt's eyes widen and she grabs Ash's arm. "What the fuck have I missed?"

"I mean it wasn't exactly from my mouth," I sigh but I can't even be mad about it. "But I've come out to you guys and that means something."

"It's not like you have to make a PSA," Jules tilts her head and I register her words. Maybe she's right. Only tell the people who actually have an impact on my life. People I care about.

The sky begins to build with grey clouds, a splash of water hits my cheek and we all glance up. "Shit," I mumble. "It's raining."

"Do you guys wanna come back to mine? My parents are out and we could have some drinks before we go out."

We all stand up from the floor and head towards the exit. Ciara grunts. "I can't wear this out, I look so frumpy."

Britt shrugs casually. "You can wear something of mine, if you want."

Ciara's mouth falls open in shock. "Are you serious?"

"Of course," she offers her a wide smile.

A squeal falls from Ciara's lips, she jumps in the air at the thought of getting to see Britt's new season of Gucci.

I hang back with Ash, our hands entwined into one another. "How do you feel?" He asks honestly.

"Surprisingly lighter than before," I admit. "Which I didn't expect but it feels good to tell people. For them to have our backs and to support us. It feels good."

Ash leans his head on my shoulder as we walk. "I'm pleased. This is really going to be a new start for us."

"I've never been this happy." I squeeze his hand tightly. "I never want to forget this feeling. Being who I want with people who care about me."

He leans up to kiss me on the cheek. "Well you'll remember it because you are loved by so many. Don't forget that."

My head turns to face him, just looking into those gorgeous green eyes has me wondering how I ever managed to find myself in this position. Lucky is an understatement. I am blessed.

✣

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Author's Note

Hello my loves, what did you think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

So damn wholesome. I adore that Bodi had the courage to say that he is going out with Ash and that all his friends are supportive.🥰

I love that they kicked Reese out of the group and stood up for Bodi. I know so many of you wanted real justice to happen but honestly... if this happened in real life, the chances of Reese getting arrested and sentenced would be so incredibly unlikely. These two are happy to move on without Reese in their lives.🫶🫶🫶

But Ash and Bodi, man these two are real soulmates. I adore them so much!

Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed, it makes my day!❤️

ONE Chapter and ONE Epilogue to go!

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