unexplained: (adjective)
1. not described or made clear; unknown.

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The first day of placement the following week started off mundane, that and the fact I'm alone in this creepy ass manor. I had no idea where Bodi is, if he informed Carol he's not coming or if he's late. I'm not entirely sure why I care so much.

We've barely spoken since he told me to mind my business last week and I kept to that. If that's the way he's going to act then I don't need to entertain his petty behaviour. I thought at least we'd be civil considering I've had my cock deep inside him once upon a time but clearly not.

Even though we don't speak, knowing he's there makes me feel less lonely. Right now I felt stranded in the middle of nowhere by myself, so I plug myself into my phone and blast music as loud as possible. Hopefully some good songs can make the next couple hours fly by.

We had almost cleared out the front room, separating used goods and damaged goods into separate piles. This time I start shifting the heavier furniture into the skip, making more space for us in the house and it looks like we've made good progress in such a short space of time.

The sun beams down on me as I filter back and forth between the manor and the skip, making me sweat buckets through my overalls. No one could work in twenty six degree heat without passing out.

Beading gathers on my forehead and I use the back of my wrist to wipe it away. I huff out a breath and start unbuttoning the jumpsuit, slipping out my bare arms and tying it tight around my waist. I couldn't last another second in that furnace.

I stand outside to feel moments of the cool breeze, clinging to damp patches on my body. My chest puffs out quickly, attempting to catch my breath from moving stupidly heavy items by myself. I'm surprised I haven't pulled a muscle in my back.

At least four times a week I hit the gym, mum says it's good for my image and my slim toned stomach and muscle carved arms make for good photographs. Exercising is my escape, from my mother for one but also my mind.

The endorphins rush through my body and it makes me feel exhilarated, pumped and sometimes truly happy. If only I can feel like this all the time.

I make one last trip from the living room to the skip, throwing the last of the rubbish inside. Music vibrating inside my eardrums, filtering straight to my heart. This is bearable if I put my mind to it. Shame we don't get paid a single penny for this labour.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a body walking straight towards the manor, I can spot it's Bodi a mile off. His tall frame and broad shoulders are instantly recognisable.

He inches closer but he's not wearing his overalls, I turn from the skip and walk back inside before he's near. I grab a bottle of water from my bag and take a large sip, the cool liquid slipping down my throat and reducing the heat inside my body.

Bodi's footsteps echo into the manor, walking towards the living room. I look directly at his face but my eyes don't meet his because his eyes are glancing down at my stomach, my glistening, sweaty stomach.

There is a look in his eye that forces me to take a breath before I choke, reminding me of that night we had together. The lust driven darkness that clouded his vision. It's something similar to that, very similar.

Not like the image has been printed to my memory or anything.

His gaze lingers there for a moment too long and I almost feel pride in my heart. He's totally checking me out and he's not even trying to hide it. I tilt my head and eventually our gazes meet.

His expression is blank and he slips into the next room with a duffel bag, probably to get changed.

I extend my neck backwards and look up at the ceiling, huffing out a tough breath. This is going to be longer than I thought, especially if neither of us have anything to even say.

Bodi soon comes back in with his overalls now on, he starts peeling the broken wallpaper from the walls and places it to one side. I walk to my bag and put away my headphones, leaving my phone next to it on the phone.

Maybe he'll talk to me if he thinks I can hear.

But then he barely looks my way, I sigh silently and walk to the utility cupboard to retrieve a broom. The floor is covered in thick layers of dirt, discarded wallpaper and glass from the chandelier. I give the cupboard a once over, to see if there is anything worth using but it's just old wooden tools that need putting in the bin.

When I get back I sweep all the crap to one corner, the floor finally clear. Still needs a jet wash, badly. I dust down my hands onto the trousers of my jumpsuit, the sweat on my body slowly easing up.

I retrieve back to my bag, looking directly at where I placed my phone down. My eyes blink once, then twice. I had put it here hadn't I?

My feet carry me back to the cupboard and I check in case I left it in here but it's nowhere to be found, not in my bag, not in my trouser pockets. Vanished out of thin air.

I furrow my brows deeply and run a hand across my forehead, I've been nowhere but these two rooms.

"Did you touch my phone?" I direct at Bodi, my voice isn't demanding or harsh. More of a genuine question.

His dark eyes snap to mine and he scowls. "Why the fuck would I touch your phone?"

I chew on my lip and point to my bag. "I put it here and now it's gone."

Bodi's eye flexes and he takes a step closer to me, not one that looks friendly. He's taller than me by a couple of inches but he doesn't tower over me like a small school kid, I stand my ground and don't flinch from his intimidating stare.

"You accusing me of something, Cherry?"

The way he says my stupid nickname makes my stomach flutter in a way that I know it shouldn't and I curse myself for it.

"No," my voice is steady. "I'm just asking if you've moved it."

His eyes flick between mine for a moment, his jaw tenses and he shakes his head. "I haven't moved or touched shit." He says deeply.

"Okay," I blurt out, more sarcastically than intended.

I back away from him but he stands still, watching my every move. My knees touch the floor by my bag and I check one last time in case I'm going insane but it's not there, it's not anywhere where I left it last.

A curse word slips from my lips and I exit the living room again, checking the utility cupboard and cursing again when it's still not there.

My brain aches from the deep confusion inside my mind. Did Bodi touch it and he's trying to fuck with me?

I glance around the hall and walk into the kitchen, neither of us have started in this room and I haven't been in here today. Or even last week.

My eyes float from the kitchen table to the counter, my heart stammers in my chest when I notice a phone laying on the far counter.

"What the fuck?" I mumble to myself as I edge closer.

I grip the phone between my hands and light up the screen, a picture of Britt and I flashes across it and I feel like fainting.

What the actual fuck?

My mouth runs dry, so painfully that I almost choke. I haven't been in here today, at all. How on Earth did it end up here?

I close my eyes and dig my thumb and index finger into them, rubbing vigorously to try and circulate more blood to my brain. I'm dehydrated, it's a hot day, maybe I'm delirious and going absolutely batshit crazy.

What other explanation is there?

Bodi probably thinks I'm insane... unless he's the one who did it. It doesn't make sense to me why he'd move it, he doesn't seem that annoying or interested in me at the slightest.

I shift the phone between my hands, trying to think of some logical explanation for this.

Just after two o'clock we're signed out and I head home before Bodi asks if I've found my phone and I look like a massive idiot. The sun gleaming down as I walk home, enjoying the sun considering I won't be getting much this summer if I'm here all the damn time.

My hands raise the keys in my hand and I push them into my front door, my mothers voice floating into my ears as soon as I step inside. She's on the phone, pacing in the kitchen.

I dump my bag on the floor beside the stairs, desperate to get out of these disgustingly sweaty clothes and put on something cool. Even the walk home killed me.

"Okay, brilliant!" I hear my mother again. "We will be there, thank you again."

She clicks off the call and wizzes around to me, eyes dazzling like she just won the lottery.

"What?"

"That was an agent from ASOS, you've got a photoshoot in a couple of weeks." Her optimism made me want to throw up.

I narrow my eyes, crossing my arms across my chest. "Did you tell them I'm on tag?"

In the back of my mind I'm convinced that she wouldn't do something as stupid as not telling them I'm currently on probation and risk us getting banned from applying for shoots. But I wouldn't put it past her, if she thinks we can get away with it, she'll do anything to get me booked on for castings.

Even if it killed her.

She tuts and rolls her eyes, like she could read my mind. "Yes, of course I told them you're on tag, Ash. They didn't seem to mind. In fact I think it makes you more interesting."

I can't stop the scoff that falls from my lips. "Oh yes," I chime sarcastically. "Just what we need. A delinquent role model on tag. Such a great figure for these people to look up to and aspire to be. Society would be so proud."

"Just be grateful people still want to book you." Her voice is sharp and she goes back to preparing lunch. "That is what you should be focusing on here."

"Guess they care more about looks over morals," I grumble under my breath. "Sounds about right for the industry."

"Ash please," she pinches the bridge of her nose. I'm getting under her skin and I felt pretty good about it. "Just be happy you can still work whilst being on probation and earn some money."

I chew down a smile, one that I know will irk her. "Yes mother," I say smoothly, her light eyes flicking up to mine. Waiting for what I have to say next. "I am so damn grateful for using my looks and my body to make us a bit of cash. God forbid what would happen if my face got bitten off by a flesh eating zombie."

She rolls her eyes again and waves her hand at me, dismissing me from the kitchen. She's over this conversation. We couldn't go down this route again, especially if we didn't want a screaming match and dad isn't here to settle the score.

That or going and doing something illegal again to get me arrested, anything to top last time to prove that I'm serious about how I feel. But I decide this isn't the answer either, for the sake of my future. I don't want a criminal record, not one that says I've done time.

Community service is fine but I couldn't hack going to prison for real. I wouldn't last five seconds with a bunch of real criminals, I'd be bullied and shoved around like an idiot.

Probation is fine with me. Never again will I make the mistake of breaking the law. I've already learnt my lesson.

No matter how upset you are with the world, nothing is worth this wreckage.

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Author's Note
Read up to chapter 15 on Patreon, link in bio!

Hello darlings, what did we think of this chapter?

What do you think happened with Ash's phone... did Bodi move it?

Question: What are your favourite tropes/themes in bxb stories?

Hope everyone is well! See you all on the next one, love Sav x

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