Kitty had always known exactly what to say to make Bodhi feel lighter, like she could sense when his thoughts were starting to spiral and gently pull him back before he sank too deep into them, and it was something he had quietly come to rely on over time. She had a sweet soul, he’d known that from the beginning, and it was the very reason they had clicked so naturally, both of them careful with each other’s feelings, always trying in small, consistent ways to lift the other up instead of dragging them down. “Letting the dust build up on them is a little bit disgusting, Kit,” he teased, a grin tugging at his lips as he gestured toward the neglected surfaces. “I can see why she might have been mad about that.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he took in the state of the place he was cleaning up. It wasn’t his home, so he didn’t feel the same responsibility for it, though his own space wasn’t exactly perfect either, there was always a layer of dog hair he battled to keep under control but it was at least cared for. Moving with purpose, Bodhi started higher up, clearing items down into two rough piles: one to keep, the other to throw. Some things, like the sturdier tables and chairs, could easily be donated, still perfectly usable despite the dust. At Kitty’s question, he paused briefly, raising an eyebrow before scoffing. “No. No girlfriend right now,” he said quickly. “It was my friend texting me a girl’s number. He said I need to get back out there instead of lingering on…” His words faltered, catching in his throat as he avoided finishing the thought, lingering on her. “I’m not interested. I’ve told him I’m not looking for love right now.” He glanced back at her, then added, “How about you? Are you seeing anyone?” before turning away, his cheeks warming as he busied himself with the next pile.
“hey!” she laughed as he called her out for letting dust build up on her things. “i was living—” she stopped herself for a second, “i was living with you,” she sighed, taking a deep breath. “i didn’t exactly swing by my mom’s place to clean my room, so yeah, of course there’s dust there. not really my fault,” she pointed out, staring straight ahead for a moment. it had been months since she’d last stepped into the place she used to call home. “if anything, she should be mad at you, not me,” she added, trying to brush it off, not wanting things to feel more awkward than they already did. as she carefully packed things into boxes, she glanced over at bodhi, watching him clear things out the way he always did—quiet, steady. she had been thinking about asking who he’d been texting in the car, her mind running wild. maybe he was over her. maybe she was the only one still stuck, still in love, unsure if she’d ever stop feeling this way. when he said he wasn’t seeing anyone, something in her chest felt lighter. his friends trying to help him—that was good. she was glad he had that. she looked away when she felt his eyes on her, focusing back on the box. “not seeing anyone,” she echoed with a small nod. “i’ve got a lot to sort out,” she added, steering away from her love life—because the truth was, she still loved him. “i’m going on that annual ski trip with my mom, my stepdad, and sully,” she said, trying to keep things light. “i’m actually looking forward to it.” she smiled faintly. “remember when i begged you to let me bring the pup? i even got her those tiny snow boots so she wouldn’t freeze,” she laughed softly, though it hurt a little—because he had been there for her best moments. “i never brought you there,” she added quietly, voice trailing into a whisper. “that’s a promise i didn’t keep.” she swallowed, emotion creeping in before she could stop it. “i’m… gonna go to the living room,” she muttered, picking up a box. “maybe i won’t distract you there…”












