NOVEMBER 2022

INHALER? I HARDLY KNOW HER.

Bobby — BOOB
Josh — JUNK
ryan — RYRY
Elijah — NEPO

JUNK
is ivy alright?
I assume we've all seen the article

NEPO
what article?

BOOB
Ye she's alright
Bit upset, I don't think
i'll make practice tmmr

RYRY
that's alright
Once she knows
we're in her corner ye?

NEPO
what article?
What's wrong with ivy?

JUNK
You haven't seen it?
Have you even been on
your phone?

NEPO
just seen it.

RYRY
who was she with?

BOOB
she won't tell me
I think I've an idea  tho

JUNK
Do you lot need anything?

BOOB
no I got a Tesco delivery
And made sure the
Disney was paid for.
If she's not feeling better in a couple days we'll probably go out to London

NEPO
Why London?

BOOB
anaïs.
Whenever ivys scared or upset that's who she goes to.
Listen lads I've to go, told ivy we'd "unplug" tonight and just watch films

RYRY
keep us updated x

Josh turned to Elijah as they both settled into the familiar comfort of the hewson household living room. The air was thick with the scent of old pizza and the remnants of last night's snacks. "You like her," Josh stated directly, his eyes locked onto Elijah's face. The bluntness of Josh's words caught Elijah off guard, forcing him to cough slightly, a surprise escaping his lips. "Who?" he replied, feigning ignorance but betraying his curiosity.

"Ivy. You like Ivy," Josh said as if it was the most straightforward thing in the world to admit. Elijah let out a long sigh, running his fingers through his messy curls, a habit he had when he was deep in thought.

"How'd you know?" Elijah managed to ask, genuine surprise in his voice. Josh couldn't help but snicker.

"It's obvious, mate. You're bloody crazy about her, aren't you?" A smirk spread across Josh's face, one that hinted at his playful teasing.

Elijah felt a warm smile creep onto his face as he nodded, his eyes shifting down to the floor as if it held all the secrets he felt too vulnerable to voice. "Yeah. Yeah, I really am," he admitted, his voice lightening as if finally confessing some long-held truth had lifted a burden.

Josh raised his eyebrows, a look of intrigue on his face. "Does she know this?"

Elijah shook his head slowly, a sense of confusion crossing his features. "Kind of? I mean, whenever we're alone, we act like a couple—we do everything that couples do. But once we step outside that little bubble, I'm just Robs mate, you know what I mean?" He shrugged, running his hand back through his hair again, a sign of his growing frustration.

Josh nodded, fully understanding what Eli was talking about. He recognized the delicate line they were walking and also understood Ivy's past. "She's probably scared, mate. I mean, her last relationships weren't exactly healthy—you heard the album," he remarked knowingly. Elijah nodded in agreement, accepting Josh's point. "You should really talk to her, lad."

"It's not that easy, though, is it?" Elijah replied, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'd rather be something to her than nothing at all. A conversation like that... she could end whatever it is we have." His words hung heavily in the air, an echo of his worries.

Josh placed a comforting hand on Elijah's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You're in deep, mate," he said, his tone serious yet understanding.

Elijah nodded. He knew he was.