The boys had finally made their first music video and it was difficult, but Andi thought it turned out really great in the end. The Puerto Rican girl was currently in the recording studio. She was the only one in there and she decided to play the grand piano that was in there. She wrote a song for herself a few days ago and wanted to try it out and see if it was good. She has a keyboard at home she used, but sometimes if you play it on a grand piano it sounds better.

Out in the hallway, Kendall was following Carlos, James, and Logan to Gustavo's office, but stopped when he heard a noise coming from a studio. Kendall paused, his footsteps slowing as the soft, melodic sound of a piano drifted down the hallway. His brow furrowed in curiosity, and for a moment, he almost felt like he was drawn to the sound itself. He glanced back at Carlos, James, and Logan, who were talking amongst themselves, oblivious to the music playing in the studio.

"Hold on," Kendall mutters, holding up a hand to stop them. "I think I hear something."

Carlos gave him a questioning look. "What, you hearing things now?"

Kendall ignored him, stepping toward the sound. He had to be sure. The tune was familiar, yet different—more raw, more vulnerable. It was definitely a song, and from the softness of the melody, Kendall guessed it was someone who didn't normally show off their talent. Maybe it was one of the new artists? 

But as he got closer, he noticed something else: there was a voice, too. He peered around the corner into the recording studio, just enough to see Andi sitting at the grand piano. Her fingers moved with ease across the keys, and her voice—soft yet powerful—filled the room, weaving through the melody like it belonged there. Andi's eyes were closed as she sang, the words flowing from her as if the song had been waiting to escape. The piano's resonance blended perfectly with her voice, the sound richer and more layered than it had been on her keyboard at home. 

Kendall was transfixed, standing at the door for a moment before he caught himself. He hadn't realized he was staring. He had always known Andi was talented, but hearing her like this? It was different. It was real. He knew she could sing, but this...This was on another level. She was effortlessly weaving emotion into every note, and for a brief second, Kendall forgot about everything else—about the boys, the video, the studio, and the constant chaos of their lives. Andi wasn't just talented at singing. She was the music. He took a step forward, barely able to hold back his awe. He didn't want to interrupt, but at the same time, he couldn't keep it to himself.

"That's...That's really good, Andi." Kendall said softly, leaning against the doorframe.

Andi's eyes flew open, and she jumped a little at the sound of his voice. Her fingers faltered on the piano keys, and she looked up at him, slightly embarrassed and shy but also surprised. "Kendall?" She asks, her voice a little shaky, but still warm. "What are you doing here?"

Kendall smiles, a little sheepish but also impressed. "I was on my way to Gustavo's office, but I heard you playing and, uh...Well, I couldn't just walk away."

Andi bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I didn't think anyone was listening. I, uh...I was just trying something out. It's nothing special."

Kendall shakes his head. "No way. That's incredible, Andi. Seriously, you've got some crazy talent."

She shrugs, trying to brush off the compliment. "I mean, it's just a song I've been working on, not even done yet." She mutters shyly. "Just something I wrote for myself, you know? I wasn't sure if it was any good."

Kendall steps fully into the room, his gaze never leaving her. "Are you kidding? It's amazing. You can't just write something like that and think it's nothing. It's got...Soul."

Andi looks down at her hands, still resting on the keys. The compliment was nice, but she wasn't used to opening up like this. It felt too personal. She'd always kept her music to herself, not wanting to put it out there for everyone to hear. "I don't know," She murmurs, half-smiling, unsure. "It's just for me. I wasn't planning on showing anyone."

Kendall moves closer, sitting on the edge of the piano bench, his voice soft but firm. "But why keep it to yourself? You've got something special, Andi. Seriously. You know the guys would love it, right? And...You never know who else might connect with it, too."

Andi looks up at him, her heart beating a little faster. His words were simple, but they struck a chord deep inside her. She'd always been hesitant, afraid of judgment, afraid that her music wouldn't measure up. But hearing Kendall—someone she respected, someone she'd worked with for so long—say that her music was good...It made her reconsider. She sighs, glancing back at the piano. "I don't know if I'm ready for that...To share it, I mean."

Kendall nods, understanding. "I get it. But you don't have to jump into anything huge right away. Start small. Just let people hear it. You never know what might come of it."

Andi chews on her bottom lip, considering his words. "I've never really put myself out there like this. I'm not...I'm not like you guys, with the whole band thing."

Kendall raises an eyebrow, chuckling softly. "You think I just woke up one day and knew exactly how to perform? It's not always easy. But trust me, you've got something worth sharing."

She smiles, feeling a little lighter. "You really think so?"

"I know so." Kendall's smile was reassuring. "And the rest of the guys? They're gonna flip when they hear this. You can't keep this kind of talent a secret forever."

Andi laughs, a little self-consciously. "I guess so. I've just been a little...Scared, I guess."

"You don't have to be scared. You've got this," Kendall said, his tone sincere. He stood up, backing away toward the door. "Just think about it. I think you'll surprise yourself. I was on my way with the guys to check if we can get our demos can be put in stores. Wanna go with?" He offered.

"I'll go with you." She replied instantly. 

****

"Well?" The boys asked in anticipation as Kendall and Andi entered the office.

Kelly picks up a box full of their demos. She sets the box on the desk and Gustavo gets out one of the demos, showing it to Andi and the boys. "Schpingo."

Andi and the boys look at the demo excitedly. Andi had to admit the demo looked really good. She would buy it if it was in stores. "And people can buy this...In stores?" Kendall questioned hopefully and in disbelief. He still couldn't believe they made it this far.

Kelly points at them. "Not yet."

The smiles on Andi's and the boy's faces fell at hearing that. Gustavo stands up, going over to a white screen on the wall. "The record company will not release it until they announce your Big Time...." He pulls up the white screen, revealing a map of where Big Time Rush would tour. "Tour!"

Andi and the boys immediately grow excited again. Andi kind of figured that the band would eventually have a tour because she couldn't believe that it seemed like it was so close. "And your first concert is in two weeks." Gustavo said to the boys.

Andi steps to the side, looking at the boys weirdly when they start daydreaming about their concert. "Should I tell them that preparing for a concert will be the hardest thing they've ever done and that it's not in Times Square?" Gustavo asked, glancing at Andi and Kelly.

Kelly chuckles lightly. "Oh, let them have their fantasy." She looks at the boys with a smile. "They look so happy."

"Fine." Gustavo sighs and crosses his arms. "I'll give them another minute. Then I'll burst their bubble."

****

They were now in the recording studio where a stage was set up so the boys could get a real experience during practice. Andi stood on the stage next to Gustavo and Kelly. There were even manakins on stage to be the band.

"The concert stage, where you will need intense focus." Gustavo said to the boys.

"Incredible stamina." Kelly added.

"And," Andi chimes in, stepping to the side along with Gustavo and Kelly to reveal Mr. X. Mr. X looks at the boys, putting his arms in an 'x' position. "Expert knowledge of every inch."

"Why are we wearing dog cones?" Kendall asked, pointing to the dog cone he had on, looking annoyed.

"Because during your concert, you got to...Look at your fans," He sings the last part and then talks again as he points at his feet. "Not your feet!" Mr. X jumps off the stage, moving to stand in front of the boys. "And to avoid extreme injury, you have to know without thinking and see without looking."

A few moments later and the boys are on stage now while Andi, Gustavo, Kelly, and Mr. X are standing on the floor next to a stereo. "What if we have an itch?" Logan questioned.

Gustavo points at him. "Don't!"

"Places." Mr. X tells the boys and the boys did as they were told. "Focus. Begin."

It started off good until when Kendall and James go to walk to the opposite side of the stage, they bumped into each other. When each of them spin, Carlos and Logan end up knocking the drum set over and Andi cringes at the fall and the loud crash.

Kendall and James manage to get Carlos and Logan up while Mr. X turns off the music. He looks at Andi, Gustavo, and Kelly, shrugging his shoulders. "They lasted longer than I expected." He looks back at the boys. "Again!"

Mr. X turns the music on again and once again Kendall and James bump into each other when they try walking to the opposite side of the stage. Andi facepalmed when Carlos and Logan crash into the drum set again after the spin. She had a feeling this would take a long time.

****

There were three more days until the first dress rehearsal and so far the boys had made a lot of improvement but they still had a long way to go. Andi was proud of how much progress they were making, but she was also nervous. The concert was coming up quickly and they had a lot of work to do. She just hoped that they would be able to pull it off.

Training continues for the next few days and Andi had to admit the boys were getting a lot better at being on stage. There were a lot of bumps along the road, but they eventually got to the point where they didn't need to wear dog cones on stage. Dak Zevon had helped the boys prepare for their first concert since he had more experience than them. And Andi couldn't believe it, but she thought the boys were so close to being able to be ready to be on stage.

Now it was the day of their dress rehearsal. Andi thought that it went great. Whenever the crazy fan tried jumping on one of the boys they ducked and when Gustavo shined the bright spotlight on them they didn't faze at all.

Andi joins everyone on cheering when the boys were done preforming. Griffin claps as well, smiling at the boys. "Bravo! Bravo! Watching you boys go from nobodies to somebodies has been more thrilling than hunting humans which is why it hurts me to say the album, the tour, and this concert...Are cancelled."

Everyone looks at him with wide eyes and all speak at the same time. "What?"

"What?" Griffin repeats. He shakes his head and turns to Andi, Gustavo, and Kelly. "I mean yeah. Big Time Rush is dead."

Andi felt her heart drop and she didn't know what to say or think. This couldn't be happening. After everything they went through, how hard they worked, how much effort and time was put into preparing for the concert, this couldn't be the end. She looked over at the boys and her heart ached for them. She could see the sadness and disappointment in their eyes. This was supposed to be their big break, their moment of glory. And now it was gone, just like that.

The boys get off the stage, standing in front of the crowd along with Andi, Gustavo, and Kelly. The boys, Andi, Camille, Gustavo, and Kelly all ask him in a loud tone, "What do you mean Big Time Rush is dead?"

"Accounting has just released their risk and feasibility report on Big Time Rush and they decided it's too risky and not feasible." Griffin explained.

The female member of the marketing team steps forward, holding a children's book in her hand. "We're shifting our strategy to children's books on tape. No tour is required. They have a higher profit margin and are super cheap to make."

"Which is why tomorrow Gustavo will be producing 'Can You Foo?'." Griffin said, gesturing to the book the female marketing team member shows the them. "As read by actor-environmentalist Ed Begley Jr."

"But, Griffin," James speaks up. "This is our someday."

"Close. It's your last day. Sorry fellas," Griffin apologizes. "I like you; I do, but as we say in business..."

"That's business." Griffin said at the same time the female marketing team member says that.

"You can't do this!" Gustavo shouts. "W-We've been working our butts off! Our concert is in one week."

"Don't worry." Griffin assures them. "That's why I'm giving all of you...Fruit Baskets."

"Fruit Baskets?" Andi scoffs, speaking up for the first time since she heard the news. She knew she should've bit her tongue and kept her mouth shut, but she couldn't help herself. She was frustrated and upset and disappointed. "That's all you have to say to us? That you're sorry, but all you can give us are Fruit Baskets?" She shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "These boys worked so hard and now it's all for nothing. What a great business man you are, Griffin." She snapped at him and she turned to walk away. She had no more words to say to him. She just wanted to go home and drown her sorrows. 

She stormed down the hallway, tears stinging her eyes. She couldn't believe this was happening. All of their hard work had gone to waste, just like that. It wasn't fair. The boys deserved better than this. She knew how much the concert meant to them and to have it taken away was just cruel.

"Andi, wait!" She heard Kendall call after her and she stops, taking a deep breath.

"Kendall, please, not right now." She said, trying to keep her voice steady. She was feeling a mix of emotions and she just wanted to go home and be alone. She took another shaky breath, wiping her eyes before turning to face him. Kendall slowed his pace as he reached her, his expression soft with concern.

"Andi, I know you're upset. We all are," He says gently. "But storming off isn't going to fix anything."

Her jaw clenches, frustration bubbling in her chest. "What else am I supposed to do, Kendall? Sit there and smile while Griffin tells us that everything we worked for—everything you guys dreamed about—is gone?" Her voice cracked slightly at the end, betraying how much it hurt.

Kendall sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're right. It's not fair. But we can't just give up, either. You've seen what we can do. You've seen what we've built. We can fight this."

Andi blinks at him, trying to process his words. "Fight this? Kendall, Griffin just canceled everything. The album, the tour—"

"Yeah, but when has that ever stopped us before?" he interrupted, stepping closer. "Every time something goes wrong, we find a way to turn it around. You really think we're just going to let it end like this?"

Andi wanted to believe him. She wanted to have that same spark of hope in her chest that he always seemed to carry. But right now, all she could feel was exhaustion. She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if it's that easy this time."

Kendall's expression softens further. He reaches out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey," He said quietly. "Nothing about this has ever been easy. But that's why we don't quit now. We've come too far."

Her eyes met his, and for the first time since Griffin's announcement, she felt a flicker of something other than despair. Hope. Small, but real. "You really think there's still a chance?" She asked.

Kendall smiles faintly, his green eyes full of determination. "I don't just think it—I know it. We just have to figure out how to prove to Griffin that Big Time Rush isn't done. That we can't be done."

Andi exhales slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "You always make it sound so simple."

He chuckles lightly. "That's because I have a secret weapon."

She raised an eyebrow, curious despite herself. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"You," Kendall said with a grin. "You're part of this too, Andi. You believe in us just as much as we believe in you. And that's exactly the kind of fire we need right now. Even if we do happen to have to leave, we'll stay in touch. I promise." He vows, his expression earnest and sincere. "But don't worry about that, not right now. Let's just spend some time together, okay? We can watch a movie or something, just to take our minds off of everything."

Andi hesitated, her arms still folded as she looked at him. The idea of pretending everything was fine felt impossible—but the way Kendall was looking at her, with that steady confidence and quiet warmth, made it hard to say no. Maybe she did need the distraction. So she agreed.

****

Andi had to admit she felt better after her conversation with Kendall. She was still hurt and frustrated, but she knew that Kendall and the boys would be there for her, no matter what. And sadly the boys did have to go move back to Minnesota and now Andi was at the boy's apartment to say her goodbyes. Her heart felt heavy as she reached the apartment and knocked.

"Hi, Mrs. Knight. I just wanted to come say goodbye." She greets once Jennifer opens the door for her, her eyes growing wide when she notices all of the boxes in the apartment. "Why are there so many boxes?"

"Katie ordered a lot of merchandise she was going to sell." Jennifer replies with a sigh. "And now she's upset that she can't." She steps to the side, sending Andi a smile. "Come in. Also, you should know by now you can call me Jennifer." 

Andi nods in understanding as she walks inside. "Makes sense." She looks at Jennifer with a small smile. "Don't think I'm not gonna miss you too 'cause I am." She pulled the woman into a hug.

"I'll miss you too, hun." Jennifer said softly, returning the hug. 

After their hug Andi walks further into the apartment as Jennifer closes the door. Glancing around the place, she furrows her eyebrows when she notices something. "Where's Katie and James?"

"They're hiding 'cause they don't wanna leave." Carlos replied.

Andi sympathetically smiles. "Yeah, I don't blame them.' She walks over to Carlos and pulls him into a hug. "Gonna miss you and that stupid helmet of yours."

Carlos chuckles and hugs her back. "I'm gonna miss you too."

"James, get out here now so I can hug you!" Andi yelled after she pulled away from Carlos.

James opens the door of the bathroom and peeks out. "Not gonna happen 'cause this isn't real and we're not really going back to Minnesota."

Andi points at him, walking over to him with a determined expression on her face. "I'm gonna get you to hug me whether you like it or not."

James rolls his eyes playfully, but Andi can see the hint of sadness in them. "Nice try, Andi, but I'm not falling for it." He tried to shut the door, but Andi quickly sticked her foot in the doorway, preventing him from closing it.

"Hug me." She demanded, not moving an inch. She knew James was hurting and she wanted to comfort him. Plus she wasn't leaving without a hug from him.

Andi's persistence paid off as James finally relented, pulling her closer and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, feeling the warmth of his presence and the weight of the impending goodbye. James hugged her back, his grip firm yet tender, conveying all the emotions he couldn't put into words.

"I'm not gonna miss you 'cause we're not leaving." He grumbled, although Andi could hear the pain in his voice.

"Well I'm gonna miss you." She replied, hugging him tighter. 

She knew he was putting up a front, but she also knew that he was hurting. She was going to miss him, and all of the boys, so much. They had become her best friends and family, and she was going to miss spending time with them and laughing at their crazy antics. She was going to miss the late-night phone calls and the early morning coffee runs, the inside jokes and the silly nicknames, the hugs and the laughter, and most of all, the memories they had made together.

"Yeah, I'm gonna miss you too." James finally admitted quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

Andi's heart ached at the sound of his voice, and she could feel her own tears threatening to fall. "You better text me or call me every day. No excuses." She said, trying to lighten the mood.

"I will. I promise." He mumbled, his voice muffled against her shoulder.

"Good." She sighs, taking in a shaky breath. She hated goodbyes, and this one was especially hard. She pulls away, giving him a watery smile. "We'll keep in touch. Promise."

"Yeah, we will." James smiled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

She also managed to get Katie out of her little fort of boxes she made to hug her. Before she left she made sure to stop by the pool where Jennifer told her Kendall and Logan were at saying goodbye to Jo and Camille. "I'm gonna miss you both so much." Andi said with a sad smile. She didn't want them to leave, but she knew she had to say goodbye. She hugged Logan tightly, feeling his arms wrap around her in return.

"We're gonna miss you too." Logan whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"You both better call or text." She mumbled as she hugged him tighter.

"Obviously." Logan muttered, causing Andi to chuckle.

"I'm going to miss our talks," She admits sadly. "You always knew the right thing to say. Or the right book to recommend."

"I'll email you a reading list," he promised, his tone lightening just a fraction. "It'll be so long you'll be sick of me by summer."

"I could never be sick of you, Logan."

Andi smiled softly at him, her chest tightening at the thought of all the memories they shared — the quiet, easy moments that had built their friendship over time. As she hugged him, her mind drifted back to those nights at the Palm Woods lounge, when the world felt simpler and the boys weren't constantly under pressure.

** FLASHBACK ** 

It started one night at the Palm Woods, long after everyone else had gone to bed. The boys had just finished a late recording session, and Andi couldn't sleep. She'd wandered into the lobby with a book in hand—The Fault in Our Stars—only to find Logan sitting on the couch, nose buried in a worn copy of To Kill a Mockingbird.

She'd laughed softly. "You read before bed too?"

Logan looked up, slightly startled, before smiling. "Every night. Helps me unwind."

Andi sat beside him, flipping open her book. "Same. I like getting lost in someone else's world for a while."

"Yeah," He nodded, glancing at her cover. "That's a good one. Heartbreaking, but good."

"You've read it?" She asked in surprise.

"Twice." He chuckled. "Cried both times." He paused with a grimace, looking at her hopefully then. "Don't tell the guys."

Andi had grinned, nudging him playfully. "Your secret's safe with me, book boy."

That became their thing—book swaps and quiet late-night talks. Sometimes they'd sit outside by the pool, trading theories about endings or laughing over which characters reminded them of Gustavo and the others. She remembered one night in particular when she was struggling—doubting herself, her place in the group, everything. Logan had shown up at her door with a paperback copy of The Alchemist.

"It's about finding your purpose," He'd said, handing it to her. "I think you'll like it."

And she had.

They'd ended up sitting in the hallway until two in the morning, talking about dreams and fears and how sometimes life's detours led you exactly where you were meant to be. Another time, they'd gone to a used bookstore downtown—Logan's idea, of course. The air had smelled like dust and ink, and Logan had been completely in his element, running his fingers along the spines as though he could feel the stories inside.

"See this?" He'd said, pulling a book from the shelf. Pride and Prejudice. "Classic. You ever read it?"

Andi wrinkled her nose. "Honestly? I tried. Got lost in all the fancy talk."

Logan grinned. "Then you haven't read it with the right person."

So they'd sat cross-legged in the aisle, reading aloud and laughing whenever Logan dramatically imitated Mr. Darcy. By the time they'd left, the sun was setting, and Andi's bag was heavier by three new books—two of which Logan had insisted on buying her.

Now, standing beside the pool as the memories washed over her, Andi blinked back tears and smiled faintly. "You know, I still have that copy of The Alchemist you gave me."

Logan's smile widened. "You better. That book got you through a lot."

"It really did." She looked at him, eyes glistening. "Thank you for always knowing what to say."

He shrugged, though his voice softened. "Hey, sometimes it's not about saying the right thing. Sometimes it's just about being there."

Andi nodded, her throat tight. "You've always been there."

Logan smiled, pulling her into another quick hug. "And I always will be. Distance doesn't change that."

She hugged him back tightly, feeling the weight of his words. "You better hold yourself to that, book boy."

He laughed quietly against her hair. "Wouldn't dream of breaking a promise like that."

After she hugged Logan, he had stepped to he side with Camille as Andi turns to Kendall, her heart aching at the thought of saying goodbye to him. "I can't believe you're leaving." She said quietly, her voice breaking. 

She felt Kendall pull her into a tight embrace, and she clung to him, trying to memorize the feel of his arms around her and the scent of his cologne. She buried her face in his shoulder, letting her tears fall freely as she held onto him, knowing that this would be the last time they'd be together like this. She could feel his arms tightening around her, as if he was trying to convey all the words he couldn't say, and she clung to him, not wanting to let go.

"I don't want you to leave." She mumbled, her voice muffled against his chest.

"I don't want to leave either." Kendall whispers, his arms still wrapped tightly around her. "But we'll still be in touch, I promise. And whenever you need me, I'll be here for you, no matter where I am."

"How are we gonna do our smoothie tradition?" She sniffled.

 Kendall let out a soft laugh, the sound trembling with emotion. "Guess we'll just have to find a way. Maybe virtual smoothies?"

Andi pulls back slightly, her tearful eyes meeting his. "Virtual smoothies?" She repeated, a watery laugh escaping her.

"Yeah," He said with a small grin. "You make one there, I make one wherever I am, and we video call while drinking them. It's the same thing—just...With a little more Wi-Fi."

Andi laughs again, shaking her head. "You're such a dork."

"Your favorite dork," Kendall teases, his voice gentler now. "And I meant it, Andi. No matter what happens, we'll still have each other's backs," He adds softly, brushing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Even if we're a thousand miles apart."

Andi swallows hard, trying to steady her voice. "You always make it sound so easy."

He smiles faintly, that familiar spark of determination in his eyes. "Because with us, it is easy. We're a team, Andi. We've been through everything—crazy rehearsals, Gustavo's meltdowns, getting chased by fans through the mall...We'll figure this out too."

Andi let out a shaky laugh. "You make it sound like surviving Gustavo is a life skill."

"It kinda is," Kendall chuckles, his laugh warm and genuine. "You could probably put it on your résumé."

Andi smiles through her tears, her heart aching but lighter somehow. "You always know how to make me feel better."

"Good," He murmurs, his voice dropping to something softer—more personal. "Because the last thing I want is for you to be sad. Not because of us."

She shakes her head slightly. "You can't control that, Kendall. Saying goodbye...It's always going to hurt."

"Yeah," He admits, his thumb brushing the back of her hand now, his gaze locked with hers. "But maybe it's not really goodbye. Maybe it's just...'see you later.'"

Andi's breath hitches as she nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "See you later."

"Promise?" He asked, raising a pinky.

Andi blinked through her tears, her vision blurring as she looked down at Kendall's raised pinky. That simple gesture—their thing—hit her harder than she expected. Her heart squeezed as the memory flooded back, pulling her into the moment that started it all. 

**FLAHSBACK**

It was one of Kendall's first weeks in L.A. The boys were still adjusting to the madness of Palm Woods life, and Andi had found him sitting alone on the edge of the fountain outside, staring down at his phone with a frown. She had walked over, holding two smoothies in hand. "You look like someone just told you hockey is illegal." 

He had looked up, startled, before cracking a tired smile. "Just...Missing home, I guess. Minnesota feels like a different planet right now." 

Andi handed him one of the smoothies and sat beside him. "You'll get used to it. Maybe not the heat—no one gets used to that—but the rest of it? You'll find your rhythm." 

Kendall laughed softly, looking down at the cup. "You sound like you've done this before." 

"Yeah, I mean, I didn't grow up here in LA." She confesses. "Sure, I don't remember much where I actually grew up since I was so little when my mom and I moved here...But I remember enough to know what it feels like to be the new kid. Everything's different—how people talk, what they care about, the way the air even feels." Andi gave a small, nostalgic smile as she swirled her straw in her smoothie. "It takes a while to stop feeling like an outsider."

Kendall watched her quietly, his brows softening. "Guess that means you get it."

"Yeah," She said, nodding. "I mean, you left your whole life behind in Minnesota. That's a big deal. It's okay to miss it."

He huffed a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks. Everyone else just keeps telling me how lucky I am to be here. I am lucky—it's just...Weird, you know? Everything's moving so fast, and I keep thinking about what I left behind."

Andi tilted her head, studying him. "You left it behind for a reason. Sure, I mean, you didn't want this at the start, you were doing this band thing for James, but I think now It was one of Kendall's first weeks in L.A. The boys were still adjusting to the madness of Palm Woods life, and Andi had found him sitting alone on the edge of the fountain outside, staring down at his phone with a frown. She had walked over, holding two smoothies in hand. "You look like someone just told you hockey is illegal."

He looked up, startled, before cracking a tired smile. "Just...Missing home, I guess. Minnesota feels like a different planet right now."

Andi handed him one of the smoothies and sat beside him. "You'll get used to it. Maybe not the heat—no one gets used to that—but the rest of it? You'll find your rhythm."

Kendall laughed softly, looking down at the cup. "You sound like you've done this before."

"Yeah, I mean, I didn't grow up here in LA." She confesses. "Sure, I don't remember much where I actually grew up since I was so little when my mom and I moved here...But I remember enough to know what it feels like to be the new kid. Everything's different—how people talk, what they care about, the way the air even feels." Andi gave a small, nostalgic smile as she swirled her straw in her smoothie. "It takes a while to stop feeling like an outsider."

Kendall watched her quietly, his brows softening. "Guess that means you get it."

"Yeah," She said, nodding. "I mean, you left your whole life behind in Minnesota. That's a big deal. It's okay to miss it."

He huffed a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks. Everyone else just keeps telling me how lucky I am to be here. I am lucky—it's just...Weird, you know? Everything's moving so fast, and I keep thinking about what I left behind."

Andi tilted her head, studying him. "You left it behind for a reason. Sure, I mean, you didn't want this at the start, you were doing this band thing for James, but I think now you're doing it for you too." She paused, swirling her straw again. "But missing the old stuff doesn't mean you regret the new.

Kendall's shoulders relaxed a fraction as he looked at her. "You're right." He took a long sip of his smoothie, the chill cutting through the L.A. heat. "So, what's your trick? For not feeling like an outsider?"

"Find your people," Andi said simply. "And hold onto them." She nudged his shoulder. "Like us."

"We're your people now, huh?" Kendall had grinned, his mood lifting as he raised his pinky toward her. "Promise me something. That we stick together, no matter how weird it gets out here."

Andi hooked her pinky around his without hesitation. "Promise." 

**END OF FLASHBACK**

Back in the present, Andi blinked as the memory faded, replaced once again by the sight of Kendall standing before her months ago. That first promise and this moment seemed to collapse, every shared laugh, every late-night smoothie run, every inside joke flickering through her mind like snapshots of a life she didn't want to let go of.

She reaches out slowly, her pinky trembling as she hooked it around his. "Promise." She whispered, her voice barely holding steady.

Kendall's smile was soft but full of meaning—the same look he'd given her that very first time. "Then it's not goodbye.'

Andi swallows hard, her throat tight as she nods. "See you later."

"See you later." He echoed, his voice cracking just enough to give him away. For a moment, neither of them moved. Their pinkies stayed linked, suspended in the quiet between them until Kendall finally pulled her back into a hug. Andi melted into him, her arms wrapping around his middle, and for a long time, neither of them spoke. The world seemed to hush around them—the breeze gentle, the faint sound of waves lapping in the distance, and the soft murmur of voices from the others saying their own goodbyes.

Kendall rests his chin on top of her head. "You know," He said quietly. "You're one of the reasons this whole crazy thing actually made it this far, so thank you. You were there for all of it, the failure, the wins, the breakdowns, the chaos. You were one of the first few people to believe in us."

Andi's breath hitches, her heart twisting at his words. She wanted to say something, anything, but her throat refused to cooperate. So she just held onto him tighter, pressing her face against his chest as if that could somehow freeze the moment in time. Kendall's hand gently moves up and down her back, the same comforting rhythm he always used when she was upset. "You have no idea how much that meant," He continues softly. "You made L.A. feel like home when everything else felt impossible. You were...You were my first real friend here."

Andi's chest tightens even more, tears blurring her vision again. "You're gonna make me cry all over again." She muttered with a shaky laugh, trying to lighten the weight in the air, though her voice still trembled.

Kendall chuckles quietly, his breath brushing against her hair. "Too late. Already crying, remember?"

Andi let out a small, hiccupping laugh, though it was tangled with the sobs she couldn't quite stop. She felt Kendall's warmth, his steady heartbeat against her ear, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside their little bubble—the pool, the sunset, the distant chatter of their friends—didn't exist. There was only him, only this shared space of trust and history that no distance could touch.

"I—" She began, then swallowed hard, her voice catching. "I don't know how I'm gonna do this without seeing you every day."

"You don't have to see me every day." Kendall murmured, his lips brushing the top of her head. "You have me in the small things. In the texts, the calls...The virtual smoothies. And in everything we've shared—those don't just disappear."

Andi sniffles, pressing her forehead to his chest. "It's not the same."

"No," He admits softly, "it's not the same. But it's something. And it's us. It'll grow into something new, something that works even when we're apart." He tilts his head slightly, so his cheek rested against her hair. "You're stronger than you think, Andi. You've always been."

She laughs weakly, shaking her head. "You always know exactly what to say, don't you?"

"I try," He whispers, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "And when I don't know what to say... I just try to be here. That's all anyone can do sometimes."

The hug lingered, the kind of hug that seemed to press time into itself, as though by holding on tightly enough, they could freeze the moment. They continued to hug each other, neither one wanting to let go. But eventually, Andi knew she had to. She couldn't bear to watch her boys leave, but she knew that they had to. She gave Kendall one final hug, trying to memorize the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her, before reluctantly letting go.

She was going to miss all the boys, but Kendall was special. He became her best friend and more. She would never forget the times they spent together, and she knew that a part of her would always be with him. As she watched him walk away, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and loss. She knew that things would never be the same again, but she also knew that they would always have a connection. 

And even though they were apart, Andi knew that Kendall would always be there for her, no matter what.