"Okay, it's official. I'm never having kids." - Dustin

The next morning, I woke up with a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in a long time. The decision to move out, to start fresh, had lit a fire inside me that I hadn't realized was still burning. I threw on a pair of high-waisted jeans and a cropped black top, completing the look with my leather jacket. The outfit made me feel like I could take on the world, and today, I needed that confidence.

When I arrived at the mall, the early morning rush was just beginning. I walked through the entrance, taking in the bright lights and the faint smell of fresh coffee wafting from the food court. There was an energy here that I couldn't help but get swept up in, like the mall itself was alive with possibilities.

I made my way to Sam Goody, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves about my first day. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the familiar hum of music and the sight of Jesse behind the counter, already busy with a customer. He looked up as I approached, flashing me a warm smile.

"Hey, Andie! Ready for your first day?"

"Hell yeah, I'm ready," I replied, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Let's get this shit started."

Jesse finished ringing up the customer and then turned his full attention to me. "Don't worry, you'll kill it. Dave's pretty laid back, and the work isn't rocket science. Plus, you've got me to back you up if anyone gives you trouble."

"Good," I said, my tone firm. "Because I'm not here to deal with anyone's bullshit."

He chuckled, leading me to the back of the store, where he handed me a name tag and a rundown of the tasks I'd be handling. It wasn't anything too complicated—mostly stocking shelves, helping customers find what they were looking for, and occasionally manning the register. Easy enough.

As the morning wore on, I got into the groove. The rhythm of the store was calming, and I found myself enjoying the work more than I expected. There was something satisfying about being surrounded by music, by the steady stream of people coming in and out, each with their own stories and reasons for being there.

At lunchtime, Jesse and I took a break together, heading over to the food court. We grabbed some burgers and fries and found a table near the edge, where we could people-watch while we ate.

"So," Jesse began, taking a bite of his burger, "have you thought any more about where you're gonna move?"

"Yeah," I said, chomping down on a fry. "I've been checking out a few places. Nothing fancy, but I'm not looking for the Ritz. Just somewhere that's mine."

"Smart," he said, nodding. "If you need help looking, I'm game. I know this town inside out, and I can help you avoid the shitholes."

I snorted, appreciating his bluntness. "I'd like that. Thanks, Jesse."

"Anytime, Andie," he replied, his smile genuine.

After lunch, we headed back to the store, and the afternoon passed in a blur of customers, conversations, and stocking shelves. By the time my shift ended, I was tired but satisfied. It felt good to be doing something productive, something that was leading me toward the future I wanted.

As I was grabbing my bag to leave, Jesse called out to me. "Hey, Andie! Someone dropped this off for you earlier."

I turned to see him holding out a small, folded piece of paper. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the handwriting on the front—Billy's.

I hesitated for a moment before taking it from Jesse. "Thanks," I muttered, quickly stuffing the note into my pocket. I didn't want to read it right then. I wasn't sure I was ready for whatever Billy had to say.

Jesse gave me a curious look but didn't press further. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, see you," I replied, forcing a smile before heading out of the store.

* * *

Before heading to the apartment, I decided to swing by Scoops Ahoy to see Steve. The store was buzzing with activity as usual, and I spotted him behind the counter, dressed in his ridiculous sailor uniform, serving up ice cream with his usual flair.

"Hey, Stevie," I called out as I approached, my voice carrying over the chatter of the customers.

Steve looked up, his face lighting up when he saw me. "Andie! What's up? How's the new gig treating you?"

"It's actually pretty decent," I admitted, leaning on the counter. "Jesse's been showing me the ropes. You know, making sure I don't accidentally burn the place down."

He chuckled, wiping his hands on a towel before leaning closer. "And here I was hoping you'd bring some chaos to that place. Keep it interesting."

I rolled my eyes, but a grin tugged at my lips. "Don't worry, I'll stir things up soon enough. How about you? Still holding it down with the ice cream?"

"Yeah, you know, just trying to keep the kids happy and the ice cream flowing," Steve said with a mock-serious expression. "It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it."

"Heroic," I said with mock reverence. "Seriously though, you're good at this. It suits you."

He shrugged, a little embarrassed by the compliment, but I could tell he appreciated it. "Yeah, well, it's not exactly what I had planned, but it's not so bad. Plus, Robin makes it bearable."

At that moment, Robin appeared from the back, a smirk already on her face as she saw us. "You guys talking about me again?"

"Always," I replied with a grin. "Steve was just saying how much he appreciates having you around to keep him in check."

"Is that so?" Robin raised an eyebrow at Steve, who looked like he wanted to disappear.

"Don't listen to her," Steve muttered, shaking his head. "She's just trying to make me look bad."

"Oh, I don't need any help with that, Harrington," Robin said, nudging him playfully. "You manage that all on your own."

I laughed, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease a little. It was nice to have this, to feel normal, even if just for a moment. "Well, I'm glad you've got someone to keep you in line, Stevie. You need it."

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face. "So, what's next for you? Got any big plans tonight?"

I hesitated, my thoughts drifting back to the note burning a hole in my pocket. "I'm actually checking out an apartment. Trying to get out of my mom's place."

Steve's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and concern crossing his features. "Yeah? Why the sudden urge to move out? You've only been back a little while."

I shrugged, trying to keep my tone casual. "Just time for a change, you know? I need some space."

Steve frowned slightly, sensing that there was more to it. "Andie, where have you been? You kind of disappeared for a while there. I was worried about you."

I avoided his gaze, focusing on a spot on the counter instead. "I had to take care of some stuff. Just needed to get away for a bit, clear my head."

He didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but he didn't push. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, I'm here."

I forced a smile, grateful for his concern but not ready to share everything. "I know, Stevie. Thanks. I'm fine, really."

Robin glanced between us, sensing the tension. "Hey, if you need any help moving or anything, just let us know. We'll bring the ice cream to keep things cool."

"Thanks, Robin," I said, genuinely touched by the offer. "I might take you up on that."

"Good," she replied, giving me a nod. "Can't let Steve have all the fun."

Steve sighed dramatically, but he straightened up and gave me a mock salute. "Duty calls. But seriously, Andie, let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"I will," I promised, giving them both a quick wave before heading out of the store.

* * *

The drive to the apartment was short, but my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The note in my pocket felt heavy, like it was burning a hole through the fabric. But I pushed it out of my mind, focusing instead on the task at hand.

When I arrived at the apartment, the landlord was already waiting for me. It was a small, one-bedroom place on the edge of town, nothing fancy, but it was clean and affordable. The landlord showed me around, pointing out the basic amenities and answering my questions.

The apartment wasn't perfect, but as I stood in the empty living room, imagining how I could make it my own, I felt a sense of possibility that I hadn't felt in a long time. This could be my escape, my chance to start over.

But even as I considered the apartment, my thoughts kept drifting back to Billy. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with him. The way he'd acted at the mall, the way he seemed distant and distracted—it wasn't like him. But I convinced myself that it was just the distance between us, the time we'd spent apart. Maybe I was overthinking it.

When the tour was over, I thanked the landlord and stepped outside. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the quiet street. I leaned against my car, pulling the note from my pocket and unfolding it with a shaky breath.

Meet me at the quarry tonight. - B

The simple message sent a chill down my spine. The quarry was our spot, a place where we used to go when we needed to get away from everything. But why now? And why leave a note instead of just talking to me?

With a sense of unease settling in my gut, I crumpled the note and shoved it back into my pocket. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew I had to find out.

* * *

The drive to the quarry was short, but it felt like it took forever. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting an eerie orange glow over the landscape as I pulled up to the familiar spot. Billy's car was already there, parked haphazardly near the edge.

I got out of my car, the crunch of gravel under my boots the only sound in the quiet evening air. Billy was standing near the edge of the quarry, his back to me, staring out over the water. There was something about his posture—rigid, tense—that made my stomach twist.

"Billy?" I called out, walking toward him.

He didn't turn around, didn't acknowledge me right away. When he finally did, his eyes were shadowed, the usual spark in them dimmed. "What took you so long?" he asked, his tone sharp, almost accusing.

"I had to check out an apartment," I said, my brow furrowing at his tone. "What's going on? Why'd you want to meet here?"

Billy's eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite read—anger, frustration, maybe even fear. "You thinking about taking it?" he asked, ignoring my question.

"Yeah. It's not perfect, but it's better than staying with my mom and Jim."

He nodded slowly, but there was a tightness to his jaw, a coldness in his eyes that I couldn't ignore. "Good. You should do it."

"What's really going on with you, Billy?" I pressed, taking a step closer. "You've been acting weird since I got back. This isn't like you, and you know it."

For a moment, he just stared at me, his gaze hard and unyielding. Then he let out a harsh laugh, the sound of it sending chills down my spine. "You don't know what I'm like anymore, Cass. A lot's changed since you left."

"Yeah, and I'm trying to figure that out," I shot back, refusing to back down. "But I can't do that if you keep shutting me out. Why the quarry, Billy? Why not just talk to me at the mall or anywhere else?"

He looked away, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating, until finally, he spoke. "I didn't want anyone else around. Didn't want any... distractions."

"Distractions?" I echoed, taking another step closer. "What the hell are you talking about? You've been acting like a different person, and I'm supposed to just accept that?"

Billy's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his whole body tense as if he was holding something back. "It's better this way, Cass. Trust me."

"Trust you?" I almost laughed, but the anger bubbling up inside me was too strong. "You're telling me to trust you when you won't tell me what the fuck is going on? You dragged me out here, to our spot, just to keep me in the dark?"

He finally turned to face me, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "I'm trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" I demanded, my voice rising with frustration. "I'm not some helpless damsel, Billy. Whatever it is, I can handle it. We can handle it."

His expression hardened again, the moment of vulnerability gone as quickly as it had appeared. "No, you can't. Not this time."

The way he said it, so final, so certain, sent a shiver down my spine. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. "Billy, please. Just talk to me. We've been through too much together for you to push me away now."

For a moment, I thought he might open up, might finally let me in. But then he shook his head, taking a step back. "You should go, Cass. Please."

The pleading note in his voice took me by surprise, and for a moment, I considered pushing further, demanding answers. But the look in his eyes—the fear, the desperation—made me stop. Whatever was going on, he wasn't ready to share it. And as much as it pissed me off, I knew I had to give him space.

"Fine," I said, my tone clipped. "But this isn't over, Billy. You don't get to push me away and expect me to just sit back and take it."

He didn't respond, just turned back to the water, his shoulders slumping slightly. I stood there for a moment, watching him, my heart aching with the knowledge that something was terribly wrong. But I couldn't fix it—not right now.

With a frustrated sigh, I turned and walked back to my car, the sound of my boots on the gravel the only noise in the stillness. As I drove away, the quarry disappearing in my rearview mirror, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was leaving something important behind. Something I couldn't afford to lose.

* * *

That night, as I lay in bed, my mind raced with thoughts of the future. Moving out, starting over, finding my place in the world—it all felt so overwhelming, but also like something I needed to do. I couldn't keep living in the past, couldn't keep letting my mother's choices dictate my life.

But as much as I wanted to move forward, I couldn't ignore the feeling that something was lurking just out of sight, waiting to pull me back down. And as much as I tried to focus on my own path, I couldn't help but worry about Billy, about what was happening to him.

Whatever it was, I knew it was only a matter of time before it came to the surface.

* * *

hope you're all enjoying so far! any predications for what will happen? i can't give away too much but i can guarantee that nothing is gonna go down exactly the same way as it did in the original show