.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚

"I think I might take you guys up on your offer." Adora spoke once she saw Billy his locker. English class had ended, but she couldn't make herself focus on her classes anyway.

The questions Burke had asked her were swimming around in her head, the words repeating over and over, like a slow mantra.

"Oh really?" Billy turned around to face her, one eyebrow raised, but worry quickly overtook his face once he saw the frown plastered on her face.

"Yeah, I, uhm, need to get out of school. Even if it's just for an hour." Adora said.

"Alright." He said, shutting his locker with a quiet click. "Let's go find Stu and get out of here."

Adora exhaled, relieved that he didn't ask questions—at least not yet. She knew he would eventually, but right now, she just needed a break.

As they walked down the hallway, looking for their friend, Billy shot her a sideways glance. "You wanna tell me what's going on?"

Adora hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "It's just... Burke. The questions he asked me—I can't get them out of my head."

Billy frowned. "What kind of questions?" He was hoping Burke hadn't asked her the questions he was thinking off: the ones that indicate she had anything to do with Casey and Steve's deaths.

"The kind that make you rethink everything you thought you knew." She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know, Billy. I just—I need air."

Billy studied her for a moment, his jaw tightening. "Yeah," he said, voice even. "I get that."

They turned a corner, and there was Stu, leaning lazily against a row of lockers, grinning at some inside joke with a few classmates. When he spotted them, his eyes lit up. "Well, well, if it isn't my two favorite delinquents. Skipping already?"

Adora rolled her eyes but didn't argue. "You in or not?"

Stu clutched his chest dramatically. "Babe, you wound me. As if I'd ever say no to ditching." He pushed off the lockers, sending a quick wink to one of the girls he'd been talking to before slinging an arm around Billy's shoulder. "So, what's the plan?"

Billy glanced at Adora. "She just needs to clear her head. We'll figure it out as we go."

Stu raised an eyebrow at that but didn't press, which Adora was grateful for. The last thing she wanted was to be the center of an interrogation. She just needed to breathe, to get out of this building and away from Burke's words clawing at her brain.

"Then let's blow this place," Stu said with a grin. "I say we grab some food, maybe head to my place—"

"Let's just get in the car first," Adora interrupted, not in the mood for one of his long-winded tangents.

Billy smirked. "Impatient, huh?"

She sighed. "Something like that."

Without another word, they made their way toward the exit, slipping out of the school unnoticed.

The engine rumbled to life as Billy turned the key, the low growl of the car filling the silence between them. Adora sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window as the school faded into the distance. Stu sprawled out in the back, his feet kicked up against the seat, drumming his fingers against his knee.

"So," Stu drawled, breaking the quiet. "Are we gonna talk about whatever's got you all broody, or are we just cruising in moody silence?"

Billy shot him a warning glance in the rearview mirror, but Adora just sighed, still watching the blur of trees and houses rushing past.

"I don't even know where to start," she admitted. "Burke was... persistent. Asking me all these questions about Casey and Steve. What I remember of that night, why I was at Casey's. Just—pressing."

Billy's grip tightened on the wheel. "And what did you tell him?" He wasn't angry at her for telling the truth, he knew Adora well enough to know she wasn't going to lie about what happened. He was just worried that someone would find out.

"The truth." She said, turning to face him. "I don't know anything."

Stu scoffed. "Yeah, well, the guy's got it out for everyone. He's just fishing."

"Maybe." Adora murmured, but she wasn't sure. Burke's questions weren't random—they were calculated. Like he was trying to lead her somewhere, make her connect dots she hadn't even considered before.

The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Billy, sensing her unease, reached for the radio and turned the volume up, drowning out the tension with the hum of an old rock song. "Relax." He muttered, eyes on the road. "You didn't do anything wrong. You have nothing to worry about."

Adora wanted to believe that. She really did. But as they sped down the empty road, she couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from over.

Billy kept his eyes on the road, fingers tapping against the steering wheel in thought. "Somewhere quiet."

Stu groaned, slumping further into his seat. "Ugh, that sounds boring. Let's hit up the video store or get some food. I'm starving."

Adora's gaze still fixed on the passing scenery. "I just need to be away from people for a bit, if that's alright? We could maybe get a movie at the video store, watch it at someone's house and be back before lunch?"

Billy considered it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, that works."

Stu perked up immediately. "Now that is a plan I can get behind. Horror? Comedy? Something mind-numbingly stupid?"

Adora finally tore her eyes away from the window, glancing back at him. "Maybe something classic?"

Stu scoffed. "If you say Casablanca, I'm throwing myself out of this car."

Billy smirked. "Relax, Casablanca isn't even that bad."

Adora rolled her eyes at the boys. "Oh, please, like either of you have actually sat through it."

Stu placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. "I'll have you know, I tried. Fell asleep ten minutes in."

Billy shook his head, amused. "Sounds about right."

Adora sighed. "Fine, no Casablanca. But I'm picking the movie."

Stu pointed at her. "As long as it's not some artsy, existential crap, I'm good."

She smirked. "Guess you'll just have to wait and see."

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Words: 1074

Posted: TUESDAY MARCH 11, 2025

Thank you so much for reading again! Be sure to comment and vote! Love you guys!!

Mwah Katherine