2016

The bright red fire truck with Pinehave Fire Department written largely on the side drives into its spot in the firehouse. "I still do not understand why kids think it's cool to set an empty field on fire," Ava says, jumping out of the truck with Kayla following right after. "Because they think it's funny to have us run out there before the flames reach the woods," Kayla explains, a small smile appeared as she starts to take off her jacket.

"Why hasn't your mom put a stop to it then? Isn't it illegal or something?" Elijah asks, coming around the truck with his jacket and helmet already off and ready to be put up. "It's not Siobhan's fault! It's the parents, they always find a way to get their kids out of trouble. Even if they murdered someone they'd make it look like they were on the other side of the state instead of being covered in blood."

"Are you three gossiping again or actually doing the paperwork you need to get to me?" Owen's deep voice sounds through the firehouse, "Sorry chief, we'll get right on it." Elijah calls out, his voice a little nervous. The pure thought of seeing the chief angry at them, for what would probably be the millionth time, scares him.

"Seriously, Eli? I thought we were gonna go out for drinks. It's Kay's last night in town and we gotta live it up!" This catches the blonde's attention, "Um, I don't think living it up is a good idea for my last night. My flight is at eight but I have to leave the house at like 5 to make sure I get to the airport in plenty of time." Ava groans while Elijah nods happily. "Yeah, listen to the one abandoning us, she wants to have a quiet night in. Let's just do the paperwork and go home."

Kayla looks at him funny when he calls her 'the one absconding us' but pushes it to the side. Her friends have been like this since she told them about her getting a job in Los Angeles as a firefighter, just a part of her plan to explore the world.

"How about this, we do the paperwork so my dad doesn't kill us and we go drink what's leftover at my place." She suggests as she walks to the office area of the firehouse.

"But going out would be so much more fun!"

"And such a waste of time I don't have. I'm going a day early so I have time to unpack before my first shift." Ava looks at her for a minute before agreeing. She's not going to argue and try to make her do something she doesn't want to. "Okay, but I'm gonna grab some drinks because the leftover stuff at your place is an absolute ass."

Kayla rolls her eyes but doesn't disagree because Ava's right. There's a reason that stuff is leftover and hasn't been drunk yet.

About an hour and a half later, the three young firefighters are drinking away in the empty small apartment. "I still cannot believe you're leaving for LA," Elijah comments before downing the last of his drink as Kayla laughs, feeling a lovely buzz. "Me either, I just applied for that job on a whim and now look at me. Going to be a big city firefighter."

"Maybe you'll meet some other sexy firefighters and have some actual fun in your life." Ava quips as she tries to get up to get more to drink but struggles, "No more drinks for you except water, and I do have fun. I'm just not a one-night stand kind of girl."

"You say that as if you've actually slept with someone. You're 23 and still a virgin." Elijah looks at her shocked while Kayla glares at Ava who's too drunk to really understand what she said and about to be out like a light. "You haven't done it yet? What about Vince?" He regrets asking immediately.

"No, Vince and I never did. I think that's one of the reasons he did what he did. I never gave into him fully. We did some things but never went all the way. I was too nervous." She takes a big swig of her drink as she tries to keep the memories of him away from her mind. Her only relationship that lasted three years, something she would never wanna relive. 

Loud snoring comes from between them, Ava is fully out. "Promise me you'll at least try when you get to LA, do you know how hard it'll be for you to find someone you hooked up with again there? Nearly impossible."

"There's still a possibility." She quips as she starts to stand up so she can get Ava ready to be moved. "More than likely less than a full percentage," He looks at her with knowing eyes, "I know you're scared of what could happen but you do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. If you get pregnant you'll be okay."

"I'm done with this conversation, Eli. You need to take Ava back to her place and I need some sleep." He doesn't say another word as he picks up Ava, "I'm sorry Kay, I shouldn't have-"

"It's okay, Eli. I know you didn't mean anything by it. I'm gonna miss you two. Promise to come to visit me?" He chuckles at the thought of not ever seeing one of his best friends again, "Definitely, especially if I have to handle this one all by myself now." Giving her a side hug, he leaves the apartment and suddenly everything is silent.

The apartment is lit with very little light and everything just seems to be quiet. She's officially all alone. She's about to move across the country and start a brand new life with the only thing being the same is her job, but even that won't exactly be the same.

Walking over to her laptop, she types into Google, LAFD 118, and so many different stories come up. Things that seem like it would be the end of the world but the 118 took care of it flawlessly. This is a whole new level to what she's used to, she's really running with the big dogs now.

Closing her laptop after looking at the time, she decides to head to bed because really does have to be up super early tomorrow. Her boxes are already in her new apartment so she just has to unpack when she gets there. Hooking up her laptop, she does her nightly routine then heads to bed in a random shirt and shorts combo she found in her drawers. Not one for matching pjs really.

The annoying sound of her phone alarm wakes her up. It's 5 in the morning and she lets out a heavy sigh before she wills herself out of bed. Walking over to her closet, she pulls out the only outfit she hasn't packed or given away to charity. Getting dressed quickly, she puts her hair up in a white claw clip and then checks things over.

Grabbing her suitcases, she wheels them out of her apartment then does one final look over. 5 years in this apartment and now she's off to start a new chapter in her life.

After dropping off the key to the office, she puts all her suitcases into her black Chevy Malibu then heads off to the airport which is almost 2 hours away. Finally, Kayla Georgia O'Malley is starting off somewhere that's not the comfort of Pinehaven but the hustle of a big city.

Goodbye, Pinehaven. It was a good ride, we'll see you later.

CHYLER LEIGH

as

KAYLA "DARLIN" O'MALLEY

RYAN GUZMAN

as

EDMUNDO "EDDIE" DIAZ

OLIVER STARK

as

EVAN "BUCK" BUCKLEY

GAVIN MCHUGH

as

CHRISTOPHER "CHRIS" DIAZ

Angela Bassett as Athena Grant

Peter Krause as Bobby "Cap" Nash

Aisha Hinds as Henrietta "Hen" Wilson

Kenneth Choi as Howie "Chimney" Han

Jennifer Love Hewitt as Maddie Buckley

Riley Keough as Ava Williams

Regé-Jean Page as Elijah Johonson

Ed Westwick as Vince Knox

Karl Urban as Officer Jason Nix

Jack Quaid as Office Kenny James