Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of emotional abuse and addiction, as well as oblique references to ableism.

One day, shortly before Ryan is scheduled to leave for Charleston, she asks Cass when she first knew that she was a lesbian. Cass slowly reveals her story of meeting Amanda at theater camp and becoming best friends; Ryan is acutely aware that Cass is sharing something deeply personal, intimately related to her secret tragedy. She hesitantly asks what happened to Amanda, and Cass finally tells her the story of Amanda’s accident. Just before she can explain that Amanda died, Janie arrives with a script revision to give Ryan. Janie has visited several times and met Cass, and she has previously expressed concern that Cass’s desire for secrecy and Ryan’s very public life will put Ryan at risk of getting her heart broken.

As the time for Ryan’s departure nears, Cass hopes that Ryan will invite her to Charleston. On the day before Ryan is supposed to leave, Cass preemptively books herself a flight to Charleston. She leaves Sidney a message about the change in plans, saying that they can talk about what this means when she returns to New York.