Thursday had passed slowly for Emmy. Show days always seemed to drag by, but today had even more so. She accounted it to the fact that she was excited about seeing Spencer again. It was uncalled for, really, all this excitement about a boy. Especially since the boy in question had only been in her life for a day. Still, she couldn't help the fact that every time she thought about him her heart fluttered a little bit. Or, when he had texted her last night asking if they could get dinner just the two of them after the show that she had actually stopped breathing for a few seconds. No, she had never had this kind of reaction to a boy before, but she wasn't complaining about it now.

So as she sat getting ready for her show she found her mind drifting to him; she wondered what he was doing, what he would wear tonight, and what he would think about her show. She found herself fretting over what she would wear, wondering if she would look like she put too much effort into it or not enough effort into it…and then she stopped. Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled as realization struck her. He wouldn't care what she wore. He would appreciate her for her, for the quirks he had listed and for her crazy love of friendship bracelets and coffee and playing the guitar. That gave her comfort and allowed her to settle down. As she began applying eye shadow her phone vibrated with an incoming text. Quickly she checked the ID and saw it was Jamison.

Hope you have had a good day, Ms. James. I'll see you back stage tonight. Oh, I'm bringing Mary Grace. She's really excited to finally meet you. –J

Emmy smiled at her friend's good news. She was happy he had finally met a girl who fit him as perfectly as Mary Grace did. She checked the shadow in the mirror before moving to eyeliner and mascara. When she was satisfied with the result she made her way to the closet. Her eyes fell upon a black dress with a ribbon cinching the material close to her waist. The neckline was a sweetheart line, and there was a small ivory trim on the top line. She paired the dress with a pair of Alexander McQueen peep toe pumps with a black orchid lace overlay. She examined herself in the mirror, so far pleased with the look.

She made her way to the bathroom, styling her long blonde hair into gentle flowing waves. She then brushed her teeth and applied a ruby lip color and gloss. Taking a final look at herself in the full length mirror she smiled. She felt beautiful. Hopefully Spencer would think the same…she shook her head to clear the thought. Again her phone vibrated, but this time it wasn't Jamison – it was a number that hadn't been programmed into her phone. She opened the text and a smile made its home on her face as she realized it was Spencer. The butterflies took wing in her stomach as she read the text.

Hey Emmy! The team and I are really excited about the show tonight. I was wondering if perhaps you and I could maybe go grab sushi afterwards…but only if you want to. I completely understand if you have plans already. Just let me know. See you tonight. –Spencer

Her fingers trembled as she typed her response:

Sushi sounds awesome. I know an awesome place we can go to. I'll see you tonight…can't wait! –Emmy

The butterflies continued their flight as she grabbed her guitar case and purse from the chair in her living room. Checking the clock and noting that she had fifteen minutes to make it to the theatre, she quickly made her way out the door. The air felt beautiful, another perfect fall day in the city, and she couldn't help but think that the sun was shining just for her today. The sidewalk was littered with people, many of whom were giving her double takes as she walked past them. She flashed a brilliant smile to those who made eye contact with her and continued her journey to the theatre on campus that would house her acoustic show. She felt her phone vibrating in her purse as she neared the theatre, and the caller ID alerted her that it was her best friend.

"Hey Allie! What's up?"

"Nothing too much. Just knew you had a show tonight and wanted to call and say break a leg."

"Thanks dearest. So how's California treating you?" Allie had moved to California after graduation in May to pursue a film career. So far she had landed a few guest spots on various television shows, but she was still looking for a major break.

"California is blazing hot right now, but good otherwise. My agent has me lined up for, like, ten casting calls this week." The nerves came out as her voice rose in pitch a little. Emmy smiled – her friend was beyond talented enough to land whatever job she wanted, but sometimes her nerves got the best of her during auditions.

"Allie, just take deep breaths and know that you are absolutely amazing. Seriously, you and I know you are talented. You can do this. And if they don't give you the job, then you keep going. How's life outside of acting? Met a man yet?" The question came out as Emmy stepped into the backstage area of the theatre. The dressing room had been adorned with flowers for her, which made her smile even brighter.

"Well, I do have a date tomorrow night with a guy I met at the grocery store…" Emmy couldn't contain her laughter. "You met him at a GROCERY STORE? How perfect would that be for a movie beginning?" Allie laughed with her. "I know, right? But he's 26, never been married, an engineer…he's practically perfect in every way, Em."

"Well, you know I wish you the best of luck, my friend. I just got to the theatre, gotta run a sound check…"

"Girl, do your thing. Just call me back when you get a chance. Love you and miss you!"

"Love you too, girl. I'll call you sometime this week. We have major men topics to catch up on…apparently on both ends." Allie squealed in excitement! "Emmy James! You better call me back as soon as you get the chance, okay?"

"You got it. Bye, Allie." She ended the call and swiftly made her way, guitar in hand, to the stage. The stage manager, Jesse, was sitting in the booth and waved down to her. She smiled and called, "Hey, Jesse!"

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, my dear. Just plug in and tune, and we'll get this thing rolling."

"Fantastic. Oh, Jesse, you got the piano, yeah?"

"Yes, my dear. It's in the wing right now, but I'll be down there in a minute to move it out for you. It's been tuned and everything all ready. You'll just want to do a vocal run with it."

"You're the best." She quickly went through the sound check, and when Jesse was confident that they had achieved the best possible balance she thanked him once more and made her way backstage. The house was set to open in thirty minutes, and she could already hear the audience outside the house doors. When she got to her dressing room she saw that Jamison had called her only three minutes prior, so she quickly called him back.

"Hey Emmy, Mary Grace and I are here. You in your dressing room now?"

"Yes I am. You two come on back."

"Sweet, see you in a few." They hung up and Emmy checked herself in the mirror. She was losing weight, she noticed, something her mother would be happy about. Her mother was always talking about how if she would lose weight she could land any man she wanted; after all, she had a lovely face and a personality of gold…at least that's what her mother said. Her father, however, never seemed to be okay with anything she did. When she had landed the record deal he had said she wouldn't last long, and now that she had obtained some form of success he said that she was acting high and mighty and forgetting her roots…

"Emmy!" Jamison's voice cut through her memories and brought her into a much more pleasant reality. She gave her friend a hug and then, pulling away from him, extended her hand to his guest. "Hey, I'm Emmy."

"Mary Grace. It's really nice to finally meet you. Jamison's told me a lot about you." The girl was beautiful, and Emmy loved how proud Jamison looked to finally be introducing them. "Well, Jamison has told me a lot about you as well." It was then she noticed the boot on Mary Grace's foot. "Oh, girl, what happened?"

"Just a minor dancing incident. Doctor says I'll be in this stupid thing for three more weeks. Had to postpone my showcase, though. It was actually supposed to be tonight, but, well…at least I had the opportunity to come to your show!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. When you get to do it let me know! I'd love to come and see it." Mary Grace seemed truly taken aback that Emmy was showing genuine interest in her. "Oh my goodness, that would be amazing!"

"Well, ladies, as much as I'd like to let you two chat it up, I know that you probably want some time alone and we shall give that to you," Jamison stated with a smile, and then added, "I'm sure you two will have plenty of time to get to know one another better in the near future."

Emmy nodded and then exclaimed, "It was so nice to finally meet you! I hope you guys enjoy the show!" Jamison and Mary Grace left the room, and Emmy was alone once again. She started thinking about the recent murders that had been occurring on campus, and a chill made its way down her spine. She was just the type the murderer was targeting, that much she knew…but would he really continue going after girls since the FBI was in town? And if he did, how long would it be before he came after her…

Her phone once again went off, and she was jolted from her thoughts. The anxiety she felt about the unknown murderer was quickly replaced with anxiety about seeing Spencer again as she recognized his number on the screen. "Hello," she coolly answered, trying with everything in her to hide the nerves that threatened to strangle her.

"Hey Emmy! We're here. Is it okay if we still come backstage?" He sounded so innocent, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah! Come right on in. You can't miss my dressing room."

"Okay, be there in a sec."

She wondered what he would look like…would he be in his work clothes or would he be dressed up…and again her mind flirted back to the text conversation they had had earlier, about sushi after the show. Was it a date? She wasn't able to think anymore on the subject, however, because there he was, lightly knocking on the door, a bouquet of roses in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other.