AN: Hey everyone! Life is finally starting to slow down just a little bit and I'm hopefully going to be able to have time to finish this story over the next month or two *fingers crossed*. Thanks to everyone who's stayed with me, and a big welcome to everyone just now climbing on board with this story. I love you all *hugs*

Opening Night

"Whatcha workin' on?" Ryan's hands curled gently around my shoulders as he kissed my neck, leaning around to glance over my computer screen. With a heavy sigh, I threw down the stack of articles and highlighter in my hand, rubbing my eyes as I leaned back into him.

"Another essay. The current trade surplus in Brazil." As I spoke my head swam, eyes bloodshot with fatigue and the stress of staring at a computer screen for the past four hours straight.

"Ew." Beside me, Ry straightened up, his face contorting into disgust at the idea of my essay topic.

"Tell me about it." I groaned, clasping my hands above my head and arching my back in a nice, long stretch. It was only then that I noticed my boyfriend was all dressed up, hair gelled, scarf around his neck as he looked around the kitchen for his keys. Slouching back down in my seat, I watched him for a few more seconds before finally speaking up. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah babe." He chuckled, clearly thinking I must have been joking. But when I didn't respond, his search for his car keys slowed to a halt and he looked back up at me with empty, unbelieving eyes. "The theatre? At school? It's opening night, don't you remember?"

Dread crashed over me and I felt as though life had just sucker punched me right in the gut. My professor had assigned this surprise essay on us just two days ago and between that, getting my final projects together and studying for exams, I had completely forgotten about Ryan's first leading role in a college production. He was going to kill me.

"Babe, I'm so sorry, with the essay and everything I completely forgot."

"It's okay." He forced himself to shrug, renewing the hunt for his keys so as to avoid my eyes and give his hands something to do. "I'll just have them save you a seat, don't worry about it."

If it were possibl my heart sank even deeper.

"No, I…I really don't think I can make it at all."

"What do you mean?" His eyebrows furrowed with confusion when he glanced up at me, pocketing his keys as he now began to look for a hat. They were stacked neatly in the coat closet near the door and I knew there would be no leaving if he couldn't find the perfect one. However, he seemed to know what he'd gone in there for because moments later he had pulled out a woolen newsboy cap.

"Ryan, this essay isn't a joke, I have to get it done. And then I have studying to do and I haven't even looked at my group projects in days…I just don't have the time. I'm sorry."

"Can't you take a break for two hours? I mean come on Kate, you've known about this for months." There was an edge of anger underscoring his tone, but mostly he was just hurt. The sound of it made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

"That's the point of Ivy League Ryan." My head shook back and forth, eyes lowered with remorse. "We don't get breaks."

"Well, what about tomorrow? The show only runs this weekend."

"You know how crazy things get around the end of the year." I shrugged. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't blow off school, that wasn't even an option. But did that mean I had to blow off my boyfriend too?

"Fantastic." He nodded curtly, the lines of his face hardening as he threw his coat on dramatically. "Well, I hope you and your essay have a wonderful time together tonight. Maybe you'll catch a review of the show in the paper on Monday."

"Ryan, I really am sorry." I tried to reach out to him, my eyes begging for him to try and understand. But he wasn't having any of it.

"Forget it." Shaking his head at the door in disappointment, his pale hands came up to signal that I should just stop. There was no point in trying any more that night.

And with that he turned out into the hallway and left me cold and alone in my apartment. I waited up that night with my books and at least three cups of coffee, telling myself I just needed to study. But I knew all I wanted was to see Ryan walk through my door again. To tell me everything was okay. That we were okay. But he never came.

I tried to call his phone, waiting an hour after I was sure the curtain must have closed. Nothing. After the third conversation with his voicemail, I gave up. If he was even looking at his phone he would see that I had called and if he wanted to call me back, he would. But he never did.

Finally, I forced myself to go to bed and as I lay there, staring at the clock that told me it was 3:15 in the morning, I wondered where he was. Who he was with. What they were doing. Whoever it was, I knew they hadn't missed his show.

I know that was short but there will be much more to come ;) Please review!