Signed, Yours Truly

Chapter Two - My Savior

As Claire unlocked her sixth story apartment, she held a rose with black ribbon around it. She had received one every night since the announcement of Superstar, and each rose had a different letter attached with it. Tonight's letter was "E". So far the message had read:

"Opening night - Midnight - Majestic - Row C, S"

The new letter was the end to the last word, making "Se"

When she first received a rose, she thought it was from Jared, but he didn't know how to write in cursive. It could have been her cousin messing with her but he claimed he had no clue what she was talking about when she called him.

It surely didn't sound like a kidnapping bait, but Claire decided to pack her 9mm in case as well as her K-Bar from her dad. In New York, one never knew.

"'Se'..." She turned the unfinished word in her mind. "'See you there'? No, no...'Seat'..? Seat! Yes, now what number." Opening her laptop, she searched the Majestic website to see if they had maps of their auditorium. Nothing appeared to what she was looking for, though.

"Shoot." She mumbled, the suspense was starting to annoy her. "Who are you?" She asked seemingly nobody, but she was heard.

Ping

The noise from her phone made her jump slightly, it was late and she wasn't expecting much except notifications from apps.

"U up? I need to ask you something." It was from Emily, Claire's step-sister.

"Sure. You wanna call?"

"Yeah.."

The ringtone sounded and Claire accepted.

"Hey, whats wrong?" She asked, concern in her voice.

"I just..I needed someone to talk to. Mom is out late again and... you know."

"Yeah.." Claire dropped into the overstuffed armchair and tried to hide her disappointment. Their biological mother was a relapsing alcoholic and spent many nights out, neither of the girls knew where. "Well, I know its late but do you wanna spend the night here?"

There was a long silence.

"Emily?"

"I'm here. Um, thanks for the offer but if she comes in she may need some help."

"I getcha." Claire nodded. "Its fine, but I'll leave the key in the usual place, just in case."

"You're the best."

"Didn't you have something to ask me?"

"Oh, yeah!" Emily seemed to perk up. "How's the musical going? I stopped by Wednesday but I didn't see you."

"If it was around 2:30, I was at lunch. Sorry I missed you though."

"I can come by tomorrow if thats okay. I'm assuming you guys are having a rehearsal?"

"Its three weeks away, of course we have a rehearsal." Claire laughed tiredly.

"Well, you're doing amazing."

"Thanks, girl."

"Oh- I should go-.."

"Oh, okay." Claire's heart dropped, even if she didn't feel it. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"See ya." It was a quick and abrupt hang up, as if she was rushing... or not wanting to get caught

Claire sighed and silenced her phone before getting up and taking a hot shower.