Signed, Yours Truly

Chapter Five - Heartbreak

(Three weeks later)

Opening night. Goosebumps like you would not believe. The thought crossed Claire's mind as she rode in the passenger seat with Jared driving his Corvette. He had offered her a ride to the theatre before the first dress rehearsal of the day, she had accepted while shredding the notes she had received throughout the whole ten months of rehearsals and long nights of working through the script. The author was very talented in keeping the reader fascinated with the subtle plot points and dialogue that kept audiences on the edge of their seat.

"Butterflies?" Jared looked over to her squirming figure.

"Yup." She laughed nervously. "I've been doing theatre since I was eight, I still get them every single time."

"As they say, the show must go on."

"True." She smiled.

"Weird question, do you have any ex's?"

"What? No, just Kaden. He's in Cali, though. Why?"

"Some jerk left a threat note in my house last night."

"Seriously??" Claire felt her butterflies double. "What did it say??"

"It was in cursive, so I could barely read it. Something along the lines of 'You are not for her, don't talk to her or else'."

"Was it signed?"

"Yours truly."

"What?? You signed-...wait. Signed, Yours Truly...th-thats..my stalker."

"What?!" Jared swerved a little, making them both jump. "That wasn't you??"

"I thought it was you leaving me notes!"

"You know I can't write cursive, much less read it!"

"I know, I know, thats what threw me off. I don't know who's doing it."

"W-we'll figure it out after the show, okay? Right now, we're gonna go out and destroy this, okay?"

"Okay." She smiled, appreciating the support.

"So," He grinned at her. "Any words to the wise?"

"About the show? Well, I'd say don't screw up and we'll be fine."

"C'mon, we all know its gonna be amazing. The whole town's talking about it."

"Really?" Claire gave him a surprised look. "I hadn't heard anything about it other than the occasional poster and ad on the radio."

"Everyone's too hyped up to talk about it." Jared shrugged as he pulled into the parking garage close to the theatre. Just then, his phone started to ring.

"Oh shoot. Hon, I have to take this." He shot her a puppy-dog glance.

"Go for it. I'll see you later." She blew him a kiss and shut the door.

"That was too close for comfort." He scolded, swiping the accept button as a feminine voice came over the speaker.

"Where you at? You said you'd pick me up half an hour ago."

"Sorry, babe. Had something else come up." He tried.

"Like another certain director?" Her tone was venomous.

"Now, you know she means nothing. Just a close friend. Tell you what, I'll break it to her tonight, how 'bout that?"

"Mmm, alright. But be quick about it."

Then she hung up.

~

Eric stood his motorbike on its kickstand and replaced his helmet with his black baseball cap. He had seen Claire walk toward the elevator from the garage but he knew she didn't own a car.