SOUNDTRACK: "Sunset Lover" - Petit Biscuit

The lights dimmed on stage as Kate allowed herself to be escorted offstage by the other two actors and Olivia sobbed on the stairs as Stella. After a few lines of dialogue from Luke as Stanley, the lights went completely dark and the theater was plunged into shocked silence. As the lights came back on, the audience erupted into applause and cheers and Kate followed the other actors back onstage for the curtain call. As she emerged, she was nearly deafened by the noise.

She could spot Shannon, Connie, and Emma three rows back, cheering wildly. He even let loose a loud whistle, causing Emma to put her hands over her ears and glare at him. Connie had tears in her eyes and Shannon leaned over to give her a hug of reassurance. As each actor stepped forward to take a bow, the crowd cheered. When Kate stepped forward, relief on her face, she could hear Shannon's whoops of joy and appreciation. Briefly, she felt her smile falter when she noticed Jared had indeed, failed to show up.

Part of her had been holding out hope that Jared would show up and sneak in the back to watch. Maybe it was because she still stupidly had the idea that life was like a Disney movie and everything worked out in the end. She knew it was foolish of her to hope and her disappointment was her own fault. When she had bowed for the last time, she went backstage to the girls' dressing room to start taking her costume off and getting her microphone removed.

"Well, you didn't manage to flop," Olivia remarked as she breezed past Kate.

Kate sighed. "Good job to you, too, Olivia."

The other girl scoffed, flipped her hair, and sat down at the vanity table to start removing her makeup. Kate allowed one of the sound technicians to take her microphone off as she changed back into her jeans and sweater. The emotions from the show were still coursing through her as she pulled her jeans on, one leg at a time. She was surprised when she felt a tear slide down her face. Jared's absence was a normal thing for her now. It really was her own fault that she was disappointed.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow at eleven," Kate called to Olivia as another actress came in to get changed.

Kate didn't wait for Olivia's response, grabbing her bag and walking down the back hallway to the front of the auditorium. As she got closer to the end, she could see a crowd had filled the lobby area, with people chattering away. The air was filled with excitement and applause broke out again as she pushed her way into the lobby. Shannon moved through the crowd and took her hand, pulling him after her toward the edge of mob. He hugged her tightly when they stopped.

"You were absolutely fucking fantastic!" he exclaimed, keeping an arm around her shoulders as he led her over to where Emma and Connie were standing.

Several flashes nearly blinded Kate as a staff photographer took a few photos for the school newspaper and yearbook. She could smell Connie's perfume as the older woman embraced her tightly.

"You did so well, darling," she said happily. "Jared will be sad he missed this."

"You are definitely his child," Emma smiled.

Kate nodded and gave her a weak smile. She was getting tired of people saying she was Jared's child just because of how she looked or talents she apparently never knew she had. Why couldn't she just be his daughter because it was biological fact? Why did there need to be any more evidence than that?

"Are you all done for the night?" Shannon asked.

"Yeah. I've got everything. If I forgot something, I can just get it tomorrow at eleven," Kate replied.

"Then let's go to dinner to celebrate," he insisted. "My treat."

Shannon kept his arm around Kate's shoulders as they walked out to his SUV. Connie chattered on about how well Kate did and Emma sent Jared a text telling him they were on their way to dinner.

"Jared says he's sorry he missed it," Emma told Kate.

Kate shrugged. "I'm sure he is." She tossed her bag into the back seat ahead of her as Emma walked around to the other side of the car. "I don't really care, honestly."

Emma looked at her strangely. "Kate, he told you why he couldn't come," she said.

"So? He could have come. He chose not to. It's not like he had to be anywhere else," Kate sighed. "He's at the house right now, probably fucking some model within an inch of her life." She ignored Connie's gasp of disapproval and Emma's blush. "He made his choice. It's fine."

Shannon took them to a Thai restaurant in West Hollywood and Kate was surprised to see several other Winterlake kids there with their families. She made sure to sit with her back to them so they couldn't see her face, but she wasn't as worried because she wasn't with Jared. So far, she hadn't gotten the feeling that Shannon got nearly as much attention as Jared and for once, she was relieved for that. They ordered and she tried to keep her mood upbeat and force herself to enjoy the evening.

"Do you think you're going to be in any other plays? Or maybe a musical?" Connie asked.

Kate shook her head. "Uh, no," she chuckled. "The only reason I was in this one was because I had to keep up my end of the deal with my counselor."

"Deal? What deal?" Emma asked, twirling her fork in her Pad Thai.

Kate swallowed her spring roll. "There's this music requirement for each semester where I have to play an instrument or sing. Because I started school halfway through, it was too late for me to join a music class. But my counselor said I could skip the requirement if I auditioned for the play and helped work on it if I didn't get a part. Since I got the part, I didn't have to work on the play."

"So what instrument are you going to learn to play next year?" Connie asked.

"Hey - if you learn drums, I'll help you," Shannon offered with a grin.

"Somehow, I just don't see drums or percussion being my style," Kate laughed.

"What about piano?" Emma suggested.

"I haven't honestly thought that far in advance yet, Emma," Kate replied. "For a long time, it was just about getting through Finals and then this play. Now that I'm done with Finals, and the play is almost through, the only thing I'm thinking of doing is taking a four day nap."

Shannon laughed. "Reminds me of the crazy days of touring, back before we were really established. It was all hands on deck, all the time," he remarked. "There was this one time, I can remember, we played three shows in three different cities in two days. We got in way early in the morning, set up, played at noon, did an interview for this local rock station, tore everything down, rushed two hours away and set up for that night." He shook his head in amazement. "I still don't know how none of us didn't collapse from exhaustion or how we ever got it all done. I just know that I don't miss the days before we had roadies and assistants," he added with a nod to Emma.

"I don't know. I might take a string instrument. I feel like everyone plays guitar or piano," Kate said.

"I'm sure whatever you choose, you'll be excellent at it," Connie insisted. "I hear you and Jared will be spending Christmas in Vail? That sounds fun."

Kate nodded. "I'm excited. I've never been outside of California and I've definitely never been snowboarding or skiing."

"You're gonna love it," Shannon said. "Jared's like a crazy fiend with it."

They continued eating and talking and gradually, Kate forgot about Jared's absence. It didn't mean it didn't hurt, though.

GOSSIP BOARD

HURRICANE POSTED: These are new pics of Shannon out with Connie, Emma, and what I think is that same chick Jared has been seen hiking with. Someone posted them on their Instagram. They were out to dinner, I think.

OCEANEYEZ POSTED: This has to be a family friend or something like that. Because I have never seen Emma and Shannon out together. Like, NEVER. Not without Jared. And for Connie to be there, this has to be like a relative or family friend. She looks like she could be college age, maybe. It could be that Jared and Shannon have been showing her around.

LITTLELETO POSTED: Does Connie's partner have any kids? Maybe this is his daughter or granddaughter. The girl looks really comfortable with the three of them, so clearly she knows them pretty well.

OCEANEYEZ POSTED: But Shannon had his arm around her as they walked out to the car. So maybe this is Shannon's new girl?

HURRICANE POSTED: I don't think so. Jared seemed really close with her on their hikes, too. What's getting me is Emma and Connie. I don't really know why they'd be out with Shannon and this chick unless they knew her as well. Shannon and Jared are usually really careful about bringing their women around Connie.

OCEANEYEZ POSTED: So then the only option is that this chick has to be a relative or family friend, then. I guess we will just have to keep looking out and see if anything new comes out.