Spencer placed her hand softly on Ashley’s shaking one, hoping to help calm her.  Ashley met her eyes at the gesture, and gave an appreciative smile.  At the end of the night though, all of Ashley’s nervousness was gone.  She knew she had a hit.  Everyone loved it.  Even one of the harshest music critics and execs in the business, the British-born Biron Howell, had praised it.

“Fucking A!” Ashley yelled after everyone had cleared out of the party.  Only she, Spencer, Kyla and Aiden remained.  “They ate that shit up. This is going to be my biggest album yet, I can feel it.  We should celebrate.  Spencer can you see if any VIP rooms are available at whatever club, bar, or restaurant is closest.”

“Um, yeah,” Spencer said, glancing at the clock on the temporary cell phone given to her to replace the one she’d forgotten.  It was now 10 at night and Spencer was anxious to get home.  After a few calls, she had finally made reservations at a nearby bar.  They all got into the back of the limo and headed over there.  But someone must have tipped off the paparazzi, because they were waiting. 

“I hate this shit,” Ashley said, as the driver opened the door and all four were blinded with camera flashes.  Ashley, Kyla, and Aiden stepped out, but Spencer remained inside.

“Spencer, come on.” Kyla yelled over all the noise.

“Um, is it okay, if I just go home,” Spencer directed her question to Ashley, “I’m a little tired.  I can have the driver drop me off at my car at work, and then he can come back here to wait for you all…if that’s okay.”

A long pause followed with no response from Ashley. 

“Yeah, that’s okay Spencer,” Kyla answered looking between her sister and Spencer. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“At eight,” Ashley said.

“At eight,” Spencer smiled, as the driver closed the door and they drove off.

By the time, Spencer got home it was a nearly midnight.  She felt like she’d been rushing all day and tonight was no different.  She hastily unlocked the door to her parent’s house.  Her father was sitting in the living room, watching TV, waiting.

“How is she?” Spencer asked, already making her way upstairs.