1. Closing Time

At that moment, Emily hated everything. She hated this stupid planet she lived on, she hated that she couldn't go to an off-planet college which meant she was stuck here working in this stupid coffeehouse, she hated that the "Just like back on Earth" experience included her having to clean up spills with a towel instead of an exomizer, but most of all she hated her stupid boss for making her work tonight.

Tonight Emily was supposed to be seeing Paige perform at New Rosewood Hall, but instead of being at the concert Emily was stuck at The Brew.

She had lived all her life in New Rosewood, which wasn't even the most interesting town on K186f, a planet so boring no one even bothered giving it a real name. Emily had always dreamed of making it out, but that seemed impossible. She knew Paige was going to make it out, though, and Emily was left looking on with a mix of admiration and envy.

Paige had gone to the same school as Emily for two years, but Emily didn't really know Paige back then. Paige was a violinist, and a talented one. Then she had been spotted by scouts for the East Cygnus Symphony Orchestra and selected for enhancements, which meant going to another school.

If she was being honest with herself, Emily had to admit that she had become a little obsessed with Paige, but her story was just so inspiring. Emily started going to her concerts and watching, mesmerized, as Paige played so beautifully.

There was some controversy about enhancements in music circles, of course. So-called "purists" didn't approve, but a lot of the pieces composers wrote these days couldn't be played by someone without cybernetic components. Anyway, Paige's passion and expressiveness didn't come from her enhancements, they came from her heart.

Then Emily met Paige again, right here at The Brew. She was just doing her regular afternoon shift when Paige came in. Emily recognized her immediately, but had to keep her professional demeanor, however difficult that was.

She served Paige her coffee, but as she did she noticed Paige looking at her intently. Just as Emily was wondering if she should say something, Paige spoke.

"Were you at New Rosewood High?" Paige asked.

"Yes, we were in the same year," Emily replied.

"OK, yeah, I thought I remembered you," Paige said. "Is it… Emily?"

Emily became aware that she was breathing faster. Paige remembered her?

"Yes," was all Emily could say.

"Wow, that's amazing," Paige said. "Have I seen you since I left? I've just got this feeling I have, but I'm not sure where."

"I've been to a couple of your concerts," Emily replied, understating the number somewhat.

"Of course!" Paige exclaimed. "I noticed you one night. You looked lost in the music."

"You're an amazing musician," Emily said.

"Thank you," Paige replied, and dipped her head. She looked almost embarrassed, and kind of adorable.

They talked for a while longer, about music, and school, and what everyone was up to these days, but Emily was just shocked that Paige not only remembered her from school, she had noticed her in the sea of faces of her audience. She was on a high for the rest of the day.

Paige came in two more times, at least while Emily was there. Paige would ask about what Emily wanted to do with her life, but it all seemed so trivial next to the future Paige had ahead of her. Paige was going to be leaving at the end of the year, going off planet to a world that seemed more glamorous and exotic than anything Emily could imagine.

The last time Emily had seen her, Paige had told her about the concert tonight, and invited her to come along. Emily said she would try, and she had tried, but she couldn't get out of work.

So now Emily was busy cleaning the tables, wiping them down and putting the crockery in her tray, but thinking about Paige. How nice she was, and unaffected by her minor celebrity status. What a sweet personality she had. How cute she looked when she did that head dip thing. How beautiful her smile was. How her hair…

Emily stopped herself. She had to face facts. A crush on a girl she would probably never see again would just make her more miserable. It wasn't long until closing time now. After she locked up, she could go home and cry.

Just then the door opened and a customer came in.

Emily turned to see who it was.

She stood transfixed for a moment, mouth open in shock.

"Hi," Paige said.

"Hi," Emily responded.

It was her. It was Paige, standing at the counter, dressed in a stunning black dress from her performance, looking like some sort of Goddess who had come down from above to order coffee from Emily Fields.

"I just thought I'd drop in," Paige said, casually. "I hope you're still open."

Emily put down her tray and went into barista mode.

"Yes, yes, of course," she said. "What would you like? The same as last time?"

"Yes, and one for a friend," Paige replied.

Emily took a moment to process this, before deciding the universe was mocking her. Paige comes here after her performance, and she's probably just ducking out to meet her date.

"What would your friend like?" Emily asked.

"I don't know," Paige responded. "What do you have?"

"I like the Americano," Emily said, "but your friend…"

"It's for you, Emily," Paige interrupted.

Now Emily was confused.

"It's for you," Paige repeated. "I noticed you weren't there tonight, so I wanted to come and see you."

Not knowing what else to do, Emily proceeded to make the coffees.

Paige took them, but Emily couldn't shake the habit of being at work, and picked up her tray again, ready to resume cleaning up.

"No, Em, I really want to have a coffee with you," Paige insisted.

Em? She had said "Em". Emily was aware that she was smiling, probably beaming. Paige stood there, looking glorious, coffees in hand.

Emily put the tray down again, and sat down with Paige at an empty table.

"So, how did the concert go?" Emily asked.

"It was great," Paige replied. "A lot of fun."

"I'm sorry I missed it," Emily said.

"Me too," Paige agreed.

"Shouldn't you be at at some glamorous party with the other musicians?" Emily asked.

"I'd rather be here," Paige explained. "With you."

"Really?" Emily asked.

"Really," Paige replied.