Page 20 of The Spotlight Effect

They were not made for me at all. I roll over and blindly tap my hand all over the nightstand till I find my phone and I pull it to me. I finally open my eyes when I feel something papery over my phone. I open my eyes to see a blue sticky note attached to the screen. I pull off the note from my phone, and I can read it.

Thanks for the blue dress—Lia

I re-read the note,sitting up; I’m going to kill her. I’ve told her so many times not to steal my clothes. I check my phone to look at the time, ten-thirty a.m. Our day with Grayson and Noah starts at noon. Well, we leave at eleven-forty and arrive by noon.

I let out a sigh and turn to sit on the side of my bed. For a bit, I just stare at the door, not expecting anyone to come through, but just thinking.

I wonder what this day will consist of and how I can get out of it. I also still wonder about last night. Why was Grayson’s dad yelling at him? Why did he just leave like that? I shouldn’t really be worried about it though; it’s not my business.

I go to my bathroom, wash my face with some black soap, then I spray some water on my nest of curls I went to sleep in. I will never forget to braid my hair again before I go to sleep. I brush through my knotted hair until it’s smooth before pulling it into a low ponytail and leaving the bathroom.

I slip my bunny slippers on and head downstairs. This house is so big, it makes you forget you're staying with others. It’s kind of depressing thinking about it that way but I would love to live like this forever.

I walk through the archway into the kitchen to find Lia sitting on one of the stools at the island sipping some lemon water while on her phone.

“Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” she says as I open the fridge and grab the pitcher of lemon water.

“Morning, chirpy,” I reply, looking for a glass.

“There are some on the counter,” she says and I turn around to find three glasses on the counter.

“Thanks,” I mumble.

“No problem,” she says.

I begin to pour my water as she continues.

“I took a dress from your room to wear later.”

“Why were you in my room?” I ask her as I go back to put up the water. I know she just told me why, but I want to know what gave her the right idea in her head that going into my room and taking my dress was a bright idea.

“Astrid thinks it’s a hot dress to wear and we want to look really good for Noah. You’re such a heavy sleeper,” she explains.

I sit my glass down on the counter after I finish drinking some water before I reply. “Do you still have the dress?” I ask.

“Of course, I’m wearing it today,” Lia tells me, and I roll my eyes. “I made you waffles though as a thank you.”

Lia moves from where she’s sitting and goes to the microwave. “Don’t worry, they are warm,” she says, sitting a plate of waffles and bacon in front of me.

“Before you snap at me, which I know is coming, just please let me wear it. I will keep it clean I swear,” Lia tells me and holds out her pinky. I link mine around hers and we both bend to kiss our thumbs.

“Also, I think you should wear something more presentable today. We’re going to be with celebrities all day,” Lia tells me, walking around the island and grabbing her glass of water.

“Celebrity, shmalebrity. Does it look like I give a shit?” I ask her.

“Well, not with that attitude,” she says as she walks out. I hold a middle finger up at her back as she leaves.

I grab a fork and begin to eat my waffles and bacon before I go get ready.

I pick out a dark red Von Dutch skirt as my statement piece and form my outfit around it. I put my hair in two low braids today because, with this heat, I don’t want my hair touching me. I add all my rings. Now I look perfect.

“I wonderif Noah is that cute in person!” Astrid squeals. My sister and Astrid have been looking at photos of Noah Sterlingsince we got in the car. It’s made me want to puke every single time they squeal over a new one.

I should tell them he isn’t even that cute. But then she’d ask how I know and I’d say remember when me and my mom went to get food while you and Astrid were at the interview for StarStruck magazine, we saw him atIn-N-Out,then I’d get questioned so I decide to stay quiet.

“Can you two stop drooling? He’s just a boy,” I say.

“Grayson Archer is just a boy, but you drool over him,” Astrid states.

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