Page 28 of The Spotlight Effect

I can do this. It’s just a girl.

I just go for it and give Marina a kiss, then the bell rings as Garner yells, “Cut!”

“Not what was in the script, but I think I like this better. It’ll add tension for later,” Emerson says as she walks up beside her dad.

“Well, it’s your TV show, so if that’s what you want,” Garner says, tossing his hands in the air.

“I’ll make the changes. Perfect as always, Gray,” Emerson says.

“Okay, next is Noah and his love interest. To the hallway set,” the director calls out and I make my way to the side where the drinks are, while Marina stomps off the stage.

I could throw up right now.

“What happened out there?” Mr. Hayden asks, concerned. I draw the bottle of water to my lips and take a few gulps before putting it down, breathing heavy.

“I don’t know,” I reply breathlessly.

“You know Emmy told me about the girl that’s been stuck in your head,” Mr. Hayden says, and I glance up at him.

“Of course she did,” I mumble before drinking more water.

“Maybe you should try the scene with said girl and get her input on kissing someone else,” Mr. Hayden suggests.

“I don’t need that,” I reply, a little rougher than I intended.

“You sure about that? Because I’m not the one who can’t simply kiss someone. It’s only a suggestion,” Mr. Hayden says.

“And what if I kiss Alexia and start to actually like her?”

“I say handle that when you get there.” Mr. Hayden pats my shoulder before walking off.

He may be right but liking someone is the last thing I need. Not after what happened with Jazzlyn.

I’ve found a word to describe what I feel for Alexia. Attraction. That’s what I feel, and I hate feeling it.

I look over to the side of the set to see Alexia talking to Emerson. I’m going to take Mr. Hayden’s advice, but not right now. I walk off in the opposite direction to the break room, where the food and comfy couches are.

I go right over and pick a donut out of the box. “Eating food when you have to kiss someone.” I turn around and see Alexia standing in the doorway.

“I don’t wanna kiss her, so I don’t care,” I reply and bite into the donut.

“Figures you don’t,” she says and walks into the room.

“What happened out there?” Alexia asks, looking around the room.

“Nothing,” I tell her.

“Why did you do so bad?” she asks, dragging her hand along the edge of the snack table while looking down at it.

“I very much dislike that girl and honestly, we’ve never practiced that scene. The director wanted it to be raw in emotion,” I explain.

“It definitely was,” Alexia mumbles and I shoot her a glare which she just gives a fake smile back and I roll my eyes and take another bite of my donut. “Then just practice,” Alexia offers. “It can’t be that hard.”

“Go to hell,” I tell her and bite into my donut.

“And leave you here all alone. That would be mean.” Alexia pouts while leaning against the table beside me. Smart ass. She should really lose that attitude of hers.

“Okay genius, what would you do when you haven’t practiced with the person you have to do a scene with?” I ask.

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