Page 33 of The Spotlight Effect

“Me too, Archie,” his mom says and pats his shoulder while walking behind him.

“I will see you kids later,” his mom says before leaving the kitchen.

“Will you guys still play me a song orsongs beforewe leave?” Beatrix bats he eyes, leaning onto Kenan’s shoulder.

“A promise is a promise,” Kenan says.

“To the instruments!” Charlie declares, holding up a fork in the air. I’ve tried not to look over at Kenan this whole time because Nevea is hanging off his arm and I can’t look at her, she just makes me want to punch her. How could she do that to him?

“I got something for you all, especially Charlie.” Grayson’s mom comes back into the seating area bringing a plate of powdered fluffed dough.

“Oh my goodness, Loukoumades!” Charlie jumps up and runs to get the plate. “Alexia, this will be the best thing you ever place in your mouth,” Charlie says as he brings me one.

“What is it?” I ask, holding one in my hand.

“It’s a Greek powdered donut with honey and powdered sugar. These are strawberry flavored,” Grayson’s mom explains.

“Sounds really good,” I tell her and take a bite.

As I start to chew, the flavors really start to develop; it's a very bold flavor. You can certainly taste the strawberry, but the honey gives it a nice raw flavor and the sugar gives it sweetness. “This is amazing Mrs..” I trail off because I realize at this moment, I have no idea what to call her.

“Please, call me Zoë,” she tells me.

“This tastes amazing, Zoë,” I compliment her baking. It feels so weird calling a parent by their name.

“Okay, time for my music, bring the Loukoumades,” Beatrix says and grabs Grayson’s arm, pulling him.

Everyone starts to follow them, and I end up just standing here. “Coming?” I look beside me, seeing Shawn. I honestly didn’t notice he was here. He hasn't spoken once.

“Yeah, just taking it all in,” I say.

“Just relax; you’re cool,” he says, motioning for me to go before him. I go and he follows.

We walk through the sunken living room and enter into the backyard, which is massive with a seating space and a trampoline along with a large pool with a waterfall. Everyone is setting up the instruments across this bridge at the outdoor canopy. This is amazing. Well, we know what she does with all that alimony money.

I make my way across the bridge and sit in one of the chairs by Beatrix and Nevea while Shawn goes over to the rest of the band. I catch Beatrix out of the side of my eye, staring at me. “Is that my brother’s shirt?” she asks. I totally forgot I was wearing this.

“Uh, yeah,” I answer.

“Hmm,” Beatrix hums, turning away.

“Crazy fan,” Nevea whispers to herself.

It takes everything in me not to slap that cheating ass bitch because what the fuck is wrong with her. I’m a “crazy fan” for having this shirt on when she’s cheating on her long-term boyfriend. “At least I’m sending nudes to people I’m not dating,” I whisper to Nevea.

I lean back in my seat, leaving a completely shocked look on her face. Nevea gets up, going over to Kenan and grabbing him before laying a really heavy kiss on him. Grayson looks over at me and I just shrug.

“Are you ready!” Beatrix yells.

“Yep,” Charlie replies, and Nevea stops kissing Kenan to come back and sits down.

“Soon that will be Grayson,” she whispers to me. I don’t know why she’s telling me I don’t care.

I turn to the band and start paying attention as Charlie starts counting off the beat for them to play. This is a dream come true. I can’t believe I’m here right now. Am I fangirling?Yes!But that’s normal, right?

As Beatrix and I watch them play, Nevea scrolls through her phone, not paying much attention to anything they do, which isn’t very surprising considering she’s cheating. Of course to commemorate this moment forever, I record about a minute of the performance, mostly for myself and I send it to Faith so she can see it and freak out along with me. I need at least one person besides my mom to talk to about this who will get it. A smile creeps on my face as I watch, feeling the music in me.

Once they played about three songs, they decided to stop and start putting up the instruments and Beatrix went to talk to Grayson.

---