Page 36 of The Spotlight Effect

“Come on, the others are waiting for us,” I tell her.

“Right, wouldn't want to keep them waiting,” she says, leaving the room. I look around, trying to remember what I was supposed to get out of her, but I forgot so I just leave.

We chooseto eat at The Dive. It’s one of our favorite places to eat in Malibu. It has a nice classic beach retro vibe, and the food is amazing.

As we wait for our food, they start to play “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid, and Charlie’s face lights up. Some of the other customers have already been up dancing on the dance floor, but others join as it comes on.

“We have to dance!” Charlie tells Scarlett.

“You must really like this song,” Alexia says.

“He loves this song,” Shawn says.

“Only because it’s one of the greatest songs ever,” Charlie says, standing up from his seat. “It’s time to salsa.” Charlie does a small cha-cha.

“You seem to really like dancing,” Alexia says.

“It’s one of my three hobbies,” Charlie says as Scarlett takes his hand, and he twirls her.

“Lexi, you must dance too.” Charlie holds out his hand for her. I watch to see what she does.

The answer is slightly twisting me inside. Alexia takes his hand after a few seconds and he glides out to the floor with them both, dancing perfectly. It’s the Cuban in him showing out right now. I can’t help but watch them because Alexia looks like she’s having fun. She doesn’t have a blank stare or scowl on her face.

I’m glad she’s having fun.

As the song ends, Charlie twirls them both out one last time and comes back to the table.

“Had fun?” Kenan asks.

“Of course, I always have fun with my boy,” Scarlett says and kisses Charlie’s cheek.

“It was fun,” Alexia says.

“Don’t flatter him too much. He’ll think you want to keep hanging out,” Raven says, smirking.

“I’m the life of the party. Everyone wants to hang out with me,” Charlie says, smiling.

“Are you staying at Dad’s?” Bea asks, tapping me.

“Not tonight, Bee,” I tell her. Her face falls slightly but I know she understands. I moved into The Fortress to get some sense of freedom, and I love staying there so I’ve been trying to limit staying at Dad’s house, but I stay there for her.

Once our food comes, we all eat as Bea tells us about her week at Mom’s house.

As I walk outof the restroom, Charlie yanks me to the side. “Are you crazy! You scared me, you little shit,” I whisper yell at him.

“Yeah, yeah, shut up, listen,” he says. I scowl at him but say nothing.

“So, I’m just vibing right holding Scars’ hand, and I kiss her on the cheek, but as I am, I feel a hand slip onto my upper thigh, and I look over to see theshe-devilsipping her drink innocently. Then Kenan kisses her, and she squeezes my thigh before moving it,” Charlie explains while looking around to make sure no one is listening. I tell he’s kind of panicking by the sound of his voice.

“Well, that time period where she wasn’t doing anything is out the window,” I say.

“Why are you two idiots crouched outside the bathroom?” Raven asks, looking at us strangely.

“Just checking the view from down here,” Charlie says. “Yep, all clear down here, chief.”

“You two are weirdos but come on dumb and dumber, I have the best idea of how to spend our night,” Raven says, slipping her leather jacket back on. Raven’s style is very biker goth. Liketonight, she’s wearing holey loose jeans with fishnets under a crop top, a leather jacket, and leather boot heels that add at least five inches.

Me and Charlie move from our hiding spot and meet everyone at the front as they are walking out. Charlie catches up to Scarlett and wraps his arm around her and gives her a kiss on the head.

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