Page 39 of The Spotlight Effect

I get ready but wait to put on my outfit until it’s closer to the time to leave.

I walk inside the living room to find Lia sitting on the couch, watching a movie while going through some shopping bags. “Good morning, bitch,” I greet her and sit down.

“Morning, Lexi, try on this dress,” Aaliyah says, holding out a blue sparkly dress.

“What’s the party dress for?” I ask, taking the dress and holding it up. It’s a pretty dress but where would I even wear this dress too.

“Don’t be mad,” Lia says with caution.

“Whenever you say don’t be mad, nine out ten I will be, so get on with it so I can say no,” I tell them, sitting the dress on the coffee table.

“Yesterday, Marina invited me to this party in Hollywood tonight and I thought we could go,” she explains.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“At least think about it, please,” Aaliyah pleads.

“No,” I reply as I make my way up my room and throw the dress to the side, falling back on the bed.

I waste some time before I have to leave to go do the interview which thankfully only my mom accompanies me to. I’m surprised she left Lia at the house, but she did. It only takes about two hours, then we take a tour of the recording studio at Golden Star, which is beyond incredible before grabbing some lunch and heading home.

I search around my room for something to do now that I am available for the rest of the day. I decide on reading one of the books left in here for me. I feel like doing something calming right now, and for once there’s nothing to do. Not that I am complaining, I’ve been so busy the past few days, so this is nice.

After I have made it halfway through the book, I decide to finish a song I started writing titled “Spring Break”. I honestly don’t know exactly what it's about yet but maybe finishing it will help me figure that out. I go over to the bay window and pick up the guitar. Taking a seat, I pull out my songbook. I flip to page eight. I haven’t picked up a guitar in a while; it feels a little strange but nice, too. I begin playing, trying to let my creativity flow till I’m done with the song.

“That’s a good song,”I hear someone say from the door, I quickly look up to see Scarlett and Raven standing in the doorway. Shit, I wasn’t expecting anyone to walk in.

“Hi,” I mumble while sitting the guitar to the side.

“I take it writing music is more of a private thing you do,” Raven says, and I nod.

“Stage fright, maybe?” Scarlett asks, walking into the room.

“No, I just never played for people other than my best friend Faith and my family,” I tell them.

“You should. What’s the song called?” Raven asks, joining Scarlett and walking into the room.

“That is still pending,” I answer, standing from the bay window seat.

“Well, we didn’t come here to interrogate you about your musical talents,” Raven says before Scarlett finishes the sentence.

“But we wanted to ask if you wanted to come over?”

I find the words caught in my throat as I hear the question. Holy shit, they did not just ask me to come over! I’mreallydreaming now. No one has ever seen where The MorningStars live but I’ve just been invited to.

“Why?” I have to ask as I’m confused.

“Because we like hanging out with you, silly,” Scarlett answers.

“I’d love to come over, but first, I need to change and tell my mom,” I tell them.

“Take your time,” Scarlett says and sits on the couch in my room while Raven looks around.

I walk out of the main part of my room and go to the closet and pick out my outfit which will be a plaid mini skirt with a black tank top that saysI don’t smokein red letters and my Converse. I need to look good going over there. I text my mom, telling her they asked me to come over, and she agrees since she and Lia are going sightseeing soon. Perfect!

“Do I need to bring anything?” I ask them as I start to pack my bag.

“Maybe a bikini and a change of clothes if you want,” I hear Scarlett say. I go to my suitcase and choose a purple metallic bikini and pack some extra shorts and a random T-shirt with all the normal things I put in my bag.

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