Page 66 of The Spotlight Effect

We endup walking for an hour, and along the way, we talked about our favorite things. I found out his favorite animal is a shark, and his favorite color is red. Somehow, that’s fitting for him. He said I remind him of a Doberman dog because they look tough on the outside but can be sweet.

I thought it was cute. Although I don’t know where he gets me being sweet from.

We end up at the bottom of a grassy-ish hill and as we walk up big white letters come into view. “I think we’re at the Hollywood sign,” I say, looking over at him. We walk forward more until we see a big view of the city below the H. Even during the day, this view is breathtaking. I pull my phone out and take a picture of the view, knowing we don’t have much time and we need to get home.

“You should call your mom,” Gray states. I nod and go to my contacts and call my mom.

“Alexia, is that you?” my mom answers frantically.

“Yeah, it is. I’m sorry we got lost in the woods on the way home,” I explain. I hear voices in the background, but I try to focus on my mom.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. Sweetheart, where are you?” she asks.

“I think we are under the Hollywood sign,” I answer, looking around.

“I’m at Grayson’s dad’s house. Can you get here?” Oh no, why would she go there?

“Yeah, I can. I will see you soon.”

“Okay, I love you, please be safe.”

I have a feeling when we show up it will not be pretty.

The cab pulls us up outside of the Archer mansion and as soon as my mom sees us, she runs over. Gray pays the driver and we both get out of the cab. My mom tackles me into a hug, of course, saying phrases about how worried she was. “Mom, calm down, I'm fine,” I tell her.

“Thank god you’re okay,” my mom says, pulling away.

Once we pull apart, I see Aaliyah standing to the side looking awkward and I go over and hug her. “I’m so glad you are okay,” Lia says.

“Thanks,” I whisper to her.

“Are you feeling okay?” Lia asks.

“Other than needing a shower, I’m great,” I tell her.

I turn to the side to see Beatrix wrapped in Gray’s arms, meanwhile his dad is on the porch scowling. Gray puts Beatrix down and begins to walk toward his father as he is walking to him. I have a feeling this isn’t going to go well. “You are such a disappointment. How could you do that!” his dad yells.

“Dad, his car broke down. It’s not like he meant to,” Beatrix tries to reason.

“I wasn’t fucking talking to you, Beatrix,” Mr. Archer hisses.

“Mom, we should go,” I lean over to her and say.

“How could he talk to him like that?” my mom says. I can tell she wants to do something, but I hold her arm, so she won’t try to pull away.

“Trust me, you doing something will only make things worse,” I tell her. I look over to Aaliyah and see her filming. I won’t stop her but I’m not sure we can’t do anything with it.

“I think you all need to go. Your daughter has done enough,” Mr. Archer says to my mom.

“I didn’t say anything while you yelled at your kids, but you will not bring my child into this! She did nothing just because you’re a sick fuck doesn’t mean my daughter did shit!” my mom yells at him.

“You will not yell at me on my property,” Mr. Archer says.

“Good thing we’re leaving,” my mom says and pulls us to the limo waiting for us.

We are pushed in the limo and my mom angrily tells Fez to take us home while I look out the window and see more yelling until Mr. Archer ends up slapping Gray again. I feel Aaliyah reach over to grab my hand. I turn around in the car and look over to her as she mouths it’s going to be okay but is it really going to be okay?

ARCHER FAMILY EXPOSED

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