Page 89 of The Spotlight Effect

“We should watch TV to distract ourselves,” I suggest, coming down from the platform where the bed is. Since we are both banished to this room, we should make the best of it.

“I think things are about to get bad,” Zara tells me, sounding a bit scared.

“How come?” I ask, I know why she is saying that but maybe she has different insight than I do.

“I know Nevea has been texting Shawn, but he just ignores it and tells Kenan, Charlie also told Kenan about her hitting on him and Grayson. Kenan tries to ignore, hoping everything will work out, but she just parties, drinks, and never really talks to him until she wants to be in the spotlight again,” Zara explains. The spotlight effect like Lia explained.

“Now that everything is more out in the open, it’s about to go to shit. She’s been doing this for maybe three months now and she’s been secretly planning to ghost Kenan. I heard her say it on the phone,” Zara finishes.

“That’s awful,” I tell her.

“Yeah, I feel really, really bad for Kenan. He's loved her for so many years, and he still loves her, and she’s just fallen out of love and only cares about the fame and connections he’s gotten her,” Zara says.

There are so awful girls in this world, and I truly feel bad Nevea is the one Kenan ended up with. He’s a nice guy; he shouldn't have to be treated like this. He deserves so much better.

“There are bitches out there like that. He will find better,” I tell her, hoping it will make her feel better.

“I hope so.”

“So, movie time.” I grab the remote and turn the TV on. I’m not sure what we will watch but I try to find something that will hopefully satisfy us both while we wait. Zara picks and gnaws at her nails the whole while I try to focus on the movie as my thoughts drift away to how, in any second, they will come in here and throw me out on the dirt.

It doesn’t happen though. Within forty-five minutes, Gray comes back with Shawn, and Zara goes to Shawn as Gray comes in. “What happened?” I immediately ask once Shawn closes the door.

“Nothing you should stress about. Everything is okay, no one is mad at you. Kenan is pretty messed up about Nevea though,” Gray answers.

“I’m so sorry about what happened,” I apologize again.

“No worries. It was a long time coming. Would you like to go home?”

“Yes, please.” Maybe if I lay down in my bed, all of this will go away.

“Okay, let’s get you home, Grumpy.” I gather all my items, and we head out to the garage. Kenan’s car is gone, and everyone downstairs looks a bit lost for words. I don’t even want to ask what happened. Gray takes me home and I watch a Harry Potter movie as I fall asleep. Nothing else happens other than the girls checking on me.

I feel like this is all my fault.

Music helpsme get my mind off things. It’s a relaxing way to fully throw yourself into something and forget about the world around you. It’s almost like I can be a totally different person when I’m playing my instruments or writing my songs. As I playthe guitar, my phone rings out so I look over to see who is calling and notice Faith is Face Timing me so I answer. I prop my phone up on a pillow so I can still play and talk to her at the same time. “What ya doing?” Faith asks as soon as she sees my face.

“Playing some of my songs.”

“Ouu, grace my ears with your music.” Faith settles herself into her bed and prepares for me to play her a song.

“Lex, that song is amazing!” she says excitedly.

“Thank you. I just finished the other one and the other one is still in the works,” I tell her.

“Well, I already know they will be hits. You are an amazing songwriter,” Faith says.

“Thank you, Fai.” I say. “Also, I miss you. You need to hurry and come home,” she says.

“I miss you too.” I can’t wait to go home. Everything will be normal again and I will be back in school and at cheer. Life will be normal.

“We have to have a girl’s night when you get back,” Faith says excitedly. A girl’s night would be fun. We could watch all our favorites and pamper ourselves. Plus, I’m in dire need of new nails. My long black coffin nails are growing out and I hate it.

“Only if we also go get our nails done,” I say.

“Deal, I know how much you love your long nails,” Faith says.

Talking to my best friend really helped. I guess I just needed to feel a sense of normality. Having my best friend around really does feel like the cure for everything. With all the wildness that seems to be going on, I need calmness to drown everything out. I needed Faith.

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