Page 96 of The Spotlight Effect

“Hi, Charlie.”

“Having a bad day,” he says. I give him a look.

“Are you seriously asking me that?”

“Dumbass,” Raven says.

“I was just saying,” Charlie says, sitting on my bed, facing me.

“Tell us how you are feeling,” Scarlett says, pulling me into a hug.

“How do you think?” I ask them.

“Gray does feel bad,” Charlie says.

“He hasn’t told me that.”

“Boys are stupid,” Scarlett says.

“Hey!” Charlie tosses his hands up.

“It’s true,” Raven says and sits up in front of me.

“I feel stupid for liking him so fast,” I state.

“Only liking?” Charlie asks.

“Falling in love, liking,” I toss words back and forth.

“Time doesn’t tell when you fall in love, your heart does,” Raven says, touching my knee.

My heart picked Grayson.

HOME

ALEXIA

Another sleepless night. Another day without talking to him. I didn’t give in to texting him back, no matter how much I wanted to. I just can’t do it right now. Today is the day I go home, but instead of being happy, I feel like if I leave California, I’d be losing something.

Looking around the room that has been my home for the past couple of weeks an emptiness feels me. I know I’m going to miss it here. “Are you ready?” I hear my mom’s voice ask behind me. Fez is taking us to the airport in a couple minutes and I know I have to say my goodbyes now. Emerson demanded she come over and see me before I left.

“Yeah,” I reply and grab my mini book bag to follow my mom out of the room.

“Finally,” Lia says as I come down the stairs. Walking downstairs, I see Emerson, Noah, and the whole band in the living room. Even Zara is here, the only person that is not is Grayson.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t cry but I think I’m going to,” Charlie says while rushing over to me, crushing me into a hug.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby, Charlie.” I pat his back as he clearly fake sobs into me.

“He’s just dramatic,” Scarlett says.

“I’m going to miss you, and you better call me,” Charlie says very seriously.

“I will,” I reply, and he gives me one more hug before Kenan comes over.

“It was a pleasure meeting and getting to know you,” Kenan says and hugs me quickly, but it’s a hug. Shawn and Zara come to me next. Zara looks like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t, maybe embarrassment or not wanting to be turned down.

“I’m going to text you as soon as I get home. Just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean we aren’t friends. I’ll miss you.” I bring her into a hug, and she relaxes into me.

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