Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I manage to smile at her. “It’s a lot of fun. I hope you’re able to do it. It’s hard work, but worth it.”
“Can we get a picture?”
“Um, yeah, I guess,” I say, figuring that’s what Spencer would want me to do. The girl takes a selfie that is not going to come out good and then scampers off with her group of friends. I smile after them. I could run into worse people at this club. At least they were sweet.
Spencer is smiling at me when I turn back to him. He mouths, “good job,” and I laugh. That was my first time running into ‘fans’ in public, and I think Spencer’s right: I did do a good job.
The line for drinks is taking forever. Spencer has hardly moved from the back of the pack, despite his attempts to push in. He keeps shooting me apologetic looks, but I’m just glad I can still see him. I’d be pissed if he disappeared to look for a less crowded bar further from my safe space.
A tap on my shoulder makes me jump. I turn and find I’m face to face with Candy, Spencer’s costar. I recognize her from the few movies I’ve seen her in. She’s a couple of inches taller than me in her heels and wearing a top that barely covers her small breasts and shorts that don’t do much to conceal her butt.
I feel overdressed in my jeans and blouse combo, but in a good way. I’d never be caught dead in something like her outfit.
“Hi,” I say, holding out my hand to shake hers. “I’m Leila.”
Candy snarls down at me. “So you’re the disgusting normy trying to take Spencer’s attention from me?”
I step back. “Um, what are you talking about? He’s my boyfriend.”
“Yeah, right. A guy like Spencer would never be with someone like you. I mean, what are you even wearing? Your mom’s jeans and a shirt you found at a thrift store?”
“I’m wearing comfortable clothes. To each their own.”
Candy rolls her eyes. “If that’s comfort, I don’t want it. You don’t fit in here, little girl. Why don’t you stay with your poor friends and leave the rest of us alone?”
I shrink back. I don’t know what I did to this girl, but clearly, I’ve hurt her somehow.
I remember the reason Spencer and I are together in the first place. His agent really wants him to date this girl? She couldn’t be further from Spencer’s type. He’s far too kind and caring to be with someone like Candy.
He belongs with someone like me.
Candy doesn’t let up. She spits every insult she can think of at me while I stand here, searching for Spencer. I can see the top of his head near the bar now. He looked away right when I needed him most, and anger spreads through my stomach. He told me he would keep an eye on me and protect me if I needed it.
“You’ll see, little girl, that Spencer is using you for show. You’re probably good for his reputation for now, but eventually, you will hold him back. And guess who he’ll come running to the second that happens?”
She has a smug look on her face as she says the words. I can’t even fight her on it because she could be right. Things between Spencer and me are fake. He could decide he’s better off with Candy in the end.
Where would that leave me?
“I can see it on your face that you’re getting it.”
It’s too much for me. The loud music, all the people, and Candy being rude even though we’ve never met … I have to get out of here.
I push through the crowd, right past Spencer and our drinks, and out a back door into a creepy alley. I walk until I’m near the main street, under a light, so I don’t feel like I’m going to be murdered. I lean against the brick building and try to catch my breath. As I’m finally relaxing, Spencer appears in front of me.
I punch his chest harder than I intended. “Why do you keep bringing me to these places? I hate it here! You know I don’t belong.”
“Whoa, easy, Leila, what happened in there? You were fine when I looked away to order the drinks, and then suddenly you were running away.”
“Your costar happened! She came up to me and started saying really mean things about me and how I didn’t belong. Guess what? She’s right, Spencer. I’m not like you. I don’t belong in places like this.”
“I’m really sorry I looked away, Leila. I didn’t even know Candy was here. She’s wrong. You do belong, okay? I like having you here, and I was hoping you’d have fun.”
Tears form in my eyes. “What’s fun for you isn’t fun for me, okay? I don’t like this type of place. I have anxiety, and it freaks me out.”