Spotlight {Completed}

Chapter Twelve

I begin getting dressed for my date back in my room, but I had no idea what to wear. Chase texted me that we're doing casual, but a part of me can't help to wonder casual as in just friends, or casual as in flirty casual? Ah, I'm probably overthinking this whole thing, it's a tendency I can't treat. I decide with just some plain black jeggings and an oatmeal-colored oversized sweater. Yeah, I'm so basic.

I get dressed and I decide to leave my hair in its natural waves, since I'm not pretending to be Scarlett. I'm excited because this is one of the first in days, where I get to go out with someone I'm not related and be me. I put on some chestnut-colored thigh-length boots and a black chunky scarf, adding on my black wool coat. I go downstairs and see Jonah nowhere to be found. He's probably with his lover, Sonny. I take the elevator downstairs and head out the doors, ready for my date.

***

I tell the cab driver the address of the apartment and I wonder to myself because the address seems a bit familiar. I'm still very new to New York, but I can't help but to feel as if I've been there before. Eh, New York City is capacious, I'm probably just getting the numbers mixed up. I sit in my seat and I text Chase, telling him I'm on my way. My stomach starts to get little tingles and I start to get giddy, as I feel I'm getting closer to my arrival. The cab stops in front of an apartment building and my mouth gapes. This is Zach's loft! That's why the numbers looked so familiar. That doesn't mean he's related to Zach though, right? Yeah, theres hundreds of people that lives in this building. I gave the cab my fair and I got out, walking up the familiar steps. Making my way to the elevators, I get out my phone to see what floor it is. It's on the 13th floor... which I believe is the same as Zach's? Oh no, okay this doesn't mean that Chase is Zach's cousin, he can't! The elevators close and I grimace, praying that it's not Zach's loft. This would be very bad, wait, what if Chase knows how Zach's 'girlfriend' looks like? That means it's me! What if Chase finds out and thinks I'm two-timing him? This is bad, this is very, very bad. We arrive on the 13th floor and I step out cautiously. I look at my phone again and notice it's apartment 1308. I walk to find it and I stop abruptly. This is Zach's apartment. I stand frozen at the door, not wanting to knock. I can't knock, what if Zach's in there. My stomach gets the tingles again and it's not filled with giddiness, it's fillled with nasuea. I scream out loud and I slap my hand over my mouth. I look around and I skimper back down to the elevators.

"Ria?" I hear someone call out. It's not Chase... I remain frozen in my spot, refusing to turn around, "Ria, what are you doing here?" I hear and I grunt as I slowly turn to face Zach.

I force a smile, "Hi Zach," I say and he nods curiously, "I am here... Merry Christmas!" I wave and turn to hurry out, but he calls my name again.

I face him again and he walks towards me, "Would you like to come in? My cousin is having a date over and I was just going to skip out, but are you hungry?" he asks and it's surprisingly nice... Why is he nice to me all of a sudden? Does it has something to do with the other night? He seems to notice my hesitation, "I just thought it could be good, after everything that's happened..." he trails off.

I mentally debate with myself before I give in, "Sure, sounds lovely," I force a smile and he guides me back to his terror of doom.

We walk into his loft and it smells devine. I spot Chase in the kitchen and I smile. He looks so cute in his little apron. Zach shuts the door after us, making Chase turn around, "Ria, hey!" he waves, coming over to me.

"Wait, you two know each other?" Zach asks confused.

I muster a smile and look to Chase, "Yeah, she's the girl I've been telling you about!" he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.