Haunted

"Wait, you're not joking?" - UNEDITED

Disclaimer: This chapter has not been edited from the original as posted on JBFF. There will be mistakes, typos, continuity problems and other issues.

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"You always remember your first time." Those were the words running through Scarlett's mind as she tried to believe what was happening. The music was so loud and everyone was giving her hugs. All she could do at first was stand there.

Someone gave her a little push and Scarlett had to start walking to the stage or she would have fallen over.

"This is Scarlett Bieber's first Academy Award," the announcer said.

Scarlett couldn't see the faces in the audience or even hear herself speaking as she tried to remember everyone she needed to thank. She had no idea what she said or if she cried or smiled as she was speaking.

Even when she was home and had changed out of her gown, a gift from designer Jason Wu himself, Scarlett wasn't sure she'd really lived the whole experience. She just kept looking at her name over and over again, thinking somehow it was all just a weird mistake.

"I can't even understand this," Scarlett said.

"Just be thankful," Justin said from across the room. The whole family was sitting in her parent's family room, all still looking at her like they were so proud. And for what? How was it even possible?

"Did you bribe everyone?" Scarlett asked, turning to Justin. Everyone laughed.

"The more than 6000 people in the Academy?" Justin was smiling. "No, baby girl, you earned that."

"I just don't get it," Scarlett said again. It didn't make any sense. She was the youngest person to ever win the award for Best Lead Actress. When she got the call she was nominated she'd actually dropped and broken her phone. The nomination alone was shocking but to win was just insane.

Ryan rubbed her back and Scarlett barely turned away from staring at the award to look at him. Even he was looking at her differently now. It was unreal.

"Well, I hate to be the first to leave, but I'm exhausted," Emily started to get up. She did look tired behind her adorable baby bump. Maddox and Brent practically flew across the room to try to help her up, as if her husband Jake wasn't going to do it himself. Emily just laughed them all off.

"We should get going too, some of us have to work in the morning," James pointed out. "And school," he raised his eyebrows at Wes and Dylan.

"Aw, seriously?" Dylan demanded. "How can I go to school now? I should be excused."

"Forever?" Kylie laughed. "Just cause Scarlett is a big deal doesn't mean you get to skip school."

"You don't get it," Dylan rolled her eyes and came to give Scarlett a hug. "Seriously, Scar, this was the best night of my life. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, it was also the best night of my life so far," Scarlett smiled at her. Dylan gave her one more squeeze before she let go.

"We should probably say goodnight too," Aiden tried to sound casual as he unwrapped his arm from around Chelsea but he was so obvious. "Since it's a school night and all. We can't all be celebrities you know," he teased.

Scarlett glared at him. Fortunately her mom and Dax jumped in to tease him back because Scarlett was just not up for her usual games with Aiden. Her head was still spinning. How? How was she an Academy Award winning actress? She wasn't even 18 yet.

The rest of the family started leaving and Scarlett started to panic. The night was almost over but it hadn't really sunk in. Nothing felt real anymore. She needed to find a way to make it last a little longer. Something that would make it seem like real life again.