Spotlight {Completed}

Chapter Twenty Five

I'm changing the character of Ria/ Scarlett!! Her name is Olivia Brower!

Ria

To hear about someone that you deeply cared for, losing someone... you can't help but to feel their pain.

And to hear it coming from someone else... it just gives you an ache in your heart.

"How long will you be in California?" I asked Preston.

"About a day or two," I looked to my feet that dangled from his kitchen counter. I've found myself lingering at his place nowadays, "you could always come with me..." he hinted at the fact. I looked up to him and a deep pit began to form in my stomach.

"To a funeral... in California?" I spoke a little bitter for my liking.

He sighs and I can tell he regrets offering, "I'm sorry, you don't have to go back if it makes you uncomfortable," he spoke with all sincerity. He took off his apron- yes his apron that I bought for him from Target that says 'my girl made me wear it'. He brought the batch of cookie dough over and stood between my legs. He brought a spoon to my mouth and I opened, as he slid the yummy, gooey deliciousness in my mouth. I moaned and he chuckled, shaking his head, "look I know I'm good, but damn- I didn't know I was that good," he joked and I slapped his arm making him wince dramatically as he held his arm and started wailing.

Me and Preston have a good relationship, but we haven't reached that stage yet. I'm just not quite ready yet, and he understands that, thank God.

"I'm wounded!" He shouted and I just laughed.

"Stop being a baby," I playfully scorned him and he stops as he leans in and kisses me. This is what made me realize I made the right choice. We've been together for three months now and it's the happiest I've ever been in a while. We hardly ever argue, and if we do, it's over something very stupid and childish.

Preston breaks our kiss and rests his forehead against mine, "You don't have to go babe," he says and looks into my eyes, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable with anything," he says as I wrap my dangling legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.

I though long and hard about what I was about to say, "No- I can handle it," I spoke softly.

He looks as if he doesn't believe me, "You don't have to come for me, it was just a mere suggestion,"

"No, I want to, I think it'll be good for me," I smile and he does too.

"Great, you know what this means right?" he asks and I shrug, "you get to meet my family," he says and I tense up because his family, is a part of Zach's family.

Zach.

He's going to be there. Well of course... it's his grandmother.

It's been a while since I last seen him. I can't bear to see his face at the funeral to be covered with hidden sadness. I can see- no, I know he's the type of guy who deals with hardship to extreme. He's either angry, really sad, or he doesn't show any emotion. I don't know which it'll be, but I just know it's going to be hard seeing either one of those emotions play out.

* * *

The minute I stepped off he plane, I felt uneasy.

And the minute I stepped into the church, I knew I made a mistake coming back.

It's not the same church obviously, but it still gives me troubles. A hand pressed against my back and I gave Preston a thankful smile.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked. Inside I'm screaming no, but I can't turn back now.

"It's hard.. but I'm not going to turn back, especially not now at a funeral," I chuckled which seemed to make his conscience more settling as he blew out a breath dramatically.

"Okay, but if you ever want to leave, I wi-"

"I'm fine Pres," I sort of snapped a little bit. I know I'm being a bit of a bitch towards him, but it's not aimed towards him, just the fact that I'm upset over my parents and everything. He just looks away, rubbing a hand through his hair.

He looks back at me after a few moments and I sigh heavily, "I'm sorry," I said, breaking the silence.

He just looks at me and smiles, as he kisses me on the lips a bit to much for my liking as we are in a public place, so I pull away. He wraps his arm around my waist and motions for us to go in and I just nod, ready for any challenges coming my way.

As we stepped inside he church, saw a lot of sad faces. I saw some tears of mourn and some tears of happiness of getting to celebrate the loss of a loved one with other loved ones.

My eyes scanned the room for a search of certain brown eyes. I have to find him.

I need to find him.

Something inside churned as we were called to our seats. I just know that I will talk to him soon after all of this is over.

Hopefully.

* * *

"Well that was depressing," Preston huffed as we walked away from the burial site. I just nodded in silence as I took everything in.

This cemetary was peaceful; lifted spirits have been let loose here.

"Come, let's go meet my family," he smirks and I chuckle, following him to a group of people-- some that were wiping away tears, and some giving hugs to one of another. He guided me, with a hand placed on my back until a thought occurred to me.

"Wait," I stopped abruptly. Preston seems amused as he chuckles, cooing at me, "No, what if they think I'm Scarlett?" I stated and he ponders over the thought before shrugging.

"I already told them everything and they already know about Zach's "relationship" with Scarlett," he says and I guess he's right, but why would they not try and stop Zach from dating someone for just publicity?

Why is Zach 'dating' Scarlett?

"So you have nothing to worry about; I told them a lot about you; they already love you, like I do," he says, kissing me softly. I just smile, realizing that I haven't said those three little words yet to him, and it's killing me to keep him waiting, but I feel as if I say it, then this is the real deal.

I know that sounds really bad, but this is all new to me, "Okay," I say, letting him lead me over to his family.

"Mom, Zach," he says and I snap my head in his direction to see he's looking at Zach's dad, Zachary Sr, not the Zach I know.

They greet each other and hug, while I idly stand here just being awkward me, "Scarlett," I hear Zach Sr. Say to me.

"No, that's Ria," Preston says with a cheery smile.

"No, Scarlett and Zach; they're over there," he points behind us and I see my sister with the guy with those big brown eyes... the one I shouldn't be thinking about.

But I can't help myself.