No Stone Unturned (17 page)

Once she was back in her hotel room, Gemma flopped onto the bed to pass out.  She was drunk, full and riled up – all feelings that she could easily sleep off.  Nicki’s words at dinner didn’t bother her.  She was officially over Nicki and trying to be her friend.  It felt great, even liberating.  Only she herself needed to know that there were no longer any romantic feelings for Damian in her heart, and if his girlfriend didn’t believe it, then so be it. 
And so what if Elizabeth likes Tyler?
What teenaged girl doesn’t? she
asked herself before falling fast asleep in the cushy, comfortable bed.

INJURED FAN: QUEEN BEE SHOVED ME TO THE GROUND!

Pop Dinner

January 6
^th

The evil Queen is at it again! Looks like Queen Bee had it up to here with a fan after a wild night on the town with friends.  Following a booze-filled dinner with the likes of Damian Evans and his fellow Warriors, Bee wandered about town alone as boyfriend Tyler Chase headed to a pool hall with Evans and company.

“I was walking down the street with my little sister when I saw her,” said Queen bee fan, Jayne Lees.  “And when I asked her for a picture, she cursed me off, so I told her that she was wrong and rude to swear in front of a child.  That’s when she pushed me to the ground.”

Lees fell on her left foot and was later treated at a nearby hospital for a sprained ankle.  She said that though she is no longer a fan, she will not press charges.  “I feel sorry for her,” Lees was quoted as saying.  “She is obviously going through some mental problems, and she needs to seek help immediately or she’ll wind up hurt.”

QUEEN BEE: VICTIM OF IMPOSTER OR PUBLICITY STUNT GONE WRONG?

Celeb-o-Matic

January 20
^th

It seems that every news story these days has been about pop singer Queen Bee, which is generally a positive thing – right? Not so, according to Perrin Davies, publicist to Queen Bee.  Says Davies, “Half of the headlines you see about her aren’t even about the actual Queen Bee.”

Allegedly, the teenaged starlet has an imposter, and Davies is crying harassment.  Though last month she was more than happy to label the strange incidents as just harmless hijinks of a few freaky fans, Davies is no longer laughing.  Now that her client is facing yet another allegation of assault, Davies wants the public to know that singer Bee is neither mentally unstable nor violent.

“Bee is a hardworking and sweet young woman, and it is unfortunate that her kindness is being mistaken as vulnerability to one or two crazed fans.  She will not play victim to their harassment, and I along with the rest of her team would like to say that we will press charges against whomever is slandering Bee’s name with their own abhorrent actions.  You will soon be found out, and you will be punished.”

- Chapter 9 -

DESIREE SILVER: QUEEN BEE IS FULL OF SH*T!

Pop Dinner

February 7
^th

At today’s premiere of Angelica Moss’s thriller Vanish, sexy D Network alum, Desiree Silver, had a few choice words for fellow teen star, Queen Bee.  The former sweetheart of Bee’s current flame, Tyler Chase, called out Bee for her claims of fearing the daunting pressures of popstar status.

“I find her little victim act hilarious.  I’ve been through the teen idol thing too, and it’s not as sad and scary as she’s making it out to be.  She’s just playing victim to promote her charity,” Silver was quoted as saying.  “Trust me, I’ve met the girl in person and she’s totally fake.  She doesn’t care about what the media or her fans think.  She’s full of herself, and she’s full of shit – just to be entirely honest.”

It looks like someone is finally coming out to shed some light on the real Queen Bee.

It had happened only an hour ago on the red carpet, yet Pop Dinner felt the need to publish the article and even send out an email blast to all their subscribers.  By the end of the premiere, Gemma knew that something had to be up considering the stares coming at her from all directions.  The only person who didn’t act strangely towards her was Elizabeth, which was no surprise at all.  As much as she tried, Gemma couldn’t find comfort in her presence, especially when she was accompanied by a surly, eye-rolling Nicki.

“Oh come
on
, Bee, how can you honestly look so sad when you’re wearing such a bangin’ dress?” Elizabeth asked incredulously.  She nudged Nicki for some support, but of course got nothing.  “Bee, I’m sure everyone’s looking at you because you’re wearing the best outfit here, hands down.  It’s to
die
for, so honestly, brighten up!”

Gemma smiled politely and thanked Elizabeth before excusing herself somewhere.  Anywhere else would do.  The fact that she would rather be alone than around Elizabeth spoke volumes to the intern’s overly aggressive perkiness.  Gemma didn’t need her overzealous energy when the rest of the premiere attendees were so obviously staring at her with either sympathy or judgment. 
What the hell is going on?

It was bad enough that that morning, Perrin was forced to release a tense statement following yet another imposter incident involving an injury to a fan.  Gemma was instructed to avoid the media all day as they would no doubt ask about the scandal.  All the while, it seemed her fellow celebrities had been instructed to avoid
her
.  Before the premiere, they smiled politely at her and kept their conversations short and sweet.  However
after
the premiere, they all gaped, not one person daring to speak a word.  She had officially become
that
celebrity.  With Tyler busy doing interviews, it was Penelope who finally approached to say something.  Gemma could see that she was anxious yet hesitant to speak to her, and she suddenly felt guilty for the strain that she had put on their relationship as of late.

“Alright, spit it out, Pen,” Gemma said, forcing a laugh.  “Everyone’s acting extremely weird around me, please don’t be one of them too.”

Penelope forced a laugh herself.  “Uh, yeah.  I just, um… I need to tell you this so you can convince me not to pop Desiree Silver in the mouth.”

“What?” Gemma frowned, quickly feeling a familiar lurch in the pit of her stomach.  The mention of Desiree’s name was rarely followed by good or even neutral news.  “What are you talking about?” she asked.

Penelope heaved a sigh.  “This.”  She handed Gemma her iPhone, open to the Pop Dinner article.  “You were literally yards away from her when she said all this.”  Penelope’s fists actually balled up in fury.  “She just couldn’t say it to your face, she’d rather drag your name through the dirt to Pop Dinner.”

Gemma read the article, even daring to click on the accompanying video, which served as proof of Desiree’s harsh words.  “What the fuck,” she couldn’t help but mutter.  She could sense eyes on her as she watched the video, but it was a familiar feeling at this point.  “What is
wrong
with this girl?”  Gemma wondered aloud.

“Sh!” Penelope hissed, taking her phone back and looking around at the attendees of the premiere after party.  “Don’t let people catch you looking upset.”

“I don’t care anymore,” Gemma said plainly.  “Let them see me upset.  I
am
upset, and every time I cover it up, someone ends up stepping on me worse than the last time.  I’m sick of it.”  Despite her rational tone, Penelope knew to grab Gemma’s wrists and restrain her.

“Bee, stop.  You have crazy eyes, you’re scaring me.”

“I’m just going to go
talk
to her,” Gemma said evenly, trying her best to sound calm and rational.  “I just want to ask her a question.”

“This is not a good idea and Perrin is going to murder me for letting you do this, so I won’t.”  Penelope kept her hands firmly wrapped around Gemma’s forearms.

“You don’t even like Perrin.”

“No, I don’t, but I like
you
, regardless of what you may think, and I won’t let you give Pop Dinner the satisfaction of a confrontation.”

Gemma twisted out of Penelope’s grip, her eyes scanning the crowd for Desiree.  She spotted her at a table of friends.  “I love you, Pen, but it’s not up to you,” Gemma said.  With that, she felt her feet moving towards Desiree’s table, the buzz of the party following her.  Eyes, whispers and of course, camera lenses trailed Gemma as she approached the booth in the corner of the ballroom.  By the time Gemma made it over, Desiree had already been expecting her. 

“Uh oh, looks like someone needs a little attention,” Desiree mused to her tittering friends as she sipped on her champagne.

Gemma laughed.  “Desiree, the only person who’s looking for attention is you, considering how often my name comes out of your mouth unprovoked.”

Desiree’s eyes hardened before shooting glances at her friends who dared to laugh at Gemma’s comment.  “Is there a reason you’re interrupting my conversation with friends, Little Miss Bee?”

“I need a word with you.”  Gemma nodded elsewhere.  “In private.”

Desiree scoffed.  “Why would I want to go anywhere with you?”

Gemma shrugged with feigned innocence.  “Well, you’re always looking to get your picture taken, aren’t you?”

“Fuck off,” Desiree rolled her eyes.

“Fine.  Should’ve guessed you wouldn’t have the guts to talk in person,” Gemma smirked, turning on her heel. 
Five, four, three, two…

“Wait.”

Gemma turned back around to see Desiree finishing her drink and setting the glass down on the table as coolly as possible.

“I’m not afraid of you, Little Bee,” she said, tossing her hair as her voice mocked Gemma.  “Let’s go wherever your little heart desires.”

~

Gemma imagined that ears were pressed up against the door of the women’s bathroom.  She had locked it to ensure the privacy of her conversation with Desiree, though she could imagine that despite that, stories were still being published on gossip blogs at that very second with assumptions of what was being said.

“All I want to know is what I ever did to you – plain and simple,” Gemma said with a nonchalant shrug.  Desiree kept her arms crossed as she leaned against the marble wall.  She glared.

“Actually, it’s
not
that simple, but you would think that.”  Her laugh dripped with condescension.  “Everything is rainbows and sunshine for you because you’re in your own little world.  You’re
hiding
, you’re not a real person.  You’re fake.  You leech off of everyone to keep the attention on yourself.”

Gemma wrinkled her forehead.  “What the hell are you even talking about?”

“You’re selfish is what I’m talking about.  Just show the world who you really are.  Don’t you think Tyler’s sick of keeping your secret for you? He has his own life to live and his own career to take care of,” Desiree practically spat.

“Yeah, I’m sure you know everything that goes on in Tyler’s head,” Gemma said.

“Um, ever been in a relationship before? You don’t just
stop
feeling for each other.  He still talks to me.”  Desiree smirked.  “How else would I have known about your nonexistent sex life? Your complete inexperience.”  Desiree watched Gemma intently, her lips curled upwards.  She was no doubt hoping for a break in confidence.  Perhaps a few tears.

Gemma clenched her jaw, fighting the knot in her throat.  It couldn’t be true.  Tyler knew how she felt about Desiree, and how absolutely warranted those feelings were.  He was loyal.  Gemma was convinced of it.  “You know what?” she laughed derisively.  “There is truly no point in talking to someone as delusional as you.  Claim what you want, Desiree.  Whatever helps you feel even a little better about yourself.”

With that, Gemma reached for the door and unlocked it.  She marched out and past the people who lingered nearby, pretending to have been waiting for the bathroom.  Though there was a bit of relief to have gotten the question off her chest, Gemma still felt overwhelmingly irritated and tired.  She wanted nothing more than to curl up and go to sleep in her own bed, in her own house.

“Penelope, I’m going home,” she said upon locating her friend.  She lowered her voice.  “
Home
home, not Tyler’s home.”

“But…” Penelope frowned.  “Your dress, your wig.  You can’t go to your own house in that, it’s too big of a risk.”

Gemma heaved a sigh.  “Well, fine.  I’ll just take it off here and bring it home in  my purse.”

“No.  Take it off here and leave it
here
.  You’re not supposed to have any Queen Bee items in your house,” Penelope reminded her sternly.  “Leave it in the safe room and I’ll pick it up for you.”

“Alright,” Gemma nodded.  There was always a “safe room” designated by Andro and Penelope before large events, and it served the same purpose every time: To act as a haven to aid Queen Bee’s escape.  Beforehand, it was thoroughly inspected for cameras and routes in which Gemma could leave undetected.  Though this wasn’t the type of emergency situation that the rooms were usually used for, Gemma felt like she needed it more than ever.  She wanted desperately to be away from everything at that moment – even Tyler.  “Okay, give me ten minutes to get out of this before you come upstairs.  Thanks, Pen.”  Gemma kissed Penelope on the cheek before heading for the room, Andro trailing behind her to ward off followers.

~