Diamond in the Rough (24 page)

“Yeah, I know that,” Gemma laughed, recalling the nights that Zoe passed out on the beach in Turks and Caicos.  “I’m not going to make you sleep in your guest room, Zoe.  What kind of shitty friend would do that?”

“Okay.  I’ll find my scarf.”

Gemma laughed while Zoe searched, digging through her drawers like a little squirrel.  She found it interesting that after so long, Zoe hadn’t asked once to know her real name or anything about her other identity.  It was a refreshing change.

“You can stop, Zoe,” Gemma finally said, suppressing her amusement. 

“I found it!” Zoe exclaimed, pulling out a silk twill Hermès scarf from her bottom drawer. 

“Eh, I don’t need it,” Gemma said, unpinning her wig.  Before Zoe could question her, she pulled it off of her head with the rest of its accessories.  She then unpinned her own hair, letting down the wavy brown tresses.

Zoe stood frozen in front of her dresser.  “Um, Bee.  I’m freaking out right now,” she said, eyes wide and unblinking.  She seemed like she wanted to smile, but nervous laughter kept bubbling out.

“It’s just hair, loser,” Gemma laughed, feeling strangely at ease.  She felt almost natural wearing pajamas and her real hair in front of Zoe.  As her most trusted friend, Gemma decided that Zoe had the right to meet Queen Bee’s other half.  It wasn’t a premeditated decision, but it felt right. 

Zoe pouted, her chin wobbling.  “You’re about to make me cry, I think.”

Gemma just laughed as she finished shaking out her hair.  She went into Zoe’s bathroom, removing the jewels around her eyes.  She stripped off her false lashes and splashed water on her face before jumping out of the door, arms in the air.  “Ta-da! My face.”

Zoe covered her mouth with her hands, inching closer and closer to Gemma until she could touch her hair.  “I feel so special right now,” she said, hiccupping.

“Don’t cry, silly!”

“I’m not crying,” Zoe sniffled.  “I’m just so…
moved
.  And you’re so pretty, Bee.”

Gemma looked at her friend, unable to stop smiling.  “My real name is Gemma Hunter.”

Zoe burst into tears.  “Omigod, I
am
crying, I’m so sorry!” She wiped at her face furiously.  “I’m just… I feel really honored and amazed and your name is Gemma and it’s just, I don’t know, blowing my mind right now!”  She suddenly sat on the floor, laughing and crying at the same time.

“Zoe!” Gemma cooed, sitting on the floor with her.  She wiped her tears.  “I’m just happy to tell you.  I’m happy you’re happy too,” she giggled.

“But now I’m not gonna be able to sleep,” Zoe wailed.  “And it’s all your fault, Bee!
Gemma
!” 

But contrary to what Zoe thought, they were both able to doze off within the hour – laughing themselves to sleep.

~

Gemma returned to her bedroom in Beauford to find that Mira and her parents had framed all twelve of her acceptance letters.  They now hung on the wall by her desk the way doctor’s hung various degrees and certifications.  She laughed at the sight of it but knew it was done out of great pride.  Her family had been accepting and understanding of her decision to defer her college enrollment.  They reasoned that an achievement as great as twelve acceptances warranted a couple years to decide where she wanted to go.  Gemma was thankful for handling it the way that they had.  She knew it took an incredible amount of trust in her.  She never wanted them to lose that trust again.

Mira had mentioned at Gemma’s graduation dinner that Tyler had left a note at her office saying that he wanted to collaborate with Queen Bee on a charity concert or event of some kind.  Mira laughed at his vague note and obvious desire to be close to Gemma in any way possible, but also said it wasn’t the worst idea.  Gemma kept her mouth shut about her encounter with Tyler, hoping those at the office who witnessed it would do the same.

At her desk, she flipped open her laptop.  She had left a tab open in her browser with her friend request page still up.  Tyler’s alter ego stared back at her.  He had changed his picture to something even harder to decipher.  It was a dark, blurry image of a crowd.  In the middle of the crowd was a flash of lavender.  Gemma recognized it as her infamous catsuit from the Los Angeles debacle.  It looked like Tyler had taken a picture from his cell phone before he had approached her.

She smiled at the memory as she clicked “accept” on his request.  Before she could stop to have another thought, a notification popped up.  She had a new message. 

Gemma opened her inbox to find a message from Tyler. 

Let’s start over.  Let me take you out.  You don’t have to be Queen Bee for me to treat you like royalty.

Gemma pressed her hand to her smiling lips.  There was no longer a need for darkened rooms and disguises.  Everything was finally out in the open between them.  They had experienced so much more together since that chaotic day in Los Angeles and they owed it to themselves to try it all again – this time, the right way.  She clicked open the reply box. 
Looks like our day is finally here.

They had thrown that mantra out for so long.  “Some day, some day,” they repeated in the form of songs and excuses.  Gemma didn’t want to utter the phrase ever again – not to Tyler or anyone else.  But most importantly, not to herself.  It no longer felt worth it to put things on hold, to keep herself from doing what she knew she needed or wanted.

Life was just too unpredictable.

~

QUEEN BEE: I’M DATING TYLER CHASE!

The Pop Source

June 26

The royal couple of pop is officially here!  Megastar Queen Bee – who will soon be releasing the highly anticipated video to her comeback song “Makeup” – has confirmed that she and heartthrob Tyler Chase are in fact together.  The 17-year-old starlet was quoted saying the following at a celebrity event in SoHo yesterday:

“Yes, Tyler and I are dating and we’re very happy.  I’m a very lucky girl.”  When asked about her thoughts on Chase’s wild fans, Bee said, “I get this question a lot, but I never know what to say.  I think it’s great that Tyler has such devoted fans.”

While Bee seems to be keeping mum on her thoughts as usual, celebrity analyst Monica Kinsey weighed in on the situation.  “Being with Tyler represents stability, which is something that Bee needs desperately after the year that she has had.  However, she would be foolish to believe that Tyler’s fans will give them the peace that they’re hoping for.  They notoriously give all his girlfriends a hard time, and considering Bee is by far the most famous and hated of his romances, she should most definitely watch her back from here on out.”

Looks like Bee will just have to up the ante on her security – we all know that it has happened before! All we can say now is good luck to the new happy couple!

GOTCHA.

6/27 7:34AM

Posted by Tara C.

Her Royal Secrecy

See this picture of a girl that I’ve so kindly shared? I know it’s a bit pixel-y, but work with me here.  Look at this picture closely.  Do you see the mousy brown hair? The average-as-fuck figure in a crappy T-shirt and jeans? You can’t see her face that clearly, but you can see it enough to know what a plain Jane this bitch is.

This is a picture of Queen Bee.  No makeup.  No wig.  Nada.  It was taken several weeks ago, not too far from the studios of her “Makeup” video shoot.  See her wrist? Wearing the same apple charm bracelet that was worn in the video. 

But there are so many apple charms out there, you say.  How do I know it’s real?

Because someone very close to Queen Bee leaked it to me.  And that person guarantees me that this is in fact Bitchass in all her mediocre-at-best glory.  Don’t believe it? See if I give a shit.  Because I have more, and now that I have it, I’m almost so overjoyed that I don’t even know what to do with it.  I might just bask in this glory while you silly bitches kiss my feet and beg for the rest.

See? I told you, Bee. 

I said I had gathered some very close sources over the year, and I wasn’t lying.  I said I was coming for you, and now I’ve got you.  All I have to say now is to keep one eye open at all times.  And oh, another thing.

Don’t trust
anyone
.

* * * * *

Be Sure to Check Out the Third Novel in India Lee’s
Hidden Gem
Series:
No Stone Unturned

After a reckless year of partying as her pop star alter ego, Queen Bee, Gemma Hunter is looking to make a triumphant return to the music world, starting with a move to a brand new home in West Hollywood.  However, since announcing her official relationship with teen heartthrob Tyler Chase, a mysterious photo of a disguise-less Queen Bee has been leaked to the public and Gemma fears for her safety now that she may be identified.

And as it turns out - she's right to.  Someone is following Queen Bee.  Not only that, someone is impersonating her, causing mayhem and distrust among Queen Bee's social circle.  Thankfully, Gemma has Tyler to protect her from danger.  But as more details of her true identity leak to the public, Gemma realizes that suspicion needs to start with her closest friends.

About the Author

India Lee is a YA author and lover of fashion, entertainment, shoes, good food, coffee, jetsetting, luxury, mild debauchery, and dogs. Her Manhattan home bodes well for most of these things but she could use a little more space for her wardrobe and pets.

Connect With the Author

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/IndiaLeeBooks Blog http://indialeebooks.blogspot.com 

Other Books by the Author

Suburban Girl’s Rebellion

Hidden Gem

Table of Contents

Start