No Stone Unturned

by India Lee

  At the Chateau Marmont, Gemma and Zoe got ready in one suite with Perrin and Penelope while Tyler and Damian prepared themselves next door. Gemma chewed her bottom lip as she tried to decide between two dresses – one of blue feathers and the other of white fringe. The decision was stressing her out to an abnormal degree, but then again, everything was causing her great stress recently. More than ever before, she was terrified of making any sort of misstep. Her radar was constantly up, though she wasn’t sure for what.

  Finally, after considering Zoe’s strapless white dress, Gemma went with the feathers.

  “Are you sure?” Perrin asked. “The star should be wearing white.”

  “Perrin!” Gemma shot her a look, glancing apologetically at Zoe. “I’m wearing the blue.” She shook her head and laughed, catching Penelope’s eye roll at Perrin.

  “Anyway,” Zoe changed the subject as she adjusted a lace cuff around her wrist. “I’m in love with the fact that Tyler and Damian are bros for life now. All you have to do is become BFF with that Nicki girl and it’ll be double-date heaven.”

  Gemma’s laugh turned into a frown as she plucked a stray feather on her bodice. “Yeah, I don’t know about that. She doesn’t talk much, and she doesn’t seem interested in making new friends. She clings to Damian a lot.”

  “Mm. I’d cling to him too, to be honest.”

  Gemma laughed, clucking at Zoe with a playful disapproval.

  “What? You guys broke up forever ago – ”

  “La la la la la!” Gemma shouted over her, widening her eyes at Zoe, who suddenly clasped her hand to her mouth. Until that point, she had done a good job keeping mum about Gemma’s other life around people who weren’t privy to the information. She understood the massive security risks at stake, especially since the photo leak. They both glanced tensely at Perrin, who seemed too engrossed in her emails to have heard them. Gemma let out a huge sigh before turning to Zoe. “Good job,” she mouthed.

  “God, sorry,” Zoe mouthed back. She frowned, sliding her pinky down her cheek to mimic a tear.

  Gemma cracked a smile. “It’s fine,” she whispered, rolling her eyes.

  Penelope heaved a sigh of her own and shook her head at the girls before clearing her throat. “Okay, crazies. Ready to go?”

  Gemma took one last look in the mirror and nodded, holding her hand out for Zoe’s. She took a deep breath to ease the vague anxiety turning her stomach, putting on her most winning smile. “Now or never,” she said.

  ~

  The cheers grew progressively louder as each of the four emerged from the SUV. Out first was Zoe, then Tyler. Then out stepped Damian with Gemma behind. They waved to the hundreds of fans gathered outside the television studios, all there to catch a glimpse of their entrance into the building. As instructed by Perrin, Tyler locked arms with Zoe as Gemma did with Damian. “So you all look like friends,” Perrin had explained. “People love celebrity friendships."

  She seemed right about that. The fans cooed and squealed even more as Tyler and Zoe made silly faces together for a fan’s camera. Meanwhile Gemma and Damian pointed and laughed.

  “They’re suck freaks,” Gemma shook her head.

  “How long have they known each other?” Damian asked.

  “Only a little longer than we’ve known each other,” Gemma smiled. She brushed a strand of jet black hair from her face, glancing behind to locate Perrin. Who she saw instead was Nicki, walking alongside Elizabeth. Their eyes met and Gemma smiled. To her surprise, Nicki gave a blatant eye roll before looking away. Gemma quickly turned back around.

  “So,” she cleared her throat, glancing up at Damian as they entered the building. “Nicki’s sure supportive, accompanying you everywhere.”

  Damian smiled. “Yeah. She’s trying to pick up a few things from Aiden and Elizabeth. You know, maybe explore the PR field.” He paused. “And probably keep an eye on me for as long as she can.” He laughed, turning around to wink at Nicki. Gemma took a peek behind as well, catching a glimpse of Nicki cracking a smile, though it faded when she caught Gemma’s eye once again. Weird, Gemma frowned to herself.

  As much as it bothered her, she forced herself to think of other things. She had an interview after all, and a massive event to promote.

  “Here’s a question that I think we’re all curious about,” the perky host smiled wide at them. “This is a hugely powerful group of teen idols we have here – do you four actually hang out as friends? Outside of work purposes?” The four of them laughed graciously.

  “She and I, definitely,” Zoe started, pointing at Gemma, who grinned. “You probably read about that last year,” she laughed, heaving a playful sigh. “Tyler and I actually knew each other before I even met Bee, and Damian and I met most recently, but he’s kind of my savior here because these two are always making out.”

  A low murmur of “boos” swept the studio audience of mostly young girls.

  “Zoe!” Gemma laughed, peering at a disapproving Perrin behind the cameras. She faced the host, folding her hands in her lap. “Ignore her, Tyler and I are more private than that.”

  “That’s good to hear! But, speaking of privacy.”

  Here it comes. Gemma sighed inwardly. She should have known better than to use the trigger word, “private.”

  “Do you fear that your real identity will become public knowledge soon? Especially with so many people on a mission to uncover it? Does it ever cause suspicion in your everyday life?”

  Gemma smiled. It was her gut reaction – to look the opposite of how she felt. She only then realized how many new people were being introduced to her life. Perrin, Nicki, Elizabeth. What if they weren’t who they claimed to be? What if the people she had already known were betraying her? Perhaps for money – maybe even fame. Chills ran down Gemma’s bare arms as she pondered her own questions.

  “Bee?” the host cocked her head.

  “Oh,” Gemma blinked herself back to reality. She glanced behind the cameras, where the studio audience sat utterly silent, where Perrin waved her hands furiously, motioning for Gemma to answer already. Even Nicki and Elizabeth stared at her expectantly. Gemma convinced herself that the laughing grin on Nicki’s face was simply in her imagination. She forced her gaze elsewhere, past her and into the dark audience – the sea of people whose eyes were all on her, whose faces she couldn’t make out in the dim lighting. Gemma wondered if “Her Royal Secrecy” was among those in the crowd, observing her and taking notes in the comfort of the darkness. A chill ran down her spine before she remembered to answer the question. “Well, I… it’s always a fear of mine, to be entirely honest. I know that for every incredible person who is a devoted fan, there is someone else who’s… the complete opposite. Someone who takes a good amount of time out to follow every detail of your life and look for flaws and weaknesses, so they can bring you down in whatever way they can. And that’s a scary thought, but you just can’t dwell on it or you won’t be able to function as a person. You just have to continue being yourself and move on, or they’ll get what they want from you.”

  The host raised her already-arched eyebrows, seemingly stunned by Gemma’s frank answer.

  “Absolutely. And that is, essentially, the message of your charity. Tyler, would you like to tell us a little bit about what you’ve organized here, for the cause of fighting against bullying?”

  As Tyler answered, Gemma silently laughed at herself. Her own advice was easier said than done. The goosebumps on her arms were a testament to the fact that she hadn’t. Seeming to read her mind mid-question, Tyler put his hand over hers. It reminded Gemma to smile, though it eased her nerves only slightly. The part she found to be the absolute worst was that she had no idea who to be afraid of. All she knew was to be afraid.

  SAY HELLO TO THE NEW FAB FOUR!

  Celebstan

  Posted by Justin, the Bee Chasing Alien who is replacing Harper Gunn with Damian Evans

  November 25

  Honestly, the world of Queen Bee just keeps o
ne-upping itself in flawless choices. Now that Harper Gunn is off perfecting sobriety, the Fab Four have added a new member in stunning athlete of some sort, Damian Evans. Who is this guy and why do his muscles look like that? Do Batman and Superman feel insecure because of him? Is it legal to be that crazy attractive? Apparently!

  Not only are the new Fab Four kicking ass and taking names, they’re doing it for a good cause: Anti-bullying! Appropriate, if you ask me, because Queen Bee goes through bullying on a daily basis from nobodies who hate on her for being a flaw-free angel. It’s really sad. It’s not like she’s trying to be superior, she just is. It’s not right to bully someone for something that they were born with (this rule applies to other things too, besides being a goddess).

  Anyway, I just have to say that I was really touched to see QB open up to the world like that. It’s nice to see that perfect beings are sometimes scared too, the same way I am when my nightlight breaks, because it’s a limited edition Swarovski crystal Queen Bee nightlight, and I saved up two paychecks for it.

  So finally, a message to the psychos that are actually investing time in stalking the Queen’s info to figure out her true identity – I just want to say that you should:

  1. Get a life

  2. Consider not being pathetic

  3. Pick up a hobby that is less illegal

  4. Stop tanning, your skin looks like an Oompa Loompa had sex with an old leather couch (this one is for Desiree Silver only)

  That’s it. I’m 95% sure that the last one doesn’t count as bullying.

  After the long day of interviews, Gemma, Tyler, Zoe and Damian were rewarded with some rest and relaxation at Smythe in West Hollywood. Perrin had arranged for their lavish night there, hell-bent on achieving the public image of a tight knit friendship among the four.

  “We should just pretend that we hate each other, so she keeps forcing us to party together,” Zoe suggested. They sat at a private table with heavy security, joined of course by Nicki and Elizabeth. With Damian and Tyler chatting up a friend at the bar, Nicki sat awkwardly alone in the same black dress that she had worn to dinner at Tyler’s. Beside her, Elizabeth sat enjoying herself, grinning wide and nodding her head to the music. Every once in awhile, she would lean over to brightly say something in Nicki’s ear, obviously trying to be friendly, though to no avail. Nicki would only smile politely, making it rather clear that she was a hard one to win over. Zoe glanced at them before leaning into Gemma’s ear. “So, what’s up with Girlfriend and Intern? Do they never leave him alone?”

  “Damian? Guess not.”

  “Stalkers.”

  “Well one of them is his girlfriend, so I guess she’s kind of allowed to be a stalker,” Gemma said, feeling the strange need to be nice, as if Nicki could hear them talking.

  “Ew, not really. She’s being unattractively clingy. But speaking of stalkers.” Zoe nodded towards the entrance of the club, where a small crowd had begun to gather. “Guess word got out that we’re here. And by we I mean Tyler.”

  Gemma craned her neck to see who it was. Her jaw dropped upon spotting Desiree Silver sauntering in, somehow dressed even less than she was during their last meeting. Wearing just a leather bra top and denim shorts, she could have easily been mistaken for partially dressed. Like everyone else in the room, Gemma couldn’t help but gawk speechlessly.

  “Okay. I think I figured out Desiree’s deal,” Zoe broke the silence. “For every day that goes by without her agent calling, she takes off another piece of clothes. It’s like strip poker, but strip unemployment.”

  “Oh my God, Zoe.” Gemma shook her head and laughed, all the while keeping her eyes on Desiree. As expected, she left her friends to make a beeline for Tyler at the bar. Despite tensing, Gemma didn’t move to get up. She could feel Nicki and Elizabeth watching her, and she didn’t want to give them any sort of show.

  “This bitch,” Zoe mumbled, shaking her head with disapproval as Desiree put a hand on Tyler’s back to get his attention. After saying hello, she moved onto Damian, though she didn’t kiss his cheek as she had with Tyler. As the two of them spoke, Gemma felt the eyes of the club shift from them to her, waiting for a reaction as Desiree essentially threw herself at Tyler. It was utter silence once again.

  “Doesn’t feel good, does it.”

  Gemma blinked, as did Zoe. They both turned to an aloof Nicki, who was staring into her martini glass.

  “What did you say?” Zoe asked.

  Nicki turned to them, fluttering her eyes as if confused. “Oh. I was just talking to myself,” she said.

  “Uh-huh,” Zoe responded flatly, turning straight to Gemma. “What the fuck?” she mouthed. Gemma could only shrug, still gazing oddly at Nicki. She was pretty certain that the comment was meant for her, but she couldn’t figure out what reason she had given Nicki to say it. Had she and Damian been acting inappropriately without even realizing it?

  “Alright, ladies.”

  All four girls’ eyes darted up defensively, only to see Damian and Tyler holding drinks.

  “Thought we’d give the waitresses a break,” Damian grinned, setting the martinis down.

  “Oh. So sweet,” Nicki said quietly. The girls all gave him strained smiles, Gemma’s smile straining even harder when she saw Desiree standing behind Tyler. Her bejeweled hands slid up his back and onto his shoulders.

  “Uh, Desiree’s going to join us,” Tyler said, gently removing Desiree’s hands. He gave Gemma a quick, apologetic glance before taking his seat beside her again.

  “Hope you don’t mind!” Desiree chirped, the second half of her sentence muffled by the martini glass that she brought to her lips. Her words had already begun to slur, and Gemma could see Zoe biting her nails the way she did when she had to suppress laughter, horror, or both.

  “Of course we don’t mind!” Elizabeth spoke up for the silent girls, scooting over to make room. “Wow, this is becoming such a VIP table!” she said giddily. Gemma couldn’t help but glare at her for a second before remembering to look friendly, or at least civil. She was hyper aware of how many people were watching her, and how any other expression would be interpreted as bitterness or intimidation. She took a deep breath and forced herself to smile.

  “So, how are you, Desiree?” Gemma asked, watching Desiree take a seat next to Elizabeth. She downed her drink before answering with just a limp thumbs up, her eyes traveling from her drink to Zoe.

  “Miss Zoe Mercury,” she grinned. “Gorgeous girl, how are you doing? My gorgeous little Bond girl?”

  Zoe laughed. “I think the question is how are you doing, D?”

  Desiree reached across the table to clasp her hand over Tyler’s. “So good. So good to see you and Ty again.” She glanced at Damian. “And to meet you. I’m such a huge NBA fan, I’m such a guy when it comes to sports. Tell him, Tyler! Aren’t I?”

  Tyler simply nodded, turning his attention to his own drink. Under the table, he reached for Gemma’s knee, squeezing it apologetically.

  “Oh, whatever, he’s being all quiet,” Desiree rolled her eyes, sitting on her knees and leaning forward on her elbows. Gemma had to look away for a moment, fairly convinced that at least one of her breasts would pop out of her top. “Tyler and I used to go to games all the time,” Desiree continued. “Are you a basketball fan, Miss Bee?”

  Gemma forced herself to look at Desiree. She nearly gasped when she turned back to see her just inches from her face, leaning so far forward on the table that she was practically laying down on it. Gemma attempted to laugh.

  “I’m… I love the game. I don’t know enough about it yet, but – ”

  “Nope, not real a fan,” Desiree concluded loudly and dismissively. “Lame.” She tossed her glossy hair, a strap on her bra top falling down her shoulder.

  “I’m a real fan.”

  Again, Gemma and Zoe turned to stare at Nicki, who looked at Desiree with bright eyes. “I mean, I have to be a real fan,” she said. “It wouldn’t be right for Damian to date someone who wasn
’t. Right, honey?” She turned to him, craning her neck for a kiss. He cocked his head at her, seemingly delighted by the fact that she had come out of her shell to speak – and to a celebrity no less. As he kissed her lips, Gemma held back a scowl. Nicki was subtly insulting her, not overcoming shyness. She wished that Damian could see this.

  “What a good girlfriend,” Desiree murmured, observing Nicki and Damian with a chin in her hand. She nodded at them and turned to Tyler. “We need her to take us to a game sometime! I haven’t been to a basketball game since we… oh.” She pouted, putting on a baby voice. “Since we had to break up.”

  “Desiree…” As Tyler sat up straight to avoid Desiree’s hands on his body, Gemma felt Zoe nudge her with a sharp elbow to the rib.

  “Ow!”

  “Girl, do something before I do,” Zoe hissed in her ear.

  “Zoe, what do you expect me to do with all these people watching? Do you want another Emilia Platt situation?” Gemma hissed back at her. The internet had only recently stopped talking about socialite Emilia Platt and her ongoing claims of being assaulted by Queen Bee at a nightclub last summer. Despite dropping the lawsuit that she had filed, she hadn’t stopped talking about the incident on her blog and Twitter. The talk reminded Gemma of the embarrassing image that plagued her just a year ago, the one that Perrin had done everything in her power to reverse. “I can’t let another night like that happen again,” she said resolutely.

  Zoe shook her head, her eyes still on Desiree as she knelt on the table before Tyler, whipping her lustrous hair to the blaring trance music. “At least say something,” she said. “Stop letting her own you.”

  Gemma swallowed hard. Zoe’s words irritated her, but she was right. It was one thing to allow Nicki’s cowardly rudeness, but it was entirely different to allow Desiree’s blatantly disrespectful behavior. Gemma sighed.