Diamond in the Rough (17 page)

“This break isn’t even going to be a break,” Leah huffed.  “I mean, I’m just gonna be freaking out the entire time.  I heard acceptance letters are already being sent out
.
” 

“Ugh.  At least you sent an application in at all.” Kate heaved a sigh, blowing a lock of hair out of her face.  Since Leah sent her application to FIT in the beginning of the month, it was all she could talk about.  Gemma understood the anxiety behind it; Leah had only submitted one application opposed to Gemma’s dozen or so.  She had also invested much more emotion into it.  It was still early in the application process and there was plenty of time to submit to other schools, but like it had been with Gavin, Leah’s heart was stubbornly set on one thing.  Kate on the other hand, was still deciding where to apply.

Gemma watched as the car drove past her street.  She sat up, leaning into the front seats.

“Where are we going?” Gemma asked over the roaring wind.

“Girl, we’re hanging out,” Leah said casually, as if it had been planned.  “I don’t care what we do, I just can’t be left alone.”  Gemma’s shoulders slumped.  She had actually hoped to get a break from all the college talk.  Despite everyone’s hopes for her, Gemma didn’t find the topic terribly relevant to her own life.

~

To Gemma’s surprise, Leah and Kate were finally able to shift gears in the candy aisle of a drug store.

“Should we each get our own bags or share the economy-sized one?” Kate wondered as she held the respective bags of candy corn in each hand, tipping her arms like a scale.

“Tough call,” Leah said with one hand rubbing her chin, thoughtfully.  “I just don’t know.”  Gemma laughed, relieved that they were distracted by a new topic though she still itched to get going.  She missed the daily drives home with Lucas and cuddling with him in his bed.  It had been weeks since they had really gotten to hang out with Lucas usually too tired to stay awake after he got back from school.

Gemma wandered away from Leah and Kate, trying to entertain herself with the various items throughout the store.  She passed through the magazine aisle and looked for photos of Queen Bee in the classier publications, ignoring all the gossip rags.  To her dismay, there was nothing. 
I’ve been gone too long.
  Gemma swallowed, rolling her eyes to keep back tears.  She was sad that her close relationship with Mira had become strained, but she could barely bring herself to speak to her aunt beyond the basic greetings.

Gemma dashed out of the magazine aisle, looking for something else to distract her.  Within two steps, she found it.  By the pharmacy, a corner shelf held a colorful array of rectangular boxes.  In the time since Gemma confessed to Lucas that she was a virgin, she realized she hadn’t given serious thought to when anything would actually happen between the two of them. 
Time to make some sort of move,
Gemma told herself.

There were dozens of choices when it came to condoms – many more than Gemma had ever imagined there would or should be.  There were several different brands, and within each brand were different
styles
.  Leah frequently spoke of her condom preferences but Gemma usually tuned out during those conversations.  It suddenly seemed as if listening would have come in handy as her eyes darted around indecisively.

“Gemma!” Leah’s voice called from a distance.  “We’re leaving, come on!”

“One sec!” Gemma called back.  She grabbed the least intimidating looking box and paid for it at the pharmacy counter.

“Would you like a bag?” the cashier asked.

“I’m good,” Gemma answered, grabbing the box and stuffing it into her purse.  She sprinted towards the exit, giggling to herself.

~

“Have you been checking your email?” Mira asked Gemma as she walked into the apartment.  The family was gathered in the Upper East Side home for Thanksgiving where Malcolm had insisted everyone meet.

“There’s no point,” Gemma said without looking up from chopping chestnuts for the stuffing.  “I’m not expecting anything from anyone.”

“Really?” Mira arched an eyebrow as she hung up her coat.  “So you apply to a bunch of colleges and that’s it? Nothing happens after that?” Gemma paused.  Unlike her friends, she hadn’t thought about the admissions letters because she had done the applications just for Mira and her parents.  She looked up to see Mira reaching into her bag and pulling out a large envelope.

“What is that?” Gemma asked, her heart beating faster despite herself.  Emily and Malcolm smiled at each other.

“Oh shit, big envelope!” Gavin clapped his hands.  He then glanced apologetically at Grandma Audrey for the profanity.

“Where’s it from?” Emily squealed as she ran towards Mira and the packet.  “Oh my goodness, it’s from Stanford!”

“Honey, how could you not check your email?” Malcolm squinted at Gemma.  Gemma shrugged, looking over at Mira.

“I used to check it on my iPhone,” she said icily, looking for Mira’s reaction.  Mira shook her head and handed the packet to Gemma.

“Congratulations.  We don’t need to open this or the email to know what it means.  Clearly, they see something in you and you should be proud of yourself for this incredible achievement,” Mira said.  Though she tried to sound stern, Gemma could hear a glimmer of pride in her voice.

“My girl!
Stanford
! Stanford wants my daughter!” Malcolm yelled with excitement.  He scooped Gemma up into her arms and bear-hugged her.  Gemma laughed.  She had never seen her father so expressive before.  “How did you turn out so incredible?”

“Wow,” Gavin said.  “I don’t think I even had my applications
in
yet this time of the year and you just got your first acceptance letter? How is this possible?”  With all the excitement filling the room, it was hard for Gemma to not get swept up in it all.  She had forgotten momentarily that the applications were done for show and was suddenly filled with images of moving into her California dorm.  Gemma did feel a sense of pride as Mira reached out to hug her.  She hugged her back, looking up to see that Mira’s eyes were brimming with tears as she averted her gaze from the rest of the family.  Gemma knew it had been hard for her to be the strict disciplinarian that she had been the past few months.  For the first time, she was thankful for her firm hand.  It couldn’t be clearer to Gemma all the good it had done.

THE TRUTH BEHIND QUEEN BEE’S FAILURE

Celeb-o-Matic

December 2

Lately, it seems that the entertainment world has been transfixed with the story of Queen Bee and her fall from grace.  Last year, the teenaged prodigy completed epic European and American tours and mesmerized the world with her powerful vocals and unique wardrobe.  This year, Queen Bee has made few professional appearances and continues to put off the releases of any new singles.  The only place she has made herself consistently present is on the covers of tabloids.  From club fights to tasteless magazine covers, the once-talented sweetheart has quickly morphed into a scandal-loving party girl with no sense of responsibility.  The only reason her fans haven’t turned on her yet is because they’re mesmerized by the fact that she keeps one-upping her own acts of rebellion.  But they will no doubt lose patience with the next canceled concert or appearance.  There are only so many times you can line up outside a venue for eight hours just to be told that Queen Bee has decided not to perform.

But is it really her fault?

Bee is seventeen years old.  A young seventeen, at that.  Teenaged talents need proper management, and what Queen Bee has is a miniscule team of secretive makeup and wardrobe professionals with only one clear leader in Mira Hunter.  Hunter's foray into management has proven to be a major failure.  Famous for scouting and launching the careers of various artists (and sometimes for letting her temper rule her decisions), it's still a question as to why she would take on a project as massive as Queen Bee for her first hands-on experience.  Her mismanagement could use a few pointers from outside professionals, but Queen Bee’s team is far too private to allow any strangers near her.

While there is hope left – Bee hasn’t
completely
exhausted America yet – it’s starting to look grim.  Management still hasn’t commented on when she will return to the music world, and the curiosity of fans will soon turn into impatience.  It is becoming rather clear that this “It girl” is on the fast track to losing her popularity as quickly as she gained it.

- Chapter 11 -

The high of getting into her first college carried Gemma blissfully through the week.  For the first time in awhile, she thought little of Queen Bee and relished in the time she once again had with Lucas.  He had finally taken the SATs and submitted a couple college applications and was looking relieved.  Gemma had nervously told him about her acceptance to Stanford, but rather than reacting with more stress, Lucas was overjoyed at the news.

Her admittance letter even affected Mira, who had started casually mentioning Queen Bee again in conversation.  It was exactly what Gemma needed to allow herself the daydreams of her alter ego.

“This is for you,” Mira said as she nodded towards a large bag sitting on the kitchen counter.  Gemma closed the front door, throwing her tote bag onto the couch.

“You bought me something?” Gemma asked.  Mira shook her head, handing the bag to her.

“It’s from Tyler.”

Gemma froze.  Mira hadn’t mentioned his name since the day she took everything away from her.  Gemma had barely allowed herself to
think
the name.  She took the bag from Mira’s hand, shooting her an apologetic look without really knowing why.  Gemma peered inside the bag, pulling out the tissue paper that filled it.  Inside was a stuffed animal unicorn made of an iridescent, blue fabric.

“Does he think you’re twelve?” Mira asked with a snort.  Gemma laughed with her, a little confused as well.  “Well at least it’s well-made.  This feels like silk.”

The next day, Mira returned home from work with a box.  Again, it was from Tyler.  Gemma lifted the lid of the box to find a stuffed animal dragon.  The following day, it was a finely made porcelain doll with fairy wings.  The next, it was a set of eight crystal elves.  The gifts continued on with the same pattern – mythical creatures made of expensive materials.  Gemma had no idea where Tyler could have gotten all these strange items.

“He definitely raided a geeky World of Warcraft frat house,” Gavin called to say after Gemma texted a photo of her room’s new additions.  She had thought a boy might have some insight on what the strange gifts could mean.  Even Lucas gave his amused two cents.

“To be fair, most of his fans are into this sort of thing so he might just think that all girls are,” Lucas laughed.  “But if he keeps going, I’m going to submit you to an episode of
Hoarders.
”  He had a point.  Gemma’s bedroom was beginning to clutter with all the bizarre fairytale items, and yet there was still no explanation for what Tyler was doing.

“Knock, knock!” Mira announced herself at the doorway of Gemma’s bedroom, a playful hand over her eyes.  “You two being good?” Gemma and Lucas laughed as Mira uncovered them and walked in.  She scrunched up her nose as she looked around the room.  In her hand was a much smaller gift bag than usual.  Mira narrowed her eyes at Gemma, then looked over at Lucas.

“I’m sure Lucas has better taste than to get you all these tacky things,” she said.  “One of my interns has a bit of a crush on Gemma.  I’m only passing these along so my office doesn’t overflow.”  Gemma and Lucas laughed nervously.  If Mira knew that Lucas was privy to Gemma’s alter ego, she had yet to show it.

“So what does ‘the intern’ have for me today?” Gemma asked.  Mira handed her the bag.

“Who knows? Maybe a rhinestone-studded replica of the Roswell UFO?” Mira rolled her eyes as she left the room.  Gemma shut the door behind her.  She turned to Lucas who was sitting up in her bed, looking just as curious as she was.

“If it’s a rhinestone-studded replica of the Roswell UFO, can I have it?” he asked.  Gemma laughed as she plopped down on the bed next to him.  She reached into the small silver bag and pulled out a long velvet box.  Gemma furrowed her brows.  The box didn’t look like it would contain anything like what she had been receiving.  She snapped it open, revealing a delicate band of...
diamonds!
Gemma gasped.  She lifted the choker out of the box and held it to her neck, breathless with excitement.  Rushing to her mirror, she fastened it while leaning in to look at the intricate details.  It was only when she leaned back that she caught the reflection of Lucas still sitting on her bed.

“It looks beautiful on you,” he said quietly.  He rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable.  “Really.  You look beautiful.”  Gemma struggled to unfasten the choker from her neck, rushing to Lucas’s side.

“I’m sorry, I just…” she stuttered.  She couldn’t think of any good way to recover from her excitement over Tyler’s gift.  “I was just shocked, I guess.  I was seriously expecting something silly like everything else he’s been sending.”

“No, I understand,” Lucas said.  “It’s fine.  I’m just disappointed.”

“In me?” Gemma bit her lip, her heart sinking.

“No,” Lucas laughed.  “That it wasn’t a rhinestone-studded replica of the Roswell UFO.”  Gemma giggled in relief, leaning into Lucas’s broad chest.  He pulled her in close as she kissed his cheek, running her hands down his torso.  Through his sweater, she could feel his heart pounding more rapidly than she had ever felt before.  She peered into the mirror to catch the troubled expression on his face though his arms remained comforting and strong around her.