The Queen They Buried

Chapter 7

The school day blew by. Aubree’s high school had evening study sessions, but she’d gotten a pass from her teacher to skip

them.

She grabbed her bag, ready to hit the store for some groceries to cook dinner. Needed fuel for a late-night gaming sesh at

the internet café.

But right outside the school gates, someone stepped in her way.

It was Emery.

His face was twisted, eyes flashing with disappointment and anger. “I thought cutting off Dad was bad, Aubree, but this? Didn’t think you’d go this dirty.”

Aubree frowned, totally lost. She took a step back. “What’re you even talking about? If it’s nothing, just… let me go, okay?”

Emery’s jaw clenched, like he was biting back a yell. “Why’d you post that video on the school forum? You know how much this’ll wreck Carmen?

“She’s at Rithol Art School, training, and called me crying her eyes out. Says she doesn’t even know why you’re mad at her, and you’re out here ruining her. That’s cold, Aubree.”

‘Cold?’ Aubree let out a sharp laugh, then smirked. This was too much. They all knew about the forum drama—the lies trashing her name-and didn’t care.

But the second her comeback hit Carmen? Boom, she’s the bad guy, no questions asked.

“Emery, is your brain just for decoration?” she snapped. “Only people at the Wilson family party knew about that video. You think those big shots would mess with the Wilsons? So, who leaked it, huh?

“If I wasn’t getting slammed online first, you think I’d post that video for giggles? And FYI, that video’s legit. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Emery blinked, thrown, but rallied fast. “You’re always ticking someone off, Aubree. That forum post? Probably just payback from someone you annoyed. Carmen would never do that.”

Aubree rolled her eyes so hard it stung. She was done with this Carmen fanboy. “Buzz off,” she growled.

But Emery wasn’t dropping it. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist. “You’re coming with me to apologize to Carmen. Now. I’ll sort out the truth later, but you’re fixing this.”

He wouldn’t let go.

glared at him. “So, you don’t even know

opened his mouth-probably to bring up Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but Aubree

Wilson family. Carmen was getting trashed at school, people saying

for show. You all rushed over to make sure everyone knew

me? What’ve you done to back me

mad

1/3

Chapter 7

of glass? She cries over this? Then what about me? I’ve been

your favorite sister, fine. Why even

favorites,

a word,

to speak, wanting to claim the family cared about her too,

a deep breath, he said,

at him like he was

sharp, confident voice broke in. Alvin, decked out in a crisp white shirt and black pants, sauntered over, one hand

brows

uncle, who’d been MIA for three years, rolled up to grab him from school.

car, going nowhere, until Aubree showed

Bowen hit him with.”Alvin, you gotta build

burning holes, Alvin dragged himself

sec. She knew Alvin, sure, but they weren’t

was her golden ticket

her hand free and stepped

kinda curious, though.

of quick looks as they headed

20

Turner, and that carried

took off, Emery’s phone lit up. It

Miller’s test results are in. Mind

in the hospital, Emery had the docs give her

shaking off Emery, Aubree flashed Alvin a grin. “Alvin, thanks

door. That was when Aubree

couldn’t make out his face-just a hand,