Chapter 30
Well, people, it’s been a few days since anything scandalous has happened. Oh, besides a few minor things, of course.
We hear a certain Lonely Boy has been avoiding S. Now he’s lonelier than ever. We’re back to square one with him. Joy.
Bass has been blowing off Nate. He has suggested that N find some new friends. Hmm, are we sensing some tension between the most popular boys of the UES? We sure hope so. Those two are just a little too close. And God, people, that’s not what I mean! Close friends. At least, that’s what we’re all hoping. ;)
Our favourite wannabe “It Couple”, Little J and Oliver, have not been seen together since Monday. Luckily, their date is tomorrow, so I’ll naturally get all the deats.
And, by popular demand, people have been wanting to know what’s up with the Queen B. Well, her life hasn’t been very interesting lately. But I think she’s been spending just a little too much time with Chuck…
And, speaking of Chuck, everyone’s stoked for his party this weekend. Well, almost everyone. Whoever said Sunday was a day of rest sure didn’t know the Upper East Siders.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Dan hasn’t called me in forever,” Serena said as she searched a rack of skirts for her size. S and B were at a little boutique in the centre of Manhattan, looking for new outfits to wear at Chuck’s party. “I wonder if everything’s okay.”
“Hmm, well, normally I would suggest going to his house and trying to find him, but you’ve done enough of that already to be classified as a stalker.” Blair laughed as Serena shoved her lightly. “But seriously, S, you are a little obsessed.”
“Whatever.” Serena laughed.
“Hold on a second while I go try this on.” Blair rushed off to the dressing room, leaving Serena in the middle of the store.
A few minutes later, Blair came back out in a beautiful black dress. It had a low V-neck, trimmed with ruffles, and the skirt of it flowed down to her knees, where more black ruffles lined the bottom.
“Oh, Blair!” Serena exclaimed, watching as B twirled in front of a mirror. “You look gorgeous!”
“I know!” Blair said, beaming. “This’ll go perfectly with my new black heels.”
“And your Birthday Necklace,” Serena teased. Blair laughed, but she actually did think it would look nice with the dress.
“I’m so getting this,” B said as she walked back into her change room.
“Chuck’ll love it!” Serena called after her.
Laughing, Blair closed the door. She stared at the dress in the mirror. I sure hope so, she thought to herself, smiling.
When Blair opened the door to her room, she was surprised to find someone was already waiting for her there.
“We need to talk,” Chuck said, getting up from the chair he was sitting in. Quickly, Blair put her shopping bag away. She wanted the dress to be a surprise.
“Why, are you like, breaking up with me or something?”
“No, but I might be if Nate doesn’t find out soon. Blair, that guy is driving me insane! He’s always stalking me and interrogating me!”
“Uh, I hate to break it to you, but you and Nate are best friends. And I’m pretty sure he just wants to hang out with you. That’s what friends do.”
“Humph. Yeah, sure, that’s why he was asking about you and me.”
Blair stared at him. “He asked you about us?”
“Well, I mean, not directly. But I’m sure that’s what he meant when he asked to borrow my shampoo.”
Blair laughed. “You’re so paranoid. Everything’s fine. We’ll tell him later, alone. It would be best not to make a scene.”
“But still. It’s not just about what he says.” Chuck sat down again. “Whenever I’m around him, I get really nervous. Like he’s suddenly just gonna know.”
“Hmm, Chuck Bass, nervous?” Blair said sarcastically, sitting down on his lap. “What is happening to the world? What’s next, Gossip Girl not using fashion metaphors? Serena not being obsessed with a lowly Brooklyn boy?”
Chuck put his hand around her waist, but narrowed his eyes at her. “Scoff if you will, Waldorf, but it’s true that things are changing.”
“Oh, really?” Blair looked sceptical.
“Oh yes,” Chuck said, leaning close to her. “You know great changes are coming when Blair Cornelia Waldorf is no longer in the arms of Nathaniel Archibald.”
“Hmm, yes, especially when she’s in the arms of his best friend Bass. You know, it’s like I always say,”—B spoke quietly, almost in a whisper—“Best friends come and go, but Blair is forever.”
And smiling, B leaned in and kissed him.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
“Hey, man,” Nate said, walking through the door of Chuck’s hotel room.
“Hello, Nathaniel.”
“Can we talk?” Nate sat down next to Chuck on the sofa.
“What about?”
“Well, I dunno. Stuff. We never hang out anymore.”
“What are you talking about? We hang out all the time. Like right now.”
“Um, actually, no, we don’t.”
“Oh, well. We weren’t that close anyway.” Chuck got up to leave.
“What? We’re like best friends.” Nate followed him to the door.
“Yeah, we should talk about that. You really need some new friends.” Chuck opened the door and walked out into the hallway. Nate followed him into the elevator, and down into the lobby. Serena was just leaving.
“Serena!” Chuck called to her, and she turned around. Hesitating, she walked over to them.
“Here you go, Nate,” Chuck said, patting his friend’s shoulder. “You can hang out with S. Knock yourself out.”
Serena nervously watched Chuck go. When they were alone in the lobby, S turned back to Nate. “Um,” she said, actually not knowing what to say. “I… I was just leaving.”
“Yeah.” Nate looked down at the floor. He could sense the huge amount of tension.
“It’s, uh, important, so I better get going. See you later, okay?” Serena quickly rushed out of the hotel and hailed a cab.
Back inside, Nate just stood there. Suddenly, his pocket started vibrating. He took out his cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Nate? It’s Vanessa. I’m done all the finishing touches. Who knew it would take this long to find a leg in that exact colour of leggings? Come over to my place, and we’ll get it printed out.”
“Great. I’m on my way.” Nate closed his phone, and hurried outside.
At Vanessa’s, V showed N the edited photo.
“Wow,” Nate said. “Impressive.”
The photo of Nate and Serena kissing was Photoshopped to make it look like Serena was the one kissing him. Nate’s hands were still around her waist, but S was edited a lot. Her arms were around his neck, she was leaning in, and her right leg was popped up. Nate couldn’t believe how realistic it looked.
“Now, to print it, and send you off to Dan.” Vanessa printed the picture and handed it to Nate. “You know what to do?” Nate nodded. “Good. Don’t screw up.” Vanessa looked at him, very seriously.
“I won’t.”
When Nate reached Dan’s building, he hesitated. Maybe I shouldn’t do this, he thought. Someone’ll find out. I just know it. Sighing, Nate realized he was torn. He didn’t think Dan was that bad of a guy, and he probably didn’t deserve this. But Nate needed Serena. And the only way to win Serena’s heart is if Dan is out of the picture.
Nate walked into the building.
“You don’t really have a life, do you?” Nate asked, laughing, as Dan let him in.
“Actually, I do have a life, and her name is Serena. But she took Jenny out shopping today, so it’s back to being antisocial.” Dan closed the door, but Nate just stood there. “So,” Dan asked, “What brings you to my humble abode?”
“Well, actually, Serena is what I wanted to talk to you about,” Nate said slowly. “Dan, obviously you try and see the best in people. And sometimes that can be a weakness. I know you think Serena’s changed, but she hasn’t. She’ll always be the Old Serena, deep down. And nothing can change that.”
“What are you talking about?” Dan looked confused. Sighing, Nate pulled the printed photo out of his pocket. He handed it to Dan.
Dan stared at the picture, studying every angle. Clearly, Serena was all over Nate. “I… I don’t understand…”
“This happened a few days ago. Gossip Girl emailed me the photo. She was probably trying to prove a point. I’m sorry, Dan.”
All Dan could do was stand there and stare at the piece of the paper in his hands.
“Look,” N said as he opened the front door, “If I were you, I wouldn’t say anything to Serena. It probably wouldn’t go well. You should just keep your dignity and move on.” And with that, Nate was gone.
Dan just stared at the closed door in front of him, an expression of deep betrayal on his face.
“Hey, man,” Nate said, walking through the door of Chuck’s hotel room.
“Hello, Nathaniel.”
“Can we talk?” Nate sat down next to Chuck on the sofa.
“What about?”
“Well, I dunno. Stuff. We never hang out anymore.”
“What are you talking about? We hang out all the time. Like right now.”
“Um, actually, no, we don’t.”
“Oh, well. We weren’t that close anyway.” Chuck got up to leave.
“What? We’re like best friends.” Nate followed him to the door.
“Yeah, we should talk about that. You really need some new friends.” Chuck opened the door and walked out into the hallway. Nate followed him into the elevator, and down into the lobby. Serena was just leaving.
“Serena!” Chuck called to her, and she turned around. Hesitating, she walked over to them.
“Here you go, Nate,” Chuck said, patting his friend’s shoulder. “You can hang out with S. Knock yourself out.”
Serena nervously watched Chuck go. When they were alone in the lobby, S turned back to Nate. “Um,” she said, actually not knowing what to say. “I… I was just leaving.”
“Yeah.” Nate looked down at the floor. He could sense the huge amount of tension.
“It’s, uh, important, so I better get going. See you later, okay?” Serena quickly rushed out of the hotel and hailed a cab.
Back inside, Nate just stood there. Suddenly, his pocket started vibrating. He took out his cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Nate? It’s Vanessa. I’m done all the finishing touches. Who knew it would take this long to find a leg in that exact colour of leggings? Come over to my place, and we’ll get it printed out.”
“Great. I’m on my way.” Nate closed his phone, and hurried outside.
At Vanessa’s, V showed N the edited photo.
“Wow,” Nate said. “Impressive.”
The photo of Nate and Serena kissing was Photoshopped to make it look like Serena was the one kissing him. Nate’s hands were still around her waist, but S was edited a lot. Her arms were around his neck, she was leaning in, and her right leg was popped up. Nate couldn’t believe how realistic it looked.
“Now, to print it, and send you off to Dan.” Vanessa printed the picture and handed it to Nate. “You know what to do?” Nate nodded. “Good. Don’t screw up.” Vanessa looked at him, very seriously.
“I won’t.”
When Nate reached Dan’s building, he hesitated. Maybe I shouldn’t do this, he thought. Someone’ll find out. I just know it. Sighing, Nate realized he was torn. He didn’t think Dan was that bad of a guy, and he probably didn’t deserve this. But Nate needed Serena. And the only way to win Serena’s heart is if Dan is out of the picture.
Nate walked into the building.
“You don’t really have a life, do you?” Nate asked, laughing, as Dan let him in.
“Actually, I do have a life, and her name is Serena. But she took Jenny out shopping today, so it’s back to being antisocial.” Dan closed the door, but Nate just stood there. “So,” Dan asked, “What brings you to my humble abode?”
“Well, actually, Serena is what I wanted to talk to you about,” Nate said slowly. “Dan, obviously you try and see the best in people. And sometimes that can be a weakness. I know you think Serena’s changed, but she hasn’t. She’ll always be the Old Serena, deep down. And nothing can change that.”
“What are you talking about?” Dan looked confused. Sighing, Nate pulled the printed photo out of his pocket. He handed it to Dan.
Dan stared at the picture, studying every angle. Clearly, Serena was all over Nate. “I… I don’t understand…”
“This happened a few days ago. Gossip Girl emailed me the photo. She was probably trying to prove a point. I’m sorry, Dan.”
All Dan could do was stand there and stare at the piece of the paper in his hands.
“Look,” N said as he opened the front door, “If I were you, I wouldn’t say anything to Serena. It probably wouldn’t go well. You should just keep your dignity and move on.” And with that, Nate was gone.
Dan just stared at the closed door in front of him, an expression of deep betrayal on his face.
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Blair and Chuck were making out on Blair’s bed, as usual, when Serena suddenly came into the room. Surprised, Blair shoved Chuck off the bed and onto the floor.
Serena rolled her eyes. “You guys really should become public already.”
Chuck, getting up, smiled at her. “Why, so we can have sex in front of everybody?”
“Thank god I didn’t come in a few minutes later,” Serena said, staring at Chuck. “Who knows what would have happened by then?”
“Oh, I think you have a pretty good idea of what would have happened by then.” Chuck winked at S and sat back down on the bed. Serena shuddered in disgust, and walked over to Blair.
“B, I need you to help me do some online research. Our computer broke, and my cell phone died.”
“Sure,” Blair said, walking over and logging onto her computer. “What do you need to research?”
“Oliver Jacobs.”
Blair smiled wickedly. “Oh, gossip research. My favourite kind.” Blair clicked open the Gossip Girl homepage.
“I just want to know a little more about him. After the Chuck incident, I want to be sure that whoever Jenny is seeing is safe.” Serena glared at Chuck.
“Hey, I’m safe! I always have condoms available.”
Serena rolled her eyes. “Blair, do you know anything about Oliver?”
Blair swivelled in her chair to face Serena. “Hmm, let’s see. He was born here, a true blue blood, from one of the richest families in New York. He’s on the yearbook committee, the environmental committee, and the charity drive committee. He’s the captain of the debate team, he’s on the lacrosse team, and does various extracurricular activities. He hopes to study social sciences and one day attend Oxford, his dream school. And from what I know,”–Blair gave Serena a satisfied smile—“he’s still a virgin.”
“Um, okay, that’s great. But, how do you know all of that?” Serena looked at Blair, confused.
“Because she tried to take his virginity a few years back, but he’s gay,” Chuck piped up.
“Yeah, right.” Blair glared at him. “He’s not gay. In fact, he’s had a few girlfriends, but he’s more for relationships than flings.”
“That’s more than you can say for us, isn’t it Blair?” Chuck laughed as he ducked a velvet pillow Blair hurled at him.
“I’ve known him for a while. His parents were always invited to my mom and dad’s parties, so I got to converse with him over the years. Not a bad kid. Reminds me a little of a younger Nate. But less preppy.” The girls laughed.
“Alright, well, thanks. I just wanted to know because I look out for Jenny like a sister.”
“Oh, god, Serena,” Chuck said, sounding disgusted. “Dan’s her brother, and you’re going out with him. Nice way to do a remake of the Brady Bunch.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the disgusting one. Remember when you hit on me when I came back from boarding school? Well, you know our parents are dating, right? Talk about creepy.” Serena shuddered at the thought of her mother and Bart Bass.
“Ugh. I know. And hey, I hit on you before they were going out. I think. Well, at least before we knew. So it doesn’t count.”
“Wait, you hit on her?” Blair said, astonished.
“Don’t be so surprised, Blair,” Serena said. “He’s hit on like every girl in this city.”
“Don’t exaggerate, S. Not every girl; just most of them. And besides, that was before I met you, love,” Chuck said, coming over and kissing Blair on the cheek. She stared at him dully.
“You met us both at the same time.”
“Well, before I was with you. And don’t be so upset. I was just trying to see what Nate saw in her.”
“Excuse me?!” Serena exclaimed.
“No offence, of course.” Chuck smiled at her.
“Whatever. I have to go. See you two later. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Serena glared at Chuck.
“Serena, darling, you’ve done everything, and everyone.” Chuck smiled again as Serena sighed and left the room. Blair still looked upset.
“Blair, don’t be so upset,” Chuck said to her. “At least I didn’t sleep with her like some other boyfriends you’ve had.”
B smiled a little. “I guess that’s true. But wait, does this mean… does this mean that you’re my boyfriend now?”
“Well, I think we’ll have to be a little more open about ‘us’ for it to be official dating.”
Blair smiled. “Who needs everything to be official?” she said, as she leaned in to kiss him. Getting up, and holding onto Chuck by his shirt collar, Blair shuffled over to the bed and flopped down on it.
“Certainly not us,” Chuck said, smiling at B as he unbuttoned her shirt.
Outside of Blair’s building, Serena ran into Dan.
“Hey,” he said. “I thought you might be here; your mom said you went to see Blair.”
“Yeah, I did, obviously,” Serena replied, laughing.
“Well, may I escort you to get some coffee?”
“You may,” Serena said in a fake English accent, still laughing. Dan looped his arm through hers, and laughing, the two of them skipped down the sidewalk, talking in very bad accents.
A nearby girl took a picture of them with her camera phone.
Spotted: D and S on a lovely stroll through NYC. Taking a little walk in the English countryside, huh, S? Well, I guess you’ve given up keeping a good reputation; nice job not looking like a complete idiot in public. Oh, the things love does to the mind.
(See horrifying photo below)
Blair and Chuck were making out on Blair’s bed, as usual, when Serena suddenly came into the room. Surprised, Blair shoved Chuck off the bed and onto the floor.
Serena rolled her eyes. “You guys really should become public already.”
Chuck, getting up, smiled at her. “Why, so we can have sex in front of everybody?”
“Thank god I didn’t come in a few minutes later,” Serena said, staring at Chuck. “Who knows what would have happened by then?”
“Oh, I think you have a pretty good idea of what would have happened by then.” Chuck winked at S and sat back down on the bed. Serena shuddered in disgust, and walked over to Blair.
“B, I need you to help me do some online research. Our computer broke, and my cell phone died.”
“Sure,” Blair said, walking over and logging onto her computer. “What do you need to research?”
“Oliver Jacobs.”
Blair smiled wickedly. “Oh, gossip research. My favourite kind.” Blair clicked open the Gossip Girl homepage.
“I just want to know a little more about him. After the Chuck incident, I want to be sure that whoever Jenny is seeing is safe.” Serena glared at Chuck.
“Hey, I’m safe! I always have condoms available.”
Serena rolled her eyes. “Blair, do you know anything about Oliver?”
Blair swivelled in her chair to face Serena. “Hmm, let’s see. He was born here, a true blue blood, from one of the richest families in New York. He’s on the yearbook committee, the environmental committee, and the charity drive committee. He’s the captain of the debate team, he’s on the lacrosse team, and does various extracurricular activities. He hopes to study social sciences and one day attend Oxford, his dream school. And from what I know,”–Blair gave Serena a satisfied smile—“he’s still a virgin.”
“Um, okay, that’s great. But, how do you know all of that?” Serena looked at Blair, confused.
“Because she tried to take his virginity a few years back, but he’s gay,” Chuck piped up.
“Yeah, right.” Blair glared at him. “He’s not gay. In fact, he’s had a few girlfriends, but he’s more for relationships than flings.”
“That’s more than you can say for us, isn’t it Blair?” Chuck laughed as he ducked a velvet pillow Blair hurled at him.
“I’ve known him for a while. His parents were always invited to my mom and dad’s parties, so I got to converse with him over the years. Not a bad kid. Reminds me a little of a younger Nate. But less preppy.” The girls laughed.
“Alright, well, thanks. I just wanted to know because I look out for Jenny like a sister.”
“Oh, god, Serena,” Chuck said, sounding disgusted. “Dan’s her brother, and you’re going out with him. Nice way to do a remake of the Brady Bunch.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the disgusting one. Remember when you hit on me when I came back from boarding school? Well, you know our parents are dating, right? Talk about creepy.” Serena shuddered at the thought of her mother and Bart Bass.
“Ugh. I know. And hey, I hit on you before they were going out. I think. Well, at least before we knew. So it doesn’t count.”
“Wait, you hit on her?” Blair said, astonished.
“Don’t be so surprised, Blair,” Serena said. “He’s hit on like every girl in this city.”
“Don’t exaggerate, S. Not every girl; just most of them. And besides, that was before I met you, love,” Chuck said, coming over and kissing Blair on the cheek. She stared at him dully.
“You met us both at the same time.”
“Well, before I was with you. And don’t be so upset. I was just trying to see what Nate saw in her.”
“Excuse me?!” Serena exclaimed.
“No offence, of course.” Chuck smiled at her.
“Whatever. I have to go. See you two later. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Serena glared at Chuck.
“Serena, darling, you’ve done everything, and everyone.” Chuck smiled again as Serena sighed and left the room. Blair still looked upset.
“Blair, don’t be so upset,” Chuck said to her. “At least I didn’t sleep with her like some other boyfriends you’ve had.”
B smiled a little. “I guess that’s true. But wait, does this mean… does this mean that you’re my boyfriend now?”
“Well, I think we’ll have to be a little more open about ‘us’ for it to be official dating.”
Blair smiled. “Who needs everything to be official?” she said, as she leaned in to kiss him. Getting up, and holding onto Chuck by his shirt collar, Blair shuffled over to the bed and flopped down on it.
“Certainly not us,” Chuck said, smiling at B as he unbuttoned her shirt.
Outside of Blair’s building, Serena ran into Dan.
“Hey,” he said. “I thought you might be here; your mom said you went to see Blair.”
“Yeah, I did, obviously,” Serena replied, laughing.
“Well, may I escort you to get some coffee?”
“You may,” Serena said in a fake English accent, still laughing. Dan looped his arm through hers, and laughing, the two of them skipped down the sidewalk, talking in very bad accents.
A nearby girl took a picture of them with her camera phone.
Spotted: D and S on a lovely stroll through NYC. Taking a little walk in the English countryside, huh, S? Well, I guess you’ve given up keeping a good reputation; nice job not looking like a complete idiot in public. Oh, the things love does to the mind.
(See horrifying photo below)
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Serena, Blair, Jenny, Is, and Kati were all sitting on the steps eating lunch together when Chuck Bass came sauntering up to them. He handed each girl a little white envelope.
“Formal much?” Serena asked as she examined the envelope. It was invitation to Chuck’s latest party.
“This isn’t one of my usual get-togethers, van der Woodsen,” Chuck answered, sounding fakely bitter. “It’s much more sophisticated than that.”
Serena opened the envelope. “So are you expecting corsets and lace?”
“Only from Victoria’s Secret,” Chuck said, smiling at her. Serena rolled her eyes.
“Relax, S. It’s just another rave.” Blair read through the invitation.
“It is not,” Chuck insisted. “It’s just a normal party. However, invitations are required this time because not everyone is invited.”
“Is that so?” Blair said, raising her eyebrows. “And who is not invited?”
“Nathaniel.”
“You’re not inviting your best friend?” Kati said sceptically.
“No. We were never that close, anyway.”
“Uh huh.”
Blair sighed. “Chuck, why are you having this party?”
“He’s probably not inviting any guys at all,” Is said.
“Ugh. Sleaze.” Kati put a grape in her mouth.
“Hey, that’s not true. I’m inviting guys. Carter Baizen’s invited.” Chuck grinned at them all.
Blair stood up. “Chuck, can I see you over there for a second?” She smiled at her friends as she led him away.
“Why the hell are you having a party and not inviting Nate?” she hissed.
“So you want him to come?”
“Chuck, just tell me what’s going on.”
“Ah, so you do want him to come.”
“Chuck!”
Chuck sighed. “Fine. Blair, I want to bring us out into the open. We’ve hidden it long enough, and the longer we continue to hide it, the worse it’ll be when everyone finds out.”
“So you’re throwing a party to tell everyone about us, except Nate? Oh, yeah, that’s a terrific plan.” Blair’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“We’ll tell him later, I promise. Baby steps.”
Blair sighed. “Fine. But you better make sure nothing goes wrong.”
“How could anything go wrong when I’m planning it?”
Blair sighed again. “Whatever. Just make sure to keep it quiet.”
“Sure.” They walked back over to B’s friends.
“The party’s in a week. See you ladies there.” Chuck winked at Blair and walked away.
“So?” Serena whispered to Blair once he had left.
“I’ll tell you later,” B whispered back.
It was a few minutes after school had ended, and Jenny was making her way through the crowds outside. In a hurry to get through the mobs of people, she bumped right into Oliver.
“Oh, hey,” she said, a little surprised. The two stumbled out of the way of their classmates, and went to stand on an empty sidewalk.
“Crazy back there, isn’t it?”
Jenny laughed. “Yeah.”
“Um, so, did you have fun at the party?”
“Oh, uh, yeah. Did you?”
“Yeah. Me and Blair are real tight. Best friends.” Jenny laughed again.
“I imagine you must be. Blair’s parties are extremely exclusive.”
“Yes, there were only a few hundred kids there from our schools. She’s really cutting down on the invites.” Oliver smiled. Jenny smiled back. “So, um, actually, I have something I want to ask you…” Oliver said, sounding a little nervous.
“Yes?” Jenny prompted.
“Um, well… are you doing anything on Friday?”
“I don’t think so,” Jenny said, trying to hide her excitement.
“Well, then, would you like to go out? On Friday? With me?”
Jenny laughed a little. “I’d love to,” she said.
“Good. That’s, that’s great. I’m sorry, I don’t do this often.” Oliver blushed.
“It’s alright.” Little J kissed his cheek and started down the sidewalk. “See you tomorrow!” she called over her shoulder.
“I’ll call you!” Oliver said back. Sighing, he watched her go, before heading in the opposite direction.
Spotted: One Constance Billiard girl heading Brooklyn’s way. One St. Jude’s boy heading polar opposite; high end Manhattan. This is déjà vu all over again; anyone remember Dan and Serena?
We only hope the best will come for these two; but maybe not every relationship works out as perfectly as with D and S. But wait; actually, I hope it won’t work out. Darena is so sweet and perfect; it’s starting to get boring. Our little Upper East Side needs some excitement, and I’m sure so does Brooklyn. Vanessa’s flying under the radar again, planning her next attack. Can’t wait, V. You know we love you. Well, sort of.
Serena, Blair, Jenny, Is, and Kati were all sitting on the steps eating lunch together when Chuck Bass came sauntering up to them. He handed each girl a little white envelope.
“Formal much?” Serena asked as she examined the envelope. It was invitation to Chuck’s latest party.
“This isn’t one of my usual get-togethers, van der Woodsen,” Chuck answered, sounding fakely bitter. “It’s much more sophisticated than that.”
Serena opened the envelope. “So are you expecting corsets and lace?”
“Only from Victoria’s Secret,” Chuck said, smiling at her. Serena rolled her eyes.
“Relax, S. It’s just another rave.” Blair read through the invitation.
“It is not,” Chuck insisted. “It’s just a normal party. However, invitations are required this time because not everyone is invited.”
“Is that so?” Blair said, raising her eyebrows. “And who is not invited?”
“Nathaniel.”
“You’re not inviting your best friend?” Kati said sceptically.
“No. We were never that close, anyway.”
“Uh huh.”
Blair sighed. “Chuck, why are you having this party?”
“He’s probably not inviting any guys at all,” Is said.
“Ugh. Sleaze.” Kati put a grape in her mouth.
“Hey, that’s not true. I’m inviting guys. Carter Baizen’s invited.” Chuck grinned at them all.
Blair stood up. “Chuck, can I see you over there for a second?” She smiled at her friends as she led him away.
“Why the hell are you having a party and not inviting Nate?” she hissed.
“So you want him to come?”
“Chuck, just tell me what’s going on.”
“Ah, so you do want him to come.”
“Chuck!”
Chuck sighed. “Fine. Blair, I want to bring us out into the open. We’ve hidden it long enough, and the longer we continue to hide it, the worse it’ll be when everyone finds out.”
“So you’re throwing a party to tell everyone about us, except Nate? Oh, yeah, that’s a terrific plan.” Blair’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“We’ll tell him later, I promise. Baby steps.”
Blair sighed. “Fine. But you better make sure nothing goes wrong.”
“How could anything go wrong when I’m planning it?”
Blair sighed again. “Whatever. Just make sure to keep it quiet.”
“Sure.” They walked back over to B’s friends.
“The party’s in a week. See you ladies there.” Chuck winked at Blair and walked away.
“So?” Serena whispered to Blair once he had left.
“I’ll tell you later,” B whispered back.
It was a few minutes after school had ended, and Jenny was making her way through the crowds outside. In a hurry to get through the mobs of people, she bumped right into Oliver.
“Oh, hey,” she said, a little surprised. The two stumbled out of the way of their classmates, and went to stand on an empty sidewalk.
“Crazy back there, isn’t it?”
Jenny laughed. “Yeah.”
“Um, so, did you have fun at the party?”
“Oh, uh, yeah. Did you?”
“Yeah. Me and Blair are real tight. Best friends.” Jenny laughed again.
“I imagine you must be. Blair’s parties are extremely exclusive.”
“Yes, there were only a few hundred kids there from our schools. She’s really cutting down on the invites.” Oliver smiled. Jenny smiled back. “So, um, actually, I have something I want to ask you…” Oliver said, sounding a little nervous.
“Yes?” Jenny prompted.
“Um, well… are you doing anything on Friday?”
“I don’t think so,” Jenny said, trying to hide her excitement.
“Well, then, would you like to go out? On Friday? With me?”
Jenny laughed a little. “I’d love to,” she said.
“Good. That’s, that’s great. I’m sorry, I don’t do this often.” Oliver blushed.
“It’s alright.” Little J kissed his cheek and started down the sidewalk. “See you tomorrow!” she called over her shoulder.
“I’ll call you!” Oliver said back. Sighing, he watched her go, before heading in the opposite direction.
Spotted: One Constance Billiard girl heading Brooklyn’s way. One St. Jude’s boy heading polar opposite; high end Manhattan. This is déjà vu all over again; anyone remember Dan and Serena?
We only hope the best will come for these two; but maybe not every relationship works out as perfectly as with D and S. But wait; actually, I hope it won’t work out. Darena is so sweet and perfect; it’s starting to get boring. Our little Upper East Side needs some excitement, and I’m sure so does Brooklyn. Vanessa’s flying under the radar again, planning her next attack. Can’t wait, V. You know we love you. Well, sort of.
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Nate met with Vanessa at 3:45 near the park to discuss what they were going to do. When they’d agreed on the plan, Nate went to meet Serena. Vanessa followed closely behind with her camera phone ready.
“Hey, Serena,” Nate said, approaching the bench she was sitting on.
“Hi.”
“Um, thanks for meeting me here.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nate sat down beside her. “So,” he said a little nervously, “I’m sorry about last night and everything. I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.”
Serena just looked at him,
“And,” Nate continued, “I’ve realized that we can never be together, but I just needed you to know how I felt so we could both move on. I wasn’t expecting you to say it back, either.”
“Good. Because, I’m sorry, Nate, but I’m with Dan, and it would just be too hard to ever be with you.” Serena looked at little sympathetic. Nate sighed.
“I understand. You love him, not me.”
“I never said I loved him,” Serena said suddenly. “I just care about him, and respect him too much to do anything behind his back.” Serena stood up. Nate did too.
“Well, why do things behind his back? I mean, it is possible to do things openly.”
Quickly, before Serena had a chance to reply, Nate grabbed her and kissed her. With his strong, muscular arms, he held her tight against him, his hands wrapped around her waist.
Serena struggled, but it was no use. He had a good hold on her, and he wasn’t letting go. When Nate finally released her, Serena was out of breath.
“Nate!” was all she could manage.
N smiled. “Why, Serena! I didn’t think you felt that strongly about me.”
“What are you talking about?” Serena looked shocked.
“I’ll call you later.” Nate smiled and walked away, leaving Serena standing there, astonished.
Once Nate was around the corner, Serena whipped out her cell phone.
“Blair? It’s Serena. Can I come over? It’s important.”
Nate and Vanessa were in V’s house, at the computer. They had uploaded the picture Vanessa had taken onto the computer, and were about to start work on it.
On the screen was a perfectly angled photo of Nate and Serena in the park, kissing. Of course, it was obvious that Nate had been the one doing the kissing, as he was the one holding her in.
“We can definitely fix this,” Vanessa said, examining the photo.
“How long will it take?” Nate asked.
“Probably a few hours. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
“Awesome. Make sure it looks believable.”
“Of course.”
After Nate left, Vanessa started work on the picture. Tsk, tsk, Serena, she thought to herself as she began clicking. Aren’t we unfaithful? But don’t worry; that won’t be much of a problem for long.
“And so then he just let go! I was so confused!” Serena chugged the rest of her coffee.
“And then what did he do?”
“He ran off.”
“Hmm…” Blair was scanning the Gossip Girl web site. “That’s very strange. And I can’t believe Gossip Girl hasn’t heard about him confessing his love to you yet. She needs to get with the program.”
“You know, I’d prefer it if she didn’t.” Serena went to pour herself some more coffee. “Our lives would be so much easier without our own personal paparazzi.”
“Amen to that,” Blair agreed. “But I guess GG doesn’t have much of a life, so she spends her days pursuing ours.”
“Well, at least we’re like the celebrities of the Upper East Side.”
“Honey, we’re like the queens of the Upper East Side. And this beautiful city of ours,”–Blair waved her hands in the air, gesturing around her—“is our castle.”
“I thought the Palace was our castle.”
“No, dear, the Palace is our palace.”
“It’s more like Chuck’s palace.”
“Serena, don’t turn this conversation into a scene out of Gilmore Girls.”
“Sorry,” Serena said, laughing. “But Lorelai would be proud."
Nate met with Vanessa at 3:45 near the park to discuss what they were going to do. When they’d agreed on the plan, Nate went to meet Serena. Vanessa followed closely behind with her camera phone ready.
“Hey, Serena,” Nate said, approaching the bench she was sitting on.
“Hi.”
“Um, thanks for meeting me here.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nate sat down beside her. “So,” he said a little nervously, “I’m sorry about last night and everything. I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.”
Serena just looked at him,
“And,” Nate continued, “I’ve realized that we can never be together, but I just needed you to know how I felt so we could both move on. I wasn’t expecting you to say it back, either.”
“Good. Because, I’m sorry, Nate, but I’m with Dan, and it would just be too hard to ever be with you.” Serena looked at little sympathetic. Nate sighed.
“I understand. You love him, not me.”
“I never said I loved him,” Serena said suddenly. “I just care about him, and respect him too much to do anything behind his back.” Serena stood up. Nate did too.
“Well, why do things behind his back? I mean, it is possible to do things openly.”
Quickly, before Serena had a chance to reply, Nate grabbed her and kissed her. With his strong, muscular arms, he held her tight against him, his hands wrapped around her waist.
Serena struggled, but it was no use. He had a good hold on her, and he wasn’t letting go. When Nate finally released her, Serena was out of breath.
“Nate!” was all she could manage.
N smiled. “Why, Serena! I didn’t think you felt that strongly about me.”
“What are you talking about?” Serena looked shocked.
“I’ll call you later.” Nate smiled and walked away, leaving Serena standing there, astonished.
Once Nate was around the corner, Serena whipped out her cell phone.
“Blair? It’s Serena. Can I come over? It’s important.”
Nate and Vanessa were in V’s house, at the computer. They had uploaded the picture Vanessa had taken onto the computer, and were about to start work on it.
On the screen was a perfectly angled photo of Nate and Serena in the park, kissing. Of course, it was obvious that Nate had been the one doing the kissing, as he was the one holding her in.
“We can definitely fix this,” Vanessa said, examining the photo.
“How long will it take?” Nate asked.
“Probably a few hours. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
“Awesome. Make sure it looks believable.”
“Of course.”
After Nate left, Vanessa started work on the picture. Tsk, tsk, Serena, she thought to herself as she began clicking. Aren’t we unfaithful? But don’t worry; that won’t be much of a problem for long.
“And so then he just let go! I was so confused!” Serena chugged the rest of her coffee.
“And then what did he do?”
“He ran off.”
“Hmm…” Blair was scanning the Gossip Girl web site. “That’s very strange. And I can’t believe Gossip Girl hasn’t heard about him confessing his love to you yet. She needs to get with the program.”
“You know, I’d prefer it if she didn’t.” Serena went to pour herself some more coffee. “Our lives would be so much easier without our own personal paparazzi.”
“Amen to that,” Blair agreed. “But I guess GG doesn’t have much of a life, so she spends her days pursuing ours.”
“Well, at least we’re like the celebrities of the Upper East Side.”
“Honey, we’re like the queens of the Upper East Side. And this beautiful city of ours,”–Blair waved her hands in the air, gesturing around her—“is our castle.”
“I thought the Palace was our castle.”
“No, dear, the Palace is our palace.”
“It’s more like Chuck’s palace.”
“Serena, don’t turn this conversation into a scene out of Gilmore Girls.”
“Sorry,” Serena said, laughing. “But Lorelai would be proud."
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
A Waldorf dinner party is never boring; Blair makes sure of that. She was seen sneaking upstairs to her room on many occasions, and so was Chuck Bass. Hmm. I wonder what they could be hiding… All I know is that it probably won’t please a certain Nate Archibald.
However, Blair wasn’t the only one spicing up the night. Little Jenny Humphrey, our favourite wannabe, was spotted chatting it up with hunky St. Jude’s sophomore, Oliver Jacobs. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with those two; we’re pretty sure he doesn’t know that Little J isn’t exactly a wealthy Upper East Sider. And considering that Oliver is one of the richest 15 year olds in Manhattan, Jenny won’t be that thrilled to tell him.
N was seen strolling the sidewalks with a mysterious girl. Some say she’s Lonely Boy’s little friend, Vanessa Abrams. But whoever it is, we’re sure Nate had a pretty good reason to ditch Blair’s party for her.
And SVDW? Well, she was pretty teared up after going out for some fresh air. Something about a forbidden love, we hear. We’re all waiting on the edge of our seats to see what happens next.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Nate sighed. He was in Chuck’s hotel room, lying on the couch, searching through the contacts list on his cell phone. He stared at Serena’s number.
It was noon, the day after Blair’s dinner party. Nate had spent a while talking to Vanessa about how they were going to go about splitting up D and S the previous night. All N had to do was go and tell Dan that Serena was in love with him, and provide some proof. Of course, the proof would be hard to get, considering that Serena probably didn’t ever want to see him again. But all Nate needed was one kiss, and a whole lot of Photoshop.
Finally, Nate dialled Serena’s number. She picked up on the second ring. “Hi, Serena, it’s Nate.” There was silence on the other end. Nate continued. “Um, look, I know you probably don’t want to see me right now, but I just think that we really need to talk.”
There was another pause before Serena finally replied. “What’s there to talk about?”
“Well, you know, just about us. I mean, if we can’t ever be together, we should at least try and be friends. I’d really like to stay friends, Serena.”
Serena sighed. “Fine. Meet me at the park by the hotel at four.”
She hung up.
Nate stared at his cell phone. Well, at least phase one was completed. But the next part would be much more difficult.
Do these diamonds match the embroidery on this blouse?
Blair was sitting at her vanity desk, trying to find accessories to go with the new outfit she had bought a few days ago. She was holding Chuck’s necklace up to her neck, comparing it with one of her favourite pearl chains. Laying the necklace back down beside the pearls, she sighed.
Blair’s bedroom door opened suddenly.
“Don’t you ever knock?” Blair said once she saw who it was.
“Knocking is so predictable.” Chuck smiled as he walked over to her. “Besides, the maid knew I came in. Isn’t that good enough?”
“Not really. What if I had been changing in here?” Blair put the necklaces away.
“All the better.” Chuck grinned devilishly. B rolled her eyes.
“So,” she asked, “on what special occasion have you arrived today?”
“No occasion,” Chuck said defensively. “Can’t a guy just come and visit the girl he’s having a secret affair with on any random morning?”
“First of all, no, and second of all, it’s not a secret affair. A lot of people know. And I don’t really care if a lot of people know, because eventually they’re gonna find out anyway. What I’m worried about is Nate.”
“You know, the longer we hide it from him, the more pissed off he’s gonna be when he finds out.”
Blair sighed. “I know. I just want him to like, die, or something, so we wouldn’t have to tell him.”
“That could be arranged…” Chuck said thoughtfully. Blair laughed a little.
“I’m sick of worrying about him, though. I’m sick of having to sneak around with you because of him. Sometimes, I just wanna kiss you in front of him so it’s over with, and then just tell him all about it.”
“But you know he’ll blame me. And I know the guy’s kind of, well, I won’t say sleazy because that would be hypocritical, so, messed up, but that doesn’t mean I want to end our friendship. I mean, I’m like the only friend he has.”
Blair laughed. “Yeah, he’d be a real loser without you.”
“Everyone in this city would be.” He smiled at Blair. “But I agree, I’m really tired of him, too. And talking about him. So let’s do something else.”
Blair raised her eyebrows at him. “Oh, and what do you have in mind, Bass?”
Chuck grinned at her. “I think you very well know what I have in mind,” he said as he scooped her up in his arms and tossed her onto the bed. Laughing, Blair got a hold of his tie and pulled him down on top of her.
And we all know what happens next.
A Waldorf dinner party is never boring; Blair makes sure of that. She was seen sneaking upstairs to her room on many occasions, and so was Chuck Bass. Hmm. I wonder what they could be hiding… All I know is that it probably won’t please a certain Nate Archibald.
However, Blair wasn’t the only one spicing up the night. Little Jenny Humphrey, our favourite wannabe, was spotted chatting it up with hunky St. Jude’s sophomore, Oliver Jacobs. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with those two; we’re pretty sure he doesn’t know that Little J isn’t exactly a wealthy Upper East Sider. And considering that Oliver is one of the richest 15 year olds in Manhattan, Jenny won’t be that thrilled to tell him.
N was seen strolling the sidewalks with a mysterious girl. Some say she’s Lonely Boy’s little friend, Vanessa Abrams. But whoever it is, we’re sure Nate had a pretty good reason to ditch Blair’s party for her.
And SVDW? Well, she was pretty teared up after going out for some fresh air. Something about a forbidden love, we hear. We’re all waiting on the edge of our seats to see what happens next.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Nate sighed. He was in Chuck’s hotel room, lying on the couch, searching through the contacts list on his cell phone. He stared at Serena’s number.
It was noon, the day after Blair’s dinner party. Nate had spent a while talking to Vanessa about how they were going to go about splitting up D and S the previous night. All N had to do was go and tell Dan that Serena was in love with him, and provide some proof. Of course, the proof would be hard to get, considering that Serena probably didn’t ever want to see him again. But all Nate needed was one kiss, and a whole lot of Photoshop.
Finally, Nate dialled Serena’s number. She picked up on the second ring. “Hi, Serena, it’s Nate.” There was silence on the other end. Nate continued. “Um, look, I know you probably don’t want to see me right now, but I just think that we really need to talk.”
There was another pause before Serena finally replied. “What’s there to talk about?”
“Well, you know, just about us. I mean, if we can’t ever be together, we should at least try and be friends. I’d really like to stay friends, Serena.”
Serena sighed. “Fine. Meet me at the park by the hotel at four.”
She hung up.
Nate stared at his cell phone. Well, at least phase one was completed. But the next part would be much more difficult.
Do these diamonds match the embroidery on this blouse?
Blair was sitting at her vanity desk, trying to find accessories to go with the new outfit she had bought a few days ago. She was holding Chuck’s necklace up to her neck, comparing it with one of her favourite pearl chains. Laying the necklace back down beside the pearls, she sighed.
Blair’s bedroom door opened suddenly.
“Don’t you ever knock?” Blair said once she saw who it was.
“Knocking is so predictable.” Chuck smiled as he walked over to her. “Besides, the maid knew I came in. Isn’t that good enough?”
“Not really. What if I had been changing in here?” Blair put the necklaces away.
“All the better.” Chuck grinned devilishly. B rolled her eyes.
“So,” she asked, “on what special occasion have you arrived today?”
“No occasion,” Chuck said defensively. “Can’t a guy just come and visit the girl he’s having a secret affair with on any random morning?”
“First of all, no, and second of all, it’s not a secret affair. A lot of people know. And I don’t really care if a lot of people know, because eventually they’re gonna find out anyway. What I’m worried about is Nate.”
“You know, the longer we hide it from him, the more pissed off he’s gonna be when he finds out.”
Blair sighed. “I know. I just want him to like, die, or something, so we wouldn’t have to tell him.”
“That could be arranged…” Chuck said thoughtfully. Blair laughed a little.
“I’m sick of worrying about him, though. I’m sick of having to sneak around with you because of him. Sometimes, I just wanna kiss you in front of him so it’s over with, and then just tell him all about it.”
“But you know he’ll blame me. And I know the guy’s kind of, well, I won’t say sleazy because that would be hypocritical, so, messed up, but that doesn’t mean I want to end our friendship. I mean, I’m like the only friend he has.”
Blair laughed. “Yeah, he’d be a real loser without you.”
“Everyone in this city would be.” He smiled at Blair. “But I agree, I’m really tired of him, too. And talking about him. So let’s do something else.”
Blair raised her eyebrows at him. “Oh, and what do you have in mind, Bass?”
Chuck grinned at her. “I think you very well know what I have in mind,” he said as he scooped her up in his arms and tossed her onto the bed. Laughing, Blair got a hold of his tie and pulled him down on top of her.
And we all know what happens next.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Chapter 24 -Part 3
Chapter 24
Part 3
A teary-eyed Serena burst into the penthouse, and pulled Blair from her fans. Bringing her upstairs, S told her best friend everything. Blair just sat there, soaking up every word. When Serena had finished, Blair didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry,” S said, anxious for Blair to respond.
“Quite frankly, I’m not surprised,” B said finally. “A part of me always knew he would never get over you. But it doesn’t matter to me, because we’re over and I never wish to have to say another word to him for as long as I live. But what are you going to do about it?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Serena said honestly. “I mean, I don’t know what to tell him. I’m with Dan, and I swear on my life I’ll never be with Nate. But I suppose I’ll have to talk to him eventually.”
At that moment, the door to Blair’s room opened, and Chuck slowly came in. “Are you okay?” he asked Serena.
“Yeah, I’m alright. I mean, Nate Archibald just confessed his love to me, but I tried to play it cool.” Chuck laughed a little and came to sit with them.
“Yep, that guy’s been on you for a while now.”
“I kind of guessed that.” Serena smiled a little sorrowfully.
“I should have paid more attention to it,” Blair said, playing with Chuck’s fingers. “It was there to see all along.”
“Well, the important thing is that now everyone knows, and you’ll just have to find a way to deal with this, Serena.”
“Can’t you have him move to Vermont?” S asked desperately. “And maybe take Vanessa back with him?”
“I wish,” Chuck said, rubbing Blair’s palm. “I know he’s supposed to be my best friend, but it would be much easier to deal with this whole ‘I stole Blair’ thing if he was dead or something. I mean, he’s the only one who doesn’t know by now, and eventually someone’ll tell him, and then his fist will have a seizure all over my face.”
The girls laughed. “Yeah, well, at least the scars will bring down your ego a bit.”
“I doubt it. Scars are hot. I’ll just tell people I got in a motorcycle accident.”
Blair looked at him. “In Manhattan?”
“Hey, it happens,” Chuck insisted. They all laughed.
“Well, I think I’ll just head home.” Serena went to get up, but Blair stopped her.
“Why? The night’s still young, and I doubt Nate will show up after what happened.”
“I guess you’re right,” Serena said slowly. “I’ll just hang out with you and Jenny for a while.”
“Okay. Hey, we’ll meet you down there, okay?” Blair winked at her.
Serena rolled her eyes. “You two are disgusting,” she said, laughing.
“Close the door on your way out,” Chuck called after her as he pushed Blair onto the bed. Laughing, Blair reached up and kissed him.
Shortly after Serena had arrived downstairs, Jenny was whisked off by some sophomore from St. Jude’s. They had talked a lot, and laughed a lot, and Jenny was really having fun. The guy was only slightly taller than she was, with curly light brown hair and emerald green eyes. His name was Oliver Jacobs, and he was extremely loaded.
“So you and Blair are good friends then?” Oliver asked as he handed her a virgin cocktail.
“Um, yeah, pretty good friends. But our relationship’s kind of been rocky lately.” She daintily sipped the fruity drink.
“From what I’ve heard, all of Blair’s relationships are rocky.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “Besides, of course, the one with her boyfriend.”
Jenny looked at him anxiously. Which boyfriend was he talking about? Was he thinking of Nate, or was ‘Chair’ not that big a secret after all?
“Nate? Nate Archibald?” Oliver looked a little confused.
“Oh, um, yes, that boyfriend. Actually, they split up a while ago.”
“Oh. Well, my sympathies to Blair.” Jenny, not wanting to explain that Blair had been the one to dump Nate, and then explain further about B’s latest beau, just smiled and sipped her drink.
“Well, it’s getting kind of late, and I have a charity drive in the morning, so I should be heading off. Would you do me the honour of giving me your phone number?”
“Of course,” Jenny said, trying her best to sound ladylike. She wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it to him.
“Excellent. See you on Monday.” Oliver kissed her cheek, and said goodbye as he headed towards the door.
Jenny sighed. Oliver was smart, funny, handsome, and was interested in her. Little J reran their whole conversation through her mind. He’s sweet, too, she thought. How nice of him to help with a charity drive.
Smiling, J headed back towards her friends. Maybe Blair didn’t have to be her only way into the Upper East Side after all. And of course, Jenny could do with someone to keep her mind off of Nate.
Part 3
A teary-eyed Serena burst into the penthouse, and pulled Blair from her fans. Bringing her upstairs, S told her best friend everything. Blair just sat there, soaking up every word. When Serena had finished, Blair didn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry,” S said, anxious for Blair to respond.
“Quite frankly, I’m not surprised,” B said finally. “A part of me always knew he would never get over you. But it doesn’t matter to me, because we’re over and I never wish to have to say another word to him for as long as I live. But what are you going to do about it?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Serena said honestly. “I mean, I don’t know what to tell him. I’m with Dan, and I swear on my life I’ll never be with Nate. But I suppose I’ll have to talk to him eventually.”
At that moment, the door to Blair’s room opened, and Chuck slowly came in. “Are you okay?” he asked Serena.
“Yeah, I’m alright. I mean, Nate Archibald just confessed his love to me, but I tried to play it cool.” Chuck laughed a little and came to sit with them.
“Yep, that guy’s been on you for a while now.”
“I kind of guessed that.” Serena smiled a little sorrowfully.
“I should have paid more attention to it,” Blair said, playing with Chuck’s fingers. “It was there to see all along.”
“Well, the important thing is that now everyone knows, and you’ll just have to find a way to deal with this, Serena.”
“Can’t you have him move to Vermont?” S asked desperately. “And maybe take Vanessa back with him?”
“I wish,” Chuck said, rubbing Blair’s palm. “I know he’s supposed to be my best friend, but it would be much easier to deal with this whole ‘I stole Blair’ thing if he was dead or something. I mean, he’s the only one who doesn’t know by now, and eventually someone’ll tell him, and then his fist will have a seizure all over my face.”
The girls laughed. “Yeah, well, at least the scars will bring down your ego a bit.”
“I doubt it. Scars are hot. I’ll just tell people I got in a motorcycle accident.”
Blair looked at him. “In Manhattan?”
“Hey, it happens,” Chuck insisted. They all laughed.
“Well, I think I’ll just head home.” Serena went to get up, but Blair stopped her.
“Why? The night’s still young, and I doubt Nate will show up after what happened.”
“I guess you’re right,” Serena said slowly. “I’ll just hang out with you and Jenny for a while.”
“Okay. Hey, we’ll meet you down there, okay?” Blair winked at her.
Serena rolled her eyes. “You two are disgusting,” she said, laughing.
“Close the door on your way out,” Chuck called after her as he pushed Blair onto the bed. Laughing, Blair reached up and kissed him.
Shortly after Serena had arrived downstairs, Jenny was whisked off by some sophomore from St. Jude’s. They had talked a lot, and laughed a lot, and Jenny was really having fun. The guy was only slightly taller than she was, with curly light brown hair and emerald green eyes. His name was Oliver Jacobs, and he was extremely loaded.
“So you and Blair are good friends then?” Oliver asked as he handed her a virgin cocktail.
“Um, yeah, pretty good friends. But our relationship’s kind of been rocky lately.” She daintily sipped the fruity drink.
“From what I’ve heard, all of Blair’s relationships are rocky.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “Besides, of course, the one with her boyfriend.”
Jenny looked at him anxiously. Which boyfriend was he talking about? Was he thinking of Nate, or was ‘Chair’ not that big a secret after all?
“Nate? Nate Archibald?” Oliver looked a little confused.
“Oh, um, yes, that boyfriend. Actually, they split up a while ago.”
“Oh. Well, my sympathies to Blair.” Jenny, not wanting to explain that Blair had been the one to dump Nate, and then explain further about B’s latest beau, just smiled and sipped her drink.
“Well, it’s getting kind of late, and I have a charity drive in the morning, so I should be heading off. Would you do me the honour of giving me your phone number?”
“Of course,” Jenny said, trying her best to sound ladylike. She wrote it on a slip of paper and handed it to him.
“Excellent. See you on Monday.” Oliver kissed her cheek, and said goodbye as he headed towards the door.
Jenny sighed. Oliver was smart, funny, handsome, and was interested in her. Little J reran their whole conversation through her mind. He’s sweet, too, she thought. How nice of him to help with a charity drive.
Smiling, J headed back towards her friends. Maybe Blair didn’t have to be her only way into the Upper East Side after all. And of course, Jenny could do with someone to keep her mind off of Nate.
Chapter 24 -Part 2
Chapter 24
Part 2
Finally, Nate arrived. His mother had come much earlier, but N was nervous. Walking slowly into the foyer, Nate walked over to Chuck.
“Where’s Blair?” he asked desperately. Chuck, without a word, pointed across the room. Jenny, Is, Kati, Blair, and Serena were all sitting on the penthouse stairs, laughing. Cocktails were scattered on the steps.
Nate walked closer, but noticed Serena first. She captured his attention with her smiling face and beautiful outfit. Her dress was short, and a deep purple with black sequins lining the straps and neck. The long V-Neck was met by a shimmery black band below the bust line, and the skirt of the dress flowed out. When S laughed, she tossed her head, her long blonde hair flowing out and cascading down her back.
Nate stared in awe at her. He barely noticed Blair’s designer snow white dress and expensive pearl accessories. At that moment, he finally realized that all this time, he was only pretending to love Blair. He needed to pretend, or he would lose her. But Serena was the real girl he wanted, and no other girl, not even Blair Waldorf, could measure up.
Chuck sauntered over to him, holding a drink, and followed Nate’s gaze.
“She’s beautiful,” Nate whispered.
Again, Chuck asked, “Which one?” N turned his head to his best friend. But this time, his eyes were clear with knowledge.
“Serena,” he said, turning back to the girls. “It’s always been Serena.”
After many journeys upstairs for secret make out sessions with Chuck, Blair finally returned to being the life of the party. She was enjoying the attention, and was glad Serena was being careful not to take it from her.
B had done her best to avoid N whenever he kept walking towards her, but when Blair was telling a story in the middle of the room, he squeezed his way into the crowd and led Serena out.
“Come outside with me,” he told her, being careful not to say it too loudly. Serena began to protest, but Nate interrupted her. “Blair won’t notice if you’re gone. And I really need to talk to you.”
Finally, Serena sighed, and agreed. Nate left first, and Serena slipped out after him a few moments later.
When they met outside of Blair’s building, Nate looked relieved. He could feel the tension when Blair ignored him, and there was fresh air outside. And, there was Serena van der Woodsen, of course.
“Serena, there’s something I have to tell you.” He led her down the steps and under the light of a street lamp.
“What is it, Nate?” Serena asked, sounding tired. “I already told you, Blair isn’t interested.”
“No, I… it’s not about Blair,” he said slowly. “Serena, it’s taken me a while to realize this, but…”
“But what?” Serena looked irritated. “Can we hurry this along? It’s getting cold out here.” She rubbed her bare arms.
“Serena…” Nate took a deep breath. “I love you.”
S laughed a little. “You’re kidding, right?” N looked down at the pavement below them.
“Oh my god,” Serena whispered. “Nate, no. You can’t.”
He looked up at her, his eyes intense with hurt. “I can’t help the way I feel, Serena. But everything about you, I just can’t resist it. I love you, and I just can’t keep it from you any longer.” S stared at him, not knowing what to say.
“Nate…” Serena began, but N interrupted her again.
“And you can’t use the Blair excuse anymore. You said yourself it’s over.”
“This isn’t just about Blair. Well, I mean it is, but that’s not all. I mean, there’s Dan, my boyfriend, and second, I can never be with you. I just can’t.”
Nate gave her a sceptical look. “You did it once already.”
“That doesn’t count!” Serena insisted. “We were both drunk and stupid, and you’d have to be insane to think that’s love.”
N licked his lips, not knowing what to say next. “Serena, this isn’t just about that one night. It’s about every time I see you, every time I touch you. I’ve been denying it for so long, but now I finally have to face it. And you do, too. I’m in love with you, and I know that you’re the one for me.”
A tear rolled down Serena’s cheek. “I have to go,” she said, her voice shaking. “Blair’s probably wondering where I am.” S ran up the steps and rushed into the building. Nate called after her, but every time he said her name, she just ran faster.
When she was gone, Nate sighed and went back outside. He couldn’t go back to the party. His evening was ruined. Sitting down on the building steps, he put his head in his hands.
Suddenly, a figure in a long blue coat appeared before him. “I couldn’t help but notice what just happened,” the person said, sitting down next to Nate. “And I know how to make her yours.”
Nate looked up at the person. He’d seen her before. “Oh, yeah? And how is that?” he asked doubtfully.
“By getting rid of a certain Dan Humphrey, of course.” Nate stared at the girl. Then he remembered who she was; that friend of Dan’s, Vanessa Abrams.
“Keep talking,” he said, giving her his full attention.
“All you have to do is tell Dan about what happened tonight. Only, of course, make it so the girl was the one in love with you. When he realizes what his little girlfriend has done to him, they’ll break up, and he’ll never trust her again. And with Dan out of the picture, you have a perfect chance at her.”
Nate sat, thinking about what Vanessa had just said. Her plan could work. But he knew she wanted something out of it, too. “And what’s in it for you?” he asked.
“Well, you can have Serena, and I’ll take Dan. He’ll never believe me if I was to tell him what happened, but he might listen to you.”
“So, we break them up, I take S, and you have the boy?”
“Precisely. It’s a win-win for all of us; we both know those two don’t belong together, and never will. So, Mr. Archibald, do we have a deal?” Vanessa held out her hand, looking at him hopefully.
Nate reached for her hand, and shook it. “Deal.”
Part 2
Finally, Nate arrived. His mother had come much earlier, but N was nervous. Walking slowly into the foyer, Nate walked over to Chuck.
“Where’s Blair?” he asked desperately. Chuck, without a word, pointed across the room. Jenny, Is, Kati, Blair, and Serena were all sitting on the penthouse stairs, laughing. Cocktails were scattered on the steps.
Nate walked closer, but noticed Serena first. She captured his attention with her smiling face and beautiful outfit. Her dress was short, and a deep purple with black sequins lining the straps and neck. The long V-Neck was met by a shimmery black band below the bust line, and the skirt of the dress flowed out. When S laughed, she tossed her head, her long blonde hair flowing out and cascading down her back.
Nate stared in awe at her. He barely noticed Blair’s designer snow white dress and expensive pearl accessories. At that moment, he finally realized that all this time, he was only pretending to love Blair. He needed to pretend, or he would lose her. But Serena was the real girl he wanted, and no other girl, not even Blair Waldorf, could measure up.
Chuck sauntered over to him, holding a drink, and followed Nate’s gaze.
“She’s beautiful,” Nate whispered.
Again, Chuck asked, “Which one?” N turned his head to his best friend. But this time, his eyes were clear with knowledge.
“Serena,” he said, turning back to the girls. “It’s always been Serena.”
After many journeys upstairs for secret make out sessions with Chuck, Blair finally returned to being the life of the party. She was enjoying the attention, and was glad Serena was being careful not to take it from her.
B had done her best to avoid N whenever he kept walking towards her, but when Blair was telling a story in the middle of the room, he squeezed his way into the crowd and led Serena out.
“Come outside with me,” he told her, being careful not to say it too loudly. Serena began to protest, but Nate interrupted her. “Blair won’t notice if you’re gone. And I really need to talk to you.”
Finally, Serena sighed, and agreed. Nate left first, and Serena slipped out after him a few moments later.
When they met outside of Blair’s building, Nate looked relieved. He could feel the tension when Blair ignored him, and there was fresh air outside. And, there was Serena van der Woodsen, of course.
“Serena, there’s something I have to tell you.” He led her down the steps and under the light of a street lamp.
“What is it, Nate?” Serena asked, sounding tired. “I already told you, Blair isn’t interested.”
“No, I… it’s not about Blair,” he said slowly. “Serena, it’s taken me a while to realize this, but…”
“But what?” Serena looked irritated. “Can we hurry this along? It’s getting cold out here.” She rubbed her bare arms.
“Serena…” Nate took a deep breath. “I love you.”
S laughed a little. “You’re kidding, right?” N looked down at the pavement below them.
“Oh my god,” Serena whispered. “Nate, no. You can’t.”
He looked up at her, his eyes intense with hurt. “I can’t help the way I feel, Serena. But everything about you, I just can’t resist it. I love you, and I just can’t keep it from you any longer.” S stared at him, not knowing what to say.
“Nate…” Serena began, but N interrupted her again.
“And you can’t use the Blair excuse anymore. You said yourself it’s over.”
“This isn’t just about Blair. Well, I mean it is, but that’s not all. I mean, there’s Dan, my boyfriend, and second, I can never be with you. I just can’t.”
Nate gave her a sceptical look. “You did it once already.”
“That doesn’t count!” Serena insisted. “We were both drunk and stupid, and you’d have to be insane to think that’s love.”
N licked his lips, not knowing what to say next. “Serena, this isn’t just about that one night. It’s about every time I see you, every time I touch you. I’ve been denying it for so long, but now I finally have to face it. And you do, too. I’m in love with you, and I know that you’re the one for me.”
A tear rolled down Serena’s cheek. “I have to go,” she said, her voice shaking. “Blair’s probably wondering where I am.” S ran up the steps and rushed into the building. Nate called after her, but every time he said her name, she just ran faster.
When she was gone, Nate sighed and went back outside. He couldn’t go back to the party. His evening was ruined. Sitting down on the building steps, he put his head in his hands.
Suddenly, a figure in a long blue coat appeared before him. “I couldn’t help but notice what just happened,” the person said, sitting down next to Nate. “And I know how to make her yours.”
Nate looked up at the person. He’d seen her before. “Oh, yeah? And how is that?” he asked doubtfully.
“By getting rid of a certain Dan Humphrey, of course.” Nate stared at the girl. Then he remembered who she was; that friend of Dan’s, Vanessa Abrams.
“Keep talking,” he said, giving her his full attention.
“All you have to do is tell Dan about what happened tonight. Only, of course, make it so the girl was the one in love with you. When he realizes what his little girlfriend has done to him, they’ll break up, and he’ll never trust her again. And with Dan out of the picture, you have a perfect chance at her.”
Nate sat, thinking about what Vanessa had just said. Her plan could work. But he knew she wanted something out of it, too. “And what’s in it for you?” he asked.
“Well, you can have Serena, and I’ll take Dan. He’ll never believe me if I was to tell him what happened, but he might listen to you.”
“So, we break them up, I take S, and you have the boy?”
“Precisely. It’s a win-win for all of us; we both know those two don’t belong together, and never will. So, Mr. Archibald, do we have a deal?” Vanessa held out her hand, looking at him hopefully.
Nate reached for her hand, and shook it. “Deal.”
Chapter 24 -Part 1
Chapter 24
Part 1
Blair slipped gracefully down the stairs, entering the foyer. The maids and waiters were in a frenzy, putting the finishing touches on everything.
The foyer had been laid with elegant little tables and fruity drink bars. The room was colourful and bright, with an abundance of flowers: yellow roses, pink tulips, and white hydrangeas, all in extravagant bouquets. Half of the maids were dashing in and out of the kitchen, bringing trays to the buffet, while the other half were rushing around, setting every table and adjusting the centerpieces.
Running her hands across the smooth, white tablecloth, B glided towards her mother, who was barking last-minute orders at the staff. Noticing her daughter, Eleanor smiled, pleased.
“You look lovely, dear.”
“Thank you.” Blair smiled she adjusted the pearly white bow in her hair. “When will the guests start arriving?”
“In a few minutes. I was just making sure everything is perfect.”
“Of course.” Blair noticed the buzzing of her tiny handbag. Removing her cell phone, she excused herself. It was a text from Chuck.
Looking forward 2 tonight. ;)
Blair smiled, and quickly texted back: I know. But let’s keep us on the DL; I don’t want N to know just yet.
“Blair! Come over here this instant! Do you think the curtains look better drawn back halfway, or all the way?” Sighing, Blair put away her cell and started back across the foyer to her mother, even though she didn’t think curtains were going to be what would make this night perfect.
“Hey.” Serena stepped into the Humphrey loft, just as Dan reached the door.
“Awesome. You’re here.”
“Here I am.” Serena smiled as she kissed Dan’s cheek. “You ready for tonight?”
“Actually, I needed to talk to you about that. Someone came to the gallery a few weeks ago, and they’re interested in buying a painting. My dad asked me to come and help him make the sale. I hope you understand.”
“Oh, of course. Family first,” Serena said, although looking a little disappointed.
“Hey,” Dan said softly, lifting up her chin. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Giving him a small smile, Serena said, “You better.”
“Plus, I wasn’t that stoked about going to Waldorf’s dinner thing, anyway. Not exactly my scene.”
S laughed. “It’s not really mine either, but I gotta be there for her, you know?” Dan nodded.
“But we’ll just do something later, right?” Serena raised her eyebrows at him, and leaned in for a kiss. It was short, but meaningful.
“Of course,” Dan said, opening the front door. “But I can still drop you off there. I wouldn’t want any random guys hitting on you on your way to Blair’s. After all, you do look fantastic.”
“And you’re Dantastic,” Serena laughed, as he put his hand around her waist.
“Good one,” he said, smiling warmly at her.
Serena had been the first of Blair’s friends to come. There were some adults Mrs. Waldorf had invited, but no one B knew.
S was just telling her best friend about what happened with Dan.
“Wait, so you actually said Dantastic?” Serena laughed, nodding. Blair rolled her eyes. “Gag,” she said, sounding disgusted. “You’re so uncool, S.”
“Dan didn’t seem to mind,” Serena insisted.
“Oh, right, because Dan Humphrey really decides what’s cool.” The girls laughed. The elevator door opened, and more adults came pouring out. When they had all left, Jenny Humphrey slowly emerged from the elevator.
“Jenny!” Blair called as she waved. Smiling shyly, J made her way past the groups of talking people towards their table.
The girls enjoyed talking until Is and Kati showed up, as well as some other kids from Constance Billiard and St. Jude’s. Chuck came after the party was in full swing, and glided his way over to Blair’s table where she was talking to some juniors she had invited. Slipping into the seat beside her, Chuck kissed B’s hand.
“Looking lovely as always, Miss Waldorf,” he said in his gentleman way.
“Why, thank you.” Blair smiled at him.
“Although, I must say, I prefer you in diamonds instead of pearls, for reasons I am sure you are aware.” Giving her his signature smug look, Chuck gestured to the small pearls embroidered on her dress.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know,” Blair said quietly as the juniors moved off, “that I am not as thoughtless with my wardrobe as you would think.” B reached under her collar, pulling out the gorgeous diamond necklace she was wearing underneath. Chuck smiled at her slightly as she tucked it back in.
“Our little secret,” she whispered. Chuck leaned forward.
“Our dirty little secret,” he corrected, running his hand up her thigh under the table. Blair looked into his deep brown eyes, the tiniest smile on her lips. Gracefully, she rose, and walked over to where Serena was talking with Jenny. Turning around just as she reached them, Blair winked at him.
Part 1
Blair slipped gracefully down the stairs, entering the foyer. The maids and waiters were in a frenzy, putting the finishing touches on everything.
The foyer had been laid with elegant little tables and fruity drink bars. The room was colourful and bright, with an abundance of flowers: yellow roses, pink tulips, and white hydrangeas, all in extravagant bouquets. Half of the maids were dashing in and out of the kitchen, bringing trays to the buffet, while the other half were rushing around, setting every table and adjusting the centerpieces.
Running her hands across the smooth, white tablecloth, B glided towards her mother, who was barking last-minute orders at the staff. Noticing her daughter, Eleanor smiled, pleased.
“You look lovely, dear.”
“Thank you.” Blair smiled she adjusted the pearly white bow in her hair. “When will the guests start arriving?”
“In a few minutes. I was just making sure everything is perfect.”
“Of course.” Blair noticed the buzzing of her tiny handbag. Removing her cell phone, she excused herself. It was a text from Chuck.
Looking forward 2 tonight. ;)
Blair smiled, and quickly texted back: I know. But let’s keep us on the DL; I don’t want N to know just yet.
“Blair! Come over here this instant! Do you think the curtains look better drawn back halfway, or all the way?” Sighing, Blair put away her cell and started back across the foyer to her mother, even though she didn’t think curtains were going to be what would make this night perfect.
“Hey.” Serena stepped into the Humphrey loft, just as Dan reached the door.
“Awesome. You’re here.”
“Here I am.” Serena smiled as she kissed Dan’s cheek. “You ready for tonight?”
“Actually, I needed to talk to you about that. Someone came to the gallery a few weeks ago, and they’re interested in buying a painting. My dad asked me to come and help him make the sale. I hope you understand.”
“Oh, of course. Family first,” Serena said, although looking a little disappointed.
“Hey,” Dan said softly, lifting up her chin. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Giving him a small smile, Serena said, “You better.”
“Plus, I wasn’t that stoked about going to Waldorf’s dinner thing, anyway. Not exactly my scene.”
S laughed. “It’s not really mine either, but I gotta be there for her, you know?” Dan nodded.
“But we’ll just do something later, right?” Serena raised her eyebrows at him, and leaned in for a kiss. It was short, but meaningful.
“Of course,” Dan said, opening the front door. “But I can still drop you off there. I wouldn’t want any random guys hitting on you on your way to Blair’s. After all, you do look fantastic.”
“And you’re Dantastic,” Serena laughed, as he put his hand around her waist.
“Good one,” he said, smiling warmly at her.
Serena had been the first of Blair’s friends to come. There were some adults Mrs. Waldorf had invited, but no one B knew.
S was just telling her best friend about what happened with Dan.
“Wait, so you actually said Dantastic?” Serena laughed, nodding. Blair rolled her eyes. “Gag,” she said, sounding disgusted. “You’re so uncool, S.”
“Dan didn’t seem to mind,” Serena insisted.
“Oh, right, because Dan Humphrey really decides what’s cool.” The girls laughed. The elevator door opened, and more adults came pouring out. When they had all left, Jenny Humphrey slowly emerged from the elevator.
“Jenny!” Blair called as she waved. Smiling shyly, J made her way past the groups of talking people towards their table.
The girls enjoyed talking until Is and Kati showed up, as well as some other kids from Constance Billiard and St. Jude’s. Chuck came after the party was in full swing, and glided his way over to Blair’s table where she was talking to some juniors she had invited. Slipping into the seat beside her, Chuck kissed B’s hand.
“Looking lovely as always, Miss Waldorf,” he said in his gentleman way.
“Why, thank you.” Blair smiled at him.
“Although, I must say, I prefer you in diamonds instead of pearls, for reasons I am sure you are aware.” Giving her his signature smug look, Chuck gestured to the small pearls embroidered on her dress.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know,” Blair said quietly as the juniors moved off, “that I am not as thoughtless with my wardrobe as you would think.” B reached under her collar, pulling out the gorgeous diamond necklace she was wearing underneath. Chuck smiled at her slightly as she tucked it back in.
“Our little secret,” she whispered. Chuck leaned forward.
“Our dirty little secret,” he corrected, running his hand up her thigh under the table. Blair looked into his deep brown eyes, the tiniest smile on her lips. Gracefully, she rose, and walked over to where Serena was talking with Jenny. Turning around just as she reached them, Blair winked at him.
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
“Blair, darling, I’m telling you, Nate will simply love you in this dress.” Eleanor walked into the room, carrying a white vintage dress lined with pearls. She held it up in front of Blair as they stood in front of a large mirror.
“I told you already, Mother,” Blair sighed, “Me and Nate broke up. For good.”
Smoothing out the dress, Eleanor said, “Exactly. And this is the perfect way to win him back.”
“But I don’t want him back! I broke up with him! Besides, I already have someone else.”
“Darling, a lady doesn’t run from man to man,” Mrs. Waldorf said, frowning. “It is most…”
“Unladylike?” Blair finished. Her mother nodded, and Blair walked over to her bed. Sitting down, she looked wearily at the white pearled dress. “Mother, I don’t care. I want nothing more to do with Nate Archibald. End of story.”
“Well,” Eleanor said, placing the dress down on a chair, “I suppose it’s a bad thing that Nathaniel will be coming to the dinner party.”
Blair stared at her mother, shocked. “What?”
“Yes. I invited him and his mother over. Mrs. Archibald’s invitation was out of sympathy for her husband, of course, but Nate really wanted to come.”
Blair put a hand to her head and fell backwards into the soft sheets. “Mother…”
“Blair, I will have no more of this nonsense. Nathaniel is coming to this dinner party, and you will be a sweet and courteous hostess. You know what I expect of you, my dear.”
B glared at her mother. Mrs. Waldorf gave her a tight-lipped smile, and handed her the white dress.
“This one, then?”
Sighing, Blair nodded.
“I’m still surprised that Blair agreed to invite me to her party,” Nate said, adjusting his tie. “You know, she’s not a virgin anymore. Well, at least that’s what she told me.”
Chuck and Nate were up in his room, trying on their suits for the dinner party. Chuck had selected a bright red bow tie; the very same one he had worn during a certain first date.
“Maybe she just lied to you,” Chuck said. “You know, she didn’t want to look like a loser in front of you.”
“Maybe...” Nate took out his cell phone. No messages again. “Hey, do you know anything about yesterday? I asked Serena to meet me for lunch, and she never showed.”
“Of course not. But Serena van der Woodsen isn’t the most reliable person in the world.”
“Yeah, but she is pretty hot.” Chuck raised his eyebrows at Nate, who avoided his stare.
“Uh huh,” Chuck said, still looking at Nate. “Sure is.”
“So are you coming with me to Blair’s dinner party?” Serena was in a cab, going to pick up some accessories from Tiffany’s.
“Well, you know how I’m usually against that kind of thing, but sure.” Serena laughed. “Dan, I promise, it won’t be as bad as some of the other parties we’ve been to.”
“Oh, you mean like the Bass Brunch? That was the worst morning of my life.” Serena laughed again.
“Oh, come on, it wasn’t that bad. I mean, besides Blair getting pissed at me, Blair almost telling you about me and Nate, Chuck blurting it out instead, and us breaking up, it was a pretty fun day.”
“Don’t forget the part where I shoved Bass into a waiter. That was my favourite part.”
“Oh, yes, how could I forget? You sure love beating on him, don’t you?”
“Well, anything to protect Jenny.”
“Hmm, yes. But I don’t think you’ll need to protect Jenny from him anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but Chuck kind of has a thing for Blair.”
“You mean, Blair Waldorf? The girlfriend of Chuck Bass’s best friend?”
“Hey, I never said he would stop being himself.”
Dan laughed. “That guy never ceases to amaze.”
Serena smiled. “That’s what everyone says.”
Well, the Waldorfs are hosting a dinner party in a few days, and all our favourite UESers are getting ready for the special night. We hear N was invited, against B’s will. This should be... interesting.
V’s been flying under the radar lately; we’re guessing her next attack on SVDW will be silent and sweet. Well, not for Serena, of course.
And what about our notoriously devilish Chuck Bass? What will he be planning for the evening? Well, we know what he’ll be wearing. And someone should tell him that red bow ties and hydrangea corsages don’t go together.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Blair, darling, I’m telling you, Nate will simply love you in this dress.” Eleanor walked into the room, carrying a white vintage dress lined with pearls. She held it up in front of Blair as they stood in front of a large mirror.
“I told you already, Mother,” Blair sighed, “Me and Nate broke up. For good.”
Smoothing out the dress, Eleanor said, “Exactly. And this is the perfect way to win him back.”
“But I don’t want him back! I broke up with him! Besides, I already have someone else.”
“Darling, a lady doesn’t run from man to man,” Mrs. Waldorf said, frowning. “It is most…”
“Unladylike?” Blair finished. Her mother nodded, and Blair walked over to her bed. Sitting down, she looked wearily at the white pearled dress. “Mother, I don’t care. I want nothing more to do with Nate Archibald. End of story.”
“Well,” Eleanor said, placing the dress down on a chair, “I suppose it’s a bad thing that Nathaniel will be coming to the dinner party.”
Blair stared at her mother, shocked. “What?”
“Yes. I invited him and his mother over. Mrs. Archibald’s invitation was out of sympathy for her husband, of course, but Nate really wanted to come.”
Blair put a hand to her head and fell backwards into the soft sheets. “Mother…”
“Blair, I will have no more of this nonsense. Nathaniel is coming to this dinner party, and you will be a sweet and courteous hostess. You know what I expect of you, my dear.”
B glared at her mother. Mrs. Waldorf gave her a tight-lipped smile, and handed her the white dress.
“This one, then?”
Sighing, Blair nodded.
“I’m still surprised that Blair agreed to invite me to her party,” Nate said, adjusting his tie. “You know, she’s not a virgin anymore. Well, at least that’s what she told me.”
Chuck and Nate were up in his room, trying on their suits for the dinner party. Chuck had selected a bright red bow tie; the very same one he had worn during a certain first date.
“Maybe she just lied to you,” Chuck said. “You know, she didn’t want to look like a loser in front of you.”
“Maybe...” Nate took out his cell phone. No messages again. “Hey, do you know anything about yesterday? I asked Serena to meet me for lunch, and she never showed.”
“Of course not. But Serena van der Woodsen isn’t the most reliable person in the world.”
“Yeah, but she is pretty hot.” Chuck raised his eyebrows at Nate, who avoided his stare.
“Uh huh,” Chuck said, still looking at Nate. “Sure is.”
“So are you coming with me to Blair’s dinner party?” Serena was in a cab, going to pick up some accessories from Tiffany’s.
“Well, you know how I’m usually against that kind of thing, but sure.” Serena laughed. “Dan, I promise, it won’t be as bad as some of the other parties we’ve been to.”
“Oh, you mean like the Bass Brunch? That was the worst morning of my life.” Serena laughed again.
“Oh, come on, it wasn’t that bad. I mean, besides Blair getting pissed at me, Blair almost telling you about me and Nate, Chuck blurting it out instead, and us breaking up, it was a pretty fun day.”
“Don’t forget the part where I shoved Bass into a waiter. That was my favourite part.”
“Oh, yes, how could I forget? You sure love beating on him, don’t you?”
“Well, anything to protect Jenny.”
“Hmm, yes. But I don’t think you’ll need to protect Jenny from him anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but Chuck kind of has a thing for Blair.”
“You mean, Blair Waldorf? The girlfriend of Chuck Bass’s best friend?”
“Hey, I never said he would stop being himself.”
Dan laughed. “That guy never ceases to amaze.”
Serena smiled. “That’s what everyone says.”
Well, the Waldorfs are hosting a dinner party in a few days, and all our favourite UESers are getting ready for the special night. We hear N was invited, against B’s will. This should be... interesting.
V’s been flying under the radar lately; we’re guessing her next attack on SVDW will be silent and sweet. Well, not for Serena, of course.
And what about our notoriously devilish Chuck Bass? What will he be planning for the evening? Well, we know what he’ll be wearing. And someone should tell him that red bow ties and hydrangea corsages don’t go together.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Nate woke up at noon with a spitting headache. After the Jenny ordeal, he had ordered almost as many drinks as Chuck had. After drowning himself in scotch, he had rented a hotel room. Mrs. Archibald wouldn’t have been pleased if Nate had come home.
After taking some aspirin, N checked his phone. No messages. He thought about calling Blair, but decided on Chuck instead.
“Hey, man,” Nate said into his phone. “Quite a night that was.”
“I’ll say.”
“Do you know where Blair went? We kind of broke up.”
“Um, I think she went home. Too heartbroken, you know?”
“Yup. Well, just as long as some other guy didn’t snatch her up.”
There was a pause.
“Speaking of that, everyone’s been talking about the little video of you and a certain Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl,” Chuck said finally.
“Oh yeah, I should probably go and apologize to her. And Blair.”
“Why bother with Blair? You guys broke up. Again. Don’t you think it’s time to just end it for good?”
Nate paused. “Chuck, I love her.”
“Sure. You’re as in love with her as I am,” Chuck said sarcastically, but a little cautiously.
“Whatever. Maybe I can talk to Serena or something.”
There was another pause.
“About Blair, of course,” Nate added. “You know, see if she can help get me and Blair back together.”
“Sure. That’ll work perfectly.”
Nate sighed. More sarcasm. Hanging up, N went to get his coat. Serena’ll help me, he thought to himself. Sure she will; we’re friends. And if anyone knows Blair, it’s Serena van der Woodsen.
Serena rounded a corner and rushed straight into Chuck Bass.
“Going somewhere?” Chuck asked as he picked up the handbag S had dropped. Handing it to her, he raised his eyebrows.
“Actually, yes. But I’m kind of running late.”
“Really? And who are you meeting up with?”
“Nate. We’re meeting for lunch.” Serena started to move off, but Chuck stopped her.
“Hold on there, van der Woodsen. What are you doing with Nate Archibald?” Serena sighed. Chuck looked at her, extremely suspicious.
“I’m just going to meet him to talk about Blair. Apparently, he wants me to help him find a way to get back with her.”
“…Do you want them back together?” Chuck asked cautiously.
“Well, not really. I mean, Nate’s been such a bad boyfriend in the last while, and B could do so much better. I just want her to get over him and move on. Why? Do you?”
“Well, I agree about Nathaniel being terrible lately. Plus, he’s hanging onto a dream. Like Blair and him will ever be really together again after all he’s done to her. I think she should just leave him forever.”
“…So she can be with you?” Serena asked suspiciously. C glared at her. “Oh, come on, Chuck. It’s so obvious that you want her. And I know about B not spending last night with Nate. She told me everything.”
Chuck sighed. “Alright, maybe I don’t want her to be with Nate. But it’s not because I want her to be with me; I just want her to be happy. And if I make her happy, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Serena laughed. “I never knew you could actually care about someone, Bass.”
“I care about people!” Chuck insisted. “I care about you, don’t I? I mean, I held your secret for so long.”
S rolled her eyes. “The only reason you didn’t tell people about me and Nate was because you didn’t want people to be disgusted at you for watching.”
“Serena, since when do I care if someone thinks I’m disgusting? It’s who I am.” Chuck’s eyes narrowed at her.
“No, it’s who you’ve decided to be.” Serena lifted her bag to her shoulder. “I’ll see you later. I’m already late.” She started to walk off again, but Chuck put his arm in front of her.
“Tell you what,” he said to her. “If you agree to ditch Nathaniel, I’ll take you out to lunch.”
“What an honour,” Serena said sarcastically, crossing her arms.
“Come on. You know you’d rather go out with me than him anyway.”
“Oh, yes. I want you so bad.”
Chuck smiled at her. “Of course you do.”
“I don’t think Dan will like you very much for this,” Serena said as Chuck started leading her down the sidewalk.
“He never really liked me that much anyway. Jealous, I think.” Serena laughed as they headed towards a nearby restaurant.
“I have a feeling you won’t be much of a favourite for very long, Bass,” S said, grinning, “if you continue stealing everyone’s girls.”
“Hey,” Chuck smiled back. “It’s who I am.”
What an interesting morning this has been. B has finally seen my video, but has not yet had the courtesy to comment. What’s wrong, Waldorf? Not scandalous enough for you? Well, how about this for some juice: we heard N tried to have a little lunch date with your best friend. Fortunately, a certain Bass was able to persuade S from meeting with him. Better watch it, B; it’s like the Spice Girls say: If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. And applying these words of wisdom to your situation, it looks like Nate is trying his absolute best to be your lover.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Nate woke up at noon with a spitting headache. After the Jenny ordeal, he had ordered almost as many drinks as Chuck had. After drowning himself in scotch, he had rented a hotel room. Mrs. Archibald wouldn’t have been pleased if Nate had come home.
After taking some aspirin, N checked his phone. No messages. He thought about calling Blair, but decided on Chuck instead.
“Hey, man,” Nate said into his phone. “Quite a night that was.”
“I’ll say.”
“Do you know where Blair went? We kind of broke up.”
“Um, I think she went home. Too heartbroken, you know?”
“Yup. Well, just as long as some other guy didn’t snatch her up.”
There was a pause.
“Speaking of that, everyone’s been talking about the little video of you and a certain Jenny Humphrey on Gossip Girl,” Chuck said finally.
“Oh yeah, I should probably go and apologize to her. And Blair.”
“Why bother with Blair? You guys broke up. Again. Don’t you think it’s time to just end it for good?”
Nate paused. “Chuck, I love her.”
“Sure. You’re as in love with her as I am,” Chuck said sarcastically, but a little cautiously.
“Whatever. Maybe I can talk to Serena or something.”
There was another pause.
“About Blair, of course,” Nate added. “You know, see if she can help get me and Blair back together.”
“Sure. That’ll work perfectly.”
Nate sighed. More sarcasm. Hanging up, N went to get his coat. Serena’ll help me, he thought to himself. Sure she will; we’re friends. And if anyone knows Blair, it’s Serena van der Woodsen.
Serena rounded a corner and rushed straight into Chuck Bass.
“Going somewhere?” Chuck asked as he picked up the handbag S had dropped. Handing it to her, he raised his eyebrows.
“Actually, yes. But I’m kind of running late.”
“Really? And who are you meeting up with?”
“Nate. We’re meeting for lunch.” Serena started to move off, but Chuck stopped her.
“Hold on there, van der Woodsen. What are you doing with Nate Archibald?” Serena sighed. Chuck looked at her, extremely suspicious.
“I’m just going to meet him to talk about Blair. Apparently, he wants me to help him find a way to get back with her.”
“…Do you want them back together?” Chuck asked cautiously.
“Well, not really. I mean, Nate’s been such a bad boyfriend in the last while, and B could do so much better. I just want her to get over him and move on. Why? Do you?”
“Well, I agree about Nathaniel being terrible lately. Plus, he’s hanging onto a dream. Like Blair and him will ever be really together again after all he’s done to her. I think she should just leave him forever.”
“…So she can be with you?” Serena asked suspiciously. C glared at her. “Oh, come on, Chuck. It’s so obvious that you want her. And I know about B not spending last night with Nate. She told me everything.”
Chuck sighed. “Alright, maybe I don’t want her to be with Nate. But it’s not because I want her to be with me; I just want her to be happy. And if I make her happy, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Serena laughed. “I never knew you could actually care about someone, Bass.”
“I care about people!” Chuck insisted. “I care about you, don’t I? I mean, I held your secret for so long.”
S rolled her eyes. “The only reason you didn’t tell people about me and Nate was because you didn’t want people to be disgusted at you for watching.”
“Serena, since when do I care if someone thinks I’m disgusting? It’s who I am.” Chuck’s eyes narrowed at her.
“No, it’s who you’ve decided to be.” Serena lifted her bag to her shoulder. “I’ll see you later. I’m already late.” She started to walk off again, but Chuck put his arm in front of her.
“Tell you what,” he said to her. “If you agree to ditch Nathaniel, I’ll take you out to lunch.”
“What an honour,” Serena said sarcastically, crossing her arms.
“Come on. You know you’d rather go out with me than him anyway.”
“Oh, yes. I want you so bad.”
Chuck smiled at her. “Of course you do.”
“I don’t think Dan will like you very much for this,” Serena said as Chuck started leading her down the sidewalk.
“He never really liked me that much anyway. Jealous, I think.” Serena laughed as they headed towards a nearby restaurant.
“I have a feeling you won’t be much of a favourite for very long, Bass,” S said, grinning, “if you continue stealing everyone’s girls.”
“Hey,” Chuck smiled back. “It’s who I am.”
What an interesting morning this has been. B has finally seen my video, but has not yet had the courtesy to comment. What’s wrong, Waldorf? Not scandalous enough for you? Well, how about this for some juice: we heard N tried to have a little lunch date with your best friend. Fortunately, a certain Bass was able to persuade S from meeting with him. Better watch it, B; it’s like the Spice Girls say: If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends. And applying these words of wisdom to your situation, it looks like Nate is trying his absolute best to be your lover.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Vanessa stormed into the Humphrey loft. Dan had ditched her just 10 minutes into the ball the previous night, and had never come back, or called her.
“Hey Vanessa,” Rufus said calmly, picking up a plate of waffles. He carried them to over to the table, and sat down. “What’s up?”
“Is Dan here?” Vanessa asked, trying to hide the angry tone in her voice. “I really need to talk to him.”
“Actually, I think he’s out with Serena.” Rufus put a piece of waffle into his mouth.
Vanessa was shocked. “S-Serena? Serena van der Woodsen?”
“The one and only.” He went to get a glass of milk from the kitchen. “She came by here a while ago to pick him up. Unfortunately, she didn’t stay for breakfast. Said she’d already went out. I swear, I’m beginning to think that girl doesn’t like my waffles.”
Vanessa gave him a strained smile. “Well, I guess I’ll talk to him later,” she said. “Be sure to tell me if he comes back soon.”
“I will. But are you sure you don’t want anything?” Rufus pointed to a pile of waffles on the counter.
“No thanks. I’m not hungry,” Vanessa said, sounding a little bitter. She exited the apartment, leaving Rufus to wonder at what she had been so mad about. Shaking his head, he continued to eat his breakfast in peace.
Outside, V pulled out her phone. She punched in Dan’s number, almost breaking the buttons with the force of her anger.
No answer.
Vanessa was getting more pissed off by the second. First, he stands her up at a party she didn’t even want to go to in the first place, and never comes back. Then he doesn’t call her or make any attempt to communicate. And then, he even gets back with Serena without even telling her! And V knew there was only one person who could have made all this possible. Van der Woodsen.
Spotted: Serena and her Lonely Boy on a nice walk through the city. They were laughing and having fun, just like old times. *Gags*. I’m kidding. I love Darena. The UES doesn’t have enough sweet, innocent love. In fact, I don’t think it has any. Good going for S and D. Unfortunately, I have yet another feeling that their love may not last that long; an extremely upset Vanessa Abrams was spotted leaving the Humphrey Palace (okay, exaggeration much?), and it doesn’t look like S is on her “Be Nice To” list. We wish SVDW luck; she’s gonna need it if she wants to hold her man.
Blair arrived home and went straight up to her room. She was anxious to figure out what Gossip Girl was talking about when she mentioned a must-see video. B was hoping for the best.
Logging on, she went to GG’s homepage. Finding the video, she clicked ‘Play’.
It was a live stream someone had taken at the Vintage Ball on their cell phone. It was only a few seconds long, but Blair paid close attention. She could clearly see Nate and Jenny standing in front of one of the tables. And then, Nate mumbled something and kissed her. Jenny pushed him away, sounding shocked. She grabbed her stuff and left. The video ended with a little addition Gossip Girl had put on; it said: True Love <3… or not.
Blair put a hand to her mouth. She was shocked. How dare Nate hit on Jenny like that! B could tell that Little J had wanted to stop, and obviously hadn’t started it as Nate was the one who was doing the kissing, so she didn’t hold Jenny responsible. But Blair was fuming inside at the thought of what Nate had done to her.
At least with Chuck, it wasn’t spontaneous and pointless. Well, maybe at the beginning. But the last few times they had been together, Blair could definitely feel the meaning. Well, Blair thought, this’ll make breaking the bad news to him oh so much easier.
Blair got her purse and headed back out the door. She needed to see Jenny.
After greeting Rufus at the door, Blair went to J’s room. Opening the door, she walked in carefully. Jenny was lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Music was playing from a boom box at one corner of the room. Blair listened:
…Cold, as fire, baby, hot as ice; if you’ve ever been to heaven— this is twice as nice…
“Britney Spears much?” Blair said, leaning against the wall. Hearing her, Jenny quickly got up, rushed over to the boom box, and took out the CD.
“It was a gift,” Jenny said, putting it in the case and stuffing it in the drawer of her desk.
“Sure,” Blair said sceptically. She laughed a little, and walked over to J. “It’s okay, Little Jenny. Everyone loves a little Britney comeback every once in a while. I just wish her new song wasn’t so… 80s. It reminds me of the music in the workout videos my mom used to watch. Gross.”
Jenny laughed. “Yeah, I guess the song is a little… dated. But maybe her new CD’ll really become a hit.”
“I certainly hope not. In the words of Gossip Girl, ‘Ugh. Please, gimme less.’” Both girls laughed.
“So, speaking of Gossip Girl…” Jenny said nervously.
“Don’t worry about it. I saw the video, and I’m not mad at you. I could tell it was all him.”
“I’m sorry, Blair,” J said quietly.
B sighed. “It’s okay. We broke up that night, you know.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” Blair studied Little J’s face. She looked relieved at the fact that Nate hadn’t tried cheating on B with her. “But,” Blair continued, winking at her, “I’ll have you know I didn’t spend the night alone.”
“Let me guess; you and Chuck?” Blair nodded almost proudly as Jenny rolled her eyes. “Bragging much?” she teased.
“Actually, yes,” Blair said, grinning. “He is pretty adorable, except for the date rapist thing.”
“Well, I don’t know if ‘adorable’ is the right word for him,” J said, smiling. “But he was pretty good when I danced with him last night. In fact, he kind of seemed… nice. Like he was… well, not in a good mood, but not as intimidating as usual.”
“That’s strange,” Blair said thoughtfully. “Serena said he’d had quite a few drinks, and Chuck’s actually pretty dangerous when he’s drunk. But when I talked to him after me and Nate broke up, he was definitely softer than the Chuck Bass we all know and hate.”
“Yeah,” Jenny replied. “Well, maybe he was happy to see you.”
“I think he was just happy to see me without Nate.” Blair smiled as she thought of how perfect her night with Chuck was. It certainly made up for the not-so-devastating break up earlier on. “And of course,” Blair added, “I was happy to see him without a heartbroken look in his eyes.”
Jenny raised her eyebrows at Blair. “I know what you’re thinking,” B said, smiling. “Chuck Bass doesn’t have a heart. But maybe he actually does. Deep, deep down under all that perverted-ness.”
Jenny laughed, but a part of her believed in what Blair had just said. The part that knew, everyone has a soft side; even Chuck Bass.
Vanessa stormed into the Humphrey loft. Dan had ditched her just 10 minutes into the ball the previous night, and had never come back, or called her.
“Hey Vanessa,” Rufus said calmly, picking up a plate of waffles. He carried them to over to the table, and sat down. “What’s up?”
“Is Dan here?” Vanessa asked, trying to hide the angry tone in her voice. “I really need to talk to him.”
“Actually, I think he’s out with Serena.” Rufus put a piece of waffle into his mouth.
Vanessa was shocked. “S-Serena? Serena van der Woodsen?”
“The one and only.” He went to get a glass of milk from the kitchen. “She came by here a while ago to pick him up. Unfortunately, she didn’t stay for breakfast. Said she’d already went out. I swear, I’m beginning to think that girl doesn’t like my waffles.”
Vanessa gave him a strained smile. “Well, I guess I’ll talk to him later,” she said. “Be sure to tell me if he comes back soon.”
“I will. But are you sure you don’t want anything?” Rufus pointed to a pile of waffles on the counter.
“No thanks. I’m not hungry,” Vanessa said, sounding a little bitter. She exited the apartment, leaving Rufus to wonder at what she had been so mad about. Shaking his head, he continued to eat his breakfast in peace.
Outside, V pulled out her phone. She punched in Dan’s number, almost breaking the buttons with the force of her anger.
No answer.
Vanessa was getting more pissed off by the second. First, he stands her up at a party she didn’t even want to go to in the first place, and never comes back. Then he doesn’t call her or make any attempt to communicate. And then, he even gets back with Serena without even telling her! And V knew there was only one person who could have made all this possible. Van der Woodsen.
Spotted: Serena and her Lonely Boy on a nice walk through the city. They were laughing and having fun, just like old times. *Gags*. I’m kidding. I love Darena. The UES doesn’t have enough sweet, innocent love. In fact, I don’t think it has any. Good going for S and D. Unfortunately, I have yet another feeling that their love may not last that long; an extremely upset Vanessa Abrams was spotted leaving the Humphrey Palace (okay, exaggeration much?), and it doesn’t look like S is on her “Be Nice To” list. We wish SVDW luck; she’s gonna need it if she wants to hold her man.
Blair arrived home and went straight up to her room. She was anxious to figure out what Gossip Girl was talking about when she mentioned a must-see video. B was hoping for the best.
Logging on, she went to GG’s homepage. Finding the video, she clicked ‘Play’.
It was a live stream someone had taken at the Vintage Ball on their cell phone. It was only a few seconds long, but Blair paid close attention. She could clearly see Nate and Jenny standing in front of one of the tables. And then, Nate mumbled something and kissed her. Jenny pushed him away, sounding shocked. She grabbed her stuff and left. The video ended with a little addition Gossip Girl had put on; it said: True Love <3… or not.
Blair put a hand to her mouth. She was shocked. How dare Nate hit on Jenny like that! B could tell that Little J had wanted to stop, and obviously hadn’t started it as Nate was the one who was doing the kissing, so she didn’t hold Jenny responsible. But Blair was fuming inside at the thought of what Nate had done to her.
At least with Chuck, it wasn’t spontaneous and pointless. Well, maybe at the beginning. But the last few times they had been together, Blair could definitely feel the meaning. Well, Blair thought, this’ll make breaking the bad news to him oh so much easier.
Blair got her purse and headed back out the door. She needed to see Jenny.
After greeting Rufus at the door, Blair went to J’s room. Opening the door, she walked in carefully. Jenny was lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Music was playing from a boom box at one corner of the room. Blair listened:
…Cold, as fire, baby, hot as ice; if you’ve ever been to heaven— this is twice as nice…
“Britney Spears much?” Blair said, leaning against the wall. Hearing her, Jenny quickly got up, rushed over to the boom box, and took out the CD.
“It was a gift,” Jenny said, putting it in the case and stuffing it in the drawer of her desk.
“Sure,” Blair said sceptically. She laughed a little, and walked over to J. “It’s okay, Little Jenny. Everyone loves a little Britney comeback every once in a while. I just wish her new song wasn’t so… 80s. It reminds me of the music in the workout videos my mom used to watch. Gross.”
Jenny laughed. “Yeah, I guess the song is a little… dated. But maybe her new CD’ll really become a hit.”
“I certainly hope not. In the words of Gossip Girl, ‘Ugh. Please, gimme less.’” Both girls laughed.
“So, speaking of Gossip Girl…” Jenny said nervously.
“Don’t worry about it. I saw the video, and I’m not mad at you. I could tell it was all him.”
“I’m sorry, Blair,” J said quietly.
B sighed. “It’s okay. We broke up that night, you know.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” Blair studied Little J’s face. She looked relieved at the fact that Nate hadn’t tried cheating on B with her. “But,” Blair continued, winking at her, “I’ll have you know I didn’t spend the night alone.”
“Let me guess; you and Chuck?” Blair nodded almost proudly as Jenny rolled her eyes. “Bragging much?” she teased.
“Actually, yes,” Blair said, grinning. “He is pretty adorable, except for the date rapist thing.”
“Well, I don’t know if ‘adorable’ is the right word for him,” J said, smiling. “But he was pretty good when I danced with him last night. In fact, he kind of seemed… nice. Like he was… well, not in a good mood, but not as intimidating as usual.”
“That’s strange,” Blair said thoughtfully. “Serena said he’d had quite a few drinks, and Chuck’s actually pretty dangerous when he’s drunk. But when I talked to him after me and Nate broke up, he was definitely softer than the Chuck Bass we all know and hate.”
“Yeah,” Jenny replied. “Well, maybe he was happy to see you.”
“I think he was just happy to see me without Nate.” Blair smiled as she thought of how perfect her night with Chuck was. It certainly made up for the not-so-devastating break up earlier on. “And of course,” Blair added, “I was happy to see him without a heartbroken look in his eyes.”
Jenny raised her eyebrows at Blair. “I know what you’re thinking,” B said, smiling. “Chuck Bass doesn’t have a heart. But maybe he actually does. Deep, deep down under all that perverted-ness.”
Jenny laughed, but a part of her believed in what Blair had just said. The part that knew, everyone has a soft side; even Chuck Bass.
Chapter 20 -Part 2
Chapter 20
Part 2
“So, what did you and Nate do last night? I mean, did you…” Serena asked as she sipped her orange juice. They were at a little breakfast restaurant in the middle of Manhattan, and S had just finished telling Blair all about her evening with Dan.
“Actually,” Blair said slowly, “I didn’t spend the night with Nate.”
Serena looked confused. “What? Why not?”
“We… we broke up.” Blair looked down at her lap.
“Then… where did you spend the night? I know it wasn’t at home; I called and your mom said you never came.”
“Well, me and Chuck…” Blair smiled shyly at her friend, embarrassed.
“Blair!” Serena said, astonished.
“What? It’s not like we haven’t done it before.” Blair bit into a croissant. She really didn’t want Serena to freak out again.
“Oh, Blair…” Serena sighed.
“Excuse me? One minute, you’re shocked and ashamed, and the next you’re telling me he loves me, and then you’re back to shocked again? Make up your mind, Serena!”
“Blair, I’m not upset. I just; I don’t know. Again?”
“Yes, again. But this time it was different. When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel disgusted at myself. It felt… right.”
“Well, I just hope you don’t end up regretting it. Otherwise, you’ll have quite a problem on your hands.” Blair nodded in agreement. “And plus, Nate doesn’t even know yet, does he?”
“I don’t think so. But Gossip Girl sent me a text last night saying I should watch a video on her site? Do you know anything about it?”
“No, sorry. I haven’t seen it yet. But knowing Gossip Girl, it must be pretty scandalous.”
“I know. I’m kind of worried. I just hope it doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“Well, I wish you luck.”
Blair smiled. “Thanks. I’m gonna need it. I still really need to deal with this whole Chuck thing. It’s been over a week since my party, and Nate’s bound to find out sometime.”
“Yeah. But how are you going to tell him? That isn’t the kind of conversation that’s easy.” Serena popped a grape into her mouth.
“I know,” Blair said, sighing. “I just want Chuck to do it; that way Nate doesn’t blow up in my face.”
“Yeah, but if you let Chuck do it on his own, he’ll totally get murdered.”
“Definitely. I just wish there was some way to let Nate know without having him totally freak out!”
“Good luck finding one. There’s no easy way to tell your ex-boyfriend that you left him for his best friend.”
“I didn’t leave him for Chuck! I just, sort of, broke up with him, and then went to his best friend. They’re two totally different things.”
Serena raised her eyebrows at Blair as she put another grape into her mouth. “Uh huh,” she said sarcastically. “Sure.”
Part 2
“So, what did you and Nate do last night? I mean, did you…” Serena asked as she sipped her orange juice. They were at a little breakfast restaurant in the middle of Manhattan, and S had just finished telling Blair all about her evening with Dan.
“Actually,” Blair said slowly, “I didn’t spend the night with Nate.”
Serena looked confused. “What? Why not?”
“We… we broke up.” Blair looked down at her lap.
“Then… where did you spend the night? I know it wasn’t at home; I called and your mom said you never came.”
“Well, me and Chuck…” Blair smiled shyly at her friend, embarrassed.
“Blair!” Serena said, astonished.
“What? It’s not like we haven’t done it before.” Blair bit into a croissant. She really didn’t want Serena to freak out again.
“Oh, Blair…” Serena sighed.
“Excuse me? One minute, you’re shocked and ashamed, and the next you’re telling me he loves me, and then you’re back to shocked again? Make up your mind, Serena!”
“Blair, I’m not upset. I just; I don’t know. Again?”
“Yes, again. But this time it was different. When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel disgusted at myself. It felt… right.”
“Well, I just hope you don’t end up regretting it. Otherwise, you’ll have quite a problem on your hands.” Blair nodded in agreement. “And plus, Nate doesn’t even know yet, does he?”
“I don’t think so. But Gossip Girl sent me a text last night saying I should watch a video on her site? Do you know anything about it?”
“No, sorry. I haven’t seen it yet. But knowing Gossip Girl, it must be pretty scandalous.”
“I know. I’m kind of worried. I just hope it doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“Well, I wish you luck.”
Blair smiled. “Thanks. I’m gonna need it. I still really need to deal with this whole Chuck thing. It’s been over a week since my party, and Nate’s bound to find out sometime.”
“Yeah. But how are you going to tell him? That isn’t the kind of conversation that’s easy.” Serena popped a grape into her mouth.
“I know,” Blair said, sighing. “I just want Chuck to do it; that way Nate doesn’t blow up in my face.”
“Yeah, but if you let Chuck do it on his own, he’ll totally get murdered.”
“Definitely. I just wish there was some way to let Nate know without having him totally freak out!”
“Good luck finding one. There’s no easy way to tell your ex-boyfriend that you left him for his best friend.”
“I didn’t leave him for Chuck! I just, sort of, broke up with him, and then went to his best friend. They’re two totally different things.”
Serena raised her eyebrows at Blair as she put another grape into her mouth. “Uh huh,” she said sarcastically. “Sure.”
Chapter 20 -Part 1
Chapter 20
Part 1
Blair woke up, looking around, trying to remember where she was. But she wasn’t wondering for long. She instantly recognized the white candles and purple throw pillows. And the sleeping Chuck Bass beside her.
Sighing, Blair ran the events of the previous night through her mind.
She wasn’t disappointed.
She had accepted Jenny back, but she would find out later if that was the right choice. Blair just hoped for the best. She had finally ended it with Nate, which she knew was the right choice considering all the things he had done to her and how many second chances she had given him. And then there was Chuck. For the first time, Blair didn’t feel disgusted at what she had done. She wasn’t sure what to do next, but she knew it wouldn’t be getting mad at Chuck. She had willingly started the whole thing. And he had again asked her if she was sure. She loved that.
Hearing the rustle of the bed sheets, Blair turned to look beside her. Chuck was awake. He opened his eyes lazily at her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, smiling.
“Good morning,” Blair replied cheerfully, giving him a satisfied look. “Quite a night that was.”
“Yes, definitely didn’t go as I had expected. I was pretty sure you’d end up in Nate’s bed this morning.”
Blair laughed. “How wrong you were.”
“Well, I knew you’d turn back to me eventually. Once you’ve had a sample, you can’t help but go for seconds. Or in this case, thirds.” Chuck gave her a cocky grin.
“Hmm, well, you do give out free samples. I thought it was about time I tried what everyone was raving about.”
“Yup. And now you’re hooked.”
“Whatever. It’s not like I enjoy keeping you from your hotel maids. They must miss you.”
Chuck laughed. “Yeah, I bet they were very disappointed this morning when they found out they actually had to clean.”
“It’s probably not their favourite activity,” Blair added. Chuck smiled at her. She smiled back.
“Thanks for making last night unforgettable,” Blair said, kissing his cheek.
“Well, I am extremely hard to forget.” Chuck grinned as B got out of bed. Getting dressed, she went to her purse and took out her cell phone. There was a text from last night.
Better find a computer soon, B. I’ve got a must-see video just for you. –GG
Sighing, Blair closed her phone.
“What?” Chuck asked, raising his head from the pillow to look at her.
“Nothing. Just a text from Gossip Girl.”
“What’s it say?”
“Something about a video. I don’t know.”
“That’s Gossip Girl. You never truly know.”
“Yup. I gotta get doing, though. I promised to have breakfast with Serena this morning. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Call me when you get home, and I’ll show up spontaneously. It’s what I do.”
“Well, it’s not very spontaneous if you tell me about it the day you do it.” Chuck looked at her. “Who said I was showing up today?” Blair rolled her eyes and headed for the door.
“But for you, I’ll make it today. I know you’ll just go insane if you can’t be with me for more than a few hours.”
Blair turned to look at him. “Please,” she said. “I just went without you for like, two whole days.”
“You had Nate to distract you. God, I hate that guy.”
“He’s your best friend,” Blair said, laughing.
“Yup, and he’s your newly-ex-boyfriend. And we’ve betrayed him forever.”
Blair grinned at him. “We’re so sinful.”
“Yes indeed. I almost feel… sorry, for Nate. Oh wait, never mind. That’s just the hangover.”
Laughing, Blair left the suite. Chuck was much more entertaining that Nate ever was. And she knew her relationship with his best friend was going to be very entertaining once N found out.
“Ah, the life of the rich and scandalous,” Blair said to herself as she exited the Palace and hailed a cab.
Part 1
Blair woke up, looking around, trying to remember where she was. But she wasn’t wondering for long. She instantly recognized the white candles and purple throw pillows. And the sleeping Chuck Bass beside her.
Sighing, Blair ran the events of the previous night through her mind.
She wasn’t disappointed.
She had accepted Jenny back, but she would find out later if that was the right choice. Blair just hoped for the best. She had finally ended it with Nate, which she knew was the right choice considering all the things he had done to her and how many second chances she had given him. And then there was Chuck. For the first time, Blair didn’t feel disgusted at what she had done. She wasn’t sure what to do next, but she knew it wouldn’t be getting mad at Chuck. She had willingly started the whole thing. And he had again asked her if she was sure. She loved that.
Hearing the rustle of the bed sheets, Blair turned to look beside her. Chuck was awake. He opened his eyes lazily at her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, smiling.
“Good morning,” Blair replied cheerfully, giving him a satisfied look. “Quite a night that was.”
“Yes, definitely didn’t go as I had expected. I was pretty sure you’d end up in Nate’s bed this morning.”
Blair laughed. “How wrong you were.”
“Well, I knew you’d turn back to me eventually. Once you’ve had a sample, you can’t help but go for seconds. Or in this case, thirds.” Chuck gave her a cocky grin.
“Hmm, well, you do give out free samples. I thought it was about time I tried what everyone was raving about.”
“Yup. And now you’re hooked.”
“Whatever. It’s not like I enjoy keeping you from your hotel maids. They must miss you.”
Chuck laughed. “Yeah, I bet they were very disappointed this morning when they found out they actually had to clean.”
“It’s probably not their favourite activity,” Blair added. Chuck smiled at her. She smiled back.
“Thanks for making last night unforgettable,” Blair said, kissing his cheek.
“Well, I am extremely hard to forget.” Chuck grinned as B got out of bed. Getting dressed, she went to her purse and took out her cell phone. There was a text from last night.
Better find a computer soon, B. I’ve got a must-see video just for you. –GG
Sighing, Blair closed her phone.
“What?” Chuck asked, raising his head from the pillow to look at her.
“Nothing. Just a text from Gossip Girl.”
“What’s it say?”
“Something about a video. I don’t know.”
“That’s Gossip Girl. You never truly know.”
“Yup. I gotta get doing, though. I promised to have breakfast with Serena this morning. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Call me when you get home, and I’ll show up spontaneously. It’s what I do.”
“Well, it’s not very spontaneous if you tell me about it the day you do it.” Chuck looked at her. “Who said I was showing up today?” Blair rolled her eyes and headed for the door.
“But for you, I’ll make it today. I know you’ll just go insane if you can’t be with me for more than a few hours.”
Blair turned to look at him. “Please,” she said. “I just went without you for like, two whole days.”
“You had Nate to distract you. God, I hate that guy.”
“He’s your best friend,” Blair said, laughing.
“Yup, and he’s your newly-ex-boyfriend. And we’ve betrayed him forever.”
Blair grinned at him. “We’re so sinful.”
“Yes indeed. I almost feel… sorry, for Nate. Oh wait, never mind. That’s just the hangover.”
Laughing, Blair left the suite. Chuck was much more entertaining that Nate ever was. And she knew her relationship with his best friend was going to be very entertaining once N found out.
“Ah, the life of the rich and scandalous,” Blair said to herself as she exited the Palace and hailed a cab.
Chapter 19 -Part 6
Chapter 19
Part 6
When Nate entered the hallway, it was empty. He could have sworn he heard Blair’s voice outside. Forgetting it, Nate entered the elevator. When he reached the ballroom, he spotted Jenny. She had just been dismissed by a handsome 10th grader with whom she had been dancing. Hurrying over to her, Nate pulled J over to a table.
“Have you seen Blair?” he asked.
“No, I thought she was with you. Why?”
“Well, we just broke up.”
“That’s terrible! What happened?”
“I don’t know, Blair got all upset with me. But it’s for the best anyway. Besides, I had my eye on someone else.” Nate winked at Jenny.
Overcome with emotion, J’s heart soared, then sank. Her and Nate? Blair wouldn’t allow it. As much as Jenny had always wanted Nate to notice her, she knew them being together would never happen.
“Nate…” Jenny said slowly, getting up from the table. Nate stood up and moved toward her.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered. He moved closer, leaned down, and kissed her. Jenny struggled, but Nate got a hold of her waist and held her in.
Finally, Jenny was able to push away from him. “Nate!” she said, shocked at what he just did. Before N had another chance to make a move, Jenny grabbed her purse and hurried outside. She hailed a cab and headed straight for home.
Meanwhile, Nate just stood there, confused. Two girls in one night had rejected him? Maybe he was getting rusty.
A girl nearby stopped the video recording on her cell phone. When the clip was saved, she sent it in a text:
Gossip Girl:
Nate & Jenny -poor Blair!
Blair and Chuck had heard Nate coming down the hallway so they had quickly hopped in the elevator and headed to the lobby. Since they didn’t want to risk running into anyone they knew, Chuck had rented them another suite. This one had candles and soft, lavender sheets. When Blair entered the room, she smiled and immediately ran over and flopped down on the huge four-poster canopy.
“Isn’t this bed perfect?” she said, awed, as she rubbed the velvet on one of the throw pillows.
“Well, I think it’d be much better with a couple of half-naked girls on it,” Chuck commented, walking over to the bed. “Or even better, fully naked girls.”
Blair rolled her eyes as he sat down beside her. “But you’re just as wonderful,” Chuck said, smiling.
“Wow, thanks,” she said sarcastically. “But seriously, Chuck! Don’t you just love this room? It’s so romantic.”
“I can be romantic,” Chuck said, flicking off a lamp nearby. The room dimmed. “If you’re into that sort of thing.”
Blair laughed. “Thanks for trying.”
“You are most certainly welcome,” Chuck said. “I don’t do this very often, so you’re lucky.”
“The luckiest girl in the world,” Blair said, beaming. “Chuck, I’m so glad you’re here to look after me.”
“Is that all I am to you? A babysitter?” Chuck flopped down on the bed beside B.
“You know what I mean.”
The both smiled at each other. Suddenly, Chuck remembered something.
“Where’s your ring?” he asked.
“What ring?”
“The one Nate gave you; the family heirloom one.”
“Oh, that ring.”
“Didn’t you wear it tonight? I thought you would, considering you and Nate were ‘back together’.”
“I just didn’t feel like wearing it.”
“Hmm.”
“What? Why do you care, anyway?”
“Well, I just thought you would wear it considering how much you love him.” Chuck looked at her.
“I don’t love him. And I think I knew it all along; maybe that’s why wearing the ring didn’t feel right.”
“Well, I’m glad. I hated seeing you wear that ring.”
Blair looked at him, her eyebrows raised. “Were you jealous?”
“Of course not. I just thought the ring was really ugly.” Chuck stared straight ahead into the dim room. Blair laughed.
“Right. Sure.” Blair shuffled across the bed to lie next to him. She rested her head on his chest. “You are such a jealous boyfriend,” she teased, looking up at him.
“Again, you wish.” Chuck smiled down at her.
“I sure do.”
Blair scooted up and kissed him. Chuck pulled her up on top of him, sliding his hands up the backs of her thighs. Her legs were smooth and warm. Blair pushed back the collar of his jacket, wrapping her hands around his neck.
Never before had Blair felt so good. With Chuck holding her close, she felt safe in his arms. It all felt so right. Blair finally realized that with Nate, she had never had that feeling. That feeling that there was nothing else in the world she could possibly do at that moment than be with him.
Suddenly, Chuck pushed her back a little. “Are you sure you won’t regret this later?” he whispered.
“I’ll never regret this,” she whispered back. And with that, Blair smiled and slipped out of her dress.
The Vintage Ball turned out to be more dramatic than we had expected. Lucky for you, I’ve got all the deats.
Serena: Back with Dan, happy as ever.
Vanessa: Left all alone at a party she wasn’t even invited to.
Nate: Left single and still standing. But we have some news that might soon knock him off his feet.
Jenny: Heading home, torn up with yet another secret.
And as for Blair and Chuck, well, no one knows about them, but we have a few ideas…
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Part 6
When Nate entered the hallway, it was empty. He could have sworn he heard Blair’s voice outside. Forgetting it, Nate entered the elevator. When he reached the ballroom, he spotted Jenny. She had just been dismissed by a handsome 10th grader with whom she had been dancing. Hurrying over to her, Nate pulled J over to a table.
“Have you seen Blair?” he asked.
“No, I thought she was with you. Why?”
“Well, we just broke up.”
“That’s terrible! What happened?”
“I don’t know, Blair got all upset with me. But it’s for the best anyway. Besides, I had my eye on someone else.” Nate winked at Jenny.
Overcome with emotion, J’s heart soared, then sank. Her and Nate? Blair wouldn’t allow it. As much as Jenny had always wanted Nate to notice her, she knew them being together would never happen.
“Nate…” Jenny said slowly, getting up from the table. Nate stood up and moved toward her.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he whispered. He moved closer, leaned down, and kissed her. Jenny struggled, but Nate got a hold of her waist and held her in.
Finally, Jenny was able to push away from him. “Nate!” she said, shocked at what he just did. Before N had another chance to make a move, Jenny grabbed her purse and hurried outside. She hailed a cab and headed straight for home.
Meanwhile, Nate just stood there, confused. Two girls in one night had rejected him? Maybe he was getting rusty.
A girl nearby stopped the video recording on her cell phone. When the clip was saved, she sent it in a text:
Gossip Girl:
Nate & Jenny -poor Blair!
Blair and Chuck had heard Nate coming down the hallway so they had quickly hopped in the elevator and headed to the lobby. Since they didn’t want to risk running into anyone they knew, Chuck had rented them another suite. This one had candles and soft, lavender sheets. When Blair entered the room, she smiled and immediately ran over and flopped down on the huge four-poster canopy.
“Isn’t this bed perfect?” she said, awed, as she rubbed the velvet on one of the throw pillows.
“Well, I think it’d be much better with a couple of half-naked girls on it,” Chuck commented, walking over to the bed. “Or even better, fully naked girls.”
Blair rolled her eyes as he sat down beside her. “But you’re just as wonderful,” Chuck said, smiling.
“Wow, thanks,” she said sarcastically. “But seriously, Chuck! Don’t you just love this room? It’s so romantic.”
“I can be romantic,” Chuck said, flicking off a lamp nearby. The room dimmed. “If you’re into that sort of thing.”
Blair laughed. “Thanks for trying.”
“You are most certainly welcome,” Chuck said. “I don’t do this very often, so you’re lucky.”
“The luckiest girl in the world,” Blair said, beaming. “Chuck, I’m so glad you’re here to look after me.”
“Is that all I am to you? A babysitter?” Chuck flopped down on the bed beside B.
“You know what I mean.”
The both smiled at each other. Suddenly, Chuck remembered something.
“Where’s your ring?” he asked.
“What ring?”
“The one Nate gave you; the family heirloom one.”
“Oh, that ring.”
“Didn’t you wear it tonight? I thought you would, considering you and Nate were ‘back together’.”
“I just didn’t feel like wearing it.”
“Hmm.”
“What? Why do you care, anyway?”
“Well, I just thought you would wear it considering how much you love him.” Chuck looked at her.
“I don’t love him. And I think I knew it all along; maybe that’s why wearing the ring didn’t feel right.”
“Well, I’m glad. I hated seeing you wear that ring.”
Blair looked at him, her eyebrows raised. “Were you jealous?”
“Of course not. I just thought the ring was really ugly.” Chuck stared straight ahead into the dim room. Blair laughed.
“Right. Sure.” Blair shuffled across the bed to lie next to him. She rested her head on his chest. “You are such a jealous boyfriend,” she teased, looking up at him.
“Again, you wish.” Chuck smiled down at her.
“I sure do.”
Blair scooted up and kissed him. Chuck pulled her up on top of him, sliding his hands up the backs of her thighs. Her legs were smooth and warm. Blair pushed back the collar of his jacket, wrapping her hands around his neck.
Never before had Blair felt so good. With Chuck holding her close, she felt safe in his arms. It all felt so right. Blair finally realized that with Nate, she had never had that feeling. That feeling that there was nothing else in the world she could possibly do at that moment than be with him.
Suddenly, Chuck pushed her back a little. “Are you sure you won’t regret this later?” he whispered.
“I’ll never regret this,” she whispered back. And with that, Blair smiled and slipped out of her dress.
The Vintage Ball turned out to be more dramatic than we had expected. Lucky for you, I’ve got all the deats.
Serena: Back with Dan, happy as ever.
Vanessa: Left all alone at a party she wasn’t even invited to.
Nate: Left single and still standing. But we have some news that might soon knock him off his feet.
Jenny: Heading home, torn up with yet another secret.
And as for Blair and Chuck, well, no one knows about them, but we have a few ideas…
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Chapter 19 -Part 5
Chapter 19
Part 5
Serena was sitting at her table alone. Blair had gone off with Nate, and Jenny was dancing with another freshman. She sighed, and looked around. Suddenly, she saw the last couple she thought would ever show up.
Dan and Vanessa.
Staring wide-eyed at them, Serena was shocked. How dare they! Serena was pretty sure they weren’t even invited.
Seeing S gaping at her, Vanessa dismissed Dan and walked over to Serena. “Well, well, well,” Vanessa said in a noticeably fake sweet voice. “I didn’t expect you to show up; least of all, dateless.” V looked around, pretending to search for Serena’s date.
“Well, I didn’t expect you to show up either,” Serena replied, narrowing her eyes. She so didn’t want to do this tonight.
“I couldn’t let Dan down,” Vanessa said. “I know how much he loves a good old fashioned Upper East Side party.” Serena stared at her, a bitter look in her eyes. She knew Vanessa had dragged Dan here, insisting that S wouldn’t show up. And of course, the only reason she had done that was to rub Dan in Serena’s face.
Serena smiled. “Excuse me,” she said sweetly, rising from the table. Vanessa looked after her, amused.
S rushed into the bathroom, getting out her lip gloss. She fixed her makeup and hair to be perfect, and then ran back out. Luckily, Vanessa was still mingling with some of the richer kids. Spotting Dan alone near the entrance to the ballroom, Serena gracefully strode over to him.
“Dan,” she said, acting genuinely surprised. “I didn’t expect to see you here! I thought you hated these events.”
“Uh, hi, Serena. I, uh, I didn’t know you were going to be here either.”
“Well, you know me,” Serena said, beaming. “I can never turn down a good party.”
“Um, yeah.” Dan looked past her, probably for Vanessa. Realizing small talk wasn’t going anywhere, Serena decided to use the direct approach.
“Dan, actually, I wanted to talk to you about us.” Dan turned to her quickly, surprised.
“Why? I thought you dumped me. Don’t you want nothing to do with me?”
Serena stared at him, confused. “What? I thought you broke up with me.”
“How did you get that idea?” Dan was just as bewildered as she was.
“Well, Vanessa came by a while ago and said you were dumping me. She said you realized I wasn’t the type of girl you wanted.”
“But how can that be? She came by and told me that you were kissing some other guy, and that you realized I wasn’t the type of guy you wanted!”
“What? But I didn’t say that! And I definitely didn’t kiss any other guy!”
“Well, if you didn’t break up with me, and I didn’t break up with you, then why would Vanessa lie to both of us like that?”
“To split us up, maybe? I mean, she kept going on about how you rejected me for her.” Serena looked over to where Vanessa was laughing with another girl from Constance Billiard. Good, Serena thought. She hasn’t noticed us yet.
Dan thought for a moment. He ran everything through his mind, and realized what Vanessa had done. “I can’t believe she would do that! She knew how much I cared about you. And she just broke us up so she could have me! Who would do that?”
“Vanessa Abrams would do that,” Serena sighed.
“I’m so sorry, Serena! I never should have believed her in the first place.”
“That’s okay. At least we know now, and we’ll never let her get in the way of us ever again.” Serena smiled at Dan. He smiled back. They hugged, and he kissed her cheek.
“So what do you think we should do?” Dan asked. “Like, should we tell her that we know?”
“Well, she’ll suspect something if you just stop being her date for the rest of the night,” Serena laughed, adjusting Dan’s necktie.
“Hmm. I guess you’re right. But I don’t feel like getting into a huge feud tonight. To tell you the truth, I’ve missed you so much that all I want to do is be with you.” Dan smiled shyly as Serena looked up at him.
“I feel the same way,” she said softly. “I’ll tell you what; how about we ditch this place?”
“Do you think Blair would mind?” Dan looked worried.
“Probably not. She knows how much I like you, and besides; I think she’s gonna be busy for a while.” Dan raised his eyebrows at her, but she didn’t go on.
“Well, alright then. Vanessa can just hang out here with Blair’s groupies.” They both laughed. “We should stop for ice cream. I’m hungry.”
“Oh, yes, definitely,” Serena said, relieved. “All they have here is salad and sugar-free mints.”
Smiling, the two walked outside together, heading for a nearby ice cream parlour. “I’ve missed you so much,” Dan said as they were walking. “You’re so much funner than Vanessa.” Serena laughed.
“Is ‘funner’ even a word?” she said, looking at him sceptically.
“Probably not, but it’s funner than saying ‘more fun’.” They both laughed as they continued down the sidewalk.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Serena said after a while. “I definitely didn’t enjoy being single, and I couldn’t muster up the nerves to ask Cedric out.”
Dan smiled. “Well, that’s good for me, then,” he said. “Because that Cedric really knows how to treat a girl.”
Serena laughed and kissed Dan’s cheek. Oh, how good it was to have her boyfriend back.
Part 5
Serena was sitting at her table alone. Blair had gone off with Nate, and Jenny was dancing with another freshman. She sighed, and looked around. Suddenly, she saw the last couple she thought would ever show up.
Dan and Vanessa.
Staring wide-eyed at them, Serena was shocked. How dare they! Serena was pretty sure they weren’t even invited.
Seeing S gaping at her, Vanessa dismissed Dan and walked over to Serena. “Well, well, well,” Vanessa said in a noticeably fake sweet voice. “I didn’t expect you to show up; least of all, dateless.” V looked around, pretending to search for Serena’s date.
“Well, I didn’t expect you to show up either,” Serena replied, narrowing her eyes. She so didn’t want to do this tonight.
“I couldn’t let Dan down,” Vanessa said. “I know how much he loves a good old fashioned Upper East Side party.” Serena stared at her, a bitter look in her eyes. She knew Vanessa had dragged Dan here, insisting that S wouldn’t show up. And of course, the only reason she had done that was to rub Dan in Serena’s face.
Serena smiled. “Excuse me,” she said sweetly, rising from the table. Vanessa looked after her, amused.
S rushed into the bathroom, getting out her lip gloss. She fixed her makeup and hair to be perfect, and then ran back out. Luckily, Vanessa was still mingling with some of the richer kids. Spotting Dan alone near the entrance to the ballroom, Serena gracefully strode over to him.
“Dan,” she said, acting genuinely surprised. “I didn’t expect to see you here! I thought you hated these events.”
“Uh, hi, Serena. I, uh, I didn’t know you were going to be here either.”
“Well, you know me,” Serena said, beaming. “I can never turn down a good party.”
“Um, yeah.” Dan looked past her, probably for Vanessa. Realizing small talk wasn’t going anywhere, Serena decided to use the direct approach.
“Dan, actually, I wanted to talk to you about us.” Dan turned to her quickly, surprised.
“Why? I thought you dumped me. Don’t you want nothing to do with me?”
Serena stared at him, confused. “What? I thought you broke up with me.”
“How did you get that idea?” Dan was just as bewildered as she was.
“Well, Vanessa came by a while ago and said you were dumping me. She said you realized I wasn’t the type of girl you wanted.”
“But how can that be? She came by and told me that you were kissing some other guy, and that you realized I wasn’t the type of guy you wanted!”
“What? But I didn’t say that! And I definitely didn’t kiss any other guy!”
“Well, if you didn’t break up with me, and I didn’t break up with you, then why would Vanessa lie to both of us like that?”
“To split us up, maybe? I mean, she kept going on about how you rejected me for her.” Serena looked over to where Vanessa was laughing with another girl from Constance Billiard. Good, Serena thought. She hasn’t noticed us yet.
Dan thought for a moment. He ran everything through his mind, and realized what Vanessa had done. “I can’t believe she would do that! She knew how much I cared about you. And she just broke us up so she could have me! Who would do that?”
“Vanessa Abrams would do that,” Serena sighed.
“I’m so sorry, Serena! I never should have believed her in the first place.”
“That’s okay. At least we know now, and we’ll never let her get in the way of us ever again.” Serena smiled at Dan. He smiled back. They hugged, and he kissed her cheek.
“So what do you think we should do?” Dan asked. “Like, should we tell her that we know?”
“Well, she’ll suspect something if you just stop being her date for the rest of the night,” Serena laughed, adjusting Dan’s necktie.
“Hmm. I guess you’re right. But I don’t feel like getting into a huge feud tonight. To tell you the truth, I’ve missed you so much that all I want to do is be with you.” Dan smiled shyly as Serena looked up at him.
“I feel the same way,” she said softly. “I’ll tell you what; how about we ditch this place?”
“Do you think Blair would mind?” Dan looked worried.
“Probably not. She knows how much I like you, and besides; I think she’s gonna be busy for a while.” Dan raised his eyebrows at her, but she didn’t go on.
“Well, alright then. Vanessa can just hang out here with Blair’s groupies.” They both laughed. “We should stop for ice cream. I’m hungry.”
“Oh, yes, definitely,” Serena said, relieved. “All they have here is salad and sugar-free mints.”
Smiling, the two walked outside together, heading for a nearby ice cream parlour. “I’ve missed you so much,” Dan said as they were walking. “You’re so much funner than Vanessa.” Serena laughed.
“Is ‘funner’ even a word?” she said, looking at him sceptically.
“Probably not, but it’s funner than saying ‘more fun’.” They both laughed as they continued down the sidewalk.
“I’ve missed you, too,” Serena said after a while. “I definitely didn’t enjoy being single, and I couldn’t muster up the nerves to ask Cedric out.”
Dan smiled. “Well, that’s good for me, then,” he said. “Because that Cedric really knows how to treat a girl.”
Serena laughed and kissed Dan’s cheek. Oh, how good it was to have her boyfriend back.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Chapter 19 -Part 4
Chapter 19
Part 4
“Woah, dude, slow down.” Nate laughed as he came up to Chuck, who was still gulping down more alcohol. He didn’t want this to be a night to remember.
“What’s the point?” Chuck asked dully, putting down his glass. “It’s not like the evening is going well.”
“Why not? There are tons of girls here, and most of them have packed away a few drinks already.” Nate grinned at his friend.
Chuck gazed over to where Blair, Serena and Jenny were hanging out at a table. “Let’s just say I’m not in the mood for hunting today.”
Nate frowned. “Since when? I swear, Chuck, you get less and less like yourself every day now.” Chuck didn’t say anything; he just ordered another drink, and got rid of it quickly. He got up, and walked over to the girls’ table.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, holding his hand out to Jenny.
“Leave her alone, Chuck.” Serena glared at him.
Chuck looked offended. “What? Can’t I just share a dance with Little Jenny Humphrey over here? Just one dance; that’s all.” Jenny looked nervously at the other girls.
“Fine. But we’re watching you.” Serena eyed Chuck suspiciously as he led Jenny out onto the floor. She could see he’d had quite a few drinks; and a drunken Chuck was a dangerous Chuck. But he only smiled, and moved swiftly across the floor, holding onto Jenny by the shoulder, not the waist like usual.
“Having fun?” he asked Jenny as they moved gracefully across the room. Jenny looked nervous.
“I guess…” she said finally.
“Blair’s taken you back?”
“Yeah, I uh, I guess…”
“Don’t be scared,” Chuck reassured her, noticing how anxious she was. “I don’t hold anything against you. We’re even.”
Jenny relaxed a little, but she still looked uneasy as he dipped her.
When the song was over, Chuck led Jenny back to her table. Blair had started dancing with Nate again, but Serena was still sitting. She eyed Chuck, looking pleased.
“Did I pass the test?” he asked, sitting Jenny back down.
“Surprisingly, you did alright. But luckily for you, the dancing is freestyle. I doubt you could have walked in a straight line, considering all the liquor you’ve stored away.” Chuck narrowed his eyes at her, but smiled.
After Chuck had wandered away, Serena turned to Jenny. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, he was good. Didn’t make the slightest move.”
“That’s strange for him to do. But I guess he’s only got his eye on one girl tonight.” Jenny looked at Serena suspiciously, but S didn’t say any more.
Blair had led Nate off of the dance floor and into a hallway. They were smiling and laughing and kissing.
“This is the most perfect night ever,” Blair whispered, pushing back the collar of his suit jacket.
“It certainly is,” Nate said as they wandered into an elevator, not parting.
After a steamy make out, they arrived on the sixth floor. They stumbled into the hallway and, still kissing, reached Chuck’s suite. Nate opened the door, and they squeezed through, laughing.
Surprised, Chuck rose from the sofa. “Well, well, well,” he said, not moving.
Nate and Blair parted, and stared at him. “Chuck,” Blair exclaimed, “What are you doing here?” Chuck looked at her skeptically.
“Well, this is my suite, isn’t it?” He looked at Nate. “But I see you two need it much more than I do.” Giving Blair one heartbroken glance, he left the room.
Blair sighed. “Maybe,” she said slowly, running her hands down Nate’s chest, “Maybe this isn’t the classiest way to do this. I mean, in Chuck’s room.”
Nate started kissing her neck. “Do you want me to rent our own room, then? Whatever works, right?” He mumbled, slipping his hands around her waist. Blair pushed him away.
“Nate! Maybe tonight isn’t the right time.”
Nate slipped back over to her, and began again. “The right time for what, losing your virginity? Like it matters.”
Blair, shocked, pushed him even harder. “I’ll have you know, I’ve already lost my virginity.”
Nate stepped back. Astonished, he said, “What? To who?”
Blair brushed off her dress. “None of your business,” she said coldly. “But maybe tonight isn’t the right time to do anything, least of all get back together. In fact, I don’t think there ever will be a right time to do that. Nate Archibald, we are over. Forever.”
B stormed out of the hotel room, leaving a shocked Nate standing in the middle of the suite.
As Blair rounded the corner, she saw Chuck leaning against the wall next to elevator. His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking down at the red carpet below him.
“I’m sorry,” Blair said, walking over to him. He looked at her, not saying a word.
“I was so stupid,” she continued. “Getting back together with him was a huge mistake.”
“Well, letting you get back together with him was a huge mistake on my part.” Chuck looked straight ahead. Blair smiled a little.
“You really care about me, don’t you?” she said quietly.
Chuck swung his head over to her. “Please. You wish.” Blair laughed, thinking of their balcony conversation at her birthday party. She hugged him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he leaned his head on hers.
Blair looked up at Chuck after a few silent minutes. “Chuck,” she said, gazing into his dark brown eyes, “I hope you haven’t killed the butterflies.”
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her.
Part 4
“Woah, dude, slow down.” Nate laughed as he came up to Chuck, who was still gulping down more alcohol. He didn’t want this to be a night to remember.
“What’s the point?” Chuck asked dully, putting down his glass. “It’s not like the evening is going well.”
“Why not? There are tons of girls here, and most of them have packed away a few drinks already.” Nate grinned at his friend.
Chuck gazed over to where Blair, Serena and Jenny were hanging out at a table. “Let’s just say I’m not in the mood for hunting today.”
Nate frowned. “Since when? I swear, Chuck, you get less and less like yourself every day now.” Chuck didn’t say anything; he just ordered another drink, and got rid of it quickly. He got up, and walked over to the girls’ table.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, holding his hand out to Jenny.
“Leave her alone, Chuck.” Serena glared at him.
Chuck looked offended. “What? Can’t I just share a dance with Little Jenny Humphrey over here? Just one dance; that’s all.” Jenny looked nervously at the other girls.
“Fine. But we’re watching you.” Serena eyed Chuck suspiciously as he led Jenny out onto the floor. She could see he’d had quite a few drinks; and a drunken Chuck was a dangerous Chuck. But he only smiled, and moved swiftly across the floor, holding onto Jenny by the shoulder, not the waist like usual.
“Having fun?” he asked Jenny as they moved gracefully across the room. Jenny looked nervous.
“I guess…” she said finally.
“Blair’s taken you back?”
“Yeah, I uh, I guess…”
“Don’t be scared,” Chuck reassured her, noticing how anxious she was. “I don’t hold anything against you. We’re even.”
Jenny relaxed a little, but she still looked uneasy as he dipped her.
When the song was over, Chuck led Jenny back to her table. Blair had started dancing with Nate again, but Serena was still sitting. She eyed Chuck, looking pleased.
“Did I pass the test?” he asked, sitting Jenny back down.
“Surprisingly, you did alright. But luckily for you, the dancing is freestyle. I doubt you could have walked in a straight line, considering all the liquor you’ve stored away.” Chuck narrowed his eyes at her, but smiled.
After Chuck had wandered away, Serena turned to Jenny. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, he was good. Didn’t make the slightest move.”
“That’s strange for him to do. But I guess he’s only got his eye on one girl tonight.” Jenny looked at Serena suspiciously, but S didn’t say any more.
Blair had led Nate off of the dance floor and into a hallway. They were smiling and laughing and kissing.
“This is the most perfect night ever,” Blair whispered, pushing back the collar of his suit jacket.
“It certainly is,” Nate said as they wandered into an elevator, not parting.
After a steamy make out, they arrived on the sixth floor. They stumbled into the hallway and, still kissing, reached Chuck’s suite. Nate opened the door, and they squeezed through, laughing.
Surprised, Chuck rose from the sofa. “Well, well, well,” he said, not moving.
Nate and Blair parted, and stared at him. “Chuck,” Blair exclaimed, “What are you doing here?” Chuck looked at her skeptically.
“Well, this is my suite, isn’t it?” He looked at Nate. “But I see you two need it much more than I do.” Giving Blair one heartbroken glance, he left the room.
Blair sighed. “Maybe,” she said slowly, running her hands down Nate’s chest, “Maybe this isn’t the classiest way to do this. I mean, in Chuck’s room.”
Nate started kissing her neck. “Do you want me to rent our own room, then? Whatever works, right?” He mumbled, slipping his hands around her waist. Blair pushed him away.
“Nate! Maybe tonight isn’t the right time.”
Nate slipped back over to her, and began again. “The right time for what, losing your virginity? Like it matters.”
Blair, shocked, pushed him even harder. “I’ll have you know, I’ve already lost my virginity.”
Nate stepped back. Astonished, he said, “What? To who?”
Blair brushed off her dress. “None of your business,” she said coldly. “But maybe tonight isn’t the right time to do anything, least of all get back together. In fact, I don’t think there ever will be a right time to do that. Nate Archibald, we are over. Forever.”
B stormed out of the hotel room, leaving a shocked Nate standing in the middle of the suite.
As Blair rounded the corner, she saw Chuck leaning against the wall next to elevator. His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking down at the red carpet below him.
“I’m sorry,” Blair said, walking over to him. He looked at her, not saying a word.
“I was so stupid,” she continued. “Getting back together with him was a huge mistake.”
“Well, letting you get back together with him was a huge mistake on my part.” Chuck looked straight ahead. Blair smiled a little.
“You really care about me, don’t you?” she said quietly.
Chuck swung his head over to her. “Please. You wish.” Blair laughed, thinking of their balcony conversation at her birthday party. She hugged him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he leaned his head on hers.
Blair looked up at Chuck after a few silent minutes. “Chuck,” she said, gazing into his dark brown eyes, “I hope you haven’t killed the butterflies.”
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her.
Chapter 19 -Part 3
Chapter 19
Part 3
Blair and Serena were in the bathroom fixing their lip gloss, talking about the night.
“Nate is being so perfect,” Blair went on. “It’s amazing! I just really am sorry about Dan.”
“Well, it’s okay. At least now, if he never calls me again, I won’t ever have to deal with Vanessa again.”
“But what I don’t understand is why he dumped you for her! I mean, you’re so much better.”
“Thanks, but I guess he just loved Vanessa all along.”
Suddenly, Jenny came into the restroom.
“Blair,” she said, “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Jenny, I have nothing to say to you and I don’t want to hear a word that you have to say.” Blair made for the exit, but J stopped her.
“Will you just listen to me for a second?”
Serena kissed Blair on the cheek. “Meet me outside later,” she said before leaving. Blair waved, and then turned her attention to Jenny.
B crossed her arms and waited. “Talk.”
Jenny took a deep breath. “Blair,” she began, “I’m sorry for everything I did to you. I didn’t mean for anything to hurt you. The night of your birthday party, Nate and I just talked. We were both on the outs with you, and couldn’t bring ourselves to battle you; not on your birthday. And then, with the picture I sent to Gossip Girl, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I was just so caught up in trying to impress you, that I got carried away.”
Blair stared at Jenny. “You seriously thought giving me and Chuck away to Gossip Girl would impress me?”
“No,” Jenny continued. “I just wanted you to be devastated, and come to me for support. I didn’t think about what would happen after that, and I should have. I only did it so you would need me. Blair, I’ve wanted you to need me for so long. And I was stupid, and willing to do anything to get your attention.” J looked desperately at Blair.
“Fair enough,” Blair said finally. “I appreciate you apologizing and explaining it all to me, but that doesn’t make what you did okay. You betrayed me, Little J. After all I did for you; after everything I handed to you on a silver platter, you decided to throw it all away and ruin me.”
Tears started rolling down Jenny’s cheeks. “I didn’t mean to ruin you, Blair. I just wanted to mean something to you. And there’s nothing in this world I want more than for you to forgive me.”
Blair stared at Jenny, thinking. Finally, she said, “Jenny, if you’re going to live in this world, you can’t betray the people who keep you here. If it weren’t for me, you would still be living your boring little Brooklyn life, and hanging out at Wal-Mart with your loser friends. You need to learn to respect the elite, Little J. They can make you and destroy you with a snap of their fingers. I’ve made you, Jenny, and I really don’t want to destroy you. You have so much potential here; I’d hate to see you give it all away.”
Jenny wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, Blair. I really am. I… I really want you to accept me. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to accept me.”
Blair sighed. “You remind me of Serena. You completely ruin everything, and then come running back, expecting to be forgiven. Of course, with Serena, she’s my best friend. And she really wanted to change. So I gave her the gift of forgiving her. Now, the question is, are you important enough to me to be forgiven?”
Jenny’s lip quivered. “I really want to be,” she said, her voice shaking.
Blair’s eyes softened. “We’re friends, Jenny. And I want to keep it that way. I don’t want to hate you, because then you’ll have to fight me. And you’re no match for me. You’d get scorned. But I do think our friendship can be salvaged.”
Jenny looked up at Blair. “Really? I mean, thank you so much, Blair.”
“Of course,” B continued, “You’ll need to work for it, but maybe you can be accepted back in.”
“Oh, thank you, Blair! You don’t know how much this means to me!”
“But I’m warning you, Jenny.” Blair’s voice turned cold again. “One more time, and it’ll be suicide. Social suicide, that is. But really, I think that’s the worst kind.”
“Don’t worry. I swear on my life. I’ll never do anything to cross you ever again.” Jenny was smiling and crying, all at the same time.
“You better not. Because I just gave you your last chance, and you don’t know how unforgiving I can be.”
“I promise, Blair. No more. I’ll be faithful and loyal to you forever.”
Blair smiled. “Good.” She held out her arms. Jenny came running into them. After a very emotional hug, the two went back outside. Serena saw them, and came over. Blair explained to her what happened.
“Well, that’s good,” Serena said, relieved. “I just hate it when someone’s on your bad side, Blair.” The girls laughed, and headed back into the crowd. Jenny, now newly accepted back into Blair’s life, followed eagerly.
Part 3
Blair and Serena were in the bathroom fixing their lip gloss, talking about the night.
“Nate is being so perfect,” Blair went on. “It’s amazing! I just really am sorry about Dan.”
“Well, it’s okay. At least now, if he never calls me again, I won’t ever have to deal with Vanessa again.”
“But what I don’t understand is why he dumped you for her! I mean, you’re so much better.”
“Thanks, but I guess he just loved Vanessa all along.”
Suddenly, Jenny came into the restroom.
“Blair,” she said, “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Jenny, I have nothing to say to you and I don’t want to hear a word that you have to say.” Blair made for the exit, but J stopped her.
“Will you just listen to me for a second?”
Serena kissed Blair on the cheek. “Meet me outside later,” she said before leaving. Blair waved, and then turned her attention to Jenny.
B crossed her arms and waited. “Talk.”
Jenny took a deep breath. “Blair,” she began, “I’m sorry for everything I did to you. I didn’t mean for anything to hurt you. The night of your birthday party, Nate and I just talked. We were both on the outs with you, and couldn’t bring ourselves to battle you; not on your birthday. And then, with the picture I sent to Gossip Girl, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I was just so caught up in trying to impress you, that I got carried away.”
Blair stared at Jenny. “You seriously thought giving me and Chuck away to Gossip Girl would impress me?”
“No,” Jenny continued. “I just wanted you to be devastated, and come to me for support. I didn’t think about what would happen after that, and I should have. I only did it so you would need me. Blair, I’ve wanted you to need me for so long. And I was stupid, and willing to do anything to get your attention.” J looked desperately at Blair.
“Fair enough,” Blair said finally. “I appreciate you apologizing and explaining it all to me, but that doesn’t make what you did okay. You betrayed me, Little J. After all I did for you; after everything I handed to you on a silver platter, you decided to throw it all away and ruin me.”
Tears started rolling down Jenny’s cheeks. “I didn’t mean to ruin you, Blair. I just wanted to mean something to you. And there’s nothing in this world I want more than for you to forgive me.”
Blair stared at Jenny, thinking. Finally, she said, “Jenny, if you’re going to live in this world, you can’t betray the people who keep you here. If it weren’t for me, you would still be living your boring little Brooklyn life, and hanging out at Wal-Mart with your loser friends. You need to learn to respect the elite, Little J. They can make you and destroy you with a snap of their fingers. I’ve made you, Jenny, and I really don’t want to destroy you. You have so much potential here; I’d hate to see you give it all away.”
Jenny wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, Blair. I really am. I… I really want you to accept me. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to accept me.”
Blair sighed. “You remind me of Serena. You completely ruin everything, and then come running back, expecting to be forgiven. Of course, with Serena, she’s my best friend. And she really wanted to change. So I gave her the gift of forgiving her. Now, the question is, are you important enough to me to be forgiven?”
Jenny’s lip quivered. “I really want to be,” she said, her voice shaking.
Blair’s eyes softened. “We’re friends, Jenny. And I want to keep it that way. I don’t want to hate you, because then you’ll have to fight me. And you’re no match for me. You’d get scorned. But I do think our friendship can be salvaged.”
Jenny looked up at Blair. “Really? I mean, thank you so much, Blair.”
“Of course,” B continued, “You’ll need to work for it, but maybe you can be accepted back in.”
“Oh, thank you, Blair! You don’t know how much this means to me!”
“But I’m warning you, Jenny.” Blair’s voice turned cold again. “One more time, and it’ll be suicide. Social suicide, that is. But really, I think that’s the worst kind.”
“Don’t worry. I swear on my life. I’ll never do anything to cross you ever again.” Jenny was smiling and crying, all at the same time.
“You better not. Because I just gave you your last chance, and you don’t know how unforgiving I can be.”
“I promise, Blair. No more. I’ll be faithful and loyal to you forever.”
Blair smiled. “Good.” She held out her arms. Jenny came running into them. After a very emotional hug, the two went back outside. Serena saw them, and came over. Blair explained to her what happened.
“Well, that’s good,” Serena said, relieved. “I just hate it when someone’s on your bad side, Blair.” The girls laughed, and headed back into the crowd. Jenny, now newly accepted back into Blair’s life, followed eagerly.
Chapter 19 -Part 2
Chapter 19
Part 2
“I’ve missed your smile,” Nate said happily as he gazed at Blair. They were still waltzing across the floor, oblivious to the rest of the world.
Blair giggled and kissed his cheek. Oh, how she too had missed this. Just her and Nate. Before Serena; before Chuck. Before anything had happened to jeopardize their love.
Slowly, the couple made their way over to some tables on the edge of the ballroom. Laughing, they sat down.
“This is perfect,” Blair said as she leaned across the table to kiss Nate. He leaned, too, and their lips met halfway to each other. When they parted, Blair smiled. It was too good to be true.
“Go ask her to dance!” Serena was pushing Chuck over to Blair and Nate’s table. “How are you even going to be her friend if you never talk to her?”
With one final push from Serena, Chuck stumbled over to their table. “Um,” he said nervously, glancing at Blair. “May I have this dance?” He held out his hand. Giving him a little smile, Blair accepted.
Swiftly, they moved across the floor. Chuck’s eyes never left Blair. She stared back, studying his content face.
“Tonight is so perfect, isn’t it?” Blair said finally, glancing wistfully back at Nate. He waved.
“Uh, I guess so.” Chuck looked over at Nate. He seemed happy.
“You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” Blair looked back up at him.
“Sure.”
Blair shifted nervously. Chuck wasn’t acting like himself. They danced silently for the rest of the song, and when it ended, Blair went back to Nate and Chuck dashed back to the bar. He ordered another drink and thought miserably of Blair and Nate at the other side of the ballroom, being with each other. This definitely wasn’t Chuck’s perfect night.
Suddenly, Jenny was at his side. She sat down and ordered a virgin cocktail. “Shouldn’t you be off looking for the drunkest and easiest girl here?” she said, sipping her drink.
“They don’t get drunk enough to be easy until later,” Chuck said, swishing his glass around on the counter.
“Then… shouldn’t you be off with Blair?”
Chuck looked up at her in surprise. He glared at her. “She’s with Nate,” he said coldly, swallowing more whisky.
“Chuck… are you and Blair… I mean, did you…”
“No and no. Nothing happened. You may not know me very well, but I’m not as bad as you think.”
“Well, from what I know so far, you aren’t exactly a saint.”
“Humph, yeah, well, nobody is.” Chuck looked over at Blair. She was laughing while Nate was smiling.
Jenny followed his gaze. “Why don’t you try and win her back?”
“What are you talking about? I never had her to begin with! And why does everyone want me to be with Blair so badly? She’s with Nate. And she always will be.” Chuck got up from the bar stool and left. Jenny watched as he made his way across the floor, dodging dancing couples.
(The night went on in a similar way: B and N being the perfect couple, C staring on jealously, S longing for D to show up, and J trying to find a way back into Blair’s heart. Until…)
Part 2
“I’ve missed your smile,” Nate said happily as he gazed at Blair. They were still waltzing across the floor, oblivious to the rest of the world.
Blair giggled and kissed his cheek. Oh, how she too had missed this. Just her and Nate. Before Serena; before Chuck. Before anything had happened to jeopardize their love.
Slowly, the couple made their way over to some tables on the edge of the ballroom. Laughing, they sat down.
“This is perfect,” Blair said as she leaned across the table to kiss Nate. He leaned, too, and their lips met halfway to each other. When they parted, Blair smiled. It was too good to be true.
“Go ask her to dance!” Serena was pushing Chuck over to Blair and Nate’s table. “How are you even going to be her friend if you never talk to her?”
With one final push from Serena, Chuck stumbled over to their table. “Um,” he said nervously, glancing at Blair. “May I have this dance?” He held out his hand. Giving him a little smile, Blair accepted.
Swiftly, they moved across the floor. Chuck’s eyes never left Blair. She stared back, studying his content face.
“Tonight is so perfect, isn’t it?” Blair said finally, glancing wistfully back at Nate. He waved.
“Uh, I guess so.” Chuck looked over at Nate. He seemed happy.
“You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” Blair looked back up at him.
“Sure.”
Blair shifted nervously. Chuck wasn’t acting like himself. They danced silently for the rest of the song, and when it ended, Blair went back to Nate and Chuck dashed back to the bar. He ordered another drink and thought miserably of Blair and Nate at the other side of the ballroom, being with each other. This definitely wasn’t Chuck’s perfect night.
Suddenly, Jenny was at his side. She sat down and ordered a virgin cocktail. “Shouldn’t you be off looking for the drunkest and easiest girl here?” she said, sipping her drink.
“They don’t get drunk enough to be easy until later,” Chuck said, swishing his glass around on the counter.
“Then… shouldn’t you be off with Blair?”
Chuck looked up at her in surprise. He glared at her. “She’s with Nate,” he said coldly, swallowing more whisky.
“Chuck… are you and Blair… I mean, did you…”
“No and no. Nothing happened. You may not know me very well, but I’m not as bad as you think.”
“Well, from what I know so far, you aren’t exactly a saint.”
“Humph, yeah, well, nobody is.” Chuck looked over at Blair. She was laughing while Nate was smiling.
Jenny followed his gaze. “Why don’t you try and win her back?”
“What are you talking about? I never had her to begin with! And why does everyone want me to be with Blair so badly? She’s with Nate. And she always will be.” Chuck got up from the bar stool and left. Jenny watched as he made his way across the floor, dodging dancing couples.
(The night went on in a similar way: B and N being the perfect couple, C staring on jealously, S longing for D to show up, and J trying to find a way back into Blair’s heart. Until…)
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Chapter 19 -Part 1
Chapter 19
Part 1
Well, the day we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. No, not the grand opening of the latest Sephora downtown. The other one. The Vintage Ball. And I hear it’s going to be a drama-fest. But don’t worry if you miss it; I’ll be there to catch all the details on our most favourite UESers.
This’ll definitely be a night to remember. And you might actually want to head to Sephora on your way there, B, S and J; you’ll definitely need some tear-proof mascara.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Blair and Serena walked into the hotel ballroom, their arms linked. Serena was perfectly coiffed, dressed as none other than Marilyn Monroe. Blair was also looking fabulous in her Audrey Hepburn inspired outfit.
“Had Dan called you yet?” Blair whispered to her friend as she smiled at a passing girl from school.
Serena checked her phone. “No; I don’t think he’ll show up,” she said, sounding disappointed as she stuffed the phone in her clutch.
Nate elbowed Chuck to get his attention. Chuck carefully took a second to balance his glass of whiskey before following Nate’s eye. He was staring at Blair and Serena, but his glance was more towards Serena.
“Check it out,” Nate said. “She looks amazing.”
Chuck raised his eyebrows. “Blair, or Serena?” Nate quickly glanced at his best friend.
“Blair, of course,” he said, as he turned his head back to the girls. Chuck just shook his head.
“Well, come on,” Nate urged, pulling his best friend towards the girls, who were making their way over to the bar. “Let’s go meet them.”
“Actually,” Chuck protested, looking nervously at Blair, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea—” Nate yanked on Chuck’s arm, interrupting him. N dragged his friend across the floor to meet Blair and Serena in the middle of the room.
“You girls look awesome,” Nate said, smiling at both of them.
“You guys look pretty awesome yourselves,” Serena grinned back, looking over the boys’ vintage suits with their little paisley bowties.
Chuck nervously took a gulp from his glass, swallowing all of the liquor. “Um, I’ll be right back,” he said, hurrying back to the bar counter.
“Blair, may I have this dance?” Nate offered his girlfriend his hand. Smiling, Blair took it. As she sashayed across the floor, she gave Serena a look that said, Isn’t he adorable?
Serena smiled, happy for her friend, and made her way over to the bar where Chuck was taking shots.
“Whoa, easy, there. The night’s just begun,” Serena laughed as she took another glass out of Chuck’s hands.
“Trust me; this isn’t going to be one I want to remember.” Chuck watched Blair and Nate move swiftly across the dance floor. Serena looked at his face. His eyes were dull with disappointment.
Serena sighed. “Chuck, this is bad.”
He looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“Well, your feelings for Blair. I mean, she’s dating your best friend, and if he found out, he would never forgive you. You can’t like Blair. You just can’t.”
Chuck glare at Serena. “I don’t have feelings for Blair. I don’t have feelings for anyone. Chuck Bass doesn’t have feelings.”
Serena looked into his eyes. “Chuck, it’s okay to have emotions. You need to stop looking at it as a weakness. And everyone has feelings. You need to accept that.”
Chuck sighed. “I don’t know what to do. I mean, I know Blair’s with Nate, but I can’t bear it. She’s the only person I’ve ever…” His voice trailed off. Serena was silent. She rubbed his arm comfortingly and kissed his cheek.
“Come on. Let’s dance.” S pulled Chuck up from the bar stool and led him out onto the dance floor. She smiled warmly at him as her hands went to his shoulders. Hesitantly, Chuck reached slowly for her waist.
Serena laughed and pulled his hands around her. “It’s okay,” she said, taking her place. Chuck looked at her, and smiled.
Jenny rushed into the ballroom, scanning the crowd for Blair. She spotted her dancing with Nate. Sighing, Jenny started across the dance floor. Suddenly, Is and Kati appeared before her. Jenny was taken aback.
“We don’t think going near Blair is a good idea right now, Jenny,” Is said, smiling.
“Yeah,” Kati added. “Especially since she’s with Nate.”
“Is she… is she still mad?” Jenny asked timidly.
“Of course! She’s always mad until she’s had revenge.”
“Just stay away from her for a while, and watch your back. You wouldn’t want her stabbing it.”
Is and Kati smiled sweetly and walked away. Jenny sighed. This was going to be harder than she thought.
Part 1
Well, the day we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. No, not the grand opening of the latest Sephora downtown. The other one. The Vintage Ball. And I hear it’s going to be a drama-fest. But don’t worry if you miss it; I’ll be there to catch all the details on our most favourite UESers.
This’ll definitely be a night to remember. And you might actually want to head to Sephora on your way there, B, S and J; you’ll definitely need some tear-proof mascara.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Blair and Serena walked into the hotel ballroom, their arms linked. Serena was perfectly coiffed, dressed as none other than Marilyn Monroe. Blair was also looking fabulous in her Audrey Hepburn inspired outfit.
“Had Dan called you yet?” Blair whispered to her friend as she smiled at a passing girl from school.
Serena checked her phone. “No; I don’t think he’ll show up,” she said, sounding disappointed as she stuffed the phone in her clutch.
Nate elbowed Chuck to get his attention. Chuck carefully took a second to balance his glass of whiskey before following Nate’s eye. He was staring at Blair and Serena, but his glance was more towards Serena.
“Check it out,” Nate said. “She looks amazing.”
Chuck raised his eyebrows. “Blair, or Serena?” Nate quickly glanced at his best friend.
“Blair, of course,” he said, as he turned his head back to the girls. Chuck just shook his head.
“Well, come on,” Nate urged, pulling his best friend towards the girls, who were making their way over to the bar. “Let’s go meet them.”
“Actually,” Chuck protested, looking nervously at Blair, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea—” Nate yanked on Chuck’s arm, interrupting him. N dragged his friend across the floor to meet Blair and Serena in the middle of the room.
“You girls look awesome,” Nate said, smiling at both of them.
“You guys look pretty awesome yourselves,” Serena grinned back, looking over the boys’ vintage suits with their little paisley bowties.
Chuck nervously took a gulp from his glass, swallowing all of the liquor. “Um, I’ll be right back,” he said, hurrying back to the bar counter.
“Blair, may I have this dance?” Nate offered his girlfriend his hand. Smiling, Blair took it. As she sashayed across the floor, she gave Serena a look that said, Isn’t he adorable?
Serena smiled, happy for her friend, and made her way over to the bar where Chuck was taking shots.
“Whoa, easy, there. The night’s just begun,” Serena laughed as she took another glass out of Chuck’s hands.
“Trust me; this isn’t going to be one I want to remember.” Chuck watched Blair and Nate move swiftly across the dance floor. Serena looked at his face. His eyes were dull with disappointment.
Serena sighed. “Chuck, this is bad.”
He looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“Well, your feelings for Blair. I mean, she’s dating your best friend, and if he found out, he would never forgive you. You can’t like Blair. You just can’t.”
Chuck glare at Serena. “I don’t have feelings for Blair. I don’t have feelings for anyone. Chuck Bass doesn’t have feelings.”
Serena looked into his eyes. “Chuck, it’s okay to have emotions. You need to stop looking at it as a weakness. And everyone has feelings. You need to accept that.”
Chuck sighed. “I don’t know what to do. I mean, I know Blair’s with Nate, but I can’t bear it. She’s the only person I’ve ever…” His voice trailed off. Serena was silent. She rubbed his arm comfortingly and kissed his cheek.
“Come on. Let’s dance.” S pulled Chuck up from the bar stool and led him out onto the dance floor. She smiled warmly at him as her hands went to his shoulders. Hesitantly, Chuck reached slowly for her waist.
Serena laughed and pulled his hands around her. “It’s okay,” she said, taking her place. Chuck looked at her, and smiled.
Jenny rushed into the ballroom, scanning the crowd for Blair. She spotted her dancing with Nate. Sighing, Jenny started across the dance floor. Suddenly, Is and Kati appeared before her. Jenny was taken aback.
“We don’t think going near Blair is a good idea right now, Jenny,” Is said, smiling.
“Yeah,” Kati added. “Especially since she’s with Nate.”
“Is she… is she still mad?” Jenny asked timidly.
“Of course! She’s always mad until she’s had revenge.”
“Just stay away from her for a while, and watch your back. You wouldn’t want her stabbing it.”
Is and Kati smiled sweetly and walked away. Jenny sighed. This was going to be harder than she thought.
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
NEWSFLASH: The annual Vintage Ball is being held tomorrow, and all our favourite Upper East Siders are getting ready. Well, at least most of them are.
B has been seen on many occasions shopping to complete her perfect Audrey outfit, sometimes with her boyfriend, sometimes with her best friend. Leave it up to Blair Waldorf to drag anybody along just so she can have a second opinion on an accessory she’ll buy no matter what they say.
N has been shopping with a Waldorf in hand, helping to pick out the tux that will match her dress the most. I wouldn’t say young Archibald likes these trips, but it’s something he’s got to deal with if he’s going to be dating our UES Fashion Queen.
C was spotted searching for a tux as well, but we’ve also been seeing him stop outside a certain florist’s to look at the hydrangeas.
Little Jenny Humphrey looks to also be searching for a dress, but let’s just say we don’t expect her to show up in anything from Saks Fifth Avenue. In fact, we don’t expect her to show up at all. But Little J isn’t one to be predictable.
And our favourite It Couple, D and S, seem to be on the outs with each other. In one of my previous posts, I sported photos of Lonely Boy and Vanessa being all couple-y. Gag.
But at least they were sticking to Brooklyn. Without S, Dan is just another little outsider to our big, wonderful UES world.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Hey man, thanks for sending those flowers. Blair loved them.” Nate was adjusting his bow tie as he inspected his tux for the Vintage Ball.
“Anything for Blair,” Chuck mumbled, checking his voicemail. No messages.
“Yep. But how did you even know that hydrangeas were Blair’s favourite?”
“Oh, she just mentioned it to me a while ago and I guess it stuck in my head.” Chuck checked his text inbox, too. No messages there, either.
“Well, she thought I sent them, and let’s just say she was extremely overjoyed.” Nate turned in front of the mirror, tugging at his pant leg to take out a fold. Chuck looked up at him.
“You mean… did you guys…” Chuck glanced nervously from Nate to his phone and back again.
Nate laughed. “No, not yet. It has to be perfect, you know?”
“Surprisingly, I would,” Chuck muttered under his breath, slipping his cell into his pocket.
“I’m thinking of ‘sealing the deal’, as you would say, the night of the ball. It’ll be classic and romantic. Plus, I think Blair’s getting a little anxious to lose her virginity.” Nate smiled. Chuck stared at him, wide-eyed.
“Yeah,” he said finally. “Must be.”
“So I’d better make it quick and get it over with. Once I sleep with her, she’ll know that I’m the only one she’ll ever want to be with.” Nate paused to fix his already perfect hair. “Oh, and by the way; you remember that time a while ago when I asked you to find out who that guy was? The one Blair was kissing in that grocery store? Did you find out?”
Chuck examined his fingernails. “Oh, uh, no, she didn’t tell me anything. But I don’t think he’ll be much of a problem now that you and Blair are back together.”
“Yup. I’ve sure got her wrapped around my finger, don’t I?”
“You sure do.”
Chuck began helping Nate with his suit, but when his friend wasn’t looking, young Bass was shooting more dark looks at him than a machine gun could have.
“Which do you think Nate will like better; diamonds, or pearls?” Blair was holding up different necklaces in front of her as she gazed into the mirror. Serena was sitting in an armchair beside her, helping with accessories.
“Well,” Serena said, grinning, “I know what Chuck likes better.” She nodded in the direction of the beautiful birthday present lying on Blair’s dresser.
Blair twirled around to glare at her best friend. “Shut up! I don’t care about Chuck. We’re just friends. Everything with him was just a mistake; he’s selfish and obnoxious, and Nate is the only one I want to be with.”
Serena raised her eyebrows at her best friend’s outburst.
“Pearls it is,” Blair decided, dropping the diamond jewellery back on the dresser. Serena just shook her head.
“Why do you even want to go to this stupid ball, anyway?” Vanessa sat on Jenny’s bed as J twirled around in a frilly, peach-coloured dress.
“Because this dance is going to be wonderful and classy and everything a girl could ever want. Besides a Debutante, of course.” Jenny smiled as she examined the hem in her mirror.
Vanessa sighed. “Balls are stupid. Especially themed ones. I mean, vintage? Come on, couldn’t they have thought of something better than that?”
Jenny glared at her. “I’ll have you know, vintage is in.”
“Oh, yes, and so original,” Vanessa said sarcastically. “I mean, they’ve only done this annual ball since vintage was invented.”
“Whatever. It’s important to Blair, and if it’s important to Blair, it’s important to me. I’ve got to win back her friendship.”
“Humph! Good luck,” Vanessa scoffed. “You’re just a footstool to that girl. Another one of her faithful servants.”
“That’s not true; Blair likes me. And so does Serena, actually. That reminds me; I wonder why she’s not coming.”
“Well, I can answer that. Serena doesn’t have a date.”
Jenny turned around to face Vanessa. “What do you mean? I thought Dan was okay with going with her.”
“He was, until they broke up.” Vanessa smiled as she examined her fingers.
“What? They broke up? Why?”
“Dan finally realized that girls like Serena are, oh, what’s the word? Undateable. They’re far too sl***y to hold onto a guy.”
Jenny looked at her, confused. “What?”
“Serena and Dan are over. Dan found his feelings for me buried deep beneath his dream of that van der Woodsen girl, and now he and I are officially an item.”
“Oh…” Jenny frowned as she adjusted her necklace.
NEWSFLASH: The annual Vintage Ball is being held tomorrow, and all our favourite Upper East Siders are getting ready. Well, at least most of them are.
B has been seen on many occasions shopping to complete her perfect Audrey outfit, sometimes with her boyfriend, sometimes with her best friend. Leave it up to Blair Waldorf to drag anybody along just so she can have a second opinion on an accessory she’ll buy no matter what they say.
N has been shopping with a Waldorf in hand, helping to pick out the tux that will match her dress the most. I wouldn’t say young Archibald likes these trips, but it’s something he’s got to deal with if he’s going to be dating our UES Fashion Queen.
C was spotted searching for a tux as well, but we’ve also been seeing him stop outside a certain florist’s to look at the hydrangeas.
Little Jenny Humphrey looks to also be searching for a dress, but let’s just say we don’t expect her to show up in anything from Saks Fifth Avenue. In fact, we don’t expect her to show up at all. But Little J isn’t one to be predictable.
And our favourite It Couple, D and S, seem to be on the outs with each other. In one of my previous posts, I sported photos of Lonely Boy and Vanessa being all couple-y. Gag.
But at least they were sticking to Brooklyn. Without S, Dan is just another little outsider to our big, wonderful UES world.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Hey man, thanks for sending those flowers. Blair loved them.” Nate was adjusting his bow tie as he inspected his tux for the Vintage Ball.
“Anything for Blair,” Chuck mumbled, checking his voicemail. No messages.
“Yep. But how did you even know that hydrangeas were Blair’s favourite?”
“Oh, she just mentioned it to me a while ago and I guess it stuck in my head.” Chuck checked his text inbox, too. No messages there, either.
“Well, she thought I sent them, and let’s just say she was extremely overjoyed.” Nate turned in front of the mirror, tugging at his pant leg to take out a fold. Chuck looked up at him.
“You mean… did you guys…” Chuck glanced nervously from Nate to his phone and back again.
Nate laughed. “No, not yet. It has to be perfect, you know?”
“Surprisingly, I would,” Chuck muttered under his breath, slipping his cell into his pocket.
“I’m thinking of ‘sealing the deal’, as you would say, the night of the ball. It’ll be classic and romantic. Plus, I think Blair’s getting a little anxious to lose her virginity.” Nate smiled. Chuck stared at him, wide-eyed.
“Yeah,” he said finally. “Must be.”
“So I’d better make it quick and get it over with. Once I sleep with her, she’ll know that I’m the only one she’ll ever want to be with.” Nate paused to fix his already perfect hair. “Oh, and by the way; you remember that time a while ago when I asked you to find out who that guy was? The one Blair was kissing in that grocery store? Did you find out?”
Chuck examined his fingernails. “Oh, uh, no, she didn’t tell me anything. But I don’t think he’ll be much of a problem now that you and Blair are back together.”
“Yup. I’ve sure got her wrapped around my finger, don’t I?”
“You sure do.”
Chuck began helping Nate with his suit, but when his friend wasn’t looking, young Bass was shooting more dark looks at him than a machine gun could have.
“Which do you think Nate will like better; diamonds, or pearls?” Blair was holding up different necklaces in front of her as she gazed into the mirror. Serena was sitting in an armchair beside her, helping with accessories.
“Well,” Serena said, grinning, “I know what Chuck likes better.” She nodded in the direction of the beautiful birthday present lying on Blair’s dresser.
Blair twirled around to glare at her best friend. “Shut up! I don’t care about Chuck. We’re just friends. Everything with him was just a mistake; he’s selfish and obnoxious, and Nate is the only one I want to be with.”
Serena raised her eyebrows at her best friend’s outburst.
“Pearls it is,” Blair decided, dropping the diamond jewellery back on the dresser. Serena just shook her head.
“Why do you even want to go to this stupid ball, anyway?” Vanessa sat on Jenny’s bed as J twirled around in a frilly, peach-coloured dress.
“Because this dance is going to be wonderful and classy and everything a girl could ever want. Besides a Debutante, of course.” Jenny smiled as she examined the hem in her mirror.
Vanessa sighed. “Balls are stupid. Especially themed ones. I mean, vintage? Come on, couldn’t they have thought of something better than that?”
Jenny glared at her. “I’ll have you know, vintage is in.”
“Oh, yes, and so original,” Vanessa said sarcastically. “I mean, they’ve only done this annual ball since vintage was invented.”
“Whatever. It’s important to Blair, and if it’s important to Blair, it’s important to me. I’ve got to win back her friendship.”
“Humph! Good luck,” Vanessa scoffed. “You’re just a footstool to that girl. Another one of her faithful servants.”
“That’s not true; Blair likes me. And so does Serena, actually. That reminds me; I wonder why she’s not coming.”
“Well, I can answer that. Serena doesn’t have a date.”
Jenny turned around to face Vanessa. “What do you mean? I thought Dan was okay with going with her.”
“He was, until they broke up.” Vanessa smiled as she examined her fingers.
“What? They broke up? Why?”
“Dan finally realized that girls like Serena are, oh, what’s the word? Undateable. They’re far too sl***y to hold onto a guy.”
Jenny looked at her, confused. “What?”
“Serena and Dan are over. Dan found his feelings for me buried deep beneath his dream of that van der Woodsen girl, and now he and I are officially an item.”
“Oh…” Jenny frowned as she adjusted her necklace.
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