EPILOGUE
Four years before the 2012 Debutante Ball, and four years from the Waldass engagement, Rebecca Kailey Summers went back to California to ruin the lives of other unsuspecting victims, where she belonged.
One year before the 2012 Debutante Ball, and one year before the Waldass engagement, Serena van der Woodsen and Daniel Humphrey got married. They bought an apartment on the Upper East Side, but they also opened an art gallery in Brooklyn. It now rivals the original Humphrey art gallery.
After high school graduation, everyone went to the college of their selection. B loved it at Yale; and they loved her right back. 2012 Yale Valedictorian? Miss Blair Waldorf, thank you very much.
And four months after the 2012 Debutante Ball, the Waldass wedding took place. Big and extravagant, it was the wedding of the millennium. And, by choice of the groom, all the flowers happened to be… why, hydrangeas, of course.
Nathaniel Archibald did not attend the wedding. Nathaniel Archibald did not graduate from Dartmouth. Nathaniel Archibald did not find love. Nathaniel Archibald failed at life. Yeah.
Oh, and eventually, Nate and Jenny both got hit by a bus at the same time. And died. Ugh, failures. =D
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Chapter 59 -Fanfiction Finale
--First of all, I'd just like to thank every person who has ever read one word of this, as your support means the world to me. And it's really sad for me to end this fanfiction, but it needs to be done. I've become so attached to it, but I know that it'll go down in history, especially in my own heart. Thanks so much, fans. I love you too much for words. =)
And keep looking for more of me; I promise you, this won't be the end. You guys make me want to continue writing, and I don't want to let you down. I love you all, as much as I love my fanfiction. Thanks for reading, and I can't wait for you to see more of my work. Enjoy life! And remember, Nathaniel Archibald failed at life. That's for you Natie-lovin' girlies. =D <3
xoxo, Vicky (94gossipgirl25) <3
Chapter 59
“No, no, not midnight blue, midnight indigo! What do I have to do go get some decent service?! Well, fine, I will take my business elsewhere!”
Click!
Blair Waldorf snapped her phone shut, raging with anger. She glared at Serena. “I promise you, I will never buy another Valentino ever again! Come on. We’re trying Versace.”
“B, don’t you think you’re being a little melodramatic?” Serena asked uncertainly.
“No! You don’t understand, Serena, darling! This charity event has got to be perfect! Do you know how many people are counting on me? It’s unbelievable that the board is letting me plan the 2012 Debutante Ball. It’s such an honour! And I cannot mess up! You hear me? If I do, I can never show my face in this city ever again!”
“Come on, Blair, calm down.” Serena rubbed Blair’s back, as she was very close to hyperventilating. Finally, Blair Waldorf’s time had come. Time to show the world what she’s got.
“I’m going to help you, okay? Everything’s going to be fine.” Serena’s soothing voice made Blair a little calmer.
Blair took a cleansing breath. “You’re right. It’s gonna be okay.” She let out another sigh of relief, and then flipped her phone open. Smiling hopefully, she turned to Serena. “Do you think the people at Valentino will forgive me?”
Chuck turned the hydrangea stem slowly with his fingers. Sighing, he placed it next to the little box on his coffee table.
Suddenly, Jenny Humphrey walked into his apartment.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Chuck asked harshly, grabbing the box and tossed it in the table drawer.
“Whoa, calm down,” Jenny said, laughing. “You’d think after four years you’d be less psychotic.”
“And you’d think after four years you’d be less mind-numbingly annoying,” Chuck snapped.
“Always a charmer, Bass,” Jenny said lightly, waltzing into the living room. “I just came here to pick up Blair’s guest list. She forgot it.”
“I think it’s in the study,” Chuck told her, getting up. Jenny followed him into another room, and quickly found the list on Blair’s desk.
“It’s so great she’s letting me be her assistant for the Debutante.”
“I know. I’m shocked she hasn’t ditched your obnoxious *** after all these years.”
“Shut up,” Jenny said, pushing him slightly. “You’re one to talk. I can’t believe she’s put up with you, either.”
“Well, I mean, come on. I am Chuck Bass. Like any girl can resist me.” Chuck raised an eyebrow at her.
“Really? Because I don’t find it as much of a challenge.”
“You’re just jealous because you can’t drink legally.”
Jenny scoffed. “You really need some new comebacks.”
“It’s easier when you’re not busy paying bills and tending to your insanely hot, and insanely insane girlfriend.”
Jenny looked at him, amused. “She’s getting on your nerves?”
Chuck sighed. “Just all this Debutante crap. I mean, we went through this once already, why do we have to do it again?”
Jenny laughed. “Because that’s what you get for falling in love with an Upper East Sider with big socialite dreams.”
“Yeah, I should have moved in with you, Jenny Brooklyn.”
J punched his arm. “I love how close we’ve become.”
“I don’t. Stupid Blair and her leech friends, never leaving, even after we graduate and they’re still stuck at Constance.”
“Yeah, not for much longer, though!” Jenny grinned.
“What schools are you applying for?” Chuck asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. Yale, Brown. Anything B and S recommend, really.”
Chuck scoffed. “Follower.”
J scoffed right back. “Man-wh0re.”
“Touché.” Jenny laughed and walked out of the study.
“Thanks, anyway. I should get going though; I was supposed to meet Blair and Serena at the Palace ten minutes ago.”
“You better leave then. You know how Blair gets.”
J smiled. “Yup. See ya.”
Chuck waved a little and slammed the front door. Sighing, he leaned against the door. It was horrible having annoying not-so-Little J following Blair and Chuck around all the time, but it was even worse now that she was actually hot.
“Pearls, or diamonds?”
Serena smiled as Blair frantically searched through her jewellery box. “Why do you even have to ask? It’s obvious what you’re going to wear.”
Serena pulled open B’s night stand drawer, removing a thin black box from inside. Blair whirled around to face her. When she saw the box, she let out a little sigh. Smiling, she sat down next to her best friend.
Taking the box, Blair opened it delicately. Inside was the diamond necklace, her seventeenth birthday gift. “I haven’t worn this in ages,” she said quietly.
“It’s for special occasions,” Serena said, smiling. Blair looked at her.
Helping Blair put it on, Serena grinned at her friend. “You look beautiful, hun.”
B gave a little sad smile as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. “Our teen-hood seemed like it was ages ago,” she said softly, “yet like it was just yesterday.”
Serena nodded wistfully. “I know what you mean.”
Walking into Victrola, Blair looked around. A warm feeling stirred up in her heart as she made her way over to the bar. Chuck turned around, and smiled.
“Hey,” he said, giving her a small kiss.
Blair grinned. “Not much has changed, has it?”
“Not since that night,” Chuck replied. Blair looked at him. She cocked her head slightly.
“I can’t believe you’re seriously going through with this.”
“All successful businessmen have to start somewhere. Not usually with strip clubs, but whatever floats your boat, right?”
Blair laughed. “Hey, weren’t you always the one correcting me? It’s a burlesque club. God, get it right.” B rolled her eyes.
Chuck laughed. “Yes. A burlesque club.” He pulled Blair closer to him by the waist and kissed her cheek. “Will you come to dinner with me tonight? I thought we could have a nice night out.”
“Does that include some very hot limo sex?” Blair asked huskily, hopping up onto his lap.
“If you want,” Chuck replied, kissing her softly.
“Oh, sure, then,” Blair whispered, laughing.
“I’ll meet you at the Palace at eight.” Chuck gave her one final kiss, and stood up. “I have a business meeting, but I’ll call you later.”
“Okay.” Blair watched him go, smiling. She remembered her diamond necklace, and vowed to wear it that night.
“Wow. You look… beautiful.”
B blushed as she stepped out of the limo. Chuck always made her feel wonderful. “As always, of course,” Chuck added, kissing her. Blair let out a little laugh.
“Come on,” she said, pulling him into the restaurant, “before they give our reservation away.”
As Chuck and Blair got seated, Chuck said suddenly, “I wonder if they made the storage closet any bigger.”
Blair looked up from her menu, laughing. “What?”
“This is that French place we went to that one night of our first official date. Don’t you remember?”
B smiled at him. “Of course I remember,” she said gently. “How could a girl forget?”
Chuck looked up at her, a mischievous smile on his lips. “Wanna go see if it’s any bigger?”
Blair leaned across the table, excited. “For real?” she whispered.
“Come on!” Chuck got up, grabbed her hand, and led her across the restaurant and down the little hallway. Opening the closet door carefully, he flicked on the light.
“Awe,” Blair said, disappointed. “It’s still the same size.”
“Yeah, but look.” Chuck pointed to the doorknob. “They put a lock in.”
Blair laughed. “Oh my god! It’s our lucky day!”
Chuck pulled her inside, and shut the door. Blair couldn’t stop laughing. “This is so provocative,” she said, as Chuck kissed her neck gently.
“I know,” he breathed, pulling her in close. Blair pushed him away slightly.
“You know, we’re not kids anymore,” she said, looking up at him. “We’re adults, so we should be responsible.”
“Hello?” Chuck pulled a condom out of his pocket and waved it in her face. Blair burst in laughter, not being able to contain herself.
“Come on,” Chuck whispered. “Just this once.” Blair smiled curtly at him.
“Put that away,” she said, her eyes darting to the condom, still in his hand.
“Oh-kay, but if this is your secret ploy to get me into fatherhood, you aren’t going to succeed.” Blair giggled.
“Just a few kisses,” she said finally. “For old times sake.”
“Works for me,” Chuck said, grabbing her waist and kissing her dramatically.
Feeling just a little tipsy after their date, Blair grinned and kissed Chuck before he got out of the limo to open her door for her. As usual, he didn’t complain.
Opening the door slowly, Chuck took her hand, and lifted her carefully out onto her feet. Which was when he dropped down on one knee.
“Blair Cornelia Waldorf,” Chuck said, gazing up at her, “You are the most stunningly beautiful girl I have ever met, and the only person I’ve ever loved. You mean the world to me, and you make me a person I can be proud of. I’ve never thought I could feel this way about anyone, but you’ve proved me wrong.” Chuck pulled a tiny velvet box out of his suit pocket. Blair’s lips were slightly parted in surprise.
“Blair, will you marry me?”
Chuck popped open the box, and inside was the most spectacular ring Blair had ever seen. A large diamond was set in the middle, and was surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. The band was pearly white gold. And offering the ring to her, was the man of her dreams.
“Yes,” Blair breathed, almost inaudibly. “Yes!”
She took the ring from its box, slid it onto her finger, and jumped into Chuck’s arms. “Yes!” Her eyes clouded with tears and she clung onto him. Smiling and gasping for air, B kissed Chuck.
It was a perfect, cloudless night in New York. Thousands of stars hung over their heads, creating the perfect movie moment. Blair’s heart pounded with excitement that she could barely contain. She grabbed Chuck’s monogrammed scarf and threw it around her neck, breathing in its familiar smell.
She pulled back slightly, just slightly enough to gaze into his eyes. And that was the moment when she knew; he was the one she’d loved all along.
One Last Spotted, for the fans: Darena, planning their perfect anniversary getaway. Awe. Too adorable. Jenny, finally embracing the Chuck Lover within her. About time, girl. And Chair, in the movie moment of the century. Audrey would be proud. So on behalf of the whole Upper East Side, I’d like to thank Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, Dan Humphrey, Nate Archibald, Jenny Humphrey, and Chuck Bass, for making these past 8 years the best times of our lives. I certainly can’t thank you infamous 6 enough; after all your juicy rumors, and even juicier scandal, you’ve helped us all live the best teen years we could possibly live. I know I’ve certainly enjoyed the ride. Love ya all, b****es.
We’ve lived the childhoods, the scandalous high school lives, and the dream college journeys, but now it’s time to grow up and give you guys some space. You’ve earned it.
So thank you Chair, Darena, Blate, Serenate, Chenny, Jenate, Dair, Nuck, Duck, and Blarena. You are our true favourite Upper East Siders (besides the Humphreys, which are honorary members), and that will never change.
It’s been hard on you all, but you’ve pulled through. And you better know by now that we’re only hard on you cause we love you so much.
So I’m closing my laptop now, after one final farewell to everyone at Gossipgirl.net. I’ve had a ton of fun this past decade, but I’m older now, and it’s time to let the past go and move on. But you’ll all be in my heart forever.
-You know you love me-
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL .
And keep looking for more of me; I promise you, this won't be the end. You guys make me want to continue writing, and I don't want to let you down. I love you all, as much as I love my fanfiction. Thanks for reading, and I can't wait for you to see more of my work. Enjoy life! And remember, Nathaniel Archibald failed at life. That's for you Natie-lovin' girlies. =D <3
xoxo, Vicky (94gossipgirl25) <3
Chapter 59
“No, no, not midnight blue, midnight indigo! What do I have to do go get some decent service?! Well, fine, I will take my business elsewhere!”
Click!
Blair Waldorf snapped her phone shut, raging with anger. She glared at Serena. “I promise you, I will never buy another Valentino ever again! Come on. We’re trying Versace.”
“B, don’t you think you’re being a little melodramatic?” Serena asked uncertainly.
“No! You don’t understand, Serena, darling! This charity event has got to be perfect! Do you know how many people are counting on me? It’s unbelievable that the board is letting me plan the 2012 Debutante Ball. It’s such an honour! And I cannot mess up! You hear me? If I do, I can never show my face in this city ever again!”
“Come on, Blair, calm down.” Serena rubbed Blair’s back, as she was very close to hyperventilating. Finally, Blair Waldorf’s time had come. Time to show the world what she’s got.
“I’m going to help you, okay? Everything’s going to be fine.” Serena’s soothing voice made Blair a little calmer.
Blair took a cleansing breath. “You’re right. It’s gonna be okay.” She let out another sigh of relief, and then flipped her phone open. Smiling hopefully, she turned to Serena. “Do you think the people at Valentino will forgive me?”
Chuck turned the hydrangea stem slowly with his fingers. Sighing, he placed it next to the little box on his coffee table.
Suddenly, Jenny Humphrey walked into his apartment.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Chuck asked harshly, grabbing the box and tossed it in the table drawer.
“Whoa, calm down,” Jenny said, laughing. “You’d think after four years you’d be less psychotic.”
“And you’d think after four years you’d be less mind-numbingly annoying,” Chuck snapped.
“Always a charmer, Bass,” Jenny said lightly, waltzing into the living room. “I just came here to pick up Blair’s guest list. She forgot it.”
“I think it’s in the study,” Chuck told her, getting up. Jenny followed him into another room, and quickly found the list on Blair’s desk.
“It’s so great she’s letting me be her assistant for the Debutante.”
“I know. I’m shocked she hasn’t ditched your obnoxious *** after all these years.”
“Shut up,” Jenny said, pushing him slightly. “You’re one to talk. I can’t believe she’s put up with you, either.”
“Well, I mean, come on. I am Chuck Bass. Like any girl can resist me.” Chuck raised an eyebrow at her.
“Really? Because I don’t find it as much of a challenge.”
“You’re just jealous because you can’t drink legally.”
Jenny scoffed. “You really need some new comebacks.”
“It’s easier when you’re not busy paying bills and tending to your insanely hot, and insanely insane girlfriend.”
Jenny looked at him, amused. “She’s getting on your nerves?”
Chuck sighed. “Just all this Debutante crap. I mean, we went through this once already, why do we have to do it again?”
Jenny laughed. “Because that’s what you get for falling in love with an Upper East Sider with big socialite dreams.”
“Yeah, I should have moved in with you, Jenny Brooklyn.”
J punched his arm. “I love how close we’ve become.”
“I don’t. Stupid Blair and her leech friends, never leaving, even after we graduate and they’re still stuck at Constance.”
“Yeah, not for much longer, though!” Jenny grinned.
“What schools are you applying for?” Chuck asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. Yale, Brown. Anything B and S recommend, really.”
Chuck scoffed. “Follower.”
J scoffed right back. “Man-wh0re.”
“Touché.” Jenny laughed and walked out of the study.
“Thanks, anyway. I should get going though; I was supposed to meet Blair and Serena at the Palace ten minutes ago.”
“You better leave then. You know how Blair gets.”
J smiled. “Yup. See ya.”
Chuck waved a little and slammed the front door. Sighing, he leaned against the door. It was horrible having annoying not-so-Little J following Blair and Chuck around all the time, but it was even worse now that she was actually hot.
“Pearls, or diamonds?”
Serena smiled as Blair frantically searched through her jewellery box. “Why do you even have to ask? It’s obvious what you’re going to wear.”
Serena pulled open B’s night stand drawer, removing a thin black box from inside. Blair whirled around to face her. When she saw the box, she let out a little sigh. Smiling, she sat down next to her best friend.
Taking the box, Blair opened it delicately. Inside was the diamond necklace, her seventeenth birthday gift. “I haven’t worn this in ages,” she said quietly.
“It’s for special occasions,” Serena said, smiling. Blair looked at her.
Helping Blair put it on, Serena grinned at her friend. “You look beautiful, hun.”
B gave a little sad smile as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. “Our teen-hood seemed like it was ages ago,” she said softly, “yet like it was just yesterday.”
Serena nodded wistfully. “I know what you mean.”
Walking into Victrola, Blair looked around. A warm feeling stirred up in her heart as she made her way over to the bar. Chuck turned around, and smiled.
“Hey,” he said, giving her a small kiss.
Blair grinned. “Not much has changed, has it?”
“Not since that night,” Chuck replied. Blair looked at him. She cocked her head slightly.
“I can’t believe you’re seriously going through with this.”
“All successful businessmen have to start somewhere. Not usually with strip clubs, but whatever floats your boat, right?”
Blair laughed. “Hey, weren’t you always the one correcting me? It’s a burlesque club. God, get it right.” B rolled her eyes.
Chuck laughed. “Yes. A burlesque club.” He pulled Blair closer to him by the waist and kissed her cheek. “Will you come to dinner with me tonight? I thought we could have a nice night out.”
“Does that include some very hot limo sex?” Blair asked huskily, hopping up onto his lap.
“If you want,” Chuck replied, kissing her softly.
“Oh, sure, then,” Blair whispered, laughing.
“I’ll meet you at the Palace at eight.” Chuck gave her one final kiss, and stood up. “I have a business meeting, but I’ll call you later.”
“Okay.” Blair watched him go, smiling. She remembered her diamond necklace, and vowed to wear it that night.
“Wow. You look… beautiful.”
B blushed as she stepped out of the limo. Chuck always made her feel wonderful. “As always, of course,” Chuck added, kissing her. Blair let out a little laugh.
“Come on,” she said, pulling him into the restaurant, “before they give our reservation away.”
As Chuck and Blair got seated, Chuck said suddenly, “I wonder if they made the storage closet any bigger.”
Blair looked up from her menu, laughing. “What?”
“This is that French place we went to that one night of our first official date. Don’t you remember?”
B smiled at him. “Of course I remember,” she said gently. “How could a girl forget?”
Chuck looked up at her, a mischievous smile on his lips. “Wanna go see if it’s any bigger?”
Blair leaned across the table, excited. “For real?” she whispered.
“Come on!” Chuck got up, grabbed her hand, and led her across the restaurant and down the little hallway. Opening the closet door carefully, he flicked on the light.
“Awe,” Blair said, disappointed. “It’s still the same size.”
“Yeah, but look.” Chuck pointed to the doorknob. “They put a lock in.”
Blair laughed. “Oh my god! It’s our lucky day!”
Chuck pulled her inside, and shut the door. Blair couldn’t stop laughing. “This is so provocative,” she said, as Chuck kissed her neck gently.
“I know,” he breathed, pulling her in close. Blair pushed him away slightly.
“You know, we’re not kids anymore,” she said, looking up at him. “We’re adults, so we should be responsible.”
“Hello?” Chuck pulled a condom out of his pocket and waved it in her face. Blair burst in laughter, not being able to contain herself.
“Come on,” Chuck whispered. “Just this once.” Blair smiled curtly at him.
“Put that away,” she said, her eyes darting to the condom, still in his hand.
“Oh-kay, but if this is your secret ploy to get me into fatherhood, you aren’t going to succeed.” Blair giggled.
“Just a few kisses,” she said finally. “For old times sake.”
“Works for me,” Chuck said, grabbing her waist and kissing her dramatically.
Feeling just a little tipsy after their date, Blair grinned and kissed Chuck before he got out of the limo to open her door for her. As usual, he didn’t complain.
Opening the door slowly, Chuck took her hand, and lifted her carefully out onto her feet. Which was when he dropped down on one knee.
“Blair Cornelia Waldorf,” Chuck said, gazing up at her, “You are the most stunningly beautiful girl I have ever met, and the only person I’ve ever loved. You mean the world to me, and you make me a person I can be proud of. I’ve never thought I could feel this way about anyone, but you’ve proved me wrong.” Chuck pulled a tiny velvet box out of his suit pocket. Blair’s lips were slightly parted in surprise.
“Blair, will you marry me?”
Chuck popped open the box, and inside was the most spectacular ring Blair had ever seen. A large diamond was set in the middle, and was surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. The band was pearly white gold. And offering the ring to her, was the man of her dreams.
“Yes,” Blair breathed, almost inaudibly. “Yes!”
She took the ring from its box, slid it onto her finger, and jumped into Chuck’s arms. “Yes!” Her eyes clouded with tears and she clung onto him. Smiling and gasping for air, B kissed Chuck.
It was a perfect, cloudless night in New York. Thousands of stars hung over their heads, creating the perfect movie moment. Blair’s heart pounded with excitement that she could barely contain. She grabbed Chuck’s monogrammed scarf and threw it around her neck, breathing in its familiar smell.
She pulled back slightly, just slightly enough to gaze into his eyes. And that was the moment when she knew; he was the one she’d loved all along.
One Last Spotted, for the fans: Darena, planning their perfect anniversary getaway. Awe. Too adorable. Jenny, finally embracing the Chuck Lover within her. About time, girl. And Chair, in the movie moment of the century. Audrey would be proud. So on behalf of the whole Upper East Side, I’d like to thank Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, Dan Humphrey, Nate Archibald, Jenny Humphrey, and Chuck Bass, for making these past 8 years the best times of our lives. I certainly can’t thank you infamous 6 enough; after all your juicy rumors, and even juicier scandal, you’ve helped us all live the best teen years we could possibly live. I know I’ve certainly enjoyed the ride. Love ya all, b****es.
We’ve lived the childhoods, the scandalous high school lives, and the dream college journeys, but now it’s time to grow up and give you guys some space. You’ve earned it.
So thank you Chair, Darena, Blate, Serenate, Chenny, Jenate, Dair, Nuck, Duck, and Blarena. You are our true favourite Upper East Siders (besides the Humphreys, which are honorary members), and that will never change.
It’s been hard on you all, but you’ve pulled through. And you better know by now that we’re only hard on you cause we love you so much.
So I’m closing my laptop now, after one final farewell to everyone at Gossipgirl.net. I’ve had a ton of fun this past decade, but I’m older now, and it’s time to let the past go and move on. But you’ll all be in my heart forever.
-You know you love me-
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL .
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Chapter 58
Chapter 58
After hours of sitting among normal class people high in the air with no escape, Chuck was happy to get off the plane and into the limo awaiting him outside.
The hot, humid air hit him like a brick as he stepped out into the still-sunny early evening. The limo driver picked up his bag, and Chuck glanced around. Towering, lush palm trees lined the street, creating a canopy above him. Bushes and shrubs overflowing with multicoloured flowers competed for his attention. And the clear blue sky, completely cloudless, surrounded the rainforesty paradise, enveloping in the thick air.
Inside the limousine, Chuck turned the air conditioning on high. As they drove their way to West Palm Beach, he gazed out at the scenery. Far off, Chuck could spot the glittering blue of the ocean. Nearer to him were mini forests of palm trees. All the colours and textures of nature were relaxing, compared to Manhattan’s bustling streets and high-rise apartment complexes.
When the chauffer finally pulled the limo up in front of what looked like a sea-side resort, he opened the door, and Chuck stepped out. Many tall, cream-coloured buildings surrounded them, with beautiful, Spanish-style columns and arches. Large balconies clung to the sides of the buildings, facing the ocean.
On the beach in front of the main building, people were scattered with umbrellas and picnic blankets and huge coolers. Children splashed around in the shallow tides and built sand sculptures at the shore. Parents and teenagers sunbathed on towels while some older people lounged on chairs, soaking up the Florida sun.
“Mr. Bass?”
Chuck turned towards his chauffer, and picked up his bag. “Do you require any further assistance?” the man asked.
“No, it’s okay,” Chuck replied, rolling the suitcase up towards the main building entrance. The limo driver went back around to the vehicle, got inside, and drove off from the curb. Chuck walked up to the front desk where a woman in a paisley suit was sitting, looking rather stiff and uptight.
“What can I do for you, sir?” she asked in a bored tone.
“Uh, yes, can you tell me where Blair Waldorf is staying?”
The woman typed rapidly on her keyboard, and then glanced at the computer screen. “Sunrise Building, villa number 206.”
“Thank you.” Chuck turned around and walked briskly out of the lobby. Outside, a golf cart was pulled up. The staff member driving it tossed Chuck’s suitcase in the back, and told him to hop in.
Chuck took a seat in front next to the driver, and they sped off down the shoreline.
The doorbell to Blair’s villa rung, and Blair unwillingly got up to answer it. She pushed herself up from her armchair, and slipped through the balcony doors and across the living room.
Without checking to see who it was through the peephole, Blair opened the door. She opened her mouth in surprise, and couldn’t breathe for a long moment.
Chuck smiled shyly at her. “Hey,” he said quietly.
Behind her, Chuck could see the amazingly gorgeous suite. It was like a hotel room, only beautified a hundred times over. Suede couches and glass coffee tables made up the living room, while the small kitchen had maple cabinets and granite countertops. On a platform with a few steps next to a huge bay window and the entrance to the balcony was a four-poster, king-size bed, with cream and lavender-coloured sheets. Large, frilly pillows and a swooping canopy adorned it with elegance.
But amidst the most beautiful room Chuck had ever seen, the only thing that interested him was the most beautiful girl, standing inside.
Blair’s eyes were soft and Bambi-esque as she looked at him. Her shiny brown curls were loose as they framed her face, and she was wearing a light pink sundress, which matched the polished toenails on her bare feet.
Chuck gazed back at her with an equally soft expression. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to be mad at me,” he said finally, his voice neither husky nor seductive. “And I didn’t tell you because I hated the fact that it happened. There’s nothing I regret more.”
Still, Blair said nothing. She just stood there, looking at him.
“Actually, that’s not true. The thing I regret the most is not being able to apologize and tell you how much I love you the minute Becky told you. I regret not letting you understand how much I loathe her, and what she did to you. I regret having to stand here and spill my heart out, all because I kept that secret from you.”
Blair’s eyes were glossy with tears. “You… you came. To Florida. For me.” Her voice was soft and broken.
“Well, of course. There was already one time when I didn’t go after you when I should have, and I couldn’t do that again.”
Blair looked down at her feet as a tear rolled slowly down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. “You didn’t have to come all the way here,” she said.
Chuck reached out and touched her cheek. She looked up at him. “Yes, I did. I knew you wouldn’t listen to me when I said I loved you. So I’m showing you.”
“I don’t…” Blair’s gaze didn’t move from his. “I’m not mad.”
Chuck looked at her dubiously. “It’s okay if you are. I deserve it.”
Blair let out an embarrassed laugh, and looked down. “I’m not. I just…” She looked up, blinking back tears. “Becky made me run. And I shouldn’t have given her the satisfaction. But I’m weak. And I was scared. I didn’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not weak,” Chuck said softly. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. You take crap from people when you shouldn’t, but you know how to hold your head up when things get tough. And when you realize people deserve your revenge, you give it to them.” Chuck smiled, and kissed B’s forehead. “And trust me. You couldn’t lose me if you tried.”
Blair smiled back. She looked up at him with her shining brown eyes, and Chuck took her by the waist and pulled her into him. Resting her head on his chest, Blair tugged lightly on his bow tie, like she had long ago, in the closet of a French restaurant.
And Chuck buried his face in her messy chestnut locks, like he had so long ago. “I love you with all my heart, Blair Waldorf.”
Blair let out a little sigh, and smiled. “I know, Chuck,” she said, keeping her eyes on his little red bow tie. “I know.”
After hours of sitting among normal class people high in the air with no escape, Chuck was happy to get off the plane and into the limo awaiting him outside.
The hot, humid air hit him like a brick as he stepped out into the still-sunny early evening. The limo driver picked up his bag, and Chuck glanced around. Towering, lush palm trees lined the street, creating a canopy above him. Bushes and shrubs overflowing with multicoloured flowers competed for his attention. And the clear blue sky, completely cloudless, surrounded the rainforesty paradise, enveloping in the thick air.
Inside the limousine, Chuck turned the air conditioning on high. As they drove their way to West Palm Beach, he gazed out at the scenery. Far off, Chuck could spot the glittering blue of the ocean. Nearer to him were mini forests of palm trees. All the colours and textures of nature were relaxing, compared to Manhattan’s bustling streets and high-rise apartment complexes.
When the chauffer finally pulled the limo up in front of what looked like a sea-side resort, he opened the door, and Chuck stepped out. Many tall, cream-coloured buildings surrounded them, with beautiful, Spanish-style columns and arches. Large balconies clung to the sides of the buildings, facing the ocean.
On the beach in front of the main building, people were scattered with umbrellas and picnic blankets and huge coolers. Children splashed around in the shallow tides and built sand sculptures at the shore. Parents and teenagers sunbathed on towels while some older people lounged on chairs, soaking up the Florida sun.
“Mr. Bass?”
Chuck turned towards his chauffer, and picked up his bag. “Do you require any further assistance?” the man asked.
“No, it’s okay,” Chuck replied, rolling the suitcase up towards the main building entrance. The limo driver went back around to the vehicle, got inside, and drove off from the curb. Chuck walked up to the front desk where a woman in a paisley suit was sitting, looking rather stiff and uptight.
“What can I do for you, sir?” she asked in a bored tone.
“Uh, yes, can you tell me where Blair Waldorf is staying?”
The woman typed rapidly on her keyboard, and then glanced at the computer screen. “Sunrise Building, villa number 206.”
“Thank you.” Chuck turned around and walked briskly out of the lobby. Outside, a golf cart was pulled up. The staff member driving it tossed Chuck’s suitcase in the back, and told him to hop in.
Chuck took a seat in front next to the driver, and they sped off down the shoreline.
The doorbell to Blair’s villa rung, and Blair unwillingly got up to answer it. She pushed herself up from her armchair, and slipped through the balcony doors and across the living room.
Without checking to see who it was through the peephole, Blair opened the door. She opened her mouth in surprise, and couldn’t breathe for a long moment.
Chuck smiled shyly at her. “Hey,” he said quietly.
Behind her, Chuck could see the amazingly gorgeous suite. It was like a hotel room, only beautified a hundred times over. Suede couches and glass coffee tables made up the living room, while the small kitchen had maple cabinets and granite countertops. On a platform with a few steps next to a huge bay window and the entrance to the balcony was a four-poster, king-size bed, with cream and lavender-coloured sheets. Large, frilly pillows and a swooping canopy adorned it with elegance.
But amidst the most beautiful room Chuck had ever seen, the only thing that interested him was the most beautiful girl, standing inside.
Blair’s eyes were soft and Bambi-esque as she looked at him. Her shiny brown curls were loose as they framed her face, and she was wearing a light pink sundress, which matched the polished toenails on her bare feet.
Chuck gazed back at her with an equally soft expression. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to be mad at me,” he said finally, his voice neither husky nor seductive. “And I didn’t tell you because I hated the fact that it happened. There’s nothing I regret more.”
Still, Blair said nothing. She just stood there, looking at him.
“Actually, that’s not true. The thing I regret the most is not being able to apologize and tell you how much I love you the minute Becky told you. I regret not letting you understand how much I loathe her, and what she did to you. I regret having to stand here and spill my heart out, all because I kept that secret from you.”
Blair’s eyes were glossy with tears. “You… you came. To Florida. For me.” Her voice was soft and broken.
“Well, of course. There was already one time when I didn’t go after you when I should have, and I couldn’t do that again.”
Blair looked down at her feet as a tear rolled slowly down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. “You didn’t have to come all the way here,” she said.
Chuck reached out and touched her cheek. She looked up at him. “Yes, I did. I knew you wouldn’t listen to me when I said I loved you. So I’m showing you.”
“I don’t…” Blair’s gaze didn’t move from his. “I’m not mad.”
Chuck looked at her dubiously. “It’s okay if you are. I deserve it.”
Blair let out an embarrassed laugh, and looked down. “I’m not. I just…” She looked up, blinking back tears. “Becky made me run. And I shouldn’t have given her the satisfaction. But I’m weak. And I was scared. I didn’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not weak,” Chuck said softly. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. You take crap from people when you shouldn’t, but you know how to hold your head up when things get tough. And when you realize people deserve your revenge, you give it to them.” Chuck smiled, and kissed B’s forehead. “And trust me. You couldn’t lose me if you tried.”
Blair smiled back. She looked up at him with her shining brown eyes, and Chuck took her by the waist and pulled her into him. Resting her head on his chest, Blair tugged lightly on his bow tie, like she had long ago, in the closet of a French restaurant.
And Chuck buried his face in her messy chestnut locks, like he had so long ago. “I love you with all my heart, Blair Waldorf.”
Blair let out a little sigh, and smiled. “I know, Chuck,” she said, keeping her eyes on his little red bow tie. “I know.”
Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Chuck and Serena burst into the Waldorf penthouse, out of breath. They had practically ran across the Upper East Side, not bothering with a ride through the high-traffic New York streets.
Eleanor Waldorf looked up from her magazine as they stepped out of the elevator, exhausted. “Charles and Serena?” she asked, surprised.
“We… we wanted to know…” Serena puffed, trying to get out the words. “Where’s Blair?” Chuck said, finishing for her.
Eleanor gave them an odd look, as if they had just asked her why she didn’t buy her shoes at Macy’s. “Why, she’s in Florida,” Mrs. Waldorf said, sounding as if it was obvious. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“Not exactly,” Serena replied.
“Florida?” Chuck asked, surprised himself. “Not Paris, or London, or Milan?”
“No… Florida. Harold has a condo over on West Palm Beach. Blair said she didn’t feel like the regular getaways; the relaxing beaches will be a nice break. She’s been so stressed lately.”
“Do you know how long she plans to be there for?” Chuck said, reading Serena’s mind.
Eleanor shrugged, but with elegance. Only a woman as worldly as herself could do that. “A few months, at the most. I’m not really sure. She could come back in a week, or not.”
Serena sighed. “Well, thank you for your help, Mrs. Waldorf,” she said politely.
“Of course. I just can’t believe she didn’t tell you two. You are her best friends after all.”
Chuck wondered if Eleanor Waldorf even knew of the extent of their relationship. He guessed not.
“Yeah,” Serena said, heading for the door. “I suppose she didn’t want it to go public.”
“Well, my bad, then,” Mrs. Waldorf said, laughing. Chuck and Serena stared at her.
“What?” she asked defensively. “Isn’t that what you youngsters say these days? ‘My bad’?”
Oh, god. Chuck and Serena hated it when adults tried to be cool. But didn’t every teenager? Of all the people, they never would have guessed Eleanor Waldorf would dare to drop to such a high level of patheticness.
“Yes, well, thank you,” Chuck said quickly, ushering Serena out. “Talk about scary,” he said quietly as they exited the building.
Serena laughed. “Yeah. So, what are you going to do, Chuck Bass? What shall it be?”
He glanced at her. “The plan is: my hotel suite, so I can pack. Then the airport. My father’s jet is in Italy with him on some trip, so I’ll have to settle for public. But it shouldn’t be too hard to get an instant flight, with my name.”
Serena scoffed at his arrogance, even in such a time like this. Even though she couldn’t help but admit he was right. “Fine. Do you want me to come with you? To the airport, I mean. I don’t think this is a situation I can help fix.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Plus, you’d just be wasting your time coming along. You’d better go home. I’ll call you later.” Chuck walked down the street a ways, and then hailed a cab. He turned to her just as a yellow taxi pulled up.
“And, Serena?” His eyes turned soft as Serena spotted the tiniest smile on his lips. “Thank you.”
Serena smiled warmly. She didn’t say anything, but just gave a little wave as Chuck lowered himself into the taxi.
“Here you are, sir. One ticket to Palm Beach, Sunshine State.”
The airport attendant smiled as she handed Chuck the printed boarding pass. Grabbing his suitcase, he headed for Customs.
“Serena.”
Becky pushed herself from the wall as Serena walked through her hotel suite door.
“Becky,” she said in surprise. “What… what are you doing in my suite?”
“I thought we could talk.” Becky’s expression looked strangely bitter. But not exactly unbelievable, as Serena remembered her face when she stormed out of Chuck’s place.
“I’m not really in the mood for talking,” Serena said simply as she hung up her coat and tossed her purse on the sofa.
“Well, too bad, because I am. So how about a little game or 20 Questions?” Becky raised her eyebrows. Serena loathed the gesture. “Question One. What was Chuck doing expecting you at his suite after school?”
“What do you think? With Blair not available, he obviously called me over for a quickie.”
Becky’s eyebrows shot up a little more, amused. “Question Two. Where is our little Blair Waldorf?”
“Taking some time off. I heard some people have been drawing her close to the depression line.”
“Question Three,” Becky said, unaffected. She looked at Serena suggestively. “You going to go after her?”
“Here’s a question for you, Rebecca,” Serena said, no longer in the mood for this stupidity. “When are you going to get the hell out of my suite, and go spread your crap to someone who cares?”
Becky blinked. Thrown aback for the second time today, she snatched up her coat and opened the door. “Fine. Be a b****. I was just trying to be friendly.”
“Yes, well, don’t. You’re not fooling anyone.” Serena nudged Becky out the door, and slammed it shut. Pushing the bolt over the door, she leaned back against it and sighed.
At that very moment, there was nothing Serena van der Woodsen wanted more than for Becky to get her scrawny *** back over to LA and leave her Upper East Side alone. Drama is fun. Scandal is juicy. Partying is wild. But Becky Summers? Becky Summers is chaos. Troublesome, evil, chaos.
Chuck and Serena burst into the Waldorf penthouse, out of breath. They had practically ran across the Upper East Side, not bothering with a ride through the high-traffic New York streets.
Eleanor Waldorf looked up from her magazine as they stepped out of the elevator, exhausted. “Charles and Serena?” she asked, surprised.
“We… we wanted to know…” Serena puffed, trying to get out the words. “Where’s Blair?” Chuck said, finishing for her.
Eleanor gave them an odd look, as if they had just asked her why she didn’t buy her shoes at Macy’s. “Why, she’s in Florida,” Mrs. Waldorf said, sounding as if it was obvious. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“Not exactly,” Serena replied.
“Florida?” Chuck asked, surprised himself. “Not Paris, or London, or Milan?”
“No… Florida. Harold has a condo over on West Palm Beach. Blair said she didn’t feel like the regular getaways; the relaxing beaches will be a nice break. She’s been so stressed lately.”
“Do you know how long she plans to be there for?” Chuck said, reading Serena’s mind.
Eleanor shrugged, but with elegance. Only a woman as worldly as herself could do that. “A few months, at the most. I’m not really sure. She could come back in a week, or not.”
Serena sighed. “Well, thank you for your help, Mrs. Waldorf,” she said politely.
“Of course. I just can’t believe she didn’t tell you two. You are her best friends after all.”
Chuck wondered if Eleanor Waldorf even knew of the extent of their relationship. He guessed not.
“Yeah,” Serena said, heading for the door. “I suppose she didn’t want it to go public.”
“Well, my bad, then,” Mrs. Waldorf said, laughing. Chuck and Serena stared at her.
“What?” she asked defensively. “Isn’t that what you youngsters say these days? ‘My bad’?”
Oh, god. Chuck and Serena hated it when adults tried to be cool. But didn’t every teenager? Of all the people, they never would have guessed Eleanor Waldorf would dare to drop to such a high level of patheticness.
“Yes, well, thank you,” Chuck said quickly, ushering Serena out. “Talk about scary,” he said quietly as they exited the building.
Serena laughed. “Yeah. So, what are you going to do, Chuck Bass? What shall it be?”
He glanced at her. “The plan is: my hotel suite, so I can pack. Then the airport. My father’s jet is in Italy with him on some trip, so I’ll have to settle for public. But it shouldn’t be too hard to get an instant flight, with my name.”
Serena scoffed at his arrogance, even in such a time like this. Even though she couldn’t help but admit he was right. “Fine. Do you want me to come with you? To the airport, I mean. I don’t think this is a situation I can help fix.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Plus, you’d just be wasting your time coming along. You’d better go home. I’ll call you later.” Chuck walked down the street a ways, and then hailed a cab. He turned to her just as a yellow taxi pulled up.
“And, Serena?” His eyes turned soft as Serena spotted the tiniest smile on his lips. “Thank you.”
Serena smiled warmly. She didn’t say anything, but just gave a little wave as Chuck lowered himself into the taxi.
“Here you are, sir. One ticket to Palm Beach, Sunshine State.”
The airport attendant smiled as she handed Chuck the printed boarding pass. Grabbing his suitcase, he headed for Customs.
“Serena.”
Becky pushed herself from the wall as Serena walked through her hotel suite door.
“Becky,” she said in surprise. “What… what are you doing in my suite?”
“I thought we could talk.” Becky’s expression looked strangely bitter. But not exactly unbelievable, as Serena remembered her face when she stormed out of Chuck’s place.
“I’m not really in the mood for talking,” Serena said simply as she hung up her coat and tossed her purse on the sofa.
“Well, too bad, because I am. So how about a little game or 20 Questions?” Becky raised her eyebrows. Serena loathed the gesture. “Question One. What was Chuck doing expecting you at his suite after school?”
“What do you think? With Blair not available, he obviously called me over for a quickie.”
Becky’s eyebrows shot up a little more, amused. “Question Two. Where is our little Blair Waldorf?”
“Taking some time off. I heard some people have been drawing her close to the depression line.”
“Question Three,” Becky said, unaffected. She looked at Serena suggestively. “You going to go after her?”
“Here’s a question for you, Rebecca,” Serena said, no longer in the mood for this stupidity. “When are you going to get the hell out of my suite, and go spread your crap to someone who cares?”
Becky blinked. Thrown aback for the second time today, she snatched up her coat and opened the door. “Fine. Be a b****. I was just trying to be friendly.”
“Yes, well, don’t. You’re not fooling anyone.” Serena nudged Becky out the door, and slammed it shut. Pushing the bolt over the door, she leaned back against it and sighed.
At that very moment, there was nothing Serena van der Woodsen wanted more than for Becky to get her scrawny *** back over to LA and leave her Upper East Side alone. Drama is fun. Scandal is juicy. Partying is wild. But Becky Summers? Becky Summers is chaos. Troublesome, evil, chaos.
Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Chuck and Serena burst into the Waldorf penthouse, out of breath. They had practically ran across the Upper East Side, not bothering with a ride through the high-traffic New York streets.
Eleanor Waldorf looked up from her magazine as they stepped out of the elevator, exhausted. “Charles and Serena?” she asked, surprised.
“We… we wanted to know…” Serena puffed, trying to get out the words. “Where’s Blair?” Chuck said, finishing for her.
Eleanor gave them an odd look, as if they had just asked her why she didn’t buy her shoes at Macy’s. “Why, she’s in Florida,” Mrs. Waldorf said, sounding as if it was obvious. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“Not exactly,” Serena replied.
“Florida?” Chuck asked, surprised himself. “Not Paris, or London, or Milan?”
“No… Florida. Harold has a condo over on West Palm Beach. Blair said she didn’t feel like the regular getaways; the relaxing beaches will be a nice break. She’s been so stressed lately.”
“Do you know how long she plans to be there for?” Chuck said, reading Serena’s mind.
Eleanor shrugged, but with elegance. Only a woman as worldly as herself could do that. “A few months, at the most. I’m not really sure. She could come back in a week, or not.”
Serena sighed. “Well, thank you for your help, Mrs. Waldorf,” she said politely.
“Of course. I just can’t believe she didn’t tell you two. You are her best friends after all.”
Chuck wondered if Eleanor Waldorf even knew of the extent of their relationship. He guessed not.
“Yeah,” Serena said, heading for the door. “I suppose she didn’t want it to go public.”
“Well, my bad, then,” Mrs. Waldorf said, laughing. Chuck and Serena stared at her.
“What?” she asked defensively. “Isn’t that what you youngsters say these days? ‘My bad’?”
Oh, god. Chuck and Serena hated it when adults tried to be cool. But didn’t every teenager? Of all the people, they never would have guessed Eleanor Waldorf would dare to drop to such a high level of patheticness.
“Yes, well, thank you,” Chuck said quickly, ushering Serena out. “Talk about scary,” he said quietly as they exited the building.
Serena laughed. “Yeah. So, what are you going to do, Chuck Bass? What shall it be?”
He glanced at her. “The plan is: my hotel suite, so I can pack. Then the airport. My father’s jet is in Italy with him on some trip, so I’ll have to settle for public. But it shouldn’t be too hard to get an instant flight, with my name.”
Serena scoffed at his arrogance, even in such a time like this. Even though she couldn’t help but admit he was right. “Fine. Do you want me to come with you? To the airport, I mean. I don’t think this is a situation I can help fix.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Plus, you’d just be wasting your time coming along. You’d better go home. I’ll call you later.” Chuck walked down the street a ways, and then hailed a cab. He turned to her just as a yellow taxi pulled up.
“And, Serena?” His eyes turned soft as Serena spotted the tiniest smile on his lips. “Thank you.”
Serena smiled warmly. She didn’t say anything, but just gave a little wave as Chuck lowered himself into the taxi.
“Here you are, sir. One ticket to Palm Beach, Sunshine State.”
The airport attendant smiled as she handed Chuck the printed boarding pass. Grabbing his suitcase, he headed for Customs.
“Serena.”
Becky pushed herself from the wall as Serena walked through her hotel suite door.
“Becky,” she said in surprise. “What… what are you doing in my suite?”
“I thought we could talk.” Becky’s expression looked strangely bitter. But not exactly unbelievable, as Serena remembered her face when she stormed out of Chuck’s place.
“I’m not really in the mood for talking,” Serena said simply as she hung up her coat and tossed her purse on the sofa.
“Well, too bad, because I am. So how about a little game or 20 Questions?” Becky raised her eyebrows. Serena loathed the gesture. “Question One. What was Chuck doing expecting you at his suite after school?”
“What do you think? With Blair not available, he obviously called me over for a quickie.”
Becky’s eyebrows shot up a little more, amused. “Question Two. Where is our little Blair Waldorf?”
“Taking some time off. I heard some people have been drawing her close to the depression line.”
“Question Three,” Becky said, unaffected. She looked at Serena suggestively. “You going to go after her?”
“Here’s a question for you, Rebecca,” Serena said, no longer in the mood for this stupidity. “When are you going to get the hell out of my suite, and go spread your crap to someone who cares?”
Becky blinked. Thrown aback for the second time today, she snatched up her coat and opened the door. “Fine. Be a b****. I was just trying to be friendly.”
“Yes, well, don’t. You’re not fooling anyone.” Serena nudged Becky out the door, and slammed it shut. Pushing the bolt over the door, she leaned back against it and sighed.
At that very moment, there was nothing Serena van der Woodsen wanted more than for Becky to get her scrawny *** back over to LA and leave her Upper East Side alone. Drama is fun. Scandal is juicy. Partying is wild. But Becky Summers? Becky Summers is chaos. Troublesome, evil, chaos.
Chuck and Serena burst into the Waldorf penthouse, out of breath. They had practically ran across the Upper East Side, not bothering with a ride through the high-traffic New York streets.
Eleanor Waldorf looked up from her magazine as they stepped out of the elevator, exhausted. “Charles and Serena?” she asked, surprised.
“We… we wanted to know…” Serena puffed, trying to get out the words. “Where’s Blair?” Chuck said, finishing for her.
Eleanor gave them an odd look, as if they had just asked her why she didn’t buy her shoes at Macy’s. “Why, she’s in Florida,” Mrs. Waldorf said, sounding as if it was obvious. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“Not exactly,” Serena replied.
“Florida?” Chuck asked, surprised himself. “Not Paris, or London, or Milan?”
“No… Florida. Harold has a condo over on West Palm Beach. Blair said she didn’t feel like the regular getaways; the relaxing beaches will be a nice break. She’s been so stressed lately.”
“Do you know how long she plans to be there for?” Chuck said, reading Serena’s mind.
Eleanor shrugged, but with elegance. Only a woman as worldly as herself could do that. “A few months, at the most. I’m not really sure. She could come back in a week, or not.”
Serena sighed. “Well, thank you for your help, Mrs. Waldorf,” she said politely.
“Of course. I just can’t believe she didn’t tell you two. You are her best friends after all.”
Chuck wondered if Eleanor Waldorf even knew of the extent of their relationship. He guessed not.
“Yeah,” Serena said, heading for the door. “I suppose she didn’t want it to go public.”
“Well, my bad, then,” Mrs. Waldorf said, laughing. Chuck and Serena stared at her.
“What?” she asked defensively. “Isn’t that what you youngsters say these days? ‘My bad’?”
Oh, god. Chuck and Serena hated it when adults tried to be cool. But didn’t every teenager? Of all the people, they never would have guessed Eleanor Waldorf would dare to drop to such a high level of patheticness.
“Yes, well, thank you,” Chuck said quickly, ushering Serena out. “Talk about scary,” he said quietly as they exited the building.
Serena laughed. “Yeah. So, what are you going to do, Chuck Bass? What shall it be?”
He glanced at her. “The plan is: my hotel suite, so I can pack. Then the airport. My father’s jet is in Italy with him on some trip, so I’ll have to settle for public. But it shouldn’t be too hard to get an instant flight, with my name.”
Serena scoffed at his arrogance, even in such a time like this. Even though she couldn’t help but admit he was right. “Fine. Do you want me to come with you? To the airport, I mean. I don’t think this is a situation I can help fix.”
“I think I’ll be okay. Plus, you’d just be wasting your time coming along. You’d better go home. I’ll call you later.” Chuck walked down the street a ways, and then hailed a cab. He turned to her just as a yellow taxi pulled up.
“And, Serena?” His eyes turned soft as Serena spotted the tiniest smile on his lips. “Thank you.”
Serena smiled warmly. She didn’t say anything, but just gave a little wave as Chuck lowered himself into the taxi.
“Here you are, sir. One ticket to Palm Beach, Sunshine State.”
The airport attendant smiled as she handed Chuck the printed boarding pass. Grabbing his suitcase, he headed for Customs.
“Serena.”
Becky pushed herself from the wall as Serena walked through her hotel suite door.
“Becky,” she said in surprise. “What… what are you doing in my suite?”
“I thought we could talk.” Becky’s expression looked strangely bitter. But not exactly unbelievable, as Serena remembered her face when she stormed out of Chuck’s place.
“I’m not really in the mood for talking,” Serena said simply as she hung up her coat and tossed her purse on the sofa.
“Well, too bad, because I am. So how about a little game or 20 Questions?” Becky raised her eyebrows. Serena loathed the gesture. “Question One. What was Chuck doing expecting you at his suite after school?”
“What do you think? With Blair not available, he obviously called me over for a quickie.”
Becky’s eyebrows shot up a little more, amused. “Question Two. Where is our little Blair Waldorf?”
“Taking some time off. I heard some people have been drawing her close to the depression line.”
“Question Three,” Becky said, unaffected. She looked at Serena suggestively. “You going to go after her?”
“Here’s a question for you, Rebecca,” Serena said, no longer in the mood for this stupidity. “When are you going to get the hell out of my suite, and go spread your crap to someone who cares?”
Becky blinked. Thrown aback for the second time today, she snatched up her coat and opened the door. “Fine. Be a b****. I was just trying to be friendly.”
“Yes, well, don’t. You’re not fooling anyone.” Serena nudged Becky out the door, and slammed it shut. Pushing the bolt over the door, she leaned back against it and sighed.
At that very moment, there was nothing Serena van der Woodsen wanted more than for Becky to get her scrawny *** back over to LA and leave her Upper East Side alone. Drama is fun. Scandal is juicy. Partying is wild. But Becky Summers? Becky Summers is chaos. Troublesome, evil, chaos.
Chapter 56
Chapter 56
“Alright, bye, Jenny.” Oliver kissed Jenny on the lips, and when he walked away, her friends began squealing.
“Oooh Jenny! He so loves you!” Isabel cooed.
“He so does. Did you see that? Adorable!” Kati added.
“Oh, come on, guys,” Jenny said, blushing. But deep inside, she was ecstatic. Not just because Oliver was now her official boyfriend, but because now she had her very own man for Is and Kati, infinite bachelorettes, to admire and envy.
Serena smiled. “Good for you, J,” she said happily. “But I have to go. I’ll talk to you guys later.” The girls waved as Serena walked away, leaving them to chat about Jenny’s new beau.
Suddenly, as Serena turned the corner out onto the street, Dan popped out in front of her.
“Dan!” she said excitedly, hugging him. She kissed him quickly, then pulled away. “I haven’t talked to you in forever.”
“Yes, well, you’ve been incredibly busy with that Becky girl.” Dan looked slightly disappointed. Serena frowned, and hugged him again.
“Awe, don’t be sad. You don’t have to worry about her being a bad influence on me anymore. I’m just waiting for the right moment to shun her from my life.”
Dan looked at her, puzzled. “Explain, please?” he asked.
“It’s… complicated. A Blair thing. I don’t even know.” Serena shrugged.
“Oh. Well, don’t hate me for it, but I’m glad. Something about her just didn’t seem right.”
“Apparently,” Serena muttered under her breath, thinking of the note from Blair stashed safely in her bag.
“But anyway, where is Blair?” Dan glanced around at the emptying campus. “I haven’t seen her all day.”
“I don’t know, but hopefully I’ll find out soon.” Dan gave her another quizzical look. “Don’t worry. She’s fine. I’ll just… I’ll explain later.” Serena kissed Dan’s cheek, and waved her fingers at him and she walked off down the path. Dan sighed, and started off in the other direction. It wasn’t like he wasn’t used to Serena explaining her life in the vaguest way possible.
Chuck looked up as his hotel suite door opened. “Hey, Serena, I—” He stopped when he saw that it wasn’t Serena. It wasn’t even close.
“Serena, huh?” Becky closed the door behind her, looking amused. “Charles Bass, I had no idea. I thought you were a one-lady man.”
Chuck rolled his eyes. “Rebecca Kailey Summers, what do you want.”
“Oh, so we’re going formal now, huh?” Becky threw her coat onto the hanger, and walked slowly over to where Chuck was sitting. She sat beside him on the sofa and crossed her legs neatly. She smiled at him.
“So, you were expecting Serena? Hmm, I wonder what for.” Becky eyed him suggestively.
“Yes. It’s exactly what you think it is.” Chuck’s voice was dull, as if he didn’t want to talk playfully with her.
“What’s wrong?” Becky said, frowning. “You always used to like bantering with me.”
Immediately, Chuck thought of Blair. He liked bantering with Blair. He didn’t mind when she insulted him because he knew it was out of affection. And although the things she said weren’t always respectful, he knew she respected him. And he respected her, obviously. Chuck Bass doesn’t ask, “You Sure?” very often. Especially to hot, drunk, dress-less girls in his limo.
“I guess I’ve grown out of it.”
Becky inched closer. “A lot of things you’ve seemed to outgrow since I left,” she said, scooting over a little bit with each word.
“What do you want, Becky.” Chuck’s question was less of a question, and more of an invitation to her to leave.
“I just thought we could hang out,” she said innocently. “Like old times.” She leaned closer to him, placing her hand delicately on his thigh. Fingering his collar, Chuck could feel the heat of her breath. His pulse quickened, and he pushed her away slightly.
“What?” Becky pouted. A sly smile made its way onto her lips. “I’m not doing nothing.”
Chuck glanced at her wearily. “Becky,” he said, “No, okay? You know about me and Blair. And we…”
“Chuckles,” she said softly. “But we have history. Important history. And you just want to forget that? Like nothing happened? Like what we did that night meant nothing?”
“History. Exactly. That’s what it is; history. And I think you’re the one who wanted to forget.” Chuck’s voice started to waver a bit as he got louder, the anger boiling up inside him. “You’re the one who left a week later, left for the other side of the country. And didn’t call, or write, for 3 years. And then you just come back, expecting nothing to have changed. You expected Serena to still be a party girl. You expected Blair to still be Nate’s virgin. You expected me to forgive and wait for you to come back.”
He stared at her, hurt softening his face. “But I don’t wait. Not for people like you. You don’t deserve me waiting and being loyal while you were off drinking with the cast of the OC, and sleeping with the dancers from High School Musical. While you were attending movie premiers and red carpet events, you expected me to sit her in New York, waiting. And I got sick of waiting. I got sick of you controlling me from a million miles away, so I made a vow to do what I wanted.
“You’re the reason I found happiness in spending money and investing in strip clubs. You’re the reason I didn’t know what true happiness was until I was with Blair. You ruined my teen-hood and kept me from what I really wanted, just so when you decided to come back, you’d have someone to come home to. But I left that position a long time ago.
“So don’t even try. Because you know I’ll never even look at a selfish, b****y piece of **** like you ever again.”
For once, Becky Summers didn’t know what to say. For once, Becky Summers’ eyebrows weren’t raised. For once, Becky Summers was hurt. But Chuck wouldn’t let her have the satisfaction of being hurt. He’d let her have the guilt, and the understanding of what he’d always seen her as.
But she deserved nothing else.
“But… but you loved me”, was all she managed to say.
Chuck remained stone-faced. “No. I lusted after you. You were just one of the many stuck on that list.”
Becky opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Quickly, she tried to save some of her pride. Standing up, she snatched her coat, and opened the door without another word. But someone was already waiting on the other side of the door.
“Becky,” Serena said in surprise. The surprise wasn’t at her being at Chuck’s; it was the tears brimming her eyes. In all the years S had known Becky, she had never, never, seen her cry.
Still without saying anything, Becky pushed past her and hurried down the hallway. Serena turned to Chuck, silently asking him for an explanation.
Chuck sighed. “Don’t even ask,” he said, leaning back against the couch.
Serena just pursed her lips, and walked over. Sitting down where Becky had just been, she lifted her bag up beside her. Chuck sat up, intrigued.
“So? What’s going on?” he asked as Serena dug around in her purse. She pulled out the two envelopes, and handed one to Chuck.
“She left us letters. That’s the one she gave to me.”
Chuck read it over, frowning. Serena watched his face as he gravely handed it back to her.
“What was that part about you being able to elaborate?” she asked curiously.
“Remember when Becky and I dated a few years back, right before she left for California?” he asked, not hesitating to tell her. “Well, we slept together. My first time. And then she left.”
Serena’s eyes grew so wide they looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets. “Uh…” Wow. Serena hadn’t even ever considered that Chuck had lost his virginity. She’d just thought he was born a nonvirgin.
“I know. So, what? Becky told Blair?”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly out in the open,” Serena pointed out.
Chuck sighed. “That’s because that’s a chapter in my life I’d like to forget.”
“Seriously? Out of everything, that’s the one thing you regret? Unbelievable.”
“You know what I mean. That girl just drives me insane. And not in a good way.” Chuck eyed the other envelope. “Is that one mine?” he asked.
Serena nodded, and handed it to him. She waited while he opened and read it.
Chuck,
Don’t think I’m not extremely pissed off at you for not telling me. You could have, you know. It would have been better than Little Miss Evil breaking it down.
I’ve gone away for a while. It’s just best. I need some time to cool off and think. I’m not going to tie you down, though. Do whatever you want while I’m gone; the Victrola girls must miss you.
And even though I can’t see you right now, and you kept this huge secret from me, just remember that I love you. Always will.
xo, Blair
Chuck let out another sigh as he read it over, and then handed it to Serena. She read it quickly, and placed it back in the envelope.
“Looks like she doesn’t want us to know where she’s gone,” Serena said quietly, looking at her lap.
“Well that’s stupid,” Chuck said. “We could just ask her mom.”
Serena shot up and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with hope.
“What? Now?” Chuck sounded almost irritated.
“You truly know nothing about romance,” she said, pulling him up and out the door. “No wonder you gave your virginity to Becky Summers.”
Chuck scoffed, but followed her down the hall to the elevator. “So, what? We ask Eleanor where Blair went, and then what do we do? Hop on a private jet and drag her back to Manhattan?”
Serena whirled around so abruptly Chuck bumped into her. She looked into his eyes, her expression serious. “I think you know what you need to do.”
Chuck gazed at her. Thoughts of Blair filled his mind. Her perfect smile, her warm eyes, her luscious lips, her amazing body. Her voice when she said his name. Her hair blowing about her face as the wind rushed by. Her soft, feminine hands as they slid over his jacket, her touch full of desire.
Chuck came back into focus and looked at Serena. His face was solemn with determination. “Let’s go,” he said firmly, pulling Serena into the elevator.
“Alright, bye, Jenny.” Oliver kissed Jenny on the lips, and when he walked away, her friends began squealing.
“Oooh Jenny! He so loves you!” Isabel cooed.
“He so does. Did you see that? Adorable!” Kati added.
“Oh, come on, guys,” Jenny said, blushing. But deep inside, she was ecstatic. Not just because Oliver was now her official boyfriend, but because now she had her very own man for Is and Kati, infinite bachelorettes, to admire and envy.
Serena smiled. “Good for you, J,” she said happily. “But I have to go. I’ll talk to you guys later.” The girls waved as Serena walked away, leaving them to chat about Jenny’s new beau.
Suddenly, as Serena turned the corner out onto the street, Dan popped out in front of her.
“Dan!” she said excitedly, hugging him. She kissed him quickly, then pulled away. “I haven’t talked to you in forever.”
“Yes, well, you’ve been incredibly busy with that Becky girl.” Dan looked slightly disappointed. Serena frowned, and hugged him again.
“Awe, don’t be sad. You don’t have to worry about her being a bad influence on me anymore. I’m just waiting for the right moment to shun her from my life.”
Dan looked at her, puzzled. “Explain, please?” he asked.
“It’s… complicated. A Blair thing. I don’t even know.” Serena shrugged.
“Oh. Well, don’t hate me for it, but I’m glad. Something about her just didn’t seem right.”
“Apparently,” Serena muttered under her breath, thinking of the note from Blair stashed safely in her bag.
“But anyway, where is Blair?” Dan glanced around at the emptying campus. “I haven’t seen her all day.”
“I don’t know, but hopefully I’ll find out soon.” Dan gave her another quizzical look. “Don’t worry. She’s fine. I’ll just… I’ll explain later.” Serena kissed Dan’s cheek, and waved her fingers at him and she walked off down the path. Dan sighed, and started off in the other direction. It wasn’t like he wasn’t used to Serena explaining her life in the vaguest way possible.
Chuck looked up as his hotel suite door opened. “Hey, Serena, I—” He stopped when he saw that it wasn’t Serena. It wasn’t even close.
“Serena, huh?” Becky closed the door behind her, looking amused. “Charles Bass, I had no idea. I thought you were a one-lady man.”
Chuck rolled his eyes. “Rebecca Kailey Summers, what do you want.”
“Oh, so we’re going formal now, huh?” Becky threw her coat onto the hanger, and walked slowly over to where Chuck was sitting. She sat beside him on the sofa and crossed her legs neatly. She smiled at him.
“So, you were expecting Serena? Hmm, I wonder what for.” Becky eyed him suggestively.
“Yes. It’s exactly what you think it is.” Chuck’s voice was dull, as if he didn’t want to talk playfully with her.
“What’s wrong?” Becky said, frowning. “You always used to like bantering with me.”
Immediately, Chuck thought of Blair. He liked bantering with Blair. He didn’t mind when she insulted him because he knew it was out of affection. And although the things she said weren’t always respectful, he knew she respected him. And he respected her, obviously. Chuck Bass doesn’t ask, “You Sure?” very often. Especially to hot, drunk, dress-less girls in his limo.
“I guess I’ve grown out of it.”
Becky inched closer. “A lot of things you’ve seemed to outgrow since I left,” she said, scooting over a little bit with each word.
“What do you want, Becky.” Chuck’s question was less of a question, and more of an invitation to her to leave.
“I just thought we could hang out,” she said innocently. “Like old times.” She leaned closer to him, placing her hand delicately on his thigh. Fingering his collar, Chuck could feel the heat of her breath. His pulse quickened, and he pushed her away slightly.
“What?” Becky pouted. A sly smile made its way onto her lips. “I’m not doing nothing.”
Chuck glanced at her wearily. “Becky,” he said, “No, okay? You know about me and Blair. And we…”
“Chuckles,” she said softly. “But we have history. Important history. And you just want to forget that? Like nothing happened? Like what we did that night meant nothing?”
“History. Exactly. That’s what it is; history. And I think you’re the one who wanted to forget.” Chuck’s voice started to waver a bit as he got louder, the anger boiling up inside him. “You’re the one who left a week later, left for the other side of the country. And didn’t call, or write, for 3 years. And then you just come back, expecting nothing to have changed. You expected Serena to still be a party girl. You expected Blair to still be Nate’s virgin. You expected me to forgive and wait for you to come back.”
He stared at her, hurt softening his face. “But I don’t wait. Not for people like you. You don’t deserve me waiting and being loyal while you were off drinking with the cast of the OC, and sleeping with the dancers from High School Musical. While you were attending movie premiers and red carpet events, you expected me to sit her in New York, waiting. And I got sick of waiting. I got sick of you controlling me from a million miles away, so I made a vow to do what I wanted.
“You’re the reason I found happiness in spending money and investing in strip clubs. You’re the reason I didn’t know what true happiness was until I was with Blair. You ruined my teen-hood and kept me from what I really wanted, just so when you decided to come back, you’d have someone to come home to. But I left that position a long time ago.
“So don’t even try. Because you know I’ll never even look at a selfish, b****y piece of **** like you ever again.”
For once, Becky Summers didn’t know what to say. For once, Becky Summers’ eyebrows weren’t raised. For once, Becky Summers was hurt. But Chuck wouldn’t let her have the satisfaction of being hurt. He’d let her have the guilt, and the understanding of what he’d always seen her as.
But she deserved nothing else.
“But… but you loved me”, was all she managed to say.
Chuck remained stone-faced. “No. I lusted after you. You were just one of the many stuck on that list.”
Becky opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Quickly, she tried to save some of her pride. Standing up, she snatched her coat, and opened the door without another word. But someone was already waiting on the other side of the door.
“Becky,” Serena said in surprise. The surprise wasn’t at her being at Chuck’s; it was the tears brimming her eyes. In all the years S had known Becky, she had never, never, seen her cry.
Still without saying anything, Becky pushed past her and hurried down the hallway. Serena turned to Chuck, silently asking him for an explanation.
Chuck sighed. “Don’t even ask,” he said, leaning back against the couch.
Serena just pursed her lips, and walked over. Sitting down where Becky had just been, she lifted her bag up beside her. Chuck sat up, intrigued.
“So? What’s going on?” he asked as Serena dug around in her purse. She pulled out the two envelopes, and handed one to Chuck.
“She left us letters. That’s the one she gave to me.”
Chuck read it over, frowning. Serena watched his face as he gravely handed it back to her.
“What was that part about you being able to elaborate?” she asked curiously.
“Remember when Becky and I dated a few years back, right before she left for California?” he asked, not hesitating to tell her. “Well, we slept together. My first time. And then she left.”
Serena’s eyes grew so wide they looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets. “Uh…” Wow. Serena hadn’t even ever considered that Chuck had lost his virginity. She’d just thought he was born a nonvirgin.
“I know. So, what? Becky told Blair?”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly out in the open,” Serena pointed out.
Chuck sighed. “That’s because that’s a chapter in my life I’d like to forget.”
“Seriously? Out of everything, that’s the one thing you regret? Unbelievable.”
“You know what I mean. That girl just drives me insane. And not in a good way.” Chuck eyed the other envelope. “Is that one mine?” he asked.
Serena nodded, and handed it to him. She waited while he opened and read it.
Chuck,
Don’t think I’m not extremely pissed off at you for not telling me. You could have, you know. It would have been better than Little Miss Evil breaking it down.
I’ve gone away for a while. It’s just best. I need some time to cool off and think. I’m not going to tie you down, though. Do whatever you want while I’m gone; the Victrola girls must miss you.
And even though I can’t see you right now, and you kept this huge secret from me, just remember that I love you. Always will.
xo, Blair
Chuck let out another sigh as he read it over, and then handed it to Serena. She read it quickly, and placed it back in the envelope.
“Looks like she doesn’t want us to know where she’s gone,” Serena said quietly, looking at her lap.
“Well that’s stupid,” Chuck said. “We could just ask her mom.”
Serena shot up and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with hope.
“What? Now?” Chuck sounded almost irritated.
“You truly know nothing about romance,” she said, pulling him up and out the door. “No wonder you gave your virginity to Becky Summers.”
Chuck scoffed, but followed her down the hall to the elevator. “So, what? We ask Eleanor where Blair went, and then what do we do? Hop on a private jet and drag her back to Manhattan?”
Serena whirled around so abruptly Chuck bumped into her. She looked into his eyes, her expression serious. “I think you know what you need to do.”
Chuck gazed at her. Thoughts of Blair filled his mind. Her perfect smile, her warm eyes, her luscious lips, her amazing body. Her voice when she said his name. Her hair blowing about her face as the wind rushed by. Her soft, feminine hands as they slid over his jacket, her touch full of desire.
Chuck came back into focus and looked at Serena. His face was solemn with determination. “Let’s go,” he said firmly, pulling Serena into the elevator.
Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Knock, knock.
“Blair?”
Blair’s bedroom door creaked open as Serena entered. Glancing around the room, Serena was shocked.
All the dresser drawers were pulled out, and empty. Rejected clothes were scattered across the floor, and Blair’s closet doors were open. The hangers inside were pathetically empty, with only a few last-season dresses left.
Serena’s mouth hung open in surprise. It looked as if someone with impeccably good taste had come in and raided Blair’s room, taking only the good stuff. And lots of it.
But then Serena noticed the bed. It was the only thing in the room that wasn’t torn apart. Sitting at the edge on the crisp, just-made sheets, were two envelopes. Cream-colored envelopes, both with a name written neatly on it in calligraphy. One said ‘Serena’, and the other said ‘Chuck’.
Glancing around the room once more, Serena made her way over to the bed, being careful not to step on any of the cashmere sweaters or silk tops blanketing the soft carpet.
Gently, Serena picked up her own envelope. Sitting on the bed beside the other one, she tore it open. A note was inside, written in Blair’s writing.
Serena,
Please don’t hate me, but I had to leave. Becky told me something that I just couldn’t handle. Chuck should be able to elaborate. I just needed to get away for a while. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I need you to understand. Becky Summers hasn’t changed one bit. Please don’t trust her. She’s evil and manipulative and ruthless. And not even in a classy way like me.
If Chuck’s note is still here, please take it to him. Thank you so much for being a good friend to me, S.
Love always, Blair
Serena read the letter over and over again until each word was engraved in her mind. Where had B gone? Surely she couldn’t have left for some exclusive location. Or could have she? Her father did own many getaways around the world.
Serena folded up the note and stuck it back in the envelope. She grabbed Chuck’s, too, and stuffed them both into her schoolbag. She’d have to give it to him later.
Right now she had to deal with how she would face Becky at school.
“Van der Woodsen! Get your skinny *** over here!” Becky grinned and waved at Serena. Cautiously, S made her way across the courtyard.
“What are your plans for lunch?” Becky asked, linking arms with Serena. Carefully, so as not to look like she was avoiding her, Serena pulled her arm away.
“Um, actually, me and the girls were just going to eat on the steps.”
“Oh. So you don’t want to go have some coffee and tonic?” Becky pouted as she tugged on Serena’s hand. Serena shook her head, and stuck her hand in the pocket of her Burberry coat.
“Not exactly. I’m going sober.”
“You’re such a disappointment,” Becky said, laughing. Then, she looked past Serena’s shoulder, and frowned. “Wait. Where’s Blair?”
Serena paused. She considered whether she should tell Becky about the note. She had a feeling, definitely not.
“I don’t know,” Serena replied finally, and honestly.
Becky shrugged. “Maybe she’s just not feeling well or something.” She gave Serena a sly smile.
“Maybe.”
“But fine. You go have lunch with Blair’s followers. But they might not show without their precious Queen.”
“Oh, I’m sure they will.”
“Whatever.” Becky gave Serena a little squeeze, and ran off.
Serena sighed, and gazed after her. Suddenly, she felt someone behind her. She could feel hot breath against her neck. She turned her head, and saw Chuck following her gaze as Becky entered one of Constance’s many buildings.
Chuck caught her eye, and gave her a once-over. “Looking good, VD Woodsen.”
“Shut up.” Serena rolled her eyes, and folded her arms to hug herself. The chilly winter air nipped at her cheeks, chilling her whole face.
“Oh, that reminds me.” Chuck gave Serena a quizzical look as she reached into her bag. Then, suddenly, she stopped. Looking up at Chuck, she said quietly, “Blair’s gone. We have to talk. I’ll come over after school, okay?”
Chuck’s face turned cold and serious. “Gone?” he repeated. Serena nodded, but said no more.
“It would be better if we talked later, in private.” Chuck nodded in agreement, and walked off as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Serena’s hand clutched the envelopes inside her bag protectively.
She spotted Is and Kati making their way across the courtyard, so she stuffed the letters deep into her bag, and started towards them.
The less people to know about B’s disappearance, the better.
Knock, knock.
“Blair?”
Blair’s bedroom door creaked open as Serena entered. Glancing around the room, Serena was shocked.
All the dresser drawers were pulled out, and empty. Rejected clothes were scattered across the floor, and Blair’s closet doors were open. The hangers inside were pathetically empty, with only a few last-season dresses left.
Serena’s mouth hung open in surprise. It looked as if someone with impeccably good taste had come in and raided Blair’s room, taking only the good stuff. And lots of it.
But then Serena noticed the bed. It was the only thing in the room that wasn’t torn apart. Sitting at the edge on the crisp, just-made sheets, were two envelopes. Cream-colored envelopes, both with a name written neatly on it in calligraphy. One said ‘Serena’, and the other said ‘Chuck’.
Glancing around the room once more, Serena made her way over to the bed, being careful not to step on any of the cashmere sweaters or silk tops blanketing the soft carpet.
Gently, Serena picked up her own envelope. Sitting on the bed beside the other one, she tore it open. A note was inside, written in Blair’s writing.
Serena,
Please don’t hate me, but I had to leave. Becky told me something that I just couldn’t handle. Chuck should be able to elaborate. I just needed to get away for a while. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I need you to understand. Becky Summers hasn’t changed one bit. Please don’t trust her. She’s evil and manipulative and ruthless. And not even in a classy way like me.
If Chuck’s note is still here, please take it to him. Thank you so much for being a good friend to me, S.
Love always, Blair
Serena read the letter over and over again until each word was engraved in her mind. Where had B gone? Surely she couldn’t have left for some exclusive location. Or could have she? Her father did own many getaways around the world.
Serena folded up the note and stuck it back in the envelope. She grabbed Chuck’s, too, and stuffed them both into her schoolbag. She’d have to give it to him later.
Right now she had to deal with how she would face Becky at school.
“Van der Woodsen! Get your skinny *** over here!” Becky grinned and waved at Serena. Cautiously, S made her way across the courtyard.
“What are your plans for lunch?” Becky asked, linking arms with Serena. Carefully, so as not to look like she was avoiding her, Serena pulled her arm away.
“Um, actually, me and the girls were just going to eat on the steps.”
“Oh. So you don’t want to go have some coffee and tonic?” Becky pouted as she tugged on Serena’s hand. Serena shook her head, and stuck her hand in the pocket of her Burberry coat.
“Not exactly. I’m going sober.”
“You’re such a disappointment,” Becky said, laughing. Then, she looked past Serena’s shoulder, and frowned. “Wait. Where’s Blair?”
Serena paused. She considered whether she should tell Becky about the note. She had a feeling, definitely not.
“I don’t know,” Serena replied finally, and honestly.
Becky shrugged. “Maybe she’s just not feeling well or something.” She gave Serena a sly smile.
“Maybe.”
“But fine. You go have lunch with Blair’s followers. But they might not show without their precious Queen.”
“Oh, I’m sure they will.”
“Whatever.” Becky gave Serena a little squeeze, and ran off.
Serena sighed, and gazed after her. Suddenly, she felt someone behind her. She could feel hot breath against her neck. She turned her head, and saw Chuck following her gaze as Becky entered one of Constance’s many buildings.
Chuck caught her eye, and gave her a once-over. “Looking good, VD Woodsen.”
“Shut up.” Serena rolled her eyes, and folded her arms to hug herself. The chilly winter air nipped at her cheeks, chilling her whole face.
“Oh, that reminds me.” Chuck gave Serena a quizzical look as she reached into her bag. Then, suddenly, she stopped. Looking up at Chuck, she said quietly, “Blair’s gone. We have to talk. I’ll come over after school, okay?”
Chuck’s face turned cold and serious. “Gone?” he repeated. Serena nodded, but said no more.
“It would be better if we talked later, in private.” Chuck nodded in agreement, and walked off as if nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Serena’s hand clutched the envelopes inside her bag protectively.
She spotted Is and Kati making their way across the courtyard, so she stuffed the letters deep into her bag, and started towards them.
The less people to know about B’s disappearance, the better.
Chapter 54 -Part 2
Chapter 54
Part 2
Blair sauntered into the foyer, dropping her purse on the table in the hall. She flicked on the light switch, and looked up in surprise.
Becky Summers was sitting on one of the sofas, in the middle of Blair’s penthouse.
“Becky, hi,” Blair said, just slightly confused. “What are you doing in my house? In the dark? At 10:40?” Blair resisted the urge to make a comment about how creepy this seemed.
A slow smile crept onto Becky’s face. “Actually, I was hoping we could talk.” She reached across from her and patted the sofa seat on the other side of the coffee table. Blair hesitated for a moment, but then decided to go sit down.
“What’s up?” she asked optimistically.
“You and Chuck are dating, right?” Becky asked, the strange smile still plastered on her face. Somehow Blair realized that she didn’t answer the question.
“Um, yeah,” B said slowly. “Why?”
“And he loves you, and you love him. Right?” Becky’s eyebrows were now raised, waiting patiently for an answer. But not too patiently.
“Well…” Blair weighed her answer in her mind. To tell or not to tell? Could she really trust this Becky girl, whom she hadn’t seen in 3 years, and technically didn’t know anymore? She decided on the best answer she could think of. “What does this have to do with anything?”
“I was just curious.” Finally. An actual answer to Blair’s own questions. “I mean, you two seem really close. Chuck talks about you all the time.”
“Chuck… talks about me?”
“Mm-hmm.” Becky’s facial expression didn’t change in the slightest. “How could he not? I mean, Chuck and Blair are… epic. More epic than Blair and Nate, I would say.”
Blair looked down at her lap, trying to find the reasoning for this chat within her own mind. No such luck.
“But… you see, Blair Waldorf, the question is, how long has he loved you? How long have you been number one in his heart?”
“Serena… Serena says forever,” Blair said quietly, with a little laugh. She didn’t like this at all. She felt so powerless in this strange conversation.
“Forever,” Becky repeated, thinking it over. “Forever’s a long time, don’t you think?”
Blair looked up at her, a fierce glow starting to burn in her eyes. She wouldn’t lose control here. Not now, not in her own home. She wouldn’t let this girl take away her authority. She was Blair Waldorf, after all.
“Yes, it is.” Blair’s voice was much more firm than how she felt inside.
But still, Becky’s strength didn’t waver. She was holding on to something, something that would leave her victorious. But the question was, what? Why was she doing this?
Becky let out a very quiet sigh through her nostrils. She cocked her head and gazed into Blair’s eyes. Leaning forward, her eyes never unlocked from B’s.
“You weren’t Chuck’s first love. Believe what you want, but everything has to start from something. And Chuck’s bad-boy, womanizer attitude didn’t just come out of thin air. There was a reason.”
Blair swallowed. Hard. She tried to search Becky’s eyes for answers, but her face was as unreadable as a blank page in the middle of a suspense novel. It told her nothing, when she needed to know everything.
Becky’s voice lowered even more. But the assuredness never left her tone. “The philosophy here is, when you take someone’s virginity, you take a little piece of them. A little piece they will never get back. You own a piece of their heart. You have control, and power, over them.” Becky let a half smile grace her lips. “Exactly like Chuck has power over you.”
Blair’s mouth opened in surprise. But really, she couldn’t be all that shocked at the fact Becky had known about her losing her V card to Chuck Bass.
Now, Becky’s voice was an evil whisper. She took pleasure in every word, coming closer and closer to tearing down Blair Waldorf with every syllable. “And exactly like I have power over Chuck.”
Blair’s eyes grew wide, brimming with tears. One rolled silently down her cheek as she sat there, speechless. Blair felt her heart clenching as she forgot to breathe.
“Chuck Bass will always be mine, Blair Waldorf,” Becky said, a little smile on her face. “Don’t think because you handed him your innocence, your fairy tale life will have a happy ending. Deep down, Chuck will always hold that love for me in his heart. He knows he can’t replace me, try as he might with little sl**s such as yourself. I hold the one thing that has kept Chuck Bass from being capable of true love. And I won’t let it go until that love is restored to its rightful owner.”
Becky put an index finger to her chest, a victorious smile adorning her wicked-looking face. Even in the light of the huge crystal chandelier above them, Becky Summers looked as dark as the time a girl from Blair’s freshman class had dressed up as Marilyn Manson for Halloween.
Another tear rolled down Blair’s face, and her bottom lip started to tremble. A sour taste filled her mouth, and her lungs felt shrivelled. She let out little gasps for air, still trying to maintain some dignity in front of this horrible person. But it was the hardest thing Blair had ever tried to do.
“Get out,” she managed to hiss, her voice croaky.
“Excuse me?” Becky smiled mockingly, taunting her.
“I said ‘get out’,” Blair snapped, her voice louder and stronger this time. She glared and Becky, feeling like at any moment she would vomit all over Summers’ exquisite, diamond-studded heels. Which wouldn’t have been such a bad thing.
But Becky just sat there, looking as innocent as a newborn kitten. Her head was cocked slightly to the left, showing fake concern.
“I said, GET OUT!” Blair yelled, snatching Becky’s purse from the coffee table and flinging it across the room. It slid to a stop in front of the elevator door. “And leave my friends, and my boyfriend, and me, alone.” B’s tone was laced with poison. But still, it didn’t seem to affect Becky in the slightest.
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t do that, Blair darling,” she said sweetly. “Your friends love me, and your boyfriend doesn’t fall short, either.”
Blair resented her with all the hate in her body. She wanted to just reach out and grab Becky’s perfect head of golden brown locks, and slam it over and over again into the glass coffee table.
“Blair,” Becky said softly, looking into her chocolate brown eyes, “You know I hold more power than anyone here. And I know more secrets, and more things to use as blackmail, than any other seventeen-year-old girl on the planet. So I strongly suggest you stop trying to mess with me. You think you’re tough? You don’t know what I can do, Waldorf. And you don’t want to know.”
With one last smile, one filled with evil, Becky stood up, briskly picked up her bag, and slipped out into the elevator.
Blair sat on the sofa, looking at the place where Becky had been sitting. Suddenly, she stood up and ran to the nearest bathroom.
Damn it. The vomit had come just a few minutes too late.
Part 2
Blair sauntered into the foyer, dropping her purse on the table in the hall. She flicked on the light switch, and looked up in surprise.
Becky Summers was sitting on one of the sofas, in the middle of Blair’s penthouse.
“Becky, hi,” Blair said, just slightly confused. “What are you doing in my house? In the dark? At 10:40?” Blair resisted the urge to make a comment about how creepy this seemed.
A slow smile crept onto Becky’s face. “Actually, I was hoping we could talk.” She reached across from her and patted the sofa seat on the other side of the coffee table. Blair hesitated for a moment, but then decided to go sit down.
“What’s up?” she asked optimistically.
“You and Chuck are dating, right?” Becky asked, the strange smile still plastered on her face. Somehow Blair realized that she didn’t answer the question.
“Um, yeah,” B said slowly. “Why?”
“And he loves you, and you love him. Right?” Becky’s eyebrows were now raised, waiting patiently for an answer. But not too patiently.
“Well…” Blair weighed her answer in her mind. To tell or not to tell? Could she really trust this Becky girl, whom she hadn’t seen in 3 years, and technically didn’t know anymore? She decided on the best answer she could think of. “What does this have to do with anything?”
“I was just curious.” Finally. An actual answer to Blair’s own questions. “I mean, you two seem really close. Chuck talks about you all the time.”
“Chuck… talks about me?”
“Mm-hmm.” Becky’s facial expression didn’t change in the slightest. “How could he not? I mean, Chuck and Blair are… epic. More epic than Blair and Nate, I would say.”
Blair looked down at her lap, trying to find the reasoning for this chat within her own mind. No such luck.
“But… you see, Blair Waldorf, the question is, how long has he loved you? How long have you been number one in his heart?”
“Serena… Serena says forever,” Blair said quietly, with a little laugh. She didn’t like this at all. She felt so powerless in this strange conversation.
“Forever,” Becky repeated, thinking it over. “Forever’s a long time, don’t you think?”
Blair looked up at her, a fierce glow starting to burn in her eyes. She wouldn’t lose control here. Not now, not in her own home. She wouldn’t let this girl take away her authority. She was Blair Waldorf, after all.
“Yes, it is.” Blair’s voice was much more firm than how she felt inside.
But still, Becky’s strength didn’t waver. She was holding on to something, something that would leave her victorious. But the question was, what? Why was she doing this?
Becky let out a very quiet sigh through her nostrils. She cocked her head and gazed into Blair’s eyes. Leaning forward, her eyes never unlocked from B’s.
“You weren’t Chuck’s first love. Believe what you want, but everything has to start from something. And Chuck’s bad-boy, womanizer attitude didn’t just come out of thin air. There was a reason.”
Blair swallowed. Hard. She tried to search Becky’s eyes for answers, but her face was as unreadable as a blank page in the middle of a suspense novel. It told her nothing, when she needed to know everything.
Becky’s voice lowered even more. But the assuredness never left her tone. “The philosophy here is, when you take someone’s virginity, you take a little piece of them. A little piece they will never get back. You own a piece of their heart. You have control, and power, over them.” Becky let a half smile grace her lips. “Exactly like Chuck has power over you.”
Blair’s mouth opened in surprise. But really, she couldn’t be all that shocked at the fact Becky had known about her losing her V card to Chuck Bass.
Now, Becky’s voice was an evil whisper. She took pleasure in every word, coming closer and closer to tearing down Blair Waldorf with every syllable. “And exactly like I have power over Chuck.”
Blair’s eyes grew wide, brimming with tears. One rolled silently down her cheek as she sat there, speechless. Blair felt her heart clenching as she forgot to breathe.
“Chuck Bass will always be mine, Blair Waldorf,” Becky said, a little smile on her face. “Don’t think because you handed him your innocence, your fairy tale life will have a happy ending. Deep down, Chuck will always hold that love for me in his heart. He knows he can’t replace me, try as he might with little sl**s such as yourself. I hold the one thing that has kept Chuck Bass from being capable of true love. And I won’t let it go until that love is restored to its rightful owner.”
Becky put an index finger to her chest, a victorious smile adorning her wicked-looking face. Even in the light of the huge crystal chandelier above them, Becky Summers looked as dark as the time a girl from Blair’s freshman class had dressed up as Marilyn Manson for Halloween.
Another tear rolled down Blair’s face, and her bottom lip started to tremble. A sour taste filled her mouth, and her lungs felt shrivelled. She let out little gasps for air, still trying to maintain some dignity in front of this horrible person. But it was the hardest thing Blair had ever tried to do.
“Get out,” she managed to hiss, her voice croaky.
“Excuse me?” Becky smiled mockingly, taunting her.
“I said ‘get out’,” Blair snapped, her voice louder and stronger this time. She glared and Becky, feeling like at any moment she would vomit all over Summers’ exquisite, diamond-studded heels. Which wouldn’t have been such a bad thing.
But Becky just sat there, looking as innocent as a newborn kitten. Her head was cocked slightly to the left, showing fake concern.
“I said, GET OUT!” Blair yelled, snatching Becky’s purse from the coffee table and flinging it across the room. It slid to a stop in front of the elevator door. “And leave my friends, and my boyfriend, and me, alone.” B’s tone was laced with poison. But still, it didn’t seem to affect Becky in the slightest.
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t do that, Blair darling,” she said sweetly. “Your friends love me, and your boyfriend doesn’t fall short, either.”
Blair resented her with all the hate in her body. She wanted to just reach out and grab Becky’s perfect head of golden brown locks, and slam it over and over again into the glass coffee table.
“Blair,” Becky said softly, looking into her chocolate brown eyes, “You know I hold more power than anyone here. And I know more secrets, and more things to use as blackmail, than any other seventeen-year-old girl on the planet. So I strongly suggest you stop trying to mess with me. You think you’re tough? You don’t know what I can do, Waldorf. And you don’t want to know.”
With one last smile, one filled with evil, Becky stood up, briskly picked up her bag, and slipped out into the elevator.
Blair sat on the sofa, looking at the place where Becky had been sitting. Suddenly, she stood up and ran to the nearest bathroom.
Damn it. The vomit had come just a few minutes too late.
Chapter 54 -Part 1
Chapter 54 -Part 1
“I’m telling you, Serena, I really do think Dan’s in love with me!”
Blair grinned as she popped an olive into her mouth. Dropping her toothpick back into her martini glass, she pushed it across the bar counter and gestured for another. The bartender was quick to fetch her a new one. And Blair was quite pleased that he actually looked at her, instead of gaping at Serena. It proved that B didn’t need her uber-hot friend just to get some attention.
She winked at the cute, tuxedo-plaid bartender as she delicately picked up her new drink. Turning back to Serena, she gave her an amused smile.
“Oh, please, you wish,” Serena said, downing the rest of her own martini. She choked and coughed when the olive slid out of the glass and into her throat, and Blair laughed.
“Seriously, S,” Blair insisted. “Yesterday he was practically begging for phone sex.”
Now it was Serena’s turn to laugh. “Well, Blair, you know how the guys can’t resist you.”
“I know.” Blair let out a concerned sigh, and stirred her drink with the toothpick. “It sure is hard to be so beautiful, with all these guys chasing after me. Oh, why did God have to be so cruel? Couldn’t he have given this timeless beauty to someone who needs it? Like a Humphrey girl or something?”
They both laughed, and Serena slapped B’s arm lightly. “Oh, come on. No need to be snobby.” Blair laughed evilly and took a sip of her drink.
“Hey, where’s Becky?” Serena asked suddenly, scanning the bar. “I invited her to come meet us.”
Blair shrugged. “Who knows? Becky Summers doesn’t play by the rules.” Serena considered this, and chose just to wait and see if she would show up.
“Well, anyway, how are things with Mr. Bass?” Serena grinned suggestively as she motioned for another drink. The bartender was quick to obey.
“Bart? Oh, he’s fine. But, you know, we decided to just stay friends. For the sake of all of us.”
Serena let out a very noisy laugh. A few people from other tables began to stare, but B shot them death glances, and they all looked quickly away.
“Oh, shut up,” Serena said finally. “You know I meant Mr. Bass Jr.”
“Mr. Bass Jr… has a nice ring to it,” Blair said thoughtfully. She looked at Serena and smiled. “He’s alright. But for an ex-womanizer, he sure does get jealous easily.”
“Well,” Serena said, tipping back her glass, “I guess he’s just used to having everything he wants, and not having to fight for it.”
“Which begs the question of why he pursued me, when he knew Nate and I were together.”
Serena gave Blair a look that suggested that Blair was missing the obvious. “You and Nate weren’t together when you two hooked up, though,” she pointed out. “He just saw an opportunity to finally get the girl of his dreams, so he jumped in when he could.”
Blair snorted a laugh. “Oh, come on. It was a spur-of-the-moment type thing. It’s not as if he’d been waiting his whole life to confess his love.”
“You don’t know that,” Serena said slowly. Blair gave her a quizzical look.
“Stop being ridiculous, Serena.”
“Then how do you explain why he stayed with you, and didn’t just move on to bigger and better things?”
“Because there is nothing better,” Blair said in a very conceited tone, pulling out her compact mirror to fix her lipstick. She applied another coat and ran her finger along the edges of her lips for a long minute before closing the mirror and slipping it back in her clutch.
“Fine. Whatever you’d like to believe,” Serena said dismissively.
“I’ll believe whatever’s true, thank you very much.” The tone in B’s voice was slightly defensive. “Plus, if you believe so much that he’s been in love with me all this time, why don’t you go ask him about it?”
Serena raised her eyebrows, and looked over Blair’s shoulder, actually considering this. It wasn’t such a bad idea. At least then she could give Chuck some credit for being human.
“But that’s beside the point.” Blair was about to ask for another drink, but she decided three was enough. She had a History exam the next day, and hangovers didn’t do her academic skills any good.
She stood up to leave, grabbing her coat and bag. Kissing Serena on the cheek, Blair said, “See you tomorrow. Phone me tonight, kay?” Blair smiled, and gave S a little hug.
Serena waved as B walked briskly out of the bar. Sighing, she looked down at her almost-empty martini glass. Glancing up at the bartender, she said, “Another one, please. It’s the best way to clear an overworked mind.” She smiled warily as the man nodded and silently mixed her up a fresh drink.
Good evening, New York. Tonight, we have some very special, very exclusive weekly news. First of the hour: Jenny Humphrey, exiting a Brooklyn coffee house and looking quite shocked and lost. None other than Becky Summers was still sitting inside, looking more triumphant than anyone could have guessed. What have we here? What could our precious B Summers have told Little J that would change her usually cheerful disposition? I hope it’s juicy. Because scandal is never out of style.
But that doesn’t look like the only thing our latest It Girl is up to. Is it possible we could have a little B on B showdown, right at the Waldorf residence? Doesn’t Summers know better than to challenge a fight on another queen’s territory? We’re all on the egde of our seats to see how this one will go down. Come on and bring out the claws, girls. It’s gonna be a rough night. Rawr.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“I’m telling you, Serena, I really do think Dan’s in love with me!”
Blair grinned as she popped an olive into her mouth. Dropping her toothpick back into her martini glass, she pushed it across the bar counter and gestured for another. The bartender was quick to fetch her a new one. And Blair was quite pleased that he actually looked at her, instead of gaping at Serena. It proved that B didn’t need her uber-hot friend just to get some attention.
She winked at the cute, tuxedo-plaid bartender as she delicately picked up her new drink. Turning back to Serena, she gave her an amused smile.
“Oh, please, you wish,” Serena said, downing the rest of her own martini. She choked and coughed when the olive slid out of the glass and into her throat, and Blair laughed.
“Seriously, S,” Blair insisted. “Yesterday he was practically begging for phone sex.”
Now it was Serena’s turn to laugh. “Well, Blair, you know how the guys can’t resist you.”
“I know.” Blair let out a concerned sigh, and stirred her drink with the toothpick. “It sure is hard to be so beautiful, with all these guys chasing after me. Oh, why did God have to be so cruel? Couldn’t he have given this timeless beauty to someone who needs it? Like a Humphrey girl or something?”
They both laughed, and Serena slapped B’s arm lightly. “Oh, come on. No need to be snobby.” Blair laughed evilly and took a sip of her drink.
“Hey, where’s Becky?” Serena asked suddenly, scanning the bar. “I invited her to come meet us.”
Blair shrugged. “Who knows? Becky Summers doesn’t play by the rules.” Serena considered this, and chose just to wait and see if she would show up.
“Well, anyway, how are things with Mr. Bass?” Serena grinned suggestively as she motioned for another drink. The bartender was quick to obey.
“Bart? Oh, he’s fine. But, you know, we decided to just stay friends. For the sake of all of us.”
Serena let out a very noisy laugh. A few people from other tables began to stare, but B shot them death glances, and they all looked quickly away.
“Oh, shut up,” Serena said finally. “You know I meant Mr. Bass Jr.”
“Mr. Bass Jr… has a nice ring to it,” Blair said thoughtfully. She looked at Serena and smiled. “He’s alright. But for an ex-womanizer, he sure does get jealous easily.”
“Well,” Serena said, tipping back her glass, “I guess he’s just used to having everything he wants, and not having to fight for it.”
“Which begs the question of why he pursued me, when he knew Nate and I were together.”
Serena gave Blair a look that suggested that Blair was missing the obvious. “You and Nate weren’t together when you two hooked up, though,” she pointed out. “He just saw an opportunity to finally get the girl of his dreams, so he jumped in when he could.”
Blair snorted a laugh. “Oh, come on. It was a spur-of-the-moment type thing. It’s not as if he’d been waiting his whole life to confess his love.”
“You don’t know that,” Serena said slowly. Blair gave her a quizzical look.
“Stop being ridiculous, Serena.”
“Then how do you explain why he stayed with you, and didn’t just move on to bigger and better things?”
“Because there is nothing better,” Blair said in a very conceited tone, pulling out her compact mirror to fix her lipstick. She applied another coat and ran her finger along the edges of her lips for a long minute before closing the mirror and slipping it back in her clutch.
“Fine. Whatever you’d like to believe,” Serena said dismissively.
“I’ll believe whatever’s true, thank you very much.” The tone in B’s voice was slightly defensive. “Plus, if you believe so much that he’s been in love with me all this time, why don’t you go ask him about it?”
Serena raised her eyebrows, and looked over Blair’s shoulder, actually considering this. It wasn’t such a bad idea. At least then she could give Chuck some credit for being human.
“But that’s beside the point.” Blair was about to ask for another drink, but she decided three was enough. She had a History exam the next day, and hangovers didn’t do her academic skills any good.
She stood up to leave, grabbing her coat and bag. Kissing Serena on the cheek, Blair said, “See you tomorrow. Phone me tonight, kay?” Blair smiled, and gave S a little hug.
Serena waved as B walked briskly out of the bar. Sighing, she looked down at her almost-empty martini glass. Glancing up at the bartender, she said, “Another one, please. It’s the best way to clear an overworked mind.” She smiled warily as the man nodded and silently mixed her up a fresh drink.
Good evening, New York. Tonight, we have some very special, very exclusive weekly news. First of the hour: Jenny Humphrey, exiting a Brooklyn coffee house and looking quite shocked and lost. None other than Becky Summers was still sitting inside, looking more triumphant than anyone could have guessed. What have we here? What could our precious B Summers have told Little J that would change her usually cheerful disposition? I hope it’s juicy. Because scandal is never out of style.
But that doesn’t look like the only thing our latest It Girl is up to. Is it possible we could have a little B on B showdown, right at the Waldorf residence? Doesn’t Summers know better than to challenge a fight on another queen’s territory? We’re all on the egde of our seats to see how this one will go down. Come on and bring out the claws, girls. It’s gonna be a rough night. Rawr.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
Chapter 53
Chapter 53
“Jenny Humphrey, isn’t it?”
Becky Summers strode into the Brooklyn coffee house, giving the place a slightly disapproving once-over. Her eyes settled back on Jenny, and a warm smile flooded onto her face. She walked over, and sat down on the steel chair across from J. Glancing down, Becky noticed the double-chocolate-chip muffin on Jenny’s plate.
“A few grams of sugar past healthy, don’t you think?” she said, raising her eyebrows. Looking at Becky’s expression, Jenny could feel her unspoken demand. The demand to toss out a perfectly delicious muffin, just because it didn’t fit Beck’s anorexic standards.
“You’re probably right,” Jenny said dismissively, grabbing the muffin and tossing it into the trash can by their table. Becky laughed.
“Come on. Don’t feel like you need to turn all Bulimic Blair on us,” she said cheerfully, waving over one of the servers. Jenny was about to point out that being bulimic and not eating breakfast were two totally different things, but then she thought better of it. Mainly because she had just noticed how Becky had managed to toss the word ‘Blair’ into that statement. Who needs breakfast after all? There’s some food for thought right there.
“Yes, two double-chocolate-chip muffins, two chocolate dip donuts, two éclairs, and two iced coffees, no sugar. We’re trying to watch our eating habits.” She gave a completely innocent smile to the waiter, who just stumbled off, looking quite puzzled.
Becky glanced at Jenny. “We need to get some fat on your bones, girl. You’re way too skinny to be 14. And too hot.” She winked, sending red rushing up into Jenny’s cheeks.
“Um, I… I only have a few bucks on me,” Jenny said carefully. “I don’t think I have enough for all of that. I left my wallet in my Chanel purse at home.”
Becky laughed. “Oh, Little J. So naïve.” She gave Jenny a sympathetic smile. “You don’t have to lie to me. Blair told me about your Brooklyn roots.”
Jenny blushed an even darker shade of red. “Sorry,” she managed to mumble.
“Oh, it’s okay. Having the friends you do, I’m sure you really do have a Chanel bag. Or if you don’t, it won’t be long until you do. Or at least Burberry, if Blair’s cheap.” Becky laughed as she took a sip of her coffee. Something deep inside Jenny told her Becky wasn’t kidding.
“But hey, anyway…” Becky tore off a piece of muffin and popped it into her well glossed mouth. “What do you think of Waldorf’s inner circle? Nice people, huh?”
Jenny couldn’t decide if that last part was sarcasm or not. But she decided to go with it. “Yeah. Serena’s pretty cool, and Nate’s fun, even though he and Blair… you know.” Jenny blushed, once again. This was just one big embarrassment after another.
“Yeah, I know,” Becky said casually. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Nate, huh?” Her infamous eyebrows were raised. When were they ever not? “So… what’s the deal with you two, anyway? You seemed pretty close when we went out last week.”
“Oh, we’re just friends,” Jenny managed to say nonchalantly. “After all, my heart belongs to Chuck Bass.” Even with her light-hearted attitude, J couldn’t help but feel a little nauseous at her own joke.
Becky laughed. “Yeah, in your dreams.”
“Then dreams must mean reality because I swear, it wasn’t all innocent at the Kiss on the Lips.” Jenny raised her own eyebrows in a pathetic attempt to achieve Becky’s classic look. She sipped her coffee as if it were a martini; delicately, with poise and a hint of arrogance. Normally, on someone like Blair Waldorf, the action would have been admired, but on Jenny Humphrey, it just looked as pathetic as her eyebrow-raising.
But with that statement, Becky looked up, in both surprise and amusement. An impressed look could even be found deep in her eyes, if one looked hard enough. Caused by either her believing Jenny and her little remark about the Kiss on the Lips, or by her not believing a word and being awed at J’s audacity.
“Oh really,” she said finally, daring Jenny to spill. “And what does that mean?”
“Well,” Jenny said, stirring her drink as if it was no big deal. “Let’s just say Chuck and I were not without action on the hotel rooftop.”
Becky stared at her incredulously. Jenny couldn’t even comprehend what she was saying. But she knew it was impressing Becky Summers, which was always a good thing.
Suddenly Becky’s expression morphed from intrigued to serious, almost solemn. “Tell me about Chuck,” she said, her voice slightly lowered.
Jenny cocked her head slightly. “What’s there to tell?” she asked. “I thought you knew him pretty well.”
“I did,” Becky said gravely. “But I heard he, changed, after I left.”
Jenny shrugged. “He’s always been kind of perverted.” She let out a little laugh. “Well, not kind of. But you know.”
Becky remained silent for a moment, as if this was new information to her. “Yeah, I suppose so,” she said slowly. Gazing into her swirling coffee, Becky considered her next few words. She finally looked up, staring right into Jenny’s eyes.
“You know,” she said quietly, her gaze so intense she didn’t even blink. “Chuck wasn’t always… perverted. Well, I mean, he always said pervy things, but he was never so… what’s the word? Sex obsessed? You know what I mean.” Becky searched J’s eyes. It made Jenny feel extremely uncomfortable.
She swallowed hard, trying to digest this information. But it was hard with beads of sweat rolling down her neck. “Um, yeah,” was all she managed to squeak.
Becky leaned in and lowered her voice even more. Her stare lightened up a little bit, as she looked like she was getting ready to tell Jenny a very exclusive secret. And maybe she was.
“What I’m trying to say, is,” Becky paused, a naughty half-smile gracing her lips. She glanced around the not-so-busy coffee house. “Something must have happened to turn Chuck into the person he is today. Something very big. Very big.” She stared at J, never moving her eyes even in the slightest way. It was as if she was waiting for Jenny to catch on to what she was saying, with the littlest hints possible. But Becky soon realized it was going to take more than some vague tips to let Jenny Humphrey in on Chuck’s biggest secret.
“Jenny, do you know who Chuck Bass lost his virginity to?” Becky’s voice was now very hushed, and almost inaudible. Jenny had to read her lips just to make sure she heard everything.
“Well, no, I mean, I guess I never really thought about it…” Jenny looked away for a moment, racking her brain for an explanation of this conversation. Where was Becky going with this? The only possible reason was… well, no, it couldn’t be. It just couldn’t. Impossible. Unthinkable. Unbelievably ridiculous. Yet somehow, it didn’t seem like the slightest bit of nonsense. Becky Summers was telling Jenny Humphrey…
Oh. My. F-ing. God.
“Jenny Humphrey, isn’t it?”
Becky Summers strode into the Brooklyn coffee house, giving the place a slightly disapproving once-over. Her eyes settled back on Jenny, and a warm smile flooded onto her face. She walked over, and sat down on the steel chair across from J. Glancing down, Becky noticed the double-chocolate-chip muffin on Jenny’s plate.
“A few grams of sugar past healthy, don’t you think?” she said, raising her eyebrows. Looking at Becky’s expression, Jenny could feel her unspoken demand. The demand to toss out a perfectly delicious muffin, just because it didn’t fit Beck’s anorexic standards.
“You’re probably right,” Jenny said dismissively, grabbing the muffin and tossing it into the trash can by their table. Becky laughed.
“Come on. Don’t feel like you need to turn all Bulimic Blair on us,” she said cheerfully, waving over one of the servers. Jenny was about to point out that being bulimic and not eating breakfast were two totally different things, but then she thought better of it. Mainly because she had just noticed how Becky had managed to toss the word ‘Blair’ into that statement. Who needs breakfast after all? There’s some food for thought right there.
“Yes, two double-chocolate-chip muffins, two chocolate dip donuts, two éclairs, and two iced coffees, no sugar. We’re trying to watch our eating habits.” She gave a completely innocent smile to the waiter, who just stumbled off, looking quite puzzled.
Becky glanced at Jenny. “We need to get some fat on your bones, girl. You’re way too skinny to be 14. And too hot.” She winked, sending red rushing up into Jenny’s cheeks.
“Um, I… I only have a few bucks on me,” Jenny said carefully. “I don’t think I have enough for all of that. I left my wallet in my Chanel purse at home.”
Becky laughed. “Oh, Little J. So naïve.” She gave Jenny a sympathetic smile. “You don’t have to lie to me. Blair told me about your Brooklyn roots.”
Jenny blushed an even darker shade of red. “Sorry,” she managed to mumble.
“Oh, it’s okay. Having the friends you do, I’m sure you really do have a Chanel bag. Or if you don’t, it won’t be long until you do. Or at least Burberry, if Blair’s cheap.” Becky laughed as she took a sip of her coffee. Something deep inside Jenny told her Becky wasn’t kidding.
“But hey, anyway…” Becky tore off a piece of muffin and popped it into her well glossed mouth. “What do you think of Waldorf’s inner circle? Nice people, huh?”
Jenny couldn’t decide if that last part was sarcasm or not. But she decided to go with it. “Yeah. Serena’s pretty cool, and Nate’s fun, even though he and Blair… you know.” Jenny blushed, once again. This was just one big embarrassment after another.
“Yeah, I know,” Becky said casually. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Nate, huh?” Her infamous eyebrows were raised. When were they ever not? “So… what’s the deal with you two, anyway? You seemed pretty close when we went out last week.”
“Oh, we’re just friends,” Jenny managed to say nonchalantly. “After all, my heart belongs to Chuck Bass.” Even with her light-hearted attitude, J couldn’t help but feel a little nauseous at her own joke.
Becky laughed. “Yeah, in your dreams.”
“Then dreams must mean reality because I swear, it wasn’t all innocent at the Kiss on the Lips.” Jenny raised her own eyebrows in a pathetic attempt to achieve Becky’s classic look. She sipped her coffee as if it were a martini; delicately, with poise and a hint of arrogance. Normally, on someone like Blair Waldorf, the action would have been admired, but on Jenny Humphrey, it just looked as pathetic as her eyebrow-raising.
But with that statement, Becky looked up, in both surprise and amusement. An impressed look could even be found deep in her eyes, if one looked hard enough. Caused by either her believing Jenny and her little remark about the Kiss on the Lips, or by her not believing a word and being awed at J’s audacity.
“Oh really,” she said finally, daring Jenny to spill. “And what does that mean?”
“Well,” Jenny said, stirring her drink as if it was no big deal. “Let’s just say Chuck and I were not without action on the hotel rooftop.”
Becky stared at her incredulously. Jenny couldn’t even comprehend what she was saying. But she knew it was impressing Becky Summers, which was always a good thing.
Suddenly Becky’s expression morphed from intrigued to serious, almost solemn. “Tell me about Chuck,” she said, her voice slightly lowered.
Jenny cocked her head slightly. “What’s there to tell?” she asked. “I thought you knew him pretty well.”
“I did,” Becky said gravely. “But I heard he, changed, after I left.”
Jenny shrugged. “He’s always been kind of perverted.” She let out a little laugh. “Well, not kind of. But you know.”
Becky remained silent for a moment, as if this was new information to her. “Yeah, I suppose so,” she said slowly. Gazing into her swirling coffee, Becky considered her next few words. She finally looked up, staring right into Jenny’s eyes.
“You know,” she said quietly, her gaze so intense she didn’t even blink. “Chuck wasn’t always… perverted. Well, I mean, he always said pervy things, but he was never so… what’s the word? Sex obsessed? You know what I mean.” Becky searched J’s eyes. It made Jenny feel extremely uncomfortable.
She swallowed hard, trying to digest this information. But it was hard with beads of sweat rolling down her neck. “Um, yeah,” was all she managed to squeak.
Becky leaned in and lowered her voice even more. Her stare lightened up a little bit, as she looked like she was getting ready to tell Jenny a very exclusive secret. And maybe she was.
“What I’m trying to say, is,” Becky paused, a naughty half-smile gracing her lips. She glanced around the not-so-busy coffee house. “Something must have happened to turn Chuck into the person he is today. Something very big. Very big.” She stared at J, never moving her eyes even in the slightest way. It was as if she was waiting for Jenny to catch on to what she was saying, with the littlest hints possible. But Becky soon realized it was going to take more than some vague tips to let Jenny Humphrey in on Chuck’s biggest secret.
“Jenny, do you know who Chuck Bass lost his virginity to?” Becky’s voice was now very hushed, and almost inaudible. Jenny had to read her lips just to make sure she heard everything.
“Well, no, I mean, I guess I never really thought about it…” Jenny looked away for a moment, racking her brain for an explanation of this conversation. Where was Becky going with this? The only possible reason was… well, no, it couldn’t be. It just couldn’t. Impossible. Unthinkable. Unbelievably ridiculous. Yet somehow, it didn’t seem like the slightest bit of nonsense. Becky Summers was telling Jenny Humphrey…
Oh. My. F-ing. God.
Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Kiss.
“You know—”
Kiss.
“We hardly ever—”
Kiss.
“Talk—”
Kiss.
“Anymore.”
Kiss.
“That’s because—”
Kiss.
“You never—”
Kiss.
“Want to—”
Kiss.
“Talk.”
Kiss.
Blair let out a giggle and pulled away. She gazed into Chuck’s eyes.
“That’s because you’re so damn hot, I can’t resist.”
Chuck leaned in for another kiss. “I know. But you have to control yourself. You’re wearing me out.”
Blair huffed. “Ha! As if.” She rolled her eyes, but smiled at him. B pushed him off to the side and sat up. She looked at him, a mysterious grin making her cheeks rosy.
“Maybe we don’t need to talk all the time,” Blair whispered, placing a well-manicured hand on Chuck’s knee.
“Or maybe we’re both such sex addicts that we forget that talking’s part of a relationship.”
“That’s so stereotypical. Just because we have a lot of sex doesn’t mean we’re addicts.” Blair rolled her eyes and adjusted her curls.
“Speak for yourself on that one,” Chuck mumbled under his breath, glancing at Blair. She let out an annoyed sigh, but nudged his leg playfully. She leaned towards him, skimming his collar with her fingers, and brushing her lips against his.
Chuck inhaled slowly, breathing in Blair’s intoxicating scent. It had changed since the beginning of the school year; once sweet and sugary, screaming ‘virgin’, it was now spicier, with tasteful splashes of maturity, proving she was a good girl gone bad. He liked this one much better; it fitted her. Fiery and sophisticated, but subtle with just a hint of sweetness.
Pulling her closer, Chuck’s hands slid down her hips and around the backs of her thighs. He leaned down onto the bed, bringing her down with him. His hands moved slowly, slipping up her ribcage, grazing her breasts, and passing over her shoulders, playfully fingering the straps of her dress.
Blair’s lips were gentle on his, but Chuck could taste the desire. Suddenly, just as Chuck was about to reach for the hem of B’s dress and pull it up, the space beside them started vibrating. Blair pulled away slightly, and her gaze settled on her phone. She reached across the bed, and picked it up. Flipping it open, she stopped the ringtone: Sour Cherry, by The Kills.
“Hello?” Blair’s voice was laced with irritation.
“Blair?”
B opened her mouth in surprise. “…Dan?” Chuck shot a glare at her, his eyes wide, seeking an explanation in her face. His lips curled into a frown as he mouthed the words, “What’s he calling for?” B just shrugged, and mouthed back, “I don’t know”.
“Um, have you talked to Serena lately?”
“Not really… why?”
“Well…” Dan’s voice trailed off as he thought. “She just isn’t answering her phone or anything. I don’t know if anything’s wrong or what…”
Blair shrugged again. “I’m sure she’s fine,” she replied dismissively.
“But… I’m just… concerned. She’s been spending a lot of time with that girl Becky. Should I be worried?”
“Oh, Becky’s harmless. She’s just a partier. Serena’s probably just having fun.”
Chuck rolled his eyes, and pushed Blair off. She stood up, and did back up the buttons on his shirt.
“That’s what I’m worried about. Becky doesn’t seem like the best influence.”
“Um, can you hold on a sec?” Blair pressed the phone to her neck and whirled to face Chuck, pleading with her eyes. He just glared at her, and opened her bedroom door. He strode out, slamming the door behind him. Blair sighed.
“I don’t know, Dan,” she said, sitting back down on the bed. “She’s been hanging out with Becks a lot lately. But I’m sure everything’s okay.”
“I hope so. She’s really changed.”
“You mean since her old, party-girl days? More than you’ll ever know.” Blair lounged back and examined her pinky nails.
“What do you think of Becky?” Dan asked suddenly.
Blair was taken aback for a moment, before she regained her nonchalant disposition. “What do you mean?” she asked carefully.
“Well, do you like her? You don’t seem the best of friends.”
“We’re not. I mean, yeah, she’s okay, and we got along, but we just never… connected, you know?”
“Yeah,” Dan said, understandingly.
Blair laughed nervously. “Okay, this conversation is turning way too casual. It sounds as if we do this all the time.” Dan let out an amused huff.
“Well, maybe we should do it more often. You know, since we’re so close in person.”
“Oh, yes,” Blair said light-heartedly. “We’re totally BFFs. But talking on the phone just doesn’t give me that same satisfaction as when we are together, darling.”
Now it was Dan’s turn to laugh. “I know what you mean, Waldorf. There’s just a certain… je ne sais quoi, that comes along with being in your presence.”
“Oh, of course. But really, we must have these little chats more often.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
And with that, Dan clicked off the line, and Blair was left sitting on her bed, too uplifted by his phone call to even give Chuck Bass a second thought.
Spotted: C Bass, storming out of the Waldorf Chateau. What’s wrong, babe? Jealousy get your blood boiling? Well, not to fear. Your little princess isn’t going anywhere. You may not like to be tied down, but when you poke at B’s soft spot, she practically hands you the rope herself.
Lonely Boy, lonely once again. I feel almost sorry for him. He’s always losing his girl to us wretched Upper East Siders. Which, speaking of, reminds me of one confused St. Jude’s boy. ‘Archibald’ may be an old-fashioned, and well-kept name, but that just makes N shaming it oh so much better. So what will it be, Nathaniel? A Brooklyn fling, the continuation of a blonde pursuit, or the easy love of our latest heiress? We’re all waiting on you. Tick, tock, tick, tock. Xo, xo.
Kiss.
“You know—”
Kiss.
“We hardly ever—”
Kiss.
“Talk—”
Kiss.
“Anymore.”
Kiss.
“That’s because—”
Kiss.
“You never—”
Kiss.
“Want to—”
Kiss.
“Talk.”
Kiss.
Blair let out a giggle and pulled away. She gazed into Chuck’s eyes.
“That’s because you’re so damn hot, I can’t resist.”
Chuck leaned in for another kiss. “I know. But you have to control yourself. You’re wearing me out.”
Blair huffed. “Ha! As if.” She rolled her eyes, but smiled at him. B pushed him off to the side and sat up. She looked at him, a mysterious grin making her cheeks rosy.
“Maybe we don’t need to talk all the time,” Blair whispered, placing a well-manicured hand on Chuck’s knee.
“Or maybe we’re both such sex addicts that we forget that talking’s part of a relationship.”
“That’s so stereotypical. Just because we have a lot of sex doesn’t mean we’re addicts.” Blair rolled her eyes and adjusted her curls.
“Speak for yourself on that one,” Chuck mumbled under his breath, glancing at Blair. She let out an annoyed sigh, but nudged his leg playfully. She leaned towards him, skimming his collar with her fingers, and brushing her lips against his.
Chuck inhaled slowly, breathing in Blair’s intoxicating scent. It had changed since the beginning of the school year; once sweet and sugary, screaming ‘virgin’, it was now spicier, with tasteful splashes of maturity, proving she was a good girl gone bad. He liked this one much better; it fitted her. Fiery and sophisticated, but subtle with just a hint of sweetness.
Pulling her closer, Chuck’s hands slid down her hips and around the backs of her thighs. He leaned down onto the bed, bringing her down with him. His hands moved slowly, slipping up her ribcage, grazing her breasts, and passing over her shoulders, playfully fingering the straps of her dress.
Blair’s lips were gentle on his, but Chuck could taste the desire. Suddenly, just as Chuck was about to reach for the hem of B’s dress and pull it up, the space beside them started vibrating. Blair pulled away slightly, and her gaze settled on her phone. She reached across the bed, and picked it up. Flipping it open, she stopped the ringtone: Sour Cherry, by The Kills.
“Hello?” Blair’s voice was laced with irritation.
“Blair?”
B opened her mouth in surprise. “…Dan?” Chuck shot a glare at her, his eyes wide, seeking an explanation in her face. His lips curled into a frown as he mouthed the words, “What’s he calling for?” B just shrugged, and mouthed back, “I don’t know”.
“Um, have you talked to Serena lately?”
“Not really… why?”
“Well…” Dan’s voice trailed off as he thought. “She just isn’t answering her phone or anything. I don’t know if anything’s wrong or what…”
Blair shrugged again. “I’m sure she’s fine,” she replied dismissively.
“But… I’m just… concerned. She’s been spending a lot of time with that girl Becky. Should I be worried?”
“Oh, Becky’s harmless. She’s just a partier. Serena’s probably just having fun.”
Chuck rolled his eyes, and pushed Blair off. She stood up, and did back up the buttons on his shirt.
“That’s what I’m worried about. Becky doesn’t seem like the best influence.”
“Um, can you hold on a sec?” Blair pressed the phone to her neck and whirled to face Chuck, pleading with her eyes. He just glared at her, and opened her bedroom door. He strode out, slamming the door behind him. Blair sighed.
“I don’t know, Dan,” she said, sitting back down on the bed. “She’s been hanging out with Becks a lot lately. But I’m sure everything’s okay.”
“I hope so. She’s really changed.”
“You mean since her old, party-girl days? More than you’ll ever know.” Blair lounged back and examined her pinky nails.
“What do you think of Becky?” Dan asked suddenly.
Blair was taken aback for a moment, before she regained her nonchalant disposition. “What do you mean?” she asked carefully.
“Well, do you like her? You don’t seem the best of friends.”
“We’re not. I mean, yeah, she’s okay, and we got along, but we just never… connected, you know?”
“Yeah,” Dan said, understandingly.
Blair laughed nervously. “Okay, this conversation is turning way too casual. It sounds as if we do this all the time.” Dan let out an amused huff.
“Well, maybe we should do it more often. You know, since we’re so close in person.”
“Oh, yes,” Blair said light-heartedly. “We’re totally BFFs. But talking on the phone just doesn’t give me that same satisfaction as when we are together, darling.”
Now it was Dan’s turn to laugh. “I know what you mean, Waldorf. There’s just a certain… je ne sais quoi, that comes along with being in your presence.”
“Oh, of course. But really, we must have these little chats more often.”
“Couldn’t agree more.”
And with that, Dan clicked off the line, and Blair was left sitting on her bed, too uplifted by his phone call to even give Chuck Bass a second thought.
Spotted: C Bass, storming out of the Waldorf Chateau. What’s wrong, babe? Jealousy get your blood boiling? Well, not to fear. Your little princess isn’t going anywhere. You may not like to be tied down, but when you poke at B’s soft spot, she practically hands you the rope herself.
Lonely Boy, lonely once again. I feel almost sorry for him. He’s always losing his girl to us wretched Upper East Siders. Which, speaking of, reminds me of one confused St. Jude’s boy. ‘Archibald’ may be an old-fashioned, and well-kept name, but that just makes N shaming it oh so much better. So what will it be, Nathaniel? A Brooklyn fling, the continuation of a blonde pursuit, or the easy love of our latest heiress? We’re all waiting on you. Tick, tock, tick, tock. Xo, xo.
Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Serena and Becky were sitting at the Palace Bar having a few early drinks, when suddenly the door opened, and Nate walked in. He caught Serena’s eye, and smiled shyly. Becky glanced at him, and then at Serena, and smirked. She shook her head as she looked down at her drink, stirring it.
“Uh, hey, Serena,” Nate said slowly, walking over to them. Serena looked uncomfortable.
“What do you want, Nate,” she said, trying to sound as pleasant as possible.
“I just… I wanted to talk to you.” Nate tried to make eye contact with her, but she kept turning away. He glanced at Becky.
“You know what?” Becky said quickly, taking a hint. “I actually have to go.” She leaned over to Serena and whispered, “Are you gonna be okay?”
Serena nodded, staring at the bar counter. Becky smiled, and squeezed her friend’s arm before getting up. She waved a few fingers at Nate, then picked up her Burberry purse and left.
Nate sat down in Becky’s place nervously. “I just… I wanted to apologize.” Serena looked up at him. Hurt was in her eyes.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Nate,” she said, in that tone that showed her disappointment.
Nate looked down at his hands. “I know. And, I was a real ***. But I just missed you so much. And, I hate being without you.”
“Nate,” Serena said softly. She took his hand gently in hers. “You aren’t without me. We’re friends, remember?”
He looked up at her, his eyes shiny with tears. “I want to be more than friends, Serena. I need us to be more than friends.”
Serena studied his face. “I can’t,” she said quietly. “I… I love Dan.” Nate looked back down at the table. “Besides, Nate, you know we can’t be more. I can’t handle it again.”
“I love you, Serena,” Nate whispered, still not looking at her. “And I was so stupid for doing that whole thing with Vanessa, but, I’ve tried everything else.”
Serena sighed. “You need to understand that we’re just friends, Nate. I do love you, but, just as a friend. And I really need you to be okay with that.”
Nate swallowed hard. “Okay,” he said uncertainly.
“Okay?” Serena said quietly. She smiled softly, and kissed his cheek. Nate forced a little smile in return, and then got up.
“See you tomorrow,” he said, and walked slowly out the bar door. When he got outside, he saw Becky leaning against the wall. She smiled, and sauntered over to him.
“Didn’t go well?” Becky pouted her lips, and bit down on the bottom one gently.
Nate shrugged. “I didn’t really expect it to.”
Becky walked carefully over until she was right in his face. “You don’t need her,” she whispered. She stood on her tiptoes so that their lips were almost touching. “You don’t need anyone… when you have me.”
Nate stared into her icy blue eyes. “I don’t know, Becky…” he said half-heartedly.
Becky licked her lips. “Just… trust me on this one.” A seductive smile spread across her face. She tilted her head back slightly, and brushed his lips with hers. Nate could taste her pomegranate-flavoured lip gloss.
Becky’s eyes stared deep into his. “My hotel room’s empty, and it’s the weekend. I can always cancel drinks with Blair and the girls. It’s not every day a girl can have someone like you.”
A slow smile managed its way onto Nate’s face. Maybe he really didn’t need Serena after all. Becky was just as hot.
“Come on,” she whispered. She fidgeted with his tie. “It’ll be perfect. I promise.” She looked up at him, her eyes almost pleading.
Nate let out a little sigh. “Alright. But no one hears about this.”
“It’ll be our little secret,” Becky said, reaching up to kiss him again.
“So, are you still going out with Blair and the girls tonight?”
Dan pushed a plate stacked high with waffles towards Serena. She stared at them ravenously. They were in the Humphrey loft, pigging out on all the food Rufus had bought earlier that week. Or, at least, Serena was.
“I don’t think so,” Serena said, reaching for the syrup. “Becky called me a while ago and cancelled. She has other plans or something.”
“Are you sure Becky’s the best person to hang out with?” Dan asked slowly. “I mean, she seems kind of… wild.”
“Hey,” Serena scolded, sticking a chunk of waffle in her mouth. “I was wild when you met me, and you accepted me for who I was. And look at where we are now: eating waffles together in the family kitchen, passing around the L Word; it’s like we’re married.”
“Yeah, a sexless marriage,” Dan sighed. “Which doesn’t sound all too great to me.”
“Hey, you said yourself, ‘Sex is meaningful, like art. And you can’t rush art.’” Serena laughed, and took another bite of her waffles.
“I know, but you mean a lot to me, and we’re just so close and everything.” Dan closed the fridge door as he placed a glass of milk on the table.
Serena abruptly threw down her fork and got up. “What, you wanna have sex right now?” she asked, grabbing Dan’s hand and pulling him towards his bedroom. “Fine, let’s have sex, right now.” Dan laughed.
Serena pushed open the bedroom door with her foot, and flopped down on the bed, pulling Dan down on top of her. “Come on, Dan Humphrey. Show me what you got.” She flung her arms and legs out, looking at him expectantly. Dan just laughed again, and rolled off beside her.
“You know what, we can wait,” he said, kissing her ear. “You smell too much like waffles. I’d be thinking of my dad.”
Serena shot up from the bed. “Whoa, yeah, okay, it’s getting creepy now.” S laughed and pulled Dan up.
“But back to what I was originally saying,” Dan said, following her out of the room, “you weren’t all that wild when I met you. At least, that I noticed.” Dan smiled. “I just, I feel like Becky is partying way too hard for your pace.”
“Oh, hush,” Serena said, sitting back down to her waffles. “Becky’s my friend, and we’re really close. Or, we were, and we are now. And I know sometimes she’s a little… insane, but I still love her.” Serena pouted. Dan laughed. “Okay,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Just be careful. I like my Serena good.”
Serena smiled. “I know.”
Serena and Becky were sitting at the Palace Bar having a few early drinks, when suddenly the door opened, and Nate walked in. He caught Serena’s eye, and smiled shyly. Becky glanced at him, and then at Serena, and smirked. She shook her head as she looked down at her drink, stirring it.
“Uh, hey, Serena,” Nate said slowly, walking over to them. Serena looked uncomfortable.
“What do you want, Nate,” she said, trying to sound as pleasant as possible.
“I just… I wanted to talk to you.” Nate tried to make eye contact with her, but she kept turning away. He glanced at Becky.
“You know what?” Becky said quickly, taking a hint. “I actually have to go.” She leaned over to Serena and whispered, “Are you gonna be okay?”
Serena nodded, staring at the bar counter. Becky smiled, and squeezed her friend’s arm before getting up. She waved a few fingers at Nate, then picked up her Burberry purse and left.
Nate sat down in Becky’s place nervously. “I just… I wanted to apologize.” Serena looked up at him. Hurt was in her eyes.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Nate,” she said, in that tone that showed her disappointment.
Nate looked down at his hands. “I know. And, I was a real ***. But I just missed you so much. And, I hate being without you.”
“Nate,” Serena said softly. She took his hand gently in hers. “You aren’t without me. We’re friends, remember?”
He looked up at her, his eyes shiny with tears. “I want to be more than friends, Serena. I need us to be more than friends.”
Serena studied his face. “I can’t,” she said quietly. “I… I love Dan.” Nate looked back down at the table. “Besides, Nate, you know we can’t be more. I can’t handle it again.”
“I love you, Serena,” Nate whispered, still not looking at her. “And I was so stupid for doing that whole thing with Vanessa, but, I’ve tried everything else.”
Serena sighed. “You need to understand that we’re just friends, Nate. I do love you, but, just as a friend. And I really need you to be okay with that.”
Nate swallowed hard. “Okay,” he said uncertainly.
“Okay?” Serena said quietly. She smiled softly, and kissed his cheek. Nate forced a little smile in return, and then got up.
“See you tomorrow,” he said, and walked slowly out the bar door. When he got outside, he saw Becky leaning against the wall. She smiled, and sauntered over to him.
“Didn’t go well?” Becky pouted her lips, and bit down on the bottom one gently.
Nate shrugged. “I didn’t really expect it to.”
Becky walked carefully over until she was right in his face. “You don’t need her,” she whispered. She stood on her tiptoes so that their lips were almost touching. “You don’t need anyone… when you have me.”
Nate stared into her icy blue eyes. “I don’t know, Becky…” he said half-heartedly.
Becky licked her lips. “Just… trust me on this one.” A seductive smile spread across her face. She tilted her head back slightly, and brushed his lips with hers. Nate could taste her pomegranate-flavoured lip gloss.
Becky’s eyes stared deep into his. “My hotel room’s empty, and it’s the weekend. I can always cancel drinks with Blair and the girls. It’s not every day a girl can have someone like you.”
A slow smile managed its way onto Nate’s face. Maybe he really didn’t need Serena after all. Becky was just as hot.
“Come on,” she whispered. She fidgeted with his tie. “It’ll be perfect. I promise.” She looked up at him, her eyes almost pleading.
Nate let out a little sigh. “Alright. But no one hears about this.”
“It’ll be our little secret,” Becky said, reaching up to kiss him again.
“So, are you still going out with Blair and the girls tonight?”
Dan pushed a plate stacked high with waffles towards Serena. She stared at them ravenously. They were in the Humphrey loft, pigging out on all the food Rufus had bought earlier that week. Or, at least, Serena was.
“I don’t think so,” Serena said, reaching for the syrup. “Becky called me a while ago and cancelled. She has other plans or something.”
“Are you sure Becky’s the best person to hang out with?” Dan asked slowly. “I mean, she seems kind of… wild.”
“Hey,” Serena scolded, sticking a chunk of waffle in her mouth. “I was wild when you met me, and you accepted me for who I was. And look at where we are now: eating waffles together in the family kitchen, passing around the L Word; it’s like we’re married.”
“Yeah, a sexless marriage,” Dan sighed. “Which doesn’t sound all too great to me.”
“Hey, you said yourself, ‘Sex is meaningful, like art. And you can’t rush art.’” Serena laughed, and took another bite of her waffles.
“I know, but you mean a lot to me, and we’re just so close and everything.” Dan closed the fridge door as he placed a glass of milk on the table.
Serena abruptly threw down her fork and got up. “What, you wanna have sex right now?” she asked, grabbing Dan’s hand and pulling him towards his bedroom. “Fine, let’s have sex, right now.” Dan laughed.
Serena pushed open the bedroom door with her foot, and flopped down on the bed, pulling Dan down on top of her. “Come on, Dan Humphrey. Show me what you got.” She flung her arms and legs out, looking at him expectantly. Dan just laughed again, and rolled off beside her.
“You know what, we can wait,” he said, kissing her ear. “You smell too much like waffles. I’d be thinking of my dad.”
Serena shot up from the bed. “Whoa, yeah, okay, it’s getting creepy now.” S laughed and pulled Dan up.
“But back to what I was originally saying,” Dan said, following her out of the room, “you weren’t all that wild when I met you. At least, that I noticed.” Dan smiled. “I just, I feel like Becky is partying way too hard for your pace.”
“Oh, hush,” Serena said, sitting back down to her waffles. “Becky’s my friend, and we’re really close. Or, we were, and we are now. And I know sometimes she’s a little… insane, but I still love her.” Serena pouted. Dan laughed. “Okay,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Just be careful. I like my Serena good.”
Serena smiled. “I know.”
Chapter 50
Chapter 50
“Miss Blair, someone is here to see you!” the maid called from downstairs.
“Who is it?” Blair called back, fluffing up her hair in front of her vanity mirror.
“Miss Becky Summers, she says.”
“Okay, send her up.” Blair sighed and she gazed at her reflection.
A few moments later, Blair’s bedroom door swung open and Becky walked in.
“You really have no life,” she said, laughing. “You spend all your time in this stuffy little room.” She gazed around Blair’s bedroom, which was anything but stuffy or little.
Blair narrowed her eyes and gave her a curt smile. “You’re so kind, Becky darling.”
Becky grinned and flopped down on the bed. “I know. I’m fabulous.”
“What are you doing here?” Blair asked cheerfully, putting in an earring.
“Oh, I just wanted to see how you were. After not showing up for school yesterday, after all.” Becky raised her eyebrows and caught Blair’s eye through the mirror.
Blair turned around to face her. “I’m fine,” she answered simply. Becky smirked.
“And how’s Chuck?”
Blair opened her mouth and paused. She gave Becky a brief smile, and said, “He’s fine.”
Becky looked away from her quickly. “That’s good.”
There was a silent moment, as both girls tried to read each other’s expressions. Finally, Becky said, “So, it’s Friday, and, you know, I was just wondering…”
Blair sighed. “Yes, Becky. Drinks at 8.”
Becky grinned. “Good. You guys are way too sober.”
“I know,” Blair said, looking at her almost sympathetically. “We’re pathetic.”
“Unfortunately.” Becky laughed and threw a pillow at Blair.
“Hey, um, can I ask you about Chuck?”
Blair frowned slightly. “What about?” she asked slowly.
Becky’s lips pouted, and she stopped smiling. “Well, I just wanted to know about your relationship.”
Blair shrugged, and turned around to put in the other earring. “What’s there to know?”
Becky shook her head. “Nothing… I guess. But, can you tell me about how he was, before you guys got together?”
Blair paused again. She avoided Becky’s eye in the mirror. “We don’t really… talk about it,” she said uncertainly. “He… I don’t know, it’s hard to put into words. But I think ‘womanizer’ pretty much sums it up.”
Becky thought for a moment. “What was so different about you, then?”
Blair gave a little shrug. She didn’t actually know herself. “Um, I guess…” she trailed off, racking her brain for something to say. She sighed. “I seriously don’t know. He just, after we hooked up, he changed. It was like, the start of a whole new person.”
Becky took a deep breath and processed this information. She licked her lips, nervous. “When… when did Chuck start his whole womanizer phase?” she asked slowly.
“Uh, I don’t know.” Blair laughed. “It was just like that’s how he’d always been. We all forgot what he was like without his perverted ways.”
“So you don’t know what changed him?”
“Don’t know, or don’t remember. It was a real gradual change, I think. We just kind of never noticed, until one day, he was full-on, date-rapist Chuck Bass.” Blair’s thoughts became cloudy when she tried to recall the answers to Becky’s questions. “But what does it matter? He’s different now.”
“Yeah,” Becky said quietly. “Hey, I uh, I gotta go. Homework and stuff, you know.”
Blair raised her eyebrows sceptically. “Since when do you do homework?”
Becky laughed. “Since Constance started kicking out the people who don’t.”
Blair smiled a little. “Alright, see you later,” she said, waving, as Becky got up to leave.
“Bye, Blair.” She blew her friend a kiss, and left the room.
As Becky turned the corner on her way to Sak’s, she ran into Nate. He was leaning against a brick wall, smoking a joint.
“Hey, Becks,” he said when he saw her. Becky smiled and walked over.
“Can I have some of that?” Nate handed her the joint, and she took a long drag on it, closing her eyes. Tilting her head back, she blew out the smoke.
Nate laughed. “I thought you went to rehab.” Becky shot him a doubtful look.
“Yes, three years ago.” Nate laughed again, and took back his joint.
“Hey, do you miss Blair?” Becky asked, looking up at him.
Nate shrugged. “Not really. We broke up, I’m over it.”
“Right,” Becky said sarcastically, leaning up against the wall beside him, stuffing her hands in her coat pockets.
“I’m serious,” Nate insisted. “We just, didn’t work out. Plus, there’s someone… else.”
Becky raised her eyebrows at him suggestively, flipping her hair back and batting her eyelashes. Nate laughed. Becky leaned in close, breathing in the marijuana fumes radiating off of him.
“I know you want me, Nate Archibald,” she said seductively, her voice dropped to a whisper. “You don’t have to deny it any longer.” She grabbed his collar, and pulled him into her so their faces were only inches apart. Becky’s breath was hot against Nate’s lips.
Quickly, Becky jerked to the side, and kissed Nate’s cheek. She laughed, and looked down at the sidewalk, before returning her gaze to Nate.
“But I owe it to Blair not to get involved with you, Nathaniel. And you must resist the lust you hold for me. Because I’m not that type of girl, Nate.” She searched his eyes, and then slapped the side of his face where she had kissed him. “So get your mind out of the gutter, Nathaniel! You will never be with me!” Becky huffed, and stormed off down the street. Nate watched her for a moment, and then realized that other people on the sidewalk were staring.
“What the hell, Becky?” he called after her, laughing. She just turned around briefly, winked, and kept on strutting away from him. All Nate could do was stand there, with by passers still watching him, and wonder if Becky Summers was slightly insane.
“Miss Blair, someone is here to see you!” the maid called from downstairs.
“Who is it?” Blair called back, fluffing up her hair in front of her vanity mirror.
“Miss Becky Summers, she says.”
“Okay, send her up.” Blair sighed and she gazed at her reflection.
A few moments later, Blair’s bedroom door swung open and Becky walked in.
“You really have no life,” she said, laughing. “You spend all your time in this stuffy little room.” She gazed around Blair’s bedroom, which was anything but stuffy or little.
Blair narrowed her eyes and gave her a curt smile. “You’re so kind, Becky darling.”
Becky grinned and flopped down on the bed. “I know. I’m fabulous.”
“What are you doing here?” Blair asked cheerfully, putting in an earring.
“Oh, I just wanted to see how you were. After not showing up for school yesterday, after all.” Becky raised her eyebrows and caught Blair’s eye through the mirror.
Blair turned around to face her. “I’m fine,” she answered simply. Becky smirked.
“And how’s Chuck?”
Blair opened her mouth and paused. She gave Becky a brief smile, and said, “He’s fine.”
Becky looked away from her quickly. “That’s good.”
There was a silent moment, as both girls tried to read each other’s expressions. Finally, Becky said, “So, it’s Friday, and, you know, I was just wondering…”
Blair sighed. “Yes, Becky. Drinks at 8.”
Becky grinned. “Good. You guys are way too sober.”
“I know,” Blair said, looking at her almost sympathetically. “We’re pathetic.”
“Unfortunately.” Becky laughed and threw a pillow at Blair.
“Hey, um, can I ask you about Chuck?”
Blair frowned slightly. “What about?” she asked slowly.
Becky’s lips pouted, and she stopped smiling. “Well, I just wanted to know about your relationship.”
Blair shrugged, and turned around to put in the other earring. “What’s there to know?”
Becky shook her head. “Nothing… I guess. But, can you tell me about how he was, before you guys got together?”
Blair paused again. She avoided Becky’s eye in the mirror. “We don’t really… talk about it,” she said uncertainly. “He… I don’t know, it’s hard to put into words. But I think ‘womanizer’ pretty much sums it up.”
Becky thought for a moment. “What was so different about you, then?”
Blair gave a little shrug. She didn’t actually know herself. “Um, I guess…” she trailed off, racking her brain for something to say. She sighed. “I seriously don’t know. He just, after we hooked up, he changed. It was like, the start of a whole new person.”
Becky took a deep breath and processed this information. She licked her lips, nervous. “When… when did Chuck start his whole womanizer phase?” she asked slowly.
“Uh, I don’t know.” Blair laughed. “It was just like that’s how he’d always been. We all forgot what he was like without his perverted ways.”
“So you don’t know what changed him?”
“Don’t know, or don’t remember. It was a real gradual change, I think. We just kind of never noticed, until one day, he was full-on, date-rapist Chuck Bass.” Blair’s thoughts became cloudy when she tried to recall the answers to Becky’s questions. “But what does it matter? He’s different now.”
“Yeah,” Becky said quietly. “Hey, I uh, I gotta go. Homework and stuff, you know.”
Blair raised her eyebrows sceptically. “Since when do you do homework?”
Becky laughed. “Since Constance started kicking out the people who don’t.”
Blair smiled a little. “Alright, see you later,” she said, waving, as Becky got up to leave.
“Bye, Blair.” She blew her friend a kiss, and left the room.
As Becky turned the corner on her way to Sak’s, she ran into Nate. He was leaning against a brick wall, smoking a joint.
“Hey, Becks,” he said when he saw her. Becky smiled and walked over.
“Can I have some of that?” Nate handed her the joint, and she took a long drag on it, closing her eyes. Tilting her head back, she blew out the smoke.
Nate laughed. “I thought you went to rehab.” Becky shot him a doubtful look.
“Yes, three years ago.” Nate laughed again, and took back his joint.
“Hey, do you miss Blair?” Becky asked, looking up at him.
Nate shrugged. “Not really. We broke up, I’m over it.”
“Right,” Becky said sarcastically, leaning up against the wall beside him, stuffing her hands in her coat pockets.
“I’m serious,” Nate insisted. “We just, didn’t work out. Plus, there’s someone… else.”
Becky raised her eyebrows at him suggestively, flipping her hair back and batting her eyelashes. Nate laughed. Becky leaned in close, breathing in the marijuana fumes radiating off of him.
“I know you want me, Nate Archibald,” she said seductively, her voice dropped to a whisper. “You don’t have to deny it any longer.” She grabbed his collar, and pulled him into her so their faces were only inches apart. Becky’s breath was hot against Nate’s lips.
Quickly, Becky jerked to the side, and kissed Nate’s cheek. She laughed, and looked down at the sidewalk, before returning her gaze to Nate.
“But I owe it to Blair not to get involved with you, Nathaniel. And you must resist the lust you hold for me. Because I’m not that type of girl, Nate.” She searched his eyes, and then slapped the side of his face where she had kissed him. “So get your mind out of the gutter, Nathaniel! You will never be with me!” Becky huffed, and stormed off down the street. Nate watched her for a moment, and then realized that other people on the sidewalk were staring.
“What the hell, Becky?” he called after her, laughing. She just turned around briefly, winked, and kept on strutting away from him. All Nate could do was stand there, with by passers still watching him, and wonder if Becky Summers was slightly insane.
Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Blair woke up suddenly, and sat up so quickly she got a head rush. Which, shocker, didn’t go so well with the hangover.
She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 9 am. Blair gasped, and stumbled out of bed. She ran to the bathroom, but stopped when she got to the doorway. She had forgotten.
She was in Chuck’s suite. And all of her beauty products were at the penthouse. Blair sighed and trudged back to bed. She sat down on the soft mattress, and leaned back. She fell onto Chuck’s stomach.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. He smiled, and stroked her hair. She turned to look up at him, a smile lingering on her lips.
“We’re late for school,” she informed him.
“Screw school,” he said simply, still stroking her hair. Blair let out a silent laugh, and crawled up to him. She reached up, and kissed him.
Blair smelled wonderful. Chuck couldn’t place the scent, but he knew he liked it. Her chestnut curls were all over the place, but it was the kind of messy that looked perfect. Mascara was lightly smudged around her eyes, and her red lipstick was faint. But her skin glowed, and her smile was radiant. He loved looking at her. And he knew it was ten times better than heaven. Blair Waldorf was a creature of beauty, and Chuck felt so honoured to have her. To be able to kiss her, and have her blush and smile and kiss back. To be able to slip off her dress because he knew she was just overwhelmed with lust.
“You know I love you, right?” he whispered, gazing into her deep brown eyes.
Blair smiled. “About time you said it,” she said softly, eyeing him playfully. He smiled back, his eyes showing the fascination he had for her.
“Feel free to say something back,” he said, gently reaching for her hand.
Blair let out a little laugh. “I love you, too,” she said, her perfect lips smiling up at him. She reached up, so there was barely an inch between them. Their foreheads touched, and they gazed into each other’s eyes. Chuck’s nose nudged hers, and she laughed. She tilted her head slightly, and kissed him. Chuck’s hands rested on the small of her back as he pulled her into him.
Blair felt like crying. It was her dream moment. She could hear faint music playing inside her head, making it like a fairy tale. She pulled away, ever so slightly, and said, “So, we’re not going to school, right?”
“Waldorf,” Chuck scolded gently.
B giggled. “Sorry,” she said, not being able to hold back her smile. Chuck reached for the phone on the nightstand. Pushing a button, he said into the phone, “Room service, please. A deluxe breakfast to the Bass suite. And bring a vase of two dozen roses while you’re at it.” He smiled at Blair. “Actually, make it three dozen. I have the most beautiful girl here with me, and she deserves the best you’ve got.”
He hung up, and looked at Blair. She laughed softly, and kissed him again.
“Where’s Blair?”
“I think you know where she is.” Becky winked. “Let’s see, who did she go home with last night?”
Serena laughed. “What a little sex kitten.”
“Naughty girl, it’s not even the weekend yet!” Becky rolled her eyes.
“Ugh. I know. What is society coming to?” The girls laughed as they headed into Constance’s main hall.
Is and Kati came up to them, their hands pressed to their foreheads. “Hey, do you guys know what happened last night?” Kati asked, sounding tired and hung over.
“Yeah, we can’t remember a thing,” Isabel added.
“As a matter of fact, you two spent the night with a couple of old businessmen. In from Chicago, I think. On business trips, and with the wives so far away, it’s the perfect time to get a bit of action from some wasted teens.” Becky’s answer was so calm, Is and Kati both stared at her.
“…How old are we talking here?” Kati asked slowly.
“Let’s just say, those guys are past retirement age. Way past.”
Is let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, right.”
Becky shrugged. “Believe what you want, but, you might want to get tested. I hear those rich old geezers get around.”
Becky and Serena walked off, leaving Is and Kati staring at each other, stunned.
Serena laughed. “You are so mean!”
“Oh, whatever,” Becky said dismissively, waving her hand. “They’ll get over it.” The girls stared at each other, and burst into laughter.
The bell sounded, and the girls walked into class. Chatting, they sat down at two empty seats. Mr. Gordon, their homeroom teacher, frowned as he scanned the room.
“Where is Miss Waldorf?” he asked.
Becky raised her hand to answer, but Serena clamped her hand over her friend’s mouth and laughed.
“She’s not feeling too well today, Mr. Gordon,” Serena replied. Then she looked at Becky with a scolding look, and removed her hand.
Becky looked offended. “What? I was going to say the same thing.”
Serena laughed again. “Yeah, right. I know for a fact you were going to blurt out something like Blair went off to have morning sex.”
Becky scoffed, but grinned. Serena rolled her eyes and smiled.
“You know I’m not big on lying,” Becky whispered, once class had started.
“Obviously,” Serena replied, light-heartedly.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Blair woke up suddenly, and sat up so quickly she got a head rush. Which, shocker, didn’t go so well with the hangover.
She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. 9 am. Blair gasped, and stumbled out of bed. She ran to the bathroom, but stopped when she got to the doorway. She had forgotten.
She was in Chuck’s suite. And all of her beauty products were at the penthouse. Blair sighed and trudged back to bed. She sat down on the soft mattress, and leaned back. She fell onto Chuck’s stomach.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. He smiled, and stroked her hair. She turned to look up at him, a smile lingering on her lips.
“We’re late for school,” she informed him.
“Screw school,” he said simply, still stroking her hair. Blair let out a silent laugh, and crawled up to him. She reached up, and kissed him.
Blair smelled wonderful. Chuck couldn’t place the scent, but he knew he liked it. Her chestnut curls were all over the place, but it was the kind of messy that looked perfect. Mascara was lightly smudged around her eyes, and her red lipstick was faint. But her skin glowed, and her smile was radiant. He loved looking at her. And he knew it was ten times better than heaven. Blair Waldorf was a creature of beauty, and Chuck felt so honoured to have her. To be able to kiss her, and have her blush and smile and kiss back. To be able to slip off her dress because he knew she was just overwhelmed with lust.
“You know I love you, right?” he whispered, gazing into her deep brown eyes.
Blair smiled. “About time you said it,” she said softly, eyeing him playfully. He smiled back, his eyes showing the fascination he had for her.
“Feel free to say something back,” he said, gently reaching for her hand.
Blair let out a little laugh. “I love you, too,” she said, her perfect lips smiling up at him. She reached up, so there was barely an inch between them. Their foreheads touched, and they gazed into each other’s eyes. Chuck’s nose nudged hers, and she laughed. She tilted her head slightly, and kissed him. Chuck’s hands rested on the small of her back as he pulled her into him.
Blair felt like crying. It was her dream moment. She could hear faint music playing inside her head, making it like a fairy tale. She pulled away, ever so slightly, and said, “So, we’re not going to school, right?”
“Waldorf,” Chuck scolded gently.
B giggled. “Sorry,” she said, not being able to hold back her smile. Chuck reached for the phone on the nightstand. Pushing a button, he said into the phone, “Room service, please. A deluxe breakfast to the Bass suite. And bring a vase of two dozen roses while you’re at it.” He smiled at Blair. “Actually, make it three dozen. I have the most beautiful girl here with me, and she deserves the best you’ve got.”
He hung up, and looked at Blair. She laughed softly, and kissed him again.
“Where’s Blair?”
“I think you know where she is.” Becky winked. “Let’s see, who did she go home with last night?”
Serena laughed. “What a little sex kitten.”
“Naughty girl, it’s not even the weekend yet!” Becky rolled her eyes.
“Ugh. I know. What is society coming to?” The girls laughed as they headed into Constance’s main hall.
Is and Kati came up to them, their hands pressed to their foreheads. “Hey, do you guys know what happened last night?” Kati asked, sounding tired and hung over.
“Yeah, we can’t remember a thing,” Isabel added.
“As a matter of fact, you two spent the night with a couple of old businessmen. In from Chicago, I think. On business trips, and with the wives so far away, it’s the perfect time to get a bit of action from some wasted teens.” Becky’s answer was so calm, Is and Kati both stared at her.
“…How old are we talking here?” Kati asked slowly.
“Let’s just say, those guys are past retirement age. Way past.”
Is let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, right.”
Becky shrugged. “Believe what you want, but, you might want to get tested. I hear those rich old geezers get around.”
Becky and Serena walked off, leaving Is and Kati staring at each other, stunned.
Serena laughed. “You are so mean!”
“Oh, whatever,” Becky said dismissively, waving her hand. “They’ll get over it.” The girls stared at each other, and burst into laughter.
The bell sounded, and the girls walked into class. Chatting, they sat down at two empty seats. Mr. Gordon, their homeroom teacher, frowned as he scanned the room.
“Where is Miss Waldorf?” he asked.
Becky raised her hand to answer, but Serena clamped her hand over her friend’s mouth and laughed.
“She’s not feeling too well today, Mr. Gordon,” Serena replied. Then she looked at Becky with a scolding look, and removed her hand.
Becky looked offended. “What? I was going to say the same thing.”
Serena laughed again. “Yeah, right. I know for a fact you were going to blurt out something like Blair went off to have morning sex.”
Becky scoffed, but grinned. Serena rolled her eyes and smiled.
“You know I’m not big on lying,” Becky whispered, once class had started.
“Obviously,” Serena replied, light-heartedly.
Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Remember the Kiss on the Lips party, when Blair, Nate and the gang took Chuck’s limo over? Spilling drinks, smoking, laughing, having fun? Well, that Wednesday night was basically a repeat. Only slightly different.
Blair and Chuck were sitting on one end of the seat, with Nate as far away as possible from them. Is and Kati sat together, with Jenny on their right, next to Becky, who was next to Serena.
Champagne splashed onto seats, and smoke clouded the limo cabin. Laughter exploded inside the cramped space every five seconds. Even Jenny Humphrey was getting in the party mood after her second glass.
By the time the limo rounded the curb and pulled up at the Palace bar, all 8 of them were giddy from the alcohol. All the girls tripped on their way out of the cab. They were all pretty comfortable with each other, except for Nate, who was the outsider. But he just hung out with Jenny.
Serena, Becky, and Blair linked arms as they stumbled into the bar. It was pretty noisy inside already, so they weren’t noticed that much. Chuck escorted Is and Kati in, who were probably the drunkest of them all. He set them down at one end of the bar, and went over to the other girls while Jenny and Nate laughed over at their own table.
“Check it out,” Chuck said in Blair’s ear, his eyes on Jenny and Nate. “Someone’s moving in on your ex.”
“Oh my god, s***!” Blair laughed, and added drunkenly, “And I’m not talking about Jenny.” She erupted into laughter, and almost fell off her stool. Becky chuckled, and patted the seat next to her, indicating for Chuck to sit.
“So, miss California yet?” Chuck ordered a round of drinks for the girls.
“Are you kidding? Coming back here was the best thing I ever did!” Becky grinned at him, but then lowered her voice a bit. “You know, when I first arrived, I was actually kind of nervous. I was worried people would get pissed at me because I just waltzed back into their lives, and expected it to be the same as when we were fourteen. Especially with Blair, I mean, you know how she gets. But it’s been surprisingly good.” Becky thanked the bartender for her martini, and took a sip.
“Well, just be careful,” Chuck warned. “I don’t want you tearing up this place too much with your partying. We’ve all been pretty low-key lately.”
Becky scoffed. “Oh, come on! Seriously? Wow, this place really has turned you guys into uptight little snobs. I bet y’all are even all pure and abstinent.” Becky raised her eyebrows at Chuck, as if daring him to defend his goody-two-shoes friends.
Chuck took a deep breath. “I don’t know about that,” he said slowly. “I mean, it really depends who you’re talking about.” He glanced at Blair and Serena. “But I’m pretty sure Serena hasn’t been laid since she came back from Connecticut or whatever.”
“What do you mean?” Becky asked, frowning. Chuck frowned back.
“You mean she hasn’t told you?”
Becky shook her head and shrugged.
“Well, Serena left New York for six months to go to boarding school. Right after she slept with Nate.”
“What?”
Chuck almost laughed. He forgot that Becky hadn’t been around for the last couple years. Maybe a lot really had happened. “It’s not that big a deal, we’ve all put it in the past. She has a new boyfriend now, some stupid Humphrey kid. But he’s done her well. She’s definitely not who she used to be.” Chuck took a sip of his drink. “Although, I think you’re having quite an impact on her.” He recalled last night, taking both of them to their rooms.
“Oh, well, yeah, she failed to mention any of that.” Becky thought for a moment. “But I guess it’s not exactly something you brag about. Anyway, is there anything I should know about you? Did you go through any scandalous phases?” Becky raised her eyebrows again, challenging him to spill.
“Story of my life,” he said blatantly. “Before Blair, I was pretty…”
“Loose?” Becky laughed. “Oh, that’s okay. I expected as much.”
“I guess you could say I was a real disappointment to my father,” Chuck sighed. “Date rape could be thrown into the equation as well.”
At this Becky laughed even harder. “As if!” she scoffed. Chuck glanced at Jenny and gave Becky a weary look. She didn’t say anything, just stared down at her drink as she stirred it.
“So, you think you’ll get back in the dating game?” Chuck asked, changing the subject.
“Oh, I had some ideas, but you were already taken.” She winked at him and laughed. Chuck couldn’t help but wonder if this was slightly true.
“You know, you look really good,” he said, eyeing her purple satin dress. Low-cut. Short skirt. Tight as hell.
Becky sighed. “I know,” she said, her voice sounding concerned. She grinned. “But it’s hard to find a guy who likes me for me, and not just for my amazing sexy-ness.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Chuck finished his drink, and the bartender instantly fetched him another.
Suddenly, the light, faint music that had been playing in the bar changed drastically, to what Chuck could only identify as… Britney Spears.
“‘Gimme More’!” Becky screeched, and flung off her chair. She grabbed Serena’s hand, spilling the drink she was holding, and ran over to the long table on the other side of the bar. She climbed up on it, and pulled Serena up with her. The two began dancing, next to each other, with each other. The crowds of people began cheering them on. Serena and Becky sang along, their voices horribly off-key, but probably on purpose. They were laughing and stumbling and flipping their hair and dresses all around in a crazed frenzy.
Blair slid over to Chuck, and he picked her up and put her on his lap. His hands slid around her waist to keep her there.
“You know what that reminds me of?” he asked, watching the girls.
“Don’t say it,” Blair said dully.
“Victrola.”
Blair looked at him, a tired expression on her face.
“You. Dancing. Being all amazing and stunning and sexy.”
A slow smile slid across Blair’s lips.
“And without. Even. Trying.” With every word, Chuck leaned closer to her. When his lips finally met hers, Blair’s hands slipped around his neck. She felt totally at peace. The music began to fade away, getting more and more distant, as Blair held onto him. She felt such desire right then, such desire for Chuck to just slide his hands up and take off her dress, to kiss her and caress her and mumble sexy words as his hands explored her body. She just wanted it to be the two of them, alone, with nothing but each other, like that one night in the limo. The one night that changed B’s life forever.
But while Blair was running fantasies through her head, and Chuck was relishing in just being able to hold her and kiss her and love her, some eyes had landed upon them.
Nate couldn’t keep turning back to them, watching them. He wanted to punch Chuck, and pull Blair away, screaming that he loved her. But he didn’t. He just couldn’t bear watching his ex-girlfriend and his ex-best friend together. Even if he didn’t give a s*** about either one of them. All his anger was gone, but a sad loneliness still filled his heart. He turned back to Serena and Becky, watching every move Serena made. She was the one he wanted. She had always been the one. But then his mind drifted over to Vanessa.
Becky was laughing and dancing and singing and having fun, watching the people below her cheer her on. But her eyes kept darting away from the crowd, over across the bar to where two people were sitting on a bar stool, making out. Jealousy and longing stung at her heart. She kept dancing, but her thoughts floated away. It was so surreal; it was like her soul was out of her body. She remembered old memories from their early teen years, memories that stabbed at her heart while she continued to watch Chuck and Blair.
Chuck and Blair.
And Becky, up on a bar table, dancing the evening away, feeling alone, because she was. Drinking and partying to keep her mind off her happiness, off the sadness hidden deep in her heart. Off the love she knew she never had, but had always needed.
Becky Summers was lost, and vulnerable, and alone. And the only thing she could do about it was keep dancing, keep on dancing her woes away.
Remember the Kiss on the Lips party, when Blair, Nate and the gang took Chuck’s limo over? Spilling drinks, smoking, laughing, having fun? Well, that Wednesday night was basically a repeat. Only slightly different.
Blair and Chuck were sitting on one end of the seat, with Nate as far away as possible from them. Is and Kati sat together, with Jenny on their right, next to Becky, who was next to Serena.
Champagne splashed onto seats, and smoke clouded the limo cabin. Laughter exploded inside the cramped space every five seconds. Even Jenny Humphrey was getting in the party mood after her second glass.
By the time the limo rounded the curb and pulled up at the Palace bar, all 8 of them were giddy from the alcohol. All the girls tripped on their way out of the cab. They were all pretty comfortable with each other, except for Nate, who was the outsider. But he just hung out with Jenny.
Serena, Becky, and Blair linked arms as they stumbled into the bar. It was pretty noisy inside already, so they weren’t noticed that much. Chuck escorted Is and Kati in, who were probably the drunkest of them all. He set them down at one end of the bar, and went over to the other girls while Jenny and Nate laughed over at their own table.
“Check it out,” Chuck said in Blair’s ear, his eyes on Jenny and Nate. “Someone’s moving in on your ex.”
“Oh my god, s***!” Blair laughed, and added drunkenly, “And I’m not talking about Jenny.” She erupted into laughter, and almost fell off her stool. Becky chuckled, and patted the seat next to her, indicating for Chuck to sit.
“So, miss California yet?” Chuck ordered a round of drinks for the girls.
“Are you kidding? Coming back here was the best thing I ever did!” Becky grinned at him, but then lowered her voice a bit. “You know, when I first arrived, I was actually kind of nervous. I was worried people would get pissed at me because I just waltzed back into their lives, and expected it to be the same as when we were fourteen. Especially with Blair, I mean, you know how she gets. But it’s been surprisingly good.” Becky thanked the bartender for her martini, and took a sip.
“Well, just be careful,” Chuck warned. “I don’t want you tearing up this place too much with your partying. We’ve all been pretty low-key lately.”
Becky scoffed. “Oh, come on! Seriously? Wow, this place really has turned you guys into uptight little snobs. I bet y’all are even all pure and abstinent.” Becky raised her eyebrows at Chuck, as if daring him to defend his goody-two-shoes friends.
Chuck took a deep breath. “I don’t know about that,” he said slowly. “I mean, it really depends who you’re talking about.” He glanced at Blair and Serena. “But I’m pretty sure Serena hasn’t been laid since she came back from Connecticut or whatever.”
“What do you mean?” Becky asked, frowning. Chuck frowned back.
“You mean she hasn’t told you?”
Becky shook her head and shrugged.
“Well, Serena left New York for six months to go to boarding school. Right after she slept with Nate.”
“What?”
Chuck almost laughed. He forgot that Becky hadn’t been around for the last couple years. Maybe a lot really had happened. “It’s not that big a deal, we’ve all put it in the past. She has a new boyfriend now, some stupid Humphrey kid. But he’s done her well. She’s definitely not who she used to be.” Chuck took a sip of his drink. “Although, I think you’re having quite an impact on her.” He recalled last night, taking both of them to their rooms.
“Oh, well, yeah, she failed to mention any of that.” Becky thought for a moment. “But I guess it’s not exactly something you brag about. Anyway, is there anything I should know about you? Did you go through any scandalous phases?” Becky raised her eyebrows again, challenging him to spill.
“Story of my life,” he said blatantly. “Before Blair, I was pretty…”
“Loose?” Becky laughed. “Oh, that’s okay. I expected as much.”
“I guess you could say I was a real disappointment to my father,” Chuck sighed. “Date rape could be thrown into the equation as well.”
At this Becky laughed even harder. “As if!” she scoffed. Chuck glanced at Jenny and gave Becky a weary look. She didn’t say anything, just stared down at her drink as she stirred it.
“So, you think you’ll get back in the dating game?” Chuck asked, changing the subject.
“Oh, I had some ideas, but you were already taken.” She winked at him and laughed. Chuck couldn’t help but wonder if this was slightly true.
“You know, you look really good,” he said, eyeing her purple satin dress. Low-cut. Short skirt. Tight as hell.
Becky sighed. “I know,” she said, her voice sounding concerned. She grinned. “But it’s hard to find a guy who likes me for me, and not just for my amazing sexy-ness.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Chuck finished his drink, and the bartender instantly fetched him another.
Suddenly, the light, faint music that had been playing in the bar changed drastically, to what Chuck could only identify as… Britney Spears.
“‘Gimme More’!” Becky screeched, and flung off her chair. She grabbed Serena’s hand, spilling the drink she was holding, and ran over to the long table on the other side of the bar. She climbed up on it, and pulled Serena up with her. The two began dancing, next to each other, with each other. The crowds of people began cheering them on. Serena and Becky sang along, their voices horribly off-key, but probably on purpose. They were laughing and stumbling and flipping their hair and dresses all around in a crazed frenzy.
Blair slid over to Chuck, and he picked her up and put her on his lap. His hands slid around her waist to keep her there.
“You know what that reminds me of?” he asked, watching the girls.
“Don’t say it,” Blair said dully.
“Victrola.”
Blair looked at him, a tired expression on her face.
“You. Dancing. Being all amazing and stunning and sexy.”
A slow smile slid across Blair’s lips.
“And without. Even. Trying.” With every word, Chuck leaned closer to her. When his lips finally met hers, Blair’s hands slipped around his neck. She felt totally at peace. The music began to fade away, getting more and more distant, as Blair held onto him. She felt such desire right then, such desire for Chuck to just slide his hands up and take off her dress, to kiss her and caress her and mumble sexy words as his hands explored her body. She just wanted it to be the two of them, alone, with nothing but each other, like that one night in the limo. The one night that changed B’s life forever.
But while Blair was running fantasies through her head, and Chuck was relishing in just being able to hold her and kiss her and love her, some eyes had landed upon them.
Nate couldn’t keep turning back to them, watching them. He wanted to punch Chuck, and pull Blair away, screaming that he loved her. But he didn’t. He just couldn’t bear watching his ex-girlfriend and his ex-best friend together. Even if he didn’t give a s*** about either one of them. All his anger was gone, but a sad loneliness still filled his heart. He turned back to Serena and Becky, watching every move Serena made. She was the one he wanted. She had always been the one. But then his mind drifted over to Vanessa.
Becky was laughing and dancing and singing and having fun, watching the people below her cheer her on. But her eyes kept darting away from the crowd, over across the bar to where two people were sitting on a bar stool, making out. Jealousy and longing stung at her heart. She kept dancing, but her thoughts floated away. It was so surreal; it was like her soul was out of her body. She remembered old memories from their early teen years, memories that stabbed at her heart while she continued to watch Chuck and Blair.
Chuck and Blair.
And Becky, up on a bar table, dancing the evening away, feeling alone, because she was. Drinking and partying to keep her mind off her happiness, off the sadness hidden deep in her heart. Off the love she knew she never had, but had always needed.
Becky Summers was lost, and vulnerable, and alone. And the only thing she could do about it was keep dancing, keep on dancing her woes away.
Chapter 47
Chapter 47
“Hey Dan!” Vanessa slammed the Humphrey loft front door shut as she skipped into the apartment. Dan was sitting at the island in the kitchen, reading a magazine. His head turned, but his face stayed blank. Great.
“Whatcha doin’?” Vanessa was very cheerful.
“…Reading,” Dan said slowly.
“Fun, fun.” Vanessa came over and wrapped her arms around Dan’s neck. She kissed his cheek and pressed herself into him. “I hope you missed me today,” she said in a low voice, “because I missed you.”
She twirled around and fell into him, planting her lips on his. Dan immediately tensed up and threw her off.
“What the hell are you doing?” he said, his voice high.
“Dan, why are you freaking out?” Vanessa asked, pushing herself up off the floor. “I’m your girlfriend.” She pouted at him and slowly came towards him. Dan held up his hands to keep her off.
“Not anymore,” he said coldly. “I know all about your little plan to break up me and Serena. And I just thought you’d want to know that I never want to see, or talk to you, ever again.”
Dan got up, snatched Vanessa’s coat off the hanger, and tossed it at her. He held open the door, and gestured for her to get out. Vanessa’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She let out a little gasp, but then briskly walked out of the apartment.
She looked back once, to cast a look of death at Dan, who really didn’t notice, because he had already started texting Serena.
“Hey guys!”
Serena, Blair, and Jenny all turned as Becky came running after them. Serena and Jenny smiled.
“Does this school suck, or what? God, I forgot how crappy Constance was.” Becky laughed as she stuffed four textbooks into her bag. “Mrs. Nyles gave me so much work, it’s not even funny. Good thing we’re all having drinks tonight, so I can just forget about all this loser school stuff.” Becky rolled her eyes at the thought of schoolwork. It definitely wasn’t her thing.
“Um, drinks?” Blair and Serena both glanced at Jenny.
Becky looked at them expectantly. “Well, yeah. I mean, we have to carry out tradition, right? After all, what are Wednesday nights without a few martinis?”
The girls just glanced at each other. Serena shrugged.
“Anyway, the whole gang is coming. Is, Kati, Chuck, Nate… everybody. The Palace Bar at 8. See you there!” Becky winked at her friends and ran off.
Blair sighed. “So, plan?”
“I, guess we’re going…” Serena said nervously. Jenny looked a little worried too.
“Don’t worry, J, we’ll dress you up. Plus, if you’re with us, no one will care if you look pre-teen.” Blair smirked.
“Um, thanks,” was all Jenny could say. “Uh, I gotta go, though. I have after-school tutoring.” Jenny waved at B and S, and headed back into one of the school buildings.
“Looks like it’s just you and me, BumbleBee,” Serena said, swinging her arm over Blair’s shoulder. “Hey, let’s go see a movie.”
“Sure, but, which one? There aren’t many good ones out.” Blair swung her bag over one shoulder.
“We’ll just go and see an R rated one,” Serena whispered, grinning. And, lowering her voice even more, she added, “And not the violent kind.” She grabbed Blair’s hand, and started running down the street. Blair tagged along, laughing.
It looks like certain influences have S resorting back to her old self. Watch out, world. When Becky’s on the prowl, she has every girl turning naughty. Let’s just hope her ways don’t go to our youth; namely, Little J. She has it hard enough trying to impress B. Oh, what we are doing to the future. Oh, well. Fun’s all that matters, right? Xo, xo.
Vanessa burst through the Archibald’s front door. Luckily, Nate’s parents weren’t home. “Nate!” she screeched.
Nate came running down the stairs from his room. “What?” he said, obviously annoyed.
“Dan knows. Serena knows. The whole world knows! And it’s all your fault, you stupid, stupid loser!” Vanessa slapped his arm with each word.
“Ow! What the hell?!” Nate slapped her hand away.
Vanessa took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “They know about our plan. Dan dumped me after school. Which means he’s back with Serena. Which means you can’t have Serena!”
Nate stared at her. “You know what? Serena’s too goody-goody for me. I need a girl with fire. Someone who’s thrilling and mysterious and fierce. I need you, Vanessa.”
Before V could say anything, Nate grabbed her, pulled her into him, and kissed her. After a moment, Vanessa quickly pushed away.
“What are you doing?” she said breathlessly. But without another thought, she threw herself back at Nate, gripping his collar and pulling him down to her. Her lips pressed his with such violence that it took Nate aback. But he loved the thrill, and gripped her even tighter.
Don’t you just hate lame hook-ups? Disgusting, I know. If you’re not on the A-List, you don’t deserve a boyfriend. Simple as that. So what the hell, V? How did you, a mean little Brooklyn girl, win the #1 bachelor of our fabulous society? Conspiracy, much? Gag me.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Hey Dan!” Vanessa slammed the Humphrey loft front door shut as she skipped into the apartment. Dan was sitting at the island in the kitchen, reading a magazine. His head turned, but his face stayed blank. Great.
“Whatcha doin’?” Vanessa was very cheerful.
“…Reading,” Dan said slowly.
“Fun, fun.” Vanessa came over and wrapped her arms around Dan’s neck. She kissed his cheek and pressed herself into him. “I hope you missed me today,” she said in a low voice, “because I missed you.”
She twirled around and fell into him, planting her lips on his. Dan immediately tensed up and threw her off.
“What the hell are you doing?” he said, his voice high.
“Dan, why are you freaking out?” Vanessa asked, pushing herself up off the floor. “I’m your girlfriend.” She pouted at him and slowly came towards him. Dan held up his hands to keep her off.
“Not anymore,” he said coldly. “I know all about your little plan to break up me and Serena. And I just thought you’d want to know that I never want to see, or talk to you, ever again.”
Dan got up, snatched Vanessa’s coat off the hanger, and tossed it at her. He held open the door, and gestured for her to get out. Vanessa’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She let out a little gasp, but then briskly walked out of the apartment.
She looked back once, to cast a look of death at Dan, who really didn’t notice, because he had already started texting Serena.
“Hey guys!”
Serena, Blair, and Jenny all turned as Becky came running after them. Serena and Jenny smiled.
“Does this school suck, or what? God, I forgot how crappy Constance was.” Becky laughed as she stuffed four textbooks into her bag. “Mrs. Nyles gave me so much work, it’s not even funny. Good thing we’re all having drinks tonight, so I can just forget about all this loser school stuff.” Becky rolled her eyes at the thought of schoolwork. It definitely wasn’t her thing.
“Um, drinks?” Blair and Serena both glanced at Jenny.
Becky looked at them expectantly. “Well, yeah. I mean, we have to carry out tradition, right? After all, what are Wednesday nights without a few martinis?”
The girls just glanced at each other. Serena shrugged.
“Anyway, the whole gang is coming. Is, Kati, Chuck, Nate… everybody. The Palace Bar at 8. See you there!” Becky winked at her friends and ran off.
Blair sighed. “So, plan?”
“I, guess we’re going…” Serena said nervously. Jenny looked a little worried too.
“Don’t worry, J, we’ll dress you up. Plus, if you’re with us, no one will care if you look pre-teen.” Blair smirked.
“Um, thanks,” was all Jenny could say. “Uh, I gotta go, though. I have after-school tutoring.” Jenny waved at B and S, and headed back into one of the school buildings.
“Looks like it’s just you and me, BumbleBee,” Serena said, swinging her arm over Blair’s shoulder. “Hey, let’s go see a movie.”
“Sure, but, which one? There aren’t many good ones out.” Blair swung her bag over one shoulder.
“We’ll just go and see an R rated one,” Serena whispered, grinning. And, lowering her voice even more, she added, “And not the violent kind.” She grabbed Blair’s hand, and started running down the street. Blair tagged along, laughing.
It looks like certain influences have S resorting back to her old self. Watch out, world. When Becky’s on the prowl, she has every girl turning naughty. Let’s just hope her ways don’t go to our youth; namely, Little J. She has it hard enough trying to impress B. Oh, what we are doing to the future. Oh, well. Fun’s all that matters, right? Xo, xo.
Vanessa burst through the Archibald’s front door. Luckily, Nate’s parents weren’t home. “Nate!” she screeched.
Nate came running down the stairs from his room. “What?” he said, obviously annoyed.
“Dan knows. Serena knows. The whole world knows! And it’s all your fault, you stupid, stupid loser!” Vanessa slapped his arm with each word.
“Ow! What the hell?!” Nate slapped her hand away.
Vanessa took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “They know about our plan. Dan dumped me after school. Which means he’s back with Serena. Which means you can’t have Serena!”
Nate stared at her. “You know what? Serena’s too goody-goody for me. I need a girl with fire. Someone who’s thrilling and mysterious and fierce. I need you, Vanessa.”
Before V could say anything, Nate grabbed her, pulled her into him, and kissed her. After a moment, Vanessa quickly pushed away.
“What are you doing?” she said breathlessly. But without another thought, she threw herself back at Nate, gripping his collar and pulling him down to her. Her lips pressed his with such violence that it took Nate aback. But he loved the thrill, and gripped her even tighter.
Don’t you just hate lame hook-ups? Disgusting, I know. If you’re not on the A-List, you don’t deserve a boyfriend. Simple as that. So what the hell, V? How did you, a mean little Brooklyn girl, win the #1 bachelor of our fabulous society? Conspiracy, much? Gag me.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
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