Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Hey, Dan. Hey, uh, Serena.” Vanessa looked embarrassed as she emerged out of Dan’s window from the fire escape. Dan and Serena had been making out on the bed, and when Vanessa had popped her head through the window, Serena had fallen off the bed in surprise. Again.
“Hey, Vanessa. Whoa, is it just me, or does it feel like this has happened before?” Serena buttoned up her shirt and climbed back onto the bed.
“Vanessa, didn’t we already talk about this? You know, using that door thing? And knocking, maybe?” Dan put his own shirt back on, and glared at V.
“Old habits are hard to break,” Vanessa replied, smiling.
“Yes, and if you don’t try, you’ll never be able to change them.” Dan stood up and began ushering his friend out the door. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like you to come back later. But not unless you call first.” Dan pushed her out the apartment door, and locked it. He went back to his bedroom.
“Sorry,” he said, looking embarrassed. “That… happens a lot.”
“I’ve noticed,” Serena said, standing up and walking over to him. She kissed his cheek. “But I have to go. I’m meeting up with Eric. I promised him I’d take him out today.”
“Okay,” Dan said, frowning, “But call me later.” He gave her a hug, and watched as she left the apartment.
Outside, Vanessa was walking down the street, her phone glued to her ear. “Mother, get me into Constance Billiard no matter what you have to do. I don’t know; find a rich boyfriend or something, anything! You want your only daughter to be happy, don’t you?”

Chuck walked into the bar and immediately ordered a glass of vodka. He scanned the crowd, searching for anyone he knew. Suddenly, he spotted the last person he thought would ever come to one of his trashy pubs.
“Blair Waldorf, getting wasted at hardly 4 o’clock on a Monday? Well, that’s a sight I never thought my eyes would see.” Chuck sat down beside Blair as she took another shot of tequila.
“Shut up, Bass,” B said as she ran her hands through her perfectly curled hair. “You’re one to talk, after all.”
“Yes, I am, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is probably the first time you’ve ever been this drunk.” He motioned to the line of empty tequila glasses on the bar counter.
“I’ve had a rough day,” she sighed, rubbing the beautiful ring on her finger.
“What’s that?” Chuck asked, noticing the piece of jewelry.
“Mrs. Archibald’s ring. Nate gave it to me.” Blair slipped it off her finger and turned it in her hand.
Chuck looked at her. “He gave you the family ring?” Blair nodded. She set it down in front of her.
“He says he wants to gets back together. He loves me,” she said drowsily.
“No, he just can’t bear to lose you to someone else,” Chuck said, taking the ring. He examined it.
“Nate loves me,” the drunken Blair insisted. “And I love him. We’ll finally be together, and be happy.”
Chuck kept his eyes on the ring. Hesitantly, he placed it in Blair’s palm and closed her fingers around it. He got up from his seat, and then attempted to get Blair up as well.
“Come on,” he said, holding Blair by the waist as she stumbled on her feet. “Let’s get you home.”
“But—” Blair looked back longingly as the bartender brought another customer a large glass of gin.
“I think you’ve had enough for today, Waldorf.” Chuck carried her outside, and hailed her a cab. “I’ll come by later when you’re sober.”
“Thank you, Chuck,” Blair said wistfully as he helped her into the taxi. “I love you.” He smiled at her as he closed the door, and watched as the taxi pulled away from the curb.
Chuck sighed. “I love you, too, Blair.”

Spotted: A sober Chuck helping a tipsy Blair into a taxi outside a sleazy bar. What an oxymoron.
C didn’t look too happy, though. Could it be he was upset over Blair’s new rock? Surely no little diamond could outshine the magnificent necklace B received on her birthday. But maybe B is having second thoughts. Will she settle for a gorgeous little Archibald hamburger that has long since lost its flavour? Or will she turn to the deliciously unobtainable Bass steak, with only a lust for her? Whatever little Waldorf’s choice will be, you know Gossip Girl will be here all the while, waiting for B’s final order.