Chapter 19 -Part 4

Chapter 19
Part 4

“Woah, dude, slow down.” Nate laughed as he came up to Chuck, who was still gulping down more alcohol. He didn’t want this to be a night to remember.
“What’s the point?” Chuck asked dully, putting down his glass. “It’s not like the evening is going well.”
“Why not? There are tons of girls here, and most of them have packed away a few drinks already.” Nate grinned at his friend.
Chuck gazed over to where Blair, Serena and Jenny were hanging out at a table. “Let’s just say I’m not in the mood for hunting today.”
Nate frowned. “Since when? I swear, Chuck, you get less and less like yourself every day now.” Chuck didn’t say anything; he just ordered another drink, and got rid of it quickly. He got up, and walked over to the girls’ table.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, holding his hand out to Jenny.
“Leave her alone, Chuck.” Serena glared at him.
Chuck looked offended. “What? Can’t I just share a dance with Little Jenny Humphrey over here? Just one dance; that’s all.” Jenny looked nervously at the other girls.
“Fine. But we’re watching you.” Serena eyed Chuck suspiciously as he led Jenny out onto the floor. She could see he’d had quite a few drinks; and a drunken Chuck was a dangerous Chuck. But he only smiled, and moved swiftly across the floor, holding onto Jenny by the shoulder, not the waist like usual.
“Having fun?” he asked Jenny as they moved gracefully across the room. Jenny looked nervous.
“I guess…” she said finally.
“Blair’s taken you back?”
“Yeah, I uh, I guess…”
“Don’t be scared,” Chuck reassured her, noticing how anxious she was. “I don’t hold anything against you. We’re even.”
Jenny relaxed a little, but she still looked uneasy as he dipped her.
When the song was over, Chuck led Jenny back to her table. Blair had started dancing with Nate again, but Serena was still sitting. She eyed Chuck, looking pleased.
“Did I pass the test?” he asked, sitting Jenny back down.
“Surprisingly, you did alright. But luckily for you, the dancing is freestyle. I doubt you could have walked in a straight line, considering all the liquor you’ve stored away.” Chuck narrowed his eyes at her, but smiled.
After Chuck had wandered away, Serena turned to Jenny. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, he was good. Didn’t make the slightest move.”
“That’s strange for him to do. But I guess he’s only got his eye on one girl tonight.” Jenny looked at Serena suspiciously, but S didn’t say any more.

Blair had led Nate off of the dance floor and into a hallway. They were smiling and laughing and kissing.
“This is the most perfect night ever,” Blair whispered, pushing back the collar of his suit jacket.
“It certainly is,” Nate said as they wandered into an elevator, not parting.
After a steamy make out, they arrived on the sixth floor. They stumbled into the hallway and, still kissing, reached Chuck’s suite. Nate opened the door, and they squeezed through, laughing.
Surprised, Chuck rose from the sofa. “Well, well, well,” he said, not moving.
Nate and Blair parted, and stared at him. “Chuck,” Blair exclaimed, “What are you doing here?” Chuck looked at her skeptically.
“Well, this is my suite, isn’t it?” He looked at Nate. “But I see you two need it much more than I do.” Giving Blair one heartbroken glance, he left the room.
Blair sighed. “Maybe,” she said slowly, running her hands down Nate’s chest, “Maybe this isn’t the classiest way to do this. I mean, in Chuck’s room.”
Nate started kissing her neck. “Do you want me to rent our own room, then? Whatever works, right?” He mumbled, slipping his hands around her waist. Blair pushed him away.
“Nate! Maybe tonight isn’t the right time.”
Nate slipped back over to her, and began again. “The right time for what, losing your virginity? Like it matters.”
Blair, shocked, pushed him even harder. “I’ll have you know, I’ve already lost my virginity.”
Nate stepped back. Astonished, he said, “What? To who?”
Blair brushed off her dress. “None of your business,” she said coldly. “But maybe tonight isn’t the right time to do anything, least of all get back together. In fact, I don’t think there ever will be a right time to do that. Nate Archibald, we are over. Forever.”
B stormed out of the hotel room, leaving a shocked Nate standing in the middle of the suite.
As Blair rounded the corner, she saw Chuck leaning against the wall next to elevator. His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking down at the red carpet below him.
“I’m sorry,” Blair said, walking over to him. He looked at her, not saying a word.
“I was so stupid,” she continued. “Getting back together with him was a huge mistake.”
“Well, letting you get back together with him was a huge mistake on my part.” Chuck looked straight ahead. Blair smiled a little.
“You really care about me, don’t you?” she said quietly.
Chuck swung his head over to her. “Please. You wish.” Blair laughed, thinking of their balcony conversation at her birthday party. She hugged him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he leaned his head on hers.
Blair looked up at Chuck after a few silent minutes. “Chuck,” she said, gazing into his dark brown eyes, “I hope you haven’t killed the butterflies.”
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed her.