Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Vanessa stormed into the Humphrey loft. Dan had ditched her just 10 minutes into the ball the previous night, and had never come back, or called her.
“Hey Vanessa,” Rufus said calmly, picking up a plate of waffles. He carried them to over to the table, and sat down. “What’s up?”
“Is Dan here?” Vanessa asked, trying to hide the angry tone in her voice. “I really need to talk to him.”
“Actually, I think he’s out with Serena.” Rufus put a piece of waffle into his mouth.
Vanessa was shocked. “S-Serena? Serena van der Woodsen?”
“The one and only.” He went to get a glass of milk from the kitchen. “She came by here a while ago to pick him up. Unfortunately, she didn’t stay for breakfast. Said she’d already went out. I swear, I’m beginning to think that girl doesn’t like my waffles.”
Vanessa gave him a strained smile. “Well, I guess I’ll talk to him later,” she said. “Be sure to tell me if he comes back soon.”
“I will. But are you sure you don’t want anything?” Rufus pointed to a pile of waffles on the counter.
“No thanks. I’m not hungry,” Vanessa said, sounding a little bitter. She exited the apartment, leaving Rufus to wonder at what she had been so mad about. Shaking his head, he continued to eat his breakfast in peace.
Outside, V pulled out her phone. She punched in Dan’s number, almost breaking the buttons with the force of her anger.
No answer.
Vanessa was getting more pissed off by the second. First, he stands her up at a party she didn’t even want to go to in the first place, and never comes back. Then he doesn’t call her or make any attempt to communicate. And then, he even gets back with Serena without even telling her! And V knew there was only one person who could have made all this possible. Van der Woodsen.
Spotted: Serena and her Lonely Boy on a nice walk through the city. They were laughing and having fun, just like old times. *Gags*. I’m kidding. I love Darena. The UES doesn’t have enough sweet, innocent love. In fact, I don’t think it has any. Good going for S and D. Unfortunately, I have yet another feeling that their love may not last that long; an extremely upset Vanessa Abrams was spotted leaving the Humphrey Palace (okay, exaggeration much?), and it doesn’t look like S is on her “Be Nice To” list. We wish SVDW luck; she’s gonna need it if she wants to hold her man.

Blair arrived home and went straight up to her room. She was anxious to figure out what Gossip Girl was talking about when she mentioned a must-see video. B was hoping for the best.
Logging on, she went to GG’s homepage. Finding the video, she clicked ‘Play’.
It was a live stream someone had taken at the Vintage Ball on their cell phone. It was only a few seconds long, but Blair paid close attention. She could clearly see Nate and Jenny standing in front of one of the tables. And then, Nate mumbled something and kissed her. Jenny pushed him away, sounding shocked. She grabbed her stuff and left. The video ended with a little addition Gossip Girl had put on; it said: True Love <3… or not.
Blair put a hand to her mouth. She was shocked. How dare Nate hit on Jenny like that! B could tell that Little J had wanted to stop, and obviously hadn’t started it as Nate was the one who was doing the kissing, so she didn’t hold Jenny responsible. But Blair was fuming inside at the thought of what Nate had done to her.
At least with Chuck, it wasn’t spontaneous and pointless. Well, maybe at the beginning. But the last few times they had been together, Blair could definitely feel the meaning. Well, Blair thought, this’ll make breaking the bad news to him oh so much easier.
Blair got her purse and headed back out the door. She needed to see Jenny.

After greeting Rufus at the door, Blair went to J’s room. Opening the door, she walked in carefully. Jenny was lying on the bed, her eyes closed. Music was playing from a boom box at one corner of the room. Blair listened:
…Cold, as fire, baby, hot as ice; if you’ve ever been to heaven— this is twice as nice…
“Britney Spears much?” Blair said, leaning against the wall. Hearing her, Jenny quickly got up, rushed over to the boom box, and took out the CD.
“It was a gift,” Jenny said, putting it in the case and stuffing it in the drawer of her desk.
“Sure,” Blair said sceptically. She laughed a little, and walked over to J. “It’s okay, Little Jenny. Everyone loves a little Britney comeback every once in a while. I just wish her new song wasn’t so… 80s. It reminds me of the music in the workout videos my mom used to watch. Gross.”
Jenny laughed. “Yeah, I guess the song is a little… dated. But maybe her new CD’ll really become a hit.”
“I certainly hope not. In the words of Gossip Girl, ‘Ugh. Please, gimme less.’” Both girls laughed.
“So, speaking of Gossip Girl…” Jenny said nervously.
“Don’t worry about it. I saw the video, and I’m not mad at you. I could tell it was all him.”
“I’m sorry, Blair,” J said quietly.
B sighed. “It’s okay. We broke up that night, you know.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” Blair studied Little J’s face. She looked relieved at the fact that Nate hadn’t tried cheating on B with her. “But,” Blair continued, winking at her, “I’ll have you know I didn’t spend the night alone.”
“Let me guess; you and Chuck?” Blair nodded almost proudly as Jenny rolled her eyes. “Bragging much?” she teased.
“Actually, yes,” Blair said, grinning. “He is pretty adorable, except for the date rapist thing.”
“Well, I don’t know if ‘adorable’ is the right word for him,” J said, smiling. “But he was pretty good when I danced with him last night. In fact, he kind of seemed… nice. Like he was… well, not in a good mood, but not as intimidating as usual.”
“That’s strange,” Blair said thoughtfully. “Serena said he’d had quite a few drinks, and Chuck’s actually pretty dangerous when he’s drunk. But when I talked to him after me and Nate broke up, he was definitely softer than the Chuck Bass we all know and hate.”
“Yeah,” Jenny replied. “Well, maybe he was happy to see you.”
“I think he was just happy to see me without Nate.” Blair smiled as she thought of how perfect her night with Chuck was. It certainly made up for the not-so-devastating break up earlier on. “And of course,” Blair added, “I was happy to see him without a heartbroken look in his eyes.”
Jenny raised her eyebrows at Blair. “I know what you’re thinking,” B said, smiling. “Chuck Bass doesn’t have a heart. But maybe he actually does. Deep, deep down under all that perverted-ness.”
Jenny laughed, but a part of her believed in what Blair had just said. The part that knew, everyone has a soft side; even Chuck Bass.