Chapter 41 -Part 1

Chapter 41
Part 1

As Dan stood at the corner outside of St. Jude’s, waiting for the bus, Vanessa strolled up to him. She slipped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Dan was surprised, but not exactly happy. He had other things on his mind.
“Hey,” Vanessa said, gazing into his deep brown eyes, her arms still fastened above his jacket collar.
“Hey,” Dan said back, rather distractedly, as he removed her hands.
Ignoring the obvious distance of his mind, Vanessa beamed up at him. “So, whatcha doin’?”
“Waiting… for the bus.” Dan glanced over her shoulder down the street, desperately looking for his transport out of there.
“Where’re you going? This isn’t the bus stop for home.” V looked confused.
“Just…” Dan racked his brain for an excuse. “Jenny asked me to go Sak’s. I have to pick up some shoes she ordered.”
Vanessa frowned and said, “Why can’t she do it herself?”
“Um, she has a major project due soon, and she’s trying to stay focused on it.” Dan wouldn’t look at her. It just made him feel sick.
V didn’t look any better herself. “Uh, okay,” she said finally. She too glanced down the street. She could feel the thick, cloudy tension surrounding them, even if it was a clear, breezy day.
“So, um, any plans for the weekend?” Vanessa asked, struggling with a topic he would be excited about. “I thought maybe we could hang out at my place. You know, alone. My sister’s gonna be away for the weekend, so the apartment will be empty.” She eyed him suggestively.
Dan stared at her blankly. “It’s Monday,” was all he said, quite flatly.
Vanessa blinked. “Well, I know, but I just thought we could plan ahead.” She tried to read his face, but the expression he was wearing said nothing. He turned from away from her, just as the bus came chugging down the road towards them.
Thank god, Dan thought, as the bus stopped in front of him. “See you later,” he said, his back still turned. He climbed the steps onto the bus, and the doors swung shut behind him.
Vanessa watched as the bus departed from the curb and drove away into the heart of the Upper East Side. Her eyebrows were raised sceptically, but no genius plan popped into her usually creative mind.

Spotted: Lonely Boy, ditching his Brooklyn sweetheart for a ride into the amazing territory of over-privileged teens, Prada bags, and underage drinking. Say, doesn’t that bus go to a certain hotel we all know and love? I’m thinking yes. And there’s one person who happens to reside at that certain hotel, who we really know and love. And apparently, Lonely Boy is just another member of her fan club. Watch out, Upper East Siders. This little Brooklyn boy knows what he wants, or at least, who he wants.

As Dan walked into the courtyard in front of the Palace, he caught someone’s eye. Chuck watched as Dan sauntered over to the front doors, where Chuck was conveniently standing, smoking a cigarette. He threw the butt on the ground and stomped it out as Dan got closer.
“Why, if it isn’t Humphrey Dumpty. I thought you were blacklisted from this place.” Chuck eyed him, and pulled another cigarette out of his pocket.
“Give it a rest, Chuck. I’m not here to see you.”
“Thank god. Because just seeing you makes my stomach lurch.” C played with the unlit cigarette with his fingers.
Dan ignored his comment and walked up the rest of the stairs. He opened one of the huge double doors, but paused right as he was about to walk in. He turned back to Chuck.
“Watch it with Blair,” he said, giving Chuck a dark and protective look.
“Excuse me?”
“Blair is Serena’s best friend, and I know what kind of person you are. So don’t do anything you’ll regret.” The seriousness in Dan’s voice surprised Chuck.
“Who are you to judge me?” he replied bitterly. “But anyway, why do you even care? You and Serena are over. She doesn’t need you anymore.” Chuck gave him an evil half-smile.
“How would you know? You and Serena are best friends now? Have you taken advantage of her, too? Who do you think you are, Nate Archibald?”
Dan stared into Chuck’s eyes. They were dark, and glowing with fury. Dan gave Chuck one last glance, and raised his eyebrows, before finally walking into the hotel and letting the heavy door close slowly behind him.
Chuck stared at the door, watching Dan’s faint silhouette inside. Finally, he leaned against the wall, and lit his cigarette.