Chapter 42
“So he really gave you that doll?”
“I know! I couldn’t believe it, either. But yeah, it wasn’t even a joke.”
Jenny laughed. She and Blair were sitting up in B’s room, where they were choosing a dress Jenny could borrow for her date with Oliver. He had called a couple days ago, and J really needed a new outfit. Right then, Blair’s selections were between a silver sequin mini-dress, and a cream-colored scoop neck dress with an elegant, bell-shaped skirt.
Now, while taking a break from their serious decisions, they were discussing the latest addition to Blair’s wardrobe chest; the Cabbage Patch Doll Chuck had bought her.
“I know, right? Has he no shame?” Blair said, laughing. She fingered the diamond necklace resting above her tight cashmere sweater. Anyone who was a fan of ‘Chair’ would have recognized it.
Jenny giggled. She loved being friends with Blair. Plus, now that the whole scandal with her and Chuck was out in the open, B didn’t mind discussing it.
“So, how is Chuck? I still can’t believe he actually has a girlfriend now. Let alone that it would be you of all people, Blair.”
Blair instantly tensed up at the word girlfriend. She hadn’t really thought that much about her ‘relationship’ with Chuck, and hearing that people perceived them as boyfriend and girlfriend felt weird. She really didn’t know what they were. But it kind of scared her, seeing Jenny talk like that. Although Blair imagined everyone else did, too.
“Um, he’s okay…” she said finally. “Going a little insane, though, I think. There’s no way a normal person could think of such a profound thing as to get his…” she paused, nervous. “…girlfriend, a custom-made Cabbage Patch.”
“Yeah, well, Chuck Bass has never been normal.”
Jenny laughed. But when she realized Blair didn’t, she stopped. Feeling anxious, she reached for her virgin martini.
Blair gave her a little smile, a brief one, just to reassure her. She needed more time to think about the whole ‘boyfriend/girlfriend’ thing.
Suddenly, Blair’s bedroom door swung open, and Chuck waltzed in.
“Blair, I have to show you something—”
It took Chuck a second to notice Jenny, who was sitting on the edge of B’s king-size bed. He glanced at her, then turned back to Blair.
“I… I have something important I need to show you,” he said.
“Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Jenny,” Blair said absently, picking at her freshly-manicured nails.
Chuck heaved a sigh. He hated being controlled, but Blair was slightly an exception. “Fine.”
“Whipped,” Jenny said under her breath, a mocking smile sliding across her lips as she looked at Chuck.
He glared at her, a dark, evil glare, as if reminding her of who he was. The smile vanished from Jenny’s face, and she looked down at her lap. She bit her thumbnail nervously, sliding her gaze to Blair.
“Go on. What do you want?” Blair stared at Chuck expectantly. She hated talking to him when someone else was in the room, clearly noting every action. B’s stomach hurt from the unwritten pressure of being judged by little Jenny. But she wouldn’t back down, even if she did have a soft spot for Chuck. She couldn’t let Jenny see her being vulnerable and not in control, especially if Chuck Bass was the one controlling. It would prove that nobody could stand up to him, even the all-mighty Blair Waldorf.
Still looking at Chuck, Blair slid her eyes quickly over to Jenny, and then back at him, as if to tell him not to embarrass her. Or else.
It didn’t take long for Chuck to interpret her expression. His lips twisted up into a half-smile, a mischievous one. Blair held her breath.
“I want you, Blair,” he said finally, his smile not far from being a sneer. He may have given in a little bit, but nothing and no one could ever stop him from being himself. “Oh, I want you so bad. And I love it when you get up on the bed and strip, just for me, like you did that one special night. Every day my lust for you can only be contained by our little quickies. But Blair Waldorf, you’re so satisfyingly hot, I’ll never need anyone else to fill my fantasies and desires. You aren’t worthy of heaven, baby, because you’re just so naughty.”
B glared at him, knowing he was aware that everything he said, Jenny was obviously hearing. But still, her stomach heaved as she tried to keep in the laughter. His words, although so embarrassing, were more hilarious than Chuckles the Doll. And, in fact, they even had a little bit of cheesy appeal that even Blair’s heart couldn’t deny, made her happy.
But all of that aside, he had just extremely embarrassed her in front of her number one fan. So no matter how turned on by Chuck’s speech she was, Blair knew she was definitely not putting out until he made up for being so evil.
Suddenly, Chuck whipped across the room, and tackled her. He flung her down onto the bed, smothering her with his body. His hands raced up her legs, all the while kissing her, date-rape style. Blair gasped for breath as his lips traveled down her neck, and stopped to kiss her chest, right above her low-cut sweater.
B shoved him off with such force that Chuck tumbled off the bed and landed on the floor. Panting, he glanced at Jenny, who was sitting at the other end of the bed, looking extremely uncomfortable. She kept sending quick glances in Blair’s direction, and when she caught Chuck’s eye, she hastily turned away, nervous and embarrassed by her presence.
Chuck crawled over to the bed, climbed on, and leaned towards Blair, who was pushing herself up from her lying position. He leaned towards her ear and said, not too quietly, “We’ll finish this up later.” His voice was husky and his breath was hot.
B just glared at him, still catching her own breath. She looked at Jenny, who was now intensely examining her fingers.
Chuck gave Blair one of his infamous smiles, then stood up to leave. When he reached the door, he turned to look back.
“Nice seeing you, Jenny,” he said, as if the last twenty seconds hadn’t happened. Then, giving B one final smirk, he left the room.
Blair sat up, racking her brain of things to say to Jenny. But luckily, she didn’t have to.
Jenny stood now, and walked over to Blair’s closet, still feeling nervous. “So,” she said, holding up their two dress selections, “um, silver, or white?”
Blair just gave a small huff.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Chapter 41 -Part 2
Chapter 41
Part 2
Knock, knock, knock.
“Coming!” Serena yelled from the bathroom, quickly spreading light pink lip gloss onto her lips and fixing her already-perfect blonde hair. She rushed out of the room, and into the foyer. Inhaling a deep breath, she reached for the doorknob, and pulled the door open.
At the sight of her, Dan stopped breathing. He stared at Serena, with the very same feeling as when he had spotted her standing in Grand Central, in what felt like so long ago.
She was like an angel, all gorgeous and earthy, with that look of hardly trying to look good, but still being stunning. Serena didn’t have to try. Because no matter what, she always looked irresistibly perfect.
Her golden hair was in loose curls, falling down past her sun-kissed shoulders. A coral pink silk tank top garnished her torso, flowing down so perfectly, it was if it was made specially for her. Tight, dark, True Religion jeans covered her long, slim legs, and silver nail polish coated her toenails, which were displayed in light pink, two-inch strappy heels.
In as long as Dan had known Serena, and watched her before he even knew her, he had never felt so amazed. She had a glow about her that had never seemed as strong as it had at that moment.
Feeling awkward with Dan staring at her, a dazed expression on his face, Serena smiled shyly and nervously wrapped a lock of silky blonde hair around her finger.
Dan, finally realizing he must have looked like an idiot gawking at her like that, snapped out of it, and smiled a little.
“Hi,” he said finally.
“Hey,” Serena replied softly. Oh god, Dan thought. Even her voice is too wonderful to be real.
Dan felt so ecstatic from being in her presence that he forgot what he was there for. Stay on task, he reminded himself. I’m here to listen to why she cheated on me with Nate. To why she’s resorted to her old, party-girl ways. To why I deserve her after how horribly she treated me.
But still, the thoughts stayed faded at the back of his mind. All he could think about was how much he wished he could deserve a girl as beautiful as her. And he wondered, silently, why she looked so amazing right then. Maybe because, it was like seeing her for the first time. Only, this time around, she was only looking at him. It was like she was the one who needed to earn him back.
But whatever that reason was, the reason why Serena van der Woodsen left him more speechless than ever, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Dan knew that he wanted her, and it didn’t matter at all what she had done wrong, because he could never stay mad at her. No one could. Serena was just the kind of girl you always ended up loving, because she was so fantastic.
“Um, you look…” Dan was nervous. What could he say? He didn’t want to come off desperate. That would never impress the girl of his dreams. “…nice.” Shit. Dan regretted his stupid comment the second he said it.
“Thanks,” Serena said, smiling genuinely at him, as if he had said something that was truly non-idiotic. “Why don’t you come in?”
Dan flushed with relief. Slowly, he walked into the suite, closing the door behind him. Serena led him to one of the sofas near a huge bay window.
“Dan,” Serena said, once she had sat down next to him, “I really want to apologize.” She took his hand gently in hers. Dan’s heart was racing. “But you have to trust me when I say, I didn’t kiss Nate. That day at the park, he kissed me. But that picture on Gossip Girl, the one of me all over him, is not real. It was Photoshopped to look like it, though. Because, trust me, Dan, I would never hurt you like that. I care about you too much.”
Dan didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say.
“So, please, just trust me. I know you must think I’m such a ho, but really, I didn’t kiss him. I don’t have any feelings for Nate or anything. You’re the only one in my life, and you’re the only one that matters. ‘Cause, you make me smile. Thinking about you makes me smile. As long as I’m in your arms, nothing else matters. That’s how you make me feel. And, I hope you remotely feel the same way.”
Serena looked into Dan’s eyes. He could see the authenticity in her words.
“Serena,” Dan said, finally thinking of something to say, “it… it doesn’t matter. I mean, it doesn’t matter if you’re telling the truth, and you really didn’t kiss Nate, because I could never stay angry. And, of course, I believe you anyway, one hundred percent. But, you mean too much to me. There’s no way I could stay mad any longer.”
Serena’s eyes glistened. She looked like she might cry. There was sorrow, regret, and hope, all mixed into her expression.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t explain before, but I really didn’t know how to. I didn’t think you would believe me.” She lowered her head, and, pulling her hand from his, she looked at it, placed neatly on her lap.
This made Dan have a sudden burst of courage. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so inferior.
Gently, he lifted her chin to gaze into her eyes.
“I forgive you, no matter what you did,” he said quietly.
Serena sniffled, and wiped her eyes carefully with the tip of her finger. Her glossy bottom lip was trembling a bit, but she still managed a soft smile.
“I love you, Dan,” she said, stroking his hand carefully. “And I don’t ever want to lose you, because you mean so much to me.”
Dan smiled back, and pulled her in close to him. He held her in his arms, her head resting lightly on his chest.
She smelled wonderful. Like fresh, glistening lilies speckled with dew after a light spring rain. Dan knew it wasn’t any kind of perfume; it was just her natural, beautiful fragrance. And he cherished every bit of it.
“I love you too,” he whispered in her ear. She looked up at him, her gorgeous blue eyes still glossy with brimming tears.
Dan smiled, and touched her cheek gently. Serena slid up a little bit, Dan’s arms still around her, and kissed him. A soft, meaningful kiss that they would remember for the rest of their lives.
Because, for the first time, they both realized what true love was.
Part 2
Knock, knock, knock.
“Coming!” Serena yelled from the bathroom, quickly spreading light pink lip gloss onto her lips and fixing her already-perfect blonde hair. She rushed out of the room, and into the foyer. Inhaling a deep breath, she reached for the doorknob, and pulled the door open.
At the sight of her, Dan stopped breathing. He stared at Serena, with the very same feeling as when he had spotted her standing in Grand Central, in what felt like so long ago.
She was like an angel, all gorgeous and earthy, with that look of hardly trying to look good, but still being stunning. Serena didn’t have to try. Because no matter what, she always looked irresistibly perfect.
Her golden hair was in loose curls, falling down past her sun-kissed shoulders. A coral pink silk tank top garnished her torso, flowing down so perfectly, it was if it was made specially for her. Tight, dark, True Religion jeans covered her long, slim legs, and silver nail polish coated her toenails, which were displayed in light pink, two-inch strappy heels.
In as long as Dan had known Serena, and watched her before he even knew her, he had never felt so amazed. She had a glow about her that had never seemed as strong as it had at that moment.
Feeling awkward with Dan staring at her, a dazed expression on his face, Serena smiled shyly and nervously wrapped a lock of silky blonde hair around her finger.
Dan, finally realizing he must have looked like an idiot gawking at her like that, snapped out of it, and smiled a little.
“Hi,” he said finally.
“Hey,” Serena replied softly. Oh god, Dan thought. Even her voice is too wonderful to be real.
Dan felt so ecstatic from being in her presence that he forgot what he was there for. Stay on task, he reminded himself. I’m here to listen to why she cheated on me with Nate. To why she’s resorted to her old, party-girl ways. To why I deserve her after how horribly she treated me.
But still, the thoughts stayed faded at the back of his mind. All he could think about was how much he wished he could deserve a girl as beautiful as her. And he wondered, silently, why she looked so amazing right then. Maybe because, it was like seeing her for the first time. Only, this time around, she was only looking at him. It was like she was the one who needed to earn him back.
But whatever that reason was, the reason why Serena van der Woodsen left him more speechless than ever, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Dan knew that he wanted her, and it didn’t matter at all what she had done wrong, because he could never stay mad at her. No one could. Serena was just the kind of girl you always ended up loving, because she was so fantastic.
“Um, you look…” Dan was nervous. What could he say? He didn’t want to come off desperate. That would never impress the girl of his dreams. “…nice.” Shit. Dan regretted his stupid comment the second he said it.
“Thanks,” Serena said, smiling genuinely at him, as if he had said something that was truly non-idiotic. “Why don’t you come in?”
Dan flushed with relief. Slowly, he walked into the suite, closing the door behind him. Serena led him to one of the sofas near a huge bay window.
“Dan,” Serena said, once she had sat down next to him, “I really want to apologize.” She took his hand gently in hers. Dan’s heart was racing. “But you have to trust me when I say, I didn’t kiss Nate. That day at the park, he kissed me. But that picture on Gossip Girl, the one of me all over him, is not real. It was Photoshopped to look like it, though. Because, trust me, Dan, I would never hurt you like that. I care about you too much.”
Dan didn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say.
“So, please, just trust me. I know you must think I’m such a ho, but really, I didn’t kiss him. I don’t have any feelings for Nate or anything. You’re the only one in my life, and you’re the only one that matters. ‘Cause, you make me smile. Thinking about you makes me smile. As long as I’m in your arms, nothing else matters. That’s how you make me feel. And, I hope you remotely feel the same way.”
Serena looked into Dan’s eyes. He could see the authenticity in her words.
“Serena,” Dan said, finally thinking of something to say, “it… it doesn’t matter. I mean, it doesn’t matter if you’re telling the truth, and you really didn’t kiss Nate, because I could never stay angry. And, of course, I believe you anyway, one hundred percent. But, you mean too much to me. There’s no way I could stay mad any longer.”
Serena’s eyes glistened. She looked like she might cry. There was sorrow, regret, and hope, all mixed into her expression.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t explain before, but I really didn’t know how to. I didn’t think you would believe me.” She lowered her head, and, pulling her hand from his, she looked at it, placed neatly on her lap.
This made Dan have a sudden burst of courage. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so inferior.
Gently, he lifted her chin to gaze into her eyes.
“I forgive you, no matter what you did,” he said quietly.
Serena sniffled, and wiped her eyes carefully with the tip of her finger. Her glossy bottom lip was trembling a bit, but she still managed a soft smile.
“I love you, Dan,” she said, stroking his hand carefully. “And I don’t ever want to lose you, because you mean so much to me.”
Dan smiled back, and pulled her in close to him. He held her in his arms, her head resting lightly on his chest.
She smelled wonderful. Like fresh, glistening lilies speckled with dew after a light spring rain. Dan knew it wasn’t any kind of perfume; it was just her natural, beautiful fragrance. And he cherished every bit of it.
“I love you too,” he whispered in her ear. She looked up at him, her gorgeous blue eyes still glossy with brimming tears.
Dan smiled, and touched her cheek gently. Serena slid up a little bit, Dan’s arms still around her, and kissed him. A soft, meaningful kiss that they would remember for the rest of their lives.
Because, for the first time, they both realized what true love was.
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.
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.
Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Blair walked along the lunch line. She picked up a low-fat lemon yogurt and placed it on her tray. She walked over to an empty table, and gracefully sat down. Serena had an appointment that afternoon, so she had left before lunch.
Peeling back the lid on her yogurt, Blair reached for a pack of artificial sweetener. She tore it open, dumped it into the pale yellow dairy product, and stirred it in.
Suddenly, out of the corner of Blair’s eye, she saw someone sit down across from her. She looked up.
“Blair, you don’t need to starve yourself just to look good for me. You’re skinny enough.” Chuck eyed her lunch, which consisted only of the lemon yogurt. He brought his hand up from under the table, and slapped a foot-long sub covered in plastic wrap down next to her. Turkey, with lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and margarine instead of mayo. Her favourite.
Blair hesitated. “Chuck, there’s only six months ‘till swimsuit season. And there’s nothing grosser than a flabby girl in a designer bikini. That just looks pathetic.” Blair put a spoonful of yogurt into her mouth.
“Fine,” Chuck said stubbornly. Blair noticed a large gift bag sitting on the chair beside him.
“What’s that?” she asked, tipping her chin in the direction of the bag.
“Just a little gift I bought you, in celebration of buying you that delicious, and rejected, sandwich.” Chuck lifted the bag onto the table. Reaching inside it, he pulled out a plush toy that vaguely resembled a Cabbage Patch Kid. And that was only because of the Cabbage Patch tag pinned to its arm.
“What the hell is that?” Blair said, forcing herself not to burst out laughing.
“It’s a custom-made Cabbage Patch Doll I had made specially for you,” Chuck replied, setting it down in front of him. “His name is Chuckles.”
Blair looked the strange doll up and down. It had shaggy, dark brown hair, and strong, sharp features. It was wearing a miniature version of the St. Jude’s uniform, but with a tiny black, red, and white scarf around its neck. It completely matched the scarf wrapped around Chuck’s own neck at that very moment.
“It’s… supposed to look like you?” Blair said slowly, twisting her lips upward, forming her curt little smile. She had to purse her lips shut just to keep from spilling out laughter.
“It’s to remind you of me.” Chuck raised his eyebrows, a suggestive smile playing on his lips.
“More like to scare me in the middle of the night. It looks like a transvestite.” The eyes and lips looked very feminine, but the eyebrows were thick and bushy. An interesting combination.
“You should really work on your jokes, Blair. They’re getting kind of crappy.”
“I think that’s just from hanging around with you too much,” Blair replied, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Really, awesome doll, Chuck.” Sarcasm soaked her words.
Chuck’s little smile vanished from his face. It was replaced by an offended scowl. “I go to the trouble of getting you something special, and you don’t like it at all.”
“Awe, of course I like it!” The grin was still quite evident on B’s face. It was too much. “It’s just… um, well, you know. Strange?”
“Whatever,” Chuck snapped, pushing his chair away from the table. “I’m going to get a fruit or something.”
Blair watched him go, laughing quietly. She picked up the doll and examined it closer. Her fingers played with the scarf a little, and she flipped over one of the ends. Embroidered on the back of the dangling scarf were tiny gold words. They read, You know you love me.
B stared at the words, sewn on with such precision and carefulness. Chuck suddenly sat back down at the table, startling her. She put ‘Chuckles’ down.
On Chuck’s plate was a huge fruit salad. Bananas, apples, mangos, peaches, pears, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapples, strawberries, oranges, and just about every other fruit.
Blair supposed ‘a fruit’ had a much exaggerated meaning.
“Has he grown on you yet?” Chuck asked, digging into his food.
“Um, not exactly. We’ll see, though.” B smiled at him. It was kind of cute. Well, not the actual doll, but the gesture. And that’s what mattered. “But, hey, I have to go. I have a social test next period, and I want to be super prepared.” Blair grabbed the doll, stuffed it in her pink Coach handbag, and stood up. She kissed C’s cheek, and headed towards the doors.
“Later, Waldorf,” Chuck called after her. He winked.
“You know you love me!” Blair called back, just before she swiftly exited the cafeteria.
Blair walked along the lunch line. She picked up a low-fat lemon yogurt and placed it on her tray. She walked over to an empty table, and gracefully sat down. Serena had an appointment that afternoon, so she had left before lunch.
Peeling back the lid on her yogurt, Blair reached for a pack of artificial sweetener. She tore it open, dumped it into the pale yellow dairy product, and stirred it in.
Suddenly, out of the corner of Blair’s eye, she saw someone sit down across from her. She looked up.
“Blair, you don’t need to starve yourself just to look good for me. You’re skinny enough.” Chuck eyed her lunch, which consisted only of the lemon yogurt. He brought his hand up from under the table, and slapped a foot-long sub covered in plastic wrap down next to her. Turkey, with lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and margarine instead of mayo. Her favourite.
Blair hesitated. “Chuck, there’s only six months ‘till swimsuit season. And there’s nothing grosser than a flabby girl in a designer bikini. That just looks pathetic.” Blair put a spoonful of yogurt into her mouth.
“Fine,” Chuck said stubbornly. Blair noticed a large gift bag sitting on the chair beside him.
“What’s that?” she asked, tipping her chin in the direction of the bag.
“Just a little gift I bought you, in celebration of buying you that delicious, and rejected, sandwich.” Chuck lifted the bag onto the table. Reaching inside it, he pulled out a plush toy that vaguely resembled a Cabbage Patch Kid. And that was only because of the Cabbage Patch tag pinned to its arm.
“What the hell is that?” Blair said, forcing herself not to burst out laughing.
“It’s a custom-made Cabbage Patch Doll I had made specially for you,” Chuck replied, setting it down in front of him. “His name is Chuckles.”
Blair looked the strange doll up and down. It had shaggy, dark brown hair, and strong, sharp features. It was wearing a miniature version of the St. Jude’s uniform, but with a tiny black, red, and white scarf around its neck. It completely matched the scarf wrapped around Chuck’s own neck at that very moment.
“It’s… supposed to look like you?” Blair said slowly, twisting her lips upward, forming her curt little smile. She had to purse her lips shut just to keep from spilling out laughter.
“It’s to remind you of me.” Chuck raised his eyebrows, a suggestive smile playing on his lips.
“More like to scare me in the middle of the night. It looks like a transvestite.” The eyes and lips looked very feminine, but the eyebrows were thick and bushy. An interesting combination.
“You should really work on your jokes, Blair. They’re getting kind of crappy.”
“I think that’s just from hanging around with you too much,” Blair replied, a wide grin spreading across her face. “Really, awesome doll, Chuck.” Sarcasm soaked her words.
Chuck’s little smile vanished from his face. It was replaced by an offended scowl. “I go to the trouble of getting you something special, and you don’t like it at all.”
“Awe, of course I like it!” The grin was still quite evident on B’s face. It was too much. “It’s just… um, well, you know. Strange?”
“Whatever,” Chuck snapped, pushing his chair away from the table. “I’m going to get a fruit or something.”
Blair watched him go, laughing quietly. She picked up the doll and examined it closer. Her fingers played with the scarf a little, and she flipped over one of the ends. Embroidered on the back of the dangling scarf were tiny gold words. They read, You know you love me.
B stared at the words, sewn on with such precision and carefulness. Chuck suddenly sat back down at the table, startling her. She put ‘Chuckles’ down.
On Chuck’s plate was a huge fruit salad. Bananas, apples, mangos, peaches, pears, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapples, strawberries, oranges, and just about every other fruit.
Blair supposed ‘a fruit’ had a much exaggerated meaning.
“Has he grown on you yet?” Chuck asked, digging into his food.
“Um, not exactly. We’ll see, though.” B smiled at him. It was kind of cute. Well, not the actual doll, but the gesture. And that’s what mattered. “But, hey, I have to go. I have a social test next period, and I want to be super prepared.” Blair grabbed the doll, stuffed it in her pink Coach handbag, and stood up. She kissed C’s cheek, and headed towards the doors.
“Later, Waldorf,” Chuck called after her. He winked.
“You know you love me!” Blair called back, just before she swiftly exited the cafeteria.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Chapter 39
Chapter 39
“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to cause any trouble…”
Blair stood up, picked up her bag, and pulled Serena up with her.
“You’re too nice, S. This girl deserves what’s coming to her.”
“But… this is my battle,” Serena said slowly. “And plus, you’re kind of known for being ruthless.”
Blair pursed her glossy lips. “Fine. We won’t fight back. But if you lose Dan forever to that conniving hoe, it’s not my problem.”
Serena though for a moment, and then picked up her canvas bag, swinging it over her bare shoulder. “Let’s go,” she said, with a fierceness in her voice that Blair had never heard before.
“Good,” B said, pleased. “I was hoping you would give in. Time to put Operation SDBFVTB into action.”
“‘SDBFVTB’?” Serena asked, puzzled.
“Steal Dan Back From Vanessa The Bitch!” Blair rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Right,” Serena said, laughing.
Dan slipped his hands around Vanessa’s waist, pulling her in closer. Keeping her lips on his, Vanessa backed up into her room. Twirling around, she kicked her bedroom door closed and pushed Dan onto the bed. She climbed on top, sliding her hands across his chest. Thrusting her tongue into his mouth, she began unbuttoning his shirt.
Suddenly, Vanessa heard a loud banging on the front door of the apartment. Disappointment filled her stomach as she got up from the bed.
“Be right back,” she said, winking at Dan. He sighed quietly, watching V as she left the room.
Running to the front door, Vanessa swung it open. The shock on her face slowly morphed into an amused smile.
“Serena,” she said cheerfully. “What are you doing here?”
“I’d like to have a word with you,” Serena replied, glancing around the apartment. “I hope I didn’t come at a bad time.”
“Not at all,” Vanessa said, letting her in, a half-evil grin on her face.
Suddenly, Vanessa’s bedroom door opened, and Dan walked out, still buttoning up his shirt.
“Who was at the door?” he asked, finishing with the last button. Dan looked up, and froze when he saw who was standing next to Vanessa.
Serena felt her heart plummet. Obviously she had come at a terrible time. “Dan,” she said breathlessly, not knowing what else to say.
For a few seconds, Dan couldn’t tear his gaze from Serena. Seeing her stabbed his heart with pain, but he still missed her so much. Finally, Dan asked, his voice cold, “What is she doing here?”
The question was directed to Vanessa, but he was still staring at Serena.
“I don’t know,” V said, her voice chirpy. “Why are you here, Serena?”
S forgot all about her telling Vanessa off. She just wanted to run into Dan’s arms and hug him. If only there weren’t that heartbreaking expression on his face: pain, mixed with sorrow, mixed with hate.
“Dan, I—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Dan interrupted quickly. “Can you just leave?”
Serena studied his face. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Then, giving Dan one last pleading glance, she turned around and walked slowly to the door.
But just as her hand was ready to turn the doorknob, Serena realized the only way to get Dan back was to fight for him. Gripping the cold metal doorknob, Serena turned around. She let go, and walked up to Dan.
“Please,” she whispered, although her expression was no longer hurt and pleading. “I need you to listen to me. We need to talk. I promise, there’s a really interesting explanation, and it’s nothing like what you think. You just need to trust me.”
Vanessa stood next to the front door, leaning against the wall. She was amused by Serena’s pathetic attempts to win Dan back. And by the expression on his face, she could tell he wasn’t buying into Serena’s story.
Now it was Dan’s turn to study Serena’s face. Longing tugged at his heart. He really wanted to give her a chance. But just as soon as feelings of forgiveness had arrived in his mind, so had the photo from Gossip Girl’s site.
“How can I trust you?” he asked softly, quiet so Vanessa couldn’t hear. He just couldn’t seem to keep the coldness in his voice.
“My hotel suite, tomorrow afternoon, 3-ish. I’ll tell you everything,” she whispered, ignoring his question. In a lower voice, she said, “I know you don’t love Vanessa. I know you don’t because you love me.”
For a second, Dan was astounded by the conceited statement. But then, S added, “And I know you love me because I love you.”
Giving him her kindest smile, Serena turned around. Her face flashed back to a look of desperation as she trudged past Vanessa. V grinned maliciously as she closed the door behind her guest. She twirled back to Dan.
“So,” she said, sauntering towards him, “where were we?” She reached for the collar of Dan’s shirt, but he stopped her. He glanced at the clock on the wall, and then went to the door.
“I just remembered,” he said, putting on his coat, “I have to pick up Jenny from her pottery class. I am so sorry.” He kissed Vanessa’s cheek, and opened the door.
V pouted, but said, “Alright. Call me later?”
Dan nodded, and exited the apartment. As soon as the door was closed, he ran down the hallway and into the stairwell.
Rushing out into the blinding sunlight, Dan shielded his eyes and he scanned the sidewalk. On the other side of the street, he spotted Serena stepping into a cab. He plunged into the busy Brooklyn street, manoeuvring around cars as quickly as he could. But when he finally reached the other side, Serena’s taxi was already pulling away from the curb.
Dan sighed as he watched the taxi slip away into the traffic. He was too late.
“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to cause any trouble…”
Blair stood up, picked up her bag, and pulled Serena up with her.
“You’re too nice, S. This girl deserves what’s coming to her.”
“But… this is my battle,” Serena said slowly. “And plus, you’re kind of known for being ruthless.”
Blair pursed her glossy lips. “Fine. We won’t fight back. But if you lose Dan forever to that conniving hoe, it’s not my problem.”
Serena though for a moment, and then picked up her canvas bag, swinging it over her bare shoulder. “Let’s go,” she said, with a fierceness in her voice that Blair had never heard before.
“Good,” B said, pleased. “I was hoping you would give in. Time to put Operation SDBFVTB into action.”
“‘SDBFVTB’?” Serena asked, puzzled.
“Steal Dan Back From Vanessa The Bitch!” Blair rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Right,” Serena said, laughing.
Dan slipped his hands around Vanessa’s waist, pulling her in closer. Keeping her lips on his, Vanessa backed up into her room. Twirling around, she kicked her bedroom door closed and pushed Dan onto the bed. She climbed on top, sliding her hands across his chest. Thrusting her tongue into his mouth, she began unbuttoning his shirt.
Suddenly, Vanessa heard a loud banging on the front door of the apartment. Disappointment filled her stomach as she got up from the bed.
“Be right back,” she said, winking at Dan. He sighed quietly, watching V as she left the room.
Running to the front door, Vanessa swung it open. The shock on her face slowly morphed into an amused smile.
“Serena,” she said cheerfully. “What are you doing here?”
“I’d like to have a word with you,” Serena replied, glancing around the apartment. “I hope I didn’t come at a bad time.”
“Not at all,” Vanessa said, letting her in, a half-evil grin on her face.
Suddenly, Vanessa’s bedroom door opened, and Dan walked out, still buttoning up his shirt.
“Who was at the door?” he asked, finishing with the last button. Dan looked up, and froze when he saw who was standing next to Vanessa.
Serena felt her heart plummet. Obviously she had come at a terrible time. “Dan,” she said breathlessly, not knowing what else to say.
For a few seconds, Dan couldn’t tear his gaze from Serena. Seeing her stabbed his heart with pain, but he still missed her so much. Finally, Dan asked, his voice cold, “What is she doing here?”
The question was directed to Vanessa, but he was still staring at Serena.
“I don’t know,” V said, her voice chirpy. “Why are you here, Serena?”
S forgot all about her telling Vanessa off. She just wanted to run into Dan’s arms and hug him. If only there weren’t that heartbreaking expression on his face: pain, mixed with sorrow, mixed with hate.
“Dan, I—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” Dan interrupted quickly. “Can you just leave?”
Serena studied his face. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Then, giving Dan one last pleading glance, she turned around and walked slowly to the door.
But just as her hand was ready to turn the doorknob, Serena realized the only way to get Dan back was to fight for him. Gripping the cold metal doorknob, Serena turned around. She let go, and walked up to Dan.
“Please,” she whispered, although her expression was no longer hurt and pleading. “I need you to listen to me. We need to talk. I promise, there’s a really interesting explanation, and it’s nothing like what you think. You just need to trust me.”
Vanessa stood next to the front door, leaning against the wall. She was amused by Serena’s pathetic attempts to win Dan back. And by the expression on his face, she could tell he wasn’t buying into Serena’s story.
Now it was Dan’s turn to study Serena’s face. Longing tugged at his heart. He really wanted to give her a chance. But just as soon as feelings of forgiveness had arrived in his mind, so had the photo from Gossip Girl’s site.
“How can I trust you?” he asked softly, quiet so Vanessa couldn’t hear. He just couldn’t seem to keep the coldness in his voice.
“My hotel suite, tomorrow afternoon, 3-ish. I’ll tell you everything,” she whispered, ignoring his question. In a lower voice, she said, “I know you don’t love Vanessa. I know you don’t because you love me.”
For a second, Dan was astounded by the conceited statement. But then, S added, “And I know you love me because I love you.”
Giving him her kindest smile, Serena turned around. Her face flashed back to a look of desperation as she trudged past Vanessa. V grinned maliciously as she closed the door behind her guest. She twirled back to Dan.
“So,” she said, sauntering towards him, “where were we?” She reached for the collar of Dan’s shirt, but he stopped her. He glanced at the clock on the wall, and then went to the door.
“I just remembered,” he said, putting on his coat, “I have to pick up Jenny from her pottery class. I am so sorry.” He kissed Vanessa’s cheek, and opened the door.
V pouted, but said, “Alright. Call me later?”
Dan nodded, and exited the apartment. As soon as the door was closed, he ran down the hallway and into the stairwell.
Rushing out into the blinding sunlight, Dan shielded his eyes and he scanned the sidewalk. On the other side of the street, he spotted Serena stepping into a cab. He plunged into the busy Brooklyn street, manoeuvring around cars as quickly as he could. But when he finally reached the other side, Serena’s taxi was already pulling away from the curb.
Dan sighed as he watched the taxi slip away into the traffic. He was too late.
Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Spotted: B and S, back together and better than ever. We hear Blair’s got a new grudge, and she’s willing to do anything to defend her BFF. Watch out Brooklyn: the It Girl and the Queen Bee are out for revenge. And the only thing pretty about it is their designer handbags.
Little J, everyone’s favourite underdog, shopping for a few new clothes. Did Oliver finally call? That boy may be cute, but calling him smart is definitely a sensitive subject. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get too crushed when J uses him as a social ladder to the Upper East Side.
C Bass, leaving the Waldorf penthouse. Thank goodness Eleanor wasn’t home; that would be more awkward than two socialites showing up at a party both wearing the same dress.
N, being a complete loner. Well, that’s what you get when you attack your best friend. No further comments on Nate’s now boring life.
And as for Lonely Boy, well, he has lost all relevance in our tale. Or has he? I’m sure the Darena flame won’t go out without a bang.
Vanessa sat at her computer, smiling. Seeing the picture of Serena and Nate on Gossip Girl’s site for the billionth time still spread a malicious grin across her face. And the comments posted by other users below the pic didn’t do anything to dampen her mood.
I always knew Serena was a sl*t! Poor Blair.
Ugh. How can Blair put up with her?
How can Blair put up with him?
Nate’s all to blame in my opinion. He always lusted after Serena.
They’re both to blame. They deserve each other.
This really isn’t that surprising. At least, not as surprising as the whole Chuck/Blair thing.
Maybe Nate was just trying to get revenge?
Maybe Nate’s just an a**.
Still, Serena’s such a bad friend.
Ugh, I know. Seriously, doesn’t she already have a boyfriend anyway?
Yeah, that Dan guy. Poor Dan. He should have known better.
Any girl but Serena. For a poor kid, he sure does seem nice.
Of course, Vanessa didn’t care about the Nate bashing. He was just the middleman of the whole operation. As long as he got that skanky Serena van der Woodsen away from her little Dan, that’s all she needed him for. Although, V was delightfully thrilled with all the judging coming down on Serena. She didn’t think people would have much of a reaction. Well, she thought, as long as no one suspects a thing, and I end up with Dan, that’s all that matters.
“What if this doesn’t work?”
Vanessa opened the front door and Nate strode in.
“What do you mean? Of course it will work. Now that Dan’s practically dumped Serena, everything’s in place. All I have to do is steal Dan’s attention, and Serena will be free for you.”
“I guess,” Nate said doubtfully. “But what if either of them catches on? Don’t you think Serena will notice the errors in that photo?”
“Nate,” Vanessa sighed, “come on, it’s Serena van der Woodsen. Wealthy donations and a team of private tutors are what keep her in school. Not to mention the blondie ‘do, not to be prejudiced. Plus, by the time anyone will get around to believing her, she will have fallen back off the social pedestal all the way to Skankville.”
Nate stared at her.
“No offence,” Vanessa added quickly. “She’s just, not right for Dan.”
“Well, Dan’s not the one who’s in love with her.”
“Not anymore,” Vanessa muttered under her breath.
Spotted: B and S, back together and better than ever. We hear Blair’s got a new grudge, and she’s willing to do anything to defend her BFF. Watch out Brooklyn: the It Girl and the Queen Bee are out for revenge. And the only thing pretty about it is their designer handbags.
Little J, everyone’s favourite underdog, shopping for a few new clothes. Did Oliver finally call? That boy may be cute, but calling him smart is definitely a sensitive subject. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get too crushed when J uses him as a social ladder to the Upper East Side.
C Bass, leaving the Waldorf penthouse. Thank goodness Eleanor wasn’t home; that would be more awkward than two socialites showing up at a party both wearing the same dress.
N, being a complete loner. Well, that’s what you get when you attack your best friend. No further comments on Nate’s now boring life.
And as for Lonely Boy, well, he has lost all relevance in our tale. Or has he? I’m sure the Darena flame won’t go out without a bang.
Vanessa sat at her computer, smiling. Seeing the picture of Serena and Nate on Gossip Girl’s site for the billionth time still spread a malicious grin across her face. And the comments posted by other users below the pic didn’t do anything to dampen her mood.
I always knew Serena was a sl*t! Poor Blair.
Ugh. How can Blair put up with her?
How can Blair put up with him?
Nate’s all to blame in my opinion. He always lusted after Serena.
They’re both to blame. They deserve each other.
This really isn’t that surprising. At least, not as surprising as the whole Chuck/Blair thing.
Maybe Nate was just trying to get revenge?
Maybe Nate’s just an a**.
Still, Serena’s such a bad friend.
Ugh, I know. Seriously, doesn’t she already have a boyfriend anyway?
Yeah, that Dan guy. Poor Dan. He should have known better.
Any girl but Serena. For a poor kid, he sure does seem nice.
Of course, Vanessa didn’t care about the Nate bashing. He was just the middleman of the whole operation. As long as he got that skanky Serena van der Woodsen away from her little Dan, that’s all she needed him for. Although, V was delightfully thrilled with all the judging coming down on Serena. She didn’t think people would have much of a reaction. Well, she thought, as long as no one suspects a thing, and I end up with Dan, that’s all that matters.
“What if this doesn’t work?”
Vanessa opened the front door and Nate strode in.
“What do you mean? Of course it will work. Now that Dan’s practically dumped Serena, everything’s in place. All I have to do is steal Dan’s attention, and Serena will be free for you.”
“I guess,” Nate said doubtfully. “But what if either of them catches on? Don’t you think Serena will notice the errors in that photo?”
“Nate,” Vanessa sighed, “come on, it’s Serena van der Woodsen. Wealthy donations and a team of private tutors are what keep her in school. Not to mention the blondie ‘do, not to be prejudiced. Plus, by the time anyone will get around to believing her, she will have fallen back off the social pedestal all the way to Skankville.”
Nate stared at her.
“No offence,” Vanessa added quickly. “She’s just, not right for Dan.”
“Well, Dan’s not the one who’s in love with her.”
“Not anymore,” Vanessa muttered under her breath.
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Blair woke up, and sighed as she pulled the fleece blanket tighter about her body. Chuck was lying next to her on the soft carpet, still asleep. The events of the previous night ran through Blair’s head.
Chuck had held her there, upon the floor; just talking to her while she listened, curled up with him. He had explained about Nate, and explained that even though sometimes it didn’t seem like it, he really did care about her. But Blair really wasn’t all that interested in the words. She knew he meant it, without even needing to hear him talk. She could just feel the love when he embraced her. She could feel it with every breath he took; with every second that passed.
They hadn’t had sex. They had just been together. For the first time, Chuck was there for her, without the limo seats or diamond necklaces. He knew that all she wanted was him; and he gave her everything.
No perverted jokes, no sarcasm, just honest words and his hands gently rubbing her back. It was 100% the Soft Chuck, and Blair indulged in his sudden purity. Of course, he was no saint, but in that moment, Blair just wanted it to be perfect. And she would let no memories of Chuck’s past invade the soft thoughts drifting through her mind.
The buzzing of a vibrating cell phone pulled Blair from her deep thoughts. As she realized it was her own, she picked it up and pressed ‘talk’.
“Hello?” B said drowsily.
“Blair, I need to talk to you.”
Blair groaned. Serena. “What do you want, Serena?” she said coldly. “No, I don’t know where Nate is. Check your sheets, because I’m sure that’s where he was last night.”
Ignoring B’s remark, Serena said, “Please, Blair, just come have lunch with me. I can explain everything. Please.”
B sighed. She was in too good a mood today to be mean. “Fine. But I can’t stay long; I have plans.”
“The Paradise Café in half an hour?” Serena suggested.
“Sure.”
“Thanks.” B could hear the sincere gratitude in Serena’s voice.
The line clicked dead, and Blair set down her phone. Giving Chuck one last glance, she got up.
In the bathroom, Blair assessed how she looked. Her eye makeup was smudged and her curly chestnut locks had more knots than Jenny Humphrey’s hair in the morning. She was still dressed in yesterday’s cream-white blouse and blood red pencil skirt. Failing at her attempt to smooth out the wrinkles in her clothing, fix her hair, and wipe off the eyeliner smudges, Blair decided to just take a shower instead.
Quickly stripping and tossing her clothes in the laundry basket in the corner, Blair stepped into the shower. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the hot water running down her bare body.
Wrapping an Egyptian cotton towel around her head, Blair stepped out of the bathroom. Chuck was still asleep on the floor.
Stepping around him, B went to her closet. Picking out a not-too-flashy pale yellow dress, she found a headband in a darker yellow to match it. In front of her vanity mirror, she applied some light makeup. She was no Serena van der Woodsen, after all; she couldn’t just wake up, throw on some short shorts, and head out the door. Blair Waldorf always had a put-together look of perfection. It was what the public expected, and demanded.
Finishing up with her Victoria’s Secret lip gloss, she threw the tube into a white handbag, along with her cell phone. She slipped on a matching pair of ballet flats, and walked quietly over to Chuck. Bending down, she kissed his cheek gently before heading out the door.
This better be good, she thought, as she slipped down the hallway.
The little bell above the door dinged as Serena hurried into the café.
“What the eff, Serena? Inviting me to lunch, and then being late?” Blair said as her best friend sat down across from her. “You’re hanging by a very thin string as is,” she warned.
“I know,” S said wearily, taking off her coat. “Blair, I’m sorry, but you’ve just got to listen to me.”
B stared at her friend, wondering if Serena’s story was worth her time.
“Well, it’s a good thing you still haven’t lost your good taste, or otherwise we’d be completely over.” Blair glanced around the fancy Manhattan café. The room was bright and airy, and extremely elegant. And, to top it off, their prices were twice that of Starbucks’.
Serena gave a little sigh of relief. B was in an unusual good mood; but S wasn’t one to complain. “Blair, you should know, I never kissed Nate.”
“And I never lost my virginity to Chuck Bass in a limo.” Blair took a sip from her low fat cappuccino.
“Seriously. Nate is revolting. Remember when I told you about him confessing his love? Well, a few days after that, he asked to meet with me. And out of the blue, he kissed me. I know the picture makes it look as though I’m the one kissing him, but I really don’t know how that is. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was edited.” Blair didn’t say a word. “Blair, you’ve got to try and believe me,” Serena added desperately.
Although she was testy with Serena, she was not being full on bitter, as any normal Blair Waldorf would have done. Instead, B offered her best friend the benefit of the doubt.
“That story seems a little odd,” she said slowly. “But you are my best friend, S, and I really want to be able to trust you.” A look of relief washed across Serena’s face. “But how could the picture possibly have been edited? We both know Nate’s not that smart. He must have had help.”
“But who? He has no friends.”
Blair stayed silent for a moment, racking her brain for possible explanations. “Maybe it wasn’t exactly a friend.”
S gave her a puzzled look.
“Maybe… maybe someone else planned this whole thing. Someone who wanted to screw up the Darena perfection. Maybe Nate has nothing to do with this at all. Well, he does, but perhaps getting you two together isn’t the main goal of this operation. Perhaps the goal is splitting up you and Dan.”
“But who would want to do that?”
Blair stared at her best friend, a serious expression on her face. “I think we both know exactly who would.”
Blair woke up, and sighed as she pulled the fleece blanket tighter about her body. Chuck was lying next to her on the soft carpet, still asleep. The events of the previous night ran through Blair’s head.
Chuck had held her there, upon the floor; just talking to her while she listened, curled up with him. He had explained about Nate, and explained that even though sometimes it didn’t seem like it, he really did care about her. But Blair really wasn’t all that interested in the words. She knew he meant it, without even needing to hear him talk. She could just feel the love when he embraced her. She could feel it with every breath he took; with every second that passed.
They hadn’t had sex. They had just been together. For the first time, Chuck was there for her, without the limo seats or diamond necklaces. He knew that all she wanted was him; and he gave her everything.
No perverted jokes, no sarcasm, just honest words and his hands gently rubbing her back. It was 100% the Soft Chuck, and Blair indulged in his sudden purity. Of course, he was no saint, but in that moment, Blair just wanted it to be perfect. And she would let no memories of Chuck’s past invade the soft thoughts drifting through her mind.
The buzzing of a vibrating cell phone pulled Blair from her deep thoughts. As she realized it was her own, she picked it up and pressed ‘talk’.
“Hello?” B said drowsily.
“Blair, I need to talk to you.”
Blair groaned. Serena. “What do you want, Serena?” she said coldly. “No, I don’t know where Nate is. Check your sheets, because I’m sure that’s where he was last night.”
Ignoring B’s remark, Serena said, “Please, Blair, just come have lunch with me. I can explain everything. Please.”
B sighed. She was in too good a mood today to be mean. “Fine. But I can’t stay long; I have plans.”
“The Paradise Café in half an hour?” Serena suggested.
“Sure.”
“Thanks.” B could hear the sincere gratitude in Serena’s voice.
The line clicked dead, and Blair set down her phone. Giving Chuck one last glance, she got up.
In the bathroom, Blair assessed how she looked. Her eye makeup was smudged and her curly chestnut locks had more knots than Jenny Humphrey’s hair in the morning. She was still dressed in yesterday’s cream-white blouse and blood red pencil skirt. Failing at her attempt to smooth out the wrinkles in her clothing, fix her hair, and wipe off the eyeliner smudges, Blair decided to just take a shower instead.
Quickly stripping and tossing her clothes in the laundry basket in the corner, Blair stepped into the shower. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the hot water running down her bare body.
Wrapping an Egyptian cotton towel around her head, Blair stepped out of the bathroom. Chuck was still asleep on the floor.
Stepping around him, B went to her closet. Picking out a not-too-flashy pale yellow dress, she found a headband in a darker yellow to match it. In front of her vanity mirror, she applied some light makeup. She was no Serena van der Woodsen, after all; she couldn’t just wake up, throw on some short shorts, and head out the door. Blair Waldorf always had a put-together look of perfection. It was what the public expected, and demanded.
Finishing up with her Victoria’s Secret lip gloss, she threw the tube into a white handbag, along with her cell phone. She slipped on a matching pair of ballet flats, and walked quietly over to Chuck. Bending down, she kissed his cheek gently before heading out the door.
This better be good, she thought, as she slipped down the hallway.
The little bell above the door dinged as Serena hurried into the café.
“What the eff, Serena? Inviting me to lunch, and then being late?” Blair said as her best friend sat down across from her. “You’re hanging by a very thin string as is,” she warned.
“I know,” S said wearily, taking off her coat. “Blair, I’m sorry, but you’ve just got to listen to me.”
B stared at her friend, wondering if Serena’s story was worth her time.
“Well, it’s a good thing you still haven’t lost your good taste, or otherwise we’d be completely over.” Blair glanced around the fancy Manhattan café. The room was bright and airy, and extremely elegant. And, to top it off, their prices were twice that of Starbucks’.
Serena gave a little sigh of relief. B was in an unusual good mood; but S wasn’t one to complain. “Blair, you should know, I never kissed Nate.”
“And I never lost my virginity to Chuck Bass in a limo.” Blair took a sip from her low fat cappuccino.
“Seriously. Nate is revolting. Remember when I told you about him confessing his love? Well, a few days after that, he asked to meet with me. And out of the blue, he kissed me. I know the picture makes it look as though I’m the one kissing him, but I really don’t know how that is. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was edited.” Blair didn’t say a word. “Blair, you’ve got to try and believe me,” Serena added desperately.
Although she was testy with Serena, she was not being full on bitter, as any normal Blair Waldorf would have done. Instead, B offered her best friend the benefit of the doubt.
“That story seems a little odd,” she said slowly. “But you are my best friend, S, and I really want to be able to trust you.” A look of relief washed across Serena’s face. “But how could the picture possibly have been edited? We both know Nate’s not that smart. He must have had help.”
“But who? He has no friends.”
Blair stayed silent for a moment, racking her brain for possible explanations. “Maybe it wasn’t exactly a friend.”
S gave her a puzzled look.
“Maybe… maybe someone else planned this whole thing. Someone who wanted to screw up the Darena perfection. Maybe Nate has nothing to do with this at all. Well, he does, but perhaps getting you two together isn’t the main goal of this operation. Perhaps the goal is splitting up you and Dan.”
“But who would want to do that?”
Blair stared at her best friend, a serious expression on her face. “I think we both know exactly who would.”
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