Chapter 45
Spotted: S and Becks, drunk as hell, stepping out of a cab onto the street outside the Palace. Do I sense a little too much celebrating the old days? Just think, if that was a typical 9th grade Serena and Becky, what wild shenanigans will the 11th grade hold? These girls are all grown up and ready to party. So grab a drink and join in on the fun, because all Upper East Siders have to let their stuck-up hair down once in a while.
“Wild, hey?” Serena slurred, giggling as she used Becky for support.
“Yeah, the second bottle really did it.” Both girls stared at each other for a moment, and then burst into laughter.
“Holy crap,” Serena said suddenly, raising her hand to her forehead. “I think the hangover’s started already.” More giggles. “Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve been this drunk.”
“Oh, come on, Serena! This was nothing! Live a little!” Becky stumbled towards the elevator as an irritated-looking man held the door open for them. As the two stepped in, Becky leaned towards Serena and whispered, “This is just the beginning. We’re gonna tear up this town and show those snobs a good time.”
Serena laughed her drunken laugh, although there was something slightly not right about what Becky just said. Maybe she didn’t know Serena wasn’t a party girl anymore. But maybe having a little fun wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
When they reached their floor, they stumbled out, all giggles and swaying and slurring. Suddenly, someone turned the corner.
“Ch…uck!” Serena shrieked. She held out her arm to him, grinning.
Chuck sighed, and walked slowly towards them. Normally, a wasted Serena would have made for a perfect night. But this time she just annoyed him.
Plus, Serena was nothing to look at when she was standing next to… Becky Summers. All flowing hair and tiny skirt and designer heels and perfect, beautiful face. God, Chuck missed that face. Her ice-blue eyes, perfectly blushed cheekbones, and plump, light pink lips. She still amazed him, even today. Even at that moment, when she was a drooling, giggling, ecstatically happy mess.
Chuck’s expression softened. When he reached them, he stepped in between them, with his right arm around Serena’s waist, and his left around Becky’s.
She leaned into him, taking in his strongly male scent. “Chuckles,” she muttered, as her head dropped onto his shoulder.
He sighed. Never did he think that the first night Becky was back, he would spend it carrying both her and Serena van der Woodsen to their suites, both girls completely wasted. Although he should have expected it.
Chuck reached Serena’s room, and escorted her inside. He lay her on the couch, and said quietly, “Call me in the morning. If you remember.” Serena nodded and closed her eyes.
When he left the suite, Becky was sitting up against the wall just outside Serena’s door. “Come on,” Chuck said, offering her his hand. She lazily took it, and he pulled her up. Becky stumbled, and almost fell. Chuck took her waist, and lifted up her legs into a carrying position. She put her hands around his neck and pressed her face into his chest. Becky started mumbling something, but Chuck couldn’t tell what she was saying.
Becky’s suite was only around the corner. Chuck opened the door, and walked inside. He lowered her gently onto the large bed in the middle of the room. But just as he was about to stand up and leave, Becky pulled him down by his collar.
“Stay with me,” she whispered, her eyes closed.
“I can’t,” Chuck whispered back, gazing at her peaceful-looking face.
“Please.” Becky’s voice seemed distant, as if she was talking in her sleep.
Chuck couldn’t help but wonder if she was.
“Not tonight,” he said back softly. He kissed her forehead, and stood up.
Walking slowly over to a notepad and pen on the coffee table, he scribbled her a note:
Becky-
Call me when you wake up. We should have lunch.
-Chuck
Sighing once again, Chuck headed for the door. He looked back once, at Becky lying silently on the bed. It wasn’t how he wanted to greet her after not seeing her for 3 years, but it was too late now. All he could do was wait until she was sober, and they could finally talk.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Chapter 44
Chapter 44
“Serena!”
Becky ran across the airport terminal hallway to where Serena was standing, waiting. Serena turned around at the sound of her name, and smiled.
“Hey!” she said as she reached out to hug her old friend. She squeezed Becky tight, taking in the familiar scent. Vanilla and brown sugar. On anyone else, the fragrance would have been intoxicatingly sweet, but on Becky, it smelled just right.
“How are you? You look fantastic!” Becky pulled away to look her friend over. Serena was exactly how she had expected; the bubbly, gorgeous blonde with the legs to die for that she had always been.
Serena blushed. “You too,” she said, smiling. Becky was exactly like her younger self too, only even more mature, elegant, and beautiful, which was pretty hard to achieve considering how perfect Becky always was.
Thick, golden-brown hair cascaded down Becky’s shoulders onto a tight, powder-blue tank top. She was also adorned in a little denim mini-skirt, which displayed long, tanned legs. A gold Louis Vuitton purse swung from her shoulder, matching her ballet flats.
Becky smiled shyly, and did a little twirl. “What do you think?” she asked. “Too California? Not enough, glamour, and New York, and Audrey Hepburn?” With each word, she stuck her nose up in the air and spoke with a snobby accent. Serena laughed. She had missed Becky and her ability to make fun of their socialite classmates who thought they were all that.
“Blair will love you,” Serena said, still laughing. “And no, you look perfect. No need to worry. Although the weather’s not exactly West Coast beautiful.”
Serena smiled sweetly and handed Becky the suede jacket she had been carrying. Becky smiled back in gratitude.
“Hey, gimme a break. I haven’t been to New York in 3 years.” Becky laughed.
Serena wondered if Becky knew about her own leave.
“Come on, Becks. You’re staying at the Palace, in a suite pretty close to mine.”
“Sweet.” Becky grinned as she picked up one of her huge Louis Vuitton suitcases. Becky was crazy for the huge brands, LV being her favourite.
Serena picked up the other suitcase, and together they headed outside for their taxi.
“I missed you, Becks,” Serena said as she hopped into the cab after her friend.
“I missed you, too, S.”
“And we are going to have a spanking good time here in NYC!”
“Spanking indeed,” Becky said, slapping Serena’s thigh.
S laughed, and wrapped her arm around Becky’s shoulder.
“Wow, I could really use some champagne right now,” Becky said, laughing. “You know, toast to old times.”
“You know what?” Serena said playfully. “That can be arranged.” Smiling devilishly, she pulled a bottle of champagne out of her bag.
“What the hell, Serena?” Becky exclaimed, laughing even harder. “Who carries bottles of alcohol around in their purse?”
“Fabulous people,” Serena replied, beaming.
“But… we have no glasses.” Becky glanced around the taxi. Luckily, there was a glass wall separating them from the driver.
“Honey, we’ll drink it straight from the bottle.”
“Like old times,” Becky said thoughtfully.
Serena winked. “Exactly.”
“Serena!”
Becky ran across the airport terminal hallway to where Serena was standing, waiting. Serena turned around at the sound of her name, and smiled.
“Hey!” she said as she reached out to hug her old friend. She squeezed Becky tight, taking in the familiar scent. Vanilla and brown sugar. On anyone else, the fragrance would have been intoxicatingly sweet, but on Becky, it smelled just right.
“How are you? You look fantastic!” Becky pulled away to look her friend over. Serena was exactly how she had expected; the bubbly, gorgeous blonde with the legs to die for that she had always been.
Serena blushed. “You too,” she said, smiling. Becky was exactly like her younger self too, only even more mature, elegant, and beautiful, which was pretty hard to achieve considering how perfect Becky always was.
Thick, golden-brown hair cascaded down Becky’s shoulders onto a tight, powder-blue tank top. She was also adorned in a little denim mini-skirt, which displayed long, tanned legs. A gold Louis Vuitton purse swung from her shoulder, matching her ballet flats.
Becky smiled shyly, and did a little twirl. “What do you think?” she asked. “Too California? Not enough, glamour, and New York, and Audrey Hepburn?” With each word, she stuck her nose up in the air and spoke with a snobby accent. Serena laughed. She had missed Becky and her ability to make fun of their socialite classmates who thought they were all that.
“Blair will love you,” Serena said, still laughing. “And no, you look perfect. No need to worry. Although the weather’s not exactly West Coast beautiful.”
Serena smiled sweetly and handed Becky the suede jacket she had been carrying. Becky smiled back in gratitude.
“Hey, gimme a break. I haven’t been to New York in 3 years.” Becky laughed.
Serena wondered if Becky knew about her own leave.
“Come on, Becks. You’re staying at the Palace, in a suite pretty close to mine.”
“Sweet.” Becky grinned as she picked up one of her huge Louis Vuitton suitcases. Becky was crazy for the huge brands, LV being her favourite.
Serena picked up the other suitcase, and together they headed outside for their taxi.
“I missed you, Becks,” Serena said as she hopped into the cab after her friend.
“I missed you, too, S.”
“And we are going to have a spanking good time here in NYC!”
“Spanking indeed,” Becky said, slapping Serena’s thigh.
S laughed, and wrapped her arm around Becky’s shoulder.
“Wow, I could really use some champagne right now,” Becky said, laughing. “You know, toast to old times.”
“You know what?” Serena said playfully. “That can be arranged.” Smiling devilishly, she pulled a bottle of champagne out of her bag.
“What the hell, Serena?” Becky exclaimed, laughing even harder. “Who carries bottles of alcohol around in their purse?”
“Fabulous people,” Serena replied, beaming.
“But… we have no glasses.” Becky glanced around the taxi. Luckily, there was a glass wall separating them from the driver.
“Honey, we’ll drink it straight from the bottle.”
“Like old times,” Becky said thoughtfully.
Serena winked. “Exactly.”
Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Remember that one ordinary day in the Upper East Side when SVDW graced us with her presence after a mysterious 6-month leave? Epic, right? The day that changed all our lives forever. The day that made GossipGirl.net the most must-have site to save to your Favourites. The day the drama really started.
Well, besides a few dates, a couple hook-ups, and a whole lot of sex, it’s been pretty quiet lately. B and S are BFFs, C’s finally settled down and stopped strip-joint-hopping, N’s realized he’s dark and twisted and needs help, Lonely Boy’s found his soul mate, and Little J’s in tight with the It Girl and Queen Bee.
So when will the UES stop playing a safe game and get some scandal, you ask? Right about now.
And this time, it all starts with a little plane from LA. A little plane, holding a lot more secrets, and a lot more girl, than ever imaginable. It’s the return of Becky Summers, and it’s going to be fabulous.
And you thought Serena was epic.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Becky Summers?”
“I told you it was important!”
Chuck rolled his eyes as Blair clutched his phone, her eyes wide with shock.
“Chuck! I can’t believe you would rather play embarrassing games than tell me something that I needed to know!”
“That’s what you get for being friends with Jenny Humpy.”
B scoffed. She felt sick. Becky Summers. The only girl who could ever have the poise, the sophistication, the smarts and elegance and glamour, to show up Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. God, Blair hated that girl.
“You make my life impossible,” she sighed.
“More like worthwhile,” Chuck said, and gently kissed her neck. B shoved him off.
“Do you realize what this means? This is Serena’s Return all over again, except this time it’s Becky, who is like, Serena times one hundred. She’s unbelievable.”
Chuck opened his mouth to say something, but Blair quickly put her hand in front of his face to prevent any dirty remarks.
“Don’t even,” she hissed, narrowing her eyes. She was well aware that Becky was just as gorgeous as Serena van der Woodsen, or maybe even more. Blair hadn’t seen her since 9th grade, but if she looked hot then, wow…
Blair couldn’t even think about how perfect Becky was going to look. It just made her stomach lurch.
“All I was going to say was that you would kick her skanky *** at being unbelievable,” Chuck insisted.
“Right.” B’s voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Anyway, what are you going to do about her? Pull an ole’ ditch and b**** like with van der Woodsen?”
Blair sighed again. She didn’t know what she was going to do. She didn’t even have a valid reason to hate Becky. It was different from Serena’s case; Becks had gone off to California to get rich and famous. Or, well, at least famous, because she was your typically spoiled kid socialite.
But Blair didn’t want anyone disturbing the peace, even if it was a little dull. She couldn’t have another tragedy, like the one just a few months before. She couldn’t have anyone stealing her world. The Upper East Side belonged to her.
So all B could do was hope that Becky came back with platinum blonde hair and hideously dark roots, some out-of-style shoes, and a bad case of STDs.
Yeah, right.
Remember that one ordinary day in the Upper East Side when SVDW graced us with her presence after a mysterious 6-month leave? Epic, right? The day that changed all our lives forever. The day that made GossipGirl.net the most must-have site to save to your Favourites. The day the drama really started.
Well, besides a few dates, a couple hook-ups, and a whole lot of sex, it’s been pretty quiet lately. B and S are BFFs, C’s finally settled down and stopped strip-joint-hopping, N’s realized he’s dark and twisted and needs help, Lonely Boy’s found his soul mate, and Little J’s in tight with the It Girl and Queen Bee.
So when will the UES stop playing a safe game and get some scandal, you ask? Right about now.
And this time, it all starts with a little plane from LA. A little plane, holding a lot more secrets, and a lot more girl, than ever imaginable. It’s the return of Becky Summers, and it’s going to be fabulous.
And you thought Serena was epic.
xoxo, GOSSIP GIRL
“Becky Summers?”
“I told you it was important!”
Chuck rolled his eyes as Blair clutched his phone, her eyes wide with shock.
“Chuck! I can’t believe you would rather play embarrassing games than tell me something that I needed to know!”
“That’s what you get for being friends with Jenny Humpy.”
B scoffed. She felt sick. Becky Summers. The only girl who could ever have the poise, the sophistication, the smarts and elegance and glamour, to show up Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen. God, Blair hated that girl.
“You make my life impossible,” she sighed.
“More like worthwhile,” Chuck said, and gently kissed her neck. B shoved him off.
“Do you realize what this means? This is Serena’s Return all over again, except this time it’s Becky, who is like, Serena times one hundred. She’s unbelievable.”
Chuck opened his mouth to say something, but Blair quickly put her hand in front of his face to prevent any dirty remarks.
“Don’t even,” she hissed, narrowing her eyes. She was well aware that Becky was just as gorgeous as Serena van der Woodsen, or maybe even more. Blair hadn’t seen her since 9th grade, but if she looked hot then, wow…
Blair couldn’t even think about how perfect Becky was going to look. It just made her stomach lurch.
“All I was going to say was that you would kick her skanky *** at being unbelievable,” Chuck insisted.
“Right.” B’s voice was laced with sarcasm.
“Anyway, what are you going to do about her? Pull an ole’ ditch and b**** like with van der Woodsen?”
Blair sighed again. She didn’t know what she was going to do. She didn’t even have a valid reason to hate Becky. It was different from Serena’s case; Becks had gone off to California to get rich and famous. Or, well, at least famous, because she was your typically spoiled kid socialite.
But Blair didn’t want anyone disturbing the peace, even if it was a little dull. She couldn’t have another tragedy, like the one just a few months before. She couldn’t have anyone stealing her world. The Upper East Side belonged to her.
So all B could do was hope that Becky came back with platinum blonde hair and hideously dark roots, some out-of-style shoes, and a bad case of STDs.
Yeah, right.
Chapter 42
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.
“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.
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.
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