Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. It has been written purely for entertainment purposes.

Warning: This story contains a lot of blanked out swearing. It may also contain mild references to drug-taking and drunkenness.

A/N: As always, reviews are very welcome. This is only my second story. Constructive criticism - if you have the time to give it - would be very helpful but pease don't be too harsh!

Gossip Girl: The AU Version

(Chuck's POV: PRESENT)

Charles Bass came from a rich and successful family. Success and riches were in his blood, and of course, with success and riches came power. Power was always a good thing to have.

Charles, or Chuck as he was known by everyone who wasn't a family member or a servant, didn't need to let people know who he was. They already knew. He was Chuck Bass. He would walk into a room, and he would instantly be the centre of attention. All heads would turn to look at him. People would start poking one another and whispering. He liked it this way. It was good to be noticed - worshipped almost.

His parents were the richest in the school. In fact they were probably the richest in the neighbourhood, perhaps even the whole state.

He and his family had recently moved to New York after he had been kicked out from his old school back in England. They had enrolled him in the richest, most prestigious school they could find in their vicinity. He wasn't surprised to learn that he was already famous. He had been famous back in England, which was where he used to live.

People had heard of his father, whose huge chain of hotels had gone global. In fact, they'd been global for generations. Bart, his father, had simply taken it over from Chuck's grandfather, who'd taken it over from his father and so on. Money had been the Bass family for a long time.

His brother, Donald, was 21 years old and was now very involved in the business. The way he sucked up to their father was so irritating to watch. Chuck was sure Donald was an idiot. He'd done very well in his exams, but considering that he was pretty stupid.

Charles, or Chuck as he was known to everyone who wasn't a servant or family member, didn't really bother with exams, or school, for that matter. He didn't really see the point. His brother was too much of a soft touch to ever prevent him from sponging off the family business. Until then, he had his father, and the very idea that his father would ever tolerate the gossip that would circulate if Chuck ever wanted for anything was laughable.

Chuck didn't really have friends. Yes, he had drinking, smoking (and drug-taking) buddies, and of course everyone was in awe of him because of his family's wealth and status, but he didn't really have anyone that he talked to much.

Nathaniel Archibald, or Nate as he was known to his friends, had invited him to some party or other. It was quite interesting that he would do this, to be honest. Chuck supposed it had something to do with the fact that he was the rich English kid.

He didn't really see any reason why he shouldn't go. His parents wouldn't be bothered about him staying somewhere else for the night, in fact he imagined they would be quite pleased to be rid of him. After all, that meant they could spend more time with his boring tw*t of an older brother.

He didn't waste any time in arriving in the flashiest, most expensive limo possible and was pleased to note the crowd of kids that were stood there just gawping at him. To his annoyance, however, he saw that the party seemed to have already started without him. He saw Nate walking out to greet him.

He slid the window down. "Hey, Nate!" he shouted over the music, still very comfortably sat in his car, "Don't f*** with a f***er! You said this party would start at ten! What the f*** happened?" he said jokingly. It wasn't like he actually cared about the party much. It just annoyed him a little that the star guest (him, of course) hadn't been informed of the facts.

Nate shrugged. "Yeah, sorry about that," he said casually. "You aren't bothered are you? You really should have come earlier. I'll have to be leaving quite soon. My parents won't want me out all night."

Chuck laughed internally. "Mine will," he muttered.

"What's that?" said Nate.

"Mind your f***ing business!" His tone was joking. Again, he wasn't angry. "You're a nosy little f***er aren't you?"

Nate's eyes widened. "And your mouth could do with some washing out."

"F***ing prude. Bet this party's sh*t anyway." he muttered, getting out of the car and giving a few instructions to the driver, before letting him drive off.

"You coming with me?" Nate looked at him.

"Hmm…yeah okay."

Nate led him into the house. There were crowds of girls and boys getting drinks; some were already drunk. He was noting all of this, when he saw Nate shake his head slightly.

"It's really bad, the way most people our age just get drunk like they do. Like it's nothing. Have they no ambition? I mean where are their parents?"

"You are such a f***ing prude aren't you? They're just having fun and getting p*ssed is the way to do that. So what?"

"You think this is fun?" Nate's voice was filled with amazement.

"Well, if you disapprove so much, why the f*** did you come?" Chuck was growing annoyed. What was wrong with this guy? Did he not understand the meaning of the word fun?

Nobody got hurt, he thought. Then an image crossed his mind, for a second. Well, not often anyway. Just that one time, maybe. But that was nothing, nothing at all…