Madeline Bass stared at the blank document open on her laptop. The blinking cursor had been mocking her endlessly for the past hour and a half, taunting and teasing. She only got as far as to writing her name.
"What would I deliver to Yale as a student?" she thought aloud to herself whilst spinning herself on the white wooden desk chair. The task had been to tell the Yale admissions office what she would bring to the table if she attended, but she couldn't think of one good reason.
She drummed her fingers on her desk thinking of something, anything to put down, but her brain wouldn't budge. Enough is enough, she thought to herself. Slamming the laptop shut, she grabbed her blazer and threw it over her shoulders. She trotted down the steps that led to the foyer of her townhouse, stopping to admire the one wedding photo of her parents, which she had to admit was pretty adorable.
When she opened the door the crisp fall breeze greeted her and she smiled to herself. Fall was her favorite season, the colors, the smells, and of course, the fashion. She thought fondly of all the fall festivities she had in store as she made her way down her block toward Central Park.
…
"Hey!" Her All-American boyfriend Michael Neely said, excitingly greeting Madeline as she approached their hangout spot. He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek, "I was just thinking about you."
"Lucky me," Madeline replied, forcing a cheery smile but not before rolling her eyes, which earned her an intrigued look from Trevor Winthrop, his hazel eyes burning through her soul. She shot him a nasty look, "Can you give me some of that or are you going to keep giving me weird looks?"
He passed her the joint before holding his hands up in fake-surrender, "What's got you in such a bitchy mood today?"
She took a drag before exhaling the smoke above her, "College essay for Yale, my parents want me to apply for early admission."
"Damn, Maddie," Tiffany Green said, tearing her face away from her boy-toy of the week, "You're parents have your whole life planned out for you already." She removed a piece of straight blonde hair from her glossed lips.
Madeline took another hit before offering a half-smile. "Enough talk about my lame afternoon. Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"
Tiffany let out a dreamy sigh, "This is Jake. I met him last night at 1Oak, we hit it off instantly." Her mouth said one thing but her dark brown eyes said another. She turned back to her flavor of the week and attacked his lips with hers.
Trevor stood up from his spot by the tree and walked over to Madeline and Michael. He plopped down next to Madeline, "So how is my favorite Constance couple?"
"What about you, Trev?" said Maddie, strategically avoiding the question, "Aren't you getting tired of being the fifth wheel?"
He slid his hand up Madeline's thigh before saying, "I like the lifestyle I live, no expectations or strings to be attached to." A breeze blew by and caused goose bumps to appear on her arms.
She slapped his hand away before snuggling closer to Mike, "It's that time of the year again," she groaned, "This means my dad is going to break out his scarf."
"Hey, your dad has an amazing fashion sense," said Mike.
"He can make anything work," Tiffany said in a daze with a far-off look in her eyes. Madeline looked at her questioningly, but let it pass.
"Want some?" Madeline held out the joint to Mike, who shook his head.
She shrugged her shoulders, "More for me," she said taking a long hit.
"And me," Trevor said, plucking the joint from her fingers, keeping his eyes on her in a seductive stare while he inhaled.
She blew the smoke in his face and gave him a look that said I'll deal with you later.
He returned a smile that said I can't wait.
"I have to get going," Madeline gave a light peck to Mike's lips before standing up, "Meeting my parents for dinner."
"Tell 'rents I say hello," Tiffany said.
"Will do," She checked her watch, "Shit I'm late," She started to run the opposite way she came from, "Love you guys!" she shouted.
A mix of "love you too" and "see you later" was said to her retreating back.
Mike's phone went off with a text. He looked at the screen and smiled, "Well I better get going too," he stood grabbing his bag, "See you guys later."
…
"Sorry I'm late," Madeline said breathless, her light brown mane covering her face. She pulled it back into a lazy ponytail before taking the seat next to her dad. She immediately grabbed a piece of bread, having a mean case of the munchies.
"It's alright sweetie," her mother said.
Chuck eyed his daughter suspiciously; he lowered his tone, "What have you been up too?"
"Oh," Madeline said, mouth half-full with bread, "Just hanging out with friends."
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Madeline," Blair said.
Maddie chewed and swallowed before continuing, "Sorry, mom." She turned to her dad, "You have no right to judge me."
He gave a chuckle before saying, "I have no idea what you are talking about."
She slapped his arm playfully and laughed.
"So how is the Yale essay going?" Blair inquired.
"Oh, it's going." Madeline replied before looking at the desert menu. The crème brulee looks really good tonight, she thought to herself.
"It's due a month from Saturday, Maddie," Blair said.
"Yes mother I know," Madeline felt like a robot. Every time she has a conversation with her mother the topic of Yale always comes up, so she goes into auto-pilot. Yale is everything to her mother, and it would mean the world to her if Madeline got in. She just doesn't feel like she is right for Yale.
"Have you heard anything from Henry?" Madeline inquired, changing the subject. Ever since her brother went into the service she has been terribly worried about him. Madeline admires his courage to give his life for his country when he had a luxurious life already planned out for him.
"Not yet," Chuck said, "but we should be expecting a call in a couple of days."
The waiter approached to take their orders, "What can I get for you, miss?" He asked Madeline.
"I'll have the crème brulee," She replied, earning a weird look from her mom.
"I'll have the same," Chuck said. He whispered to Madeline, "You're going to show me your stash tonight. "
She giggled, "No can do, its top secret."
…
After saying goodnight to her parents, Madeline made her way up to her room, impatient to lie in her big comfy bed and sleep.
When she opened the door she found Trevor lounging on her bed, flipping through one of the books from her bookshelf.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"You said you were going to 'deal with me later'," He gave her a sultry smile, "Well, it's later."
She rolled her eyes before going to her walk-in closet. She replaced her shirt and bra with a nightgown, earning a stare from the teenaged boy sitting on her bed. She turned towards him, "Trevor seriously if my parents find you here they'll flip." She took off her stockings and skirt.
Trevor got up from the bed and walked to where she was standing. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and starting kissing under her earlobe, her favorite spot, "They have never found us before." He started to kiss along her jawline and to her lips. He kissed her hungrily and she eagerly returned the kiss. She sighed against his lips, feeling completely happy in this very moment.
Everything with Trevor is so easy. There are no expectations, no dates, and no gossip, just them. They could have great sex and then just hang out with each other like the best friends they have been since elementary school.
She pushed him away lightly, "Trev, I'm too tired." She shut the light to her closet and walked toward her bed.
He followed her like a lost puppy, "Please Maddie," he practically whined, "You've left me with blue balls for the past week."
She flopped onto her bed, "We're not dating, and you can have sex with someone else if you want to."
He crawled next to her on the bed, "Now we both know why I don't go to any other girl."
She smiled at his words, "You're too sweet with me." She yawned and closed her eyes, "Trev, can I ask you something?"
"He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, "Go ahead."
"How come you've never dated someone? You would be such a great boyfriend, and you deserve someone who is worthy of your affection."
"I meant what I said earlier," He replied. "I like having no strings attached or expectations. I just like being with you."
"I guess I like being with you too. I'll keep you around for a while." She giggled.
He kissed the top of her head and chuckled, "Ditch Mike and go to Cotillion with me."
"Is that a proposal or a command?" Madeline joked.
"Mads, I'm serious." He replied.
"You just told me you don't like having any expectations."
"It's just one night Maddie, we can go as friends." He said.
"I can't ditch Mike," She replied, "I have to go with him, that's just the way it is."
"You and I know that's bullshit, Maddie. You don't love him; you haven't even had sex with him."
"It's not about love Trevor," She sighed, "Can we just drop this?"
He released her from his embrace, "Yeah, we can." He got up from the bed and put his shoes on. "I'm tired too. I'll see you at school."
And so he left her in her room, staring at the ceiling and wondering why she does the things she does.
…
A/N: Hi! I just started writing for Gossip Girl, though I have been following the show since 2010. I haven't written in years so constructive criticism is much appreciated. Let me know if you would like me to continue this story!
Thanks for reading!