Author's note: An offshoot from my music meme drabbles (Four Memories and an Accident). This was supposed to be the third one (Go Sadness) but I found that 1) it didn't fit the music much and 2) it wasn't that good. Nevertheless, I found this deleted bit again today and thought I'd give it a go, plus a few changes. So here goes, and I hope you like.
PROBATION
"Blair," seven year-old Serena announced gravely as eight year-old Blair tried without success to wipe her damp sand-smeared hands on the side of the sandbox. "May I present to you Nate Archibald-"
Blair straightened, fire streaking her cheeks, and wavered on the spot. Head rush. Mother kept telling her to be like the breeze.
Serena continued with a disapproving glare at Nate's companion, throwing a disdainful sniff in at the end. "And Charles Bass."
"Chuck." The latter glared back.
"Chuck won't take a hint," Serena grumbled, then sniffed again, turning her attention to Nate with a radiant smile. "Blair and I are making sand scones. You wanna stay for tea?"
"I can too take a hint!" Chuck countered even as she pulled Nate's hand to drag him away before the latter had even answered, but she had settled for completely ignoring him it seemed. Still he persisted, glancing briefly at the dark-haired girl who stared after them. "I just don't wanna."
Blair seemed to finally realise he was there at his scornful remark, and squinted thoughtfully. "You're the nouveau rich kid who just moved into the New York Palace, right?"
Everyone had contacts on the Upper East Side. But usually the kids didn't pay attention to the adults' whispers. He had to admire her memory. "My dad bought the place."
She eyed him up and down, critically, a red bud of a pout twisting her mouth. "You're on probation, but there's something..." She didn't finish that thought but rather left him to follow after her to join a squealing Serena and an awkward Nate.