Chapter One
Rays of sunshine fell through open window, revealing the dancing dust in the air. It floated up and down then back up. Speckles sparkled in the light, giving strict and too tidy bedroom, some kind of magical charm. Deep melancholic voice sang to acoustic notes of the guitar from speakers. It usually produced calming effect, if only there was someone to hear it.
The same song played over and over for the whole afternoon. Blair, wrapped in a towel, hurriedly stepped outside of the bathroom . A cloud of steam escaped as she swung the doors closed. She was humming to herself, completely out of tune with the song. Her foot tapped as she opened the closet. Famous question kept popping up, ever since her best friend Serena called during History class to say she's having a party. It was three days ago and Blair still had no idea what to wear.
That was by far a call she would never forget. Her phone kept buzzing in the pocket and it tickled her. Class was nowhere soon to be finished and she was curious about this unknown number flashing on the screen. Having her number was a privilege that few people had. Blair thought the caller would give up after third try. They didn't. She had no choice but to ask to be excused. It appeared urgent. History professor didn't even bother to stop describing Greek wars, but merely flicked his hand towards the doors as a sign of permission.
''Hello?'' she answered. Nothing could be heard on the other line. She repeated ''hello'' few more times, still total silence. Just as she was about to hang up, a girl voice called out her name from the speaker.
''Who is this?'' Blair asked.
''Hey, it's Serena! Listen, make no plans for Friday evening, Im making a get-together. I repeat, NO PLANS.''
''Okay. ''
''What are you doing after school?''
''Erm... Grabbing a lunch and hitting the library. Why?''
''Lets eat together, I have some stuff to do later anyways.''
''As if.'' They laughed heartily.
Serena was Blair's peer, a junior, but attended different school. They were much alike, both liking parties, good company and having fun. Only Blair was more contradicting person. She also enjoyed books, tranquility and solitude over anything else. She found strange relief in cancelling the plans sometimes.
Later on as they were eating in a small restaurant, she asked her friend whose number was it that she called from.
''Is that your new number?''
Serena kept her eyes down, rolling a pasta around the plate with a fork.
''It was Chuck.''
It made Blair nearly choke on her mineral water. She froze for a second, forcing herself to be in a control. Even the sound of his name overwhelmed her. Few days ago, she promised herself not to make a big deal out of him. It was just a boy she met. A boy she was crazy about from the start. And who appeared to be crazy about her.
''Okay, well if he is so rich as he brags why can't he get a proper phone. The disturbance is really annoying.''
''Hm?'' Serena looked up confused.
''I couldn't hear you a thing for a minute there in the beginning.''
Her friend wiped mouth with a napkin, leaving pink lipstick mark. She threw it on the table.
''Oh. That was him.''
''What do you mean?''
''He wouldn't give me the phone.''
''Being usual himself, I see. An arrogant moron.''
They greeted and parted ways. Serena went home. Blair went to the library. She was planning on keeping up her good grades until college, getting into law school and making herself known there. The plan was tough and full of sacrifices. And she was willing to do everything for it.
Friday evening quickly came. Blair was in the elevator, checking herself in the mirror. No matter how hard she tried, the line between her brows refused to be smothered. She was nervous, and very much late. Serena made sure she knows he was going to be there. She knew Blair liked him, no matter how hard she tried to deny it. And after all, Chuck was Serena's friend. She told her he kept talking about her ever since they met her. It made her feel flustered.
Blair's phone lay home on the bed, forgotten. She kept the habit of losing, forgetting and breaking things. It hardly got along with the perfectionist image that people saw when they looked at her.
She hoped they didn't relocate the party. No music was heard, Serena lived in a building and actually cared about public order. No matter how wild part of her was, Serena was family friendly girl. Police knocking on the doors was last thing on the list. Each floor took about an infinity to pass. Blair had at last opted for beige wedges and high-waisted shorts, red blouse and pearls. She curled her hair and dyed her lips red. She was always polished and flawlessly dressed. Her appearance fascinated people in general, not just horny boys. Few dared approach her. Even if they did, her walls were standing tall and mighty. They crashed right at it, broke and with what little strength they were left – picked up pieces and moved on. Hardly anyone looked back twice.
She rang the bell and waited. A girly laughter could be heard inside. Someone just opened the door and left. She walked through the doors. This indeed was intimate party. Serena wanted things to be in control tonight. There was no more than 12 people inside.
Her whole body turned alert. Something in the air changed.
Blair found him in kitchen. First time and last time she saw him was a week ago when they met. They haven't spoken much. She called him a rude idiot and he called her beautiful. She would usually say 'thank you' and brush it off unnerved, but his dark eyes were intensely staring at her. As if he was complimenting something other than her physical appearance. For the first time in her life, a boy made her blush.
It was like seeing him for the first time all over again. Her insides were flowing with that gut wrenching feeling. Her pulse quickened. She spotted Serena next to him, eating chips. His tall figure was leaning over a counter, expression dark as he fixed his eyes on a glass of scotch, pushing it between hands. His face didn't wear the usual smirk. Blair breathed in, lifted her chin high and proudly walked towards Serena. Just as she was passing him she heard him say in a hesitating voice
''And where is she alre-''
''Blair!?'' Serena screamed. Her lips were turned up in a mocking smile, teasingly looking at Chuck.
''Hey, sorry Im late'' she kissed her best friend, very much aware of his proximity ''Did you order anything, Im starving.''
''No, I was worried about you! I thought you'd bail. What's with your phone?''
''Ugh, I forgot it. But please lets order some pizza before I die. Im in the mood por some pepperoni.''
''Okay, Chuck will- Wait. He was just here...''
Blair turned around and saw he was gone. She felt disappointed and relieved.
They soon ordered. Most of people were half drunk already, laughing, taking pictures and few led tete-a-tete in the corner. Blair was sitting on the couch alone, silently contemplating how to eat all pizza without sharing . A doorbell rang. She left her beer on a table and went to grab a knob when in the exact moment someone else did. A large hand covered hers.
An unknown fire roared in her ribcage, threatening to burn her alive. The flames didn't sting, they surged through her, leaving behind a strong feeling. For a moment it blurred her eyes and made her feel feverish. She quickly retreated a hand. Chuck stood there mute, looking at her. His brow furrowed. He opened a mouth to say something but got interrupted by the doorbell. His jaw clenched and unclenched. He quickly opened the door.
A deliveryman had his head bent down while checking the order. The moment he looked up, his eyes diverted from Chuck to her.
''Hey'' he said smiling.
It was a boy from her high school. They had math class together.
She would have smiled back had Chuck not over payed and slammed the door shut in his face. He went straight for the kitchen.
''Hey, where are you going with my pizza?'' she yelled at him.
''You mean MY pizza. I payed for it.'' Chuck said with his famous smirk.
''I don't care what you did, I ordered it and it's MINE.''
He stopped in midway spinning around. Chuck cocked his head. Licking lips, he said ''Okay.''
''Okay what?'' she was suspicious. He was never so easy to persuade.
''Yeah, it's yours if'' he then approached her closer, holding pizza high above his head with a right arm ''if you kiss me.''
She laughed nervously, feeling his hard abs while stopping him from getting too close. His strong perfume was intoxicating. He was teasing her.
''No, you have a girlfriend.'' The words left bitter taste in her mouth. He paused for a moment.
''She will never know.'' Blair wasn't sure if he was being serious or just playing with her.
If Chuck was actually serious, he was even bigger jerk than she thought. Irreparable jerk. The one you think you can save and change, but end up heartbroken and slammed to the pits of Depressionland. It was inevitable.
On the other hand, if he was playing with her, it was obvious he treated her like every other girl. Blair hated non-privileged treatments in love.
Suddenly she wasn't so hungry anymore. This was humiliating. Messing with a boy who had a girlfriend. No, that was against her standards. She was a destination, not the stop by. Not only did it anger her, it also made her sad. The fact that she liked a boy who had a girlfriend devastated her. The fact that she had no control over her heart made her feel emotions she wasn't aware even existed. Talking to him was where she drew the line. Blair had no business messing his relationship and ruining the girl's life. She left that to easy sluts he fucked every weekend.
Chuck was not only taken, but also a cheating bastard and everyone knew it. Including his girlfriend. He never heard of the word love.
''Drop dead'' she nonchalantly added and walked away.
He wasn't the kind to run after girls.
A/N: It's going to be few chapters until some action. Let me know what you think about this new fic!