Jenny knows she's too late even before the gasps and laughs start.
She reaches for Vanessa – pale, thin arms stretching out a distance she will never be able to reach. She will never be able to reach Vanessa again after this. The light hits and it blinds Jenny. She wants to shield her eyes. She wants to run. She wants to cry.
The moment seems longer than it really is; people stare and laugh and Vanessa leaves in tears. Jenny doesn't remember offering the humiliated girl her coat again; she thinks only of the damage this has done. How far gone she is. All she ever wanted was to be like Blair. Congratulations, J. You've done it.
Her gaze moves up, locks with Nate's for the briefest of moments. His eyes aren't cold or unforgiving. They are full of remorse and guilt. Not for her. She's seen that look before. It was in his eyes the day of the guerilla fashion show. He had pitied her then. Pity, she thought wryly, was such a driving emotion for Nate.
He stares at her and the moment lasts longer than she really wants it to. His eyes – gorgeous, blue, and loving – bore into her, and even though Vanessa was the one exposed to the entire school, Jenny feels absolutely naked.
And she hates the person she knows Nate sees.