I don't own anything. All characters Gossip Girl.
Inspired by the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
It was the summer of 1922, East Hampton Wainscott. A lone writer stumbled off the Hampton Jitney, wiping the sweat beads off the back off his neck he tells himself a woolen suit may be suitable for Manhattan living but not for this small paradise just an hour or so away. Offering crewman a few rumpled dollars he was handed his two suitcases and makes his way to the cab.
Daniel Humphrey is here for one reason and one reason only. His boss has made him. Dan is a budding writer, he longs to write awe-inspiring novels, swooning sonnets and tales of far of places, but to do that he needs money. So Dan slaves for the New York Times, he's made a modest living out of it, recently writing under the pseudonym The Insider. This time his Editor wants the ultimate scoop - rumor has Manhattan's sweethearts have come to the Hampton's to tie the knot (they've been engaged much too long so it must be true) thus here is Daniel.
Making his way up the small path, following a crudely drawn map of how to get to his dwelling, Dan comes his very own Hampton's Home. A small white paneled beach hut, small steps leading up to its blue door and a small garden with some flower beds. Hell if he doesn't get much gossiping done maybe he could have a career has a gardener.
Next door to his home he was faced with a colossal mansion. Pillar's lining the outside, rows of stairs leading upwards, white stone - hell possibly marble walls, large windows, one the landscaped gardens surrounding were fountains, sculptures, animal shaped bushes, gardeners toiling, maids running around and four vans lined up at the drive with person after person carrying boxes. Dan's mind couldn't comprehend what he was living next to - sure they are worse next door neighbors than the filthy rich, was it a hotel? A large extended families home? The wealth here was beyond Dan's imagination. A yellow roadster drove up the drive, the slender body was mesmerizing as it moved in the sunlight, parking, it's owner slowly and stylishly (in a body movement Dan would never be able to embody) hopped out of the vehicle. A pastel green suit, slicked back hair and bowtie. All of the people working stopped to look at him. He seemed to greet everyone he walked passed as he made his way into the Castle. This, this is what Dan needed next door to him, imagine all the dirty secrets he could spill, imagine the pay check!
Dan had been so mesmerized by the experience he hadn't realized that he had walked straight into the road from his own garden, suddenly a large horn pulled him from his thoughts and jet black roadster, speeding down the lane at high-speed, very nearly went into the side of him, luckily just clipping his ankle, Dan jumped out-of-the-way.
The car came screeching to a halt, narrowly missing Dan's overgrown hedge. A flurry of blonde hair, flowery dress, tanned legs and squealing jumped out of the car.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry! I was going so fast and I didn't see you.. and well you clearly didn't see me.." she was rushing as she ran over to him in the least lady like fashion.
Dan blinked at the blonde girl, "Uh, you could have killed m-" he paused mid through his sentence, he hadn't seen her. But my oh my, was Dan hit. Her long blonde hair, billowed through the breeze, tanned skin, blue eyes, long limbs and a smile that hit him harder than her car. "Excuse me, it's me that should apologize, I was too busy looking at my neighbor.
The girl smiled, and briefly shot her eyes up to the house above. "I'm Serena, Serena va-"
"der Woodsen." Dan finished with a smile. "Yeah, I know who you are. I work for the New York Times, we love you on page six."
Serena laughed. "And what may I call you? New York Times Boy?"
Dan took the hand she held out for him to lift him up "Daniel Humphrey, please call me Dan."
"Dan." she smiled again as Dan rose to his feet and dusted himself down. "Dan, I feel awful, I'm on my way back to a friends, would you like to join me for lunch? Maybe a Daiquiri?"
"Oh I couldn't impose.." yes, yes he could impose.
"Don't be silly! I nearly killed you! Come, I'll show you round. The way you were looking up there, I can tell you've never been to Wainscott before.."
"Great." Dan got into the car with Serena and she drove off.
"So, Dan what are you doing in the Hampton's?" Serena asked, car swerving viciously as she drove around a bend.
"Well, the paper has given me time off, I'm here to enjoy my summer." he replied, thinking on his feet.
"What do you write?"
"I'm usually a sports writer."
The car took another bend at great speed, Serena barely missed a sign post.
"You're a lousy driver." Dan smirked.
"What! I'm careful!" she squealed, again swerving too hard and hitting her foot on the break.
"No, you're not."
"Well, other people are."
"What's that got to do with it?"
"They keep out of my way, it takes two to make an accident."* Serena put her foot back down on the accelerator and they sped off down another curving drive.
Pulling up to a large red colonial style home, a large willow tree in the front, grass being mowed and a small pond with some ducks, Serena announced that this was their stop.
"This is my best friend, Blair's home. Well her summer home." Serena explained, "I'm staying here for the summer before I go back to New York in the fall."
"You've been away?" Dan asked.
"I've been in Europe.. studying." she said, her eyes not meeting his.
Dan left it, and followed her into the large house.
The garden they walked into was surrounded by large green trees, freshly cut grass and large pool. Blair Waldorf was decadently spread on a chaise lounge by the pool. She fanned herself with a pale pink fan and beside her was an empty wine cooler.
"Serena! Where have you been? I've been forced to sit out here and catch up with your tan."
"Sorry B, I took the car for a spin an-"
"Nearly ran someone down again? God, Serena you are rotten driver." She sniped, Blair hadn't even looked up at them yet.
"You've nearly killed someone before?" Dan whispered.
Serena giggled, "Once or twice." she winked.
Blair sat up straight "Serena, who are you giggling at!" as she turned she raised her eyebrows at Dan, her critical gaze judged, mocked and worked him out with one swoop of her long lashes.
"B, this is Daniel Humphrey, my latest victim." Serena smirked.
Blair briefly smiled, "Charmed."
"Really nice to meet you Miss Waldorf."
"Yes, it is nice for you." Blair quipped and lifted herself out of her chair, her length of her white dress hitting her ankles. "I'd offer you a drink, but we are fresh out."
Serena shook her head, offered Dan a white iron wire chair next to the matching table, she took a seat next to him, "We're fine right now."
"He should be back soon." Blair sighed and dramatically flopped back down, her wrist falling over her eyes to shield her from the blistering sun. "Humphrey, what is it that you do?"
"Me? I'm a writer. For the New York Times."
"Ugh. Not another reporter, Serena I told yo-" Blair spoke wagging her fingers.
"He's a sports writer, B! The most he'll print about you is your squash elbow." Serena giggled.
Blair was not impressed. "Fine. Welcome to the Hampton's, Hum-Drum."
Dan stifled a laugh at her flat-out rudeness.
"Take no notice of Blair, she's just cranky. We've run out of Creme de Frais." Serena whispered. "Speak of the devil.."
Dan turned his head, through the patio doors walked a man, in a navy day suit sans blazer, white shirt, carrying two paper bags. He was muscular, blonde and walked with such authority Dan felt like a child.
"Natie! So nice to have you back!" Serena sang and got up to kiss his cheek.
Blair didn't move from her position nor did she speak.
"I've not been that long, Serena." he smiled, he looked over at Dan, "and who is your friend?"
"Oh, I'm Daniel Humphrey, Serena here ran me over."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Nate winked.
A dark-haired woman, in a maids uniform came over and took the bags from Nate, he then sat down, pulling out a cigarette. "How has your morning been?" he asked.
"Fine, fine. Blair has bathed all morning."
Nate looked over at Blair, "Is that so? No florist class today?"
"No, cancelled. It's too hot." Blair said, still not looked up.
"It's never too hot." Nate hooted.
Blair sighed and got up once more, "Where is Dorota?" she mumbled to herself, she wrapped her arms around herself and took off into the patio doors without another word.
"So happy, so full of life." Nate lamented.
"Anyway, where have you been?" Serena enquired, popping a few raspberries into her mouth.
"Into the town, had a drive, just needed to get out."
"We've only been here three days!"
"The sooner summer ends the better, we agreed, the end of this summer."
"What about Blair, I didn't think-"
"Didn't think, I wanted what, S?" Blair enquired as she waltzed back over with Dorota just behind who was carrying fresh beverages.
"Daiquiri, anyone?" Blair offered, she took her own and laid back down.
"The wedding, end of the summer." Serena explained.
"Exactly. It's happening in November."
"Blair, now you know what we discussed." Nate warned.
Blair turned her nose up, "No one gets married in August, anymore. Unless you are poor and have no taste. It's tacky. November." she held Nate's gaze for a few more seconds.
Nate smiled, "We'll see. Let's not discuss this now. We have guests."
Blair smiled, her eyes telling a different story. Nate, Serena and Dan continued to chat.
There was definitely a story here.
*Taken straight from the Great Gatsby. One of my favourites and I think it fits with Serena.
Sorry no CB, but needed to get this out of the way.
Hope you enjoyed - Bx
