GOSSIP GIRL- Chapter #1
Jenny is selling drugs with Damian and gets in over her head. The buyer is pissed off with the quality of the cocaine and grabs Jenny. She's terrified and makes a desperate call to Chuck for help. She explains to Chuck that the buyer is going to take it out on her physically if he doesn't get the cocaine he pays for. He doesn't want the money back either. So Chuck and Nate show up. Chuck talks to the buyer alone and gets things settled. The buyer releases Jenny to him and the three of them leave. In the limo, Chuck tells his driver Damian's address and they go to hunt him down. Chuck tells Nate and Jenny to stay put as he leaves the limo.
"Jenny what were you thinking? Are you doing it for the money?" Nate asks in disgust.
Jenny has a break down and starts sobbing, "I don't know!"
"Living on the edge, the rush you get from the danger… is that it?" Nate questions.
Jenny cries into her hands, "It's the only time I feel alive!"
Nate hugs her and she sobs on his shoulder, "I've made a mess of my life! I don't know who I am anymore. I look in the mirror and see a stranger. I hate who I am and how I treat people. I hate myself. I am so lost!"
He hugs her and she looks at him with smudged make-up and his heart goes out to her. She says, "everyone would be better off if I was dead."
"Don't say that Jenny!" Nate's concern apparent in his tone of voice.
"No one would care," Jenny says in defeat.
Nate makes her look at him, "I would care."
"You're with Serena, why would you need to. She's everything; smart, wild, beautiful, caring… I am not worthy to even breath the same air as her."
Jenny sobs all the harder. Nate holds her as her tears soak through his shirt. He realizes nothing he will say right now will help her. She's still crying on him, when Chuck gets back into the limo, a very satisfied look on his face. Nate raises an eyebrow at him in question.
"Let's just say Damian owes me big time," Chuck smirks. He then gives a pointed look at Nate and nods at Jenny.
Jenny thanks Chuck for the rescue through her tears. She begs him not to take her home, she can't face the rest of the family yet. Chuck allows her to come with him and Nate. He tells her he is calling Dan and telling him that she is with them and she will have to explain everything in the morning. She agrees. She is talking through Nate's shoulder, unable to look at Chuck in her shame, so Jenny doesn't see him roll his eyes. Chuck tells the driver to take him home. On the way, the emotional hell Jenny has been through and her tears makes her fall asleep on Nate. Once they arrive at Chuck's, instead of waking her, Nate just carries her into the apartment. He puts her in a room on the bed and leaves the door open a crack, before joining Chuck for a few drinks. A half hour or so later, Jenny wakes up and opens up her jacket pocket. She reaches in and pulls out a pile of pills. She is sitting on the bed wondering if she has the guts to eat them all. Nate walks by the room and peaks in to check on her. He sees the pills, rushes into the room and smacks her hand. The pills fly all over, Jenny gasps in surprise. Ashamed she hangs her head, her body shakes with quiet sobs. Nate sits down beside her.
"Please don't leave me alone tonight," she whispers hick-upping on her tears.
He props his back against the head board and she puts her head on his chest. He has one arm around her and with the other hand he wipes a piece of tear soaked hair off her cheek. He notices ten minutes later she is breathing deeply and he see's she has gone to sleep. Nate watches her sleep, Chuck comes in and shakes his head, but closes the door and leaves them alone. Eventually Nate falls asleep too.
Jenny wakes up in the morning first, noticing Nate is spooning her and has one of his arms protectively over her. She rolls over, still under his arm. He doesn't open his eyes and she thinks he is still sleeping. She watches him a few minutes to make sure and then whispers her confession.
"I wish I could tell you this when you're awake. I never stopped loving you Nate. I wish you didn't hate who I am. I wish I could change things." Jenny sighs and closes her eyes, trying to go back to sleep. She wants to cherish every moment with him. Silent tears pour down her cheek.
Nate opens his eyes when she stops talking, he heard her all along. He sees that her eyes are closed and the tears are making a wet spot on the pillow. He wipes the tears away with his thumb and her eyes spring open. She thanks him for being a good friend, bravely trying not to show him how much he means to her. Nate hugs her and they get up for breakfast. When Chuck joins them she thanks him too, giving him an awkward hug. She tells them both she is going to tell her dad everything. Nate and Chuck offer to go with her, Nate for support and Chuck for the entertainment factor.
Once Jenny has Rufus seated, she tells her dad about dealing drugs and thinking about suicide. Rufus is angry and then concerned. He grounds her for life and makes her agree to see a councillor. But he also tells her he loves her and gives her a long hug. When she leaves the room to go for a shower, he thanks Chuck and Nate. Chuck leaves and Nate goes out a few minutes later for coffee with Serena.
A week later, Nate drops in unexpectedly one evening to see how Jenny is. No one else is home and Serena is out with Blair. He goes into the kitchen and catches Jenny cutting herself and bleeding on the kitchen floor. He helps her bandage the cut and clean up the mess.
"Why are you hurting yourself?"
Jenny explains, not looking at him, "it's the only thing that feels real. It's what I can control."
He cups her face in his hands and gives her a deep kiss. "Did you feel that?"
She looks at him and whispers, "yes."
"Jenny, you're strong, stronger than you think. I will help you sort out things. Hurting yourself is never the answer."
"I don't know where to start Nate."
"Have you designed any new clothing? Start with something you love."
So Jenny shows him her new drawings and some of the cloth swatches she bought with the drug money. She explain's she couldn't afford full bolts of cloth. Nate suggests they work on a business proposal. Then she can approach Lilly as a financial backer. Jenny says that there is no way she could ask her step mom for money. She likes the idea of making a plan, a guideline for her business. Nate then asks her if she would present her business plan to Chuck. She is undecided, but he tells her he will help her all the way. Since she still loves him, anytime around him is time well spent. She doesn't know he heard her profess her love to him and she finally agrees.
"In two weeks I can have a set of designs and advertising ideas and a fabric layout."
"Okay and then I will give you a guideline for the business side of things. Chuck is savvy and likes to cover all angles. You've already made a stir in the fashion industry, so I think he'll be interested."
"Thank you Nate." Jenny smiles and it finally reaches her eyes.
"You are welcome. Now how far behind are you in school? Not that it ever was my strong point either."
Jenny rolls her eyes. "That bad?" Nate says.
"Worse."
"Well I can try and help you there a little and I am sure Serena can too. What's your worst subjects?"
Nate sat with Jenny for hours, going over her school stuff. They picked out which subjects were the worst. When Serena came home, she helped too. Eventually Nate left, once the rest of the family arrived too. There was a lot of work to do, but at least Jenny knew where to start. It would take a few months of super tedious work, but Jenny knew she could do it, mostly because Nate had found faith in her again. He had told her that she needed to be true to who she once was, while building on that foundation and balancing her wild side. She could be devious, but didn't need to be evil and betray her friends. And he pointed out she had learned the hard way, that too much hate and lies meant ending up alone. Dan gave her a journal to write her thoughts in and she used it now to express everything she was feeling. Surprisingly it helped her put her head straight.
True to his word, Nate shows up regularly to work on school and the business plan. They grow closer, rebuilding their friendship and the openness they once had. A bit of the old Jenny comes back. After they finish the business plan, she pushes him playfully. A wrestling-tickling match begins. They have a good laugh. Nate wins the wrestling match, ending with him on top, straddling Jenny and pinning her hands beside her head. He sees Jenny's desire light up her eyes. He kisses her nose, which breaks the moment. They wrestle a little more and end up falling on the floor in a tangled heap. As Jenny gets up, her back is to Nate and she misses the look in his eyes. He wants her too, but he knows the timing isn't right and he still has feelings for Serena. He doesn't know how Jenny fits into his life right now, other than friendship.
GOSSIP GIRL posts a picture of Nate and Jenny walking arm in arm down the street. The caption reads, "Does Serena approve of this rekindled friendship?"
Jenny shows Nate the Gossip Girl post and he says that Serena knows they are just friends. He chooses to ignore the hurt look that flashes over Jenny's face. She recovers quickly and reconfirms that she knows he's a good friend.
Finally the day arrives when Jenny is ready to present her business plan to Chuck. Nate sets up the meeting and pushes Jenny forward, whispering words of encouragement. He knows Chuck is a shrewd businessman, having learnt his lessons well from Bart Bass. The presentation, lay out and business outline that Jenny presents is very professional. Nate sees Chuck is impressed. After Jenny is done, Chuck quietly looks over the figures. There is genuine interest.
Chuck pins Jenny with his eyes, "so you want me to be a silent partner?"
"I… yes, I'd like to maintain control and have you cover the start up costs."
"Okay, I will look into it and draw up a preliminary contract. You can have Lilly and Rufus review it, to guarantee it's fair," Chuck agreed.
Nate smiles and Jenny realizes Chuck has given his approval. Jenny thanked Chuck. Chuck gets a phone call, winks at Nate and then excuses himself. They leave his office and in the hallway Nate picks up Jenny and swings her around.
"I'm taking you out to celebrate!" Nate says.
"Right now?" Jenny asks breathlessly.
"Yup right now. We will drop off your stuff and then go. You deserve it."
"Thanks Nate!" Jenny says joyously.
So they drop off her presentation materials. Then Nate takes her to diner and they have champagne.
GOSSIP GIRL: Spotted, Jenny and Nate having a bottle of bubbly! I wonder what they're celebrating?
Back in the limo Jenny is glowing and full of giggles, the champagne gave her a buzz. She thanks Nate for encouraging her to do the business plan and approach Chuck. Her heart is open. Nate hugs her and she gets bold and gives him a kiss on the lips. He responds with equal passion and they get swept away in the moment. It gets hot and heavy, both wanting to get closer to each other. Jenny pulls back a little. Nate invites her to come in and into his room. She's a little nervous, but she has missed kissing him so much. No one is around and she lets him kiss her neck and she unbuttons his shirt, running her hands over his muscles. He helps her out of her clothing and she undoes his pants. They both step out of their respective piles of cloths. They touch and kiss, breathing quickening. They move to his bed, still in their under cloths. Jenny lies down under Nate, and can't help letting her body grind up against his. She wants him as much as he wants her.
"Nate…" Jenny pauses nervously, "I'm still a virgin." She's worried that he will be angry and can't look him in the eyes, instead looks at his shoulder.
He cups her chin with a hand, holding himself up with the other and his knees. He forces her to look at him, "are you sure you want to continue? Because we can stop now if you want , it's ok."
Jenny's mind is at war. She wants him so bad, but she doesn't want to hurt Serena. She wants to loose her virginity to him, but she is scared about it too.
Nate says, "if you are worried about protection, I have some in my night table," he reaches into the drawer and shows her.
She decides right then, that she wants this now. She answers him by reaching up and pulling him down to kiss her. He is gentle and has a good hold on his control. He wants her to enjoy it all. Jenny is nervous, but hungry and he knows it. He kisses her face, neck and every part of her exposed skin. He lets her nibble, kiss and touch him. Nate takes things slowly, making sure every moment that Jenny still wanted him completely. She groaned with pleasure as they explored each others bodies. He took her to a new level of passion, she never knew existed. She begged him with words, eyes and body to be one with her and he finally did. Jenny was released from her need and she surprise him with her desire. He looses control at last and is amazed she could do that to him. She definitely wasn't a virgin anymore.
Once they are lying in each others arms, with lazy satisfaction, Jenny apologizes for not knowing how to please him. He tells her that she was amazing and that he's never shared anything like that with anyone else. "What you shared with me, what you gave of yourself to me, was very special. It is I who thank you. You are beautiful." Nate said with genuine emotion.
Jenny blushes with sudden embarrassment. They cuddle a while, just enjoying each other's company. They see the time and realize it has become pretty late. They help each other dress. Nate takes her home, they kiss in the car.
"Nate, I know you are with Serena, but I don't care. Just promise me we are still friends?"
Reality of everything hits Nate. "Always, we are always going to be friends. I care very much for you. I'm just confused too," he admits truthfully.
"It's okay, I shouldn't have pushed this on you. I'm sorry," Jenny says with sudden maturity.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I mean it Jenny. This is on me, not you. Whatever happens with Serena and I, well happens."
Jenny is willing to share Nate and tells him so. "You don't have to choose Nate! I will still want to be with you, but you need to want me too. If it ever happens again, and I will always want it to, you don't need to tell her. I can keep it a secret. You mean too much to me. I would rather be friends, then loose you."
Nate is surprised at what Jenny is willing to sacrifice to be with him. He has a lot of soul searching to do. Even though she says he doesn't, he knows he has to choose. For now, he doesn't know. And he wants Jenny to have the night end on a positive note. "Thank you for being so understanding. You are an amazing woman." He hugs her and gives her a long passionate kiss. They lean their foreheads against each other and look into each other's eyes.
Jenny smiles and laughs. She gives him a coy and seductive look, "good night Nate!" With that she gets out of the car and waves good-bye.
Nate watches her go with a grin. For now he too would forget about everything else and just enjoy what they had shared. She wasn't a little girl anymore and he liked the woman she was becoming. He hadn't mentioned it earlier, but he had noticed that no fresh cut marks were on her skin. She was back in control of her life. He just wonders if he has created a lustful monster. Jenny somehow instinctually knew that she could seduce him any time she wanted now. Nate knew she would test his control in the near future. He smiles and is in deep thought as the car pulls away from the curb. The up coming months would definitely be interesting to say the least.
CHAPTER #2
Nate was watching a movie with Serena, but he wasn't paying attention. He was thinking about Jenny. It was over a month since he had been intimate with her. At the time he technically had not been Serena's boyfriend, so he never told her about Jenny. And true to her word Jenny said nothing too. Nate was beginning to realize that maybe he didn't love Serena, that it had always been obsession. She had been the one he couldn't have for so long. Neither of them truly was in deep love with the other. There was passion, great sex, but something was missing. Almost like it was all about Serena instead of mutual discovery. She was comfortable with Nate, but he was her rebound. He had a feeling that eventually she'd find someone new to capture her heart. Jenny he still helped with school and her business. He was almost like a consultant. They were good friends again and that's how he knew she wasn't dating anyone else. At first she'd been a little shy around him, after their hook up. But she focused on her school stuff and designing and that passed. He knew she was going to her councillor regularly, since she often shared with him what they'd talked about. Eventually even Rufus revoked the grounded status, because Jenny had proven she was more responsible now. She was back to average in grades at school. The contract that Lilly and Rufus had finally approved with Chuck, had conditional clauses that Jenny had to finish high school and take a few college courses too. Designing her clothing is what drove Jenny to rebel originally and it is now what kept her focused and down to earth.
The other day Jenny had shown Nate that she had re-created the dresses that Agnes had burned when that friendship had exploded. They weren't exactly the same, they were better. She had looked at him and he had wanted to kiss her badly, but restrained himself. There was intense chemistry between them. But neither was ready yet. But it was getting harder and harder to keep his hands off Jenny. When she had been showing him the dresses, he had caught a view of her changing, via a mirror, and his body had responded. Then she had tripped coming out of her room, he caught her and they had a moment of sexual awareness, before Nate stepped back. When Jenny touched his leg casually when talking, he was focused on where her hand rested. Nate knew if she was in the room, even if she said nothing and his back was to her. These feelings were only with Jenny and not with Serena.
Rufus allowed Jenny to go out with Serena, Blair, Chuck, Nate and Eric to a dance club. Eric went to find his boyfriend, while the girls headed for the dance floor. Chuck and Nate got a booth and ordered drinks.
"You're stairing at her," Chuck said nudging Nate's arm.
"What?" Nate said distractedly.
"Serena will notice you watching Jenny."
Nate hadn't realized it until Chuck voiced it. He had been watching Jenny on the dance floor, not Serena. Chuck wasn't about to let it die easily either. "What happened between you and Jenny?"
"I'm with Serena, you know that." Nate dodged.
"That's not what I asked and you know it. Have another drink and then go dance between them," Chuck said devilishly.
It would be stepping into a fire pit, but Nate couldn't just sit there jealously. When Jenny danced up against a guy, he wanted to punch out the one she chose. He'd never relax. Two shots of whisky and he made his move. Chuck laughed behind him, enjoying the potential drama. On the dance floor Blair, Serena and Jenny joined him. Nate was in a circle of girls for a few songs, then Blair joined Chuck. Serena made it into a Nate sandwich, pressing up behind him and encouraging Jenny to dance back up on him. The song playing was perfect for their threesome dance. Nate had his hands on Jenny, when she turned and motioned she needed a drink. She left Nate dancing with Serena.
Jenny went into the ladies washroom and just stood there in front of the mirror a few minutes. She splashed some cold water on her face, dried up and fixed her make-up.
'What am I doing?' She thought to herself. 'If Blair sees me interested in Nate, she will be militant on behalf of Serena.'
Jenny went to the table and sat beside Chuck, he gave her a shot and she downed it. Blair was already back on the dance floor. Chuck gave her another shot of whisky. He leaned closer to her as he passed the drink.
Chuck couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire, "Nate can't keep his eyes off you."
Jenny looked at Chuck, said nothing and downed the shot again. She ordered a coke, not wanting to get drunk and loose her control. She was struggling to show nothing as it was. Eric came by at the perfect moment and provided an escape. He was leaving with his boyfriend Mark. Jenny asked if they would drop her off at home and they agreed. She told everyone she had a headache and avoided meeting Nate's eyes. Eric was too distracted by Mark, to notice anything, which Jenny was glad for in the limo.
At home Jenny took an almost cold shower. Then once in her comfy cloths, did some quick clothing sketches. Afterward Jenny wrote in her journal. She let out on paper all the details about the night. She released her tortured thoughts about Nate. Her journal was the only thing that kept her sanity around him. Lately she noticed every detail of their encounters. When they'd been dancing tonight, her body reacted in a way that shocked her. Feeling him grinding against her, his hands on her stomach and hip, made her tingle with anticipation. Jenny had felt this deep inner shiver that was primal and completely sexual. Even putting it in her journal made her all hot and bothered again. But she'd rather feel this longing and have him in her life, then nothing at all. As complicated as it seemed, she was enjoying the wait. It was a game of control and made her feel very alive. Jenny touched the fading cut scar on her wrist. She'd never do that again, too much of life to live for and explore. Not yet tired, she picked up her sketch book and drew. Eventually she fell asleep.
In the morning Jenny looked at her sketches and realized that sexual tension helped her creative release. The drawings she had started last night, were edgier, more adult, they were fantastic. She needed to go check out fabrics to fuel this new direction. Once she showered and changed, she wolfed down breakfast. She was at the table looking through Friday's mail. Two things caught her eye; a magazine on asian fashion trends, and a letter to Serena from Carter. Jenny left the letter under another piece of the mail for Serena and decided cloth shopping could wait. She wanted to see how Serena would react. So the magazine was her focus as she sat on the couch. This gave her perfect view of the mail pile.
Serena arrived with Nate, Jenny overheard her talking about last night. Serena said, "what got into you last night?"
Nate replied, "what?"
Serena clarified with a giggle, "you were wild and demanding!"
Jenny grinned to herself. If Nate felt anything like she had, being around each other, then he'd been needing release. And she had something to do with that. Jenny loved knowing that she could drive Nate as crazy as he did her. That alone was worth it to wait for him.
"Good morning Jenny," Serena said.
"Hi Serena... Nate. Oh, Serena there's mail for you. Can I have the Fashion Magazine when you're done with it? There is a Milan article I want to read."
"Okay, sure." Serena said heading for the mail.
Nate looked at Jenny and she refused to meet his eyes, keeping hers on the magazine in her lap. She knew he wanted to make contract. Jenny only looked up when Serena gasped.
"What's wrong?" Nate asked re-directing his attention to Serena.
Jenny watched Serena hide Carter's letter in another magazine. 'Interesting,' Jenny thought.
"Um... nothing, I've just been waiting for this magazine forever, that's all." Serena recovered quickly.
Nate's eyes narrowed, he knew she was lying. He let it go for now. "Ok, you women and your magazines," he shrugged.
Serena excused herself and went to her room. Nate stayed. Jenny had no escape, try as she might, Nate would not be ignored. "Did you have fun last night?" He asked her.
Jenny looked him straight in the eyes and smiled, "as much as you did."
Nate smirked and winked at her. Jenny laughed out loud. "You helped fuel some interesting designs."
"I'd like to see them some time."
"I bet you do," Jenny said with a grin.
Nate chuckled, "no seriously."
So Jenny showed him her sketch pad and told him she would be checking out fabric today. Nate was impressed with what he saw and told her he noticed it was not her usual style. But he wasn't going to be distracted this time.
"So who was the letter from?" Nate said so casually he caught Jenny off guard.
"You saw a letter?" Jenny tried to recover.
Nate looked at her pointedly. She didn't want to lie to him, so she replied, "not for me to say, ask Serena."
"Fair enough," he said and went to do so. He knocked on Serena's bedroom door, "Serena?"
Serena invited him into her room. Jenny decided it was a good time to leave. She grabbed her stuff and left. Nate and Serena had some things to work through alone. She had fabric to find. She would just focus on her designs and wait to see what happened. As she had promised Nate before, she would stay out of their way. For now Jenny was content knowing that Nate still wanted her too.
CHAPTER #3
Jenny ended up being busier than she ever dreamed possible. She rarely saw Serena and Nate, other than to say a quick hi, as she ran out the door. Lilly was sponsoring a charity play to raise funds for cancer. She convinced Jenny to design the costumes. Some how Lilly had also organized it as extra credit for school. Lilly would pay for the fabric for the costumes and set design. Jenny at first was overwhelmed and then honoured that she was involved. The fairy tale was called 'The Firebird and Princess Vasilisa'. Jenny had to read the script to see how many costumes she had to create. The biggest challenges would be creating the horse, firebird and the wedding dress for the princess. And she had to make sure that the costumes matched the set design. She hadn't met the set designer yet, but whom ever it was, had created a mini model of what would be done. This is what Jenny used to figure out the costume colours and concepts. The mini model was perfect. It was a little more old school than contemporary.
Jenny met the actors and actresses to get their measurements, created drawings and templates for the costumes and fabric layout. Lilly gave her approval and assigned two girls and one guy as her assistants. These people would help her sew, cut and put together the costumes. Jenny had a small task force compared to that of the set design, but she was grateful for the help. Every moment not spent for school, was taken up by this play.
The theatre that was rented for the production had two floors. The upper floor had a conference room that Jenny had taken over for the costume design. There were four sewing machines, tables of supplies, fabric and everything they needed to get the job done. Eric and Mark came by with diner one night. Mark ended up knowing Josh, Jenny's helper. They stayed while everyone ate, but Jenny kicked them out later. Josh was an expert with a sewing machine. Sonja and Karie were good all around, but needed direction. They were working together to complete the horse.
Jenny admired the set when she came in the next day. As she watched them paint, she felt like someone was watching her. Looking around she didn't see anyone turned her way, so she shrugged off the feeling. She went to do her own share of work. The first part of the play had the royal huntsman finding the firebird's feather with the talking horse. The horse costume was just about done and Josh was finishing the huntsman costume today. Sonja had begun the King's costume and Karie had the firebird partially started. Jenny had to fix the hem and waist line of Princess Vasilisa's normal dress and then she'd be focused on the crab and wedding dress. The crab she hoped she could get the set designer's help on. Then she'd only have to do the legs and arms of the crab in fabric. Lilly had given her the cell number of the set designer, so they could arrange meetings. Jenny called and left him a message to meet her tonight by the stage. She hadn't received a call back, so she decided that meant they would meet. In the mean time she had tons of work to do. The people of the town wouldn't have more then a vest, hat or skirt for costume, but it all had to be co-ordinated.
The others left and Jenny was still working on the wedding dress. She jumped when her cell alarm told her to go to the meeting. She quickly packed up and locked the door. Running down the stairs made her breathless, but she got there on time. The stage was well lit and Jenny climbed up on to it. She put out the crab drawings. No one seemed to be around.
"Hello? Anyone here?"
A voice answered up in the rafters, "Yah, just a second, fixing something up here. I'll be right down."
"Okay, no rush!" Jenny called out.
A red headed guy appeared five minutes later and apologized for being late. Jenny found he talked fast and came across as aggressive. His name was Derek and he was in college. He agreed to the crab cut out and said he'd have it ready for her tomorrow night. Jenny gave him a piece of fabric to match the paint colour. He told her to meet him same time and same place. Then he told her he was closing the site so she would have to leave. He wasn't exactly rude to her, but definitely seemed in a rush.
CHAPTER #4
Jenny was waiting for Derek as promised. He appeared on time and showed her the completed crab. She had to admit that his work was excellent. He'd even left small holes in the frame for her to attach the fabric and the colour was dead on.
"This is fantastic, thank you."
"You're welcome. So next week on Wednesday night is the dress rehearsal, did you know?"
"Yes, costumes will be ready. How about you? The set looks awesome!" Jenny praised.
Derek turned to look at it. "Yah the set is done, but I'm still having issues with the tow lines and lighting."
"Well I'm done for tonight, how about you?" She asked.
"Nope, I still have stuff to fix. Have a good night." With that said, Derek jumped on stage and Jenny left.
She was walking down the hallway towards the door, the lights were unusually dim. Jenny turned before reaching the door because she heard something behind her. She thought it was Derek and didn't expect to be hit in the face. Some guy was trying to assault her. Shock made her immobile for a few seconds and then adrenaline kicked in. She stomped her high heels into his toes. He grunted and released her. She kicked him in the 'jewels' and as his head lowered, Jenny rammed her knee into his face. He fell to the floor in pain. She saw he had dark almost black hair and was heavier than Derek. She ran out the door and called the police. She reported the incident to them, but knew the guy would be gone by the time they'd arrive. Jenny was glad she'd paid attention in gym when they had the self defence class. The police gave her a ride home, as she was still a little shaken from the attack.
She wasn't going to tell anyone what had happened, but ended up having to. Eric came up behind her suddenly and she just reacted. Eric ended up being tossed over her hip and he hit the floor in a surprised heap.
"What did you do that for?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry! You scared me!" Jenny apologized helping him up.
Eric wouldn't leave it alone and kept bugging her until she snapped. Jenny explained the attack on her. Eric was concerned for her.
"I told the police and I'm fine Eric, just drop it."
He didn't believe her and was worried about her. The attacker hadn't gone after her purse, that meant he wanted something physical. As annoying as Jenny could be, he would never want her physically hurt. If she reacted badly to him approaching her, he knew she was still very upset about it. He watched her apply concealer to cover up the mark on her face that her attacker had left. Jenny got rid of him by going to her room and closing the door. She worked on school stuff. If she didn't stop and kept herself occupied, she didn't have to think about what had happened.
In the morning where she'd been hit, her face hurt and it was turning an ugly colour. Jenny was glad for the concealer makeup. It was Saturday and she had slept in. She had a little bit of homework to do, but the time would be consumed mainly finishing the dress for the play. Jenny was eating fruit in the kitchen when Eric and Nate cornered her.
"What?" She asked.
"I told Nate what happened last night," Eric replied.
"Why? It doesn't matter anymore." Jenny said with annoyance.
Nate tried to touch her arm, "Jenny…."
She ripped her arm out of his hand, "NO. I'm sick of being helpless little Jenny. I'm sick of being a victim! I'm done. You two get out of my way." She yelled, then grabbed her purse and coat as she ran out. She refused to cry and wiped her eyes angrily, in the elevator.
Nate and Eric were even more worried about her now. They pursued her in another elevator. They made it to the lobby in time to see her get into a cab. Eric asked the concierge where the cab was going and found out it was to a fabric store. They called another cab to follow Jenny. They waited until she was leaving and then forced her to join them.
"Is that a bruise?" Nate asked. He tried to touch Jenny's face and she slapped his hand away.
Eric answered him. "Um, yah, she was hit first."
"Not that you guys are listening to me… but I kicked his ass! I'm fine." Jenny's frustration with them apparent in her tone of voice.
Looking at Eric, Nate said, "We will take turns meeting you at the theatre at night. We will make sure you aren't bothered again."
Sarcasm dripping from her words, she said, "how gallant of you two." She then sighed, "now can you take me home?"
They weren't happy, that Jenny wasn't taking this seriously. When they arrived home, Jenny ignored Nate and Eric. She went into her room and locked the door. When she emerged two hours later, Nate and Eric were gone. She fixed the concealer and went to the theatre to work on the dress. She waived hello to Derek who was already there. The bodice of the wedding dress she had to attach to the gown. The crab costume was finished. There was a lot of beading and lace work too. Jenny stopped for lunch and later finished around 5 pm. A lot of progress on the dress had been made.
After locking up the conference room she went to say good-bye to Derek. He wasn't around. She spoke to one of the stage hands instead. As Jenny left, she felt like someone was following her. When she turned around, no one was there. It made her very nervous and she practically ran home.
Waiting for the elevator, she jumped when her dad touched her shoulder. Recovering quickly Jenny said, "hi dad."
Rufus asked, "you in tonight and around for diner?"
"Yup, why?"
"I'm making my famous spaghetti sauce."
"You need any help?" Jenny asked as they stepped into the elevator.
"Nope, you relax. I know the play is taking up all your free time."
Having diner with her dad, like they use to, was just what Jenny needed. It ended up just being the two of them. They talked about the gallery, school and the play. She went to bed early, the first time in months.
"Jenny… Jenny wake up!"
Jenny woke up, suddenly sitting up in bed. Nate was there. She was confused. "What? What are you doing in my room?"
"You were having a nightmare and yelling."
"Did I wake anyone else up?"
"Eric, but I told him to go back to bed." Nate hugged her, "You okay?"
"I don't remember what it was about."
Nate handed Jenny's robe to her. She followed him to the kitchen and got a glass of milk. "It's probably just stress, no big deal. Sorry for waking you up."
He looked at her with concern, "I'm here if you need to talk. You know that right?"
Jenny smiled at him, "I know."
"Do you want me to stay up with you a bit?"
"I'd like that."
Jenny leaned against Nate on the couch. He put his arm around her and they chatted like that for an hour or so. She thanked him and then went to bed again. As she said goodnight she saw a strange look on Nate's face, but she didn't pursue it. Nate watched her go and then went back to Serena. Serena didn't wake up and she had hogged all the blankets. When Serena and Nate got up in the morning, Nate noticed Jenny was already gone. He told Eric that tonight he would meet her at the theatre and Eric the following night if she was there.
At the theatre, Jenny was relieved that the wedding dress was finished. The girl playing the princess part had just tried it on and Jenny made the adjustments. She enjoyed the praise from the actress. Everyone's costumes were complete after a few alterations. They cleaned up the work area and hung up the costumes. Jenny thanked Sonja, Karie and Josh for all their help. She locked up and went to find Derek. He was having a melt down. He was telling off a stage hand who had broken a piece of the set. Since Jenny was done early, she helped Derek fix the set. He thanked her and explained that the set and this production was important on a personal level. His mom had cancer and even though the chemotherapy was going well, it was still stressful on his family. His mom loved plays and she was attending this one. Derek wanted the night to be perfect. She told him to call her if he needed anymore help and then left.
As Jenny left the stage, she saw a shadow of the person behind her. Her neck hairs prickled. When she turned around, no one was there. She walked up the isle of seats to get out of the main theatre. When a hand reached out to stop her, she almost screamed. With wide eyes she look at Nate.
"Hi Jenny."
"Did you see anyone behind me as I left the stage?"
"Sorry no, I just got here."
Jenny hugged Nate suddenly, really hard. He held her tightly. "Hey it's okay." Nate said rubbing her back.
"I'm just glad it's you…. I think I was being followed, but I can't prove anything. I might just be paranoid." Jenny explained.
"Well you're done working on this now. You don't have to be here until opening night."
Jenny stepped out of Nate's arms. "Thanks, you're right and I'm just being silly."
"Let's go. Serena has my car, so I called a cab."
As they left, a guy walked into the theatre and bumped Nate's shoulder hard. Jenny looked after the guy, he seemed familiar. She couldn't find out why, because the cab pulled up. Nate just called him a jerk. In the cab Jenny realized the jerk might have been her attacker. She decided not to say anything and leave it alone.
"Thanks for the ride Nate."
"No problem, see you around."
Lilly held the elevator for Jenny. They talked about the play and the final dress rehearsal before opening night. Jenny couldn't wait. She told Lilly about Derek's mom and how important the play was to him. Lilly said she'd talk to him about having his mother as a guest of honour and to dedicate the play to her. Jenny thought that was a great idea.
The rest of the week was uneventful. Friday night Eric came with Lilly and Jenny to the dress rehearsal. He said the costumes were great and the play would be awesome. Derek had agreed to dedicating the play to his mother, but said she didn't want the fuss of being the guest of honour. Lilly made sure she had the best seat in the theatre. Sonja and Karie told Jenny that if she wanted to watch the play opening night, that they would help behind the scenes. Jenny thanked them and agreed. She would sit with family and friends. Derek was nervous and she explained to him that his mom would love it no matter what. The stage could fall apart, but because he had put his heart into it, she would enjoy it all.
The play was sold out for both nights and the donations were still coming in. Lilly asked if Jenny would mind if they auctioned off the costumes. Jenny was honoured and would get a group photo signed by everyone involved to go with each piece. People loved charities and having something to show for their generosity.
GOSSIP GIRL: Magic is in the air, will your fairy tale come true tonight?
It was opening night, the air buzzed with excitement and nervous anticipation. The lights dimmed and the curtain came up, all eyes went to the stage. The opening scene showed the royal huntsman finding the feather from the firebird. Everyone laughed when the horse told him not to pick it up and he did it anyway. Then later the King demands the hunter capture the firebird. Jenny smiled, when her dad mumbled that the horse was smarter than the man. They watched as the firebird was captured by the huntsman following the horse's instructions. The king wanted Princess Vasilisa, who refuses to marry him unless she gets her wedding gown from the bottom of the sea. The horse threatens a crab who in turn gets the gown. The princess then wants the huntsman to bathe in boiling water. The horse charms the huntsman who becomes handsome after the bath. The King tries to do the same and dies. The people take the huntsman as King and he marries the princess. The play ends with the horse eating happily and being brushed lovingly by the huntsman King.
The crowd went wild and the cast came out on stage for a bow. The conference room had been changed into a reception area. This is where Jenny met Derek's mom, who was making her son blush with praise. There were finger foods and refreshments too. Lilly made an announcement that the costumes would be up for silent auction at the gallery after tomorrow night's show. Details on the flyers. Everyone loved the firebird costume and the wedding dress. Blair and Serena both agreed the costumes were perfect. After the group photo, people began to leave. Jenny went home before the celebration ended. She was glad tomorrow was the last day she'd have to be there. She didn't like that the guy who attacked her had never been caught. Yet, so much good had come from the play and she decided not to dwell on the rest.
In the morning the paper's entertainment section praised the play. Jenny cut out the article and put it in her scrap book. Tonight was the last night. She would be back stage and Josh, Sonja and Karie would watch the play from the crowd.
GOSSIP GIRL: Just in; The Firebird and Princess Vasilisa has already raised $50, 000 for cancer. Did you donate?
Eric told Jenny he had texted his mom to confirm. Lilly said after tonight and the auction, it probably would total much more than that. The sense of accomplishment wasn't the only reason Jenny was happy. They had raised more money then expected and Derek's mom had been thrilled.
Even though Jenny had finished the costumes, she got an urgent call from Derek in the afternoon. He needed her help, something to do with the water scene. So she had her dad drop her off. When she got there Derek explained that one of the tow lines to move the set had come undone, but he and his stage hands couldn't get in-between the waves to re-attach it. With the spot light on her so she could see, Derek on a ladder calling out encouragement, Jenny slowly wedged herself into the display.
"It's a little bit more… that's it on your right! You got it!" Derek called out.
"How do I attach it and to what?" Jenny shouted.
"The clip attaches to the loop above your head."
Jenny found the clip and got it attached. The stage crew cheered. But now she had to carefully back out of the set. Easier said than done. Derek and another stage hand had to call out where to put her foot or hand each step of the way. When she finally was clear of the set, Jenny stood up.
"That was like playing the hardest game of TWISTER ever!" Jenny laughed with relief.
Derek said, "thanks, you are a life saver! Ok everyone, four more hours and the curtain goes up!"
Jenny watched them check all the cables and pieces of the set. She stood wherever Derek wanted, to help them test the lighting and audio. The time went by quickly and then the cast arrived. She helped everyone get into costumes, do hair and makeup. They all gathered hands with the play director and said a quick prayer. Then the curtain went up and the final performance was underway. The experience was totally different when behind the set. The anxiety of everyone, reminded Jenny a little like a fashion show. Once the show ended, everyone changed and Jenny gave Eric the garment bags with the costumes, to put in Lilly's limo for the auction. Derek asked her to help him close the theatre once everyone left.
"What happens to the set, now that the play is done?" Jenny asked.
"We tear it down and recycle what we can," Derek replied.
They locked up the theatre and were standing outside talking. Jenny realized everyone had left. "Derek are you going to the auction? I need a ride if you are."
"Sorry I'm not. And I'm going in the other direction."
"I am, you can ride with me," a voice said behind her.
Jenny and Derek turned to see who it was. Jenny's body went rigid, but she didn't let her face show a thing. The guy was the same height and body type of her attacker. He even smelled the same.
Nate had come to give her a ride and watched her body language. He knew Jenny was upset. As he approached he heard a guy offer her a ride and Nate spoke up. "She's coming with me, I'm her ride." Nate's eyes were hard and he stared down the guy. The guy looked away first and backed off. The stranger left without saying good-bye.
"Oh my God! Derek who was that?" Jenny demanded.
"I think that guy's name is Trevor Blat, um, no Trevor Blatch. Yah that's it. He's a stage hand. He was working off community service. Anyway I have to split, see you around!"
Derek left. Jenny was still staring after the other guy. Nate touched her arm and she was trembling. "Jenny what's wrong?"
"That's the guy Nate! I'm positive, Trevor tried to assault me! He's the guy who's ass I kicked!"
"You should call the cops and let them handle it." Nate said reassuringly.
Nate waited patiently while Jenny called the officer who was handling her incident report. Once she hung up, she just stood there dazed. Nate put his arm around her and turned her in the direction of where his car was parked.
Jenny leaned her head on his shoulder, "thanks for coming to get me."
"I told you I would. I texted Eric and he said he was at the auction and you were closing the theatre. I'm sorry I was late."
Finally realizing there was a conclusion to her assault, Jenny relaxed. Nate could feel the tension go out of her. She said, "as weird as this sounds, I think you had perfect timing. I wouldn't have found the guy otherwise."
Nate opened the passenger side door for Jenny. As she got into the car she said over her shoulder, "lately it seems you're always rescuing me."
He smiled, "I don't mind. That's what friends are for." As he got into the car, he added, "I'm sure one day you'll get the chance to help me too."
She smiled at him and winked. They made it to the auction as final bids were being submitted. Serena and Eric greeted them. Jenny went off with Eric to share the good news and Serena took Nate's arm. Eric let her know that a lot of bids had been put in for the firebird, wedding dress and princess gown costumes. His mom was very happy with the response and the winning bids would be announced tomorrow. The whole night was surprisingly successful. Jenny later wrote in her journal that it was surreal how it all ended up getting resolved. She also wondered when and how Nate would redeem his help. She went to sleep with a smile in her mind, dreaming of the ways it could happen.
CHAPTER #5