It stung, it stung massively. Jenny couldn't believe what he'd just said. How could he? And mainly how dare he? He had no problem to forgive Vanessa in an instant and in her case…he judged her. She made a mistake – clearly. She knew it already herself and tried to stop the humiliation, but she was too late. And clearly she felt sorry about it, at first. But now…Nate wrote her a letter, which she never got. Because of Vanessa. Vanessa knew the entire time how Nate felt for her and how she felt for him. She played them both and that made Jenny even more angry now. Especially after the fact that Vanessa got what she wanted – she is with Nate and Jenny lost everything. Not only her so-called friend but also the boy she loved and cared about, and at some point her second best friend beside Eric. Why would Nate choose Vanessa after everything she did? She was just as manipulative, scheming and deviously as Blair or herself within the past hours. Where was there the difference?
Jenny couldn't understand, but her head also felt way to heavy to keep thinking about it any longer. He made his choice and took off with V. As much as it hurt her now, she somehow had to get over it. Walking back home to Brooklyn would be a start. Enough time to think about what she want to do now and how to get over him. While walking the streets of NY images from the ball flashed before her eyes over and over. One specific moment wouldn't leave her alone – "you're not who I thought you were" resounded in her head. Well, neither are you, Nate, Jenny thought. She hasn't realized how cold it had turned 'til she started freezing. Pulling her jacket closer to her body she started to walk a bit faster. Not such a smart idea to walk all the way from UES to Brooklyn, she examined, really should have taken a cab or the tube.
While she was calling herself out on being so stupid to walk an red Mustang pulled up right next to her. A young boy leaned over and called out: "sorry to bother, but could you tell how I get best to the Palace hotel? I have to bring my mom an urgent letter and this is not the part of the city I know best."
He smiled at her and Jenny couldn't help herself but smiled back. He was pretty hot. Light brown hair and amazing blue eyes. Apparently a different version of Nate – just more casual.
„Sure I can, it's not that far from here. Keep driving the next two blocks, then turn right. Another three blocks and it's on the right side. You can't miss it", she said in a sweet tone.
He looked the street up and then back at her. "Really not that far. Thank you. Can I give you a ride? You seem to be freezing out there and that coat doesn't look so warm", he said with a concerned voice. "I mean, thanks to you I won't get lost now, so the least I can do is get you home save and warm."
He gave her a warm smile which also reached his eyes. He seemed to be nice and not a psycho, but Jenny wasn't sure if it was smart to enter a car of someone she just met. Although she had to admit that a ride sounded just perfect with the temperatures dropping even more while talking to him. She couldn't deny that she barley felt her feet.
"I don't know. Look, you seem to be nice, but I don't know you and I don't need to get that far anymore", she said truthfully and lying at the same time.
He turned off the car and got out. "You're right. I'm sorry for being so rude." He walked over to her and held his hand out. "Hello, I'm Liam Parker from Brooklyn. Williamsburg to be exact." Again he gave her a smile, which made Jenny forget about all her doubts. That boy may be dangerous, but more in the heartbreaking way than anything else.
"Hi, I'm Jenny Humphrey, also from Brooklyn", she answered and shook his hand shortly. He looked surprised at her and even some irritation flashed over his face. "What is it?", Jenny asked.
He shook shortly his head. "I'm sorry, but I never expected you to be from Brooklyn. I mean the way you are dressed up, you look more like an UES girl to me. But nice to hear that you're from my neighborhood. Gives me hope that I can convince you to take the ride with me", he said with a smirk. "Look, we both have the same destination. I shortly deliver the letter to my mom at the Palace and then I get you home. Better than walking all the way, which you seem to be doing 'cause of…"
He stopped midsentence and looked curious at her. Jenny sighed, for the brief time they were talking she forgot about Nate and all the crap from just before. "Long story", she replied shortly and gave a weak smile.
"Well good. First of all the ride to Brooklyn is quite long and second I'm a good listener, at least sometimes", he said laughing, "come on, I won't take a NO for an answer. I can't let you go all by yourself and in the cold. What kind of person would I be to leave you out here? Who knows what kind of creeps could pass your way. Come on, Jenny, I'm a Brooklyn boy – you can trust me"
She couldn't resist any longer – not only she found him very charming, but also the cold was getting more and more to her. Driving home sounded just perfect. So her mind finally gave in: "Fine, you can drive me home, but…no talking about my night so far and I owe you a coffee or something to make it up to you. The way description won't do to pay you back." Smiling back at him, she turned towards the car.
The ride to the Palace was short and nice. Liam didn't ask about her night and instead told her a bit more of himself. His mother started dating a doctor from the UES a couple of month ago and spent more and more time at his place, which was currently under construction. That's why he stayed at the Palace for that time. After he dropped the letter off, they continued their ride towards Brooklyn. Turned out that Liam was 17 years old and a junior at high school. His mother was thinking of transferring him to school at the UES.
"Honestly, I don't think I want to attend school here somewhere. But she thinks it would be good for me. I would get a better education and may get better chances for college", he explained to Jenny. "I guess her main reason is, that she wants to move in with Jett. I get it, she loves him, but why does my life has to change because of it? Neither do I want to move to the UES, nor do I want to attend some stupid private school called St. Jude."
Jenny choked by the latest statement. She needed to cough a little before she had herself under control again. "Are you alright?", asked Liam meanwhile. Looking at her concerned. "Yeah, I'm ok, I was just surprised that your mother considers sending you to St. Jude", she explained.
Now Liam was the one surprised. "You know that school?" Jenny let out a loud laugh. "Yes, pretty well to be exact. My brother Dan is attending it and I'm a student at Constance Billard, the girls school right next to it."
"You've got to be kidding me!", Liam nearly yelled it out. "You're at Constance? Well, that explains the styling and the fact that you know the UES so well. Guess that comes along when you're attending one of those schools. So, it's not that bad as I think? Why not going to school in Brooklyn?" He eyed her curiously. He wouldn't admit it right away, but the fact that Jenny was attending Constance made St. Jude way more attractive to him. Maybe he should consider following his mother's wish for better education.
Jenny gave him a huge smile. "Depends on your definition of bad. Let me say so…the education is really good there. There is way more on the plan than at normal high schools. But…the students…well they are rich and spoiled. Matter of fact. The most of them really do believe in that the world is owned by them. And I would lie if I'd say I didn't envy them for all they have. I tried to become friends with them and become a part of their world. But it's also a fact when you're not born into that world, you don't belong into it. It's hard to get friends with them. I'm not even sure if I have a friend at school at all, except for Eric."
Thinking about that fact Jenny turned sad. Why wouldn't they accept her the way she was? Why does she have to become like them to be their friend? Tonight she clearly realized that she doesn't want to be like any UES girl and that's exactly what she would do when getting back to school on Monday. Liam remained silent during her explanation of the school or better their students. He already thought that they all would be high privileged brats. Now hearing it didn't make it anyhow better. He knew why he'd rather stay in Brooklyn at school, but with Jenny there…she had made no friends, except for that Eric guy. He hoped deeply that he really was only a friend and nothing more to her. The more they talked, the more he started falling for her. Truth was, he knew the way to the hotel – but when he saw her walking up that street, he couldn't resist to stop and talk to her. And the more he got to know, the more he knew why. She was so sweet, gorgeous, friendly and kind. She was clearly someone he wanted to know closer, even though he was 2 years older than her. It's just a damn number.
"Wow, that sounds quite harsh", he replied to her. "Guess when you're from Brooklyn, you're just some trash for them. Didn't expect anything different than that. Jett's son is acting just like that. He thinks I'm not worth it to spent even the slightest amount of time with me. So what made that Eric to become your friend?"
Jenny giggled about his Brooklyn comment. "Would like to say you're wrong about your thesis, but apparently you're damn right. My brother is always called Brooklyn by the most of them. Don't think they even know his real name. Eric, well…he is the brother of Serena, who is the Ex of my brother – I think. They have this on-off thing going. You never really know. Anyways…I got to know Eric over her and we became friends. He is my age and it's good to have at least one person at school that likes you for who you are. I really enjoy hanging out with him."
Jenny looked outside the window, realizing that they were only one block from the Loft away. "Uhm, you can pull up right over there. I'll walk the rest", she said a little sad that the ride was already over. While watching him, she thought she saw also a bit of regret on his face. But maybe it was just the street light playing with her eyes.
"Yeah, sure. Well, good to know that you made it save home", he laughed out. "It was really nice meeting you, Jenny. And thank you for the nice conversation. I'll think about attending St. Judes – maybe it's not as bad as I thought. And about that coffee…"
"I owe you. Don't even try to talk yourself out of it!", she interrupted him. Trying to make sure that there was a next time to see him. She gave him her sexiest smile. He smiled brightly back at her.
"Trust me on that one", he started, "I didn't thought for a minute to let you slip out of this car before giving me your number." He smirked and held out his mobile to her. "And coffee sounds just perfect."
So this is my first attemp to write a fanfic. Hope I don't suck that much ;) Apologies if the times in the sentences might not always be correct, but English is not my main language. I hope you understand it anyways. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.