Disclaimer: I don't anything apart from Lydia
A/N: So it was quite a gentle opening, bet you're wondering what happened in Montana, any suggestions?
A/N 2: Okay, I can only apologise, I've been sitting on multiple chapters and want to update this story – hopefully you don't mind! Enjoy!
Chapter 02
When I came back from my run, I noticed Jack carrying a completely dazed and out-of-it Chuck into the Empire.
"Oh god no. Chuck." I pushed past Blair who was just shutting the car door of some monstrous excuse for a car. "Hi Blair, nice to see you Blair, we need to catch up, bye Blair," I squeaked quickly, bursting in the door of the Empire and into the lift with Chuck and Jack. "Where the hell did you find him?"
"I found him in Thailand, not that you'd care," Jack spat nastily.
"I care about Chuck too, more than anything. He is the only family I've got left!" I snapped back.
"What about me?" Jack moved closer to me, I felt the elevator wall right behind me.
"You are nothing to me."
There was a smack as his open palm hit my face.
I froze, with my eyes fixated down at the floor.
I ran into the apartment as soon as the elevator doors opened, changed into some clothes so that I was ready to meet Nate at our usual little café. Getting out of the Empire and away from Jack was high on my list of things to do. I had to get out of the Empire, I needed to. I didn't want to be anywhere near Jack.
Jack meant nothing to me. He never had been – he was so unbelievably manipulative to his friends, colleagues and even my father. Once I was back in the elevator, I let out the deepest sigh, ready to hit the streets with a bright, brave face.
After orienteering my way around the maze of streets and avenues, I was at the café where I perched on a seat at an empty table.
I pulled out a book I had crammed in my satchel before I left the Empire. To Kill a Mockingbird; it was a childhood favourite of mine. My father had given it to me when I was little. He told me it was my mum's copy. Now, it was a little worn down on the spine from the numerous times I had read it. It was my favourite – just as it was my mum's favourite book.
"Same old book, same old table."
I looked up to see Nate sit down beside me with a gleaming smile on his face. Returning his smile, I glanced about and noticed that he was right. It was the table that I would always sit at whenever I was in New York.
"Oh." I laughed awkwardly. "I didn't even notice- but- you remembered."
"Sure, of course I did… You didn't notice?" he smiled. "Of course I did… So. How come you're back from Montana?"
I held back any outburst I had. It wasn't the right time, or place, to tell him. That was, if I was ever even going to tell him.
"I'll take that as it's a secret best left untold. That doesn't mean that I won't stop asking."
"I'd like to be normal for a little while longer. Before Gossip Girl dives in on it, I couldn't bear it coming out- not right now."
I felt a worried about what would happen if anyone found out. My eyes darted about nervously around the café and took in the beautiful display of cakes, cookies and brownies. What I heard drew my eyes from the stands when Nate started talking about normality and Gossip Girl.
"Nothing is normal around here. You of all people should know that, having grown up with all those Gossip Girl posts about you." Nate spoke as if I was worth being reported on by Gossip Girl. It felt nice.
"I guess so... So tell me, what is going on with you? Any new girls been snatched up by the great Nate Archibald?" I rested my chin on my hand, staring at him. "Or more that have snatched you up?"
"Well yeah, now that you mention it, her name is Vanessa. It's been about two months now," he replied, part of me couldn't help but notice that it sounded like there was something wrong though I didn't want to draw attention to it.
"Ah, Nate, that's so good to hear. I was waiting for someone to come along for you." I rubbed his shoulder momentarily. "What else?" I moved my hand back, putting it back on my own lap.
"Blair and Chuck."
"Tell me about it. On, off. On, off." I stopped in my tracks, realising it probably wasn't the best thing to be saying to Nate. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. I don't mean to sound cruel, or mean… I would say I'm sorry for Chuck's behaviour but, it's Chuck. I could publish a book with a list of things I should say sorry for from him."
"How are you two even related?" Nate replied sweetly. "You are… Nothing like him. It's just so weird." Nate smiled softly. That famous Archibald smile that all girls fell for.
That I was once again falling for.
"Don't ask me. I don't think we are related. I'm the adopted one, either that, or Dad swapped Chuck's real twin for me and his real evil twin is out there somewhere wreaking havoc." I laughed a little at my crazy theory once I began to process it. "I know, I laugh at my own jokes. Get over it." I propped my elbow on the table and placed my chin back on my hand. "That's just me – you of all people should know that."
"Just like I remember. How have you not changed?" I gazed into his eyes, those blue eyes. "Everyone else has, but it's like you haven't. How?" Nate asked quizzically.
I shrugged and pestered him for more stories of the Upper East Side.
"There really isn't much else to say."
"Really?"
"Nope. Not that I know of. Come on, let's get out of here. What's happening in Montana?" He held the door open for me and I strolled out.
We bumped into a girl who immediately kissed Nate's lips. I felt a gentle prick to my chest when she pulled away from him.
"You must be Vanessa. Hi!" I piped up, drawing a bit of the attention back to me.
"Yeah. Vanessa, meet Lydia, Chuck's twin. Yes, that Chuck Bass' twin." Nate chipped in as Vanessa put her arm around him, almost protectively as if it was an attempt to ward me off.
I took no notice of it and returned the smile, if you could say she was even smiling at me.
"Don't worry, I'm nothing like him. Then again, you might find some Bass in me, but it's not much." I smiled. "I better leave you guys to it. You look like you've a lot to catch up on." I brushed past Vanessa and sped off without glancing back over my shoulder.
I didn't really want to hang around Nate and his girlfriend just then. Part of me just felt a little upset, upset that I hadn't been in the Upper East Side when Nate and Blair broke up. That I could have been in Vanessa's shoes. That it could have been me with my arm protectively around him.
I ended up at the Van Der Woodsen place – I nearly walked straight past it, but after a bit of thinking, I decided to go in and see if Serena was back from her trip. In the lobby, I smiled at the desk clerk as I waited for the lift.
The Van Der Woodsen place was quiet, and empty.
"Hey Lydia! I didn't know you were up here – how… how's Chuck?" Serena was finally home!
"I don't know to be honest," I replied quickly.
"Blair said she saw you and Jack carry Chuck upstairs, and you were in your jogging gear looking quite the picture. You still run then?"
"I did, I do, some things just don't change. Oh, I am so glad that you are back from Buenos Aires." I squeezed Serena tightly. "I missed you, and New York. I even started missing Chuck's crazy antics a little. And everyone else… Listen, do you mind if I stay here for the night? I can't go back to the Empire. Not just yet."
"Sure, I don't see why not. Pizza alright for you?" she asked, picking up the phone from the counter.
"I would say I'd take you out for dinner, but I left my money at the Empire," I said after patting my empty jean pockets.
"Quit fussing." Serena nudged me. "It's on me. So what have you been up to?"
"I bumped into Nate whilst I was out running. Then I went to see Nate at the little café past Fifth Avenue, to catch up and see what's new on the Upper East Side."
"You know, you could have just asked me. I could have easily filled you in. I know much more than he does anyway."
"Serena, I just wanted to see everyone, and I still haven't met the infamous Dan Humphrey or 'Lonely Boy.'" I grinned at Serena, hoping she would pick up the subliminal message.
"Did you go and see Blair at the Waldorf place?" Serena leaned back against the sofa.
"I passed her when I went into the Empire, like she said. But that was it."
There was a moment of silence, which was soon broken, with Serena grinning from ear to ear, as if she had had a sudden realisation.
"Oh my gosh! Lydia, you sly dog." Serena smiled, covering her mouth to hold back the laughter. "I don't think Chuck would be too happy."
"No- hang on, what are you talking about?" I asked a little naïvely. I had no idea what she was on about.
"Um, come on Lydia. Going back a little. Out of all the people you could have a chat with, and you chose him. You chose Nate." Serena grinned at me cheerfully, but her expression disappeared. "But he is with Vanessa. That is a no go area."
The way she said no go made me feel like she had been there before, and that it probably hadn't turned out so well.
"I know Serena, but I've never been with anyone that way or even made the move on anyone. I don't even like Nate, Serena… Serena I don't! He's just been a friend to me and he was practically always in touch with me when I was in Montana."
I guess maybe a little part of me did want to go out with Nate, but like Serena said, no go area.
"Aw Lydia, how are you Chuck Bass' twin?" She cradled my head jokingly. "Fortunately we haven't been on Gossip Girl's blog in a while."
"I know, Serena. But sometimes, I just have a feeling that I can't trust some people. Not after the time before last that I appeared on Gossip Girl."
"Oh come on, that wasn't that bad. All it was, was you a little tipsy hanging off a street lamp. I've had much worse."
"You know what I mean, Serena." I smiled, feeling a need to throw in that I needed to meet this Dan guy of hers again. "And I still need to meet this Dan Humphrey. Even if you aren't together."
Lonely boy, sure for a Brooklyn boy you wouldn't have expected him to be connected to the Upper East Siders, or Gossip Girl for that matter. To be honest, without his relationship with Serena, he wasn't really anyone, but I still wanted to meet this mysterious fellow. This classic outsider.
"I will point him out to you next time we see him. And don't worry about your first day at Constance, you'll be fine. I'll be right there with you." Once it arrived, me, Eric and Serena tucked into the pizza almost straight away.
"So Lydia, what's new on the horizon with you?" Eric asked across the table holding a slice of pizza in his hand.
"I'll take it day by day," I replied, taking another bite of my slice of pizza. "Pizza is definitely better here than in Montana." My phone started to ring causing me to instantly drop the pizza on the plate. "Hello?"
"Hello Miss Bass, your presence is requested at the Hotel for the reading of your departed father's will." The phone went dead, somewhat abruptly.
"Is everything okay?" Serena asked, brushing a bit of hair out of her face.
"That was a bit abrupt. It was just some woman saying 'my presence was requested for the reading of the will.' I just wish your Mom was here to come with me. I still haven't gotten over the last thing I said to my Dad and I'm not going to repeat it either," I sighed regretfully. "Oh, and Chuck still doesn't know I've asked your Mom to be my legal guardian. So try not to mention it to him."
"You never know, she might be back in time. She might be able to make it." Serena tried to reassure me.
After chatting for a while, we budded down for bed. Serena didn't want me sleeping on the couch so we topped and tailed on her bed- just like we would when we were kids.
When I woke up, Serena threw a set of clean clothes at me and, many hours later, I had endured my first day at Constance where everyone pretty much gawped at me for returning. Away from the prying eyes, I set off for the Hotel, mentally preparing myself for the reading of my father's will.
I met Chuck on the stairs leading up to the hotel. He was looking a lot better than the last time I saw him. He was wearing a much smarter suit, he reminded me of Dad when I got a proper look at him.
"Chuck, how have you been?" I put a hand carefully on his arm, the material of the jacket felt absolutely awful to the touch, but I didn't let it bother me.
"I've been just fine, no thanks to Jack."
"Tell me about it. I guess that makes two of us." I shook my head to stop myself from telling him anything. "Whatever happens, you'll be fine – we'll be fine. I'll be right here anyway." I carefully linked arms with my twin brother and we walked into the elevator with Blair and Nate hot on our heels for 'support'.
It was nice, in a way. Blair was clearly there for Chuck, who stormed ahead into the meeting room. I, on the other hand, stood behind Chuck as he sat on the sofa.
"I was upset when I heard that Mr Bass had passed on. Lilly Bass' console is here on behalf of Lilly, and as of now, Charles and Lydia Bass will be entrusted to Bart Bass' younger brother Jack."
"No." I broke out suddenly.
Everyone turned to face me with deathly and silencing stares, but I just had to explain myself.
"Sorry to have interrupted you and spoken out of terms, but I have spoken with Lilly Bass and she has agreed to be my guardian."
"Right, well, on with the will. Mr Bass' finances are to be divided sixty / forty with Charles Bartholomew and Lydia Summer to be put in a trust fund until they reach eighteen. Which brings me to Bass industries. Twenty nine per cent will be given to the board at Bass Industries. Twenty per cent will go to Lilly Bass."
I wondered why it wasn't fifty – fifty between me and Chuck, but I suppose that it was probably because Chuck was the Bass heir. Maybe Dad hoped that he would take over Bass industries.
"That leaves fifty one per cent?" Jack leant forwards, most likely hoping he would be getting the remaining fifty one per cent.
Over my dead body.
"Mr Bass left this letter to Master Charles Bass. The remainder of Bass Industries is yours, Charles."
"Do I have to read the letter?" Chuck asked solemnly.
"No, the remainder is yours whether you read the letter, or not."
My brother took the letter and dropped it on the coffee table. Jack went for it so I leant over the sofa, snatching it off the table. I rushed over to Chuck's side.
"Chuck, I know you aren't particularly pleased with things Dad told you. How do you think I felt? Being parcelled away like I was junk mail gone to the wrong address? Please, will you just read the letter? If not for Dad, then at least for me…" I pushed the letter against Chuck's chest, pleading him to read it.
Blair and Nate burst in as Chuck was about to leave. I was surprised that the door didn't smack my brother in the face.
"Give me that." Blair swiped the letter from my grasp.
"You'd want to take control, wouldn't you?" I snapped at Blair. My hand clapped to my mouth. "Sorry." I pushed past them and went into the elevator and waited to come out at the lobby.
"Lydia, wait."
I turned to see Blair come out of the other elevator, she clearly wanted to get something off her chest.
"Miss Waldorf. What can I do for you?" I smiled politely, approaching her cautiously.
"I'll get straight to the point. We're throwing a celebratory party tomorrow."
"I really don't think he would actually appreciate that Blair." I meant it. If I knew my twin, the last thing he would have wanted was to have a celebratory lunch over the fact that he had Bass Industries because our father died.
"What would you know?" Blair pulled a menacing face, before relaxing a little. "Just say you'll be there, for Chuck."
"I hope he enjoys his lunch, and that you enjoy your 'not date' meal with Chuck." I was about to turn around when I thought I should warn her, "Blair?"
"Yes." Blair smiled and I was reminded of the sleepovers that me, Serena and her would always have when we were little.
"Don't hurt him. Please. I can't afford to pick up the pieces. I couldn't help him when he came back from Thailand and I don't want to see him broken again. It'll kill me to have to see him like that."
"You know I won't, because he will hurt me first."
I found myself hugging Blair. She may not always be a good friend to me, but she was the first good thing that had happened to Chuck in as long as I can remember.
"If you need to talk to someone, you know I'm always here for you, right?"
"Of course."
We went our separate ways, barely saying goodbye.
I spent that night in my room of Chuck's apartment as he and Jack were out. It was peaceful. I couldn't help but worry about Chuck. Deep down, I just hoped he knew what he was getting himself in for, and the consequences of his actions. I packed up Serena's beautiful clothes after the cleaning team gave them a thorough clean. I lost count of the voicemails I left on Chuck's phone after he didn't return. I thought he was at Blair's but that idea was shot out of the water when I received a text from her.
"You said I shouldn't hurt him, but, he blew me off saying he was busy. I told you he would hurt me first. B x"
"Oh Chuck, why do you do this?" I muttered instantly. I knew where he was, he was with Jack. I just hoped he didn't get too carried away. The last thing I wanted was for Chuck to lose out on his stake of the Bass Industries. If that happened, Bass Industries would be in Jack's hands, and I couldn't afford for that to happen.
Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = So Lydia is just starting to get to grips with the fact that her brother hasn't changed since she last saw him, but is she going to be able to keep all that she knows a secret