Chapter 2: His Favorite Game

Gossip Girl:

I see London, I see France, I see Von Furstenburg's good-looking past. Something tells me that he's back, for good, and N's not too happy about it. With D keeping it together and on top of the world, it seems that she's a shoe in for Queen Bee, even Penny and Nellie agree. With D's ex as N's classmate, the saying "the past coming back to haunt you" certainly holds true. And what's more, my sources tell me that D's ex still carries something for D. What's going to happen to N and D? will D's ex get in the way of their relationship? Is he going to stand in the way of N's coronation? Oh, what a tangled web they certainly weaved. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

"Dylan, someone's here to see you!" Marge called from downstairs. "who is it?" she said from her room. "it's Gerard" she said. Dylan raised an eyebrow. "Gerard?" she said, coming out of her room. She went down the stairs and saw him. "Gerard, hi" she said, giving him a hug. "hi, Dylan" he said, as he sat down in front of her. "what are you doing here?" she said. "oh, since it's the weekend, I thought maybe we could, hang out, you know" he said. "oh, great. Nice, well, make yourself at home, Marge, get him something to drink, please" she said, sitting down in front of him. "so, how have you been?" she said. "I've been good, thanks for asking. When you left, it felt kind of lonely back in Paris" he said. "really? come on Gerard, what about Sasha? What about Raquel? Those two seemed to really like you" she said. "well, I like them and all, but Paris is not the same without a Von Furstenburg hanging around there, you know" he smiled. "that's sweet of you to say, but I like it here in New York too" Dylan said, crossing her legs. Gerard leaned closer all of a sudden. "I missed you" he said. Dylan gave him a look. She leaned back. "Gerard, I have a boyfriend now" she said. "I know. I'm just saying I missed having someone like you around" he said, sitting back, crossing his arms, as Marge came out, carrying a tray of drinks. "so, what does Nate have that I don't, huh?" he said, drinking his glass of juice. "he was my childhood friend. Remember the picture I showed you, when I was a kid?" she said. "the one in the sandbox? That was you and Nate? Wow, you do go a long way back" he said. "yeah, way before you did" she said. Her phone suddenly rang. "hello?" she said. "hey, it's me" it was Nate on the other line. Dylan looked at Gerard. "speak of the devil" she said, then standing up to take the call. "go ahead" Gerard smiled at her as she stood up and went to one side of the room. It has been a while, since he saw her and hung out with her. He didn't let their history together make the mood awkward. But he also knew Dylan was with Nate now. Nate was her best friend,that turned into her boyfriend.

"hey, I'm on my way there, right now" Nate said, as he was walking down the street. "ooh, really? hey, Gerard's here hanging out" Dylan said. Nate's smile faded. "great. Gerard" he said. "he came by, if you're looking for an explanation" Dylan said. He knew she could tell he wasn't too happy about the idea. "oh, okay" Nate said. "Nate, come on, we just ended in good terms. He's not really into me anymore. And hello? I have you remember?" she said. "yeah, I guess. Knowing that I have you makes me luckier" his tone suddenly brightened up. "alright, I'll see you in a few" she said. "I love you" he said. "I love you too" and they hung up. He walked inside and saw Ted. "hello, Mr. Archibald" he grinned at him. "hello to you too, Ted" he said, as he pressed the elevator button. As soon as he got inside, he couldn't help but get jealous. Jealous that Gerard was there, hanging out with his girlfriend. But he trusted Dylan, as she with him. He knew Dylan wasn't the type to cheat on someone. But he knew she was playing the field when she was back in Paris. The door opened up to her apartment, and he stepped out, seeing Dylan and Gerard laughing their heads off. "h-hi" he said. "Nate!" Dylan put her arms around him and kissed him. "and hello to you too" Nate looked at her. "uh, hi" Gerard waved behind Dylan. "hi" Nate just said. "uh, D, I better take off. I promised I'd meet Penny for drinks at Butter" he said, putting on his jacket. "you sure? Alright, I'll talk to you later," Dylan said, as Gerard pressed the button, and got in.

"so, what is Gerard doing here?" Nate asked her, once the doors closed. "he just came here to hang out. I was surprised when he showed up" she said, as they sat down. "so, what do you want to do today?" Nate looked at her. "I don't really know. What do you want?" she said. "I don't know either, I don't feel like doing anything today" he said, sitting back, then touching Dylan's cheek. Dylan suddenly noticed something about him. "are you alright? I know it's weird for you that Gerard's here" she said. Nate tried to smile. "does he really have to be?" he blurted out. Dylan let go of his hand. "well, yeah, he's my friend. I mean, yeah sure we dated a while, but, we ended on good terms" she said. Nate took a deep breath. "I'm not sure why I said that. I was just a little," "jealous?" Dylan asked him. Nate swallowed hard. He had a hard time saying it. "define jealous?" he sat back again. Dylan gave him a look. "you can't be jealous of Gerard. You just haven't taken the time to get to know him. He's really nice, and I bet, if you two bond, you'll get along pretty well" she said. "seriously? I don't think we have anything in common" Nate crossed his arms. "can't you just try it out, for me? please? Si vous plait?" she said, pouting. Nate leaned in and kissed her. "I hate it when you do that" he said. "why?" Dylan leaned back. "it makes me feel like I'm agreeing to whatever you say, come here" he leaned in and kissed her again.

Chuck looked taken aback by what he had just heard. "seriously? You and her ex?" he said, sitting down and crossing his legs. "yeah, she wants us to hang out together" Nate added. "dude, you and her ex, it's a very dangerous area, not that I have experienced it, but you know what I mean" Chuck looked at his glass of scotch. Nate just nodded to what he said. "they ended on good terms, anyway" Nate said. Chuck shook his head. "good terms, meaning he still feels something for her. When you hang out with him, it'll just aggravate that," he explained, leaning forward. "meeting your girlfriend's ex-boyfriend is awkward enough," Chuck said. "you kind of became her ex-boyfriend too" Nate said. "but we weren't serious. She chose you over me" Chuck's expression was suddenly serious. Nate looked at his friend. He was right. Dylan did choose him over Chuck. He should've felt pretty lucky, but then hearing what Chuck had said, it put him back to square one again. "I honestly don't know if I should listen to you right now" he said, confused. "it's your choice. After all, I'm not the one with relationship problems here" Chuck gave him a look. Nate nodded in defeat. "fine, fine, say what you want. I'm giving this a try. For Dylan anyway," he said, standing up. Chuck just nodded. "for Dylan. For Dylan" he said, turning to go to the elevator. "oh, and Nathaniel," Chuck said. Nate turned around. "yeah?" "watch yourself" he just said. Nate's lips formed half a smile. "thanks" he said, then got in the elevator. Chuck looked back at his glass. It was empty. "it's time for a refill" he stood up and went to the counter.

"I think Nate's having a hard time, taking this all in," Dylan said, while she was with Serena in the coffee shop. "come on, D. This is just a challenge you two have to work out" Serena said. "hey guys" Vanessa came towards them, behind the counter. She noticed Dylan looking a little bothered. "what's wrong?" she said. "Nate, and her ex" Serena just said. "ooh, what happened? Fist fight or anything?" Vanessa said. "nope. More of a emotional, well, battle. Gerard came back from Paris, and then he tells us he's staying here for good" Dylan said. "oh my God" Vanessa said, cringing. "I know. And what's more. Gerard and Nate are classmates" Dylan added. "double on that oh my god" Vanessa cringed again. "yeah, exactly" Serena said. "you two talked about it or something?" Vanessa asked them. "kind of. I keep telling him we ended it on good terms and that we're friends, and he keeps on getting insecure about it. I'm having doubts, that's all" she said, rubbing her temples. "then you two just need to think things through some more. Nate probably needed constant reminding anyway" Vanessa said. "exactly" Serena agreed. She looked at Dylan. "you two will work it out. you tow go way back. It would be a waste of 17 years of friendship just because of someone" Serena said. Dylan straightened up. "yeah, yeah, it is. I mean it would be if things didn't work out. Nate knows I'm not the girl back in Paris" Dylan said. "yeah, there you go, D" Serena smiled. "communication is important after all. So is time. It'll take time for both of you" Vanessa said with a smile. "so, can I get you guys something?" she suddenly said. "I forgot you worked here" Dylan chuckled. "nope, we're fine, thanks, V" Dylan said. "wait a minute," she suddenly said, then looked at Serena. "what? hey, I know that look" Serena said. "you're not seeing anyone, right?" Dylan looked at Vanessa. "what? no, no way, I'm not going to go out with him" Vanessa shook her head. "why not?" Dylan said. "he's your ex. I can't do that to you, however good-looking he may be" Vanessa said. "do you at least want to see what he looks like?" Dylan said. "D, come on, why are you doing this?" Serena said. "I'm doing this for Nate. If he still feels awkward around Gerard, then I'll have to do something about it" Dylan said. "but don't you think Nate should be doing this? I mean, it's not your fault Gerard's back" Serena said. "Serena's right. You don't have to do this for him. Nate should be the one getting used to it" Vanessa said. "and plus, if you do this, things will get more complicated between you two" Vanessa said. "you're probably right," Dylan sighed in defeat.

Gerard was at home, seated on the chaise lounge in the living room that afternoon. "Gerard, get dressed" his mother came in the living room. He sat up. "why?" he said. "we're holding an exhibit for you. It's going to be your breakout in New York. Everyone is going to be there. Dylan's parents are going to be there, I'm sure they'd want you to show your works off" she said. "really?" he said, standing up. It was a wild afternoon for him. He went everywhere with Penny. But he suddenly thought of Dylan. He knew they had a history together, seeing as they dated back in Paris. But what Dylan didn't know about him was, she was still in his heart. She was his first love, but he was otherwise to her. She had Nate now. Nate was the better man, and the better man won. But she was the sole reason why he wanted to move back to New York, and study there. It put him on the edge this time. "is Dylan coming?" he asked. "well, I don't know. why don't you invite her?" she said. Gerard got out his phone. If he was going to invite Dylan, he was going to have to invite Nate as well. "invite Dylan for old times' sake. I hear she studies at Constance now, so you two must've spent some time together" she said. "oh, I don't know. She has a boyfriend now, ma" he said. "and who could possibly be more charming than you, dear?" she said. Gerard chose not to say anything anymore. "but if that's the case, the man who gets her is certainly lucky to have her" she said. "now, you go upstairs, and change into something presentable" she said, then she left the room. He dialed the number on his phone, and then waited for her to pick up. "hello?" someone said on the other line. "Dylan?" he said. "yeah? hey, Gerard" she said. "hi Gerard" he heard Serena at the background. "hey, you two, uh, my parents are hosting this art exhibit, featuring my work, would the three of you like to come?" he said. "oh, really? that's great. We'd love to come" Dylan said. "great, it's at the Met. See you guys" he said, then put down the phone. He slumped back on the chair, and sighed. He felt butterflies again when he was talking to her. He shook it off. It was like opening old wounds again. He stood up again, and climbed up the stairs to his room, and changed.

Nate came by Dylan's place that afternoon. "hey" he said, stepping in his apartment. "hi" Dylan hugged him. He sensed something was on her mind as well. As soon as she let go, he noticed it in her face. "what's wrong?" he said. "nothing, I just have a slight headache" she said, her fingers on her temples. "oh, okay, so, how was your day?" he sat down beside her. "my day was fine. Hung out in Brooklyn with Serena and Vanessa, how was yours?" she said. "hung out with Chuck. The usual" he said. An awkward silence ensued all of a sudden between them. "so, uh," Dylan tried to break the silence. "yeah?" Nate turned to face her. "Gerard is inviting us to his art exhibit tonight at the Met" she said. Nate's smile slightly faded. "Gerard, huh?" he said. "yeah, he asked for the three of us, namely you, me, and Serena to come" she said. "oh, okay, his paintings?" he said. "yeah, his parents are hosting it. So, you want to come?" she said. "yeah, of course, if it means being with you, I'm game for it" he said. Dylan just smiled. "then great. So, how's Chuck these days? we haven't talked since we saw Gerard, but you know" she said. Nate gave her a look. "are you okay? You seem so down" he said. Dylan looked at him. She can't lie to Nate. After all they've been through. "well, I've been thinking about how awkward it must've been for you to meet Gerard" she said. Nate nodded. "but I just can't, I just can't," she had a hard time explaining it. Nate looked a little surprised at Dylan. He had never seen her this bothered since Chuck. "never mind. I can't explain it, without it being complicated" she said, crossing her arms. She looked at Nate. Nate couldn't say anything anymore. He knew it was getting to her, as much as it was to him. He stood up. "I'll go get ready" he said. "yeah, I think we both should" Dylan nodded and stood up. She followed him to the elevator. "I'll come around in an hour" he kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you later" she said, as he got in, and the elevator doors closed in on them.

They all got dressed for the art exhibit. It was a formal event, so they had to look their best again. Serena got ready at Dylan's house. "I'm so excited for Gerard, even though I've never seen his paintings yet" Serena said, checking herself out in the mirror. "I know, he's very talented artist" Dylan said, looking through her closet. Marge suddenly knocked on the door. "Dylan, your mom sends you this. She thought it would be great for tonight" she said, handing her something in a clothes cover. "thanks, Marge, this now solves my fashion emergency" Dylan took the dress. She opened the clothes cover and saw an elegant purple floor length gown and a note inside it. "wear the diamond necklace" it said. "okay, what shoes should I wear this in?" she looked at another part of her closet. "whoa, you should definitely wear those Manolo's" Serena pointed to the strappy stilettos in the corner. "ooh, very cool. I will then" Dylan got the pair and went inside her bathroom. Serena went down the stairs to the living room, all ready for the event, sitting down on the couch. "Serena, you look gorgeous" Marge looked at her. "thank you Marge" Serena smiled. "where's Dylan?" Marge said. "still upstairs" Serena said. The elevator doors suddenly opened, and Nate stepped out, in a tuxedo. "Nate, handsome as always" Marge said, as he came in. "thank you Marge" he said. "I'm ready, S" they heard Dylan from her room. "come on down, D" Serena said. Nate stood there, suddenly remembering how familiar this situation was to him. It was the gala for her parents, he was also waiting for Dylan to get down, and it was also the night that she didn't want to be with Chuck anymore. Dylan suddenly appeared, going down the stairs, with a long, purple, silk, gown, her hair in a soft bun. She looked more beautiful than she usually was to him. "you look great, D" Serena hugged her. "thanks" Dylan smiled. "you look stunning," Nate was speechless. "thanks, Nate" she kissed him. "you three, get in the limo, now, Max is waiting for you, he's parked at a meter, apparently" Marge began to follow them to the elevator. "this is exciting" Serena said, as they were going down to the lobby. "you guys," Dylan brought out her camera. "smile" and they posed for a picture.

Dylan and Nate didn't talk to each other that much on their way to the exhibit. Serena had noticed it. When they arrived, they were welcomed by people in the media, and the press, taking pictures of them. They stood at the top of the staircase, as their pictures were being taken some more, and Gerard was waiting for them. "Dylan!" he said, coming over to them. "Gerard! Hey!" Dylan said, hugging him. "you three made it, this exhibit is surreal, I have to admit" he said. "I'm excited for you, Gerard, even though I haven't seen your paintings yet" Serena laughed. "oh, well, come on inside, I'll tour you guys around" he said, opening the door.

It looked like a grand art exhibit, with a bar at the back, waiters everywhere giving out glasses of champagne, and the high society people were looking around. "Dylan Von Furstenburg! You arrived!" Gerard's mother suddenly spotted them. "hi" she said. "you look divine as usual" she said. "uh, Mrs. Mason, this is my friend Serena Van Der Woodsen, and you remember Nate right?" Dylan introduced them. "nice to meet you, Serena. Oh my, I must go around now to greet the guests arriving, nice to see you again, Dylan" she said, then went towards the door. "so, welcome to the exhibit" he said. "wow, this is really good" Serena said, seeing one painting of his. "thanks, that was done back in Paris" Gerard said. "well, you should check out the rest of the paintings, those might be even better" he laughed, as they went on.

The three of them scattered to the different parts of the exhibit. Dylan noticed one painting of his. It was a beautiful girl, seated on a bench, legs crossed, and a beautiful view of the buildings behind her. "like that one?" he said. Dylan flinched all of a sudden. "you surprised me there, yeah, this one's nice" she said, looking at the painting some more. Gerard came closer. "uh, you know, after the exhibit's done, how 'bout I give it to you?" he said. Dylan stared at him. "Gerard, it's too much, I can't accept that, there might be people bidding to buy your work of art" she said. "well, in case you haven't noticed, Dylan, that's the one I did of you" he said. Dylan looked at the painting. The girl did look a little familiar. Dylan was speechless. She looked at Gerard, then back at the painting. "remember the time you were just sitting on the bench when you were sad? You didn't know I was painting you" he said. Dylan leaned on his shoulder. "this is so sweet of you" she said. Gerard smiled at her. "thanks, Gerard" she said. "so, you and Nate didn't talk since I saw you guys" he said. "we've been having problems. I don't really want to talk about it that much" Dylan shook her head, looking down. "okay, I understand" Gerard nodded. "let's just say it was a rollercoaster of emotions" Dylan said. Gerard nodded quietly. "you remember the time when we had our first date?" he said. Dylan started to laugh. "oh my god, I remember where we went, it was this small bistro, right?" she said. "yeah, and we got a little drunk afterwards" Gerard laughed as well. "those were the days. Being here seemed like rehab in a way that I don't go out as much as I used to" Dylan said. "me too. Those were the days" Gerard said.

Nate was watching them in the corner with Serena. "stop looking at them. You're starting to act all paranoid" Serena said. "she's laughing. He made her laugh. I've never heard him say anything remotely intelligent" Nate shook his head. "what? come on those two are friends! And besides, Dylan would never do anything to you" Serena said. They suddenly saw Gerard's mom come to them, and they followed her together. "where are they going?" Nate said. "I don't know. But they're alright, Nate" Serena said. they watched them go up the staircase. After all that's happened to him, he didn't want to repeat his mistakes nor did he want to experience what happened again. He couldn't help but think that maybe they needed a break from each other. He finished the rest of his champagne, and got another one. "I have to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back" Serena said. "go ahead" Nate said. This was an emotional rollercoaster, all in one day. It was too much to handle, and he couldn't handle it anymore. Gerard had a look in his eye, as he looked at Dylan, he thought. He thought and thought, and thought some more. He couldn't take it anymore.