A/N: Again, thanks for the reviews/adding this story to your favourites. I'm so glad you're reading and hopefully enjoying:) So far I'd kept things in line with the tv series but now it's time for us to part ways as I really didn't like how easily Nate went back to Blair despite supposedly being so smitten with Serena! As much as I adore Blair, things can't be that easy. :P I honestly don't know where I'm going with this I'm afraid, but I hope you'll stick around for the ride! Feedback more than welcome! x
Chapter 3: Sideways
Nate
Restlessly pacing Chuck's suite I called him for what felt like the hundredth time. Where the hell was he? I felt like I had no one else to talk to and I knew he of all people would understand and be reassuring about my decision to stay away from Blair's party, to not sacrifice myself even if it was to keep my family's reputation from completely collapsing. Chuck was not a one lady man. He had never understood why I stayed with Blair for so long, especially as I'd never been able to 'seal the deal'. He thought it was a waste of our youth to fall in love and get trapped in a relationship. As much as I didn't agree, I needed someone to make me feel better about all this.
Checking the time, I sighed. I'd been waiting in his room for over 2 hours now. Chuck had either left his room at an insanely early hour or had never made it home last night. Either way, the girl he was with must have been worth it as Chuck was never one to hang around, I smirked.
So much for my great escape from home; if anyone knew how to take one's mind of things it was Chuck. I didn't know where else to go. The girl I loved refused to see me. The girl who loved me, I had left behind. And now my best friend had gone missing. I quickly realised how small my world was, how quickly everything could just dissipate. Suddenly I was feeling claustrophobic; I needed to get some air. I needed to get out of here.
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Serena
Hair dishevelled and a frown on his face I saw Nate approaching as I entered the Palace courtyard. With his head down, he seemed unaware of his surroundings and had not noticed me. It would have been so easy to walk on past and not cause any further complications but I couldn't help myself, he just looked so sad. I couldn't help but remember the fear in his eyes when he'd come to see me worried about the drugs he'd found at his home; I couldn't help remembering that he used to be one of my best friends.
"Nate, hey earth to Nate!" I called with a little wave.
As he looked up, I immediately regretted my decision to break into his little world. It had felt like so long since those piercing blue eyes had locked onto mine and my heart skipped a beat as his face broke into a smile. Why did I put myself into these situations, making things harder for myself?
Quickly tearing my gaze away I forced myself to remember Dan's trusting brown eyes, his soft lips as he kissed me goodbye after our breakfast date just half an hour ago.
"Serena, hey. You look amazing," he paused as I felt my cheeks reddening, self consciously wrapping my jacket tighter around me, "I mean, I didn't expect to run into you, honestly. I was just waiting for Chuck..."
At the mention of Chuck I felt sick; hearing that he hadn't made it home and was most likely wrapped around Blair at this moment was too repulsive to even think about ever, let alone this early in the morning. Karma was cruel, was this the punishment fate delivered for the crime Nate and I committed?
As Nate spoke, I looked pitifully at him. He had no idea what was going on.
"Hey, you ok Serena?"
Shaking my head I laughed nervously, "Yeah sorry Nate, I should be asking you that. Are you alright?"
"Yeah," he replied without conviction, "Actually, no... I think I'm as far from alright as humanly possible. You wanna grab some food or something? Am I allowed to ask you that?"
Hesitating I bit my lip, my mind racing. Thoughts of Dan, Blair and Chuck running on repeat through my head. I had to stay strong.
"Actually, I just ate... with Dan," I said apologetically, but my willpower collapsed as I watched his smile fade and his shoulders drop.
Tapping my side anxiously I took a deep breath. I was doing nothing wrong.
"How about I just watch you eat? I can never have enough coffee," I joked lightly.
Nodding, that smile returned to his face and I breathed easy again, "Thank you Serena."
Shoulders bumping gently, I tried to ignore the goose bumps that spread over me from his touch and the feeling of pure comfort from being by his side. I had missed this. Nothing this right could be so wrong, could it?
We weren't doing anything wrong.
