Manhattan School of Arts chap 7

Summary: Nate and Chuck are friends. Blair and Serena are friends. They all gain places at the prestigious Manhattan School of Arts and the school year is set to be very interesting. Definitely AU, but may contain other GG characters.

You, all you lovely people who've revewied and the newcomers to this story that have recently added it to their alerts/favs, I am very grateful to you guys, thank you! :)

As always, many many thanks must go to Kate2008 for her lovely beta'ing skills and help :)

ps, i'm going away for four days next week and have a hectic weekend starting now. So I will try and get an update up before I leave, but if not, it may be up to a fortnight before the next chap, I will try my best though! Hope you stick with me x

Disclaimer: I own plentiful dvd's and a cinema ticket for eclipse on the day it came out in the UK, but not gg.


Blair had spent yet another fitful night thinking about him, the way he had kissed her and now to add to the list, the way their voices together had fused effortlessly. She told herself to get a grip, he was just like any other man around, except more irritating, more unnerving and more arrogant, but if that was the case then why was she so drawn to him? Blair Waldorf rarely lost control of her emotions, yet in the past few days since arriving at MSA, she'd felt the loss of control more than in the past year put together. And it was no coincidence that every time it happened, he was there. Yawning and shaking her head at herself, Blair walked over to her desk, switching on her laptop to check her email. She was surprised to find one from the school's drama department; classes weren't due to start for another four days. Double clicking the email, she felt a rush of mixed feelings over the content,

Dear all drama first years,

I trust you are all settling into the school well. As talented drama students, you should all be aware that a close family of performers always produces better results than students thrown together as strangers. Therefore, the MSA Drama Dept is proposing a trip to see Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew.' This is a great opportunity as it allows students to acquaint themselves with one another and the play will be extremely relevant to this year's production, which you shall find out more about on Monday.

We are very lucky to have the Manhattan Shakespeare Company visiting the school to perform The Taming of the Shrew, this is a one night only performance and commences tonight at 7:30pm at the Sunshine Theatre.

It is strongly recommended that all students attend as it will aid their understanding of the play and the company includes many extremely talented performers that you can all benefit from watching.

Below is a list of students we expect to see at tonight's performance :

Daniel Humphrey, Jason Cross, Sarah Gibson, Tony Haart, Alice Stephenson, Chuck Bass, Jonny Horton, Blair Waldorf, Michelle Nasta.

We hope you enjoy tonight's show and we look forward to working with you this year.

L. Keeson

On behalf of MSA Drama Dept.

At first Blair was ecstatic, she knew Serena would want to go out again tonight, but Blair really wasn't feeling it and now she had the perfect excuse. However, when she re-read the email, two words leapt out and made her groan, Chuck Bass. Of course, Blair thought with a sigh, he had informed her he was due to study drama, although her memory of that night was still a little hazy. She was finding it increasingly hard to stay away from him, and what bothered her the most was that it wasn't despite her best efforts, as a point, she had tried to avoid him of course - but she could have tried harder. Blair frowned, she couldn't actually think of any reason for her unexplained dislike of him, other than the fact that he was competition. He made her feel extremely anxious, but not in an entirely bad way…she was abruptly pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of her phone buzzing next to her.

Interesting email . – C

Blair rolled her eyes, of course it was him.

Your point? – B

You going? – C

Perhaps. Why? - B

Go with me. – C

No. – B

Go with me. – C

Why? – B

Because you have no reason not to. – C

Blair furrowed her brows, how did he know that? She had only just realized it herself.

How do you know that? – B

Chuck grinned as he typed his reply and hit send,

I didn't...I do now. – C

Blair could just imagine him sitting smugly, and the thought infuriated her.

I don't like you. How's that for a reason? – B

Not good enough. – C

I don't want to. – B

Not good enough…and not true. – C

It is true. – B

You're an awful liar. – C

Blair gaped, she prided herself on her skill for deception and besides these were text messages, he shouldn't be able to tell if she was lying or not, he couldn't even see her. But somehow he knew.

Not true. – B

Then prove it. – C

What? – B

Prove you can lie, come with me tonight and pretend you don't enjoy yourself in my company. – C

I don't have to prove anything to you. – B

No, you don't. But you want to, because you want to prove me wrong. – C

You are definitely wrong. I loathe your company. – B

We'll see. Pick you up at 6:30. – C

Why so early? – B

You eat…don't you? – C

Yes, but not with you, I draw a line at that. You can forget it. – B

Chuck chuckled, she was really quite assertive when she wanted to be, which was often.

You won't reconsider. – C

It wasn't a question, more a statement and Blair was quick to respond,

No. – B

Fine. Pick you up at 7. – C

Blair leaned back in her chair thinking over the text exchange. Shit. Did she just agree to a date? No…it was not a date, it was two drama students making their way to the theatre together. Just two classmates…yet the thought of being in a dark, cramped theatre with him absolutely terrified her.

Chuck sat on the couch with a grin plastered on his face. He had coerced Blair into agreeing to a date. Why he wanted a date with Blair, he had no idea. And he was quite certain she would deny it was a date. But whatever it was classified as, he was very much looking forward to it, the thought of being in a dark, cramped theatre with her made his Chuck Bass mind run riot.

Nate walked into the sitting room, stretching his arms with a yawn. 'Hey man. I thought we could check out Victrola tonight, seeing as we didn't get to it the first night.'

Chuck was still reading over the text exchange and chuckling when he replied, 'Sorry, I'm busy tonight.'

'You're busy?' Nate asked, slightly incredulously, it wasn't like Chuck had made plentiful friends in the first few days.

'It's not particularly exciting.' Chuck admitted, 'We're obligated to watch a show at the Sunshine Theatre tonight in preparation for studying drama here.'

'Oh?' but Nate wasn't particularly interested, 'Cool, I'll see if Serena wants to hang out then. I assume Blair will also be going to this show?' He looked at Chuck innocently.

'I don't know.' Chuck replied dismissively, he could tell Nate the truth, but then he didn't want to give Nate any more ammunition to question him about Blair. 'I'd assume so.'

'Right.' Nate said slowly, dialing Serena's number on his cell. 'Okay, well, if she is-' Nate suddenly turned his attention to his phone, 'Hi…Serena? You want to do something tonight?' A brief look of confusion crossed his face, 'Oh. Chuck's got to go watch some show for drama.' He nodded, 'She hasn't said anything? Well, find out if she's busy tonight, then let me know. Bye.' He hung up.

Blair emerged from her room to find Serena sitting on the sofa, flipping absentmindedly through a magazine, a sly look on her face.

'Checked your emails lately?' She enquired and saw Blair immediately tense up.

'Yes. Why do you ask?' Blair replied tightly.

Serena selected her words carefully, 'Oh, Nate mentioned something about Chuck-'

'What has Chuck got to do with me?' Paranoia was not something Blair felt often, but there were many things Chuck Bass made her feel that weren't the norm for her.

'Nothing.' Serena backtracked hastily, okay, so maybe she hadn't chosen her words that carefully, 'It's just, he said something about a show that all drama students were required to attend?' She looked inquisitively at Blair.

'Yes.' Blair replied with a slightly relieved sigh, Serena obviously didn't know that she was going with Chuck.

'So you're going?' Serena asked and Blair detected a hint of hopefulness in her voice.

'We've only been living together for 4 days S, and you're already keen to get rid of me?' She asked playfully in a wounded voice

.

'No, no! Of course not!' Serena was quick to assure her, 'Nate just called, he wants to do something tonight.'

'I'm assuming something that doesn't require my moral support?'

'I think we'll be okay. Just maybe spend a quiet night in.'

Blair laughed, 'I will have to ask him what his secret is. I have never managed to get you to spend a quiet night in so willingly.'

'Well…' Serena replied coyly, 'He has more to offer on a quiet night in than you do…'

'Serena! I did not want to know that.' Blair felt uncomfortable talking about such things with her…experienced friend, to say the least. 'Just make sure you spend the night in at his apartment.' She smirked at Serena, who smiled back and picked up her phone to call Nate back.

'I'm going over to Nate's now.' Serena said girlishly, walking into Blair's room, 'You okay getting to the theatre? I still have the map from our first day…' She trailed off with a grin.

Blair laughed, 'No, I think I'll be okay. Go…have fun.' Her tone turned serious, 'but not too much…'

'It's okay, mum. I plan on taking this relationship slowly. I mean, could you imagine if it all blew up? How awkward would it be to live next door to him still?' Serena laughed nervously before turning and heading out the door, 'See you later then, B, Have a good time tonight. And I know it's dark in a theatre and tempting, but try not to kill Chuck.' She left, leaving Blair to seriously consider her last words, not that she would ever contemplate it, but how much easier would her life at MSA be without Chuck…

Blair turned her thoughts to getting ready for the evening, she loved going to the theatre, regardless of who she was going with. To Blair, theatre was a show of class and the Sunshine Theatre was renowned for its world class performances. Being a top arts school, MSA received numerous grants and donations from previous students who had gone on to make their names in the world of entertainment and so had spared no expenses on the construction of the theatre. Though Blair had never been inside it, it had a stunning exterior and she was certain the interior would not disappoint. Smiling, Blair walked to her wardrobe to choose an outfit; she needed something elegant and classy. Whilst the theatre was on campus, it was known throughout Manhattan to be one of the best and attracted an elite crowd from all over the city to its performances, the type of people Blair associated herself with. She settled on a tight purple dress that stopped about 2 inches above her knee and paired it with a pearl necklace. Blair sat at her vanity and regarded herself in the mirror, before her was the Blair Waldorf she was comfortable with. She toyed with the necklace, ruby lips forming a small pout as she tried to think of ways to avoid Chuck Bass when they got to the theatre.

The doorbell rang, stirring her from her thoughts. Annoyed as she still hadn't thought of a safe plan, she hurried to the door and opened it to find a certain dark haired boy, looking very handsome and purple standing outside her apartment. 'Waldorf.' She opened her mouth before stuttering,

'Oh.' You clean up good. She thought against her will. 'I didn't realize you would be here so soon.'

Chuck smirked, 'Seven on the dot.' He indicated his watch, 'Unlike some people, I like to be on time.' He added with a pointed look at Blair. This proved a much needed reminder to Blair of exactly who she was talking to.

'Well, I like to take care of my appearance.' She shot back, looking him up and down. Why did they always match?

He leaned in close to her. Shit, he'd forgotten how her scent affected him. 'If you're trying to tell me I look bad, don't bother. We both know I look good.' He smirked, 'As do you.' He added. She rolled her eyes, kiss ass. Chuck extended an arm towards her, 'Shall we?' He chuckled as Blair ignored his arm and pushed past him, stalking towards the elevator.

'Unfortunately, we shall.' She hissed as she passed. Chuck merely smiled; pulling closed the apartment door she'd left open and following her into the elevator.

They stood side by side as the lift descended the ten floors, Blair allowed herself a subtle side wards glance towards Chuck to find him staring unabashedly at her. 'What?' She snapped, evidently bothered. She still had no idea why he made her react this way; she was usually able to mask any emotion, anger and frustration included. But she sensed he was able to get under the mask and detect her emotions, so why bother hiding it? If she was frustrated at him, she would outright let him know it.

'I meant it.' He replied earnestly, 'You do look good, I'm merely admiring the view.' He allowed his eyes to roam over her body.

Iinstead of the usual self consciousness she felt under such a look, she found she felt more confident. 'Oh, well…thank you.' She said and they settled into silence again as they began their walk across campus.

'So…the Taming of the Shrew, that should be interesting.' Chuck started, and they were off. Discussing the characters and plot lines in a conversation in which neither tried to undermine the other, a first for them.

They arrived at the theatre in good time and Chuck steered her towards the bar, despite faint protests from Blair. It was mainly for his benefit, he had decided early on during their walk to the theatre that if he was to spend two hours sitting next to her in the dark, he would definitely need a drink. She excused herself for the rest room as he ordered their drinks and came back to find him holding a glass of wine out to her, a smile on his face. 'Here.'

'Thanks.' Blair reached out to take the glass from him, almost dropping it as she felt his fingers brush against hers. She was suddenly extremely grateful for the drink in her hand. They sat at the bar, commenting on the passing people, sometimes simply observing, other times judging. A group of who appeared to be comprised of students approached them.

'Hi.' A small girl with mousy colored hair said with a bright smile. 'Are you Chuck and Blair?'

Blair nodded, 'That would be us.' She said cautiously, eying the girl with suspicion.

'Cool! I'm Michelle Nasta.' She introduced herself, before turning to the people behind her, 'This is Dan, Jason, Sarah, Alice, Jonny and Tony.' She reeled off a bunch of names Chuck was sure he would never learn. Blair on the other hand, coolly regarded the people who would be in her class, noting each of their names. Drama was a difficult talent to judge, it was often found in the most unlikely of people and she wouldn't know who was 'competition' until classes started, so it didn't hurt to make a good impression on everybody.

'Well, we've booked a group of tickets for the whole class. If you'd like to sit with us?' Michelle asked hopefully.

'Umm…' Blair began, she didn't really want to sit with these people, who turned up in denim to a theatre? On the other hand, she didn't want them to consider her rude.

'I'm sorry, I left my jacket in our seats.' Chuck cut in, and for once Blair was glad to have him around.

'But you're wearing your jacket…and it's purple?' A goofy dark haired boy piped up from behind Michelle. Dan, Blair remembered his name being.

'I meant her jacket.' Chuck corrected smoothly. Luckily for them , the bell rang to signal for people to take their seats. He grabbed Blair's elbow with one hand and placed the other on the small of her back, 'Excuse us. Enjoy the show.' He smiled easily at them and he and Blair proceeded to make a hasty exit from the group and make their way to their seats.

It was a few moments before Blair said anything. 'That was close. Did you see what they were wearing?' She was acutely aware of his hand on her back and was even a little worried it would burn a handprint shaped hole in her dress. Chuck, who seemed to only just realize where his hand was, removed it quickly and sat down in his seat nervously, he didn't want to overstep boundaries with Blair. Blair found herself disappointed as she felt the safety and closeness of him slip away. But she refused to allow herself to consider this and sat down.

Chuck laughed with distaste clear in his voice, 'And what's wrong with purple?'

'Nothing. They're just jealous we can pull it off and the clearly cannot.' Blair smiled, patted his arm reassuringly, she hadn't expected him to move his arm away so nervously and they fell into silence again.

'Enjoy the show.' Chuck murmured absentmindedly as the curtains drew open and the show began, distracted by her touching him voluntarily and her use of the word 'we'.

Blair tried her best to concentrate on the show, she was a theatre fanatic and a Shakespeare lover, in any other situation it would have been her perfect night out. But this wasn't another situation, and her perfect night had never consisted of Chuck Bass…Chuck Bass who now sat next to her. When his knee accidently brushed against hers, she knew concentrating on the play was out of question, a sideward glance in his direction told her he was just as distracted as she was. Blair refused to let this change the evening, she was on a mission to save face, she would not allow him to see her enjoying his company; it was an unconceivable thought, to let the devil win. Drama was her forte, or one of them, and the skill would be of great use to her tonight.

Chuck sat awkwardly in his seat and tensed up as soon as he felt his leg against Blair's. For some un-Bass like reason, he didn't want Blair to think he was attempting to take advantage of the dark to make a move. So instead, to save her the discomfort, he sat uncomfortably tense for the entirety of the first act, maintaining a physical distance between them, if only a few millimeters. But although he was no longer physically touching Blair, he couldn't deny her presence. As always, it overwhelmed him and her scent roused his basest instincts. God he wanted her. Yet he was alarmingly reluctant to take her, not unless she asked. And she definitely had not asked as of yet.

They were both pulled from their thoughts and saved from the awkward tension that had consumed them in the silence throughout the show as the curtains closed for the interval. As people began to stand and make their way to the concession stands, Chuck and Blair noticed a group of people waving from across the theatre. 'Oh great.' Blair muttered, shielding her eyes and trying to hide herself behind a woman stood up in the row before her from the denim clad clan of students.

'They really are a sorry bunch.' Chuck remarked, never one for subtlety.

'I have no idea what I've done to desire such an awful class.' Blair despaired, still lying low in her seat.

'Except me, obviously.' Chuck gave her a teasing look.

Blair scoffed, 'You can't possibly think you're normal.' She looked pointedly at his purple suit.

'No.' Chuck admitted, 'I'm not normal, where's the fun in that?' he continued humorously, giving her a slight nudge.

'MSA is hard work, Bass.' Blair couldn't help it slipping out; she was so used to lecturing Serena on the reasons of attending MSA.

'So Waldorf, all work and no play? That's how you roll?' Chuck wondered aloud.

'No! I know how to have fun.' Blair objected, 'But there's a time and place.'

'And freshers' week isn't it?' Chuck asked incredulously, the sole purpose of freshers' week was for students to try everything and remember nothing.

'Alcohol equals loss of control, thus, alcohol is bad.' Blair explained adamantly and slowly, as if to a child.

'It doesn't have to.'

'Well yes, I suppose it doesn't for you, you probably drink so much you're practically immune now.' Blair smirked, not realizing that she'd hit the nail on the head. 'But someone like me, with a reputation to uphold and a legacy to fulfil…' she trailed off, not really wanting to continue and wishing she hadn't allowed herself to babble.

'College is where you start anew, you shouldn't be working to uphold a reputation; you should be building a new one.'

'Oh please, like you didn't make damn sure your womanizing name followed you here.' Blair hissed, her reputation was something she was proud of and held extremely dear to her. And whilst she couldn't quite see through Chuck's habits yet, she sensed there was something more to it than just a Class A manwhore.

'Perhaps that's true.' Chuck conceded, 'But you see, I'm trying something new here.' He smiled at Blair.

'Oh really?' Blair's lips curved, 'And how's that working out for you?'

'It could be better.' Chuck admitted, 'And I'm sure it will be.' He finished with a wink.

Blair laughed, and Chuck found he delighted in making her laugh. 'I wouldn't hold out for that.' She said in reply. A more comfortable silence fell upon them again as people filtered back into the theatre for the second half.

The show began again, and having eased some of the earlier tension, both Chuck and Blair were able to concentrate marginally better than before. When, once again, Chuck relaxed and felt his knee knock against Blair's, neither of them made a conscious effort to break the contact. Whether that was because Blair was so engrossed in the play, or because she was warming to him, Chuck didn't care. He just liked the way he could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin material of their clothes.

As the cast came on for their curtain call and the audience stood in standing ovation, Blair and Chuck glanced at each other and a silent agreement passed between them. Get out before the drama freaks found them again. They hastily made their exit -glad for the cover of the standing audience, running down the stairs as the lifts would be too slow and didn't stop until they had made their way outside. They stood to catch their breath, well for Chuck to catch his breath, Blair for one was glad to be a dancer.

Shivering as they began to walk, Blair was beginning to think it wasn't a good idea to leave the apartment without a jacket in her haste to stalk away from Chuck.

'You cold?' The hint of a smirk in Chuck's voice struck a chord with the stubborn side of Blair.

'No!' She retorted forcefully, but not enough to stop another shiver running through her body. She heard Chuck sigh as he took off his jacket.

'It's a good thing we're matching.' was all he said as he placed it over her shoulders.

Blair could still feel the warmth from Chuck in the jacket and it smelt distinctly of him, scotch and aftershave. 'Thanks.' She drew the jacket closer around her and they continued to walk.

'So, you're a legacy?' Chuck enquired after a lengthy silence; her slip earlier had not gone unnoticed.

'Yes.' Blair replied curtly, evidently not a fan of the topic. But Chuck Bass, as always, pushed for more.

'Father?'

Blair laughed, 'He's gay, so fitting, but no. Mother.'

'Oh, was she good then?'

'One of the best.' And Chuck could have sworn he detected more than a trace of resentment in her voice.

'But that doesn't make you a proud daughter.' He stated, more a fact than a question.

'I'm by all means a proud daughter, my mother was extremely talented. But whether that talent now prevents her from being a proud moth or not,I don't know.' Blair sighed, she had spent too much of her time considering what exactly had gone wrong in her relationship with her mother and come to too few conclusions. 'I suppose you can expect nothing less of the fabulous parents of the UES.' She said with a false laugh.

'And nothing more.' Chuck muttered darkly.

If Blair was surprised by the bitterness in his voice, she didn't show it, 'I guess you're right.' She said instead, 'Money can't buy everything.' She smiled, adding, 'Although it sure as hell can buy a lot.'

Chuck regarded her before chuckling, 'Yes. It can, I guess UES parents have yet to learn the difference between a lot and everything.' He was laughing now, but the bitterness remained in his voice. Blair wasn't entirely sure how to respond so made a despondent noise agreeing.

'So your mum,' Chuck brought up again moments later, 'Why isn't she proud of you?' He asked, 'Blair Waldorf, the triple threat of MSA.' He said boldly, 'Has quite a ring.'

Blair sighed, 'She just…whatever I do, it never seems to be enough.'

This shocked Chuck, who wondered why anyone would consider Blair Waldorf not enough. He thought you could spend not enough time with her, you could talk to her not enough, you could touch her not enough, but Blair Waldorf alone, was never not enough. 'I sincerely doubt that.'

'Well, it's not your place to doubt.' Blair snapped back, her defenses kicking in. She had grown accustomed to her mom's disapproval, and could overlook it. But even when she hadn't been, she'd dealt with the issue in the bathroom and the UES world had been none the wiser. Now, she had moved on from that, and moved into an apartment with Serena where she wasn't under constant pressure from anyone other than herself to be perfect – any expectations she didn't meet were her own and she had come to the conclusion long ago that letting yourself down was much better than disappointing others. 'Anyway, you sound knowledgeable about the habits of UES parenting, what's your story?'

'Parent.' Chuck corrected, instantly wishing he hadn't, but the way Blair was looking at him expectantly, he found he wanted to tell her, 'My mother died when I was young.'

Blair mouth formed a tiny 'o', 'Oh.' She'd sometimes wondered if her life would have been easier if her mother hadn't been in it, if her absence would have prevented Blair from putting herself through a damaging four year battle with herself. But at the end of the day, her mother had taught Blair everything that made her Blair Waldorf now. 'I'm sorry.' She said sincerely.

'It's fine.' Chuck replied quietly, avoiding her gaze and staring intensely ahead. 'I was too young to remember her.'

'But still…' Blair persisted, 'Aren't you curious about her?'

'I've said it's fine.' Chuck said tensely, jaw clenched. He didn't want to tell Blair that he had been curious at one point – at a young age, when his friends would talk about their mothers, but he had learnt from that young age how his mother had died, who's fault it was and that it was an off limits topic with his father from then on.

'Chuck…'

'Blair, just stop. Please.' Chuck motioned towards Blair's door, indicating that she should go. Blair looked round in surprise, she had been so focused on Chuck she hadn't even noticed their entering the building, or the elevator, or the corridor.

'I'm sorry, I really am.' Blair said quietly as she unlocked her door and Chuck wasn't sure whether she was apologizing for his mother's death or for persisting with the topic. But he was sure of what happened next, she leant in towards him and pressed a soft kiss on his cheek before disappearing into her apartment, smiling shyly at him as she closed the door cautiously behind her.

Chuck was left bewildered as he stared back until he was left facing her door; he slowly brought his hand up to where her lips had brushed against his cheek, leaving a warm tingly feeling. Chuck smiled sadly, who thought effed up parents would have brought them closer? The smile turned into a frown as a strange feeling crept over him, he was…worried. Worried about Blair and just how fine she could pretend to be, Blair's talent for covering up her emotions was dangerous and unparalleled, even by him and it scared him. He returned to his apartment and for the first time since arriving at MSA, he walked straight past the bar, past the scotch and onto the balcony, hoping the clear sky would somehow clear his clouded mind. But one thing hadn't changed from the first night, two words still occupied his mind as they had done every night the past few days, Blair Waldorf.


I hope you guys enjoyed reading about Chuck and Blair's parentage as much as I enjoyed writing about it :)

Thoughts on the chap are verrry much appreciated.

Ingrid x