Part 6
"What Did I Do Tonight?"
My eyes opened up to a dimly lit room. It took me a moment to realize that it was my room my hazy eyes were examining. I pulled myself up, out of the comforter I was gently tucked into. What was I doing in bed? Since when did I get here? Was my night with Chuck so wild I can't even remember what happened?
Slowly I put my bare feet on the cold floor, making me shiver a bit. I was about to head out my door when my mirror caught my attention, or should I say, what I was wearing caught my attention. No, it's not some breath taking dress. Nor my dad's old shirt I use for pajamas. Oh no, instead, here I stand with nothing but my red lace bra and underwear on.
A short, high pitched scream escaped my lips for about half a second. Then I took a deep breath, attempting to calm myself down. Without even thinking I grabbed my robe and headed out. Chuck had to be here, and whether he liked it or not he was going to tell me what the hell happened.
All the lights were out in the apartment, the only source of light (besides the moon shinning through the open windows), was the fire place. Right next to that fire place was Chuck, leaning against the wall. He was just there, not even drinking. And suddenly I didn't feel like yelling so much.
"Chuck?" I said quietly, staring to approach him. His eyes came off the fire place, and onto me. The way he was staring made me wonder if he had seen me in my underwear, or maybe more (or should I say, saw less). "What, uh... happened?"
"You mean tonight?" A grin started to appear as I nodded my head yes. Already I could tell he was going to enjoy reciting this back to me. "Well, after getting completely drunk off your ass, and dancing like a stripper, I decided it would be best to come home. When we got in the limo you fell on me, and when I help you up, you kissed me..."
My jaw dropped. This couldn't be happening. No, this wasn't happening. "You pushed me off right?" I took two steps closer to him, determined to get an answer. I think I might die if I don't get one. "I mean, you said yourself I was drunk off my ass!" The pace of my breathing started to speed up.
This look of guilt washed over his face. He scratched the back of his head, a sign that he knew I wasn't going to like what I was going to hear. "The thing is, I didn't notice you were that drunk at the time. So when we got back here, it was just instinct to go to your room." An evil grin came to his face. He had more to say, I could tell. "As you can tell by the sexy red lace you woke up in, we got very close. But, sadly, you passed out during foreplay."
"You're kidding me right? You are fucking kidding me!" It wasn't even a question, it was a demand. There was no way I was going to let this be the truth. There was no way this could have happened. Just, no. No. No. No!
As calm as he ever was, Chuck started walking towards me. His eyes looking me over, as if he was trying to see through my robe. Then a small smile broke when he reached about 12 inches away from me. It felt so far, yet he was right there. I could practically feel his warm breath. And as weird as it is, it kind of... Nice.
"Yes, Jenny." He shook his head, "I am kidding you. You fell asleep on your bed as you were changing." His eyes were soft when they met mine. It was weird how even with my rage rushing only moments ago, he wasn't (he isn't) afraid to get closer and closer.
Relief rushed over me. Of course! I remember laying down really quick, half way through changing because I was so worn out from the train ride, the no sleep, and walking every where with Nate. My eyes only closed for a second. It just all felt so good, with a cool room, the most amazing comforter ever, and not having any chocking clothes on, it was impossible to not drift off.
Still, that doesn't explain how I got tucked in, how my lights were set on dim and not bright like they were before. Maybe my dad came home and tucked me in. I can imagine that. Rufus would probably be taken back by my made-for-"action" lingerie. But wait. How did Chuck know about it? About what I was wearing.
"I didn't have the heart to wake you up." Chuck actually sounded like he cared. Like it really would hurt his heart to wake me. I don't know how that's possible, how it's possible for him to care for me, but he sounded exactly that way. "So I just tucked you in. I, uh, didn't want you to get cold. I hope that's ok..." His words trailed off unsure of his actions. They were the right actions though, I can't help but admit.
Without thinking about it twice, just letting my anger go, I lightly wrapped my arms around him. I took a deep breath, taking in his natural smell. Then I backed up and hit him in the arm as hard as I could. "Jackass! Don't ever pull something like that again." I rolled my eyes, it was insane that I even thought for a second something like that could have happened. Even when drunk, I know I've learned my lesson.
When I stopped rolling my eyes, and looked back into his, it was like he was in shock. His mouth was just barely open, his eyes wide. Pathetic as it is, after a moment I realized he was in shock from my hug. Because honestly, when have we ever hugged? All I could do was smile apologetically as he stared at me, his eyes still wide open.
"I'm, uh, sorry... That was stupid." I turned around to leave, not liking this awkwardness I caused. There's some types of attention I can live without. This shock attention is one type. But before I could leave I felt his hand take my arm. I turned around to see him hiding some emotion like happiness.
"You know, it's only nine. Do you still want to go out?" Chuck looked to the elevator, as if he desperately was wanting to go out. He looked back at me with that same desperate stare. That stare slowly tore a hole in me. It was just so... Sad.
Why am I stressing about his stare? It's not really my problem. Besides, he just asked me out with him. Well, not out, out. You know what I mean. You know what he means. Lets not make this complicated.
I gently smiled at him, trying my best to not look like was thinking of a million things. Especially when half of that million was about him. "Sure." My voice was uneven while I continued to try and get my mind back on track. Whenever a thought of Chuck left though, a thought a thought of Nate took over. How could I possibly hide the confusion on my face? Fuck my mind.
I turned around to walk, to actually get dressed this time, but then I stopped myself. I turned back around to face Chuck. This was going to be stupid, I knew it. "Nate did try to kiss me. And I thought I wanted him too, but I don't know anymore. True I spent all day talking to him, it's just... I don't think I know him." All the words came rushing out like a waterfall.
"And...?" Chuck trailed off, waiting for more.
"And so I was wondering, since you guys are best friends, if you could maybe, sorta talk to him? To see if he really is into me this time." I felt childish, asking Chuck to be like my little fly on the wall. This is the kind of thing you do when you're eight and you don't know how your crush feels about you. You're to afraid to get your heartbroken face to face, so you use the mutual friend to do the dirty work.
Chuck slightly nodded once, not even looking at me. Maybe he wasn't the mutual friend. Maybe he was just mutual. Was this to much to ask from him? After everything we had all been though, asking Nate something like that out of the blue probably isn't the easiest thing. And I don't want to pressure Chuck, or abuse this some what 'friendship' we now have.
But then again, he could always just say no.
"I'll go get ready." No other words felt necessary as I left the room. Tonight I would dress up hot, go out and party with Chuck, but come tomorrow... Tomorrow I will be the perfect, pleasant, sweet Jenny that started to win Nate's heart four years ago.
*Line*
"I Swear I Know This Place..."
Chuck got out of the limo before me, looking around at the crowd outside. He looked back at me, offering his hand. I took his hand, carefully I exited the limo, not wanting to pull a Brittney Spears. The dress I chose? Probably a little to short. I couldn't help myself though, if this was my last night of being crazy, I might as well go all the way out. It did make the ride over here awkward; I think it's just Chuck's natural instinct to checkout a girl in a short dress. Still...
As we got closer, the entire line quieted down, stopping the bustling rush to get to the front. Instead all the people stopped, and stared at us. No one spoke. We took a step closer. A couple of girls leaned in and started to whisper. We got five feet away. Everyone began to stare and talk. I heard my name, then Chuck's name, then both out names. Soon I couldn't even hear what they were saying any more. It was all over whelming. Is this how famous people felt? Eyes staring at them, only being able to guess all the things they were whispering.
When we got to the bouncer, all the voices stopped once again. Were they... Yes they were. They were ease dropping, wanting to hear what Chuck or I would say. Luckily Chuck said nothing to the bouncer, and the bouncer said nothing to Chuck. The bouncer just nodded his head at Chuck, letting us in. Well Chuck Bass, you sure do have your way into everything.
The club, whatever this place was, was booming. People were everywhere, drinking, talking, dancing, being completely stupid while intoxicated, you know, normal club activities. If the music and moving people didn't make it hard enough to get around, the lights were dim making it nearly impossible to see the next ten feet in front of you unless you really concentrated. Not to turn back into the shy, Freshman Jenny, I was nervous to be here.
That's when I felt Chuck's warm hand on my bare back. My head instantly turned around as a reflex. All I saw was Chuck continuing to lead me forward. He wasn't scared. He wasn't nervous. He was just as relaxed as ever. I looked back forward with a long breath, trying to be as calm as him. Then I heard his voice in my ear, "It's ok. You've got me." I got him. Right.
I was so concentrated on getting to the front of wherever this place was, I accidentally ran into someone. My cheeks started to burn with embarrassment. Just got back to New York, and already I was being the klutzy, shy Jenny from before. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you."
The girl turned around with a half split drink in her hand, eyes glaring straight at me. Until this point I never knew how scary drunk, early twenty, brunettes were. "What the fuck man? You just spilled half my-" Right in the middle of her I'm-going-to-kill-you rant, she stopped. My fear grew more as her glare died down. "Wait... Oh my God are you Jenny Humphrey?" The girl shouted astonished with a drunken slur.
Oh shit.
My eyes started to scatter around nervously. This random stranger knew who I was just by a glance in a club. That worries me. Once again she shouted, "Jessica! It's Jenny Humphrey!" Her friend came rushing over, her eyes just as blood shot. They exchanged glances with excitement.
My voice was quiet as I attempted to talk her out of announcing my arrival. "Um, yes, I am Jenny, but could you maybe-" What would be a nice way to put it? 'Shut the hell up' seems to rude. "Not yell it to everyone?"
Her mouth opened wide. I cringed, waiting for her to yell my name. At times like this I regret going to that party four years ago. I regret being Blair's minion.. Everything I could have done right, but ended up doing so wrong that now I'm on Gossip Girl's most wanted list. Then again, the day they got a "Jenny Finder" I knew I was screwed.
Before Ms. Tipsy could yell out her mouth again, Chuck stepped in front of me. Heard him whisper-yelled at her now sobering face. "I'll make you a deal," his voice got angrier. "You stop yelling her name, and I won't kick you out of here." I could only imagine the look on his face.
For a moment I was taken over by the threat. Not that this is, like, a Kodak Moment or anything. But the way that Chuck was choosing to help me. Four years ago I wouldn't have ever pictured this moment. Hell two months ago I wouldn't be able to imagine this. It was good though, and I'm surprisingly-
"Shit! You're Chuck Bass!" Tipsy shouted even louder then 'Jenny Humphrey'. I really wanted to thank her for stating the obvious, but interacting with her more seemed like a bad idea, so I just kept my mouth shut.
All Chuck did was signal a guy. The guy looked at Chuck, then at the drunken mess. He looked back at Chuck one more time before taking her by the arm. "Excuse me miss, I need to escort you out." And like that she was being turned around to leave.
Suddenly Chuck took my hand, making warmth once again rush through my body. We started walking to the front of this, what I am still assuming, club. When we got to the front though, I realized this was no club. Rewind four years. Back to the tortured year of Chuck and Blair. Go back to the Burlesque Club.
"No way." I muttered out in amazement. This place was even more incredible then how I heard it was. With a smile of, well, pure shock, I stepped next to him. "I thought you sold this place, to help Nate or whatever." God I'm starstruck.
I looked over to him, just to catch him staring at me. Yet when I caught him, he didn't turn away with embarrassment. Instead he kept on staring at me, barely even blinking. And then I realized, I couldn't look away either.
You know when there's so much tension you don't know whether to laugh or smile? Well that's what happened. A small giggle with a big smile couldn't help but appear. As soon as mine started to show, so did his. So here we are, two young adults in a burlesque club, staring at each other on the verge of laughing. Another moment I would never imagine happening.
Then before I could even blink, he looked away to the stage. He tried to hide his nervous laugh. "I'm sor-" It was as if he was about to apologize, but he stopped. "I like this place. So why the hell not? I have the money." Hell the Chuck Bass I know. Money gets you everything.
I won't lie, my heart sank a little. That's fine. I'll just smile and stare politely right on through (at the girls). It made me think, is it rude to just stare at these girls? That is what people pay to do, stare at them. Still, it feels weird. Watching these girls move so smoothly, like all they wanted to do was dance in such a seducing way.
I felt like we were back in the fifties or something. A simpler time. A time where five bucks was a fortune. Love was made in a cabaret bar. Maybe women didn't get all the respect they deserved, but they had a way of being sexy with class. "It's like a fantasy world." My voice said in complete disbelief.
A fantasy world for girls and guys to stare at high class strippers, but a fantasy world none the less. The girl on the center of the stage dropped her dress, turning her head mischievously to the crowd with an unforgettable grin. What a grin.
But when I looked back to Chuck... Burning red, with a tear on the corner, his eyes stared up at her. My smirk of amazement went away, no longer feeling like laughing. I gently skimmed my hand against his. It got his attention. He looked back at me. I didn't even know what to say.
"Brings back memories," he shouted over the music. Did he always get so sappy being here? Or was tonight special? By the way his came out, I got the feeling this wasn't how an average night at the club was like.
Still...
Out of nowhere he took my and pulled my close. We started to move. "Let's dance." Was all he said
"Sure." Was all I replied back.
*Line*
"You'll Always Just Be 'Chuck Bass', Won't You?"
The limo was playing quiet music as we drove back to the apartment. Tonight was all so weird. The talking. The dancing. Everything about Chuck was different, in a strange, sweet way. It made me wonder if he had normally became this way, or if this was just a side no one knew of.
I heard a vibration, then a musical chime. Both of us instantly reached for our phones. I sighed, while nerves started to rush. It was Gossip Girl, and already I saw a photo of Chuck and I. Quietly I started to it to myself.
What's this? Chuck and Jenny dancing close at the newly re-bought Burlesque Club. Oh Chuck, haven't you learned from last time? And Jenny, darling, I think we all expected better from you. Has a banished year in Hudson taught you anything? Two days back and already playing with fire. But that's ok, I love watching explosions.
Oh, and thanks Jessica for the photo. Sorry your friend got kicked out. Royalty is SO over protective... Keep me posted!
I rolled my eyes as I looked away from my phone. "Can you believ-" Right as I looked over at Chuck, he leaned in to me. His eyes shut tight, mine wide open, he got me on the lips. With all my strength I pushed him off. "What the fuck are you doing?"
He lunged at me again, getting half of my lips. I pushed him off again. Chuck didn't give up, he took one of my hands and tried to get me again. Did he not understand a push meant "no"? Finally I just slapped him right across the face. That was pretty much a world sign of "Back the fuck up". I think he got it that time.
"Are you crazy?" I couldn't quite control my anger. Last time I just went along with his kiss, and didn't slap him, I lost my virginity. Things could only go down hill from here. Right as I was about to say more, the limo stopped in front of the apartment. "To think I actually thought you changed." That was stupid on my behalf. I won't lie.
With a burning sensation in my body, I fiercely opened the car door to the cold New York air. Even that couldn't cool me down. I looked down to his barely drunken self in the car. "Don't speak to me." And with that I slammed the door in his face. That face that knew exactly what it was doing when it went for my lips.
I don't know why he decided to do what he did. I don't know what was going through his mind when he did it. But honestly? I wasn't about to wait around and ask those stupid questions. I should know the answers by now. He's Chuck Bass. No matter how electrifying his eyes were when he picked me up at the station. No matter how sweet his words were as he spoke to me. No matter how much I think he's changed. He's Chuck Bass. And he'll always be Chuck Bass.
So I'll say goodnight on this note. Crawling into my cold bed, with those freaking dimmed lights. Tonight I'll fall asleep (that is, if I can even sleep) with the feeling of Chuck on my lips. I'll be up wondering how the night could have ended differently. Most importantly, I'll be waiting for tomorrow, to see what life, New York, has in store for me. Because at this point I can't even tell you up from down.
Goodnight Chuck Bass, you bastard.
*Line*
A/N: So, yes. This is the dreaded chapter I couldn't decide whether or not to rewrite or post. Finally I was just like "Screw it. We can deal with this." It's not dreadfully OOC, but it's not really dead on either. But like an amazing person said "I love it when characters are OOC. That's what fanfiction is". Plus I totally know how to write off of this! :D And, who said Chuck doesn't have a reason acting the way he is? Everyone has a reason. Well, usually... ANYWAYS! Happy New Years People! Lets hope 2011 is amazing!
Now that this headache of a chapter is over, I'll be sure to be getting these out wayyy faster.
