CHAPTER 8

"Hey Jen. How was your girls' night out?" Dan said as he went inside Jenny's room? "Why do you care so much?" Jenny was kind of suspicious. "Well. It was your first night out with Blair so I thought I may hear some kind of a… story perhaps?" Dan said. "We just partied. That's it. No boys. Just us. Hey. She told me you're going to take her on a date," Jenny said. "Yeah. I guess I am," Dan said. "So where do you plan to take her?" Jenny asked. "The gallery," Dan said smiling at Jenny. "Did I hear you right?! The gallery?!" Jenny can't believe what she heard. "You're taking Blair to the gallery and look at some masterpieces that mom made? You need some help Dan," Jenny said. She was very surprised. "Yeah. I asked Vanessa for help. I asked her to help me improvise the gallery. Make it a fancy restaurant type of place with some sentimental music, dinner with candlelight in the middle. Hey, what kind of food does she eat? I plan to cook for her," Dan said. Suddenly Jenny smiled. "What?! That's a good idea Dan! You are a very creative person. She likes French food and pumpkin pie," Jenny said. "Oh well. Nobody does it like Dan Humphrey. French food? What exactly?" Dan asked. "I'm not really sure but she also likes pasta. It's her favorite dish," Jenny said. "I'll just make uh… pasta I guess with mashed potatoes and I'll make pumpkin pie," Dan said. "Wow. you're really preparing for this date huh," Jenny said. "Oh well. Believe it or not Jenny, I have a little crush on your friend. But hush okay. Only you and Vanessa know about it. Don't ever tell anyone. Let me be the one to tell it to her. And uhm, can you help me and Vanessa? For tomorrow's date? Please?" Dan said. "I'll be happy to help," Jenny said. "Thanks Jenny," Dan said.

Chuck and Nate were packing their things for their flight back to New York. Chuck was very excited to be home with his new found love. "Wow. California's the best!" Chuck said. "Duh. Well yeah. It's cool here but I still love New York even if California's the state for youngsters like us," Nate said. Chuck called Annie to tell them they'll be picking her up in a few minutes. "I really like Annie, Chuck. She's a good girl," Nate said. "What?!" Chuck said, kind of suspicious. He understood it like Nate has a thing for Annie. "Like, as in I like her for you," Nate cleared out. "Oh. Well of course. I'm excited to introduce her to the family," Chuck said. "Where is she gonna stay anyway?" Nate asked. "I called The Palace last night and I asked them to prepare a suite for Annie. She'll stay there," Chuck said. "Nice. I'm done. Let's go?" Nate said. "Okay. Let's say goodbye to Carter first," Chuck said and grabbed his stuff. Chuck and Nate said goodbye to Carter. After that, they took a cab and went to Annie's house. Chuck got his phone and called Annie. "Hey Annie. We're on the way," Chuck said. After a few minutes, they arrived at Annie's house. Chuck went and Nate went out. They will stay at Annie's for a while and Annie's driver, Annie's will be the one to take them to the airport. While Chuck and Nate were walking towards the door, Chuck noticed that there were more cars in the garage. "Nate. I think Annie's parents are here," Chuck said. He was kinda nervous. "Huh? Why do you say so? I thought they were somewhere abroad?" Nate said. "I know but I have a strong feeling that they're here," Chuck said. Chuck rang the doorbell. When the door opened, it was Silver. "Hey Chuck and…?" Silver said as she was looking at Nate. "Oh. Silver this is Nate and Nate this is Silver, Annie's best friend," Chuck introduced. "Hi. Nice to meet you," Silver said. "You too," Nate replied. "So is Annie ready?" Chuck asked. "She'll be down in five minutes. Oh. I forgot. Her parents are here and they want to meet you. Mr. Wilson said that he knew your dad," Silver said. "What?!" Chuck was surprised. "Just come inside," Silver insisted. Chuck, Nate and Silver sat down on the living room couch. "Wait. I'll go get Annie," Silver said. "Chuck Bass is it?" Mr. Wilson said as he was approaching the two young men. Chuck stood up and shook hands with Annie's dad. "Yes sir. And this is my friend Nate Archibald," Chuck said. "Nice to meet you boys. Chuck, your father didn't mention that he studied at West Beverly High? He was a classmate of mine. We were also team mates in Lacrosse," Mr. Wilson said. "Yes he mentioned that he went to West Beverly High but he didn't mention that he was on the Lacrosse team," Chuck said. "Really? Well it's nice to meet the young Bass. Your father is a very successful man. He rose from the ashes of poverty. I idolize your father, son. I hope Annie will have fun with you at New York. You know what, she even asked me if she could live there. You know, she's dreaming of living there," Mr. Wilson said. "I assure you that she will Mr. Wilson," Chuck said. After that, Annie went down with her stuff. "Hey dad, Chuck and Nate. So let's go?" Annie said. "Have fun in New York sweetie," Mr. Wilson said. "Bye dad!" Annie kissed his father on the cheek and went out. They went in to the car. Chuck and Annie were at the back and Nate sat in front. The driver took them to the airport. When the three of them were in the car, they got in to a short conversation. "Hey Annie, how old is your friend Silver?" Nate asked. "Why?" Annie said smiling and a bit suspicious. "Oh I'm telling Serena," Chuck said. "Well. I find her kinda cute. Hey, I thought you're not gonna tell Serena anything about what happened to me here? And besides, I didn't flirt at the party. It's only now that I found someone cute," Nate said. Annie laughed and said, "She's a year younger than I am. So that makes her, 16. Sorry to tell you but she's my brother's girlfriend," "Ouch," Chuck said. "Will you just shut up Chuck?" Nate said.