The Other Side Of This Life
-xx-
We Are The Kraken Of Our Own Sinking Ships
"Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it's a game, all right—I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game."
—J.D. Salinger
-xx-
Dan and Blair command the attention of the entire room while they continue to dance with an innate ease, like their bodies are meant to move in harmony together.
When the song ends, everyone breaks out in polite applause and Dan leans over to whisper in Blair's ear, "You wanna get out of here?"
Blair considers it for a few seconds before nodding, "Lead the way, Humphrey." The party is amazing and she looks gorgeous, but being the center of attention with Dan among their obnoxious classmates doesn't particularly interest her at the moment.
"I'll go get our coats."
Dan waits by the coat check when Chuck pops up behind him, tugging at his arm. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Leaving." Dan replies easily, "What's your damage, Chuck?"
"Oh, snap out of it already!" Chuck demands, "What is the allure? Why has the charity case from Brooklyn got you so whipped?"
Dan shrugs, "Because she's smart, funny, insightful, intuitive," he sighs, "She loves to read, and she can match me. Y'know, 'cause she misses her mom even though she'd never ever admit to it. And I love the way she fits in my arms, the way she listens. I don't know, Chuck, she's just...different."
Chuck scowls as if he's about to vomit, "Look, I can understand that she holds a certain fascination—beautiful, delicate, and untouched. Brooklyn certainly has the Snow White thing going for her, but how about you pluck her already so she can wither away and disappear?"
Dan unclenches his fists a few times before speaking, "Chuck." he says harshly, "I've known you since we were toddlers. You've been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember. But this ends here, dude. Because if you have a problem with Blair, then you can just wither away and disappear."
Kati pops up behind them calling out to Penelope about the latest gossip just as everyone's phones go off with the latest blast—
Good evening, Upper East Sidders!
Boy, have I gotten a lot of blasts tonight! You'd think the #1 spot would go to D. and his Brooklyn Cinderella, but they've been usurped.
Tonight's shocker is GoldenBoy finally making his formal declaration of love to S. You'd think they'd just sail off into the sunset with their glimmering blonde hair shinning under the sun, but rumor has it S. fled the building faster than Elvis after locking lips with N.
I wonder what D. thinks about this new development... Keep me posted.
You know you love me.
xoxo, Gossip Girl
A machiavellian grin spreads across Chuck's lips even as an uncomfortable and unfamiliar feeling settles on the pit of his stomach, "Does it upset you?" he asks.
Dan frowns in thought, "Not really," he chuckles. "You were right, Chuck. I'd stopped loving Serena a long time ago, but Nate...he never stopped. And I don't think he ever will. So good for him having the guts to do something about it. I mean, he's still a douche, but at least he's got balls. And I've got an amazing girl waiting for me. Goodbye, Chuck."
Blair waits for Dan at the bottom of the grand staircase and Dan helps her with her coat.
Dan pecks her lips and they link arms together as they head out.
Chuck stands besides the bar realizing that all his friends have left and he is officially alone at this party. He reaches for a bottle of Glenlivet from the bar and refills his glass to the brim, downing it immediately. After getting his third refill he straightens up. "
Get it together, Bass." Chuck mutters to himself.
-xx-
Dan's hands tangle up in the brunette's hair while their lips continue to meld together perfectly, like clay.
They'd been arguing about something—he forgets what at the moment. "This doesn't...mean you're right," Blair mutters hotly against his lips.
"No, I know," He bends down, capturing her lips in the middle of a giggle. "I'm wrong. I'm very, very wrong."
Lowering Blair onto her back on the comfortable couch, his body hovers over hers. His left hand then begins unbuttoning her black blouse. After the first few buttons give way, Dan slips his hand inside, which causes Blair to moan against his mouth.
It's only been a couple of days since they got together and they haven't really gone past third-base, but Dan doesn't really care. Being with Blair is fun and different and they're happy. Or at least this is what Dan defines as happy.
And suddenly their bubble is burst. The loft door opens and Blair's father steps inside, suitcase in one hand and briefcase in the other, "Bear, I'm home," he calls out, stopping cold at the sight of some kid atop his daughter with his hands under her shirt.
Dan rolls off of Blair immediately, landing on the floor with a thud.
Meanwhile, Blair turns a bright shade of crimson, "Daddy this is Dan," she says, "My...boyfriend."
"Um, nice to meet you, Mr. Waldorf," Dan says, awkwardly clearing his throat, "Sir."
Harold Waldorf eyes him as if he were inspecting an insect and deciding whether or not he should crush it now or later. "Daniel." He gives him a succinct nod before disappearing into his bedroom.
Dan rubs his face, "Don't worry," he says, mocking Blair's voice, "My dad won't be back until tomorrow. It's fine!"
Blair laughs at his discomfort and embarrassment, "I'm sorry," she says, "I really thought he wouldn't be back this early."
"Laugh all you want, Brooklyn," Dan cups her face and pecks her lips, "But it's your dad who's gonna have it out for me now. I imagine that'll be loads of fun for you."
Blair rolls her eyes, "I actually think it's time I went through a bad-boy phase," she says teasingly.
"Bad boy, huh?" Dan smirks, pecks her lips playfully, "So, uh, I'm your boyfriend now? I mean, that's what you told your dad. I'm just...wondering."
"Yeah," Unlike most girls her age, Blair doesn't enjoy fooling around. She's only ever had two real relationships before, and she is not interested in something that isn't going anywhere. Even at eighteen, she knows her time is valuable, and she has no intention of wasting it. She really does like Dan: he's smart, he's handsome, he reads, he messes up and he's man enough to admit it, he knows how to apologize, and there's something enthralling about the way he reads aloud to her.
A tinge of insecurity washes over Blair and looks away for a beat before making eye contact with Dan again, "Is that gonna be a problem for you?" She asks the question confidently, doubt leaving her almost as soon as it hit her.
Dan grins at her forwardness, "I actually think it's going to be a pleasure for me," he replies, deciding he likes the fact that she is so straightforward even now that they're...a couple. "Question is, do you think you can handle being Dan Humphrey's girlfriend?" He asks as his phone buzzes with a text.
after school party.
poolside. BYOB.
"Well, I'm sure it'll be a daunting task, but I think I'll manage," Blair replies, mock-serious
"How about we put that confidence of yours to the test, huh?" Dan stands up, offers her a hand, "You have a bathing suit, right?"
-xx-
Dan walks into the school like he owns the place, Blair walking next to him.
"You ready for this?" Dan asks with a grin.
Blair smirks back at him, watching he pulls his t-shirt off from the back of his neck in that sexy way boys do it. She takes a second to appreciate his swimmer's body and the way those short Billabong swim-trunks show off his soccer-toned legs. "As I'll ever be." she replies, shedding off his button-down. Her little red polka-dot bikini making Dan's jaw drop. "Wipe the drool off, Humphrey."
"You look amazing," Dan says matter-of-factly, licks his lips. They glance around the party before joining in.
Chuck Bass reigns from atop the lifeguard stand, and she can feel his leer through those dark Wayfarers.
Blair thinks he looks amusing all dressed up in red—like a tacky version of Baywatch.
Dan just rolls his eyes at the sight—leave it to Chuck Bass to have a color-coordinated outfit for every occasion.
They're barely there for five minutes when two guys from the soccer team pull him away.
"You cool to hang out?" Dan asks with an apologetic look. He doesn't want to leave her alone quite yet—this is their first official outing since the masquerade ball, seeing as they spent most of the weekend holed up in his townhouse and her loft.
"Yeah, I think I can manage." Blair replies with a smile.
Blair starts looking around for a familiar face when she spots the Golden Boy standing by himself near one of the table littered with half-empty liquor bottles.
"You look like you're having about as much fun as I am," Blair comments as a greeting.
Nate downs what's left in his pint glass and shrugs, "This your first after-school party?" he asks, smiling politely. And, of course, it's the golden-boy smile accompanied by the piercing blueblueblue eyes.
Staring at a shirtless Nate Archibald is like looking at a live version of Adonis: tanned skin, toned chest, toned arms—toned everything, really.
"What exactly is an after-school party?" Blair asks, snapping out of it.
"When we break into the school." Nate clarifies, "It's been ages since we've done one. Last time we were in eight grade, I think."
Blair forces a grin, still getting used to being a part of this side of this life. "Yes." she replies, "First time."
"Well, it started out as BYOB," Nate says, nodding towards a table filled with bottles. "But now it's basically serve yourself. What's your poison?"
"Oh, I don't—"
"Trust me," Nate cuts her off, "You want the drink." He eyes for a few seconds and mixes something up in a glass. "Something light."
Blair takes the glass hesitantly, "Light?"
"Mostly juice. Some grenadine." Nate informs her, "Just a hint of vodka. You won't even feel it."
Blair says thank you and takes a sip, tastes mostly orange and pineapple juice. She glances around and rolls her eyes—they're so rich that even at their version of illegal keggers they serve Ketel One martinis in fine glasses instead of cheap beer in Solo cups.
"Is Dan cool with this?" Nate asks, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Blair blinks, "With what?"
"You talking to me." Nate replies.
"Last time I checked, I didn't need Dan's permission to socialize," Blair says matter-of-factly.
Nate smiles, "He's still pissed. And I get it, but...I just miss my best friends."
"I, uh, I know the feeling." Blair says, "My best friend Rory goes to school in Hartford and we haven't really kept in touch lately. It's hard. I know it's not the same thing, but I get it. Missing having someone be a part of your daily routine." she sighs, "Look, for what it's worth, I think Dan will come around. I mean, you love Serena, don't you? I know he sees that."
Nate grins goofily, "As long as I can remember," he says, "Since she first tousled my hair back at the playground and dubbed me her pretty boy." He shrugs, "I wasn't the only one, though. Chuck was always her bad boy."
"And what was Dan?" Blair asks out of curiosity.
Nate purses his lips, "Dan was just...her boy." he cuts his eyes towards Dan who's horsing around with Charlie Dern and then towards Serena who seems to have stolen Chuck's throne atop the lifeguard tower. "It's just weird going from doing everything together to not even talking."
"You and Serena didn't..."
Nate shakes his head, "No, uh...she ran away from me. We haven't talked since."
"I'm sorry."
Dan pops up behind Blair, loops an arm around her bare stomach, "I'm back," he says playfully, "Wanna take a dip?"
Blair turns her head to face him, "Sure," she says, "See ya, Nate." she spins out of Dan's grasp gracefully and takes his hand, leading him towards the pool.
Nate waves, "Bye."
Dan juts his chin out towards his former best friend, "You good, man?"
"Yeah," Nate says, grinning at the fact that Dan's at least talking to him now, "Getting there."
Dan nods, "Save me a drink, huh," he calls out over his shoulder, as Blair pulls him away.
Blair notices the grin on Dan's face and kisses his cheek, "You look happy." she says, "I'm glad you're starting to make up with your friend."
"And you look gorgeous." Dan says, looping his arm around her waist once more and jumping into the pool, effectively pulling her with him.
They resurface from under the water and Blair splashes him with water, "I can't believe you did that!"
Dan laughs and splashes her back, "You look better wet." he says with a grin, wrapping his arms around her. Her back is pressed against his chest, his warm breath tickles her wet skin and he presses a soft kiss to the nape of her neck. "You taste better, too." he decides.
They fool around in the pool for a while and Dan sufficiently impresses her with his swimming prowess. While they get a few curious furtive glances, they don't attract any attention to themselves. It feels easy.
Dan helps Blair out of the pool and serves her another drink. They move to stand on the diving board and Dan wraps a towel around Blair. He rubs her shoulders in an attempt to keep her warm.
Alex Wyler skates by them with a cellphone in hand, "Smile for the camera!" he calls out, snapping a picture before skating away.
"Does this mean we're going to be featured on yet another Gossip Girl blast?" Blair asks teasingly.
Dan throws his head back, laughing like a little kid, "I don't know, maybe." Funny thing is, he doesn't really care either way anymore. "You having fun, Blair?"
"I am, actually," Blair replies, leaning her head against his chest.
It only takes a second for the party to take a turn—
The guy falls face first into the pool and he doesn't move, doesn't react.
"Is that blood?!"
The shriek is enough to send a wave of panic through everyone. Dan and Blair glance around quickly and spot Nate jumping into the pool and pulling the unconscious guy out.
"Is he breathing?" — "Somebody call 9-1-1!" — "What happened?"
They hear the sirens almost instantly.
"CLEAR OUT!"
Chuck glances furtively around and shoves a key into his pocket. "Party's over." He grabs Serena's arm and pulls her towards the nearest exit, but the blonde seems to be glued to the floor, "S. we have to get out of here. Now." he pulls her harder and this time she budges, he uses his free hand to text his driver to meet them out front. "Don't worry. I've got you covered." he whispers in her ear as he helps her get into the back of the limo.
Dan reaches for Blair's hand, "Come on," he says quietly.
"Dan, we can't just leave." Blair says like it's the most logical thing in the world.
But Dan doesn't seem to hear her. He's already tugging on Nate's arm. "Dude, you, too." he says, "We're outta here."
Nate appears to be in shock. He mutely nods and follows Dan's lead.
Blair stands her ground. "Dan?"
"Blair, he's breathing. It'll be fine." Dan assures with a certainty that doesn't quite belong to him—he has no fucking clue if the guy is really gonna be all right. "We have to go. Okay, we're screwed if the cops find us here. C'mon."
This time around Blair lets him lead her away and run away. Nate follows them in silence and slides into the back of the cab along with them.
Blair rides in silence and blinks—
What the hell just happened?