Chapter 10

"He needs a girlfriend."

Serena laughed as she watched Blair studying Nate from across the courtyard.

"What? How is this funny, S?" Blair demanded.

Serena giggled, quieter this time as she sat down with Blair in the courtyard that joined Constance Billiard and St. Judes. She watched Nate chew slowly on his sandwich while flipping through a history text book.

"I find it amusing that this time last year you would have killed any girl that looked at Nate and now you're trying to set him up."

"Look at him, Serena!" Blair pointed out, gesturing to him. "He's all alone. Nathaniel Archibald should not be sitting by himself eating lunch."

"OK, OK," Serena relented. "I'll admit Nate's a great guy."

"Problem is, he's a great guy who's broke," Blair murmured. "No matter. We'll find him the best girlfriend in the world."

"Maybe Nate doesn't want a girlfriend," Serena pointed out, taking a bite of her apple.

"Don't be silly. Of course he does," Blair replied, seemingly annoyed that Serena would suggest anything to the contrary.

Serena laughed again and took another bite of her apple. She could literally see the wheels turning in her best friend's head.

"We can hold auditions!" Blair announced suddenly, clapping her hands together in delight. "It will be perfect."

"This isn't a seat on the steps at the Met," Serena chastised lightly. "Nate might not appreciate you doing this, B."

"Of course he'll be happy about it," Blair corrected her with a frown. "And auditions are the best way to select a possible candidate. Look at him!'

Nate balled up his trash, tucked his book under one arm and headed for the exit with his cell phone in hand. He smiled briefly at the both when he walked by.

"Hey, Nate!" They said in unison.

Giving them a curious look, Nate smiled. "Hey."

Blair sighed dramatically. "Oh, yeah. He needs a girlfriend."

***

"Hello?"

"Hey, you," Nate greeted, smiling into the phone.

"Nate! Hey!" Jenny's excited voice floated through the air. "Aren't you at school?"

"Lunch break. I just wanted to see what you were up to."

"I finished my English and math for the day and decided to run a few errands. I need some material and Agnes offered to come with me."

He laughed quietly. "Sounds fun."

"It is! I have this new idea for a dress I'm going to start on and—Agnes! Put that back before they kick us out."

He frowned as he heard Agnes yell something to Jenny that was inaudible to him.

Jenny snorted. "No, I don't think the manager would appreciate a lap dance as collateral. Nate, I gotta go."

"Yeah, it sounds like it."

"I'll see you when you get home?"

"Actually Dan asked me to hang out in the park for a bit, probably play soccer. We should be home for dinner."

"Perfect! See you then!"

***

Nate hesitated as he came down the hallway when he saw Chuck leaning against his locker. Grimacing he continued down the hall until he stopped in front of his friend. He motioned to the locker. "You mind?"

Chuck slid down a locker, his expression unreadable. "How's Brooklyn treating you?"

Nate dropped his chemistry book into his locker and slammed the door. "Great." He leaned his shoulder against his locker, his expression expectant as he regarded Chuck. "What do you want?"

Chuck held up his hand, surrendering. "Easy, Nathaniel. Can't two old friends catch up?"

"In case you missed it, Chuck, we've barely spoken in weeks," Nate pointed out brusquely, his expression flat.

"I've noticed," Chuck confirmed, his eyes narrowing. "That's why I'm here. Why don't we go grab—"

"I'm hanging out with Dan this afternoon," Nate interrupted, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.

"You can't actually prefer Humphrey to me."

"And yet I do."

Chuck worked not to let his frustration show. "OK, then. How about dinner later?"

"Dinner with the Humphreys." Nate shrugged, an angelic smile on his face. "I'm busy. I guess I'll catch you later." He clapped a hand on Chuck's shoulder and started past.

"OK, OK," Chuck said loudly, frowning. "Name the time and place, and I'll be there."

Nate turned, his arms spread at his sides. "Chuck, what do you want from me?"

"I want the old Nate back," Chuck answered honestly.

"This is me," Nate insisted, getting annoyed.

"No," Chuck retorted softly, "it isn't, and I think you know that. You don't really think you can fit in in Brooklyn, do you?"

"Seems to be working out so far," Nate snapped, his blue eyes flashing. "You know what your problem is?"

"Oh, this should be good," Chuck scoffed, amused. "Please, tell me."

"You're jealous that I'm spending so much time with Dan and the Humphreys."

"You think I'm jealous you're spending time with a misguided, amateur writer whose sole claim to fame is sleeping with Serena van der Woodson for a season?" Chuck repeated, his tone incredulous.

"Aren't you?" Nate pressed, his eyes wide.

"You're damn right I am!" Chuck growled. "Dan Humphrey is … he's Dan Humphrey. Need I say more?"

"Apparently not," Dan said stoically from his place behind Chuck.

Chuck didn't even bother turning. "Do you mind?' he drawled over one shoulder. "This is a private conversation."

"Oh, please don't stop on my account."

"OK, enough!" Nate all but shouted. He squeezed the bridge of his nose, his eyes shutting for a second. He looked over at Chuck. "Don't take your problems with me out on Dan."

"He is my problem," Chuck said pointedly, glaring briefly at Dan.

Dan grinned at him. "The feeling's mutual."

Chuck sighed and rolled his eyes, disgusted. "Nate…"

Nate looked at him expectantly, waiting for Chuck to continue.

Chuck glanced back and forth between Nate and Dan for several seconds before shaking his head. "You know where to find me if you tire of the smells Brooklyn has to offer." He didn't give Dan a second glance as he stalked down the hall.

"Well, he was pleasant as always," Dan said with a smirk.

Nate shrugged. "That's Chuck."

"Remind me why you two are friends again?" Dan fell into step with Nate.

"Sometimes I wonder myself," Nate mused softly.