REMINDER! REMINDER! REMINDER!

WARNING: I know that there are spoilers floating around for upcoming episodes. Please remember, I hate spoilers. If anything I write resembles those spoilers in any way, I don't want to know—and it is pure coincidence (which HAS happened before). Please respect my wishes and do not refer to them in any reviews.

Thank you!  XOXO Sharon


This story takes place after the events of A Thin Line Between Chuck and Nate. Concepts from later episodes may be used.


Previously… on Aftershock

"You crafty little thief!" Kati exclaimed. "I can't believe I ever befriended you!"

"Kati," Jenny began, bewildered, "I didn't take this from you."

"Really?" Kati said in disbelief, "Then where did you get it?"

"Nate, Nate gave it to me," Jenny finally admitted.

"You have got to be kidding me! First you steal from Kati and Melissa, and now you expect us to believe that Nate Archibald bought you presents? Have you gone mad?" Hazel shrilled.

"Jenny, I have no idea what you're talking about," Nate said. "I never sent you anything."

"But if you didn't send those notes, who did?" Jenny whispered.

- + - + -

"Well, if Chuck didn't do it, then who did?" Dan asked.

Jenny thought, "The only other person who might call me a "rat" would be…"

"Blair," they both said her name at the same time.

- + - + -

"Chuck's there?" Blair asked, startled.

"Been here for a while now," Serena sighed. "Eric called him. I have no idea why, but they disappeared into his room and I haven't seen them since."

"Probably filling his head with crap," Blair complained. "And Elise has been waiting for Eric to call. I just got off the phone with her."

"Wait…" Serena shifted uncomfortably. "You called her after your date?"

"Well, yeah, she wanted to know the details too," Blair shrugged.

"Oh, well, I just thought you would have called me first…" Serena trailed off…

"I'm calling you now, S," Blair said.

- + - + -

"I was thinking I'd just start with a phone call," Eric stuttered.

"Three days," Chuck said. "That's the rule, I think." Chuck shrugged; he'd never done the proper courtship thing that Eric seemed to want to do.

"Wait three days since the last time you saw her, then call. Leaves her wanting more."

"But that's Monday," Eric said. "What if I see her at school before I get the chance to call? That'll be awkward."

"Control, Eric," Chuck explained. "You need to call the shots. She told you to call her. And you will, but when you want to."

"I want to call her tomorrow," Eric said.

Chuck shook his head. "When advice is given, usually one should take it."

- + - + -

"Blair is stubborn," Eric explained. "If she wants to do something, she's going to do it. No one can stop her. And if you keep trying to make her change her mind, she's just going to distance herself as much as possible from you."

"If you let her go, figure out what she really wants, who knows?" Eric shrugged. "Maybe she'll realize you're what's best for her?"

"And if she doesn't?" Chuck asked.

"Then move on," Eric said. "No use killing yourself over your self pity party."

- + - + -

"Well, I was wondering if we could get together after school one day this week… you did say we should try to be friends first, right?" Nate asked.

"I'm pretty busy this week, Nate," Blair finally said. "Maybe we'll try for something next week?"

"Are you sure? It doesn't have to be, like, Friday or anything. How about Wednesday?" he suggested but she was already starting to shake her head. "Or Tuesday?"

"She has plans with me on Tuesday, Archibald," Matt said arriving on the scene and glowering at Nate. "Better luck next time."

- + - + -

And who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell.

You know you love me, XOXO Gossip Girl.


Monday, February 18th. Before school.

"B!"

Blair turned, sighing, wondering who was interrupting her now. She had just spotted Elise and they were making their way toward each other when someone called her name.

"Serena, hey," Blair said, recognizing the blonde goddess rushing toward her.

"I got your message too late," Serena said, slightly out of breath. "I wish you had told me last night that you wanted to get here early. I was on my way to the shower when I saw your text. I got here as fast as I could. What's with the early bird anyway?"

"Calm down," Blair smiled. "It wasn't the end of the world that I had to walk to school by myself. I have done it before."

"Well, yeah," Serena said shrugging. "It's just that it's our… thing. You know?"

"Sure, yeah, I know," Blair said distractedly, her train of thought still caught toward the brunette walking her way. "E!" She started toward the freshman, taking hold of Elise's hands and pulling their arms wide so she could look at the results of Elise's new look. "You look amazing!"

Serena looked at Elise and sighed. "You do look great, Elise."

Elise blushed, not used to the attention. "Thanks, I uh… hope the stockings aren't too much. It was really cold this morning and the other ones were great, B, but they weren't thick enough…"

"They're perfect," Blair said, smiling proudly. "A girl has to know how to accessorize according to the weather. You did fine."

Elise looked absolutely fabulous. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, secured with black opal tipped chopsticks, and soft strands of recently clipped hair framing her face down to her chin. The pink gloss on her lips had been applied with the new skill that she had perfected after endless practice at Blair's house. Her eyes were lightly rimmed with a charcoal liner. A hint of light gray shadow sat in the crease of her eye lids.

Her school uniform was the basic white billowy shirt, tucked neatly into her waistband. Her skirt was black but lined with pink threads as opposed to the normal green, yellow, and red ones. Her coat was pink as well, in the cropped military jacket style by Chloe. It stopped short at her waist, made of French wool with a cozy fur collar.

Originally Blair had her in nude hose, but the girl had opted for warmer white stockings, which were just fine. Blair was just glad she hadn't gone over board with pink ones. Less was sometimes more and Elise probably would have looked like a Peep with pink stockings. Blair was also extremely glad that she hadn't gone with black—the other color in her outfit. Because that would have been so much worse, especially with the black Stuart Weitzman ballet pumps she was wearing.

They had decided to go with a lower heel considering it was Elise's coming out day and since she would be nervous enough, they were going to avoid any teetering on high heels as much as possible. Blair would dominate with the heels instead.

"So, again, I ask," Serena said. "What's with the early bird?"

"Serena?" Blair asked with a knowing smirk. "It's a beautiful morning to sit on the steps, isn't it?"

Serena paused, startled. Then she smiled. Of course! Now that Blair had reigned supreme Friday night during the after party at Serena's place—she was so glad the help had been able to clean everything to perfection before her mother and Bart returned from their "romantic" getaway—Blair would be reclaiming her throne on the stairs. But…

Why hadn't Blair said anything to her about it before now?

"Yes, it is a beautiful morning to sit on the steps," Serena said, pushing the thought to the back of her mind. "Will you be joining us?" she asked Elise.

"Silly Serena," Blair said, amused. "Of course she is. Now, let's go!"

Blair turned and clasped Elise on her elbow, leading her away.

Serena just watched as her best friend led the other girl. She guessed she was supposed to just follow them… but shouldn't she be standing next to Blair for this momentous occasion? Hadn't she been the one to stand by Blair throughout her entire shunning period? Hadn't she been there for her when no one else would give her the time of day? Her rightful place was next to her best friend.

She knew Elise was sweet and she honestly didn't have a problem with the girl… but she was starting to feel like she was being slowly replaced… and it had only been a few weeks since Elise and Blair started talking.

Wait—it had only been a few weeks. Blair wasn't trying to replace her. Blair was just reclaiming her throne and helping out a friend in the process. Everything would be so much better after everything was settled on the steps. Blair just needed to stand on her own for a little while. But Serena would follow along and give the support she'd been giving since Blair's world had fallen apart. Blair might not be acting like it at the moment, but she still needed her.

Right?


Chuck watched the exchange between Blair, Nate, and Matt.

Curious...

After Chuck and Nate's last exchange—which consisted of a threat to stay away from Jenny and Blair—and from what Chuck had seen between Blair and Nate at the gala, Chuck knew that it was only a matter of time before Nate made another move on Blair.

Of course, he had also assumed Blair would immediately jump at the chance.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

Flashbacks to the conversation he overheard between Serena and Dan during the gala filled his mind.

"She'll be better soon," Serena said, "Just as long as Chuck leaves her alone. He's not good for her."

"I have to agree. Chuck is definitely not good enough for her," Dan muttered.

"I didn't say he wasn't good enough for her… although I probably should have. I said he wasn't good for her. Neither is Nate. In fact, I just hope both of them stay away from her. They both cause more harm than good."

He hadn't understood what Serena was talking about then, and even after following Blair to that mysterious brownstone again, he still didn't understand.

But he had a feeling whatever Serena meant was the reason Blair was choosing Matt over Nate right now.

And if Blair wasn't going to be with Nate or Chuck, then what was the point in Nate and Chuck continuing to fight?

And since he'd decided after his conversation with Eric that it was time to leave Blair alone, maybe it was time to get his best friend back… but how?

Chuck watched Nate walk away as an idea began to form.

Now he just needed to find Eric.


"Cold?"

"I, uh, yes," Elise stuttered, flushing a little. It was the middle of February and she wasn't used to sitting on the cold cement. She didn't understand how the girls could sit out here when it was freezing! She really just wanted to go into school and get as warm as possible… possibly grabbing some hot tea in the cafeteria—high schools weren't in the habit of serving coffee to teenagers, unfortunately, even the elitist.

"Here," Blair said, scooting closer to Elise, smashing up next to her to share body heat. "Kati and Is will be here soon. You'll barely notice the cold once they arrive."

Serena was in a shock. Blair wasn't one to share body heat with anyone. In fact, any girl admitting to being cold while sitting on the steps would immediately be on the receiving end of some scathing remark.

"Blair!" there was a slight pause of uncertainty, then, "Elise!"

Kati and Is had arrived.

They were very excited that Blair had finally returned to their fold; it was, after all, part of their plan. They had missed Blair so much!

But…

Blair had brought along a little stowaway. Kati and Is weren't sure how they felt about Elise. The girl seemed to have come from out of nowhere. She was a lackey at first and now she was sitting on the steps and seemed to have Blair's full approval?

The girl was sweet though, far sweeter than anyone who usually joined them. And the girl was also "talking" to little Eric van der Woodsen. No one was going to mess with a girl who might be dating the younger brother of Serena van der Woodsen. The girls had all grown up together and the one thing they knew with absolute certainty was that both Blair and Serena were fiercely protective of Eric.

Some lines you just did not cross.

So, while they weren't too sure about this newbie, they were going to accept her with open arms… for now.

Blair could see the little looks of indecisiveness that came over K and I's faces before they composed themselves. She smirked to herself. She knew they were a little wary of Elise, but it only proved how devoted the two were to Blair, how much power she had regained, that they would accept Elise without question.

"And what am I?" Serena asked pointedly, glancing at the two who had neglected to greet her. "Chopped liver?"

Elise opened her mouth to ask 'beef or chicken' but was interrupted by Blair who knew that Elise made strange jokes when she was nervous. The jokes were usually hilarious, but inappropriate, and that shouldn't be the first thing Elise said this morning.

"Serena! Hush," Blair smiled prettily. "You know you're the main dish, never the hors d'oeuvres!"

Serena rolled her eyes.

Kati and Is settled onto the steps, sitting one step below Elise, Blair, and Serena.

"S!" the girls said, turning their attention to her.

"Are you coming with us Friday? To Marquee?" Kati asked.

Serena quirked an eyebrow. This was news to her. Since when had they decided to go? "I'm not sure, who's going?" She didn't really have plans Friday night, and it might be fun to get together with everyone again since it hadn't happened since Blair was dethroned, but… she was having the same weird vibe she'd been having all morning and she didn't like it at all.

"Oh, you know," Isabel shrugged, "B, Us, M, and little E over here."

Elise didn't crack a grin at that. She knew that one of the things Blair wanted to stop was everyone adding the 'little' to the front of her name. She schooled her expression to be displeased and didn't smile at all even though she knew Kati and Is were looking at her and smiling, looking for some sort of approval after that statement

"B assures me that an introduction to Manhattan's night life is in order," Elise told Serena, nudging Blair's side slightly and bestowing a smile upon Blair.

Kati and Is shifted uncomfortably at being ignored. What had they said?

"E, it's going to be so much fun!" Blair said, emphasizing Elise's nickname and feeling pride because Elise had successfully followed her instructions. "And of course Serena is coming with us; did you even need to ask?"

Serena's eyes traveled back and forth between the girls, understanding what was silently going on here, and knowing that this was necessary. Elise wanted to shed her former status as much as possible and the 'little' was almost guaranteed to remind everyone that she wasn't 'on par' with the rest of them.

Then her eyes flew back to Blair when she realized what had been subconsciously bugging her all morning but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Blair hadn't once called her 'S' today.

She'd done nothing but call Elise, "E", but she hadn't once called Serena by her nickname.

What the hell was going on? she thought, feeling a slight pang of what could only be jealousy. Was Blair doing it on purpose for some reason? But why would she do it?

She scrunched her eyes at Blair, but Blair just smiled back at her. Maybe Blair didn't even realize what she was saying. She knew that sometimes she called Blair 'B' without even thinking about it. Maybe Blair was just having a crazy word day or something. She'd have to ask her later about it. She brought her attention back to the subject at hand.

Kati and Is were having a eureka moment. "Yes, E," they said, letting Blair and Elise know that they followed the unspoken message loud and clear, "definitely fun!"

"And maybe Is can try to avoid flirting with the bouncer like last time," Kati giggled.

"It was only once and… he was hot," Is exclaimed, giggling too.

"You mean with his bald little head?" Serena joked.

Elise desperately wanted to ask if the bouncer had been 'old', but she kept her mouth shut. Blair had assured her that once the girls got to know her better and accepted her that she wouldn't have to watch what she said as much… she really hoped that happened soon, because not being able to speak her mind was starting to get to her.

"That was totally shaved," Is said, affronted. "Besides, that man was built and was definitely not lacking in any department."

"Except for hair," Elise accidentally slipped. She almost put her hand to her mouth, cursing the genes that gave her a big mouth that she couldn't always control. She started to cringe and look with apologetic eyes at Blair, but stopped when she heard a sound.

Is was back to looking disgruntled and Kati, Serena, and Blair were all laughing at the joke.

Elise began to relax. Maybe she could do this.

"What's she doing here?" a snotty new voice asked.

The girls all looked to the person at the base of the steps.

Blair just waited, knowing this was the moment she'd been waiting for.

Kati and Is looked back and forth between Hazel and Elise. It was clear Hazel was glaring Elise down.

Hazel was still smarting from the fact that no one had bothered showing up at her after-party on Friday night. She wanted to take it out on Blair, but the fact that all the girls had gone running to have Blair's back, she knew that now was not the time to start a war with Blair. She was going to have to leave Blair to another day, but today the perfect target for Hazel's displeasure was definitely the little girl dressed all in pink, sitting next to Blair as if she belonged there.

"She was invited," came the sharp retort from Elise, her eyes flashing.

Kati and Is snapped their heads back in Elise's direction, surprise clearly written on their faces.

Serena's mouth dropped open in shock. Had Elise really just snapped at someone?

Hazel tried to speak, but words were having problems coming out. She hadn't expected the girl to speak up. Everyone knew a newbie to the stairs was gracious of their elders and tried everything they could to please them.

"Well, she was misinformed," Hazel snapped. "Because she doesn't belong here."

"Surely you didn't think you were in any position to tell anyone where they can and cannot sit?" Elise asked.

Hazel almost stumbled, remembering when Melissa had said something similar to Blair a month ago… right before… Hazel's eyes widened. No, this little girl couldn't possibly be about to do what she thought she was about to do.

"You're not now, nor have you ever been queen, H," Elise said the initial of her name with disgust, loving that she was the one to officially knock Hazel off her pedestal after all the orders and bitchiness Hazel had forced her to endure for the past month.

Hazel looked to Kati and Is for help. "Surely you're not going to let this little nobody speak to me this way."

The girls looked at Hazel as if she were crazy.

"Her name is Elise," Isabel corrected, pointing out that the girl was, in fact, somebody.

"And she is absolutely correct," Kati said, patting Elise's knee, grinning. "E was invited here."

Hazel could feel her face turning bright red. She knew she was going to explode any minute now.

"My, my, my," Blair said softly, smiling wickedly. "How the tables have turned."

"This isn't over, Queen B," Hazel spat the words, turning her full ire on the person who really deserved it. "Don't get too comfortable."

"Hazel, Hazel, Hazel," Blair said, shaking her head. "Aren't you quite tired of the empty threats? That's what made you so weak. All talk with no follow through."

"We'll see about that!" Hazel ground out before she stalked away, so angry she couldn't see straight.

"Timber," Elise muttered under her breath, referring to a Holly Golightly quote from Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The girls fell into easy laughter, the joke lost on no one.

Hazel's back stiffened as she walked away, but knew she couldn't do anything about the laughter.

Blair just smirked at Hazels' retreating back, marveling at how well everything had gone.

It was a good day to be queen.


"Relax, brother of mine," Chuck murmured, amused. "She's making her grand debut on the steps today, you're safe." He'd been waiting for Eric's arrival and met up with him in the courtyard away from the view of the stairs.

Eric breathed a sigh of relief. He was following Chuck's instructions to wait to call Elise until that evening, but that didn't mean he didn't feel badly about it.

"I need your help with a little… situation," Chuck drawled out under his breath.

"Not Blair again," Eric said with disapproval. "Thought we talked about that."

Chuck shook his head. "Nate."

"So… what do you need from me?" Eric asked, bewildered.

"A girl."

Eric was hesitant. "Aren't you better at finding women? And what does this have to do with Nate?"

"Nate needs a little motivation," Chuck explained. "A little push."

Eric nodded, amused now. "I see… and again I ask what do you need from me?"

"He won't talk to me, but you…"

"I see," Eric nodded again, still amused. "And… why are you doing this?"

"Look, if neither of us is going to be with Blair, what's the point of this whole argument?" Chuck muttered. "He just needs to take his mind off Blair too."

"And, if, in the process, you clear the field a little more for you and Blair, even better, right?" Eric said, laughing out loud now. "So much for leaving Blair alone."

Chuck turned his eyes heavenward and put his arm around Eric's shoulders, turning him toward school.

"I am leaving her alone. You think too much."

"Baby steps, bro," Eric shook his head, laughing. "Baby steps."


And the morning wouldn't be complete without an appearance from the other girl of the steps, the one who still very much disliked Blair, but didn't want to lose her friends or her position. Albeit, that position lowered slightly due to Blair's uprising, but she was still firmly encased in the group. And she wasn't about to let that go.

"Morning," Melissa said, trying to affect a Mona Lisa type voice, one that showed no emotion either way. Emotionless seemed the expression of choice today.

She barely even flinched when she recognized the girl sitting next to Blair. She knew that she had just entered a whole new world, one where the rules were a little distorted because everything had been shaken up.

"Melissa," Blair allowed before motioning for her to take a seat on the steps.

Melissa walked up and nearly sat down next to Kati and Is but Blair waggled her hand.

"Ah, ah," B said, shaking her head and pointing.

Melissa grimaced before sitting a step further down than her two best friends. This was the price she was going to have to endure, she supposed.

"So, where were we before being interrupted by the tardy?" Blair jabbed before turning to Elise.

"The dance!" Kati said, "Sasha went with Jacob and Opal nearly ate her last season's Pradas; she was so angry!"

"Of course," Isabel shrugged, "the news was all over Gossip Girl. It's so sad." Is shook her head at the deep sadness she felt over the situation.

"Opal and Sasha had been BFFs for, IDK… ever?" Kati explained.

"Who would ever let a guy come between them?" Is asked, totally confused and horrified as she clutched at Kati's arm.

"Well, there's nothing really wrong when there is a guy between us," Kati said, looking to Isabel with giggling eyes.

Blair rolled her eyes. She knew these two were open to just about anything, including threesomes. She was pretty sure everyone else knew it too.

"But getting so upset over it?" Isabel said. "I'd never let that happen to us," she continued fiercely, explaining to Kati.

"Me either!" Kati agreed vehemently.

"That's… very loyal of you," Elise said, trying not to shift uncomfortably.

"Well, the rules don't really apply to our castoffs, just to everyone else's. We don't really care," Is said haughtily. And they didn't really sleep with any boys more than once.

"Rules?" Elise said, looking at Blair. She knew most of the rules… like fashion related dictates and poise and good grades and graces… what else was there?

"No dating someone in the group's ex," Kati explained quickly.

"Oh…" Elise said before her eyes moved from Blair to Melissa and back to Blair again. "But…"

Melissa saw an opening. It was the other reason she hadn't wanted to lose her place on the steps. "I'd been meaning to ask you about that too, B," she said, trying to infuse some degree of attitude but not a lot.

"Ask me what?" Blair said, barely deigning to look at Melissa.

"Well, you know… me and Matt," she started.

"I'm sorry, were you and Matt ever dating?" Blair said, turning to glare at Melissa, daring her to lie to her because she already knew the truth.

Melissa felt flush. "Well, we did, uh, one night…"

Blair rolled her eyes. "Be that as it may, a one night stand does not an ex-boyfriend make."

Melissa opened her mouth and closed it, at a loss for words. Blair was right… she hadn't really been dating Matt. But it still hurt her to see him with the oh-so-perfect Blair Waldorf.

She tried to find the words to explain, to ask that maybe—just this once—Blair could let him go. She wanted to make her understand how Melissa felt for Matt. That it was mean and cruel and tearing her apart to force her to witness them together.

But Blair had already gone on to a different train of thought.

"Oh, Melissa?" Blair said, turning back to her.

"Yes?" Melissa said eagerly, wondering if maybe Blair would show a little mercy.

"That ribbon in your headband is nice, but I really don't think it's your color," Blair said meaningfully.

Melissa flushed again and put her hand to her head, trying to remember what color band she had slid on this morning.

Elise grinned at Blair's words. Then the two fell back into easy conversation.

Melissa realized what color it was.

Pink.

The newbie had Blair's approval, the rest of the girls' approval, was possibly dating a van der Woodsen, and now, officially, had her very own signature color?

Only one other person at this school had a signature color.

Blair's black.

Swallowing a gasp, Melissa realized that Elise was more than just Blair's newest project.

Blair was officially training Elise to follow in her footsteps.


Nate wondered why he even bothered with this class. It wasn't like he'd ever be running his own business. And that was the point of taking a business class, right? To learn how to run and operate a business?

He'd been groomed to be a lawyer for as long as he remembered. What did business have to do with any of that?

Probably a lot, he shook his head. He'd just rather not be in class today.

"With April fast approaching, it's time to turn our attention to the Spring Midterm project," Mr. Henderson explained.

"This is a group project," he continued to explain.

Nate inwardly groaned and ran a hand through his hair.

He started pleading with a higher power that it wouldn't be alphabetical order.

He should have known better. It was the reason he and Chuck had become friends in the first place. Archibald followed by Bass was too close together in the alphabet. They always seemed to end up being paired together, and thus their friendship was born.

"You will be broken up into groups of four," the teacher continued.

Nate showed no reaction but he really hoped it wasn't alphabetical order… because that would mean…

"Our first group is Nathaniel Archibald, Charles Bass, Richard Chamberlain, and Matthew Cunningham."

Shit.


Jenny was running late. She hadn't done it on purpose, but the thought of what waited for her at school was enough to make her hit her snooze button one too many times.

Dan had already left by the time her father came in to see what was taking her so long.

Even with the pillow over her head she couldn't drown out his yelling her name. She'd finally crawled out of bed and gotten ready, but the dread in the pit of her stomach made her want to scream.

She couldn't even eat anything; her stomach was just too upset.

But she'd left and dragged herself to school. On the way, she looked at the people on the bus, trying to focus on what their lives were like, almost envious of them for already being out of their teen years and having settled into a normal routine of going to work, coming home, and not having to deal with the cattiness and bitchiness that surrounded her on a daily basis.

She had been beyond humiliated.

She was accused of a crime she didn't commit; she'd made an ass of herself in front of her crush; and she'd lost everything she'd work for all year.

Who said high school was supposed to be the best years of your life?

Or maybe that was college…

Either way, she still had to go to school, if only to get an education so that she could get a decent job and live a comfortable life.

Too bad a comfortable life wasn't what she wanted.

She was a Humphrey. She was artistic and talented and she wanted to succeed beyond her wildest dreams. She wanted everything. The money, the fame, the rich husband… was that too much to ask for?

Apparently.

The only good thing about arriving late for school was that no one was in the courtyard or the halls. She could just go to her locker and put her things away and hurry to class. She would probably end up with after school detention… she sort of hoped it was in school and during lunch instead, but she probably wouldn't be so lucky.

As she saddled up next to her locker, she felt a disquieting sense of alarm… her locker looked normal… except it didn't. Gritting her teeth, she opened it and blanched at the gooey substance that must have been squirted into her locker through the vents.

There was a note lying innocently on top of the few books sitting in there, like it had been pushed through the vents before the goo-ing had commenced.

Grimacing, she tentatively stuck two fingers in and tried to take out the note, knowing that whatever it was she probably didn't want to read, but she picked it up anyway. She started yanking when the crystal blue goo that had settled on the edges made the note difficult to pry.

She finally got it out and sighed.

Sticky fingers anyone?

Whatever! She crumbled up the note and tried to toss it on the floor.

Unfortunately, the stupid thing stuck to her hand, so she ended up having to pry it off into the trash can at the end of the hall.

She was so late for class! And she couldn't even get her book out at the moment. She hadn't had any homework in that class over the weekend, so she'd left it here. Maybe she should just skip class and attempt to clean her locker.

She'd rather die than let people see her cleaning the thing out later on.

She sighed and went to the janitor's closet before getting to work.


Well, this was definitely going to make things easier. There was nothing like a school assignment to force people to spend time together when one of them was trying to avoid the other.

Chuck shook his head, forcing a smirk to his lips. Though he knew this would be the perfect opportunity for him to dig up some information and turn the tables his way with Nate, the irony wasn't lost on him.

It had to be fate playing a trick.

Backing off from Blair wouldn't be easy when the perfect opportunity for meddling had just presented itself.

"Well, this is definitely going to be interesting," Dick said, looking around at the guys in his group.

Nate just looked to the front, still showing no emotion. But he didn't know why shit like this kept happening to him: having to work on a school project with Chuck, Matt, and Richard 'Dick' Chamberlain—the guy who kept attacking him on the basketball court last week.

No one replied to Dick's comment.

Matt could feel the tension around the table, most of it coming from Nate. He leaned back in his seat and hid a grin.

He didn't need to be tense about the current situation. What did he care? He was the one that got the girl. Well, maybe he should be a little tense… it seemed that both Chuck and Nate kept making plays for Blair when he wasn't around… like how Nate tried to ask Blair out that very morning. Matt shifted and focused on the teacher, mentally counting the ways he'd loved to rub Blair being with him in the golden boys' face.

The teacher droned on and on about the requirements for the project, and explained that they would only get a few days in class to work on it. The rest needed to be done independently. The teacher then passed out the project requirements. Once he was finished, each group was supposed to discuss how they wanted to split things up and schedule their 'outside' meetings.

Dick glanced around and then looked at the paper again before leaning toward Matt.

"Well," he said, just loud enough for Nate to hear. "I know whose not doing the ethics portion of this project."

Matt laughed.

Nate almost crumbled the paper in his hand, resisting the urge to get up and pound both their faces in.

Chuck hadn't realized something was up between Dick and Nate. He eyeballed the exchange, wondering what the story was there.

Obviously it was up to the slacker to put on the pretense of showing interest in the project.

"You can take ethics and structuring," Chuck instructed Dick, deciding it would be best if he just passed out the assignments before any more testosterone got tossed around. "And you can have PR and advertising," he nodded toward Matt. "Nate and I will create the business proposal and run the numbers."

Nate bristled, but figured he'd just take up the issue with Chuck later. He wasn't in the mood to argue with him in front of the other guys. He was trying not to explode as it was.

"But, you will mostly do the numbers, right?" Matt just had to get another hit into Nate while he could.

"Because a high school assignment with fake numbers and valueless money will make or break you?" Chuck said, directing a lethal stare at the white-blonde boy across from him. "Want to switch?"

Matt smirked. "No. I don't mind public relations… I'm especially good at courting while fending off the competition."

Chuck didn't even blink, but inside he was warring with himself. He was supposed to back off… but Matt was making him rethink his decision. When a gauntlet was thrown, the games began… and everyone knew a Bass loved a good game.

Correction.

A Bass loved to win a good game.

Stop it, Charles, Chuck thought. Blair isn't a competition. She has to make her own decisions without manipulation. You aren't allowed to manipulate things with her anymore. You can't mess things up again. Even if she changes her mind, she will never forgive you if you mess with things again.

He reigned in his thoughts and resisted the pull of the game.

For now, anyway…

But Dick was right. Things were definitely going to be interesting.


Jenny managed to finish cleaning her locker before the end of first period.

She grabbed the books she needed and began walking to her next class just as the bell rang and students began pouring out of classrooms. She kept her head down and made herself blend into the traffic, willing herself to be invisible.

It seemed to miraculously work.

She made her way to the water fountain that was near her class, the water helped to cool her off.

She turned around and that's when she saw them, walking down the hall, the crowd parting in front of them…

Blair, Kati, Is, with Melissa trailing behind.

Most surprising of all was the girl standing next to Blair, the two chatting like the best of friends, like they'd known each other for years.

Elise.

And with startling clarity, Jenny knew how Blair had managed to pull off the worst humiliation since Carrie got doused in pig's blood.

Jenny turned quickly back toward the fountain so they wouldn't notice her. But inside her mind was racing.

She needed to figure out her next move.


To be continued…