Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl – I own Lydia and Sebastian who are from my previous story "The Unheard Sister of Chuck Bass" and the other characters have been submitted through my SYOC, PM me if you're interested in submitting a character

A/N: Mini Gatsby made a confession to cover up Little Birdie's secret

Chapter 21 – Meredith Sparks

"Don't call me again!" I scream down the phone before exhaling shortly. "Prick."

Disconnecting the call, I prepare myself for the day ahead. No doubt the news of me and Dustin breaking up will have spread around the school like wildfire. There will be not stopping it, but I don't care. It puts me at the top of the food chain. I'm worth being spoken about and I know I am.

My half-brother, Milo, lingers in the doorway, frowning. "Do I need to teach the guy a lesson?" He sternly cracks his knuckles, emphasising his point. "Because if he's done anything to upset you, I'll kill him. He didn't, you know?"

I roll my eyes at his reserved nature. "You can say it, Milo. And no, he didn't force himself on me. All clear there." I breeze past him. "And don't worry, if Dustin comes anywhere near me, then he'll have to worry about me first. I'll skin him alive."

"No doubt in my mind about that, Merry."

I make my way to school, strutting past people who turn their heads my way. Like they should. Then I began to notice the expressions. Looks of embarrassment, and pity. It didn't add up.

Violet was head-deep in her locker when I found her, rifling through a pristine copy of the Shakespeare play we're putting on later this year.

"Violet!" I exclaimed loudly, startling her.

She slammed the book shut and staring at me in shock. "Merry? Oh, well I- didn't expect to see you here today."

"Why's that?"

Violet held out her phone to me. "Jane Doe's targeting you now. She posted that Dustin cheated on you, and multiple times." She bites her lip hard, wincing a little. "You didn't- do anything silly with him that might make him exact revenge."

It wasn't going to be long before Jane Doe moved on to me. I wasn't going to be afraid to stir up some trouble either.

I shook my head, not willing to divulge an honest answer. "What do you take me for? Besides, you're one to talk. Going on breakfast dates with J.J after the pilot he was in is about to air later this week. You can't help but go for another girl's man, can you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Violet paused. "You should also know that Dustin came around to the Archibald's family home and gave Seb one hell of a kicking."

I leant back against the lockers. "Of course," I sighed loudly. "This was bound to happen. Dustin couldn't take it once I found out the truth. I only found out because I stole his phone and got Seb to have a look at it."

"Seb helped you find out?" Violet whispered. "When?"

"Like, I don't know, yesterday morning?" I shrugged my shoulders and readjusted my quilted patent handbag. "Time for lessons now."

-o-

"J.J!" I squealed loudly. "Are you serious?" Feelings of joy, excitement and emotion. "That would be so cool. Are you sure you want to take me?"

His voice was chilled and calm on the other end of the phone. "It's just that- well I had fun with you at the fashion show for Waldorf Designs."

"That wouldn't happen to be the same event where you stole a kiss with Henry's little sis, Tiff?"

J.J stammered, caught off guard. "Well yeah, but that was an accident. Neither of us expected it to happen or really want it to happen. Me and Tiff are cool, it just wasn't great that somebody caught it on their phone. So, I'll send a car around later this evening. Red carpet events are nerve wracking, but we'll be going through it together."

I laughed, trying to sound charming. "Oh you have nothing to worry about. I love the red carpet and I have the perfect dress in mind."

"Great, amazing. I'll see you later."

"Not if I see you first." I smiled, checking my reflection in the mirror. "Bye J.J."

Chucking my phone onto the bed, I wondered what dress I would actually wear. It would mean checking in with the girls and seeing what they thought. Harper, Vick and Violet were excited to help, although Vick was more concerned over where I was going that I needed to get all dressed up for.

I didn't tell her, because she didn't need to know. Besides, she would probably only get jealous I was spending time with J.J, so I was doing her a favour by not saying. Her and J.J were one of these

They chose a bandage style of dress. Fitted bodice with a thick skirt, almost reminiscent of the denim patchwork dress I wore at the fashion show. Teamed with a fresh coat of makeup that match the flame red colour, I felt ready to take on the carpet. I sent a photo of the dress' shade to J.J, just in case he wanted to colour match somehow.

The drive over to the venue was exhilarating, passing by the tall skyscrapers and many office buildings towering over the gridlocked traffic. J.J seemed nervous, more than I expected him to be.

"Why don't we take a selfie? Take a moment to commemorate the occasion?" I suggested cheekily. The request was powered by a desire to be associated with an up and coming actor like Jesse James Conroy. Especially when I wanted to be in the up and coming world for models myself.

"Sure." He smiled, edging a little closer and allowing me to take a picture to quickly upload onto all my socials.

The car stopped outside a posh hotel and I put on a happy face as J.J got out the car first, holding his hand out to me. His hand helps me out the car, my eyes blinded by the rippling camera flashes. I waited a moment, allowing them to capture me at all the best angles. J.J waved to the cluster of teenagers who were screaming out to him, ensuring a craze of chaotic screeches.

"You know how to do all this..." J.J whispered, playfully nudging me in the side. "I've got to talk with the media, come with me?"

The questions the media gives him are tricky, but he manages to manipulate his answers to fit well, without the ability to manipulate them against him. They do comment on who I am, of which J.J replies that we are really good friends and I'm just doing him a favour. Which is pretty much accurate. Within reason.

Inside was pretty lush, with a champagne flute being offered to me. Which had a pleasantly fizzy taste to it. The only problem was how lightheaded it made me.

My memory went a little hazy and I wasn't prepared for what happened next. To wake up in J.J's bed. He was lying flat on his stomach with one arm draped around my shoulder. There wasn't much I could do and I worried what might happen if other people found out. As it was his bedroom, my best bet of a quick escape was going to be to steal some of his clothes. I scoop up my underwear and discarded dress before stealing a hoodie and pair of jeans. Moving slowly, I make my way towards the door as I hope that J.J doesn't wake up because he doesn't need to know and honestly, he's nothing more than a rebound. Dustin might not have been the guy I wanted, but it didn't mean I wasn't over him.

No one can know about this.

Dress in my arms, I made it home quickly with not so much as a glance over my shoulder. Dustin was there on the doorstep, begging for Milo to let him in so he can talk to me. And apologise. Milo caught my eyes and I shook my head. Pulling the hood up, I barge past and into the house.

Only, Milo doesn't let up when he slammed the door in Dustin's face. "You didn't tell me you were starting to cross dress. Should I ask who these clothes belong to?"

"No one," I spat back sharply. "I'm going to shower now. Then I'll probably burn these clothes."

"You be careful, Meredith. Actions have consequences. You should know that by now."

"Whatever Milo. Why don't you go fawn over some brunette bimbo?" I growled angrily, feeling him judging me unnecessarily. "Now go bother someone else."

-o-

Things weren't about to get any tidier. At the rehearsals for the play, there was so much going on between the involved parties that even I couldn't keep up. Maddie Fox was heavily flirting with Henry, even whilst he was clearly showing far more interest in Violet. Aside from that mini triangle, when you added Seb into the mix, there was no denying the prevalent friction. Vick was having a lot of trouble getting the chemistry right with both Levi and J.J. It was unbelievably chaotic that I felt grateful that no one really knew what was going on with me – past the Dustin breakup exposé of course.

Most people knew me and J.J had been at this red carpet event and it was doing wonders for my social media – there were reporters begging to have an interview or have some gossip about the Boy Wonder. Jane Doe was certainly catchy with the nicknames, and I was now on that list with Sparky. Unlike everyone else, I quite liked mine.

Harper sidled up beside me. "So. I notice you and J.J haven't said a word to each other all rehearsal."

I knew what was going on here. "Yeah? Well we're not exactly in each other's scenes and I know Vick's quite fond of him. I'm a girl's girl through and through. How's Logan been?"

"Whatever..." Harper replied, walking away and muttering about something I didn't quite hear.

Instead, I touched up my makeup and prepped to ask the leading parties to join me for cake and coffee at the Boathouse Diner. Everyone seemed up for it – minus Harper who said she had to visit a sick relative in hospital, exchanging a quick glance with Vick. Meaning the other girl must know what it's about. Something I do not know about. Vick was easy to crack into, so I would be able to find out.

The boys were all keen to come along and just chill out after a strenuous rehearsal. Me, Seb, Violet, Henry, Vick and J.J all clustered around a table and it made me count of the degrees of separation.

Violet had kissed all the boys at least once.

J.J had kissed all the girls.

Seb had history with each girl.

The only person I had non connection to was Henry. When I thought about it, Henry was only boy, or even one of us, who had remained completely faithful and not messed around at all. That man was a one gal man. But was that gal a one man gal? Because Violet was really sending mixed messages from the whole love triangle she had gotten herself into.

"Guys, tell me- what's new with St Jude's? Any hot singletons out there?"

Vick laughed. "Besides Seb and J.J you mean?" She winked playfully. "Oh come on- everyone here knows it."

Henry sighed, "Thanks Vick..."

"No, no. It's just like- now that you and Violet are back together and it's all out in the open, you're off the market." Vick turned towards me and J.J. "But you two are the ones to watch, aren't you?"

I flipped my blonde hair back over my shoulder. "And what's that supposed to mean?" I asked argumentatively. "To clarify, there's no me and J.J and even years down the line, there won't be. Sorry J.J, you're just not my type."

J.J nodded in agreement. "I know, because I've got some news of my own." He rubbed his hands together, encouraging us to lean in close. "Now I don't know what happened, but after the red carpet event Merry and I were at, I got super lucky. The only problem is, I have no clue who the girl is. The only thing she left at my house was this earring." He pulled out a golden feather earring, like the ones I wore, and the exact one I had lost. "Now I know there are no takers here, so I guess the best I've ever had is still out there..."

My eyes widened at the compliment I was unable to redeem. Even if I had the guts to, I wouldn't admit it, because I wouldn't want anyone knowing. Maybe to J.J I might let slip.

"Now there's an accolade if I ever heard one..." Seb added. "If you find her, let me know." He winced when he felt a foot slam down on his.

I took a sip of my coffee. "Now now, let's just focus on something else. Like who this Jane Doe is?"

They all looked around at me with gormless expressions. None of them had even given it a moment's thought.

Until now.

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = A few more twists and turns are exactly what the group did not need – what's going to happen next?!