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: So who is Jane Doe? Any ideas?
Chapter 22 - Victoria Humphrey
"No one knows who Jane Doe is, otherwise we'd have confronted them by now," I whispered quietly across the table to Meredith who seemed to have no problem in discussing the enemy so openly. "Duh..."
"That dismissive nature is going to throw suspicion on you, Vick." Meredith narrowed her eyes at me, giving her accusation more thought. "So everyone's silence tells me that none of you know who Jane Doe is?"
Violet squeezed her hands nervously. "And there's no real way of proving we aren't Jane Doe either. Well, whatever we show, there's no way of proving it's legitimate. Harper can tell you all about authenticity." She frowned at us. "Her dad's a lawyer?"
We all nodded in confirmation.
Something didn't sit right with me. "So do we agree to tell each other when Jane Doe contacts us or what? Because we need some kind of way of helping each other avoid having their secrets spilt."
Meredith's claws shot out. "What's the worst that Jane Doe probably has on you, Vick? That you can't decide between Seb and J.J about who you like? Please- you're pathetic." She got up and left, walking away from the site of explosion from the bombshell she had just dropped.
"Henry, are you coming for dinner?" Violet asked, lacking in subtlety as she pulled Henry away. "Sorry, I didn't want to stay... that's awkward."
It was just me, Seb and J.J.
I looked nervously between them, not able to say a word. This was making my cheeks blaze with heat.
Confidently, J.J spoke first. "Whilst I hate to admit it, Merry's right, Vick. You've been indecisive for a while now and we'll, I guess I'm just eager to know. What are you going to do?"
"Well," I started hesitantly, wondering what the best way to manage this situation was. "I don't know what I want because I can't determine what you guys are feeling. And I am not going to start declaring feelings when I am pretty sure that you're both into other girls. Seb, there's clearly something between you and Violet. J.J - you're too much of a lothario to want a relationship. So both of you better think long and hard about what you want. I'm starting to get tired of playing piggy in the middle."
Amazing, I felt very smug at being able to turn the tables onto them. I was a little too reserved to go asking boys out. 'A little traditionalist' as Mom always said.
And there is nothing wrong with wanting a guy to make the first move.
It wasn't until I was on the border of Central Park that I realised that none of them were following, of which only really confirmed my suspicion. That neither of them were a hundred percent interested.
Seb was clearly still harbouring some hidden emotions for Violet, whilst J.J was no doubt trying to find out who his phantom one night stand was. I couldn't believe that he would stoop that low, but then I knew he was unable to keep his hands off his co=stars, Gracie and Adriana.
Co-stars of the show that was about to be broadcasted later tomorrow.
-o-
"Are you sure about this, Vick?" Harper whispered at our lockets the next day. "Because of the whole Jane Doe exposing whether you would go for Seb or J.J, I wouldn't have expected you to be the one who was organising that sort of thing."
"It's just a viewing party, Harper. Nothing special."
"You know, J.J was asking after you. I think he's worried he's upset you."
"Like he cares," I hissed, slamming my locker shut. "Oh don't give me that look, Harper. J.J knows what he's done and if he's worried about it, then he came come find me and apologise."
"What about rehearsals later?"
"I might accept his apology then." I shrugged my shoulders, trying to hide the smile on my face. "Spread the word though, viewing party at my house. The usual gang."
"Absolutely. How are you getting on with your lines, Titania?"
I remembered all the lines I shared with J.J as Oberon, but it was my Bottom scenes that needed a lot of work. Then there was my costume fittings. The outfit for Titania was gorgeous. The wings I would get to wear for the entrance were big. Whilst they were grand, they were heavy and forced me to walk with my shoulders forced back. I couldn't wait to see an audience's reaction when I come onstage wearing them.
"Hopefully I'll have my later scenes down soon."
"But I thought you had your lines perfect in the first act?"
"Well, I do. I guess it's just a tiny bit easier to learn lines when you are working opposite an actual actor. And with it being J.J... Feel like I have to compete with him to put in a better performance."
"I'll see you there then." Harper smiled softly before remembering something. "Oh and Tommy's okay now- out of hospital and fully recovered. He doesn't want you to come and see him though."
It hit me like a slap across the face, but I respected Tommy's wishes.
"That reminds me. Can you give him this back?" I opened my locker, plucking out a Tommy's dog-earred book. "I know I already gave him back the first, but he gave me another one before he went into hospital. Tell him I really enjoyed it, and I'm sorry I kept it for so long."
"Sure..." Harper whispered, flicking through the pages. "I'm going to be late for class."
"Of course. Me too really..." I tipped my head to one side, watching Harper disappear around the corridor.
"Miss Humphrey! There you are!"
I turned around to see one of the drama co-ordinators coming towards me with a notebook in her hands. She told me that I was needed for an emergency wardrobe meeting. Apparently, Levi and J.J were on their way from St Jude's. It made my stomach drop.
One boy who clearly liked me and one who I was quite taken by but couldn't decide if he was boyfriend material. This was going to be interesting.
In the workshop, I saw the dress I was meant to wear in between the two outfits that were designed for Levi and J.J. My fairy king and my ass lover.
The detail work on the two fairy outfits was incredible. Beads and sequins have been stitched onto the silky material. I couldn't help but gush at them, stroking my hands over the soft outfits.
"Let's get you into the outfit now."
They lace me up into the corset dress, holding the wings to one side as they analyse the fit of the dress. One wardrobe assistant fanned out the short train of the dress, pulling the cream silk and chiffon layers out.
A few pins are poked into the dress to lift it slightly, allowing for easier movement. I don't squeak or jerk when I feel them. It's all in my head that the assistants would stab me purposefully. Having closed my eyes, I don't even know J.J walk into the workshop until he spoke.
"If there be a more beautiful queen, I'd like to know..." J.J's voice sounds reminiscent of the Shakespearean language we have been learning.
"J.J!" I exclaim quietly, going to move until the assistant grabs my arm, holding me in place. "Okay, standing still here- standing still."
The co-ordinator takes a hanger off the rail for J.J. It's a leafy cloak that matches the shades of my dress, teamed with off white linen trousers and sleeveless shirt.
He doesn't hesitate in stripping off. Nervously, I averted my gaze, wondering whether this was some kind of move on his part. Or it's just that he is used to changing in front of people for the T.V show he filmed.
"Any plans for tonight, J.J?" I asked, watching the fairy wings coming towards me, ready to be added to the look.
"Well, not really."
"On the night that your show is about to be broadcast tonight- no chance! Come around mine. We can watch it together."
"Sounds like a good plan."
Levi entered the workshop, grinning from ear to ear at Titania's dress. "Looking sweet Vick!" He walked around me, inspecting all the possible angles. "And J.J- what are you? Batman in a cape?"
J.J rolled his eyes, already having a quip in his head to retaliate. "Ah Levi, already in costume! You look amazing too! What with your character having the face of a donkey."
"Guys..." I moaned softly. "Let's just try and get along. The three of us have got a big part to play."
Levi raised an eyebrow at me. "Um, no. Seb, Henry and the other two are the big parts."
"Yes, for the human scenes, but for the fairies, it's down to us."
J.J smiled at me brightly. "Vick's right. Let's all get along."
-o-
Mom and Dad were eager to know who was coming to the viewing party for J.J's. They were being extremely helpful. Ordering pizzas, arranging decorations and even a photobooth for us to use. It looked perfect.
Harper was first to arrive, and was in complete awe of the room. "Wow Vick. This is incredible."
Immediately, I held out a plastic box for her. "Phone please. Don't worry, Mom is going to be looking after the box anyway." I dropped my own in for good measure. I wanted to create a safe where Jane Doe wouldn't be able to get her claws into us.
Harper nodded in agreement. "I like your thinking." She dropped her phone gently into the box. "Did you hear about Levi? He was like- badmouthing you in school."
"I don't care what Levi thinks of me. If he wants to stoop so low as to spreading silly lies, then let him."
The doorbell goes again and it's the others. Seb tags along behind Violet and Henry, with Merry bringing up the rear. A few more of our fellow students came, happy faces and willing ditching their phones at the door before Mom took the box someplace safe.
I poked my head out the door, wondering where J.J was. As I looked down the quiet street, I saw that he was fast approaching, eyes down on his phone.
"J.J!" I exclaim, pulling the door shut. "J.J, you made it."
He smiled broadly, putting his phone in his back pocket and pulled back his denim jacket. "Vick- look, I don't mean to be too forward but I kind of need to kind of get my act together. Kind of. Ah, I keep saying that. Vick. I want to know if you would like to go on a date sometime soon?"
"I'd love to J.J." I grin enthusiastically, throwing my arms around him. "Come on, we've not got long now."
Taking his hand, I pull him up the steps and everyone cheers in celebration, startling J.J who never saw it coming. I nudge him into the room and it's perfectly organised. At moments, I notice J.J talking to my parents, which makes my eyes widen in shock. I reach out for Violet, accidentally grabbing Seb instead.
"My parents are interrogating J.J. This isn't good."
Hearing Seb's voice confused me. "Well what do you want me to do about it?" he asked with a little bit of exasperation in his voice. "Fine- you owe me..."
"I owe you? Seb. You owe me because I kept quiet about your little crush on Violet. Yeah she told me not you, but the fact I kept it a secret still stands." I winked and smirked. "I'll go and fetch him."
I went over to J.J, greeting my parents politely but widening my eyes as if to say, 'what are you playing at?' I pulled J.J over to the photobooth, sneaking in and sweeping the curtain across.
"Woah- what are you planning?" he asked, with a twinkle in his eye.
Flash one – my shocked face with J.J smiling
Flash two – silly faces
Flash three – staring at each other
Flash four – liplocked, instigated by him
I quickly pulled away, eager to swipe the photos before someone else can. But they're not there. I looked around, no one else is holding anything so I panic. I don't need Jane Doe to have an opportunity to belittle me.
-o-
By the time everyone was leaving, they were singing J.J's praises and commending Violet for her incredible cameo. Henry did look a little jealous at first, but it quickly reverted to support.
The phones were dished out to everyone as they went out the door. It wasn't until I picked out mine that I had a direct message from Jane Doe.
With my photos. The photos of me and J.J. Privacy was important to me and I wanted them back.
Okay Vicky. You pride yourself on privacy and not being easy – but getting off with Boy Wonder in a day? I expected better. You're mine now. My little spy...
I winced, wondering whether it was worth being Jane Doe's spy – the photos weren't that bad. Another message pinged.
Or I'll tell Boy Wonder that you would rather go on a date with Mini Gatsby...
Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = Quick speedy cheaper to see what happens! What are you thinking of the story so far? Don't forget to review