A/N: Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for your incredible support for the last chapter. It has been so humbling and empowering to read such a large volume of support for this story. It means a great deal to me! I have an announcement at the end of this chapter, so please don't forget to read it. Without further ado, read on!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl or any of it's characters. I only own the original characters I've created in this story.
Chapter 23: A Bass is Born
While some scandals fade, some feel like they'll last forever. We hear our newly found Princess E finds herself avoiding the cameras just as much as she called to them last week. Whoever said coming down from your tower was ever going to be easy didn't realize there are no steps to guide your way.
A week had passed, and the gossip bombs that dropped on graduation night weren't replaced with new scandals. It wasn't swept under the rug, hushed up, and forgotten like most Upper East Side scandals were. Even Bart Bass couldn't keep away all the photographers that waited outside their building every morning. Once Gossip Girl posted the rumour about Evelyn's identity, it exploded faster than an imported Chinese firework.
Tabloids everywhere reported the story, and Evelyn struggled to leave the penthouse without being followed. Cameras flashed at every corner with paparazzi shouting at her, and a couple people had even pushed her. It was as if someone was breathing down her neck constantly. Her neck was sore form constantly looking over her shoulder expecting a flash.
Evelyn fell back on Serena's bed while her stepsister threw different articles of clothing into her suitcase. She rolled onto her side, and scrunched up into a ball. Evelyn proceeded to bury her face into Serena's sheets.
"How do you do it, Serena?" She muffled through the comforter.
Serena threw another rumpled dress into her suitcase. "Do what?"
Evelyn turned to lie on her side. She pushed away the frizzy bits of hair away from her flushed face. "Deal with the paparazzi. It's exhausting."
Serena rolled up a pair of jeans. "You just wait for the next scandal to take over. You'll only have to wait it out a couple more days, and then we'll be off to Africa. They won't bother following us there."
Evelyn curled into a ball. "I hope you're right."
Serena dropped her jeans into the nearly overflowing suitcase. "Are you even done packing yet?" Serena said.
"No," Evelyn grumbled. "I can't pack if I'm not sure I'm even going."
Serena sat on her suitcase, making sure it zipped up properly. "What are you talking about?"
"My aunt and uncle are supposed to be coming to get me."
Serena picked up her purse from the cluttered floor. "Why?"
"They don't want me staying here. They don't think it's a good influence for me, and the publicity stunt proves they have a point."
"But I thought you liked it here? Are you going to move back to Connecticut?"
Evelyn rubbed her tired eyes. "I do like it here. I told them I wanted to stay, and now they're going to try and drag me back. My dad hasn't told me what's going on since I told him about it. He just said he'd take care of it. That sounds kinda ominous, no?"
"If Bart is on the case, then you have nothing to worry about. He can work any angle."
"I hope you're right," Evelyn said.
"Trust me. Now stop moping around, and start packing!" Serena pulled Evelyn to her feet.
"Thanks, Serena," Evelyn said.
"What are sister's for?"
The early summer days promised the best mornings to smoke up. There was something about mixing fresh air in Central Park with plumes of smoke that made Chuck regenerate after a frigid winter. Chuck took his first puff and held the smoke in his lungs. He enjoyed the burn until he had to exhale.
Chuck passed the joint to Nate to take a hit. "So we are now officially roommates, man," Nate said exhaling wisps of smoke.
"Are you ready for the legendry parties we will throw, Nathaniel? It'll be like the lost weekend every weekend."
Nate passed the joint back to Chuck. "You know I'm in, but what about Blair?"
Chuck's brows furrowed. "What do you mean what about Blair?"
Nate shrugged. "Well if you two are finally going to date, don't you think it would be a good idea to settle down a bit?"
"That's a big if Nathaniel," Chuck said. He took another hit.
"So nothing is going to change between you two?"
"Why should they? Things are going well," Chuck said.
Nate sighed. "I dunno man. College is going to be so different. If you don't man up and tell her how you feel then she'll find someone else who will."
"Thanks for the chiding pep talk, Nathaniel."
"I'm serious man. Blair's not going to wait forever. If you don't tell her how you feel, then you'll be waiting forever."
"Nathaniel. You're behind on the times as usual. I know that. Who said I couldn't do both? I'm starting college not serving a life sentence. It's not like I would forbid Blair to party either."
"Until you caught her with someone else," Nate said.
"Blair wouldn't do that." Chuck looked at the ducks that waddled in front of them in a straight line.
"You're telling me you wouldn't do that either?"
"You know I can handle my liquor. No matter how drunk I get, I'm not that out of it. Why are we even having this conversation?"
"I dunno. I just wonder where you're at man. I mean you support her to figure out what to do after Yale, you go on a weekend trip with here-"
"That was a scheming trip. Purely platonic."
"Well you took her to prom…" Nate said.
"What's your point, Nathaniel?"
"Don't just string her along if you really don't want to be with her. If you really care about her, fight for her or let her go."
Chuck turned to face Nate. "Why do you care so much Nathaniel?"
"Look I've seen Blair hurt too many times with you and me. We're all going to the same school next year, and I think it would be best if we all start fresh. That includes you making a decision about Blair and move forward with it."
"I forgot how philosophical you got when you're high Nathaniel," Chuck said.
"Thanks."
"If you must know," Chuck said. He licked his lips. "I've already made my decision. I'm going to tell Blair today."
"What? Dude, that's great!"
Chuck smiled. Nate slapped his back. "You have a plan don't you?"
Chuck looked away and took another drag.
"Yeah you do," Nate chuckled.
"Well, as easy as it is to tell you all of this. I know the only person who needs to hear it is Blair."
"So go do it," Nate said.
"I just…I don't know if I can trust her you know. It's not about just saying I love you, it's everything that comes with those words."
"You've given this a lot of thought," Nate said.
"We Basses never agree to a proposition before looking it over thoroughly," Chuck said.
Nate dropped the joint and extinguished it with the bottom of his shoe. "We better get going then. Chuck Bass's future starts today."
Nate patted his back, and the two friends walked back to the limo. Chuck grinned at his supportive best friend before returning to the penthouse.
Spotted: N and C smoking up in Central Park. Look out Lonely Boy. It looks like this bromance is back on.
Bart shook the last board member's hand when their board meeting came to an end. He smiled when he held the door open for the elderly man, whose white hair combed over his shiny head. Once he saw him off, Bart returned to his office.
"Hello, Mr. Bass," His assistant Clarissa said when he walked through his reception area.
"Hello Clarissa," Bart replied, as he pushed through his office door. He moved to his desk, dropping his suitcase behind his chair. When he looked up, Clarissa appeared with a black coffee in her hand. She set it down on his desk.
"Mr. Andrew Tyler called when you were in your meeting Mr. Bass."
He lifted his steaming cup of coffee to his lips. "Thank you, Clarissa."
Once his assistant left the room, Bart immediately speed dialled Andrew's number. He'd already been in meetings with him about the different avenues they could proceed with stopping Kim from taking Evelyn away again. After much consideration, Andrew advised that the best course of action was to change Evelyn's parental custody from Kim to him. Since Evelyn wants to stay with Bart, all that's needed is the proper legal documents to be signed by Evelyn. The only catch, the current guardian must sign the papers too.
It was risky because if Kim did not sign the papers, she could do whatever she wanted with Evelyn. Since Bart was a gambling man, it was a risk he was willing to take.
Bart waited, and listened to the dialling tone on the other line. "Hello?"
"Hello Andrew. My assistant informed me that you called. My apologies. I was in a meeting."
"Yes I did call. I was calling you to let you know that the legal documents are ready to be signed. I've already had my secretary courier it over to you yesterday. I just wanted to give you a heads up."
Bart rifled through the stack of mail that arrived for him in that morning. "I'm looking for it now."
"It's in a yellow manila envelop."
Bart thumbed through different bills and spotted a yellow manila envelope. His name was on the front. He opened it, and Andrew Tyler's signature logo was at the top of the legal sheet. "Got it," Bart said. "I'll let you know if I need anything else."
He flipped through the terms of the legally binding document and smiled. On the very last page were two blank lines ready for signatures. So long as Evelyn signed the document, which he had no doubt that his daughter would, he knew he would finally put this age-old conflict behind himself. Nothing Kim could say would change anything. All he wanted was his family back, and if he could make a bet, he would bet on himself.
Evelyn was just finishing up her breakfast at the dining table when she saw Nate and Chuck round the corner. She sat alone flipping through the newspaper. She always preferred the international and science related stories. Politics and editorials not so much.
She swallowed her last mouthful of egg and nodded at the boys in greeting. Chuck swaggered with Nate as they chuckled at something.
"Hey," Evelyn said. "Did you guys have a good walk?"
"Yeah we did actually," Nate said.
They both stopped in front of her. Nate leaned against the bar counter and looked over at the newspaper. "Brazil beats the U.S. in the Confederations Cup Final. How shocking."
"It was actually. We beat Spain which is the best team in the world a week before, so that was pretty shocking that we were even in the final."
"But against Brazil? We had no chance," Nate said.
"Hey, it was a close match. We only lost by a goal." Evelyn pointed to the first line of the article. "The final score was three to two."
Chuck cleared his throat. "As riveting as this conversation of men kicking a ball around is, I'm going to my room to prepare for something."
Evelyn scrunched her brows together. Nate looked at his watch. "Ah, I should go. I'll talk to you later man." He patted Chuck's arm. "I'll see you both later."
Evelyn drummed her fingers on the counter. She'd wanted to talk to Nate for a while now to clear the air before he disappeared for the summer. Evelyn knew she left things unresolved with Nate, and wanted to make sure they were on the same page as they started the next year in different places. With Chuck spending so much time with Nate lately, Evelyn didn't have any opportunities. She didn't want to make Chuck suspicious or give him any false impression.
Chuck and Nate walked toward the elevator. Chuck turned to walk up the stairs, and Nate rounded the corner. Evelyn hopped off her chair, and waited for Chuck to disappear to the second floor. Instead, Chuck swaggered at his relaxed pace.
Evelyn threw her head back and shut her eyes. When she opened them, Chuck was gone. Evelyn propelled herself into a sprint, and grabbed the wall to swing herself into the elevator. The door was closing and she slipped inside before the door shut. Evelyn barrelled into Nate, pushing him against the elevator wall, his blue eyes wide.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry." Evelyn peeled her hands off his chest and took a step back.
"I've had worse surprises," Nate said.
"Sorry for the abruptness, but I need to talk to you about something."
"Okay. What's up?"
Evelyn took a deep breath. Her eyes found the floor, and her throat closed up.
"Are you okay?" Nate asked.
"Sorry. I've never done this before. I-I know I've left things really up in the air for the past month, but there's been so much going on that I just needed to deal with that stuff first."
"It's okay. I totally understand," Nate said.
"Good," Evelyn said. "This—this—whatever this is between us…I just don't think it should happen right now."
"You already let me down easy, and then you kissed me at prom."
"That was a minor transgression. The point Nate, is that you're starting college, I'm still not sure if I'll be at Constance, but I'll still be in high school. We'll be in two completely different worlds, so I just don't think it's the right time to be starting something."
"I get it. But if you need anything just let me know. Constance girls can be vicious."
"Tell me about it," Evelyn sighed. The elevator door opened, and Evelyn walked out with him.
"I guess this is goodbye then," Evelyn said.
"Yeah. You guys are leaving for your trip soon, and I am leaving too."
Evelyn crossed her arms. "Where are you off to?"
"I'm road tripping across the country. I'm basically doing a full circle around the coasts."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "Wow! That's quite the perimeter drive."
"Yeah, but it should be fun though. I'll send you pictures."
She smiled. "Please do."
They looked at each other for a moment. Nate opened his arms and said, "Come here."
Evelyn wrapped her arms around him. She rested her chin on his shoulder and breathed him in. They let go, and Nate turned to walk out of the lobby. Evelyn watched him go, and waited for him to look over his shoulder. He didn't. Instead, he pushed through the glass doors and disappeared onto the street.
Chuck pocketed his cellphone, as he pressed the elevator button. He took a deep breath and waited for the elevator door to open.
"Charles!" Lily said when she stepped out of the elevator.
"Hi Lily," Chuck said. He took a step to the side to let her out of the elevator.
"Where are you off to?"
"I'm going to see Blair." He smiled at the floor.
Lily squeezed his arm. "Oh, well I won't keep you."
Chuck looked up. Lily's eyes were smiling at him, knowing this visit was Blair was hardly a social call. Lily turned to walk away.
"Lily wait," Chuck said.
She turned, her forehead creasing. "What is it Charles?"
"How do you know when you're ready?"
Lily furrowed her brows further. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure I know what you're referring to. Ready for what?"
"How you know you're ready to tell someone how you feel about them?"
Lily dropped the hand that was fisted on her waist. "Well, most people have told me you just know, but I don't think they account for impulses and alcohol."
Chuck smirked. Lily walked back to him and placed both hands on his arms. "What I do know is that you know when you are ready to take the risk."
Chuck looked away and felt that feeling she was talking about. For the first time he acknowledged, and just knew it was what he needed to do. He was always a betting man. Making wages, gambling, risking it all. But he had never risked gambling for love. They were two separate entities that he knew could end in disaster if he mixed them together. Now, he also knew that mixing them together could give him a high that no drug ever could. It could give him what he needed most. Love.
Chuck nodded his head. "You're right, Lily."
Lily gave him a hug. "Oh that's hard to imagine isn't it?"
Lily's phone began to ring. "One second….Hello? Yes this is she. Mr. Bass has a visitor? …I just walked in, so if I see him I'll let him know…. Great. Thanks."
"What was that about?"
She waved her hand. "Oh it's nothing for you to worry about. It's just something for your father. Go now. I know she's waiting."
Chuck smiled and clicked the elevator button again. He stepped inside and pressed the ground floor button. "Thanks Lily."
"Good luck, Charles."
And with a newfound confidence and purpose, Chuck stood up tall, as the elevator door glided shut.
Evelyn hustled up the Met steps later that morning. She hopped up the steps two at a time until she reached the top step where Blair was perched. She wore her signature gold headband with a jewelled butterfly. Jenny sat beside her on the same step, her short blonde waves brushed over one shoulder. The other minions flanked them, staggered on the steps beneath them.
"You're late," Blair said.
"I'm sorry. I got caught in traffic." Evelyn's chest rose and fell haphazardly, making her shoulders raise and lower.
Evelyn moved up a couple more steps to sit beside Jenny. Blair cleared her throat.
"Something caught in your throat there, Blair?" Evelyn said after a moment of silence that lasted far too long.
"Yes." Blair flicked her wrist and shooed Evelyn away from her.
"You want me to leave?" Evelyn scoffed.
"No," Jenny pleaded, as she turned to Evelyn. Jenny leaned over and quietly said, "she wants you to move down a couple steps."
Evelyn looked between Blair's bitchy smirk and Jenny's pleading blue eyes. Evelyn bit on her tongue and huffed, "Fine." She shimmied down a step.
Blair cleared her throat again. Evelyn resisted the urge to let out an audible sigh. She pursed her lips, and turned to Blair.
"Not enough," Blair flicked her wrist again.
Evelyn stood up and took the open place at the last step. She looked up as Blair finally began her speech.
"Thank you. Now lets begin. It is with great pleasure that I present you the new Queen of Constance: Jenny Humphrey."
The girls clapped while Blair reached into her tote bag. "That's enough ladies."
Once the girls hushed, Blair continued. "It is tradition that when a queen abdicates her throne when she graduates, she not only passes her kingdom to the next queen, but also a crown of her choosing. It is my honour to present your new queen with her crown." Blair opened the class case. A black headband rested on the silk cushion with diamonds that spiked in a vine-like fashion. It was bold. It was daring. It was Jenny.
Blair took off her headband, letting her curls fall loosely around her face. Evelyn looked at Blair for the first time without her signature accessory. She looked older. More mature. Then, she placed the black headband on Jenny's head.
The girls clapped and Blair stood with her phone in hand. "Let the new reign begin," she said. Then she stepped down and didn't look back.
All the girls turned expectantly to Jenny. Evelyn's phone rang. "I'm sorry. I have to take this."
Evelyn stepped away as Jenny nodded to her before making her first declaration. "Alright, first thing's first. No more headbands next year…"
Evelyn answered her phone. "Hello?"
"Hi Evelyn, it's Lily. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"No—no you're not. What's going on?"
"I need you to come back to the penthouse. It's urgent."
"Is everything okay, Lily?" Evelyn gripped the phone tighter.
"It will be," she sighed. "Please just get here as soon as you can."
"Okay. I'm at the Met, but I'll be on my way."
Evelyn turned back to Jenny and the girls. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. It's a family emergency."
"Don't worry," Jenny said. Her brows curved. She looked at her minions who looked at her expectantly. "You are free to go."
Evelyn resisted rolling her eyes at the formality. "Thank you."
Evelyn jumped down the steps, as she dialled Arthur. Within minutes, she was in the Bass limo on her way back to the penthouse. Her stomached flipped, as she wondered what could be wrong. She thought of her father and Chuck, Lily and Jenny. She thought of everyone who had become family over the past four months. She felt her stomach ache even more. Evelyn rolled down the window, and let the early summer breeze lap over her face. She tilted her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. Deep down, she thought of what was waiting for her back at the penthouse and all of her strength and will would not stop her from having to face it. Evelyn blocked out all of the honking and squeaking of tires rubbing against the road, and just tried to breathe.
There was gridlock traffic in Manhattan, and the limo barely moved in five minutes. The ride passed achingly slowly. When the limo finally pulled up to the Plaza hotel, Evelyn pounded the concrete, her hands balled up into fists, shoulders squared.
When she stepped out of the elevator, she took a breath, and turned the corner. Three heads turned in her direction, but all Evelyn could see was one face. She sat on one of the chairs, her legs crossed. Her hair was slicked back in a tight bun, her black t-shirt clinging to the two rolls of her stomach.
Suddenly, Evelyn felt dizzy, and reached for the wall to steady herself. Her hands felt cold, and she was sure her face was white.
It was her Aunt Kim.
All hail Queen J! Queen B was spotted stepping down from her throne, and Little J wasted no time filling her seat. Meanwhile E made a quick getaway right after the ceremony. How rude. Congrats Queen J. You earned it.
A black stretch limo pulled up to the only colonial house on a Manhattan Street. Thick tree trunks anchor the front lawn, and the leaves whistled in the wind. A black iron fence walled around the property lines with blooming flowers and pruned bushes waft sweet aromas. Skyscrapers and apartment buildings surround the house like a pebble wedged in a cracks between two giant boulders.
The limo driver got out of the car and hurried to open the trunk. He began to unload the set of red suitcases and moving boxes. It was unusual to see a move of old items on the Upper East Side, as the purchase of the new property always led to the purchase of everything else new.
Ozzy Taylor stepped out of the limo in his buckling converse sneakers. He looked up at his thirteenth home. It was by far the most opulent house that he could remember. It resembled more of a museum than a home. The building's historical landmark status didn't help.
He lifted his brown duffel bag over his shoulder and picked up one of his mom's suitcases.
"Excuse me, sir! I'll carry all of the bags for you," the driver said.
"Oh, it's okay. I got this one." Ozzy lifted the handle, and used his body to push through the front gate.
Ruby Taylor waited by the curb, watching the driver set the last piece of her luggage on the sidewalk. She counted all seven pieces of luggage. "It's all here," she said. "Please put the bags in the front hall Lawrence."
"Right away Ms. Taylor."
Lawrence carried two full sized pieces of luggage to the door. Ozzy stepped out of the way, and onto the porch. He reached into his olive green cargo pants for his phone. There were no messages. Who was he kidding? Nobody was going to text him. He's barely kept in touch with the friends he's made from the past four moves. Why start now?
Philip Montgomery arrived to the door and greeted his mom. "Welcome home, honey."
Ozzy rolled his eyes. Like he hadn't heard that one before. He leaned back on the closest marble column and remembers the third fiancée from Texas saying the same thing. They moved out three weeks later because of his belt buckle.
Then, Ozzy heard the thumping of feet pound the hallway. Dash ran and slid on the hardwood floors with his argyle socks. He braked just before hitting the doorframe. "Welcome home, mom!"
His mom chuckled and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Dash. This is such a wonderful welcome."
"Well come inside then," Philip said.
Ruby stepped into her new home while Ozzy hung back. He was in no rush to get settled into this house. He didn't plan on staying long.
Dash held the door open. "Are you coming brother?"
"I'm not your brother just yet," Ozzy said with his arms crossed.
"But you will be in a few months. Be grateful," Dash said.
They walked into the front foyer, and down the hall to the kitchen. "Do you want something to eat? Let's see what we've got."
Ozzy hung back by the doorway. "No thanks. I'm good."
"Whatever." Dash shrugged. "Suit yourself." He took a carton of milk and guzzled it.
Philip and Ruby walk in the kitchen behind Ozzy. Ruby laughed with her arm around Philip's waist. "Dash, why don't you help Ozzy settle into his room?"
"Yes, sir."
They walk up the stairs while Dash prattles on about their live in maid, and how awesome his room is. Dash opened the door to Ozzy's room. A mahogany sleigh bed sat in front of a huge dresser. Long windows let in plenty of natural light on either side of the bed, while the matching mahogany crown moulding and wainscoting reminded Ozzy of a grandfather's home.
He stayed in this room when they had the engagement party. It felt more like a hotel room than an actual home. A brown trunk was placed on top of a Turkish carpet at the foot of his sleigh bed.
Ozzy dropped his duffle bag at the foot of his bed. At least fifteen pillows decorated half the bed, and five layers of sheets and blankets were folded intricately.
"Please tell me that's not all you brought," Dash said. He had to hop up to crinkle the perfectly pressed bed sheets.
"This is pretty much it."
Dash stared at him. "You can't be serious."
Ozzy unzipped his duffle and dumped all of his possessions onto the bed. A few pairs of rolled up frayed jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, socks and boxers fell on the rug.
Dash rifled through the pile. "Sweet Jesus. You need me more than I thought."
"I don't need anyone's help."
Dash shook his head. "Yeah you do. You have no idea what you're in for. First off, we need to correct this," Dash said. He pointed to Ozzy in a circular motion.
Ozzy threw a shirt at Dash's head. "No we don't. Don't treat me like some charity case."
Dash hopped off the bed. "Mom? Dad?" Dash ran to the door. "We're going shopping!"
"What the hell Dash? I just got here."
"Just put your shoes on and get downstairs."
Ozzy sighed and stomped out of his new room.
"Dash where did you say you and Ozzy were heading off to? I couldn't hear form the kitchen," Ruby said.
"We're just going to pick up a few things that I know Ozzy's needs to get settled in. We'll be back for dinner." Dash slapped Ozzy's back and pushed him out the door.
It was the start of a very partial friendship.
"Evie, sweetheart, are you okay?"
Her Aunt Kim was by her side in an instant. She curled a cold hand on Evelyn's wrist. Evelyn took a deep breath and pushed herself away from the wall. She looked down to where her aunt's plump fingers curled around her arm tight.
"I'm fine." Evelyn shrugged out of aunt's grasp, and sat on the white armchair. She leaned back, as her aunt walked around to face her with a deep frown and furrowed brows.
Evelyn focused on the shaggy rug. Then she looked at her father and Lily. Both of their shoulders were squared. "I can see why this was urgent."
Bart cleared his throat. "Kim, if you could please sit down, we can get started."
Kim shot Bart a dirty look, but sat in the seat closest to Evelyn. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to get to the point," Bart said.
"I have a document that Lily and I have already signed that allows us to be the legal guardians for Evelyn until she is eighteen."
Lily covered her hand over Bart's. "Evelyn has expressed that she indeed wants this, and if she still does today, all she has to do is sign the paperwork." Bart pushed the papers on the glass coffee table in front of Evelyn.
Kim's lip curled. She snatched the legal document from the table. "That's very well and good, but how does this legally binding document override the reason you were an unfit parent to begin with?"
Evelyn reached for her locket, her eyes narrowed on the plush carpet.
"Over the past four month I've proven my abilities as a parent. I've fulfilled my obligations to my daughter and she knows it," Bart replied tonelessly. "You don't have any evidence against me."
"Evidence? I had evidence all those years ago when we settled this out of court."
Evelyn's head snapped to her aunt's direction. Then she looked at her father, her eyes filled with questions.
"That was a long time ago Kim. Everything has changed since then."
"But it doesn't change what happened," Kim said. She looked at the contract. "So whatever lies you told Evelyn, she at least deserves to know the truth of who you are before she decides to live with you in your crazy world."
Evelyn looked at her aunt Kim. Her eyes were luminescent, her hands balled up in fists. Her stomach folds jiggled as she spoke with venom.
"What happened," Evelyn said quietly. "What lies?"
Bart looked at his daughter. "Everything I told you about me, your mother, the company, it was all true. She knows everything that needs to be known Kim."
"Can I see the papers please?" Evelyn said to her Aunt.
She handed them over without taking her eyes off of Bart. They were currently engaged in a staring contest. Evelyn flipped through the first page and got lost in the legal jargon. She continued to flip through the twenty-page document and found something of interest.
"I have the ability to visit my Aunt and Uncle whenever I want?" Evelyn said.
"Yes," Bart replied.
"And they are allowed to visit me in the city if they want?"
"As long as you give your consent, Evelyn. This is really about you, so you deserve your say in this decision."
Evelyn flipped through the pages and looked at the three adults around her. "I'm going to need a minute to myself." Still clutching the papers, Evelyn dashed out of the living area. She tore down the hallway, past the kitchen and to her room. She closed the door, and leaned back on it. She hugged the papers to her chest and her breathes jutted. Evelyn's mind was so shocked that she couldn't think of anything. It was as if any thought she ever had were erased, and all that was left was a blank chalkboard.
She breathed. She reached for her golden locket and opened it. Inside was a picture of her mom. Misty Bass. She still knew so little about her, and she felt uneasy about what her Aunt Kim implied. She implied that her father and perhaps her mother weren't as great as she thought they were.
Whenever Evelyn was in a pinch as a child, she'd always play with her locket and open it. She'd stare at her mother's face and wonder, what would mom do?
She opened the locket and looked at the woman with dark brown hair, a long elegant neck, and plump lips. She asked herself what would her mom do?
This time she didn't know. She didn't know because she didn't really know her mom. But her father promised her she'd learn more.
Evelyn dropped the locket and remembered all the reasons why she wanted to stay, but now that she held the paper in her hand, she wasn't so sure. She read the agreement word for word. Evelyn knew better than to sign a document without reading it completely. She knew that her signature would be permanent.
When she was ready, Evelyn returned to the stiff living area. She looked at the papers and then to Bart. "I'm ready. I'd like to sign the papers."
Aunt Kim looked like someone had just punched her in the gut. Evelyn ignored her judgmental stare, while her father offered her a pen. She sat beside him and scribbled her signature. When it was complete, he patted her back.
Evelyn made the mistake of looking up to at her Aunt. Her eyes were red, and they stared right through her.
"I'm sorry," Evelyn said, her voice quivering. "But you have to understand that this is what's best for me."
Aunt Kim shook her head. "No, you don't understand. You don't understand that I warned you before you left. You threw caution at the wind. You changed Evie. You're willing to throw me away, the only family that's been with you unwaveringly since before you're born. And now I'm disposable? I have never been more disappointed in you."
"That's enough," Bart said.
"That'll be all. Let's move on to the more important issue at hand other than berating Evelyn. You need to sign the legal document too," Lily added.
"I will never sign those papers." Tears trailed down her cheeks.
"I think you forgot something Kim. I can be very persuasive," Bart said.
Before Aunt Kim could respond, Evelyn interrupted. "Could I have a moment alone with my Aunt?"
Bart and Lily shared a look. "Alright," Bart said.
"We'll be in the kitchen," Lily said.
Once they left, Evelyn turned to her aunt. "You're not disposable to me," she began. "And I love you. You are the mother I never had, and I will never be able to thank you enough for raising me. But you have to trust me. I'm not going to just desert you. In fact, I was planning on spending the other half of my summer in Connecticut before you freaked out. I just think that there is so much opportunity for me here in the city, and I need to understand a part of me that I didn't know existed. It doesn't mean the part of myself I know will disappear. I'll gain a greater whole. Do you understand that? Not just for now, but the future."
Her aunt dabbed her eyes and nodded.
"And just because you need to let me go doesn't mean I won't come back. I will. I promise. I wouldn't have agreed to the terms if I didn't think they were fair. Besides, there is a clause that at any time I wish, I can request to change my legal guardians anytime after an initial period of six months. That's not long."
Her Aunt Kim stared at her. After a moment of silence, she said, "Okay, but I'll hold you to that promise."
Evelyn smiled and jumped up to hug her aunt. She didn't realize until this moment how much she missed her bear hugs. "Once we're back from Tanzania, I'll head straight over to Connecticut. You'll see."
"Tanzania?" Aunt Kim sputtered.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to tell you about that….It's all taken care of—even though I actually came up with the idea."
"But there are certain things you need to be cautious of when going to Africa."
"I've already got all the shots I need. Don't worry. We can talk about those details over lunch." Evelyn picked up the pen and presented it in front of her Aunt.
Reluctantly, she picked it up and said, "I'm letting go."
She signed her name on the document, and Evelyn wrapped her arms around her once more. "Thank you," She murmured.
Evelyn called Bart and Lily into the room, and they politely thanked Kim for her signature.
"Let's go out for lunch, now. I know so many places you'd love."
"Of course dear," Aunt Kim patted Evelyn's leg. "Lead the way."
"Okay! I'll go grab my purse," Evelyn smiled.
Evelyn hopped off the sofa, and ran to her room. Kim stood up and slung her purse over her shoulder. She brushed past Bart and said something in such a low tone that only he could pick up on it.
She said, "This isn't over. One day, she'll know everything. She'll see you for who you really are, and you'll lose her forever."
Dash hopped into the limo, and ordered the driver to Fifth Avenue. He sat back, his legs sprawled.
"Where are we going?"
"I told you shopping. Just leave the thinking to me, bro. I've got plenty of experience with this stuff."
Ozzy leaned his head against the window. He didn't doubt Dash's claim. Dash had grown up in New York City, and had grown up in the very house he just moved into. It may be fine for him to just go somewhere, but Ozzy wasn't ready. He just moved into the house a half hour ago. He looked out the window to see throngs of people cutting and weaving around each other. Cars honked and bikers weaved through traffic. It was a lot. It was different than the quiet suburban streets from Southington County in Hartford.
"We're here, and double parked. We gotta get out now," Dash said shaking Ozzy away from his thoughts.
He stepped out of the limo and rushed to the sidewalk. Dash followed behind him. Ozzy looked around him. Skyscrapers lined up beside each other while buses passed and taxis honked.
"Where are we going?"
"Just follow me," Dash said.
They walked side by side. Ozzy looked around not knowing where he was. It was a familiar feeling for him. The helplessness gave him a strange comfort. Typically in these situations, he was alone, and found ways to explore where he was. Having to rely on Dash was not a welcome feeling.
"Hold up," Dash said. He extended his arm in front of Ozzy, forcing him to stop walking.
Ahead of them was this mob of photographers following a group of people out of a hotel courtyard. Cameras flashed, as a bodyguard pushed a few people away in order to let the people into the waiting limo.
A older man with white hair and a blonde women, probably his wife, quickly make their way to the waiting car.
"Who are they?" Ozzy asked. "They seem important."
"Dude," Dash said. "That's the Bass family. They are one of the richest families in New York. That guy does business with my dad. They were at our parents engagement party."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You probably don't remember them all because you disappeared for like half the night."
"Does this happen to most people at your school?" Ozzy said.
"No, but it happens when the tabloids find out something scandalous about your family I guess."
Ozzy looks at him sceptically. "Scandalous?"
"You know don't you?"
"Obviously not."
"The new girl at Constance this year? She's Bart Bass's daughter."
"Evelyn?"
That was Evelyn? Her father whom she talked about was Bart Bass? Ozzy felt like he should have made the connection. He was going to call her once he settled in. With their newly defined friend status, he didn't want to screw anything up. But he knew he needed to make an effort. This was the only relationship he knew was worth preserving at all costs.
Dash turns to him. "Yeah. How'd you know that?"
"I just…I knew her before she moved here."
Dash's eyes bulged. "How well did you know her?"
"We were friends. We went to school together."
"Friends? What kind of friend? A friend that's a bro, or a friend you want to fuck?"
Ozzy shook his head. Dash had no business knowing that information. They barely knew each other as far as Ozzy was concerned. "Neither."
Dash chuckled. "Bullshit. You totally want to fuck her."
Ozzy looked down at the sidewalk. "Are we going shopping or what?"
Dash threw his arm around his neck. "Yes. But I think we need a drink first. You need to loosen up a bit."
Ozzy grimaced. "I don't drink coffee."
Dash laughed. "You have so much to learn. I'm thinking a tequila shot should do you some good. Think of it as a welcome to New York drink."
"It's like eleven o'clock in the morning—"
"It's five o'clock somewhere," Dash said.
Dash dragged him to the nearest bar and ordered the round of shots. "To your new life in New York, bro. It's gonna be a hell of a ride."
They clinked glasses and sucked back the tequila. Ozzy sucked on the lemon chaser and winced. He hated tequila because it never sat well in his stomach. He looked over at Dash whose shook his head after the shot.
"Can you handle tequila? Ozzy asked.
Dash scoffed. "Please. I just had a bad incident with tequila a couple weeks ago at a party. Now," he held up his empty glass, "I'm over it."
Ozzy shook his head and held his shot glass. He spun the glass on the bar table, his fingerprints distorting the clarity of the glass. Ozzy gripped onto the glass tight. He thought of Evelyn in that moment, of this new life she was already apart of in New York. He'd survived the likes of Houston, Los Angeles, and Hartford among others. But this time he didn't want to just survive.
He wanted to thrive.
Spotted: A new brother duo stopping in a bar before noon. Word has it D may finally have a friend next year. How adorable. But who is this new brother of his? Send me the deets and you will be rewarded.
Chuck stood at the top of the Empire State Building with a bouquet of pink peonies in his hand. He thought back to the games he and Blair used to play for the past couple of years. The game seemed so distant to him now, and while he'd always cherish the victorious memories from his youth, he knew it was time to retire from the game with Blair. Now that he was a legal adult, he had no business acting petty with the woman that he loved.
So here he was, about to call a truce. A ceasefire. They'd been in a really good place for the past month, and Chuck didn't want that to change. He was willing to retire from the game if it meant he won the prize.
Chuck looked at his watch again. She was really making him wait through this. He continued to overlook the Manhattan skyline. It was his favorite view, especially from this altitude. But it was hardly a view alone. Chuck turned away from the view and saw Blair Waldorf standing at the doorway. She looked at him with her big doe eyes. She wore a pastel green coat, and sunny yellow shoes. Her hair looked bare without her headband.
"Chuck..."
He chuckled. "With that tone, you always call me Bass."
Blair smiled, and Chuck got lost in her eyes. He looked away, and handed her the peonies.
"Thank you." Blair lifted the peonies to her nose.
Chuck looked up at her and lost his ability to speak. What was with this girl that makes him do this? His eyes found the ground again.
"Why did you have Arthur find me and drive me to the Empire State Building, Chuck?"
Chuck found his voice again. "I needed to tell you something before my family leaves for vacation, and you yours, and just before everything changes next year. I-I can't wait anymore, and neither should you."
Blair shifted the peonies into one hand, and her other found his.
"I know that it took me a long time to accept my feelings for you. It wasn't because I was scared of loving you. I was scared of taking the risk. You know that I didn't think I was worthy of your love, and many times I wasn't. But I want to show you and me that I am. I'm not scared anymore. I haven't been for awhile. It was never my intention to make you wait this long, but you only acknowledge a love like this once in a lifetime. No more games, no more lies, just trust and the truth."
Chuck threaded his fingers with Blair and took a breath. "Blair..."
For the first time, Blair lost her ability to speak, and for the first time, Chuck thought he was worthy of her love. He deserved to be happy, and Blair Waldorf was the first person in his life that made him happy.
Blair stood there mesmerized with baited breath, knowing the three words that were finally about to spill from his mouth.
"I love you too."
Blair's smile reached from ear to ear. She threw her arms around him, and pulled his face to meet hers. When Chuck's lips touched hers, it was as if he were drinking water after a long drought. Her fingers tangled in his hair, his hands roamed her waist.
Blair pulled away causing Chuck to growl. Blair patted his hair down, and held his face in her hands. "And I will always stand by you, Chuck because I love you too." Blair looked down and straightened his bowtie. "No matter how hard I tried to kill it last year, those damn butterflies kept multiplying."
Chuck pulled in for another kiss. "Why don't we celebrate elsewhere?" He whispered in her ear.
Blair fiddled with his collar and looked at him with a cheeky grin. "And why would you want to do that?"
Chuck smiled. "Because I love you."
Blair laced her fingers with his, and they hurried to the waiting limo at the bottom of the Empire State building. Chuck told Aruthur to make a couple loops before returning to the Palace. He then closed the partition, and turned to Blair.
"Now where were we?"
"Hold on, Bass. What are those three magic words?"
He chuckled. He knew he would be repeating those words for many years to come. "I love you, Blair Waldorf," He said before he manoeuvred the two of them so that she was on her back, and he hovered over her.
"And I love you too, Chuck Bass."
A few days later, Evelyn stood in the private flights terminal with a tote bag at her feet. She watched her father on the tarmac shake hands with their pilot. She watched her father climb into the Bass jet behind the pilot, the mouth of the plane swallowing him up. She leaned forward, her warm breath fogged up the floor to ceiling windows. It was a cloudy day, as a storm rumbled in the distance.
She wore a maxi dress that cinched at her waist and billowed around her legs. The thin straps curved around her narrow shoulders, the blue pattern against the white fabric while her feet adjusted to her new wedges. She crossed her arms, folding her creme cardigan that covered her arms. It was the first outfit she ever assembled herself when she went shopping at Saks with Serena that week. Her shoes alone cost more than her entire wardrobe in Connecticut. Over the past four months she questioned this. Now, she tossed all of her old clothes shoes and scuffed boots she arrived with and replaced it with an entire new wardrobe. She was living every girl's dream, and was finally enjoying it.
"Has anyone seen Charles?" Lily sighed. Her glasses rested on the tip of her nose, as she typed a message on her phone.
Eric sat on one of the four chairs that were joined together staring at his phone. "He's probably with Blair. I'll call him."
Evelyn stared at the gleaming private jet. She had never flown on such a small aircraft before. The idea of that plane crossing the Atlantic unsettled her. She didn't even want to think about how turbulent the flight might become.
"Hey where are you?"
Evelyn looked over her shoulder. Eric cradled the phone to his ear. He leaned his elbows on his thighs. "You're with Blair?"
Evelyn rolled her eyes. This whole love thing was overrated. Chuck had been absolutely inseparable from Blair over the past couple days ever since he confessed his love for her. It was nauseating.
"Ew, can you please not do that while on the phone?"
She took a seat beside Eric. "Is he Tuscanying us?"
Eric pulled the phone away from his hear. "Judging from what acts I unfortunately just heard, yes. He says he's on his way."
Evelyn took the phone from Eric's grasp. "Chuck. Where are you?"
She heard Blair giggling in the background. "Hello, sis. My apologies for my tardiness. I was a bit preoccupied saying goodbye to Blair. Time just got away from us. I'm five minutes away."
"Of course you are. We're waiting for you, so you better hurry up!" Evelyn tossed the phone in Eric's lap.
"That was scarring," Evelyn said. Eric nodded in agreement.
"What was scarring?" Serena asked. She held a couple fashion magazines in the crook of her arm.
"You don't want to know," Eric said. He stared at a spot of the speckled floor like he saw a puppy get murdered.
"It was Chuck wasn't it? I already experienced a similar call with Blair today. Unless you heard her moaning, consider yourself spared."
"Lucky us," Evelyn said. She stood up and walked to the windows again. She crossed her arms and paced, putting one wedged foot in front of the other, like she was a tightrope walker.
Suddenly her phone rang. She sighed, thinking it was Chuck again until she saw a different name on her phone screen. "Hello?"
"Hey, Evelyn. It's me!"
Evelyn paused. "Oh my God. Katie! How are you?"
"I'm great actually. I just finished my last exam and thought to give you a call. I haven't heard from you since you told me you crashed Prom. When are you coming home?"
Home. A contested word that Evelyn didn't find herself associating with Connecticut anymore. "Right...I'm so sorry. Things have been extremely crazy here. I'm still in New York, but I hope to come visit next month."
"Oh," Katie said. "I thought you said you'd be home in June?"
"I know. I thought so myself...But some things have changed since then. I'm..." Evelyn chuckled. "I'm actually going to Tanzania. Like I'm at the airport and about to leave."
"What?" Katie squealed. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I wasn't sure I was going until this week, but yeah I'm going."
"Oh my God, Evelyn! I'm so happy for you. You'll have to show me all the pictures when you're back. I'll make sure you're up to date before our Junior year starts."
Evelyn combed a hand through her hair. "Right. Junior year. Katie, about that..."
Katie paused. "What about it?"
"I'm not coming back next year. I'm staying in New York." Evelyn closed her eyes and said, "Permanently."
"Oh."
"I'm so sorry," Evelyn said.
"No...no you don't need to be sorry. You-you're moving on. Moving up as I should say. Wow that's... that's huge."
Evelyn sighed. "I know."
She looked up and saw her father enter the gate. "We're boarding now," Evelyn said. Her vision blurred, and her grip around the phone tightened.
"I guess this is goodbye then," Katie said. There was finality to her words that threw Evelyn for a loop. This was goodbye. Although Evelyn was certain this wasn't the last time she'd ever see Katie again, but it would be the last time they shared a commonality again. They both knew that this was not a see you soon. It was a goodbye for good.
Evelyn chocked back a sob. "It is..." She took a deep breath. "For now."
But they both knew it wouldn't ever be the same. Their friendship had changed forever. Some people grow together. Evelyn didn't realize until that moment, that they had grown apart.
"Well, have an amazing trip," Katie said. Evelyn could hear the plastered smile on the other end. "I hope I'll be seeing you."
The first tear splashed on the speckled floor. "Me too."
The line cut off, and Evelyn hung up the phone. She wiped away another tear and blinked a few times, trying to will away the hurricane of tears that threatened to fall.
"Evelyn," Eric called.
She contorted her face in a smile and turned to him. "We're boarding now."
Evelyn nodded and walked toward him. She picked up her new tote that dropped earlier at the window, and she followed her family through the gate doors and toward the awaiting private jet. Ahead of Eric and Serena were Chuck and Blair holding hands. They shared another long kiss before Chuck walked up the steps. Blair watched until his figure disappeared.
Evelyn tucked in her chin, as her eyes trained the tarmac. She breathed in and out, furiously blinking away any remnants of tears. Without Katie, she lost her last tie to Connecticut. Of course her aunt and uncle would continue to live there, but all of her friends had now moved on without her. After her crazy term away from them, Evelyn realized she moved on too. It only meant one thing.
She was no longer Evelyn Ainsley anymore. Legally and in actuality.
She was Evelyn Bass now.
They say that all's well that ends well, and for most of our Upper East Siders that's hardly ever true. True love is overturned with betrayal, family is divided by greed, and friendship can be severed from time. But every once in awhile, things can fall into place before they fall apart. Here's hoping that C & B's happiness makes it through the summer. Anybody willing to take bets on how long it'll last? Meanwhile, it seems like our new Princess E has made her bed on the Upper East Side. Get comfortable E. It's your turn to lie in it.
You Know You Love Me,
XOXO Gossip Girl
END OF PART ONE
A/N: Phew! Guys, I honestly didn't think I'd ever reach this point, but now that we're here, I have to explain what's coming next.
Originally, I intended to have two other parts to this story. Each part would operate like a season with 20 chapters that span a school year. However, I decided it was best to complete this story another way. Instead of continuing with a full part 2 and 3, I will condense the story into 13 more chapters. Each chapter will centre around one of the three point of views of this story: Evelyn, Chuck, and Bart. There will be seven chapters that condense the storylines that would happen in part 2, and 6 chapters in part 3. Their stories will continue and weave together, but this format will practically work better for me to finish this story. I did say whatever story I post on this site I will finish, so I am still going to honour that.
The next chapter will kick off with Evelyn's story of the beginning of her junior year of high school. The following chapter will then take Bart's perspective, followed with Chuck's chapter focusing on his transition to college. As a little teaser, here are the first three titles of these parts:
Chapter 24: The Bass Heiress
Chapter 25: The Tell-Tale Bart
Chapter 26: The Unbearable Lightness of Being Chuck and Blair
Thank you so much for the constant support and loyalty to this story. It honestly means so much to me, and just know that I have a plan guys (I unintentionally quoted Dan Humphrey...). I have a definitive ending to this story, but we still have a lot to get through to get there. Let me know your thoughts with a review!
Till next time!
XOXO EZ11