The Curious Case of Misty Bass

by EZ11

Living a life full of secrets, Bart Bass' mysterious past is one he'd like to forget. But when Chuck stumbles upon his biggest secret of all, the Basses will never be the same again. If having two Basses is company, then three is definitely a crowd. R&R!

24. PART TWO: The Bass Heiress

A/N: Hello, all! Thanks again for the incredible support from the last chapter. I know it's been a month, but I had quite a bit of writing to do. This chapter totalled a whopping 32K words, so I'm sure you all can understand why it took me so long to update. I also want to thank all the anonymous reviews who consistently motivated me with their eager and encouraging words. Although I can't PM anonymous reviewers, I just wanted to let you know that I love reading your feedback! Even if English isn't your first language, you all write beautifully.

Also, there is a poll on my profile, so do check it out!

Without further ado, let's begin the second part of this story with Evelyn. Let Junior year begin!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gossip Girl, but I do own all the characters I've created in this story.

---

PART TWO

Chapter 24: The Bass Heiress

---

Evelyn Bass only swam for survival.

She found no pleasure in feeling the waves lap against her body, flipping her on her back. She didn't like how her feet kicked the thick currents, but she couldn't touch the ground, or the feeling of her head bobbing up and down in the water. She didn't like how she couldn't close her fist and capture anything solid in water. She much preferred the feeling of gravity anchoring her to the earth.

So when Eric asked her if she wanted to go swimming daily in the Hamptons, she always declined. Instead, she lied on a chaise, her eyes closed behind her new polarized sunglasses. The sun warmed her body while the wind lapped her skin, washing the stinging heat away.

It was a hard life, but someone had to live it.

Jenny sat in the chaise beside her. She too lied back and wore a grey cover up. Jenny sipped her strawberry daiquiri. "I don't want summer to end."

"Shhhh," Evelyn said. "Let's not talk about it. It's not over yet."

After the Bass family returned from their trip to Tanzania, Evelyn did return to Connecticut to visit her aunt and uncle and Katie for a couple weeks before returning to the Hamptons for the rest of the summer. She mostly hung out with Eric and Serena, as Chuck was virtually invisible. He would disappear daily, and everyone knew he left to be with Blair. It didn't bother Evelyn that much seeing her brother happy. In the meantime, Evelyn invited Jenny to come stay for the last couple weeks before summer was over.

It was definitely her most eventful summer she'd ever had. The last time she went on vacation during the summer was to Disney World when she was twelve. It was hot, crowded, and there were too many fanny packs slung on the waists of parents. She even ran into Heather, whom she went to school with, while waiting in line for the Mad Tea Party ride. It was a small world after all.

Eric jogged up the beach and picked up his towel. "Water's nice."

"Enjoy it while you can because we'll be returning to the city soon." Jenny set down her drink.

"Shhhhh," Evelyn said, her eyes still closed.

"Ah returning to the city where headbands and dictatorship reign….oh wait—Jenny what is it going to be like with you as Queen next year? Give me something to look forward to," Eric asked.

"No more girls on the steps, no more headbands, no more hierarchy... freedom will reign."

"That could be an inspiring speech," Evelyn said.

"But don't you think it's a bit...idealistic?" Eric said.

Jenny sat up from her chaise. "No. People are tired of the tormenting, and want to just get through high school by hanging out with their friends. Like us."

"Are you sure that's not just what you want?" Eric said.

Jenny scoffed. "Other than the mean girls, who else cares about the system?"

"We all do because we know it won't change. Blair didn't hoe every plant at Constance and expect it to wilt as soon as she leaves."

Jenny pushed up her sunglasses. "Then I'll tear down her kingdom. One plant at a time."

"Guys, think about it. Is it really such a bad thing?" Evelyn said.

Eric and Jenny gave her a look.

"What? I'm just saying from this position, we can contain the tormenting to the loyal followers, and keep the innocents to roam as they please. Why not use power for good?"

Jenny considered this. "But how would that change anything?"

"Change takes time," Eric said.

Jenny sipped her drink while Evelyn looked back at the water. She watched the waves lap the shores, but ultimately receded the other way. They were unpredictable, but land was not. She imagined herself as a bubble on the most recent wave. She imagined what it would be like to touch land, as the fine and slippery sand threatened to pop her fragile casement. She, the bubble, was pulled back into the water, popping as it crashed against the swirling waters she left behind.

---

Oscar Taylor was a swimmer.

His lean body could cut through every current as a smooth butter knife. He could dive down deep like a needle, touch the sandy sea floor where all of the seaweed danced and minnows swam. He liked swimming as far away from shore as he was allowed until the lifeguard would holler at him to stay behind the buoys for his safety.

When he was living in Los Angeles, he first learned how to swim in the ocean. He learned the backstroke, the butterfly, and how to dive. He later learned how to surf too.

Ozzy always thought that swimming pools were too shallow. With two kicks he was able to touch the bottom of the pool. It never challenged him. He couldn't even do a lap around the pool. Swimming in the ocean was a whole other level. Anything could happen at any time.

He loved the feeling of floating in the water. It relaxed him when the waves did the work. He loved feeling weightless, as the water brushed off all of his problems from his body.

That day, Ozzy floated to shore, and pushed his wet curls behind his ears. He jogged up the sand dune to where he left his towels and flip-flops. He groaned when he saw Dash in a lawn chair watching over his things. He had a concealed beer in his hand.

Ozzy left the Montgomery Hampton Estate before noon in an effort to avoid Dash that day. He was certain Dash had people following him. Since they left Manhattan for the Hamptons this summer, Dash never left him alone. No matter what he did, Dash somehow always appeared.

"Well if isn't the fish that has finally towed itself to shore," Dash said.

Ozzy picked up his towel and dried his face. Swimming was also a way to get himself away from Dash. He was a weak swimmer and after the first week of swimming daily, he gave up trying to keep up.

He ignored Dash's comment, and rubbed his towel over his dripping curls. Then, he took his second dry towel and laid it out on the sand. He sat down and watched other beach goes walk in the water, other small kids swimming and jumping for the ball, while others were camped out under their umbrellas or soaking in the sun.

Ozzy has tanned quite a bit over the summer. He never really had to try to tan. He just had the right skin tone that absorbed the harsh rays quickly, bronzing his skin. Meanwhile, Dash was so pale he always ended up with red burns that always peeled.

"Dude," Dash said.

Ozzy sighed. "Yeah?"

Dash cocked his head to the right. Ozzy looked over his shoulder and saw a girl who had been looking at him turn away. Dash wiggled his eyebrows and took a sip of his beer.

"No."

"Seriously? You've been saying that all summer." Dash took another sip of his beer. "Are you like gay or something?"

Ozzy glared at him. "No."

"Hey! It's a valid question."

"That still doesn't change my answer which is no."

"Whatever, dude. When you were in the water, I overheard these Chapin girls talking about this party happening on the beach later tonight. We should go."

"Did they invite you?"

"Dude," Dash put down his beer in the sand. "You don't need to be invited to a party. Come on. We're going."

Ozzy got up and started walking to the water again.

"Where are you going?"

"For a walk."

Dash downed the rest of his beer and followed. "I'm coming with you!"

Ozzy stopped walking and sighed. Of course he was. Couldn't he understand that he didn't want to be bothered? All of the other daughters and sons his mom's ex boyfriends and husbands had always understood that. Even that one toddler, Bryce, knew to leave him alone.

Dash was immediately by his side, and they started to walk against the current of others walking in the shallow waters. Ozzy didn't speak to him until he looked up and stopped abruptly.

In the distance, he swore he saw her. Evelyn. She sat on a chaise beside a girl with blonde hair, and another guy sat on a towel, underneath an umbrella at their feet. She lifted up her sunglasses and was looking right at them. Then, she waved.

Was he hallucinating? Dash stopped walking too, and looked in the same direction Ozzy's head was turned to. "Someone's waving at us."

Dash, the world's biggest idiot, waved back and started walking toward them.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ozzy hissed.

"Relax. I know her too you know."

Of course he did. Of course Dash would know Evelyn. There was something about the way Dash said they were friends that he didn't like. Didn't like at all.

"Hey!" Evelyn said. "I thought I spotted you both from the water. How are you guys?"

The blonde girl looked at them behind thick round glasses. She swirled her drink, and didn't smile. The other boy sat up.

"We're good," Dash said. "We've been chillin in the Hamptons the whole summer. What about you guys?"

"I guess I've had the most eventful summer," Evelyn said. "Eric and I went to Tanzania with our family for a month, then visited Connecticut for a couple weeks, and I've been here ever since."

"I'm Eric by the way," the boy said holding out his hand to Ozzy.

"I'm Oscar. You can call me Ozzy though," he said.

"Jenny, this is a friend from Connecticut. Ozzy, this is my new friend Jenny."

She finally smiled, and sat up to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Well now that all the pleasantries are over with, how is it that we've never crossed paths in the Hamptons till now? It's a small island," Dash said.

It was quiet for a moment, so Evelyn spoke up. "We probably just kept missing each other."

"Well, it's our lucky day now isn't it Oz? And who knows, maybe we'll see you at the party tonight."

Evelyn cocked her head to the side. "What party?"

"Missy Bradshaw from Chapin is having a party on her parent's private beach tonight." Dash saw them all exchange a look. "I'm sorry, I thought you guys knew."

"Well, we do now," Eric said.

"Since when did you get invited, Dash?" Jenny said. "I always thought your style was gate-crashing."

"Thank you for your assessment, Tallulah," Dash said. Jenny glared at him.

"You guys should come," Ozzy said looking at Evelyn when he said.

She quickly looked away. "Yeah I think we—"

"will think about it. Evelyn don't you have to get to that squash match with your dad and Chuck?"

Evelyn shot Jenny a questioning look. "Yes I do."

"We'll let you get to it," Dash said. "Hope to see you all tonight."

"Nice to meet you guys," Ozzy said before following Dash back to the water. He looked back to see Evelyn still staring at him. When he caught her she immediately looked away, and began packing her things.

For the first time that summer, Ozzy slapped Dash's back. "Thanks, man."

Okay, so Dash was an idiot most of the time, but in this moment, Ozzy thought Dash was just okay.

Spotted: Both E & E, J, D, and O congregating on the beach. Has a new alliance been made, or the battle lines drawn?

---

Evelyn watched a tiny ball zigzag from the wall to the glass doors of a small squash court. She watched her father and brother face off, both dripping with sweat, their faces cemented in concentration. It was a close match, and Evelyn was going to play the winner.

She studied their strategies and techniques of them both. As similar as their styles were, there were key differences that separated the father and son. Chuck's was more aggressive and reckless. He'd risk missing the ball to score a trick shot, whereas Bart was more methodical in his approach. He thought of every move seconds before it was about to happen and attacked. It was fascinating to watch.

Evelyn watched behind the glass doors. She twirled her squash racquet and rolled her ankles in warm up. She knew whomever she played, both her brother and father would underestimate her. They'd go easy on her. Most guys she'd face off would. It was their mistake, their Achilles heel. The moment someone underestimated her, she'd make it her mission to win. And she would.

She watched, and her mind drifted to what happened at the beach this afternoon. She finally saw him. She had given up after the first two weeks in the Hamptons. She successfully avoided Gossip Girl for the summer the moment she left for Tanzania, but she hoped she'd see Ozzy in the Hamptons. When she looked at the water she knew it was him instantly. She refused to pretend she didn't see him, and even if he didn't want to see her, she took the opportunity in her hands and made a move.

Evelyn still couldn't believe she waved though. What was that? Her cheeks heated up at the thought, so she shook her head. He looked good though. Really good.

Suddenly, Chuck's body slammed into the glass door. The ball bounced on the hardwood floor, while Chuck was crouched over heaving.

Bart slapped his back. "Good game, son. You almost had me."

Chuck stood tall and shook his hand. He pushed open the glass door. Evelyn handed him a water bottle. "You almost could have played me," Evelyn said.

He took a sip of the cold water. "Pity. The match would have been done a lot quicker."

"Are you implying that I would be an easier opponent?"

Chuck pulled off his sweatband. "No, you just implied it."

Evelyn swatted him with her racquet. "Dad, Chuck says he could have beaten me."

"Well, Chuck won't be beating anyone since he's out. We don't know who would have won unless you both want to face off?"

Evelyn's racquet slipped from her grip. "Unbelievable. You think just because I'm a girl that you can beat me?"

"I never said that," Bart said.

"You never thought to go 'easy' on me?"

Bart's face was as smooth as a newly pressed sheet. "Why would I go easy on either of my children?"

Evelyn blinked back at him. "Why then?"

"Because how could I raise you both to be the best if I let you win? When you play a game it's not about learning it to win, it's about learning how to lose too."

"That's sage advice coming from someone who's used to winning," Chuck said.

Bart opened the glass door and let his daughter enter first. "It wasn't always that way, son."

Chuck waited while Bart and Evelyn shook hands and proceeded to begin the match. Unlike when he played with Chuck, Bart gave pointers during the match. He made little suggestions, which Evelyn took seriously and as a result she got better. Chuck rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone.

Bart and Evelyn laughed and fought till the bitter end of the game. Bart won, but Evelyn shook his hand accepting her defeat. Typically, the result was the only thing that mattered to Evelyn. Competitive soccer had taught her that. But the process of learning different tricks from Bart was new to her. Sure she lost, but she knew she played her best game of squash yet. She improved, and that was the result she found most rewarding.

However, when Bart and Evelyn left the court, Chuck was gone.

---

After a much-needed shower, Evelyn returned to her room in the Van der Woodsen Hampton estate. Her wet waves fell over her shoulders and halfway down her back. She wore a pair of cotton Roxy shorts and tank top.

Jenny lounged on Evelyn's bed. A magazine was open in front of her and abandoned since she was too busy looking at her phone.

"I'm already starting to feel sore and it's barely been two hours," Evelyn said. She picked up the brush at her makeup desk, and began combing through the fine knots at the back of her neck. She looked up in the mirror casually and brushed her hair to fall in front of her shoulders.

"Do you think I should cut my hair?"

Jenny looked up from her phone. "It looks really nice like that, but do you have anything in mind?"

Evelyn folded her hair to give the illusion of her hair being shoulder length. "I've never changed my hair style before. It's always been this length."

"Really?" Jenny sat up. "You've never changed the style ever?"

Evelyn cocked her head to the side and let her hair fall. "No. I just never thought to until now. I mean, what if I try bangs?"

She smoothed the hair that lined her forehead to fall over her face. She folded it up and over her forehead and turned to face Jenny.

Jenny shook her head. "No. Those kind of bangs are so 1995."

"Don't I have to have the face for bangs?"

"Not necessarily the face, but the forehead."

Evelyn turned to face the mirror again. "What's wrong with my forehead?"

Jenny stood behind Evelyn. "Nothing is wrong with your forehead. Where is this coming from?"

Evelyn sighed and sat on her desk stool. "I dunno. There are just some things that I've always done a certain way, and I wonder if it's time to change that?"

"Well, before you make any rash decisions this close to the beginning of the school year, just think about it. The last thing you need right now is to immortalize a bad hairstyle decision for photo day. Trust me, ten years later, you'll regret it."

Evelyn reached for her phone and saw that there was a new Gossip Girl blast.

Come one, come all to Gildwood beach at sundown. Word has it, that there is going to a rager hosted by our very own C. Is this her bid to win Queen? It must be since our newly crowned Queen J wasn't even invited. Hope to see all you kittens at the party.

"Wow. Even Gossip Girl is reporting the party tonight."

Jenny scoffed.

"You had the same reaction this afternoon when the boys told us about the party," Evelyn said. "Do you not want to go?"

"It's not that. It's just, Catherine is hosting the party not Missy Bradshaw."

"Are you sure? Because Dash said—"

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Dash doesn't know what he's talking about. He hasn't since fifth grade."

"Okay, so perhaps he's wrong. Why don't you want to go? You were complaining to me yesterday that you were locked in the loft all summer. Now's the night where we can go out and have fun."

"I'm sorry. It's just…I'm Queen now right? If I screw up right away then Catherine wins. She's hosting this party, and I would bet that she sent the tip to Gossip Girl to lure me to the party. I just know that she's up to no good."

Evelyn put a hand over hers. "Hey, Blair picked you to be Queen for a reason. She's Blair Waldorf. She wouldn't pick just anyone if she didn't believe in them."

"You're right, but I'm just worried that no one will take my authority seriously."

"Why shouldn't they?"

"I…I don't have the money to be queen. I can't afford to throw these parties like Catherine is doing."

"You were chosen because Blair believed in your ability to rule. The other stuff won't matter."

Jenny shook her head. "Money, status, it does matter here. You've learned that ever since you moved here. I can't accept the fact that it may not be worth it."

"Well it's a good thing you're well connected. Besides, we're in this together remember?"

Jenny gave a watery smile. "We are."

"Exactly. So think of it this way. We'll do what it takes to rule the school. Together."

Jenny looked down at her feet. "Okay."

"Good. Now lets go crash this party and show that bitch Catherine who she's messing with."

---

The Bass limo pulled up to the front entrance of the Hampton estate where other Maserati's, Porsches, and town cars waited around the circular driveway. A fountain spouted with flowers planted around it. Evelyn and Jenny stepped out, each wearing their favorite maxi dress and sandals. The house was unusually quiet considering a raging party was supposed to be happening. They walked up the steps to the front door, lifting their dresses up the steps.

"Hold up. If we're crashing this, should we really be going through the front door? It's not like the party is indoors," Evelyn said.

"That may be true normally, but as you can see, the doors to the backyard are guarded. So," Jenny twisted the front door handle, "Sometimes you can get in in plain sight."
She swung the door open, and the girls navigated their way through the formal living rooms, study, and library. Eventually, they found their way to the back of the house. It was eerily quiet at first until they entered the kitchen. They could feel the bass booming from the backyard, and found the back door. They walked through the veranda and onto the back patio. There, they could see kids on the sprawling lawn that led to the water. Some people huddled around a campfire, others around a keg.

"This is it?" Evelyn said. There were nearly as many people attending as Gossip Girl said there were.

"They must be further back on the beach. Let's go," Jenny said.

The girls walked past the fire pit and toward a densely foliaged area. An unlit boarded path was centered amid a sudden forest. "And this is where we all die," Evelyn said.
Jenny chuckled. "Oh come on. This is not the beginning of a horror film."

"Do I need to remind you of the plots from Final Destination, or I Know What You Did Last Summer?"

Jenny stormed forward. "Let's just go. The sooner we get through this, the closer we'll be to the party."

Evelyn sighed and hurried to catch up. Grasshoppers hummed, and an owl hooted. Evelyn saw a light blinking until it hit her in the face. She flailed her arms in front of her face, pushing the bug away.

It blinked again, and Evelyn tried to swat at it. "That's a dragon fly," Jenny said.

A luminescence glowed ahead of them. The thick tree trunks lessened, and the sounds of music got louder. The bass vibrated the wooden boards they walked over, and almost a hundred people gathered on the private beach.

A roaring bonfire's flames flicked one story high. A sleek tiki bar was also set up on the beach. Patio chairs were strewn all over the sandy mounds. Evelyn could see in the distance a floating dock where people danced and sat with their feet dangling over the water.

"Wow," Evelyn said.

Some people turned to look at them, and Jenny said, "Follow my lead."

They walked through the sand to the bar. There, Jenny didn't even have to elbow her way to the front. With a single glare, people moved out of her way, and suddenly they were at the bar.

"What do you want?" Jenny asked.

Evelyn eyed the wall of liquor behind the bartender who was in the process of making a martini. "I dunno….we could start with a cocktail?"

Jenny smiled. "Or, we could take a shot." She lowered to Evelyn's ear and whispered, "I've never taken one before. Have you?"

Evelyn nodded. "Like twice. I've had the pornstar and a vodka shot. Pornstar is really sweet if you like that."

Jenny turned to the bartender. "Two vodka shots please."

Evelyn smirked devilishly. "Atta girl, Jenny!"

The bartender poured their shots. They both picked one up and clinked their glasses. Evelyn took a deep breath and threw the clear liquid down her throat as quickly as possible. The liquid licked her esophagus all the way down her throat like the nearby bonfire. Evelyn puckered her lips and winced, while Jenny's face remained neutral.

"Ladies! Can I get you both a drink?"

They both turned to see Dash approach them with a red cup in his hand. " We just had one," Jenny said rolling her eyes.

"How about another?"

"Get lost, Dash," Jenny said turning away. She signalled the bartender again.

"Where's Ozzy?" Evelyn asked.

He shrugged. "I dunno. Probably sitting on a rock moping somewhere."

A huge boom sounded from behind them. Dash turned to take a look as something that had been thrown in the fire exploded. He quickly scurried away to see what the fuss was about.

"Two more shots please," Jenny said.

Evelyn returned to Jenny. "I can't help but notice you seem to be harboring some resentment towards Dash. What's up with that?"

"Nothing is up. I just don't like him."

"Why? Did he do something to you?"

Jenny sighed. "No, it's just…I've grown up with him since kindergarten so I'm not sure if it'll make sense to you. Dash used to chase me around at recess in the first grade trying to pull my pigtails."

"Awe, how cute."

"Hardly. Besides, that's not really the problem; that's just when his annoyingness started. He's a try hard. Ever since his best friend Thom Taylor moved in sixth grade, he's always just around. No one asks him to come to these parties, but he just shows up. He's annoying."

Evelyn watched Dash high five a guy who just threw an empty can of beer in the fire. The guy turned away immediately leaving Dash staring at the blaze.

"Here's to round two," Jenny said. Evelyn picked up her refilled shot glass and swallowed quickly.

When she set her glass down on the slick bar, another drink awaited her. Evelyn furrowed her eyebrows together.

"It's from those two guys over there," the bartender said.

They looked over to see two tall smiling strangers nodding at them. One wore a white polo with the collar popped. The other wore a wife beater that clung to his toned body. They probably went to another Manhattan prep school.

Suddenly, Evelyn felt warmer. "Let's go to the water."

Evelyn linked her arm with Jenny's and they swayed to the water with their drinks in hand. As they neared the crashing waves, Evelyn noticed that the dock extended in a square shape around the limits of the free-swimming area. Some people splashed around in the water while others lounged on the dock.

The two girls stepped onto the boardwalk and casually walked further and further out of the water. It got progressively darker as they reached the end of the dock. The only light available was the glow of the moon.

They turned to continue the loop of the dock when they saw the hostess herself, Catherine Baizen. She was talking to a guy, batting her lashes, her hands roaming his arms and shoulders. She saw Evelyn and Jenny over the boy's shoulder, and approached while dragging the boy along.

"And this is what happens when anyone is invited to this party thanks to Gossip Girl," she said.

Evelyn looked away from Catherine and looked at the boy she was with. "Ozzy? Hey!"

Ozzy looked up at her, his bored expression replaced with bright eyes. "Evelyn. I didn't think you were coming."

"I wasn't sure either. It was pretty last minute."

Meanwhile, Jenny and Catherine continued to stare each other down. Catherine's green eyes flickered between Ozzy and Evelyn.

"Do you want to get a drink?" Ozzy asked.

Evelyn held up her drink. "I already have one, but you look like you've finished yours."

Evelyn looked at Jenny to see if it was okay to leave. Jenny nodded.

Catherine's eyes narrowed, as Ozzy left with Evelyn. "Good to see you again, Jenny," He said.

As they walked away, Evelyn felt a sense of deja vu. They had been in this position before at a few parties before. But something felt different this time.

"I'm glad you came," Ozzy said. "For a bit there, I thought you weren't going to show."

"We haven't had the best track record at these events have we?"

He hung his head. "Yeah we haven't. I hope that can change."

"I'm sure it can," Evelyn turned and smiled at him. "How's your summer been?"

"Good. We moved to New York at the end of June, and we've been here ever since. How about your summer Miss Tanzania?"

Evelyn let out a laugh. "I know. I can't believe I did that. It was so amazing, Oz. You would love it there. There were red beaches that went on for miles, mountains to climb; it is such a lush place."

They stopped at the bar where Ozzy ordered a beer. "Still like Corona?"

He smiled. "Some things never change."

They both took a sip of their drinks.

"I saw Dash earlier. How are things going with him?"

Ozzy stepped away from the bar. "He's...Dash. I'm surprised I haven't seen him tonight. I haven't been able to get rid of him all summer."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Wherever I turn, there he is. I haven't had a prospective stepsibling in a couple years. Forgot what that's like."

"But isn't he the first step sibling that's the same age as you?"

"Yeah he is. Lucky me."

Evelyn chuckled. Ozzy stared at her.

When their eyes locked, his fell to the sand. "You look really good, Evelyn."

She felt her cheeks burn. "Thanks. I must look a lot more... put together than I used to." She looked down at her maxi dress.

"It's not that. You look more mature. Happier."

Suddenly, Dash appeared behind Ozzy's shoulder. "Brother! I've been looking all over for you."

Ozzy sighed. "Well, you found me," he said through gritted teeth.

"Evelyn, looking lovely as always," Dash said.

"Thank you, Dash. I should go find where Jenny is," Evelyn said.

"You don't have to g-" Ozzy began.

"Tell her I say hi," Dash said.

"I'll be back," Evelyn said. She jogged back to the dock where Jenny sat with Eric. Evelyn sided beside Jenny. Her feet dangled above the water. Evelyn leaned forward and realized the dock was raised a couple feet from the water.

"Well look who's back," Jenny said with a sly grin.

"Oh shut up," Evelyn said, elbowing her playfully.

"Enjoyed your drink did you?" Eric added.

"I did. Thanks for so kindly asking me. What happened with Catherine?"

Jenny turned to her. "Nothing really. She was just seething because you plucked the guy she liked right in front of her."

Evelyn swayed as she giggled. "We're just old...good friends."

"Nobody believes that," Eric said.

Evelyn threw her arm around Jenny's shoulder. "You're not mad at me, are you Jenny?"

Jenny giggled. "Of course not, but you're sounding a bit tipsy."

Evelyn shushed her. "Only...only just a little bit," Evelyn whispered.

She peeled herself off of Jenny and swayed to the music.

"Here we go," Eric said.

Evelyn sipped the remaining liquid of her drink. "I'm going to get some more. Who's coming?"

Eric and Jenny looked at each other. "I'll come," Eric said standing up.

Evelyn stood up and brushed the back of her dress. She wobbled to her feet when an elbow struck her back pushing her forward. Evelyn didn't have time to scream, as she plunged into the black water. She sunk, paralyzed, the cold water slapping her face. Water plugged her ears, and any scream was muffled with the swishing of the water.
She sunk further, her maxi dress weighing her down, her lungs buckling from the lack of oxygen. She opened her eyes and saw nothing. Panicked, she flailed her arms, trying to find the surface. She flailed and flailed and screamed. Salt water burned her throat, so she closed her mouth quickly and began kicking.

Then, she saw light above her, and although it was a fuzzy light, she kicked and kicked.

But she hears something slice the water. It's a blur that comes close to her, hooks her waist and tugs her up until suddenly she could hear the frantic screams of people. It's all so blurry to Evelyn, but she feels a strong arm pull her closer to the voices as she coughs.

"Is she breathing?"

"Over here!"

Evelyn was hauled on top of the dock. Her life ring lifted himself onto the dock and said, "Evelyn? Evelyn can you hear me?"

She looked up into Ozzy's comforting eyes. He hovered over her, his hand checking the pulse on her wrist. She nodded, before starting to cough. He pushed his hair back so it would stop dripping on her.

Evelyn tried rolling over, knowing the water she swallowed was trying to come back up.

"Don't let her fall off again!" Jenny's frantic voice cut through.

Evelyn sat up and covered her mouth. "I just need to..."

She coughed, and Ozzy sprung into action. He maneuvered out of her coughing path, while keeping a secure arm around her waist. "Jenny," He said. "Can you hold her hair back?"

Evelyn felt a soothing hand pull her hair back gently. Jenny was at her one side, Ozzy on her other. She gripped the end of the dock with one hand and the other still covered her mouth as she coughed. She removed her hand, and Ozzy grabbed it while the seawater and alcohol returned. Evelyn squeezed his hand hard, as she sputtered for air.
She didn't know how long she was vomiting for, but she sat back on her heels when she was done. She took a few staggering breaths, while someone handed her a bottle of water. "Thanks," she breathed.

"How are you feeling?" Eric asked. Evelyn turned her head to see that he brought her the water.

She nodded her head. "Better."

"Let's get you off the dock," Ozzy said. He lifted her up, and she put one arm around his shoulders, his arm still around her waist. Jenny walked on the other side for support.
Evelyn felt a sense of relief when her feet touched sand again. "I think I can walk on my own now," Evelyn said. Ozzy let go, and Evelyn hiked her dress up, and trudged through the sand. "What happened? All I remember is feeling something on my back, and the next thing I know, I'm diving a couple feet into the water."

"Someone thought it would be funny to push you in the water," Jenny said.

"It wasn't funny," Ozzy said. "There was no light on that dock. It was very dangerous."

"We couldn't see where you went in the water, so we started calling for help," Eric said.

"Luckily Ozzy was nearby and knew what to do. That's when it dawned on me that I could use the light on my cellphone to help you. Then Ozzy jumped in the water, and I think you were somewhat aware of the rest," Jenny said.

"It was all a bit fuzzy to be honest." Evelyn took another sip of water. Jenny wiped away the streaky trails of eyeliner from her face. After a few minutes of catching her breath, Evelyn said to Jenny, "let's go."

Evelyn turned to Ozzy. "Thanks, Oz." She wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, and rested her cheek on his shoulder.

"So much for us just hanging out without drama at a party," He said.

Evelyn pulled away and laughed. "Some things never change."

He smiled. "No they don't."

"Seriously though. Thank you." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She turned away forcing herself to not look over her shoulder for his reaction, and instead walked back through the black forest. It wasn't until they were halfway through the path that Evelyn said, "Okay, seriously though. Who pushed me off the deck? I thought I felt someone push me off. I'm not sure how, but it felt sharp."

"You missed the part where Jenny accused Catherine of pushing you in," Eric said.

"Well did she?"

"I think so," Jenny said. "I thought I saw her super close to us when you fell in. She denied it."

"I'm pretty sure what you actually said was 'You don't just push a drunk person into the water where there's no light stupid or something like that," Eric said.

Evelyn laughed. "Thank you for defending my drunken honor, Jenny."

"It's my pleasure. We'll get her back. She only did that because she wanted to hurt me, and she was also jealous of how much attention Ozzy was giving you instead of her, so you just became the easy target."

Evelyn shook her head. "Unbelievable."

They returned to the backyard, and walked along the side of the house. Thankfully, Arthur was parked along the cul de sac driveway waiting for them. The three of them piled in the back.

"How about that kiss though?" Jenny said.

Evelyn knocked her head back against the headrest. "Oh my God, stop. It was literally a kiss on the cheek."

"Yes, how reserved of you," Eric said.

Evelyn shot them a look. "What did you expect me to do? Kiss him with my puke breath? Don't be disgusting." Evelyn shifted her body, so she could lean against the limo door. "Besides, we're just friends."

Evelyn missed Jenny and Eric exchanging a knowing look. Instead, she yawned, as her eyes drooped close.

"Go to sleep," Eric said. "We'll wake you up when we get back to the estate."

"Okay," Evelyn mumbled.

That night, she had the strangest dream. She was trapped in an attic where she found it hard to breath. There were two glass windows, firmly shut, that she looked through. She tried punching through the one where a golden coin was on the windowsill. No matter how hard she punched, and scratched, she couldn't find her way through. Then, she ran to the window on the other side of the attic. There, a dog panted on the other side of the window. Again, Evelyn tried everything she could to open the window, until she found a screw that she used the jimmy the window open. The air was thinning out around her, and she could barely breathe. The window finally opened. The dog was crying on the other side of window. With all the force she had left, she pulled it up, and stuck her head through immediately filling her lungs with fresh air.

Her dream shifted and Ozzy was in the water swimming away from her. He swam toward the horizon, and no matter how many times she called his name; he couldn't hear her. She stood on the sand and refused to follow him. She'd dip her toe in, and back away. The waves crashed up to her ankles and she'd jerk back, until Ozzy disappeared off her Earth forever.

It looks like E made quite a splash at C's party only to be towed back to shore by the mysterious O. Too bad C could only watch. Don't you hate it when you become irrelevant at your own party?

---

The Bass family returned to the city a week before school started. Chuck was busy having his assistant prepare his move to the Columbia dorms, while Serena packed her life away for Brown. That left Eric and Evelyn to lounge around for a few more days before school began for them at Constance and St. Jude's.

The night after Chuck and Serena had left for college, Lily called a family dinner. The four of them gathered at the dinner table each an arm length apart from each other. Ina had prepared a welcome home meal that consisted of a piece of everyone's favorites: Veal for Bart, a merlot wine for Lily, authentic Cesar salad for Evelyn, and raspberry sorbet for Eric.

It felt weird not having Chuck and Serena at the dinner table. Dinner was a much quieter affair where knives scratched plates, and silence permeated the air. It had a calming effect on Evelyn, as her mind wandered. She wondered what Chuck and Serena were doing. College was a couple stone throws away for her, and she wondered what it would be like. She didn't doubt that Chuck was probably still tied to Blair in his dorm room, but Serena was probably having the time of her life. Of course, Evelyn wasn't in a terrible hurry to graduate. Now that she had settled on the Upper East Side, she wanted to enjoy it. Be in the moment, as she's been told.

It was going to be a new world without the tyranny of Blair this year. Evelyn was already feeling the benefits of being on the right side of the monarchy, and she didn't intend to give it up any time soon. Evelyn stabbed her creamy piece of lettuce. No Catherine Baizen could challenge and win against herself and Jenny.

"Are you both ready for school?" Bart asked shaking Evelyn from her thoughts.

Eric was caught mid-bite, so she spoke up. "Yes. I know I am."

"Good. Well now is as good of time as any to remind you both about brunch this Sunday."

"Like a family brunch?" Evelyn said.

"Not exactly," Eric said.

"Every year your father hosts an annual brunch the Sunday before classes start," Lily explained.

"It's the one time of year, he can bring out the statues," Eric said.

"Statues?"

"Very funny, Eric," Bart said.

"This is just a reminder that your attendance is mandatory," Lily said.

Evelyn nodded. "That's no problem." She turned to Eric, as he shrugged.

"Are there any other upcoming events I should be aware of?"

Eric let go of his knife and fork. "There is a school event the first couple weeks back from school. It's the Ivy League mixer."

"Oh Eric, that's right! I almost forgot about that," Lily said.

"It's an event where all the boys at St. Judes get interviewed and matched with an Ivy League school representative for an event. They are ushers."

"Okay, so what about Constance?" Evelyn asked.

"The junior year girls run the event, and are also allowed to talk with whoever they want."

"It's an excellent networking opportunity," Bart said.

"That's incredible," Evelyn said. "So you get to talk to representatives from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton alike?"

Eric nodded. "Among others, yes."

Evelyn fell back against her chair. "Wow. I never really thought of Ivy schools to be honest. It was never a financial option. I was looking at Penn State."

"Now, you don't have to worry about that," Bart said. "All you have to worry about is getting in on your own merit."

"Easier said then done," Eric muttered.

But Evelyn wasn't listening to him. She imagined herself at an Ivy League school: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown…she imagined herself in one of the red-bricked dorm rooms with an argyle patterned iron grated window. A yellow glow pointed down on her paper as she worked late into the night while her roommate slept. She envisioned her dorm room window would become frosty when Christmas arrived, and her dorm floor decorated with construction paper snowflakes.

She smiled down at her plate. The only problem was who would take her? She made a note to herself that she would need to completely revamp her knowledge of college programs at an Ivy level. Which had the best science program? What opportunities were offered post grad? What was student body like? All these questions floated around her, while she was rooted in the centre. The world was full of oysters, and Evelyn was determined to find her pearl.

---

"So that's what you meant about the statues," Evelyn said when they arrived at brunch that Sunday morning. Four gleaming marble Greek statues were staggered around the room, each towering over the guests.

Evelyn stood in awe of the unfamiliar faces milling around the room. They were all outfitted in white cocktail dresses and suits despite it being barely noon. Evelyn looked ahead at the buffet, which was ready for service. She saw two chocolate fountains, a waffle iron, and a separate hotplate designated for making omelettes. Platters of freshly cut fruit and cured Italian meats and cheeses were on a separate table.

"Let's get a drink?" Evelyn said. "I've always wanted to try a mimosa."

Eric shrugged. "Sure."

People looked at her, as they weaved their way to the bar. Some would stop mid conversation, turn, and stare. Others were more discreet with a quick glance. Evelyn thought that the rumors from graduation night had finally died down, but clearly her news was still fresh for adults. She couldn't stand to look at another appraising face, so she kept her head down.

"Eric. They're all staring at me."

"I thought they'd do that," Eric said. "Keep your head up and smile. They're just curious that's all. You'll be introduced to them all soon enough."

After taking a deep breath, Evelyn tilted her head up, and smiled at each stranger whose eye she caught. Her smile strained, and she knew that it made no difference. They each would look away, and carry on with their conversation. Finally, they arrived at the bar.

"Two mimosas please," Eric said.

Evelyn turned to face the now crowded room. She leaned one arm over the bar, and watched the people mingling around them. This was so much easier when she had Serena and Chuck around to explain who everyone was, and keep her company. It also didn't hurt that no one knew who she was then.

Evelyn looked to the front doors, and watched couples mill in. Then, she saw the Montgomery clan arrive. Dash and Ozzy walked through side by side. Dash waving to someone he knew immediately. Ozzy looked around, assessing the room before his mother tugged his arm toward a silver haired couple.

She noticed that the only kids that arrived came with their parents. They each stood beside their parent, like a jewel on their mother's bracelet. None of them spoke, and nodded a lot with tight smiles. Despite the fact that this event was a brunch, Evelyn didn't see anyone holding plates of food, or were seated at the many dressed tables.

"Do you think we'll be able to eat soon?" Evelyn took her champagne flute and sipped her mimosa.

"I hope so. I do believe we have to wait until your father completes his toast."

Evelyn took another sip.

"Evelyn, there you are," Her father's voice boomed. She saw him come into full view. "Evelyn, these are two esteemed members on the board of Lennox Hill Hospital on Park Avenue, Frank Verone and Michael Hill."

She straightened her posture and smiled. "Hello. It's so nice to meet you." She shook both of their hands firmly.

"I was just telling Frank and Michael how you are interested in the medical sciences," Bart said.

"Yes…um…that is true," Evelyn said.

"Do you want to be a nurse?" Frank asked.

Evelyn bit her tongue. She always hated it when people assumed that she wanted to be a nurse since she was a girl. Ever since she found out how her mother died, Evelyn always wanted to be a doctor. "Although I have great respect for that profession, I've always wanted to be a doctor."

"What kind of doctor?" Michael said.

"Gynaecologist, preferably."

"Ah, bringing life into this world. A very important job indeed. Listen, we take interns at the hospital. You should apply," Frank said.

Evelyn almost spilled her drink. "I've always wanted to do that. I-I definitely will."

Frank reached inside his suit jacket pocket. "Great. Give me a call when you apply. I'll direct you to who you should be talking to."

Evelyn took the business card. "Thank you so much."

"It's my pleasure to have met a young mind like you who is passionate about the medical sciences." Somebody tapped his shoulder. "If you'll excuse us."

Evelyn turned to Bart. "Oh my God. That just happened."

"Don't lose that card. You'll be getting plenty more." She swore she saw a tiny smile on his face. He excused himself, when he saw another friend in the distance.

Once he was out of sight, Evelyn turned to Eric and pointed at the card. "What just happened?"

"Welcome to the Upper East Side," Eric said.

Evelyn inspected each letter on the card. She flipped it over, and bent it before pocketing it. "Unbelievable."

Then, they heard clinking glass, and voices hushing. Evelyn turned to see her father standing at a podium. Evelyn and Eric moved closer to hear his words.

"Welcome everyone. We're here today to celebrate another year gone, and a new school year beginning. Here's a toast for health, happiness and prosperity for ourselves and more importantly, our children. Cheers."

They all raised their glasses before tipping them back. Evelyn turned to Eric. "Alright, now let's eat."

They hurried over to the food tables, beating the line of people. Evelyn took a bit of everything. Fruits, crepes, omelettes, Eric even convinced her to take a bit of caviar. Once their plates were full, Evelyn turned to Eric.

"So where do we sit?" She asked surveying the room full of mostly empty tables.

"Well, whichever table we choose will be the kids table, so anywhere really. You have choice."

Evelyn looked around the room and saw a table in the corner by the window. "Follow me." They weaved and curved through the tables and arrived at the very back table. Evelyn sat in the very corner. She got the whole room in her view.

"Should we wait for others to show up?"

"Nah, let's just begin."

They ate, Evelyn eating everything she knew without touching the caviar. It didn't look appetizing in the least. She didn't understand why it was so expensive, or so delicious. It looked like burnt bread crumbs slick with oil.

"Are these seats taken?"

Evelyn looked up to see Dash waggling his brows. Ozzy followed behind.

"No. Go ahead," Evelyn said gesturing to the empty chairs in front of them.

Ozzy smiled at her when he put his plate on the table.

"You still haven't tried the caviar yet," Eric observed.

"I was… getting to it," Evelyn said.

"You haven't tried Caviar before?" Dash said.

"I'm about to," Evelyn sighed.

They all waited, as she scooped a teaspoon of caviar onto a cracker. She held it in front of pursing mouth. "I feel like I'm on Fear Factor."

"Then show us fear is not a factor for you," Ozzy said.

Evelyn laughed. Dash and Eric looked between them confused. When Evelyn composed herself, she shoved the whole cracker in her mouth. Her face went through several reactions, from fear to determination to confusion.

"So?"

Evelyn swallowed. She immediately reached for her water glass and drank half the glass.

"A little to salty for your tastes then," Dash said.

"A little. Very interesting texture." She dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin like she'd seen Serena do.

"Things are about to get more interesting," Eric said over his shoulder. She looked up and saw Catherine striding toward their table.

"Hello, everyone," She said. She brushed her hand on Ozzy's back, and took the available seat beside him and Eric. "Brunch seems a little pedestrian this year."

"If it's not up to your standards, you could just make your own," Evelyn said.

Dash turned his head between the two and snickered.

"Maybe I can have my own kitchen staff do it for me. Thanks for the tip," She smiled and turned to Ozzy. She talked to him in a hushed voice and ignored everyone else. Evelyn resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She looked at Eric who shrugged.

"When did you guys get back to the city?" Dash asked Evelyn and Eric.

"We got back last Sunday," Evelyn said. She kept her eyes focused on Dash.

"Last Sunday, so a week ago," Eric added.

Dash popped a strawberry in his mouth. "Nice. We just got back on Thursday."

Evelyn nodded and they fell silent. Catherine giggled, her shoulder bumping Ozzy's. "That really happened?"

"What happened?" Dash said.

Catherine's eyes narrowed. "Ozzy was just telling me that this one time he went face to face with a bear while he was camping."

"Dude, seriously? You never told me that," Dash said.

Ozzy kept his eyes on his plate. "It didn't come up until now."

"Well then, what other crazy stories do you have to share?" Dash said.

"None for now really."

"Are you sure, bro? It feels like I don't even know you what your favourite movie is."

"It's—" Ozzy began.

"Rocky."

All eyes were on Evelyn. "Sorry. I just happened to know that. Now it's common knowledge to everyone."

"And what's your favourite movie then?" Eric asked Evelyn.

"The Sound of Music," Ozzy said.

Everyone looked between the two of them. "Yup. That…that's it."

"Really? I would have never guessed that," Dash said.

Evelyn shrugged. "Well, it's true. I really like musicals, and Julie Andrews is amazingly talented."

"There's no denying that," Eric said.

"What's yours?" Evelyn turned to Eric.

"I know it's not the most uplifting choice, but I like Mystic River."

"Never heard of it," Catherine said.

She looked over her shoulder. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go use the restroom."

When she was far enough away, Evelyn mumbled, "Please don't come back."

If only it were that easy.

They continued to chat and eat until Ozzy's mom tapped him on the shoulder. He spun around in his chair to his mom standing beside a rounded smiling old man. "I'm sorry to interrupt you sweetheart, but I wanted to introduce you to Mr. Fox here." Ruby turned to the table. "I'm sorry for interrupting. I just need to borrow my son for a moment."

They all mumbled their apologies, while Evelyn smiled and said. "It's no problem Ms. Taylor. It's always good to see you."

"You as well, dear." Ruby said, her eyes narrowing at Evelyn. She turned away, and began introduced Ozzy to Mr. Fox.

Eric leaned into Evelyn's ear and whispered, "Is it me, or does Ozzy's mom really not like you?"

"You are perceptive as always Eric. She hates me."

"Why?"

Evelyn looked at the diamond earrings that sparkled from her ears. "Honestly, Eric? I have no idea."

---

Unlike Evelyn's first day of Constance in January, her first day began at the steps of the Met because she got an urgent text from Jenny demanding that she be there by eight o'clock. Evelyn initially rolled over after reading the message, until she got another, and another. She groaned, pulling the covers over her head before she heard a light rap on her door.

Evelyn pulled down the covers. She blinked a few times to see Eric standing at her door. "I saw the texts," she mumbled.

"I thought so. Breakfast is ready too."

"I'm coming," Evelyn rolled away from facing Eric.

When she finally found the will to leave her bed, she cleaned herself up, and presented herself at the breakfast table. Bart and Lily sipped coffee while reading the paper. Evelyn picked up a croissant and a couple slices of ham and cheese.

"You might want to take that to go," Eric said.

"It's almost eight," Evelyn said.

"I know which is why we need to go. Jenny's waiting for us."

Evelyn sighed. She wrapped up her croissant in a serviette.

"You both seem pretty eager to go to school this early," Lily said.

"We wouldn't be eager exactly. We're going to have breakfast with Jenny. It's tradition," Eric said.

"Okay, but don't forget we have a family dinner this Friday. That's our tradition," Bart added.

"We wouldn't miss it," Evelyn said.

When they arrived at the steps, Jenny was already flanked with four girls staggered on the steps beneath her. Jenny spotted them immediately as they ascended the steps. Evelyn made sure she sat a step below Jenny, but sat a step above the new group of minions. She looked among three unfamiliar faces until her eyes fell upon Catherine. Of course she'd be a minion.

Evelyn leaned over to Eric and whispered, "Who sent these girls?"

"Who do you think?" Eric said.

Blair. Who was she kidding? Of course Blair made sure the next minions were ready to serve Jenny. There was the reason the system was so resistant to change. Blair made sure her kingdom would continue, and here they were without her and four minions at her feet.

"Evelyn, Eric, this is Lila, Kate and Sera."

Lila flashed a toothy grin and waved. Her short blonde hair bounced when she waved. Kate grimaced at her while Sera flipped her black hair over her should and continued texting. Catherine sat on the lowest step.

The girls ate their yogurt, while Evelyn unwrapped her croissant.

"Are you sure you want to eat that?" Catherine said. "I have an extra yogurt if you want."

Evelyn watched as Lila and Kate stared at her croissant longingly. "I'm sure I do, but thanks though." She took a bite.

Jenny tapped her spoon on the cup of her yogurt. She bent her wrist, and half of her yogurt spilled onto the concrete. "Oops. Looks like I dropped my yogurt." She looked down at Catherine. "Catherine, could you please get me another?"

"You can have my extra-"

"I only like original yogurt not vanilla. And just so you know for next time, I like my yogurt with strawberries only."

Catherine stood, brushing off her skirt and stepped down to the nearest cart. "That goes for everyone. Anyone can eat whatever they want on the steps as long as they don't force it onto others."

Spotted: Queen J dressing down C before breakfast. A new reign is upon us, and it looks like Queen J is finding B's shoes are a perfect fit.

---

After first period was over, Evelyn carried the heavy tome of Great Expectations in her arms. Her teacher wasted no time plunging into Dickens, and Evelyn was hardly grateful. She didn't despise English exactly; she just didn't have a long enough attention span to read five hundred pages of Victorian prose. That was a great expectation in itself.

Evelyn stopped in front of her new locker. She twirled the combination and set the tome on the higher shelf. Her locker location was far superior this year. It was located in the highest trafficked area where the courtyard doorway was a couple steps away. Jenny's locker was six lockers down. Evelyn picked up her biology binder and shut her locker door. She smiled when she saw Ozzy walking toward her.

He looked good. Better than good. He wore the St. Jude's uniform neatly pressed and tie straightened. His black curls spilled over his olive forehead. A couple girls did a double take as he passed them, wondering who this new kid was. Evelyn was familiar with the feeling. It was so strange seeing him so put together and...preppy. She still remembered when his hair covered his face, and he wore ripped jeans and converse until they buckled. Now he looked put together, and his almost black eyes found hers.

"Hey," she said. "How's your first day going?"

"It's been going pretty well actually. Thirteenth time's the charm."

"That's great! Did you find your classes okay and everything? I would have called you to give you a tour before classes started, but Jenny called me because she needed me..."

"It's not the first time I've navigated a school alone. I always find my way," He said.

"I know you will," Evelyn said quietly. He looked at her with a look she couldn't quite understand. He didn't say anything for a moment.

"But, um, you did say you knew a couple places that I just have to try. Maybe you could show me today at lunch?"

Evelyn smiled. "Yes! I actually know this place with the best-"

"Evelyn?"

They turned to see Jenny approaching. Clearly she had been standing nearby and overheard the whole conversation. "I'm sorry to interrupt Ozzy, but I just wanted to remind Evelyn that we have lunch on the steps today."

"Since wh-"

"I'm so sorry, but she can't miss that," Jenny concluded.

Ozzy shrugged avoiding Evelyn's eyes. "Yeah that's fine. I'm gonna go or I'm going to be late for Algebra."

"Ozzy wait." She grabbed his forearm, but froze. "I-just-I'm sorry I didn't remember my other commitment, but maybe tomorrow..."

"Are you sure you're allowed?" Ozzy said.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes I'm sure. I want to." She finally let go of his arm.

He sighed and looked at the floor. "Yeah, of course."

When he was out of an earshot, Evelyn turned to Jenny who was texting. "What the hell was that?"

Jenny looked up. "I'm sorry, but you have to be there when we sort through the projects and victims this year."

"Projects and victims? Whatever happened to new year, new regime?"

"It'll happen. I gave a speech earlier today trying to let freedom reign and no one cared except Catherine. Either I establish my authority, or she is going to stage a takeover, so I need a united front during my first lunch hour as Queen. I need you to be there. Today is a crucial. Whatever precedent I present today will continue with my rule."

"Okay, I get that, but just try to give me heads up ahead of time. I really wanted to go out for lunch with Ozzy. I hope this didn't screw anything up. We were in a really good place."

"Don't worry. He'll wait till the end of time for you with his puppy dog stares at you."

Evelyn looked down the hall where Ozzy had disappeared. "I hope so."

---

Lunch was an affair in which Evelyn witnessed an overwhelming stack of victims form with only three girls being selected as projects. She watched as Jenny dominated and dictated with ease. Jenny would only need to look at the girl to know if she was a project or victim.

When Jenny and Evelyn walked up the steps of Constance, Evelyn said, "Are you really going to terrorize the victims this year? We were those victims last year you know."

"No I won't. My plan is to keep the minions occupied with tedious and menial tasks to distract them from destroying any innocent bystanders. That way they feel like they're doing their job while I continue with letting the school change one day at a time. It's a win-win."

Evelyn stopped once she reached the final step. "Sounds like you're walking a tight rope."

Jenny adjusted her headband. "In a metaphorical sense yes, but I'm at peace this way. I think I can manage the balance."

For Jenny's sake, Evelyn hoped so. The Queen of Constance was not an easy job, nor was the ethical decisions involved every simple. Evelyn was more thankful that she wasn't sequestered to be Queen after all even though sometimes she wondered if she could rule. She didn't know whether she'd be too soft like Blair suggested, or if there was a side of her that was a little more ruthless. A part of her was curious, but the logical and rational side of her knew better than to play with fire like that.

Evelyn breezed into her chemistry classroom. She looked at the gleaming black lab benches and the cabinets stocked with beakers, Bunsen burners and test tubes. This was her kingdom. If Jenny ruled the steps of the Met, she ruled her science classroom. She would delegate like the rest of them. Chemistry was her highest grade last semester, and she wanted to keep it that way.

She assessed the seating arrangements and decided to sit at the bench closest to the middle. Jenny and Eric weren't taking this class, so Evelyn sat alone. With each student who passed through the classroom door, Evelyn hoped Ozzy would walk through. During their run-in before lunch she didn't even ask what courses he was taking. How stupid of her.

The teacher walked up behind her carrying a thick binder and set it on the bench. Evelyn continued to wait until the last student hurried in. No Ozzy, no Jenny, no Eric. And thankfully no Catherine.

The teacher closed the door, and welcomed them all back to school. She explained the behaviour and expectations from her class, to which most people didn't listen. Evelyn respected Mrs. Becker though. She was the first female science teach she ever had, and always thought that what she asked from her students was fair.

"I've already taken the liberty of selecting your lab partners for the semester. Now, before you come and complain about who you're partnered with, rest assured that you will each be graded separately on reports, but the labs together. You can tell your parents to complain to me after class. Now, let's begin."

Mrs. Becker began with the first person, Wyatt Anderson, and continued to pair the students alphabetically. Normally, Evelyn was always used to being called on first, but now she realized her last name left her being called on second.

"Evelyn Bass," Mrs. Becker said. "Your partner is Dashiell Montgomery."

No way.

Seriously?

What did she do to deserve this?

Dash spun around from his chair in the second row and waved at her with a wide grin on his face. He leaned back on his chair elevating it on its hind legs. Evelyn's mouth muscle twitched in what she hoped was a smile. She turned back to face the teacher who continued to read the other pairings.

When Mrs. Becker was done, she said, "Please arrange yourselves to sit with your lab partners. This will be the seating arrangement for the remainder of the semester."

Some people stood, while others looked at their partners to decide who would give up their own seat. Dash stood without asking Evelyn and sidled up beside her. "Well hello there, partner. How happy are you about this arrangement of us working together?"

"Clearly I couldn't be as happy about it as you are," Evelyn said.

Mrs. Becker passed around the stapled course syllabus per row. Abraham Wells passed the sheets to Dash. He took a couple and offered one Evelyn before sending the remainder of the pile to the table behind them "For you, my partner."

Evelyn snatched the paper. "Are you really going to call me that for the rest of the semester?"

"Why you don't like it? If you want, I can think of other pet names to call you."

"Partner will do," Evelyn sighed. She looked through the course outline, and noted the schedule of units and labs. First they were going to talk about Matter, then the Mole (Whatever that was), Chemistry Reactions, Gases, Bonding, and finally Organic Chemistry.

Dash left his sheet on the desk. "So H stands for Hydrogen right?"

If she could, Evelyn would have bashed her head on the desk. She turned to face him and said in a low voice, "Listen up, partner. You better brush up on your chemistry knowledge because I'm not screwing around in this class. Just because we have unfortunately been paired together doesn't mean we will do poorly together."

Dash leaned his head closer pretending it would help him hear better. "I like the sound of that, partner."

Evelyn drew away and shook her head. Mrs. Becker continued with her introduction by saying, "Today we are going to begin with an experiment that's listed on the second page of the syllabus. I'm now going to hand out the first experiment I'd like you to complete with your lab partners. Please remember all of the WHIMIS training you were asked to complete over summer break, and be careful. This experiment will definitely go off with a bang."

When Evelyn got the experiment sheet she immediately stood up. She looked between the paper and Dash. "Well if you're going to make yourself useful, go get us a ring and stand, a test tube and Bunsen burner to start."

"As you wish, partner." Dash saluted her and sauntered to the back of the classroom.

Evelyn gathered the ingredients to make the reaction and found an available workbench. She began setting up the stand. Dash handed her the ring.

"So what's up with you and Ozzy?" Dash asked.

Evelyn tightened the ring to the point where it wouldn't budge. "What's it to you?"

Dash leaned against the black counter. "We are almost brothers after all. He didn't really mention you much."

The test tube slipped in Evelyn's hand. "That's...interesting. And don't lean on the counter."

Dash peeled himself up. "That's what I thought. He only said you two were friends, but then he goes and saves your life a couple weeks ago like he was aqua-charming."

Evelyn chuckled. "Aqua-charming? Are you jealous or something?"

"No. I'm just curious. What does this guy have that has you so enamoured that you turned down Nate Archibald?"

Once the test tube was in place, she crossed her arms. "I did not turn down Nate Archibald."

"Did he turn you down? Ouch."

Evelyn slapped his arm. "No he didn't. And stop trying to fish for information."

Dash smirked. "So there is information."

Evelyn sighed. "Even if there was, I wouldn't tell you of all people."

"Maybe you would…if I would pass on some helpful hints to aqua-charming."

"I think I can communicate on my own, thanks." Evelyn measured Potassium Chlorate into the test tube." She tilted the test tube at a forty-five degree angle.

Once set up, Evelyn heated the bottom of the test tube.

"Do you have the gummy bear?" Evelyn said.

"Yes at the expense of my growling stomach."

"Just drop it in the test tube please."

Evelyn removed the torch and turned off the gas valve. She watched Dash make his only contribution to the experiment by dropping the gummy bear into the test tube. It reacted immediately. It started to fizzle, and thick white plumes of smoke jutted out of the tube. Suddenly, the gummy bear was aflame, a glorious bright pink flame. It sizzled and cracked for the next minute like a rocket, until the gummy bear was completely fried.

Dash put his hands on his hips. "Well, I can't say I saw that one coming."

It was going to be a long semester.

Spotted: E & D partnering up in Chemistry class. Do we see sparks in the classroom? I'm sure O would want to know. Unless he's ready to combust with C.

---

Jenny convinced Evelyn to come with her to the loft after school to make up for her having to accompany her minions at lunch. Evelyn hadn't been to the loft in months. Part of this reason was because of their fight they had at the end of the year. They didn't talk for a month, and didn't forgive each other until graduation night. Evelyn was hesitant to accept the invitation at first, but she agreed when Jenny mentioned Rufus was making his special Bolognese sauce. She couldn't say no to that.

They took the Bass limo to Brooklyn just before the rush hour swept through the city. They asked if Eric wanted to join, but he was already committed to hanging out with Jonathan. Evelyn and Jenny cruised through the Manhattan streets. It was one of the dying days of summer, still warm and smoggy in the city. The luxury of air conditioning in the limo was an added benefit.

When Jenny unlocked the loft door, a current of Bolognese aroma stunned Evelyn's senses. She looked around the loft, remembering the jukebox beside the kitchen, Jenny's room straight ahead. She forgot how comfortable the loft made her feel, with the wall of records and yellow walls. Rufus Humphrey hovered over the stove, and churned the thick sauce in his orange pot.

He looked over his shoulder. "Welcome home, Jenny! I see you brought your friend over again. Evelyn, right?" He wiped his hands on a cloth and turned to face them.

"That's right. It's good to see you again, Mr. Humphrey."

Jenny shut the "I hope it's okay that I invited Evelyn over for dinner."

"She tempted me with your famous Bolognese sauce again. I couldn't say no," Evelyn said.

"Did she now? It's nice to know someone appreciates my cooking. My children could learn a thing or two." Rufus said. "You are more than welcome to stay for supper Evelyn."

"Thank you Mr. Humphrey." Evelyn dropped her bag under the barstool. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Rufus looked around the kitchen. "You and Jenny can help by setting the table."

"We're on it, Dad." Jenny opened one of the drawers and picked out forks and spoons. She passed them to Evelyn, along with napkins.

Once Evelyn began folding the napkins at the dining table, Jenny came up holding two glasses of water. "Thanks again for today. I would have felt so alone without you and Eric there."

"That's what friends are for," Evelyn said.

Jenny set all three glasses of water on the table. "I almost freaked out this morning when I got a text from Lila about confirming that we were meeting on the steps. I should have prepared more."

"And you winged it quite well. Seriously. I don't think anyone could tell," Evelyn said.

Jenny sighed. "I hope you're right."

"I am. Besides, now that you're Queen, what else do you have to do?"

Jenny straightened one of the forks Evelyn placed on a napkin. "Well, Blair always had an annual sleepover, and then there was the masquerade to which we are old enough to attend, and then Cotillion..."

"Stop right there. We're going to take one event at a time."

"That's the thing I'm worried about. Sure I'm Queen, but I...I can't afford to run any of these events. I know they all expect them to happen, but I can't plan them. They won't fully believe in my ability to rule if I'm not on the same fiscal field as them."

Evelyn took a seat in the booth. "Jenny, stop with this negative talk. You will run these events no problem, and we are going to have fun throwing them."

"Evelyn have you not heard a word I said? I can't-"

"Yes you can, and you will because you're well connected. You have me. And Eric, and we can afford this. We'll be in attendance anyway, so I can," Evelyn lowered her voice, "financially support you."

Jenny shook her head. "No. I can't accept that."

"You need to. Look, I'm not asking for anything in return, I'm offering this as your friend. We said we'd rule this school together, and dammit we will. Now we can."

Jenny looked at her with hopeful eyes. "Thank you. Honestly. I have no idea how I can make it up to you."

"That's the thing about friendship. I'm not doing this in order to demand something in return. I don't expect that."

"Dinner's ready!" Rufus said.

Jenny and Evelyn stood up. Jenny hugged her. Humphrey's and their hugs, Evelyn thought to herself. Chuck would not approve. Evelyn and Jenny picked up their plates and Rufus brought over a bowl of creamy Caesar salad. They sat and talked, and Evelyn sunk into the velvet cushions of the bench. She didn't think Jenny realized this, but living in Brooklyn was a haven away from the Upper East Side. Evelyn was reminded of her more humble life. She closed her eyes and felt herself relax. She was this person before who joked, and played board games. Now she was going to parties, sleepovers, masquerades...as much as this comfort was who she was, she was realizing more and more that those events are also who she will be.

Evelyn found herself straddling a fault line that was diverging apart. She held both sides in place, kept them close, and pushed any thought or assumption that both sides of her would pull away, tearing her in half.

---

After the second period bell rang, Evelyn was the first out the door. She made it to her locker before the waves of students crashed against each other. Evelyn threw her textbook on her shelf. She looked in the mirror propped up on her locker door for the first time that semester. She fluffed her long waves, and double-checked that her make up didn't smudge.

Evelyn shut her locker door and scanned the hallway for Ozzy. He was always someone who took his time getting his things together, so she was sure he'd round the corner. He also had a habit of walking slow. Evelyn always noticed this whenever she walked beside him. He always carried a lazy and thoughtful pace, whereas she was always on the verge of a full on run.

He didn't round the corner. Either he was really slow today, or this wasn't going to be his usual route to his locker. Jenny snuck up behind her and said, "Are you waiting for me?"

"No, I'm waiting for Ozzy."

"I just came from the St. Jude's hallway, and I saw him at his locker."

Evelyn thanked Jenny, and dashed through the square of hallways. Once she turned to the St. Jude's corridor she stopped running and straightened her uniform. She walked as casually as she could with her bag slung over her shoulder.

Sure enough Ozzy was still putting his books away in a locker. Nate's old locker.

It should only be a freak coincidence, but Evelyn couldn't shake the odd feeling déjà vu. What were the chances that Ozzy would have Nate's locker this year? The universe could be cruel sometimes.

"Hi," Evelyn said.

Ozzy turned and flinched. "Oh hey."

"Are you ready to go?"

Ozzy stared at her.

Evelyn dragged him down the hall by his sleeve. "Do I have to kidnap you or what? Let's go."

Ozzy woke up from his dazed state, and found his footing. "Yeah. Let's go."

Once outside the front gates, Evelyn said, "The place I was thinking about was the place I had lunch on my first day here. I hope that's okay?"

"Yeah, no, that's cool."

"Good! It's an NGO cafe that has the best paninis. My step brother Eric took me."

"The best? We'll have to see about that."

Evelyn pointed to the cafe on the corner. "This is it."

Ozzy held the door open for her. Evelyn thanked him, and they stood in a short line up. "I personally recommend the Toscana or the turkey and pesto, but I know you really like guacamole, so the chicken guacamole would probably be your best bet."

Ozzy craned his neck to look at the menu boards and shrugged. "You can never go wrong with guacamole."

"I still don't understand how you like it."

"What's not to understand is why you don't like it."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. She could think of plenty more things to add, but it was her turn to order. When she was done, she said, "I'm going to grab a table."

Evelyn found one table available at the window. She took a seat, and watched as Ozzy paid for his panini. She still couldn't believe they were together again. It was strange to be with someone other than family in an entirely new place. She flicked her eyes to look out the window, as he turned. He pulled out his chair and leaned forward on the table.

"So we haven't really talked since you've moved a few months ago. How are you adjusting?" She asked.

"It's been okay. Definitely the easiest move we've had."

"I would kind of hope so. How's your mom?"

"It's weird," He said. "My mom is like a new person. She seems...alive again. Determined. It's like she has this whole other life I didn't know about until now."

From Evelyn's interaction with Ruby, she didn't doubt that she had no trouble settling into the Upper East Side. If anything, her return to New York was a homecoming. She never told this to Ozzy's face, but she never liked his mom. She was always cold and always seemed to hate Evelyn. Evelyn had no idea why she was so hated because Evelyn was always polite and cordial with Ruby. It was always Ruby who had a problem with her ever since they first met in Ozzy's room. She had come home after a weekend trip to find Evelyn studying with Ozzy on the floor.

The worst thing about it was that Ozzy was completely oblivious to the way Ruby treated her. He had no idea how vile of a woman she was.

"I'm sure your mom is just happy to finally have a home. I'm thinking this one will be permanent?"

"I don't know. I thought Texas and Los Angeles were going to be permanent, but we didn't last."

"Do you feel this time is different?"

Ozzy fell back in his chair. "I don't know. Maybe? I think my mom will actually make it down the aisle this time even if she has to limp her way."

"How many times has your mom been married?"

"Let's see. The first was Adam in South Carolina. Then Frank in Chicago. Now it's Philip's turn."

"Only three times? I'm sorry, but why did I think it was more than that?"

"She was engaged three other times. The first time was with this guy, Ben Van der Built. I think he's a senator now. Then, there was Buck from Texas, and Andre from L.A."

"Hold up. Was Ben Van der Built the first person who proposed to her?"

"Um...yeah. Why?"

"Oh I just happen to know someone from that family-but that's not the point."

"Yeah, it's okay. I never talk about this stuff with her, so I've never asked why some of them didn't work out."

Evelyn sipped her drink. "Maybe you should. You deserve to know."

"Do I want to know?"

"Yes. You went through it with her. You should ask these questions."

"I guess," He said wistfully. "Anyway how are you?"

"I'm fine. Why?"

"No I mean, how are you after, you know..."

"Oh that. I'm fine really. I... I can't thank you enough for that."

His shoulders lowered. "Don't mention it."

"Don't shrug it off. I could have died you know."

His shoulders tensed again.

"Not that I did. Honestly, things could have been worse, but you were there for me."

Ozzy grinned and held out his hand on the table. Evelyn roped her fingers through his and smiled. She felt something hitch in her stomach when she touched him. His brown eyes bored into hers. Neither spoke. A current of buzzing energy erupted where their hands joined, and travelled up her arm and through her body. As the moments ticked on, she felt the energy pump through her heart faster and faster. She felt herself falling into a hazy sleep where she could hear life buzzing around her while remained still.

A dropped spoon by their table woke her up. She pulled her hand away and looked at her watch. "Right. Um. We should go. We'll be late."

"Um...yeah."

Evelyn slung her bag over her shoulder, and walked back to school. He held the door open for her again, and she thanked him with her eyes on the ground. They walked in silence for a couple moments.

"So what classes are you taking this term?"

"Let's see, Chem, Bio, English Lit and Gym. You?"

"Pre-Calc, Accounting, Spanish and Gym too."

They continued to talk about the most inane things until they returned to school. Evelyn looked at him for the first time since they left the cafe. "We'll hang out again sometime soon?"

"Is tomorrow too soon?"

"No. Tomorrow is perfect."

Spotted: E and O sharing an intimate lunch. It looks like E is back on the field while C is on the sidelines at the steps. Will this game come to blows? We all know there's nothing more that I love than a cat fight. Game on ladies.

---

The Ivy League mixer arrived later that week. The junior class felt the pressure to secure their desired usher positions, and the stress was burdening. Not only did everyone have to practice their rehearsed pitches to their respective Ivy reps, but they had to do perform them in front of their parents. Fortunately for Ozzy, the pressure didn't apply to him. He never even gave a thought about college until Ivy week. He didn't have any plans to go until suddenly when Philip was talking about which schools Dash would attend, his mom piped up and said that Ozzy should consider Harvard because apparently his grandfather went there.

Then, there were interviews. He didn't even know about them until the morning he was called for an interview. He bullshitted his way through the interview, stating that he wanted to know more about what each school had to offer. He also explained how he never thought he'd have the opportunity to go to college before he started attending St. Jude's. The sob story worked, as he was appointed the Harvard usher position.

When they looked at the list, Dash scoffed. "No fucking way. How the hell did you get the Harvard position?"

"I don't know," Ozzy shrugged.

"My dad is going to kill me. Hey, let's switch," Dash said. "You down to learn about Princeton?"

For some reason, Ozzy didn't think it was a good idea to just give up the opportunity to be the Harvard rep. "We'll do a switch up at the mixer," Ozzy said.

When the mixer afternoon arrived, Ozzy and Dash waited in the cafeteria with the other ushers. Some of the Constance girls milled around the punch table while the community outreach members setup the event. Most of the kids waited around nervously. The pressure of today was insurmountable, but was also compounded by the accompaniment of their parents.

"My dad and your mom should be here soon," Dash said. "He's going to be so pissed that I'm with the Princeton rep."

"Why would he be so mad?" Ozzy asked.

"Harvard was his Alma mater. He had the time of his life there. He was on the crew team, was in a frat, met my mom...they were his glory days."

Ozzy slouched against the wall. "He can't be mad at you for having another rep. Just because they were his glory days doesn't mean they'll be yours."

"Have you met my father? He just wishes I was a carbon copy of him. I guess I look like him, but my grades...not so much."

Evelyn and Eric emerged through the courtyard door. They looked to be in an intense conversation, but it halted when Evelyn saw them hanging around the corner. They walked over.

"Are you guys ready?" She asked.

"For death? Yes," Dash said.

"Don't listen to him. He's just being dramatic," Ozzy said.

"Don't listen to the usher stealing kid. I'm the victim here!"

"Oh that's right. You got the Harvard usher position. Congrats!"

"And he still gets the glory too," Dash grumbled. No one heard him.

"Thanks. Honestly, it was completely unexpected." Ozzy turned to Eric. "Which usher position did you get?"

"Brown, which is not surprising," Eric said.

"Attention, students! All of the Ivy League representatives are waiting in the formal dining hall. Ushers, please come first so we can introduce you to your representative."

"That's us," Eric said.

Ozzy slapped Dash's back. "Stop moping. You'll be fine."

"Good luck," Evelyn said.

The ushers were lead to the dining hall. Tables and chairs were dressed up elegantly with white linens, and fresh cut flowers were placed on every table. Parents and reps were already mingling. He spotted Philip and his mom talking to one of the esteemed reps. Dash and Ozzy approached.

"There they are!" His mom exclaimed. She was all dressed up in creme dress, her nails freshly manicured. He hadn't seen his mom radiate this much, ever. Her dark wavy hair was tucked behind her shoulders.

"Boys, this is Roy Scander. He is visiting representative from Harvard University."

Roy held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Oscar Taylor, and this is-"

"Dashiell Montgomery," Dash finished shaking his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Why don't we get a drink?" Ozzy said. "I will be your usher this afternoon, and I would love to hear about Harvard University."

Philip turned to look at Dash. He said quietly, "you didn't tell me who you're ushering for. Who is it?"

"Princeton."

Philip gave his son a look and said, "Well, we won't keep the Princeton representative waiting." He turned back to Roy, Ozzy and his mom. "Please excuse us."

Ozzy turned back to Roy who regaled the history of Harvard and the pillar of ideas the school stood for. Ozzy asked questions, forgetting his mom was even there until Roy asked, "Have any of your relatives attended Harvard?"

"My father did," his mom said. "He studied political science and followed up with a masters of law."

"Isn't your father Anthony Taylor? He's was appointed as a senator over a decade ago was he not?"

Ozzy whipped his head to his mom. She avoided his questioning looks and said, "Yes he was.

His grandfather was a senator? All this time, he thought his grandfather suffered a heart attack. So many questions started to swirl in his head.

Mr. Scander put down his drink. "If you'll excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Once he was out of sight, Ozzy turned to face his mother. " What the hell was that mom? You said grandpa died before I was born."

Ruby smiled and nodded her head at a couple who walked past them. "We will discuss this when we get home," She said through gritted teeth.

"No. That means you won't talk about it. My grandfather was—or maybe still is—a senator? Does this mean both of my grandparents are alive? Where are they?"

Ruby looked around and put her arm around Ozzy's shoulder. She guided them out of the room and to a deserted hallway. "Now? They are in New Hampshire, but it doesn't matter."

"Of course it does mom! All this time I thought it was just you and me. Turns out we have family? What did you just walk away from them or something?"

"Of course not," she said harshly. "I'll have you know that they abandoned us. They are dead to me, and that's why they will always be dead to you."

"Why?"

"It doesn't matter why. All that matters is that we're back home now, and you finally have a chance to live the life I want to give you, so we can't screw it up."

"My life or yours?"

"Yours. I didn't spend fifteen years trying to get back in the good graces of the society I grew up in for nothing. I've been doing it for you. Mr. Scander is back from the restroom, so please go back and talk with him."

"Fine. But you owe me an explanation. I want to know the truth."

"And you will. The reason I haven't told you is because it wasn't the right time. I think that time's coming soon. Now go."

Ozzy wandered back into the room. His mind was spinning until he almost ran into Evelyn who was chuckling with the MIT rep.

"Oh hey? You okay there?" Evelyn asked.

"Yes. Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. Excuse me."

Evelyn looked at him; her eyes brimmed with concern. She looked like she was excelling, but that didn't surprise Ozzy. Evelyn always earned everything she worked for. She always knew right from wrong, and there was no doubt in his mind that she already had a few different reps eating out of the palm of her hand. He could learn a thing or two. He just abandoned his rep, and really had no interest in talking to him anymore. He just wanted to know more about his family. Why has his family been as good as dead to him for all these years? There were times where he and his mom struggled. They struggled in a way no one in this room would ever understand or ever have to.

He looked around the room for the first time, and wondered what the hell he was doing here. How did he deserve to be here? Sure, he got the Harvard rep out of pity most likely, but what good would this place do? He didn't see himself staying here for longer than a semester. Ozzy sighed and found Dash talking to Roy.

"Hi," Ozzy said when he returned.

Dash glared at him. "Like I was saying, Roy, my dad and I have attended the homecoming game against Yale ever since I was little..."

Ozzy stood there and listened to the long speech. He let Dash have his moment of humoring the Harvard rep. After a few more minutes, Dash excused himself.

"So what did you study at Harvard?"

"I studied Applied Mathematics although it's changed quite a bit since I attended."

Ozzy thought back to the time when all of his teachers gave up on his math abilities. That's how he met Evelyn. She was his math peer tutor. They tried assigning other people to help him, but she was the only one who actually helped. It wasn't as if Ozzy was bad at math; he just never did the work. He didn't notice a difference until he got his first calculus test back this year.

"What area of study interests you?"

Ozzy took a moment to think about it. "Math." He elongated the h, unsure of his answer.

Mr. Scander's eyes light up. "Really? Why didn't you say it sooner?"

"I dunno. I guess I was just being patient. Tell me about Harvard's math department."

Roy wasted no time explaining the excellent history of Harvard's prestigious math program. He told him about the current discoveries and research projects that were underway. Some of the terms he used went over his head, but Ozzy got the gist of most of it. It interested him.

At the end of the event, Roy gave him his contact information and said, "It was nice to meet you Oscar. If you keep your academic standing, then Harvard would really benefit from someone like you."

"Wow. Thanks."

"Why do you look so surprised, Oscar?"

He shook his head. "I'm sorry. It's just... no one has told me that before."

Roy shook his hand. "I'm sure it won't be the last."

---

As October began, the junior class buzzed about the Queen's annual sleepover. Constance girls talked and theorized that Queen J wasn't going to host the annual Waldorf sleepover. They joked that all the minions wouldn't fit in the Brooklyn hole she lived in, and that the Queen didn't have the same touch as Blair Waldorf did.

But those who were closest to Jenny knew that this simply wasn't true. Although she hadn't made an announcement, she was planning a sleepover. A surprise sleepover. She discussed it with Evelyn at the Bass Penthouse a week ago, and the plan was to have the sleepover this Friday night.

"The last thing I want is to copy what Blair has done in the past," Jenny said.

"Which you won't. What we need to think of is adding your own personal touch. We need to think of a theme that screams Jenny Humphrey. It'll be something they won't see coming."

Jenny tapped her pencil on her notebook. "That's it!" She slammed her pencil on her notebook. "It can be a surprise sleepover."

"Surprise?"

"Yes. We can arrange for every girl to be kidnapped of sorts after school. All they'll have are the clothes on their backs and they'll be dropped off here. Then, we'll let the games begin. We'll keep the tradition of truth or dare."

"Sounds daring. It's totally you."

Jenny picked up her pencil and started scribbling. "It's okay to have the sleepover at the penthouse right? We won't stay there all night."

"I'll ask my dad and Lily, but I'm sure it'll be fine."

When Evelyn pitched the idea to Lily, she thought it was a splendid idea. Lily was just thrilled to see Evelyn embrace her new life in the Upper East Side, and offered to help. It made the secret planning of the event much easier for Evelyn and Jenny. Lily was so experienced with these events, that Evelyn took this opportunity to learn. What she took from it was that party planning required constant decision-making.

That Friday, Evelyn found Jenny sitting in the courtyard. Lila and Kate sat with her on their phones, while Jenny overlooked her subjects. Evelyn approached Jenny.

"Sorry I didn't come sooner. I just got off the phone with Lily."

Jenny exchanged a knowing look with Evelyn. "Ladies, I'm parched. Can you fill up my water bottle?"

The minions scurried away. "It's getting harder and harder trying to find an task to occupy them," Jenny said.

"It'll all be over soon," Evelyn said quietly. "Lily just told me that everything is ready to go. All that's left is for us to do a final check after school. You're dad knows and is cool with this right?"

"Totally. He loves you and totally trusts you."

"Good. I'm not sure if he should with what we have planned for tonight, but we can make it up to him by having a scrabble night," Evelyn said.

"Don't give him any ideas."

"What else?" Evelyn crossed her arms. "Eric will be with Jonathan for the night, Lily and my dad are spending the weekend in Providence… I think that's it."

Their phones started to ring. Evelyn and Jenny both bowed their heads to read the most recent Gossip Girl blast.

Although it appears that Queen J is defying tradition with her rule, another royal subject is keeping the tradition alive. Word has it that C will host the annual sleepover tonight and our very own Queen wasn't even invited. Come out, come out wherever you are, Queen J. If you want to hold on to your kingdom, it's time to come out and play.

Evelyn looked up from her phone. "Well this is just great. Clearly there is a flaw with our plan."

All eyes in the courtyard watched Jenny. She took a deep breath, and stood up from the bench. "No there isn't. We'll just have to get to these girls first. We'll make rearrangements for Catherine. Let's go."

Jenny led the way through the courtyard, her head held high, shoulders back. Her subjects watched, as Evelyn followed behind her. Most other people would have cowered at the blast, but Jenny stood tall. She walked with purpose through the hallways, calling for her minions like it didn't happen. It was like they were about to enter a battle. A battle for the throne.

---

Ozzy lounged on his new bed that Friday afternoon listening to music, for he was thinking of different places he wanted to walk to that night. There were so many boroughs to explore in New York. Soho and Brooklyn topped the list of places he wanted to visit. He'd already seen Time Square, and the usual tourist traps, but Ozzy wanted to see more. Unlike the other places he lived in, New York was constantly buzzing. Now that he was old enough to travel alone, he wanted to explore the city as much as possible before he left.

Although his mom seemed happy with Philip, he really couldn't assume that relationship would last, so he needed to explore every nook of New York before they inevitably moved away.

Just as he was drifting to sleep, Dash's shouting shook him out of his dreamy state, which consisted of a girl with almost black hair and striking blue eyes.

"Brother, come here!" Dash called to Ozzy from his room across the hall.

Ozzy rubbed his sleepy eyes. "What?" he croaked.

Dash slid across the wood floors to the foot of his sleigh bed. "There's a lost weekend party happening this weekend and we're going."

"Lost weekend?"

Dash pushed himself up against the sleigh bed and was jumping. "I always forget how little you know. It's the best party weekend of the year. Since Ivy week is over, it's a way to blow off some steam. Chuck Bass used to host it after Carter Baizen invented it, but now it's our turn."

Ozzy sat up, and removed the ear buds from his ears. "Is it now? How exactly did you get an invite to that?"

"Because I'm me," Dash said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Ozzy scoffed. "But actually, how did you get invited?"

Dash stopped jumping. "Wyatt Tarquin couldn't make it, so the last spot was offered to me. I asked if you could come too, and they said yes."

"So you got invited as an alternate, and you still want to go?"

"Listen bro, you don't say no to the lost party. No matter what the circumstances, you nod your curly little head and say yes. Always."

Ozzy shrugged. "Alright. Good for you."

"Hey, it's good for you too. Get dressed—and no you are not allowed to wear those cargo pants you seem to love. Wear one of the outfits I picked out for you. We leave in twenty minutes."

Dash ran back across the hall and smacked the door on his way out with his hand. "Twenty minutes!"

Ozzy sighed and got up from his bed. As usual, Dash always ruined his plans. He didn't really know what it was about Dash that bothered him so much, he just did. Ozzy was all the more frustrated that Dash was completely oblivious about it.

Ozzy opened his closet door, and picked out the outfit Dash had planned for him. A pair of pressed pants and polo shirt hung from the hanger. He threw the hanger on his bed and stared at it for a minute.

He could just bail. Not go. Leave Dash to have the time of his life. It would be the simpler option to be alone tonight, and probably more fulfilling. He looked through the throughway between his door and Dash's. He could see his stepbrother actually jumping around his room with a smile on his face. He sprayed cologne on his neck, and looked at himself in the mirror.

Ozzy combed a hand through his hair and starred at the clothes again. He shook his head and began to change.

---

The Bass Penthouse transformed from art gallery to sleepover space in a matter of hours. Six trundle beds were lined up in threes where the sofas typically were in the living room. Racks of Jenny's clothes were set up for each party guest. Platters of fruits were spread out on the kitchen counter tops with a chocolate fountain in the middle. Alcohol was ready to pour from the bar cart with all types of glasses. Lastly, Rufus's waffle iron was in the kitchen, a bowl of batter beside it. If Jenny needed a Humphrey signature, waffles were the only thing she thought of. Home made whipped cream was also dolled up in a small bowl.

The trundle beds were dressed with olive green, grey and black sheets. Make up tables were set up near the fireplace, with every kind of brush, mascara and eye shadow available. It was an elegant and gothic setup that perfectly set up and differentiated Jenny's rule from Blair's.

"We're all set," Evelyn said. She took a strawberry and dipped it under the chocolate fountain.

Jenny popped a grape in her mouth. "I can't believe it all came together. I actually think tonight is going to work."

"Of course it's going to work. We planned this for weeks, and now it's time for us to enjoy it. They are going to be blown away with it."

Jenny leaned her head against her closed fist. "I remember my first sleepover at Blair's place. I walked in and the whole Penthouse had everything you could think of. Blair was waiting for me, and clapped her hands when she saw me. I felt so included. That was before the club and robbery of course, but it was the best sleepover ever. I hope I can capture at least half of that tonight."

"You'll capture more than that. Trust me, we just need to drop any expectations we have, and just enjoy what we have now. These girls have no idea what they're about to walk into, so they have no expectations."

Jenny reached for her phone. "You do have a good point."

"Don't I always?" Evelyn said, reaching for her phone.

Attention Upper East Siders. I'm sending out a MPB for these royal subjects who were blindfold and kidnapped from their UES homes. With C being the latest victim, it appears that C's sleepover is officially over. Could it have possibly been because of Queen J? We hear the Queen's men are her most loyal servants.

"Looks like your minions are on route," Evelyn said.

"I must say we make a great team," Jenny said.

"We'll need our teamwork more than ever when Catherine shows up. Any advice for truth or dare?"

Jenny popped another grape in her mouth. "Don't hesitate when someone dares you to do something. I'm going to try my best to be the one in charge of daring people certain things, so I'll make sure you're covered. But be prepared. My minions will jump at the chance for you to fail."

Evelyn's heart beat a bit faster. "Okay. Failure isn't an option. Got it."

Ten minutes later the elevator chimed. The arm of one of the Bass security guards guided Lila to the couch that was pushed up against the staircase. She squirmed and whimpered with her arms tied behind her back.

Jenny turned to Evelyn and put her finger against her lips. Then, Kate arrived, fiercely determined to break free of her capture. After, Sera and Catherine got off the elevator together. They whispered to each other, but were pushed into their seats.

Evelyn and Jenny waited in front of the couch. Jenny straightened her back, and motioned the security guards to take off the girl's blindfolds.

They blinked manically and squinted at the bright lights in the room.

"What the hell is the meaning of this?" Catherine said. She wiggled her arms behind her back.

"Jenny?" Kate said.

"Why the hell did you guys kidnap us?" Sera scowled.

"Yeah what's wrong with you?" Catherine said.

Lila was the only one to look behind Evelyn and Jenny. "Oh my God. Is this—"

"Welcome to the first annual surprise sleepover," Jenny said.

Lila and Kate bounced in their seats, while Catherine and Sera glowered.

"You all thought I wasn't going to have a sleepover, but I wanted to do something different with it. So here we are."

"Seriously? I could press charges against you," Catherine said.

"This is totally barbaric," Sera added.

"Oh lay off would you? Be excited that you even got invited," Evelyn said crossing her arms.

"Fine. But could you please untie us, so we can act like civilized people?" Catherine said.

Evelyn nodded to the security guards.

Catherine massaged her wrists and looked around for the first time. She spotted her own clothing rack, and her eyes softened a bit.

Kate's head was bent over her phone. "I guess we can call off that MPB on Gossip Girl."

"I'll do it myself," Evelyn said.

"Wait, but what about our clothes, our overnight supplies?" Sera said.

"Oh you won't be needing any of that," Jenny said.

"Oh my Gosh. Jenny does that mean you have everything for us? Please tell me you have that Chanel foundation that you know is the only one I can use on my skin."

"Of course I do," Jenny said. "But you'll need to earn it first."

"Earn it?" Lila said.

"You didn't think the sleepover would be complete without a game did you?"

All the girls exchanged a look.

"Truth or dare?" Catherine said.

"It's tradition," Jenny replied.

Kate wandered to the fruit platters and chocolate fountain. "So we need to pick a truth or dare to earn the right to use everything here?"

"For starters," Jenny shrugged.

"What happens if we refuse a dare?" Sera asked.

Jenny's face was as stiff as stone. "Then you go home." She looked over at Catherine whose lips upturned into a smirk.

Evelyn flagged Ina to bring a tray of champagne flutes. She offered a glass to each girl.

"Are you girls ready then?" Jenny said.

They all nodded eagerly.

"To the annual sleepover of the year!" Jenny raised her flute in a toast. The other girls raised their glasses.

Catherine raised her glass last and said, "Let the games begin."

Looks like our earlier kidnappings was actually a hijacking. Word is, Queen J's hosting the annual sleepover instead of C tonight. Sorry C, but did you really think our Queen would go down without a fight? Only two years ago J was the freshman that killed at B's legendary sleepover. Only time will tell to see who will be victorious tonight.

---

Ozzy and Dash arrived at the Palace Hotel and were greeted by Harry Hastings. He was a junior who played on the basketball team. He was a tall and gangly boy who always wore the latest Nike high tops. He was so tall his spine curved like a shell, and his shoulders were like knife blades trying to cut through his shirt. Today, his sharp shoulders seemed softer with his thicker and more toned arm muscles filling out his shirt more than usual.

Harry leaned against one of the marble pillars at the foot of the staircase. He watched Dash and Ozzy approach with a bored expression on his face.

"Hey," Dash waved his hand at Harry.

Harry looked down at them. "Got a light?"

"Lucky strikes," Dash said. He presented a pack of cigarettes to Harry.

Harry pocketed the pack. He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a key card. "Room 1912."

Dash snatched the card. "Thanks, man."

Once they waited at the bank of elevators, Ozzy whispered. "What the hell was that?"

"That was our entry into the party tonight."

"Come on, bro. You didn't think a lost party wouldn't have a password did you? There's a reason it's called lost. No one's supposed to know about it."

They stepped into the elevator. "And all it takes is a pack of cigarettes? Where's the prestige in that?"

Dash pressed the nineteenth floor button. "Those weren't just any cigarettes. Limited edition from 1962. Harry's a collector."

Ozzy shook his head. He really wondered if Dash just happened to know that, or if he actually knew Harry personally. Did anyone really know anybody personally?

The elevator door opened, and Dash lead the way to room 1912. He practically skipped to the front door. He swiped the key card, and turned the handle. Before he opened the door, he turned his head to Ozzy and said, "Here we go."

He swung the door open, and it was packed with people. Juniors gathered at the bar and poker tables in the room. Some stood on the balcony smoking cigars, while barely clothed strippers weaved through the men. Some sat on some of the boy's laps, while others carried serving trays. Music filled the gaps between laughter and idle chitchat.

"Hello gentleman," An older looking guy said approaching them. He wore a red and black plaid shirt and black skinny jeans. Ozzy had seen him at school a couple times. People were always calling on him, and high fiving him. He didn't seem like a person who was well known. He was a person you would hear coming up behind you.

"Welcome to the lost weekend. I am your host, Dusty Williams." He shook both of their hands.

"Now here are the rules. This night is all about indulgence, and whatever I say goes. There is no outside world that I don't show you. In the wise words of Chuck Bass, you will eat what I provide, drink without leaving your glass empty, and talk to the girls that have been paid for. You worked hard during Ivy Week to improve your chances of getting in to the college of your choice. Now it's time to ruin those chances."

Dusty put an arm around both of the boys. "Are you ready?"

"Fuck yeah," Dash exhaled.

Dusty pushed both boys forward into the hotel room and said, "Then let the lost weekend begin!"

---

Later that evening, the girls lounged in their manicure and pedicure chairs. All four of the minions had completed their first dare to earn themselves their pedicures. They all sipped their second glass of Martinis and munched on the chocolate covered fruit. Evelyn and Jenny sat across from the four minions. They shared a steaming waffle topped with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce from the fountain. Evelyn took an even bite of waffle and sunk back in her chair.

"J, I think it's your turn," Sera said. "Truth or Dare."

Jenny set her martini down. "Let's get the truth over with first."

"Have you ever had sex before?"

Jenny controlled her stern facial features. "I haven't."

"Looks like we have another Virgin Queen," Catherine said.

"What's wrong with that?" Evelyn said. "Elizabeth was called the Virgin Queen, and look how well that turned out for her."

Catherine rolled her eyes. So far Evelyn got the sense that Sera and Catherine were commiserating against Jenny. Not only were they found at Catherine's together, but also she seemed particularly defiant and supportive of Catherine. If they were trying to stage a takeover, they were hardly being discrete about it.

"Alright Evelyn. Truth or Dare," Kate asked.

Evelyn drained her martini glass. "Truth."

Kate held had her hands under a nail dryer. "What is your wildest sex fantasy?"

Evelyn chuckled. "My what?"

"What is your sex fantasy? Don't even lie and say you don't have one. We won't believe you," Sera said.

"Let me think about it," She said. Various images passed through her mind. She felt her skin tingle and heat rush to her cheeks. She was never a person to talk about these kinds of topics openly. In fact, she barely understood them herself. The first time she had a sex dream, she woke up in the middle of the night feeling hot all over. She lay in bed tossing and turning wide-awake. She didn't know why, but her body felt tense. She felt a tension she couldn't relieve, and stayed awake until sunrise. The more she thought about it, the more she remembered. She had a strange dream about Ozzy. She could barely remember any of the details, but all she could remember was that she was lying on a chaise beside a pool in the powerful sunlight. Her clothes had gone missing, her skin wet, and a curly head was wedged between her legs.

She was too mortified to ask her Aunt Kim about it. Evelyn knew it had something to do with her hormones, but she never explored it or spoke of it. With four pairs of eyes on her, she'd rather die than tell that information to these untrustworthy minions.

"Come on, Evelyn. You can't back down from a truth or dare. If you don't do it, you'll have to go home," Catherine said.

"I am home," Evelyn said.

"Time's ticking," Sera said.

Evelyn's eyes found the carpet. "There are so many..." Evelyn mumbled.

"Just pick one," Kate said.

"Well...I guess...I guess...in the shower?"

"Oooohh," Kate and Lila giggled.

"Where are the details in that? Do you give him head in the shower?" Kate asked.

Evelyn blushed furiously, and felt very stupid for not knowing what that meant.

"Unless you're in the shower with a girl?" Sera proposed.

"Definitely not," Evelyn said. "Not that there's anything wrong with that. I guess I do, sometimes."

"Hm," Catherine huffed. "I expected something a little kinkier from a Bass."

"Well, let's see about you Baizen," Jenny interjected. "Truth or dare."

"In the spirit of honesty, I'll go truth."

"Explain to us who you gave your first blow job to."

Catherine blanched. "Wait, how did you-"

"That wasn't the question. Tell us, and don't leave out any details."

Catherine took a cleansing breath. "Well, it was Thom Taylor a couple summer's ago. Our parents are neighbours in the Hamptons. We'd been hooking up all summer, and one day in the car, he asked if I could give him head, and I agreed. He did the same for me right after."

"Was he any good?" Sera asked.

Catherine shrugged. "He was better with his hands. He could use some further instruction."

"My nails are dry," Lila said.

"Me too," Kate agreed. She held her hands up and inspected them.

Lila was pushing the hangers back one by one. "Are we going out soon, J?"

Jenny checked her watch. "I think it's time we kicked things up a notch. Now that we've all used our truth, it's time to be a little daring don't you think?"

Lila and Kate exchanged an excited look. Evelyn's eyes found the floor. She was still thinking about her truthful answer. So giving head was a blowjob? Evelyn couldn't believe she didn't know that. How sheltered was she? Was she really that lame?

Jenny rose from her chair. "Let's get ready girls."

Evelyn went to her personally labeled rack of clothes. As she was sifting through the clothes, Jenny appeared on the other side. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Evelyn said. "Just caught off guard with that question."

Jenny leaned forward so her head disappeared in the clothing rack. "If it makes you feel any better, I probably wouldn't have come up with a better answer, but you did it."

"I did. It was slightly embarrassing though."

"Don't worry," Jenny said. "You can do this. Look, Catherine is challenging you tonight because she thinks she can break you. You need to show her that she can't. I know you can do this."

Evelyn nodded. "What should I wear?"

Jenny picked out a short black romper. It had a plunging neckline and backline. "Wear this."

Once Evelyn changed into the romper, she paired it with a chunky gold bracelet, and strappy red Prada shoes. Her hair was twisted in a loose bun. Light waves fanned around her face. They had hired a makeup artist to do the girls makeup, and Evelyn herself paused when she saw the finished product in the mirror.

She strutted out of her bedroom where the other girls were waiting for her. Jenny gave her a nod of approval. Catherine sized her up, and turned away. She was wearing a long dress with a high leg split that traveled almost to her hip. Jenny wore a long sleeved black velvet dress. The back was mostly was cut out to her lower back, but the front cinched at her neck. She paired it with a fedora and ankle boots.

"Wait! Here's a little parting gift before we go," Kate said passing around a shot to each girl.

"Where are we going to next, J?" Lila said when she took her shot glass.

"Keeping with the theme of surprise, I'm taking you all somewhere that is known as an escape."

They all clinked glasses and downed her vodka shot. Evelyn resisted the urge to make a face as the liquid burned down her throat.

The minions chattered about what Jenny possibly could mean by that, but Evelyn already knew.

They were going to Victrola.

Spotted: Queen J moving the sleepover out of the Bass Penthouse. It looks like these girls are ready to play, but let's see who'll score the first point. Good luck ladies. May the naughtiest girl win.

---

After two hours of drinking, girls stripping, and eight shots later, Ozzy knew he was drunk. There was no way of denying it. He grabbed onto different objects when he walked, he slurred when he talked, and he felt like he was trapped in a haze. He hasn't been this drunk in a long time. He swore off it after things went really badly before Christmas break. But here he was, trapped in this lost party bored. He didn't have any other reason to drink that to entertain himself, as he sat in a room with people he didn't know or care for.

Dash was dancing with one of the strippers, when Dusty clamped a hand on his shoulder. "Taylor right?"

"Yeah."

"Nice to meet you. Take this," He presented a joint to him. It wasn't Ozzy's first joint. Before he moved to Connecticut, he occasionally smoked among other things. He didn't like to think back to those late nights in Houston. Not that he remembered much of them. They were definitely his darkest times.

"No thanks, man."

"Come on, you've done it before right?"

"Of course. It's just really not a good idea for me."

Dusty stared at him for a minute. "Got it. No worries. You having a good time?"

"Yeah, it's pretty good." He wasn't the overly social type when he was drunk. He wasn't exactly a fun drunk to be around.

"For a Taylor, I'm surprised we haven't met before. I know a bunch of your relatives."

"Well you know them more than I do," Ozzy said.

"That's rough. They'll come around though."

Ozzy caught a look a pity in Dusty's eye, and it bothered him. It was like he knew something about his family more than he did, and he didn't like it. Ozzy knew his mom had an older brother, but he never met him. He was always told his grandparents died before he was born. Ozzy never asked about his family because his mom made it clear that they didn't want anything to do with her. The longer he stayed in New York, the more questions he was beginning to have. Before he didn't really care, but now he wanted to know. He didn't want any more strangers telling him about his supposed family.

"Do you play sports?"

"Not really. I swim though."

"Me too," Dusty said. "What's your time for the 100 breaststroke?"

"I don't really time myself, but I think I got my time down to one minute and fifteen seconds."

"Dude, you need to try out for the team. We could really use you. We have a four by four relay team, and we need a starter."

Ozzy bobbed his head. "Yeah, sure. When are try-outs?"

"I'll tell Coach Rodgers on Monday. Be ready for next week." Dusty looked at his watch. "Good talking to you Taylor."

Dusty disappeared to the balcony for a smoke when Dash sat in the open chair beside him. "Dude. This is the best party ever. They're lining up coke in the bathroom."

"Are they now?" Ozzy inspected Dash who looked out of his mind happy. "Did you do a line?"

Dash looked around and said quietly, "Nah. That's way too hard-core for me. Did you?"

"I've done it but just not tonight."

"Dude! You are officially a badass," Dash exclaimed.

"No I'm not," Ozzy scoffed. "It was stupid. Burned like hell too."

"What else have you done?"

Ozzy hesitated. It really wasn't anything he was proud of, and if Dash thought it was cool, he didn't want him to try any of that stuff. "Nothing. Honestly it was a one time thing."

"I don't believe you," Dash said.

"Well you should."

Dash leaned over the bar and grabbed a bottle of brandy. "You've done it all haven't you?"

"No."

"Dude, I'm going to be your brother soon. I'm going to get you to confess these things sooner or later."

Ozzy grabbed a couple pretzels and crunched them in his mouth. "Fine. I used to do coke in ninth grade almost regularly."

Dash froze. "That's intense."

Ozzy broke off a piece of his pretzel. "It was an intense time."

"But you don't do it anymore?"

He shook his head. The last time he did it was in Vermont after Evelyn left him. He wondered why he did it. He wanted to punish himself for hurting someone he loved. For Ozzy, coke wasn't a way to escape his pain, it was a way to live in it. His own purgatory of sorts.

"Can I have your attention please?"

They all turned to see Dusty standing on one of the poker tables. "You've got five minutes to finish your drinks, or any other food or substance I have provided. We will be leaving to start our five-borough pub crawl. Who's ready?"

All the boys whooped and hollered. Dash checked his phone and saw the blast. Ozzy finished his drink, and he and Dash supported each other through the door. The first three boroughs were a blur to Ozzy. He remembered getting in and out of a limo, taking some shots, and dancing a bit. Once they arrived to the last borough, Ozzy could barely stand up. He didn't even look at the sign of the place, but followed Dash down inside. There was a bar inside and through the bar area there were tables and booth set up overlooking a stage. Girls danced on the stage wearing fishnet stocking and carried feather boas.

"Dude!" Dash shouted over the booming base. "This place is legendary! This is Chuck Bass's place-Victrola! I can't believe we're here."

They passed the bar and took a seat in the reserved booth that centred the stage. It had the best view of the show. Ozzy fell into the couch, and watched the show. At some point, Dash returned with a bottle of water and forced it in his hand. "Take this. You need it."

Ozzy nodded, and swayed to an upright position. He finished off half the bottle in one go, and instantly felt a bit better. When he looked back to the stage, he saw a girl from the audience climb up. She wore a black romper with her hair in a loose bun. She had her back to the audience, but everyone cheered as she began to swing her hips.

Ozzy wasn't sure if he was hallucinating from all the alcohol, but he swore he knew the girl on stage. She looked over her shoulder to the crowd and directly that him, but it was as if he were any of the people in the audience. She turned, her back facing the audience and continued dancing.

"I can't believe it," Dash said absolutely mesmerized.

Ozzy couldn't either. She was a girl who never wore make up. She was the girl who was always pulling the strings backstage. She was the girl who would challenge anyone who underestimated her. She was a girl who always knew what was right and wrong. She wasn't a girl who was pulling down her romper zipper in front of a crowd. She was shy at first, and warm. Wasn't that the girl he had come to know and… loved?

He wasn't watching Evelyn Ainsley command the stage like it was her calling.

Standing on the stage in front of him, he witnessed someone completely different. He watched her become Evelyn Bass.

---

This wasn't Evelyn's first time visiting Victrola. Eric, Chuck, Serena and herself went together the night before Chuck and Serena left for college. It wasn't a huge nightclub; it was rather intimate actually. She felt comfortable with her family around, drinking champagne, and watching the burlesque show. She didn't think she'd like it, but there was something about it that she found fascinating. The confidence the girls displayed on stage was something she knew she could never have. It felt like she was transported to another time, another place where all inhibitions melted away.

This time, those inhibitions had not left her as soon as she walked through the door. Despite her lowered shoulders, and chin tilt, she was far from confident. Catherine trailed behind her, and she knew if she took one step out of line, she'd kick her down. Evelyn had never felt this kind of stress before. In Connecticut, she never felt this level of peer pressure. She always went her way, and even if there was a bit of resistance, she never chose to care about it.

Now it seemed like she didn't have a choice. Here she was walking into a burlesque club under age preparing for a daring battle. She had no idea what she was in for.

Jenny halted and turned to face the girls. "Let's amp this up, shall we?" Jenny's eyes found Catherine's. "Truth or Dare?"

"Dare, obviously."

Jenny looked around and a devilish smile graced her lips. "Give a lap dance to the Drag Queen sitting at that table over there."

The all craned their necks to see a drag Queen with a curly blonde wig, and brown beard. The Drag Queen wore a leather pink mini skirt, Go-Go boots, and a white sparkly halter top. Glittering earrings dangled from each ear, and the Drag Queen's eyebrows were angrily drawn.

Catherine looked visibly repulsed. "But-"

"You don't have to do it," Jenny said. "But that means you'd have to go home."

Catherine downed a shot of tequila and sucked back a lemon. She took one of the dancer's boas that was draped on one of the chairs, and walked over to where the Drag Queen was sitting. She looped it around the Drag Queen from behind. She turned around surprised. Catherine slowly walked around the chair to face the Drag Queen directly.

Catherine rubbed the boa side to side around her shoulders. The Drag Queen shoulder shimmied, egging Catherine on. Then, Catherine whispered something in her ear. Evelyn watched, her palms starting to sweat, her breaths getting shallower.

Then, Catherine was on the Drag Queen's lap. Everyone watched the bizarre events unfold instead of the dancers on stage. Sera gaped, while Lila giggled and took pictures.

"She's got game," Jenny said. "You can't deny that."

Evelyn gripped the back of her chair, and took a deep breath. "I'm going to the bathroom."

She went into the only available stall and locked the door. She leaned back and knocked her head against the door. If this was the calibre that they were going to play truth or dare; then, there was no way she could keep up. Her version of truth or dare back in Connecticut was jumping over a neighbours fence or at worst eating a worm.

Could she keep up? She certainly didn't think so. She would never think to do such debauchery. Evelyn took a deep breath and shook away all the jitters. Just because she wouldn't choose to do these things for fun, doesn't mean they aren't necessary. It was. If she let Catherine win, then school would become hell on Earth.

That she wouldn't stand for.

Evelyn tried to think of a list of crazy things she had done. She moved on her own to New York City when she was fifteen. She stood up to Bart Bass. She crashed prom. She won being Queen at Nate's graduation party. She made the soccer team.

These things took a bit of bravery. They weren't the most risqué things, but they were daring in their own right.

She had to do this.

Evelyn flushed the toilet and washed her clammy hands. She found the girls huddled where she left them. Catherine stood in the middle. Even Jenny couldn't help but be impressed.

"That was LEGENDARY," Sera said.

"Thank you," Catherine preened. She turned her attention to Evelyn. "Too bad not everyone got to see it."

"I saw enough," Evelyn said.

"Let's see if you learned," Catherine grinned wickedly. "Everyone here has completed at two dares already except you and Evelyn. Evelyn, you haven't even completed one."

"I think that you're forgetting that I make the rules," Jenny said.

"I haven't J. I'm just saying that for a girl who preaches about fairness in her kingdom, it isn't very fair that the four of us have already completed a dare, some of us two, when Evelyn hasn't even completed one. I think it's only fair that it's her turn next. That's all." Catherine took a step toward Evelyn and looked up at her. "So what will it be Evelyn? Truth or Dare?"

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Clearly you're not giving me a choice. Dare."

Catherine smiled wickedly. "I dare you to get up on that stage and strip down to your underwear and stay in it for the rest of the night."

The minions snickered.

Evelyn did her best to appear unfazed. "Done."

Catherine made a motion to say the stage was hers. The next song began, as Evelyn made her way to the stage. She was never a performer, so every instinct she had was telling her to run away.

People cheered as they watch her take every step. She kept her back to the audience, and slowly moved her hips to a crouching position. She looked over her shoulder to see all these strangers cheering her on. Suddenly she felt a bit lighter. No one knew her here. Maybe she could do this?

I'll make them good girls go bad

I'll make them good girls go

Good girls go

(good girls go)

She slowly swayed back to her feet. She noticed that the dancers had formed a circle around her. She reached for one of their red feather boas and looped around her neck while holding onto each end. She turned around and faced her audience. Evelyn reached for her loosely tied bun and let her hair free.

I know your type

Yeah daddy's little girl

Just take a bite (one bite)

Let me shake up your world

Cause just one night couldn't be so wrong

I'm gonna make you lose control

She was so shy

'Til I drove her wild

She made a similar movement down to the stage floor, but she winked to the crowd. She whipped one end of the boa to curl around her neck. She pivoted to her side and reached for the zipper of her romper. She pulled it down to the beat of the music.

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go bad

You were hanging in the corner

With your five best friends

You heard that I was trouble but you couldn't resist

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go

Good girls go bad

Good girls go bad

Good girls go

Evelyn pushed one sleeve off her shoulder slowly, and then the other. The more and more she slip her suit down, revealing her bra (thank God she listened to Blair and began to always wear a match set), the cheering and whistling got louder. Evelyn was gone from the outside world, each person a blur, the spotlight burning her skin.

I know your type

Boy you're dangerous

Yeah you're that guy

I'd be stupid to trust

But just one night couldn't be so wrong

You make me want to lose control

She was so shy

'Til I drove her wild

She thought to run her hands over her breasts like she saw one of the burlesque dancers do earlier. The whooping got even louder. Once her suit was barely held up by her hips, she turned around once again. With one final push, her romper fell to the floor.

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go bad

I was hanging in the corner

With my five best friends

I heard that you were trouble but I couldn't resist

I make them good girls go bad

I make them good girls go

Good girls go bad

Good girls go bad

Good girls go bad

Evelyn twirled around to face her audience. She drew her hands up in the air and ran them all along the curves of her body. She closed her eyes, and let her hands run up her inner thighs. The song concluded, and she opened her eyes to an applauding audience. She actually looked out at her audience for the first time. Her eyes found the VIP booth in the middle of the room where she sat with her family over a month ago.

It wasn't until she stepped down from the spotlight that she recognized who was sitting in the booth. Ozzy and Dash stared at her. Ozzy looked completely shocked, while Dash winked at her. All the blood that pumped through her veins, giving her the adrenaline to get up there and dance flooded to her cheeks. She quickly averted her eyes and practically ran back to the girls.

"Evelyn!" Jenny said. "I didn't know you had moves."

"To be honest, I didn't know either until now." She wanted to look over her shoulder, but couldn't stand the thought of knowing Ozzy and Dash had just seen her strip down to her underwear.

Evelyn sat down numb for the next hour as the other girls including Jenny continued to escalate their dares. She didn't pay any attention to them as she continued to drink, her hands shaking.

Once Catherine finished making out with the bartender, she turned to Evelyn. "Evelyn, it's your turn."

Everything inside her wished she could say truth. But she knew it wasn't a remote option. "Dare."

Catherine looked around the room. "You see those two guys sitting in the VIP booth?"

Evelyn looked over and saw that Ozzy and Dash were still there. Other guys surrounded them from school. Ozzy caught her eye, and she immediately looked away.

"I dare you to get that guy's underwear," Catherine said pointing to the two of them.

"You mean Ozzy? Done" Evelyn said sitting up for the first time in that hour. Relief flooded through her. All she had to do was ask him to help her out, and he would totally do it. This would be easy.

"I didn't mean him," Catherine said. She pointed to the guy sitting beside Ozzy. "I meant Dash."

Evelyn's jaw dropped. No way. There was absolutely no way she could do this. Many reasons flashed through her mind but she stuttered, "B-but h-how am I going t-to do that?"

Catherine shrugged. "By any means necessary."

Evelyn felt goose bumps line her exposed body. She was still in her underwear, and could feel many men gazing at her because of it.

"You know you don't have to do it if you don't want to," Catherine said. "But this means you go home while we still stay out for the night."

Evelyn looked at Jenny who looked like she was furiously trying to calculate a complex equation. "Okay. I'm on it."

She strutted away from the group and approached the boys.

"Well hello there, partner!" Dash said while staring at her underwear.

Ozzy just stared at her like he was trying to figure out how to interpret a famous piece of art.

"Would you like to join us?" Dash patted the seat in between them.

Evelyn folded her arms. "I was actually going to step out for some air."

"You'll get cold," Ozzy said eyeing her intently.

Evelyn's eyes found the floor. "Then I guess I'll need somebody to warm me up."

Ozzy shook his head in disbelief. Dash jumped up. "Well, I'll happily be that person." He took off his suit jacket and offered it to Evelyn.

"Thanks."

She put it around her shoulders, and instantly felt better. She noticed that Ozzy glared at Dash who had put an arm around Evelyn.

"We'll be back bro," Dash said.

They walked out through the bar area where another boy Evelyn recognized went to St. Jude's whistled and said, "Atta boy, Dash!"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, and pushed the front door open with more force than usual.

"I must say that that was quite the dance. I didn't know you had it in you," Dash said with his arm still wrapped around her shoulder.

"Clearly nobody did," Evelyn said. She stopped walking and turned to face him.

"You do know you were incredibly hot up there, right?"

She scoffed. She must have looked like an idiot. "Yeah right."

Dash stared intently at her. "You have no idea do you?"

"Idea of what?" Evelyn said.

He shook his head and chuckled. "You'll figure it out soon enough. Now why did you really want to come outside with me Evelyn? May it have something to do with a game of truth or dare at the annual sleepover?"

"I'm not supposed to say, but…yes. Yes it does."

Dash smirked. "Despite my inebriation, I figured. Now what is it that you need from me? Or should I say do with me?"

Evelyn pushed her loose hair back. "I need your underwear."

"My underwear?"

"Do you wear boxers or briefs?"

"Those options are a bit limiting. What if I go commando?"

She grimaced. "That's disgusting."

"Well, lucky for you I am a boxer kind of guy. So you need my boxers huh?"

"Yes. So if you could be a good partner, you'll hand them over."

Dash chuckled. "Why would I do that? Let's think for a second. You're a Bass. I'm a Montgomery. Our father's do business together; they make deals together. Why don't we make a deal?"

Already, she didn't like where this was going. "What are the terms?"

"I'll go easy on you. Make out with me for five minutes, and allow me to touch you anywhere I please."

"Absolutely not!" Evelyn exclaimed.

Dash shrugged. "You need my boxers, and I want you. Those are the terms."

Evelyn looked both ways to see if anyone was watching. She didn't see anyone she recognized from school.

"I'm definitely going to regret this," Evelyn said. She grabbed him from both cheeks and kissed him. She could feel him freeze for a second; surprised that she made the first move, before he grabbed the back of her head and kissed her back. Their teeth knocked against each other. Evelyn pulled away, but Dash kept leaning forward. His hands moved down her back, over his coat. They found the tips of his coat and dipped underneath. His fingers grazed her upper thigh and slid underneath her underwear.

Still entangled, Evelyn kept stepping back while Dash kept stepping forward until she felt the cold brick dig into her back. Her hands moved from his cheeks to his shoulders, as she tried to keep him at a distance. It didn't do any good. His hands were everywhere now.

They unbuttoned his suit jacket and groped her thighs, her breasts, and played with her bra straps and hooks. His hands found her thighs again, and in a sudden movement he pulled her off the ground. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her back grinding against the brick wall as he rolled his hips into hers.

All while this was happening; Dash barely gave her a chance to breathe. His tongue probed her mouth, and he let out a low growl. The second Dash pulled away for air, Evelyn turned her face to the side. She gasped, as Dash spread sloppy wet kisses on her cheek, and down her neck. "I think it's been five minutes."

He was gone. He wasn't listening to her, his face hidden in the nape of her neck nipping away at her flesh. "Dash? Dash!"

He finally heard her and pulled away, lips swollen. His beady blue eyes were so dilated that they were practically black. "What?"

"It's been five minutes. Please let me go," Evelyn said.

He shook his head. "We were just getting to the good part." He guided her legs away from his waist, and helped her to her feet. He stood a breath apart from her and asked in a lower voice, "You sure you don't want a little more?"

Evelyn turned away. "Yes, I'm sure." She squirmed out of his grasp and took a couple generous strides away from him. She adjusted her bra and buttoned up his suit coat. "Now it's your turn to fulfil your end of the bargain.

Dash sighed and cleared his throat. "Fine, but you'll come back for more."

Dash walked away from the club. "Where are you going?" Evelyn said following him.

"I'm going to strip down, what do you think?" He found a secluded alleyway at the end of the next shop front. "You can watch me if you want," Dash said over his shoulder. "I can give you a show."

Evelyn turned so her back faced him. "Gross. I think I've seen enough, thanks."

She heard a belt clang against the pavement. When he was done, he held a pair of black boxers in his hand. "Thank you," she said.

They walked back in the club together. Dash nodded, and high fived some of the guys who waited at the bar. Evelyn hid the boxers under his jacket. She tried to make a quick getaway, but Dash was surprisingly quick. He grabbed her wrist and turned her to him and kissed her again in front of his friends.

"That's just something to remember me by. Remember, we'll always have Victrola."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "That's another thing I'm already hoping to forget." She snatched her wrist away from him and ran back to the group of girls at the table. She knew she deserved to manifest this moment of glory for showing up Catherine, so she stopped running, and casually approached them. Without a word, she reached for the boxers, and pinched them from one bit of fabric.

Everybody's jaws dropped, and Evelyn smirked. Jenny looked the most surprised, but nodded her approval.

Catherine emerged from the middle of the circle. She picked up the boxers. "Not bad, Bass. I just hope it was worth it."

Evelyn's brows furrowed. Worth it? What could she possibly mean by that?

The bell rang, signalling the last call for drinks. "Alright ladies. Let's go back the Penthouse. We all earned it," Jenny said.

They walked two by two back through the club. Jenny threw an arm around her, and carried her things. "That was amazing. I knew you could do it," Jenny said in her ear.

They walked past the bar where a bunch of juniors surrounded Dash. They were probably asking for details. She didn't even want to think of what he was saying about her.

She looked at each guy, and realized that Ozzy wasn't among them. Soon, they were out the door and piling into the Bass limo. Evelyn looked around, hoping he'd be outside, but he wasn't there. It wasn't until she checked her phone, as she settled into her trundle bed that she saw the Gossip Girl blast. She felt like she just blocked a soccer ball by hitting her gut. She looked over at Catherine's sleeping form and understood what she meant earlier.

She got played.

Spotted: E caught locking lips with D after baring it all during a truth or dare showdown. While it looks like E is showing her Bass roots, O didn't seem too impressed. Judging by the way he walked out when he saw E kissing his soon to be step brother, could you blame him? It's a good thing C is around for a shoulder to cry on.

---

Evelyn spent the rest of the weekend recovering with what happened at the sleepover. She thought of what she did over and over, and wished it never happened. She wished she could take a sponge and wipe it away from her memory. Whatever exhilaration she felt on stage, it wasn't worth how she was feeling today. She gagged every time she thought of Dash's tongue in her mouth, and the thought of Catherine dancing with the Drag Queen was also a disturbing sight. She didn't surface from her room for most of the day after the sleep over.

Jenny came to visit on Sunday, and they talked about what happened, but nothing Jenny said could make her feel better. This was a type of pain that couldn't just go away. It lingered like a cough after the flu. Evelyn tried to text and call Ozzy, but he never replied. She didn't blame him. The last time he hurt her, she moved away and didn't speak to him for four months. A part of her knew she deserved the same treatment. Evelyn just hoped she could explain herself. She thought of the conversation they'd have on Monday over and over, and gathered her thoughts accordingly.

By Monday morning, she braved a tough face, and ignored the snickering in the halls. She knew everyone was still talking about the picture of her and Dash. She still wasn't sure if actually following through with the dare was worth it. Like Jenny reminded her on Sunday, it put Catherine in her place. She showed the girls that she wasn't one to mess with, but it cost her Ozzy.

When the lunch bell rang, Evelyn ran out of the classroom in record timing. She didn't stop at her locker, but ran to Ozzy's locker, and waited. She figured this was the best way to intercept him. He'd be avoiding her otherwise. Eventually, he appeared at the other end of the hall. When he was a couple steps away from her, he halted.

"We need to talk," Evelyn said.

"Do we? Your actions always did speak louder than your words," Ozzy said. He began to walk past her.

Evelyn grabbed his arm. "Please. I know you're angry, but acting like this won't solve anything."

"You would know."

"Yes. I would, and I know that it didn't work. Ozzy, just give me five minutes, and I'll leave you alone."

"Five minutes?"

Evelyn nodded.

"Fine."

Evelyn led the way outside the school. She stopped when they were facing the school's walls. "Look, I know things got a little out of hand on Friday."

"A little?"

"I know it might sound stupid, but I had to do those things. You see, there was this game of truth or dare, and if you didn't complete your dare, you went home. It was Catherine who dared me to strip on stage-"

"I know. I was there," He said.

"Um, right. So, she also dared me to get Dash's boxer shorts."

"Did she now?" He said with mock surprise. "That's what that was about?"

"Yes! That's why I had to kiss him. I'm so sorry, Ozzy," Evelyn said.

"Is that why you think I'm mad? You think I'm mad because you almost had sex with Dash...on a dare?"

Evelyn's brows furrowed.

"That's not why I'm mad at all. That dare could have been with any other guy. Just because it was with Dash is irrelevant."

"Then what is it?" Evelyn said quietly.

Ozzy shook his head. "The Evelyn I know always stood up for herself, and never caved to peer pressure. She was smart, confident, and independent. She didn't let people tell her what she should do, or who she was. She told them. What did you have to prove, Evelyn? That you're a follower like the rest of them? I don't know who I saw up on that stage, but it wasn't the Evelyn I would do anything for."

Evelyn couldn't look at him. "Is that what you really think of me?"

"It's not who I think you could be, but I think it's what you've become. I'm not mad at what you did, I just feel betrayed because I don't know who you are anymore. It makes me wonder...do you?"

Evelyn didn't say anything. She couldn't find any words to describe the free falling she felt sensation. In that moment she felt herself lose gravity, as she plummeted faster and faster until the air was moving so fast she couldn't breath. Was she that kind of person? She used to be Evelyn Ainsley from Hartford. Now she was Evelyn Bass from New York. She used to be the former, and now she was labelled as the other.

Was it possible that she was both?

Ozzy took a few steps back. "You should figure that out," He said. He looked at his watch. "Five minutes are up."

---

After lunch, Evelyn walked into her Chemistry class with a puzzled look on her face. She had spent her lunch break alone. She hadn't done this since she was fighting with Jenny last semester. She went to the nearby park, and sat on the park bench pondering over what Ozzy said.

She kept asking herself the same question over and over again: who was she? Was she that salacious girl on stage? Was she the sheltered girl from Connecticut? If she couldn't place where she belonged, then how could she ever move forward?

She dropped her bag on her chair, and walked to the back of the class to where the lab benches were. Dash was already seated at their lab bench with all of their experiment supplies laid out on the black tabletop.

"Well, hello partner," Dash said. He checked her out, as she took a seat on the stool beside him.

Evelyn ignored him, and went back to her bag to get the lab sheet.

"Not even a hello? Especially after the wonderful time we spent together at Victrola this weekend?" Dash said.

"You're lucky I'm not saying anything at all," Evelyn said. She reread the hypothesis of the experiment, but every time she did, the words didn't stay in her head. Her mind began to drift, and she continued to stare at the paper.

"Are you okay?" Dash said. He waved a hand in front of her.

Evelyn snapped out of her daze. "Yes, I'm fine. Let's just get this done."

As they completed the experiment, Evelyn continued to falter. She made mistakes she wouldn't normally make, over measured different chemicals, and almost forgot to connect the Bunsen burner to the gas valve while the gas valve was on.

"Okay I think we need to stop before you set yourself on fire by accident," Dash said. He turned off the gas.

"Fine." Evelyn took off her goggles. "I could use some air."

They both excused themselves and walked down the deserted hallway and into the courtyard.

"You didn't have to follow me," Evelyn said. She sat down on one of the benches, and rested her head on the stone table.

"Yeah I did. Girls never say it, but they always want you to," Dash said. He took a seat beside her.

They sat in silence for a few minutes until Dash cleared his throat. "You know, if this is about Ozzy-"

"It's not."

"You guys were spotted on Gossip Girl talking at lunch, and suddenly you can't focus on anything. I can connect the dots."

Evelyn buried her head in the crook of her elbow. "It's not about him. Not directly."

"Look, he's just going through a mood. He's probably jealous. Who knows? You can't let his judgement of you hold you back, Evelyn."

Evelyn lifted her head. "Hold me back from what?"

"I dunno," Dash said. "Being you. Being a Bass. I mean you just came into this world a few months ago. I think Friday was the first time you embraced it. It's nothing to be ashamed you. All the friends you were with? They envied you. All the guys in the room? They wanted to bang you," Dash said, "myself included."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Well I wasn't going to let you."

"Although unfortunate for me, I knew. The only way you can harness that kind of power is to embrace it. Be in control."

Evelyn slumped back down on the table.

"Look if it makes you feel better, I can talk some sense into Oz."

"I don't think that would make a difference."

Dash looked at his watch. "We won't know until I try."

They sat at the table until the bell rang. When they returned to the classroom, their teacher lectured them for their impromptu absence from class. Evelyn apologised and said she wasn't feeling well.

"Well so much for finishing the experiment," Evelyn said.

"When's the lab report due?" Dash slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Next Monday. I guess I'll just stay after school sometime this week and complete the experiment."

"Let me know what day," Dash said.

"Why?"

"Because I'll be there too? What part of partnership don't you understand?"

"Oh I just assumed to do it myself. Grades and everything," Evelyn mumbled.

"Yeah, well that's not happening. We're in this together, partner. Besides, why don't be complete the experiment tomorrow at lunch, and then afterschool we can work on the report? It'll be better this way. We'll start fresh."

"Um, yeah. That would work."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow, and we'll meet after school at my house."

Dash waved and walked away to through the nearly deserted hallway. Evelyn felt a bit calmer. She had a plan again. It was all all right…expect for one thing

"Dash, did you say your house? I don't that's such a good idea," Evelyn called to him.

But her question remained unanswered, as Dash had already disappeared from the hallway.

---

Evelyn returned home that day, thankful for the day to be over. She walked through the living area and kitchen, head hung low to her bedroom. When she arrived in her bedroom, she dropped her bag and collapsed on her bed. She drew a pillow close to her chest, and curled up in a little ball. If she could, she would stay in this curled position for the remainder of the week schoolwork be damned.

Someone knocked at her door.

"Come in," She said.

Evelyn looked up to see Eric in the doorway. "Hi Eric."

"Hey." He closed the door behind him. "It feels like I haven't talked to you in awhile."

Evelyn sat up, the pillow in her lap. "I know. I'm sorry about that. This weekend was a bit crazy. Did you have fun with Jonathan?"

"Yeah. It was a really nice weekend. It looks like yours wasn't."

"You don't know the half of it," Evelyn said. She patted her bed. "You might want to sit down for this."

Eric hopped on her bed, and Evelyn regaled her night, the dares, everything. Eric let her talk without interrupting once.

"So I tried to talk to Ozzy today, and he wasn't mad at me because of what I did with Dash, but he felt betrayed. He thought he knew me, and here I go stripping down in front of everyone. I would never have thought to do that on my own. I would have never been out to the club like that alone, ever."

"Let me get this straight. He's not mad at what you did, but why you did it?"

"Essentially."

"Okay, so why does his opinion matter so much?"

"I dunno..." Evelyn played with the hem of the pillow. "I think I disappointed him."

"Perception isn't always reality," Eric said.

"But he's not the first person to point this out. My Aunt Kim said the same thing a few months ago. Am I really becoming an awful person, Eric?"

"No. You are far from it. I've grown up with these girls, and the minute they see weakness, they pounce. They thought they found a weakness with you, but your resisted. You did what you had to do."

"Exactly! Jenny was counting on me too, and I couldn't let her down."

"Some people like to hold on to what they know when they're thrown into new places. Maybe that's what he's doing?"

"Maybe. One of the reasons I've grown to care for him is because he always respected me. He never looked at me less than an equal. I think that by letting him down, he doesn't see me as who he thought I was."

"You know, when Serena and Dan were dating, she once said that Dan put her up on a pedestal. The way that he looked at her, we all knew she could do no wrong. Maybe he regarded you at such a high standard that he never imagined you could be anything less than."

"That's a lot of pressure."

"It is, but maybe its good that you're not under that anymore."

"Eric, I have no idea what I would do without you."

"What are siblings for?"

For the first time that day, Evelyn smiled. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"When I was up there on stage, I-I didn't fully hate it."

"Really?"

"I know it sounds crazy, but having the spotlight on me didn't terrify me like I always thought it would. I felt a new kind of control. Something more powerful than I ever thought existed. Am I making any sense?"

"Yes. You're exploring, and growing, Evelyn. It's not supposed to always make sense."

"I haven't been making sense of it all day. If I am who Ozzy knows me as from Connecticut, but now I can also be this girl in New York... I guess I just don't know how to be both. I don't really know who I'm becoming, Eric."

"None of us do, Evelyn. We're all going through it."

"I know, but... I'm scared to find out what I'm capable of."

Eric reached over and held her hand. "I know it's scary. When I was confused about my feelings for Asher a couple years ago I was just as lost. I realised that I could feel a certain way about boys that I should be feeling for girls. It was terrifying. I didn't know how deep those feelings could become. I was even more terrified at the thought of my parents ever finding out."

"But you did it Eric. And the way you went about it...it was so brave."

"I wasn't always that way. I let the fear consume me, and it almost beat me. I know you can do it too, and you won't be alone because I'll be here, Jenny will be here, Chuck too. Serena is also a phone call away. Despite her demeanour, Blair is with you too. You're not alone."

Evelyn thought of her brother. She hadn't seen him in a couple weeks, and she didn't want to disturb him from enjoying his college experience at Columbia. Surely a call wouldn't hurt.

"How do you always know how to make me feel better, Eric?"

"Lots of therapy," Eric said.

Evelyn laughed. "Let's do something tonight to get our minds off this."

"What do you have in mind?"

Evelyn stood up and shook all her bad energy out of her body. "How about we order pizza and watch a movie? Don't worry, we'll make sure it's Hawaiian."

"That sounds great," Eric said at the door. "What should we watch?"

Evelyn knew there was only one movie that always made her feel better. "The Sound of Music."

Evelyn was less than pleased with the prospect of having to go to Dash and Ozzy's house the next day. Although she regained her focus, she still didn't want to have to face Ozzy any more than she had to. She really didn't know what Dash was up to. No matter how many times she asked, or any other way she suggested, he didn't budge.

Evelyn waited outside the Bass limo (another little perk she started using this week) for Dash. She had been waiting for almost ten minutes until Dash finally ambled through the front gates. "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes."

"Just get in the car. I'd like to get this over with." Evelyn opened the door.

She sat in the limo, turned away from him. "I still can't believe you're making me do this," Evelyn said. Her hand cradled her chin.

"Come on. Stop making a big deal about this. You want an A, then we need to work on this project together."

"Stop playing dumb. You have something planned." Evelyn turned and started pointing at him. "You are the one who insists that we work at your house when you know that I know that your step brother will be home."

Dash smirked. "You've thought quite a bit about this."

"Don't turn this on me. You wanted this to happen."

"Relax, Partner. Aqua charming probably will be alone in his room. He won't bother us."

The way Dash referred to them as an 'us' didn't sit well with Evelyn. It the implication that there was more to their group work than friendship that bothered her. She didn't like it, and she certainly didn't want Ozzy thinking there was something more going on between them either.

The finally arrived at Dash's home. They walked past the iron gates and through the front door. Evelyn vaguely remembered the house when she was here during the engagement party. She didn't remember much of it, as she spent most of the evening greeting strangers before leaving with Oz. It was a much more traditional home; with dark washed wainscoting and antique furniture sets filling up the drawing room and formal dining room. They passed the staircase and walked down the main hallways to the kitchen. The kitchen was relatively big and bright for such an old house. A bump out of windows was at the very end of the kitchen with a kitchen table and booth. Sunlight poured through the glass walls. It reminded Evelyn of a conservatory that she read about in British books except it was open to the kitchen.

"We can work at the kitchen table," Dash said.

Evelyn stopped and looked around the room. She then dropped her bag and scooted into the booth, and opened her books and laptop. "Let's divide and conquer. You can start with making sure all of our findings are in the right measurements. I'll start researching."

Dash didn't complain and they got started. Things were going well, until Evelyn heard light footsteps creaking down the staircase.

Immediately she looked up from her laptop to the kitchen archway. Ozzy walked through, already changed out of his St. Jude's uniform. He wore a baggy t-shirt and sweat pants. He looked at her, puzzled, when he saw Evelyn and Dash seated together in the kitchen.

"Hey bro," Dash said.

"Hi," Ozzy said. It wasn't so much of a statement as it was a question. He opened the fridge, and picked up a red apple.

"What are you guys doing?" He said. Then, he took a bite of this apple.

"We're lab partners for chemistry," Evelyn explained. "We're working on a lab report."

Ozzy looked between the two of them.

"Hey bro since you're here, can you see if I've converted these numbers correctly?" Dash asked.

"I'm not your teacher," Ozzy said.

"Please, I know you've been getting hundreds on your math tests. I'm sure a little simple arithmetic wouldn't be asking too much."

Evelyn looked at Dash. Hundreds? Evelyn thought back to when she first met Ozzy. She was his peer math tutor. He was at risk of failing. Now he was getting hundreds?

Ozzy grabbed the page and scanned his work while he munched on his apple. "You need to move the decimal here, and you didn't square this number here." He handed the sheet to Dash and pointed to mistakes.

"Oh I didn't?" Dash looked at his work. "I can't believe I didn't notice that. It's good to have a human calculator. Thanks, bro."

"Hundreds huh?" Evelyn said.

"Yeah, so?"

"I just didn't realize you were so strong in math," she said.

"It's a recent development."

"I don't think that development happens overnight," Evelyn said.

"Maybe I had the aptitude all along. Did you ever think I was capable of that?"

Evelyn put down her pencil and said quietly, "I always did. You know that."

His eyes softened slightly.

"Okay for those of us in the room who don't share a mutual history, can you two explain what's going on?" Dash said.

"Nothing's going on," Ozzy said. "I'll leave you two to your...studying."

Evelyn watched him leave and collapsed against the back cushion of the booth. Again, it was as if 'studying' was synonymous with date.

After a few minutes, Dash looked up from his paper and whispered, "What was that about?"

"I don't know," Evelyn said. " and I don't want to talk about it. Let's just get back to work."

---

A couple weeks later, the juniors began buzzing about the Masquerade on Halloween. Unlike the surprise sleepover, Jenny talked about the ball openly to her minions. She delegated tasks to each of them, keeping them occupied. They gushed about their dates and their dresses constantly. Evelyn began eating lunch with Eric and Jonathan because she couldn't handle their chatter anymore. Also, she didn't want them to feel pity for her since she still didn't have a date and the Masquerade was on Friday. Quite frankly, she didn't want a date. She didn't really want to go at all.

Evelyn, Eric, and Jenny went to their favourite frozen yogurt place after school. Evelyn loaded her cup with birthday cake flavoured yogurt, cookie dough, and peanut butter cups. It had been a long day. Eric filled his cup with liquorice and gummy bears over top of his peanut butter ice cream.

"Sorry guys. I just got off the phone with costume shop owner. All of our costumes will be ready for pickup on Friday," Jenny pocketed her phone and pulled up a chair. "If everything goes according to plan, than we should be all set!" Jenny said.

Evelyn mixed her toppings with her frozen yoghurt. "That's great."

"Don't sound too excited," Eric said.

"I'm sorry Jenny. I know you put a lot of work into this," Evelyn stabbed her yogurt. "I'm still coming, but I'm trying to work up the enthusiasm."

Eric and Jenny exchanged a look. "Well, maybe we can find you a date? Maybe that'll make you feel better."

Evelyn made a face. "Ugh. Why do I have to have a date? What's wrong with going stag?"

"Nothing's wrong with it, but it could be good to meet someone new," Jenny said.

"Oh stop it, I know what you guys are doing," Evelyn said. "You're trying to get my mind off Ozzy with distracting me with someone else. FYI, that won't change anything."

Jenny set down her spoon. "That's not what we're talking about. I mean Eric will be going with Jonathan, and I'll be going with Zach. We don't want you to feel left out."

"Wait who the hell is Zach?"

"He's one of the hottest athletes from Chapin," Jenny smiled giddily.

"If he plays lacrosse, I think that means you have a fetish," Eric said.

"Well he doesn't. He's on the swim team. His family is actually from Texas. They own this huge oil rig that's been passed down for two generations."

"As happy as I am for you, Jenny, I don't need a date," Evelyn said.

"If you're looking for revenge, I don't see the harm in asking Dash," Eric shrugged.

"No!" Jenny and Evelyn said in unison. Evelyn turned to Jenny.

Eric raised his hands in surrender. "Fine. I'm just saying, what better way to make your point than showing up with his brother?"

"What's better is if Dash wasn't so annoying," Evelyn said.

"Evelyn's right Eric. You can't be seen with Dash."

"Why?"

Jenny sighed. "He's a loser. Just because his stock went up after Evelyn was dared to make out with him, doesn't mean he's suitable date material. I'll have Kate and Lila make a list of acceptable dates."

"That won't be necessary," Evelyn said.

"Yes it will. You don't even have to hang out with him, you just have to arrive with him. Let us help you for once," Jenny said.

"Fine. You were just going to do it behind my back anyway," Evelyn said.

"Yup," Eric said.

"Pretty much," Jenny replied.

Evelyn dug into her dessert. Some friends she had. Although they had good intentions, they wouldn't listen to her. Attending the Ball with another guy wasn't going to take her mind off Ozzy or make her feel better. She just wanted to be by herself. Alone. She wanted to feel the same way she did on the stage of Victrola again. She liked the feeling of freedom and power while putting on her show. It was something new about herself that she didn't know existed, and she didn't want to feel the guilt and sadness any longer.

She didn't want to be ashamed of who she was becoming, whoever she was becoming.

Calling all white knights! It seems our very own Princess E is still dateless for the Ball. If you are willing to saddle up your steed, you better message her soon. Queen's orders. May the best jouster win.

---

One thing Ozzy couldn't get used to was family dinners. Apparently, his mother and Philip had decided that they wanted to begin their prospective union with spending as much time together as possible. Dash seemed to love this idea, but Ozzy couldn't help but think his mom's sudden need for family time was…hypocritical.

Gone were the days where his mom would leave every weekend to pursuit another relationship. No more bills would wait beside a note on the table, to which he wouldn't use and instead stockpile the money to buy drugs. No longer did he come home to an empty house, and have to pick up all the mail, pay bills, or cook for himself.

Now there were housekeepers always tip toeing in the house, always around the corner, and Philip always arrived home at the same time everyday. There was structure, order, and schedule for the first time he could ever remember, and he didn't like it.

Although the house was silent, Dash's voice always seemed to make its way to his room.

"Yo bro!" Dash said.

"What?" Ozzy said.

Dash slid into his room wearing a mask. "The masquerade is tomorrow. Where's your mask?"

"In a dusty prop box at school where it should be," he replied.

"Come on, bro. This event only happens once in our high school careers. It's for juniors only."

"Dash I seriously don't think you fundamentally understand something about me. I don't care."

Dash ripped off his mask and threw it at Ozzy. "I know you don't because you don't care about anything! You hate everything before you even give it a chance."

"Lay off man," Ozzy said.

"No I won't. Look, I know you haven't been speaking with Evelyn ever since the lost weekend, but you need to get your head out of your ass and realize that for some stupid fucking reason, that girl likes you, and you're blowing it."

Ozzy stood from his bed. "I already blew it a long time ago."

"And there's the negativity. Have you honestly tried with her? Other than saving her life at that party that one time, what have you really done? She's made it so easy for you."

"No she hasn't."

"Don't even."

"No, you don't even. You don't know what it was like before this. You don't know who she was before she moved here. She was better than all of you. She deserves better."

"Are you high? This," he pointed to the room, "is the best. People want this."

"Its just stuff," Ozzy said.

"To you maybe, but with that stuff comes connections, opportunities. You saw that yourself during the Ivy League mixer."

Ozzy picked up the Harvard pin on his nightstand. "What's your point, Dash?"

"My point is this. You need to get over this inferiority complex, and fix things with Evelyn before she moves on."

"She already did months ago."

"Okay, you keep saying months ago, but what does that really mean?"

"It's a long story."

"Bro, I invented the long story. Out with it."

Reluctantly, Ozzy told him. He didn't leave out any detail, or embellish the truth in his favour. He told the story as honestly as he could.

"…so she left, and never spoke to me again. That's what I mean when I said she already moved on. She moved on to this place, and she didn't have the decency to say goodbye. She just left."

"To be fair, you should have been honest with her. It wasn't like she didn't leave without a reason."

"Still. I realized that no matter how hard I tried to be apart of her life, and be accepted by all the people in her world, I'm never going to be at the same level as her."

"So this whole being betrayed by not knowing her is bull?"

"No, that's still true. It's complicated because even though I knew her, I also knew I could never have her. Now, she's moved on to become someone that I don't even know if I will like anymore."

"Look bro, it seems like you one solution really."

"What's that?"

"Try. You honestly don't know how things will work out until you do. I can't understand why you haven't already. I'd be all over that."

"You already were," Ozzy said.

"Yeah, I am sorry about that. I don't know if that bothers you?"

Ozzy shook his head. "Honestly, I'm not the jealous type. I don't own her; she's a person like I am. Kissing you is like nothing in comparison to all the shitty things I've done."

"Thanks, bro. So if it happens again…"

"If Evelyn is the same girl I know, than it won't. Ever."

"Ouch. That hurts."

Ozzy slapped his back. "Life's tough. Get a helmet."

His phone buzzed. Before Ozzy could lean over and pick it up from his dresser, Dash was already reading the messages.

"I can see what you mean about all the shitty things you've done. Since when do you talk to Catherine Baizen?"

"It's not what it looks like. Hand it over, Dash."

"Not so fast. She's asking you if you're going to the Ball. Should I decline her invitation?"

"Let me just see the message."

Dash opened the previous messages and his eyebrows shot up. "You've been texting her since the start of school?"

"Dash, there's a thing called privacy," Ozzy said. "Hand over the phone."

"And you're avoiding the question."

"She's been texting me," Ozzy said. He lunged for the phone and instead tackled Dash to the ground. "I've barely responded."

Dash squirmed on the floor, but his skinny arms were no match for Ozzy. "Of course you haven't responded because you are not capable of anything beyond a monosyllabic response."

Ozzy snatched the phone and stood up. He read the message:

Hey Oz! I hope 2 see u at the ball tmrrw night if you recognize me ;)

Dash sat up and brushed his shirt. "And with social skills like yours, you still seem to be getting all the girls. It's not fair."

"Shut up, Dash," Ozzy said. He ran a hand through his hair. What was he going to do? Catherine had been consistent with contacting him, but Ozzy only responded to be polite. Catherine was a nice girl and all, but she wasn't really his type.

"You're so sensitive," Dash said. "Not only is one girl hoping you'll show, but two. It must be good to be Oscar Taylor."

"Hardly," Ozzy said.

"It's too bad you won't be going though. They'll both be super disappointed."

Ozzy turned to his bed and picked up the mask. He looked at the red and black jester mask with bells hat the tips of each triangular strip. A gold lion was placed at the widow's peak. The rest of the mask was painted white, red, black and accented with gold. "Well it looks like I'll need a mask then," He threw it back at Dash.

Dash fumbled, as he attempted to catch his mask. "Hey, no throwing my mask. It's Venetian."

Ozzy lead the way, and sighed. "Let's just get this over with."

Spotted: D and O shopping for the masks for tomorrow's ball. Don't you think cutting it a bit close, O? What made you decide to come to the ball? Or better yet, who?

---

The masquerade was in full swing when Evelyn arrived with her date. His name was William Turning and the only thing he was interested in was getting drunk. He carried a flask of vodka in his breast pocket, and his mask already began to droop. He had the decency to offer her some, but she declined. She still wasn't pleased that Jenny and Eric arranged a date for her. Nothing felt more helpless and pathetic as that. When Will turned up at the Bass Penthouse to pick her up, she had to play up that she was excited for her date because Lily happened to be in the penthouse that evening. She was absolutely delighted that she had a formal date, and took a picture of them. Evelyn was just happy her father was in Australia and wasn't around to greet the sloppy mess she was with. She knew her date was last minute, but surely Jenny could have done better than this.

Evelyn shrugged off Will's hand that curled on her shoulder once they arrived at the ball. They didn't say much on the way. Evelyn kept sending insulting texts to Jenny who was probably having a ball with Zach Parker Randall the third.

Evelyn spotted Jenny with Zach at the bar. "Let's get a drink," Evelyn said.

"Drink," Will said slowly. "Yeah. Let's get a drink."

Evelyn yanked his arm and dragged him from the front door to the nearby bar. He stumbled, and knocked shoulders with other masked pairs. "Hello," Evelyn said when they approached the bar.

"Hey, Evelyn," Jenny said. She wore a silver mask that whisked upward like lashes. When Evelyn leaned forward to hug her, she whispered, "I'm going to kill you."

Jenny pulled back and smiled. She said, "Evelyn This is Zach. Zach this is my really good friend, Evelyn."

"Pleasure to meet you," Zach said extending his hand.

Of course Jenny's date had to be the most respectable and kind guy that conveniently had money. All she had was a drunken dumbo, who probably didn't even remember her name.

"Would you like to dance?" Zach asked Jenny.

"Sure," Jenny said accepting his hand.

Evelyn stepped aside, so they could make their way onto the dance floor. Meanwhile, Evelyn saw her date nodding his head to the music while holding a vodka cran. He didn't even offer her a drink. She excused herself, and made her way to the ladies room. Inside she checked her phone, as other girls came and went. She wondered if she should just ditch her date. He probably wouldn't notice anyway.

Evelyn remerged from the bathroom, and she watched everyone with their respective other halves twirling on the dance floor. This wasn't Evelyn's first high school dance ever, but she did notice that everyone had a date. Suddenly, she felt alone while overlooking the dance floor. Maybe she should have tried looking for a partner sooner rather than claiming to go alone. Evelyn looked at her date who drained another vodka cran. Maybe not.

Something jingled behind her, followed by someone clearing his throat. Evelyn turned around and immediately recognised Dash wearing the most elaborate jester mask she'd ever seen.

"Excuse me, but who paged the court jester?" Evelyn said.

"You called, and I answered," Dash said with a bow. "What's a girl like you standing here all alone? I thought you came with a date?"

She folded her arms across her chest. "Unfortunately I did. He found his flask to be a better companion."

"It's a shame some people can't see what's so clearly in front of them," Dash said. "Would you care for a dance?"

Evelyn shrugged. "Why not."

"Good. Because I think he's coming over right now," Dash said pushing her forward.

Evelyn looked between Dash's masked face to another guy who was walking toward them. "Coming over? What do you—"

Suddenly she was pushed toward a guy wearing a black roman style mask with a harp and chariots on the brow line. It looked like it was rusting on the edges, like an old relic found from the falling days of Rome. It was a mask that had a matted finish instead of a bright glittering mask like Dash's. It was like a raw stone made smooth from the many hands that it was passed through.

Through the mask, she saw that it was Ozzy. "What are you doing here?" Evelyn asked.

Without asking, he offered his hand. Evelyn took it, still confused, and he put his one arm on her waist, and held her other hand up. She couldn't believe he was here right now, dressed up, and actually looking at her.

"I thought you were mad at me?"

"I was," he said. He twirled her around and dipped her.

"Are you still mad?" Evelyn said.

He pulled her back up, and she leaned into him. "Not at you. I'm sorry if I hurt you."

"It's okay. I thought about what you said, and I'm not going to apologize for who I am, and who I choose to become. I hope that whoever I am, that you'll accept that person because I can't stop that from happening. The same will happen for you too," she said.

He looked down at their moving feet. He didn't say anything. They're dancing began to slow down until they were barely moving at all. "Oz? Say something," Evelyn said quietly.

He finally looked up at her and said, "I'm sorry. Really." He began to pull away from her embrace a couple steps at a time. "I don't want to stand in your way any longer. You deserve the best. I gotta go."

"What?" Evelyn said. He already turned away from her. "Hey Oz! Wait! What are you talking about?"

He disappeared, but Evelyn chased after him. She weaved through the dancing couples until his figure disappeared with the other masked men clumping nearing the back terrace.

What did he possibly mean? How could he possibly be standing in her way? Evelyn couldn't understand what he meant, but she knew she wasn't going to let him go that easily. She searched and searched, but it was as if he disappeared from the party. He probably did leave. He wasn't much for that scene anyway. After ten minutes of watching the dance floor, Evelyn spotted Jenny leave the ladies room.

"Jenny!" Evelyn called.

"What is it?"

"Have you seen Ozzy?"

Jenny adjusted her silver mask. "Now that I think about it, I did see him like a few minutes ago on the terrace. Is everything okay?"

"I don't know," Evelyn said. "He was saying all these weird things, and it was like he was leaving. I don't know, I just know that I need to see him."

Jenny grabbed her hand. "Check the terrace. I'll keep my eye out for him inside, okay?"

"Thank you." Evelyn picked up her floor length red dress, and hastened to the terrace. She looked at every chair, every table, and behind every plant, but he wasn't there. She walked in front of the outdoor fireplace where Dash stumbled toward her.

"Partner!" He raised his arms in the air.

"Dash, this is not the time. Have you seen your soon-to-be-stepbrother?"

He rested his arm on top of the fireplace to steady himself. "I dunno. I guess? I thought he was inside dancing with you?"

"Clearly he's not. I've tried calling him too."

Dash swayed forward. "I saw him in the bathroom earlier."

Evelyn moved him aside. "You are not being helpful right now."

She walked back into the ballroom and looked around. She checked the clock for the first time. It was nearly midnight. Evelyn had to find him before the masks came off. She needed answers.

Evelyn saw Eric for the first time that evening. "Hey, Evelyn? Great party huh. Are you having a good time?"

"Yeah it's great. Whatever. Have you seen Ozzy anywhere?"

Eric turned to Jonathan who shook his head. "Maybe he's by the bar?"

"Thanks, Eric. Enjoy the rest of your night!"

Evelyn picked up her dress, and ran down the stairs near the entrance where the bar was. She looked for a black and gold mask, short black and curly hair. Nothing. She did feel a hand rope around her waist.

"Hello, date," Will slurred. "I've been loooking for you eeeevvrywheerree."

Evelyn flicked his hand off of her waist. "Well, you found me."

"It's almost midnight," He said. "I'm ready to take your mask off when you are."

"No thanks," Evelyn said.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

"Not even a kiss? You're a Bass. I thought you were down for anything."

"Clearly your one brain cell doesn't understand that I'm not my brother. You probably haven't even bothered to notice," Evelyn said.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

The people around her started to count down. She stomped on his foot, and escaped his grasp. Then, she weaved through the counting down couples.

Four.

Three.

She ran through the side parlours and drawing rooms where some people chose to sit and drink, but he was still nowhere to be found.

Two.

One.

Evelyn finally made it to the top of the stairs. She could see everybody taking off their masks and embracing. Eric and Jonathan were in one corner, Jenny and Zach in the middle of the dance floor. Straight ahead, she finally found Ozzy. He didn't leave. He stayed, and now stood in front of her, his mask off. He was standing with someone else.

Catherine.

Somehow, Eveyn found her footing, and approached, taking one step at a time slowly until she stopped.

Catherine cupped Ozzy's cheeks, and pulled his face toward hers until her lips covered his. He didn't resist. He kissed her back, his hand combing through her auburn hair.

Evelyn took a couple cautious steps back, her mask still on, and did the only thing she ever did in these situations.

She ran.

While coutour and canape are just another Saturday night until you add a mask, the real surprise happens when the masks come off. It looks like E found that out tonight when she saw O and C locking lips with their masks off. But what will be even more surprising is how E handles it. Will she succumb to her Bass instincts and destroy O? Or will she move on and find a new beau? All we know is that this Bass is as scorned as she is unpredictable, and we can't wait to see her next move.

You Know You Love Me,

XOXO Gossip Girl

---

A/N: Phew! If you made it all the way to the end of this chapter, I congratulate you because it was just as much of a marathon to write as it was to read through several times. I can guarantee you that Bart's chapter will only be a third in length, so don't think this will be the usual for every chapter. It all depends of what needs to be written!

Now that I wrote over 30K, I kindly ask for some feedback. What did you think? Lots happened in this chapter, and I'm very curious about what you all think of the characters. Let me know in a review! It's proven that reviews help me write faster. There is also a poll on my profile, so don't forget to check it out!

I'll leave off with a teaser for the next Evelyn chapter. It'll be a couple chapters away, and it'll be called, "Evelyn Bass's Day Off". Do with that what you will.

Till next time,

XOXO EZ11