A/N: Happy 2020, everyone! Does anyone else find saying that strange? It feels like the future is now present. Crazy.
Anyway, I hope you all have had a positive start to 2020. Without further ado, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 47: Good Bass Hunting
Dreams. We all have them. Some good. Some bad. Some fun and Freudian. There are some dreams we've had our whole lives, but what happens when you have a dream that has yet to reveal itself? With college application due dates looming, we hear our very own Queen E is looking for inspiration.
Harvard Yard was full of prospective students who stamped and crunched along the characteristic diagonal paths. Some halted to take pictures, others asked their student guide eager questions while Evelyn simply gazed at the campus with wonder. The fallen rust coloured leaves littered the green leaving the mature trees bare and exposed. The uniform red brick buildings were framed with symmetrical picture windows. The steaming chimneys emitted a homeyness to the campus that made you want to gather around the fireplace as a member of the exclusive Harvard family.
Evelyn walked along the zig-zagging paths beside Aunt Kim. She tried to take in every detail to add it to her analysis on which school she most wanted to be accepted to in the spring. Harvard, while prestigious, was never on Evelyn's radar until she sat down with her father and Aunt Kim to discuss college options.
"Evelyn, you don't have to worry about choosing a school based on cost," her father said. "Choose the school that you feel would give you the very best education, and it will all work out from there," Her father had said.
"Your father's right, Evelyn," Her Aunt Kim said. "I've spoken with your guidance counsellor and if you keep up your grades and extracurriculars while submitting a strong application, you'll be in a position where you will choose where you want to go. You have options."
She had unlimited options. She could attend a state school like she originally thought was most likely. She could choose a private school. She could choose an Ivy school like Harvard. Harvard! She could even study abroad for her undergrad if she wanted to. The options she had were astounding if not overwhelming.
Evelyn and Kim had toured MIT the day before, another impressive institution in Boston. They had toured NYU and Columbia, and Evelyn always longed to go to Yale due to its proximity to Southington. Evelyn remembered driving past different parts of Yale's campus as Aunt Kim used to work in New Haven.
"I always wanted to visit Harvard," Aunt Kim said. "The buildings, the foliage, the history. It's just a dream of a campus."
"Really? I always thought you despised institutions made to protect the bourgeoisie," Evelyn said.
"In concept yes, but even I have to admit that the campus is beautiful. It's no wonder why everyone wants to study here."
Evelyn and Aunt Kim halted in front of the looming Widener Library. Its Greek columns were as thick as hundred-year-old tree trunks, it's style emblematic of the Corinthian Era. The marble steps reminded Evelyn of the Met Steps that she now frequented regularly.
"The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. It was built as a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, as the library is a memorial to her son, Harry…"
After everything that happened since school started, Evelyn was relieved to be looking toward her future. She looked forward to starting fresh, surrounded with people who didn't know who she was or what pain she was capable of causing. The more time she spent agonizing over her mistakes as of late, the more difficult it was to move forward.
Their student guide finished his spiel and began to lead them into the library. Evelyn waited until everyone had filed ahead in front of her. Evelyn stood at the base of the steps and craned her neck to take in this behemoth of the building.
"So, can you see yourself studying here?" Aunt Kim said.
Evelyn shrugged. "Maybe."
Ozzy followed a steady stream of high school hopefuls along the diagonal Old Yard path later that afternoon. The air was crisp, the sky clear, the campus a storybook. Ozzy couldn't find a negative thing to say about Harvard campus; it was evident why many wanted to study here. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling of unworthiness the longer he remained on campus.
When his mom mentioned touring Harvard as a part of the college tour, Ozzy thought she was joking. Harvard? What business did he of all people have to tour a school with an acceptance rate lingering at six percent?
Dash walked alongside him, pointing out frat members in passing and any college girl he deemed was attractive. While Ozzy at least attempted to focus on the educational vitality of the school, Dash's priorities were focused elsewhere.
Ozzy's mom walked ahead of them, looking almost wistful at campus. Although she had been accepted at Harvard many years ago, she chose to go to Columbia as it was further away from her parents, to which she never finished her degree.
"Get this," Dash whispered to Ozzy. "There's a mixer event tonight just for prospective students. We're going."
"We are?"
"Of course. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty tired of all the private school girls. It's time to expand our horizons."
"I went to public school," Ozzy said.
"Whatever. The point is, we're looking at our future right now, so we need to put our best foot forward."
Ozzy understood what Dash was getting at. To him, this was an opportunity for both of them to move on from the Evelyn situation. He found himself agreeing with Dash. It was time to move on. Leave the hurt feelings in the past. Those weren't going to change. His attitude towards his future could.
Their tour guide, Paul, stopped in front of a statue of a man sitting in a chair with a book open in his lap. The statue was darkly weathered except for the toe of the figure's left shoe. The upper toe of the shoe was a shiny gold.
"This is a statue of one of our founders, John Harvard," Paul explained. "Now you're all probably wondering: why is the left shoe gold while the rest of the statue isn't? This is because many tourist and students rub his left shoe for luck."
"I could use some luck for tonight," Dash smirked.
"Is that an actual tradition?" A parent in the crowd asked.
"It is tradition for seniors to rub his left shoe for good luck on Commencement Day," Paul said. "If you feel as though you're in need of some luck, come on up and give his foot a rub!"
"We are seniors after all," Dash said. He leapt forward and rubbed the left shoe. Every prospective huddled around the statue, taking anything they could to have a bit more fortune go their way with their applications. Ozzy lingered.
"Are you going to rub the shoe for good luck?" His mom asked.
"I dunno."
Ozzy didn't believe that any 'luck-based' traditions really made much of a difference.
"Oh come on. It can't hurt, right?" His mom said.
Ozzy was the last student in their tour group to rub the smooth shoe. All he felt was the warmth of the hand that rubbed the shoe before him.
Chuck stood in front of his closet holding up two suits against his frame. One was a simple black suit, the other had a black velvet jacket.
Tonight, was the initiation ceremony for the Locke and Key Society. Chuck had sporadically attended new member events. He only attended the drinking socials, and he wasn't sure which suit best matched initiation. Was it more business or pleasure?
"Yo." Nate walked through the door without knocking. He paused, puzzled. "You're considering velvet tonight? What's the occasion?"
Chuck placed both suits on his bed. "Initiation ceremony for Locke and Key." He took a step back and observed both options.
"You're going through with that?" Nate said. "I didn't think you were serious about committing to that. Especially after your experience with Skull and Bones."
"Locke and Key is different and unisex."
"Now it makes sense. Who's the girl?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
"I see. This is a Blair problem isn't it?"
Chuck opened his dresser drawer and selected a black tie and black bowtie. "It's not a problem, Nate. It's an opportunity."
"Opportunity to get close to her again?"
"Precisely."
"Wouldn't that just make her mad that you're intruding on her turf? We know how territorial Blair can be."
"Any emotion is better than indifference. Besides, I'm not stealing her turf."
"You're right. You're a weed that she can't get rid of."
Chuck smirked. "Or I'm a weed she wants to smoke. Perspective."
Chuck opened his drawer again and put back the tie and bowtie.
"Is all of this worth it?"
"Of course. I'm closer to Blair, and the society will have perks and connections for life. Those never hurt."
"And what about everything you have to do to stay in society?"
Chuck wasn't a fan of the rituals, and he certainly didn't do his homework to prepare for tonight's ceremony. It was all a bunch of bull to him. But he only had to do it tonight. He could stick with it for one more night.
"It's not much. I just have to show up and take everyone's cue. You worry too much, Nathaniel."
"I'm not worrying. I'm just asking."
"Asking for a friend? Do you want to join?"
"Nah. I don't have much to offer now that my dad tarnished our family name."
Nate leaned against the doorframe, his eyes falling on the suits. "You know you want to wear the velvet. It is a special occasion after all."
Chuck smirked. He picked up the traditional black suit and hung it in his closet.
Although Chuck wasn't looking forward to the ceremony of tonight's initiation, he was looking forward to seeing Blair. Since she'd been on probation, he hadn't been able to see her, and he knew that Blair didn't know what she would be walking into tonight. He would enjoy seeing her squirm, thrown off that he actually stuck with his promise to stay with Locke and Key. He now knew most of the members, made inroads with them, and was ready for the next round of battle.
Blair and Joy pushed open the front doors of the Horace Mann Hall building and felt the crisp autumn air sting their cheeks. They had just attended the Pre-Law Society's first General Body meeting where Blair learned of upcoming panels, workshops, socials, and upcoming opportunities to join the executive team.
"I'm so glad you decided to join Pre-Law with me," Joy said, their feet crunching on the fallen leaves.
"I'll admit, I was hesitant, but I didn't realize how beneficial it was."
Last week there was a mixer event where pre-law students met with new Columbia Law students. Blair was able to swap contact information with a few new students who were happy to meet with her for coffee one-on-one to chat about their experience applying to law schools and their imminent opportunities to esteemed law firms in the city.
While Blair was on probation with Locke and Key, she realized that if she wanted to take Columbia by storm, then she needed to diversify. Power wasn't concentrated like it was in high school. She needed positions of power in different areas and disciplines to have real impact. She could run for the presidency of Locke and Key while holding an executive position at the Pre-Law Society. She was also considering joining the campus newspaper for she had a vision that she could run a fashion column.
"I know you weren't happy to have to step away from Locke and Key for a bit, but can't you see what good it's done for you?" Joy said.
"While Pre-Law has been a decent distraction, I still have my intentions to prove myself to Locke and Key. Now that my probation is coming to an end, I'll be able to ingratiate into the fold again."
"Even if Chuck's involved?"
"How do you know if Chuck's involved?"
Joy reddened. "Simon may have mentioned it."
Blair halted. "And what else did Simon have to say?"
"Nothing. He's just seen him at new member events."
"Oh really?" Blair started stomping at a rapid pace.
Joy jogged to keep up with her. "Blair, I'm sure it's no big deal."
"No big deal? Joy, he's only joining to torture me. That Basstard actually stuck to his word."
"Torture you? I highly doubt that."
"You don't understand," Blair said.
Initiation was tonight. This was her opportunity to immerse herself back into Locke and Key, but now she was going to have to contend with Chuck being there. Whether she liked it or not, Chuck was going to be a part of Locke and Key.
Blair wasn't as disappointed to learn this as she thought she'd be. She realized that she didn't want Chuck to be gone from her life for good; she just wanted to have spaces and aspirations of her own. While Locke and Key may not be that place anymore, Blair had already found other outlets. All was not lost.
Yet, she still was determined to become President of Locke and Key. She was going to run this semester. With or without Chuck Bass looming in her path.
Bart sat in one of the law offices at Levin & Bash Law Firm on Madison Avenue. Frank Levin and Bart went way back. He represented Bass Industries during the initial trial back in the nineties when his first building burned down.
Frank Levin was a stout and measured man. His glass desk, while stacked with legal documents, was pristine. His pens were neatly placed in the pen holder, and the glass table lacked even one fingerprint.
"You should have come to me before you signed this contract," Frank said. He removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "These terms you agreed to are unusual. I'm most surprised that there is an NDA clause involved."
"I didn't have much time to decide," Bart said. In retrospect, it was a poor decision on his part. He should have challenged the terms. Protest. Instead, he let his irrational fears guide his pen to paper.
"How much time did you have to decide?"
"A few days."
"What would have happened if you didn't sign?" Frank said.
Bart swallowed. "Remember the case about my first building burning down? That."
Frank nodded slowly. "I see. Has he uncovered new evidence that could possibly incriminate you?"
"Yes. It's serious, Frank."
Frank leaned forward. "How serious are we talking?"
"I need to know that you're going to have my back on this," Bart said. "I regret signing the contract and walking away from Bass Industries. I need to get it back."
"I understand that. Bart, we go way back. You know the work I do. I've got your back on this, but you have to know that this isn't going to be easy. If this is a case of wounded pride—"
"It's for my children's future. This isn't about me. It's about them."
"It's still in the family though. They'll have opportunities no?"
"My brother and I haven't been family for a long time. My brother has no intentions to share opportunities with them."
"I see." Frank put his classes back on and reviewed the contract. "This is difficult because you are not allowed to speak about the reasons you've stepped down or speak poorly of Bass Industries at large. This NDA protects Jack. If you went to the public, he'd be able to sue you, which given how much your net worth is, won't hurt you financially. The problem is, that may provoke him to indict you for the fire all those years ago, right?"
"Precisely."
"That is complicated," Frank said. He sighed. "We're going to keep working on this. The only way I can see you getting Bass Industries is if the board has a non-confidence vote and votes Jack out. With Bass Industries' soaring IPO, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon."
"So, I can't do anything."
"As your lawyer, I would advise you against doing anything that would further incriminate you. Respecting the terms and staying away from Bass Industries is the right move for now. As your friend, you can leverage your connections to those who now work closely to Jack to steer him away from making good decisions that could perhaps incite a vote of non-confidence. But you didn't hear that last part from me as your lawyer."
"Of course," Bart said.
His hands were legally tied. He couldn't go after Jack directly. He couldn't reclaim Bass Industries so overtly. He promised Chuck he'd look into it, and he felt a pebble in his stomach sinking.
Maybe he could talk to Philip, but he'd have to be discrete. Maybe Philip could influence Jack?
"All's not lost, Bart," Frank said. "Things have a funny way of working out how their supposed to. In the meantime, we'll keep working at this, but like I said, don't do anything that would further complicate your situation or trigger Jack because then we'll have a legal war on our hands."
Bart stepped out of the office feeling as if he were walking through a land mine. He had to watch each step he took from now on or else Jack would pull the trigger. He couldn't afford that to happen, but he also couldn't afford to watch his brother take his company not only from him, but away from Evelyn and Chuck.
Bart's phone buzzed in his pocket. He received an email requesting to confirm his Bank of America account because of unusual activity. Bart reread the message. The wording was strange, and the Bank of America logo wasn't in its usual header like he was used to. Bart deleted the email.
Bart slid into his awaiting limo, and told Arthur to go home. As he checked his phone for other messages, he didn't notice a white Prius pulled away from the curb and began following his limo.
Evelyn picked at her cesar salad later that evening. It had been a long day touring Harvard campus, and Evelyn felt tired and unsure for her future. Sure, she would go to school, but she didn't want to get attached to any of the schools they toured in the likely case she didn't get in. Why dream of something that was destined to slip out of her grasp?
"So, what did you think of the campus?"
"It's beautiful," Evelyn said while pushing aside all of her croutons to one corner of her bowl. "A dream really."
"Could you see yourself in that dream?" Aunt Kim asked.
"I don't know. I worry that the more I think about it, the more I hope for it, the more disappointing it'll be when I don't get in."
"You haven't even applied yet. How can you be so sure you won't be accepted?"
"Statistics," Evelyn said. "I don't know who I'm up against. Did you see how keen and accomplished those kids were in our tour group? I'm not even close to being that decorated," Evelyn said.
"I understand, but you can't write yourself off like that. You don't know if you will or won't get in yet. And if it doesn't work out with Harvard, there are plenty of other esteemed schools all over the country who would be glad to accept you."
"That's true," Evelyn said. She never was concerned about being accepted to college. She knew she would get in somewhere, but once she was introduced to the Ivy League Schools as a viable option, she wasn't as confident in her chances based on her merit. The competition to get into those schools was intense, at times cutthroat. It became more difficult to be sure of top choices when she was so overwhelmed by her options.
"I just don't know where I want to go. Blair said she knew she wanted to go to Yale when she was a little girl. I never had that. All I thought about was when the next time I'd be able to have ice cream."
"Evelyn? Let me let you in on a very important secret. None of us are sure of what we're doing. Sure, Blair knew she wanted to go to Yale, but she goes to Columbia, now right?"
"Right."
"Life doesn't always go the way we want it to. All we can do is learn to adapt and make the best of it. I know this weekend was a lot between touring both MIT and Harvard, but don't worry about what ifs. Apply, wait and see where you get accepted, and then we'll discuss your options then. How does that sound?"
"Like a plan," Evelyn said. Aunt Kim always broke everything down into smaller steps since she was little, and it always made every problem seem more manageable to overcome.
The waiter took away their salad bowls, and Evelyn drummed the wooden table.
"Is something else on your mind?" Aunt Kim asked. She took a sip from her diet coke.
After what happened at her first party as the new Queen of Constance, Evelyn told Aunt Kim everything. She didn't spare a detail. Once she started talking, she couldn't stop. She told her about how angry she was at Dash for cheating on her. How she used Ozzy to hurt him. How she lost Ozzy in the process, and how Thom assaulted her.
It was a lot for Aunt Kim to process, and Evelyn expected to be lectured or worse, grounded, but she received none of those things. Aunt Kim listened. She condemned her behaviour of course, which was reasonable, and now Evelyn felt the lines of communication that she had shut down between them were buzzing again.
"Thinking of the future has me thinking of other things that I'm ashamed of doing recently," Evelyn said.
"What things are you referring to?"
"How I used Ozzy to get back at Dash," Evelyn said, her eyes downcast.
Aunt Kim nodded. "What does that have to do with the future?"
"Today I realized that I will be going off to college. I probably won't see any of my classmates again. I won't see… Ozzy again. And that made me sad."
"I highly doubt you won't see him ever again," Aunt Kim said.
"It won't be the same Aunt Kim. It's just, we'll all drift. He'll forget about me."
"And what evidence may suggest this?"
"Well, we're in the same school now, same English class even, and he won't talk to me. It's like I don't exist."
"I highly doubt that. Is he upset with you? Yes. Ignorant of you? I don't think so," Aunt Kim said.
Evelyn crossed her arms. "You don't understand."
"Maybe I don't."
"I mean, what else can I do? I've already apologized several times."
"You need to give him time."
"How much time? We'll be leaving for college soon!"
"I think you need to take this one step at a time. You're thinking too far ahead and trying to predict things you can't predict."
Evelyn leaned back in her chair. "I know. It's just, Ozzy said something to me that I've been turning over ever since."
"What did he say?"
"He said he finally saw who I am now. And I was really ashamed when he said that because he was right, Aunt Kim."
"Right about what?"
"You said so yourself. 'Don't let them change you.' And look what happened. I can be just as vindictive, entitled, and opportunistic as the rest of them."
"I'm surprised you remembered that."
"Of course, I did. You said it with such conviction."
Aunt Kim's words acted as her moral compass this whole time she'd been in New York. It steered her away from striving for her own gain at the expense of hurting others. Until she stopped listening.
"Evelyn. We all change. Especially at your age. What I meant by that is to not forget your values. Who you are is comprised of what you value. I don't think you've lost your values like you think you have."
"But you know what I did, Aunt Kim. How I treated Ozzy is inexcusable. I should have known better!"
"But you know better now," Aunt Kim said. "If you changed like you said you did, you wouldn't feel remorse or conflicted about your actions, would you?"
"No," Evelyn said.
The waiter arrived with their dinner plates. Salmon for Aunt Kim, a burger for Evelyn.
"Never lose hope Evelyn. The only thing we can ever lose is hope. Consider that."
Evelyn felt like she was back in her Aunt's kitchen when she espoused wisdom like that. If there was one good thing that came out of this whole mess, it was how it brought her closer to her Aunt Kim again. She didn't realize how much she missed her until that moment.
Ozzy and Dash arrived at the prospective student mixer event later that evening. The mixer event was held in Harvard Commons. It was a modern building with glass walls, fluorescent lights and open spaces for study and play. While the building was impressive, the mixer event was nothing more than an information session.
"This event is so lame," Dash said. It was nothing more than Harvard students answering questions from prospective students in small groups. There were fruit platters, cookies and ice water placed on a fold out table.
Some prospective students milled around the food, avoiding eye contact, while other prospective students asked question after question, monopolizing the Harvard student rep's attention.
"Let's go then," Ozzy said. He wasn't feeling this event either. He had no questions to ask. He was content to just go back to the hotel and sleep.
"You know, tours and information sessions are cool and all, but I mean, I won't really know if I like this school unless I actually, you know, explore the school. As if I were a student."
"What are you getting at?"
Dash smirked. "It's Saturday night. We're in Boston on Harvard Campus unsupervised."
"So, you want to explore campus?"
"Consider it an unofficial tour of sorts."
"Well, it can't be much worse than this," Ozzy said.
"But it could be so much better," Dash said. "Think about it. There must be tons of parties happening all over campus. Why waste our time with these students whose job it is to sell Harvard to us when we can find people on campus who will tell us the truth?"
"I didn't think finding the truth about what Harvard's really like was really your priority."
Dash smirked. "Isn't it yours?"
"Not really. Anyway, what do you expect to find on campus aside from locked buildings?"
"Parties. Obviously. Look, this wouldn't be my first time going to a college party. They're a lot of fun. Nothing tells the truth better than alcohol."
"What do you think we should tell my mom? She already doesn't trust me enough as it is."
"Nothing. Look, we'll still be back by curfew, right? We have cellphones with enough battery on them. Come on, aren't you the least bit curious?"
"Of course," Ozzy said. He set his Styrofoam cup on a nearby table. "Let's go."
Harvard campus was quiet and well-lit. All of the tourists and prospective students had finished their tours, leaving the paths empty. Leaves whistled from the wind. Students shouldered backpacks while carrying textbooks and library books under their arms. Many heads were bent, their thumbs texting as they walked. Ozzy and Dash walked along the paved paths, eyes wide open.
Dash kept his gaze on the windows looking for a glow of light to give them direction. They walked across the Yard and toward the dorm buildings. The red brick buildings were dark shadows with yellow light piercing through the windows. The uniformity of all the buildings was intimidating in the darkness.
"Now what?" Ozzy said.
"Follow the music," Dash said. "Or people who are dressed up. Themed parties are the best parties."
Ozzy could hear a faint thumping drum beat. He followed the music, a lulling indie song he'd never heard before drew his attention. He found himself outside the Hollis building. Ozzy caught the door as a student left.
"Dash."
Dash jogged up the steps. "Found something?"
"I don't know."
Ozzy led the way and continued to follow the music. He passed the front desk and found a common room filled with people holding red solo cups. The music lulled in the background, smooth and unassuming. Ozzy listened intently, and realized the song wasn't being sung in English.
A short girl with upturned brown eyes and a mole under her right eye stood at the door. She wore a tight black dress, and her long black hair was drawn back in a high ponytail.
"Hi. You both look lost. Are you here for game night?"
"Yes," Dash said immediately. "Yes, we are."
"Then you're in the right place. I don't think we've met before. I'm Laura." She extended her hand to Ozzy. She elongated the pronunciation of the u in her name.
"I'm Ozzy."
"Óscar?"
"Yeah. Everyone calls me Ozzy though. This is Dash."
"Nice to meet you," Dash said. "I'm visiting for the weekend. I go to Columbia."
Ozzy shot Dash a look. Columbia? Really? There's no way Laura would buy that.
"I won't hold that against you," Laura said. "Venga. Lets get you both a drink."
When Chuck was asked to wear a black cloak again at St. Anthony Hall that night, he was mildly offended. The cloak had a musty stench to it, as if it were stored in a wooden chest year-round. He didn't want it touching his velvet suit or any part of his body. The cloak reminded him of a judge's robes or even the robes they wore to commencement. It was probably polyester.
"Do I have to wear this?" Chuck asked Valentina who was in charge of greeting new members.
She chuckled and batted her eyelashes at him. "Yes, but just for the ceremony."
Chuck put his arms through the sleeves. "If you insist."
He wasn't sure what to expect from the ceremony. Traditions and probably lots of Latin too. Although he was initially unsure of Locke and Key, he had grown to like it over the past couple months as a new member. He found people of equal stature outside campus as him that he could relate to, and other who didn't but were equally interesting and worthy of his attention. Then, there were girls like Valentina, who were easy pickings.
Chuck followed a hallway to the basement door. The black curtains were pulled back by another member whom Chuck didn't know very well: Simon. He knew Simon probably spoke to Blair often since he was dating her roommate. They didn't have much in common, nor did Simon seem particularly warm to him. He probably took Blair's side out of loyalty to Joy.
The basement was pitch black. The only light glowed from candles that lined a single round table in the room. As the wooden stairs squeaked under him, he also heard a soft hum of voices singing a hymn. Chuck could just barely make out shadowy hooded figures in the dark. He wondered where Blair was in the room.
Chuck stood in line with his fellow new members and waited until he someone put their hands on his shoulders and guided him to a spot at the table.
The Vice President of Locke and Key, a senior named Pryce, spoke. "Welcome to the Lock and Key Society. You have all been asked to join us because you all have been chosen as prospective members. From now on, we will meet to conduct our weekly rituals each Sunday at midnight. You may not speak with each other until you are seated at this table. We do this to ensure that we get to know each person as they are and not what they look like. We will each assign you your name. Once you enter your key inside the lock, you leave yourself behind. We are all equal and we are all one."
Chuck was beginning to feel ambivalent about joining. What was this, a cult? He was having flashbacks of Skull and Bones and wondered if they too conducted ceremonies like this.
Another voice, a voice Chuck faintly recognized cleared his throat and said, "Let's begin. Each of you has been picked by one of our members that will graduate this year. They will stand behind you and explain why they chose you to the group. They will also give you your name. We'll move in a clockwise direction. John Adams, you're up first."
A member going by the name John Adams began to introduce one of the new members. His name was Ty from Texas. Chuck tried to listen but found himself struggling. He wanted to look around, explore, ask questions. He wasn't sure what he was really signing up for, even after months of dedicating his time to get to know these people.
They went around the circle in a clockwise direction introducing the new members and their names.
Suddenly, Chuck felt someone squeeze his shoulders.
"I would like to introduce you to John D. Rockefeller."
Rockefeller? Chuck smirked. He saw the connection despite the clear difference that Rockefeller was the epitome of old money while Chuck's family was new money. Evidently, Ford, who was introducing him, was not from New York and didn't understand the difference.
"He is from New York City where he is set to inherit one of the wealthiest real estate developers in the world. We are honored to have Rockefeller join us for this journey. Please welcome Rockefeller."
"We welcome him."
Once the remaining members were introduced, Chuck recognized Julian's voice announce, "To our new members; congratulations for unlocking the key."
Chuck was offered a goblet, and he drained it. Sweet wine. Not his favorite, but it went down his throat like syrup. Ford prompted him to stand, and all the new members were guided upstairs while the other members continued to hum. The ceremony was certainly eerie, but not at all what Chuck thought it was going to be like. No blood sacrifice, no unbreakable pacts, no occult. Did he find it hokey? Yes. Disturbing? Not so much.
While Chuck's eyes adjusted to the light, he unzipped his cloak. He handed it to Valentina who said, "See? Not as bad as you thought, huh?"
Chuck felt a hand clamp on his shoulder. It was a senior member named Colton Hayes. He was one of the first members he met after Julian when he began attending Locke and Key mixers and events. Colton was from the West Coast. He was tall and lanky with sandy brown hair, and he always wore the newest high-tops.
"So, what did you think?"
"It was something."
"After I built you up? Where's the gratitude at?"
"You're Ford?"
"The one and only."
Colton was the one who selected Chuck even though he didn't accept last year. Chuck found that interesting. He wanted to ask more questions, but this wasn't the time.
Members of the Locke and Key began filling up the first floor of St. Anthony Hall. He tried looking for Blair, but he couldn't see her anywhere. Had she not shown up? Did his membership drive her out of Locke and Key?
"You ready to celebrate?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
Colton threw his arm over Chuck's shoulder. "This is why you're my man. Let's get this new member a drink!"
Ozzy hesitated when Laura offered him a red solo cup that was full to the brim with an orange liquid. He'd been trying to stay away from alcohol since Evelyn's party. While he was able to stop himself then, he was still unsure if he could control his drinking habits.
"Come on. It tastes good."
Ozzy accepted the cup while Laura ladled another drink and offered it to Dash.
"What is this?" Dash asked.
"Try it," Laura said. She raised her cup. "Welcome to Concilo Latino de Harvard."
They tapped their cups together and all took a drink. The drink was fruity. The first flavour Ozzy tasted was orange juice. Then the smooth spiciness of the tequila warmed his throat.
"Not bad right? We had to improvise when Javier forgot to do the liquor run this afternoon."
"It tastes good," Dash said.
"This one, yes. That one," Laura pointed to a punch bowl at the end of the table. "Is called Sopresa de Mierda. Shitty Surprise."
"What makes it a shitty surprise?" Dash asked.
"We're hosting a trivia game later, and each person who loses has to take a shot from that bowl. It's a mix of every drink that everyone brought. Wine. Beer. Spirits. Mixers. All of it."
"That sounds awful," Ozzy said.
"It's no joke. But hey, you don't lose, you don't have to drink it, right?"
"So, you don't lose often?" Ozzy said.
Laura smiled. "I never lose."
"You're undefeated?" Dash said, skeptical.
Laura shrugged. "What can I say? I haven't met my match yet."
"What's the trivia on?" Dash asked.
"Everything and anything. It's jeopardy style. Why, do you want to play?"
"I don't know," Dash said. His eyes scanned the room and settled on a willowy girl with dark wavy hair that came to her waist. She stood by the bay window without a cup in her hand.
Dash returned his gaze to Laura. "If you're undefeated, I don't like my chances," Dash said. "Maybe Ozzy would? He's much smarter than I am. Excuse me."
Ozzy watched Dash approach the girl by the bay window, full of confidence, lack of doubt. If Ozzy didn't know him, he would believe that Dash was a student. He blended in with the crowd. He looked like he belonged on the preppy campus. He had a confidence about him that he carried in times when he was most uncertain. It was easy to mistake his confidence as fact.
"So, he's your brother?" Laura said.
"Step-brother."
"Ah. That makes sense now."
"Yeah, his family is from New York."
"And yours?"
"My mom's American. My father is from Mexico."
"What city in Mexico?"
"Guanajuato."
"I've been there once when I was small. It's beautiful and so colourful. I remember my Mama taking me to the Callejón del Beso."
Ozzy nodded. He had no idea what that was, and he made a mental note to Google it later.
"Where is your family from?"
"Mexico City. Hablas español?"
He felt a rush of anxiousness whenever he was asked this question. He felt a pressure to prove himself, to assert ownership of his identity without being able to use the right language to fill in the blanks.
"Un poco."
He knew more than a little bit, but if he said otherwise, then Laura would start speaking in rapid fire Spanish, and he knew he couldn't keep up. His mind would go blank, as if everything he knew was poured out of his head like a watering can.
"No worries. There are many people here that only speak English."
Of course, everyone knew English in the room. They had to be proficient in order to be even considered for admission at Harvard. But that's not what Laura meant. She insinuated that Ozzy didn't have to be fluent in Spanish to be a part of the Latin community.
There were brief periods in Ozzy's life where he lived in Spanish-speaking neighbourhoods. He didn't think much of it at the time, or his mother's insistence that he take Spanish all throughout high school. He had never met his extended family in Mexico, nor did he know of anyone with a Latin background at St. Jude's or even in Southington. Now, he wished he did know more. He wished he knew his family, the language, everything. Without it, he felt simultaneously alienated yet connected in this room. It was confounding.
While the common room was full of chairs and tables for casual seating, everyone had positioned the furniture to face the far wall where Dash now stood while chatting with the willowy girl. A foldup table had been set up with chairs, microphones, and a projector screen where a jeopardy board came into view.
"Looks like your game is about to start," Ozzy said.
Laura's hand grazed his arm. "Do you want to play?"
"And lose? I'm not looking to punish myself."
"You don't even want to try?"
"You said you're undefeated."
"For now," Laura said. "How about this. You can be on my team."
"I thought jeopardy was an independent game?"
"People like to play in teams. It's more fun that way, and it'll encourage more participation."
Ozzy gazed at the room full of flushed faces. People were laughing, joking, and enjoying themselves without a care in the world. No one cared who was watching. No one cared what their peers thought. Was this what college was like? Could life be this carefree?
As he learned from his time with Jane, it could. He just needed to take a deep breath and remind himself to rephrase the doubt. His doubt which led to self-loathing wasn't truth. It was a reaction to his fears. Like all thoughts, they would pass.
Ozzy grinned. "You're on."
Laura smiled, linked her arm with his and guided him to the table.
After a leisurely dinner with Lily, Bart decided to return home. When the limo came to a full stop, Bart opened the door and stepped aside, so Lily could pass. Bart looked at the sea of cars parked and double parked on the streets where he saw a white Prius parked a couple cars back.
Normally, this wouldn't have meant anything to Bart, but he took a closer look at the car and realized he'd seen many white Priuses lately. One would be parked outside of Thorpe Enterprises. One would be parked outside their residential building. One may have been parked outside his lawyer's office today.
A man was seated in the driver's seat. He wore a grey ball cap, a newspaper concealing his face. He wondered if he had seen the man before, but he shook the thought away. He was acting paranoid now. What did he think, that someone was following him?
"Is something the matter?" Lily asked. She gazed in the general direction Bart was.
"No."
Bart felt his phone buzz in his pocket again. It was another email this time requesting money for something he never bought. He deleted the message. Then, he received two text messages with similar questions. He blocked the phone numbers and pocketed his phone.
"Are you coming, Bart?"
"Ah, yes."
Bart nodded to the Gerald, who opened the door with his white gloves.
"Something pressing about work?" Lily asked.
"No, just spam. Nothing important."
They road up the elevator to the penthouse where Bart was contemplative. He didn't think it was a big deal. It all could be a coincidence. He received so many emails daily that he would never pay much attention to spam messages or texts. The white Prius though unsettled him.
The penthouse was quiet without Evelyn home. Bart walked straight to the kitchen bar where a stack of envelopes was piled beside a brown packaged box.
"Did your sister Carol send you something from Miami again?" Bart asked. He inspected the box. Turned it over a couple times.
"No, it's for you. It arrived this afternoon. I thought it was urgent if it was delivered on a Saturday."
Bart indeed saw his name and address on the package. There was no return address. The package was small, light. It looked like any DHL couriered package he would receive for work. There couldn't have been more than a few papers in there.
Bart tore open the package. There was an envelope inside as well as a pair of handcuffs.
Leave Thorpe Enterprises or you'll find yourself wearing these.
"Who's the package from?" Lily called from the living room.
Bart shuffled the papers back into their envelope. "Just some leases from work."
He stuffed the handcuffs back into the package along with the envelope. He took a deep breath, his jaw set. Lily sat on the couch with her reading glasses on typing away on her phone.
Bart picked up his phone and dialed Frank's number while he walked upstairs to his office, the package tucked under his arm. So much for laying low and doing nothing. What was he supposed to do now?
Frank's phone went to voicemail. Bart looked over his shoulder and said in a hushed tone, "Frank, it's Bart. There's been a new development regarding my case. Call me when you get this."
Bart poured himself a glass of scotch and sat at his desk. He leaned back in his chair, the envelope burning a hole in his suit. He swirled his drink and waited for Frank to call back. He waited in the silence of his office.
Evelyn licked her melting chocolate mint ice cream. The melting ice cream dripped down her waffle cone and onto her hand.
They walked along Harvard Square, taking in the many shops, bakeries, and restaurants that lined the streets. With the buildings built with uniformity in mind, the street, much like campus, felt like a town. It was a small community feel that Evelyn felt in Southington but was absent in New York. It calmed her.
Aunt Kim strolled beside her, clutching a cup of ice cream. She scooped her pralines and cream in her mouth.
"What made you choose NYU?" Evelyn asked.
"Hm. That's a good question. Originally, I never thought I would go to school in a big city, let alone New York of all places. I remember eyeing Penn State or Rutgers. Then, your mom went to school, and I visited her. I really got to see the campus as a student, and I realized I misjudged NYU and applied."
"How were you so sure?"
"I wasn't. I went with my gut, and I have no regrets."
Evelyn licked her cone. She used to feel sure and steadfast about what she wanted. She could feel what was right in her gut and followed her instinct. With college looming, Evelyn wasn't so sure anymore. What if she made the wrong decision? What if it ruined her college experience or worse, her future?
"Are you worried you won't be making the right choice?"
"Yes. Too much choice isn't easy to navigate either."
"Absolutely. Like I said earlier, we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Why don't we make our way back to the hotel?"
Evelyn felt her phone buzz in her purse. It was a message from Gossip Girl.
Looks like D has moved on, or rather, moved on up in Boston this weekend. Ain't Karma a bitch, E?
Attached was a blurry photo of Dash kissing another girl. Her hair was black and long enough to graze her hips.
"Evelyn, your ice cream is melting," Aunt Kim said. "Here." Aunt Kim offered Evelyn a napkin.
Evelyn's ice cream was dripping down her hand now, but Evelyn's gaze was transfixed on the photo.
"Is something wrong?"
Evelyn's grip loosened around her cone. A tear fell on her phone screen. Then another. Then, her cone smashed on the concrete.
Blair sauntered through the throngs of Locke and Key members taking in new faces and old. Only a couple members had dropped out of the initiation period. Sadly for Blair, neither of those members was Chuck. New members mingled with old, and everyone seemed to get along in harmony as if she hadn't been there.
Blair approached Danielle, Valentina, and Zara who sat in the living room and sipped their drinks.
"Blair," Valentina said with a tight smile. "We didn't think you would be making it tonight."
"And miss initiation? Not if I could help it."
"It's too bad we haven't seen you around, lately," Danielle said, "We heard you were…tied up."
Blair's eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"
"Nothing," Zara said. Her eyes avoided Blair, and she tucked her hair behind her ears while smiling uneasily. "She's implying nothing."
"We're all friends, right?" Blair said to the girls. "If you have something you want to say to me, then have the courage to say it to my face instead of speaking in code."
Danielle's cheeks reddened.
Blair looked around the room. Everyone's gaze was suddenly on her, but they quickly flicked away. What was going on here?
Blair saw Chuck enter the room huddled with his pledge mates. They laughed and high fived. Chuck caught Blair's eye and winked.
"Did you see that, Valentina? Chuck winked at you," Danielle said.
Valentina rolled her eyes and took a long sip of her drink.
Blair did her best not to gap at the girls. Did Valentina honestly think that kind of attention from Chuck would ever be given to her when she was in the room? In high school, this kind of behaviour would warrant a jealous rage. Now, the sheer audacity of that thought made Blair want to laugh.
She had been gone from Locke and Key for one month. One month too long apparently.
"I'll be back," Valentina said. She set down her empty red cup and stalked toward Chuck. She exaggerated the sway of her hips. Blair watched with disbelief as she snaked her arms around Chuck in an intimate hug.
Blair turned to Danielle and Zara who were snickering.
"Looks like one of our new members is the member of the hour," Blair said.
"Chuck Bass? You could say that," Zara said.
"But you would know more about him then us."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you were dating last year, weren't you?" Danielle said.
Blair hadn't remembered talking about Chuck to the girls. She was so secretive about the society with him that she knew that to keep the charade up, she needed to be consistent. Simply put, she downplayed her relationship with Chuck. Most people weren't in relationships anyway with Locke and Key, so it wasn't a go-to conversation topic.
"Yes, we did."
"But you aren't together anymore, right?" Zara said.
"No," Blair said, feeling her chest tighten. "We're not."
Blair stole a glance at Chuck who was seemingly at the centre of the Locke and Key universe with a large circle of members huddled around him.
This is why she didn't want him to join. She knew this would happen. She knew he would steal her thunder, drown out her existence without even trying. He didn't even want to be in this club, and he made it look so easy.
Zara and Danielle excused themselves and joined Chuck's circle where Valentina sat beside Chuck now, her hand on his forearm. Blair stood off to the side, alone. Was anyone going to acknowledge her? Did anyone care that she'd been absent for the past month? Where was Julian to tell her that her probation was lifted?
Now that she thought about it, the only person who reached out to her and kept in touch with her was Simon, and she was fairly certain he only did that because she was Joy's roommate.
Blair stormed to the kitchen where punch bowls and a beer keg was set up. Simon stood with a water bottle in his hand.
"Blair," Simon said. "Good to see you back in the house again. Need a drink?"
"Desperately."
Simon looked through the archway where the large group of people sat with Chuck. "I understand. Here."
Simon ladled the pink liquid into a cup and handed it to her. Blair took a generous drink.
"Many things have developed since I've been away, haven't they?" Blair said.
"They have. This pledge class is way closer than we ever were," Simon said.
"Looks like it. Simon, did anything happen here while I was away?"
"Not really. Why?"
"Valentina and Danielle were implying that I was tied up. Do you know what they might be referring to?"
"Ah. Yeah, there was a rumor going around about you."
"About what?" Blair's voice sharpened.
"Just something crazy about you being on probation for tying up your ex-boyfriend to intimidate him from joining."
Blair's heartbeat quickened. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah. It's a nasty rumor, but it's not like it's true, so I wouldn't worry about it."
Blair drained her drink.
"It isn't true, is it?"
"Of course not! God, Simon. I can't believe you would even think that."
That explained everything. People ignoring her, Danielle's comments, the suspicious looks when she walked by. Everyone knew she hazed Chuck and now they thought she was a crazy ex-girlfriend.
How was she going to recover her credibility in order to run for the election now?
Blair thrust her empty cup toward Simon. The more she drank, the faster her thoughts circulated. Who would spread that awful rumor? It couldn't be Julian. He was trying to cover for her. It couldn't have been Heather; she was a stickler for the rules. Only one other person could have the social capital to make that statement and be believed: Chuck Bass.
Blair continued to drink, her eyes narrowing on Chuck.
"Are you okay, Blair?"
Blair finished her drink and slammed the cup on the counter. "Never better."
She stumbled over one of the bar stools and towards Chuck.
Chuck sat on one of couches as a new member of the Locke and Key Society. He was surrounded by new faces eager to talk to him, drink with him, or cuddle up to him. It made the dogmatic ceremony completely worth it.
While he appreciated the attention, he couldn't help but keep a close eye for one member in particular—the only member that had yet to congratulate him on his initiation.
Chuck saw Blair stumbling towards him out of the corner of his eye. Her cheeks were flushed, lips pursed. She halted, collected herself and brushed non-existent lint off her dress.
"Chuck? Did you hear what I said?" Valentina said.
He didn't, and he didn't care either. Valentina, while easy on the eyes, bored him. Instead, he had turned his attentions to far more interesting matters. He had been watching Blair watch him all evening. He was trying to anticipate what her next move was.
Blair cleared her throat. "Chuck? Can I speak with you please?"
"We were just—" Valentina began.
"Of course," Chuck said.
Chuck stood, Valentina's touch sliding off of him. He buttoned his suit jacket and smirked.
Blair led the way out of the living room and into the main floor bathroom. Along the way, Blair grabbed onto the archways to steady herself.
Chuck locked the door behind them.
"What do you think you're doing?" Blair said.
"Celebrating my newfound membership. I may have judged our little group of friends a little too quickly."
Blair gripped the countertop. "Oh please. You're only saying that because tonight they're worshipping you."
Chuck smirked. "Can you blame them?"
"I can't blame their naïveté, but their attitudes will change once they know what you're really like."
"If that means they'll love me even more, then you're right. I wasn't sure if you were going to be back tonight…given the circumstances."
Blair's eyes fell to the floor.
"Admit it, you hazed me Waldorf to prevent me from joining," Chuck said.
Blair sighed. "What good did it do? You're still here."
"You should have known that I'll always be coming back for more with you, paddles and all."
Blair's cheeks reddened. He had her. She conceded that she hazed him and revealed an oversight to her plan.
"Alright, I did it, okay? It didn't work, and that's it, but did you really have to tell everyone about it?"
Chuck's brows knitted in confusion. "Tell everyone?"
"Yeah, everyone knows that I did that and was on probation, and now they think I'm your crazy ex-girlfriend!"
"What could be wrong with that?"
"Chuck! I'm serious. I have ambitions. Goals. I want to run for a position at the end of the semester, and now no one will take me seriously."
"Waldorf, I think you're overreacting. Like most scandals, this'll blow over."
"This isn't high school, Chuck. It's worse. People won't forget. These people won't forget."
"Blair, I didn't—I would never—tell anyone about that."
"So how did Julian find out?"
"Okay, I told Julian, but he assured me it would remain confidential. I promise you I didn't tell anyone else. I know we're playing a game, but ruining your reputation wasn't the goal here."
Blair's eyes were glassy. "It wouldn't be the first time."
Chuck stepped toward her. "Blair, that was so long ago. That's ancient history."
"And history repeats itself. Look at us. Playing games again. Hurting each other. Will it ever end?"
"Blair. You're the one who started this."
"I was trying to end it."
Chuck shook his head. "You don't mean that."
"Let me be very clear, Chuck. I was trying to prevent you from joining Locke and Key because it was mine. You had no interest to joining it, and I knew that if you joined that you would take over."
"We can both exist in the same social group, Blair."
"That's not the point! The point is that when we were together, I didn't have something I did that was just for me and studying doesn't count. At Constance, I had a bunch of things. I was Queen, ran the social outreach committee, ran mock trial even. I want to carve a life for myself at Columbia that's beyond what I had at Constance. I want to reach higher highs and be the Blair Waldorf I want to be, not the Blair Waldorf everyone thinks of me in the next room. I can't do that if you're trying to foil these plans at every opportunity."
"Blair, I'm not trying to foil your plans."
"Then what are you doing?"
"I was invited to join just as you were."
"Really? Since when did Chuck Bass ever care about being accepted?"
"Since when did Blair Waldorf ever wait for anyone's approval? You built your own empire at Constance without someone telling you how it's done. You don't need these people to dictate it for you."
"Well…" Blair said. "M-maybe I do. You said so yourself. This isn't Constance anymore."
"Blair, that's not what I meant."
"You know what? I'll show you. I'm going to win this election," Blair said, her finger pointed at his chest. She swayed in her heels. "No matter what you do to try to tear me down, I'm going to win. You'll see."
"Blair—"
Blair stumbled away, her hand bracing the wall.
Chuck sighed. There it was. A full-blown declaration of war from Blair. A challenge. She wanted to win the election, and the only person who could stop her was him. He could stop her. If he was angry enough, vindictive enough, he could, easy. But what would be the point? To make Blair miserable? To take away her hopes and dreams?
He may have been petty enough to pull that in high school, but he didn't feel the same way anymore. There was no revenge to get. He just wanted to be with Blair, and the only way he could be with Blair was clear.
He needed to help her win the election. Preferably, without her knowing.
"Chuck! We're taking shots in the kitchen. Get your ass in here," Colton called, holding up two shot glasses of tequila.
Chuck smirked. Colton was known as the most infamous member of Locke and Key. His tales were apparently legend.
Chuck accepted the shot. If he was going to help Blair win, he needed to win the trust of the older members in order to influence them. They all clinked glasses, lick the salt off their hands and downed their tequila.
Back at the hotel, Evelyn's legs jittered. The hotel room felt stifling, and Aunt Kim lounged on the King-sized bed while watching cable news. Evelyn had played it off and told her Aunt that she was okay, but she was anything but.
Evelyn bolted from the bed and started putting her shoes on.
"Where are you going?" Aunt Kim asked.
"I'm going to get water at the vending machine," Evelyn said. "I'll be back."
Evelyn took her key card and wallet and shut the door behind her.
They stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, where the walls were wallpapered with stripes, and the green loop pile carpet matched the green baseboards. A couple of the ceiling tiles were stained, a result of water damage.
When her father offered them to stay at the Intercontinental on his dime, Aunt Kim refused. She said had already booked a place for them to stay and insisted that she wanted to pay for the trip.
Evelyn arrived at the vending machine and inserted a couple coins and selected a bottle of Aquafina. The bottle thudded through the vending machine and popped out the takeout port.
Evelyn twisted the cap open and chugged the water with her eyes squeezed shut. Her mind had drifted to Dash again.
Evelyn decided to walk further down the hall as she contemplated looking at the picture Gossip Girl sent her. It hurt to look at, but she willed herself to look, to relieve the pain over and over again.
After pleading his case for her over the past month, he seemed to move on without a thought. So much for him wanting to work things out.
She shouldn't be surprised. Her most cynical parts of her wasn't. Yet, she was still disappointed. How many times did he insist he loved her? How many times did he say he would do anything for her? They had only broken up a month ago.
Did a part of her hold out hope for a reconciliation with Dash? Maybe. She did love him. That was true at one point. But then there was Ozzy.
Oh Ozzy…
Evelyn still felt a pang of guilt when she thought of what she did at the Alumni Fundraiser. She used him to make Dash suffer. She still missed him terribly, and the wonder of what if she had done things differently were relentless. As Aunt Kim told her, there was nothing she could do about what already happened.
Evelyn wandered down the corridors hearing screaming children through a couple of the doors, the blare of a TV through another. She began to wonder.
Sure, she wanted to make Dash hurt the way she did. However, did she hold onto getting revenge on him as a way to hold onto him a little longer? Was it inevitable that they would part ways?
It was a truth that was too difficult for Evelyn to admit. Once you lose trust, you lose hope in your relationship. After Dash broke her trust, there was no way to salvage their relationship. As for Ozzy, would they face the same fate?
Evelyn looked at her phone and opened the message with the picture. There he was. Dashiell Montgomery. Her first boyfriend. Her first love. With someone else. Again. She had spent the past month imagining Dash with Jenny, but it had all been in her head. Now, she had concrete proof that she couldn't forget.
It was over. Really over between her and Dash. She took a deep breath and knew what she needed to do.
Evelyn deleted the message and returned to her hotel room.
Bart picked up his phone after the first ring.
"Bart." Frank's assuring voice rang through the phone. "I just got your message. What's up?"
"I'm being followed."
"Followed?"
"There was a white Prius parked outside your office today and later it was parked outside my apartment building. I hadn't really noticed it before, but I wouldn't be surprised if I've been followed for a while."
"No shit," Frank said. "I've got to say, Bart. I've never heard of this before. Did the person get out of the car?"
"No. He wore a grey ball cap. I couldn't really see much more of him."
"Bart, have you considered contacting the police?"
"I did, but then I came home and received a threat. If I don't leave Thorpe Enterprises, I'll find myself in jail. Handcuffs included."
"This is far more serious than I thought."
"I'm afraid so."
"Are you afraid?"
"I'm unsettled."
"Why would they threaten your job like that?"
Bart had sat there and wondered. Was his brother threatened that he was working with a rising competitor? Did that make him want to drive him out? Perhaps things at Bass Industries were not operating as smoothly as he made it seem.
"Trying to intimidate the competition." Bart took a drink of his scotch. "I'm not backing out, Frank."
This job at Thorpe Enterprises was all that he had professionally now. He wasn't going to give it up. It was a small rock in a wide cave that leaving Bass Industries left inside him. He couldn't give it up now. He would have no direction. No drive. No purpose if he wasn't working. He tried that in the summer, but once fall hit, he couldn't handle sitting idle.
"As you shouldn't. You shouldn't have to lose your job like that."
"And if he releases the evidence he has against me?"
"Then we fight it. Till the end. In the meantime, keep every bit of evidence that you have in a safe place and lay low. Be aware of the white Prius, and if something escalates, don't hesitate to call the police. We will deal with the consequences."
Bart used his free hand to massage his temple. "Alright."
"I know it's not an ideal answer or even a good answer, but it's the best thing we can do right now."
There was a prolonged pause on the phone.
"Bart, as your lawyer, I have to ask: does your brother have enough incriminating evidence to convict you?"
Bart thought back to the blueprints. The promise Jack made years ago to serve justice. The years of hard and circumstantial evidence he had inevitably be building a case against him.
"Potentially."
"If things progress, you'll have to inform me about everything to give us the best shot at defending you. You'll comply with that, okay?"
"I will."
He didn't want to even think that day would come, but as the days wore on, the fewer he felt he had. He didn't want to alarm Lily, Chuck, or Evelyn. He couldn't tell any of them what was going on. He couldn't tell any of them what had happened. He hadn't even told himself what happened for years. If there was one thing he learned, was that if you convinced yourself it didn't happen, you and everyone else could believe it too.
"Hang in there, Bart," Frank said. "And be vigilant."
Bart hung up the phone and moved to the window. While his office didn't have the terrific view of Manhattan, it did have a view of the outer boroughs of Manhattan. He could see the Queensboro Bridge on the periphery with the East River flowing underneath it, and on an especially clear day, Astoria, his childhood neighborhood remained straight ahead.
When Lily and him first toured this penthouse together, he was struck with this view most of all and not for its glamour. It was a view of how far he had come; he could see how distant his humble beginnings once were, and the distant horizon emphasized how long it took to get here. It was a rare occasion where he stopped for a moment and appreciated his accomplishments.
He had always looked ahead, into the distant horizon while living in this penthouse, but now he found himself looking down. He could only see the lower floors, no concrete or pedestrians beneath him. He had climbed so high up that he could no longer see the ground. He couldn't see it at all. The only movement he saw were the tiny cars crossing the Queensboro bridge.
"Bart?" Lily appeared at his door. "I wondered where you went."
"I just had an important business call."
"Oh. Was it an emergency?"
"Not anymore. The fire's been put out until Monday."
"Good. I was coming to find you to see if you wanted to watch a movie?"
"Sure. What did you have in mind?"
"The Social Network is available to rent through iTunes, and I've heard great things about it."
"The one about Mark Zuckerberg?"
"Yes."
A movie about a billionaire who launched his own social media empire and was later sued by a pair of twins for stealing their idea and by the co-founder who was squeezed out of the business? Sounded cathartic.
"I'd be interested."
Bart stepped away from the window and picked up his empty glass of scotch. He would be needing a refill.
Ozzy pushed through the crowds of students and wiped the sweat off his brow. After an intense game of jeopardy, which fortunately only resulted with him drinking two shots of Sopresa de Mierda, he was ready to leave. The room was full of hot air after an hour of a shouting and cheering.
"So much for your winning streak," Ozzy said. He pushed the doors open, a welcome fall breeze drying his beading forehead.
"It was one mistake," Laura said. "And it was only because of a technicality. How was I supposed to know that Maine is the only state that borders one other?"
"A loss is a loss, and you finally tasted defeat."
Laura shivered. "It's not something I want to taste ever again."
Ozzy took a seat on the nearest park bench and stretched out his arms. Laura sat beside him, her body facing his.
"I have to say, I was impressed. You are smart."
"I'm alright."
He was flattered from Laura's compliment, but he couldn't' quite see the truth in it. He was nothing more than a small minnow in Harvard's large pool of sharks. He could barely keep up during the game. He was only saved due to his knowledge of American geography.
"Someone's modest."
"Do you know where you are right now? Everyone is smart here."
Laura scoffed. "Just because you attend Harvard doesn't automatically mean you're smart. There are many people who go to this school because their parents paid their way in. Or they're a legacy, or they got in for a sport."
Ozzy knew the people Laura was referring to. He was surrounded by the people who paid their way into schools like Harvard, whose parents made them legacies, or they aspired to play for college level sports.
"How'd you get into Harvard?"
Ozzy's body tensed. His eyes found the bench. "Actually, Laura, I haven't been honest with you tonight. I don't go to Harvard."
"What? Then how did you get into a res building?"
"I snuck in when another student was leaving the building. I'm actually here for the weekend to tour schools."
Laura recoiled. "Wait, you're in high school?"
"Yeah. I'm a senior. So is Dash. We toured campus today, and he wanted to see what campus was actually like tonight, so we just checked it out. I heard the music you guys were playing, and we followed it. I'm sorry for not being honest. I just figured you'd kick us out, and Dash really wanted the experience of seeing what Harvard is actually like instead of having a guide tell us how great it is."
Laura starred at him for a moment.
"I understand if you're angry."
"I'm not angry. Honestly, I'm kind of impressed. I would have never thought to do something like that. I always have to plan everything. That's so…spontaneous."
"It was Dash's idea."
"And you made it happen," Laura said.
They did work well together, him and Dash. They each had something different to offer the other, a compliment to the other. Ozzy was glad he was able to make up with Dash after the most recent Evelyn incident. His life would be much duller without him.
"So then, what did you think of Harvard? Real Harvard, not your tour?"
"I've never seen anything like it," Ozzy said. To see so many people like him in one space was unheard of.
"Well, if you do get in, you are more than welcome at Concilio Latino."
"Thanks. I'd like that."
Ozzy checked his watch. "Dash and I should go. My mom is probably wondering where we are."
"Where is your mom?"
Ozzy sent a quick text to Dash while saying, "She's at the hotel we're staying at. She was tired after today."
"If only my parents took me to tour campus."
"Did you come by yourself?"
"No. I never toured it. Just looked at maps and pictures when I was applying."
"It still worked out for you though, didn't it?"
Laura nodded. "It did."
The doors burst open, and Dash appeared his arms spread wide, a huge grin on his face.
"I was just about to come look for you," Ozzy said. "You ready?"
"Born ready," Dash said. "Thank you for your hospitality, Laura. I had an excellent time tonight."
"It sure seems like it. Nice to meet you Dash," Laura said. Dash saluted her.
She turned to Ozzy. Laura took a step toward him and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see you next year, ya?"
Ozzy stuffed his hands in his pockets, his cheek burning. "Yeah. Maybe."
They waved Laura a final goodbye and watched her disappear back into the dorm hall. Dash slung his arm over Ozzy's shoulder.
"She was totally into you, bro," Dash said.
"Not after she found out I was in high school," Ozzy said.
"That's unfortunate. Guess age isn't just a number yet."
Dash swaggered ahead of him and pumped his fist in the air.
"Hey, where did you disappear off to?" Ozzy asked.
Dash wiggled his brows. "Let's just say that what happens at Harvard stays at Harvard."
"Was it the girl with the long hair you were talking to at the window?"
"No, her roommate. She said I reminded her of her high school boyfriend."
"And that's a good thing?"
"She really missed him, and I was there to comfort her."
"You're unbelievable," Ozzy said.
"Unbelievably lucky? You bet. Well, tonight, that is," Dash said. "But I'm optimistic though."
"You are?"
"If college is anything like it was tonight, then it's going to be a lot of fun."
For the first time in a long time, Ozzy agreed with Dash.
Dreams. Everyone has them. Some good. Some bad. Some you wish you could forget. Sometimes you realize you've outgrown them. Sometimes you feel like they're finally coming true. And some of us just have nightmares. But no matter what you dream, when morning comes, reality intrudes, and the dream begins to slip away. Dream a little dream of me.
You Know You Love Me,
XOXO Gossip Girl
A/N: And there you have it! Chuck is a new member of Locke and Key, Blair sets her sights on winning the election, Bart's past is creeping up on him, and Evelyn looks to the future to move on from her past.
So what's coming up next? The next chapter will be titled: We Need to Talk About Evelyn. We're two chapters away from the halfway point of part 3, and I'm so excited to share them with you!
So what did you think? Let me know with a review!
Till next time,
XOXO EZ11