Chapter Four
The Breakfast Club
They were sitting in anything but a coffee shop. It was a busy restaurant whose decorator did an extraordinary job. White ionic columns stood proportionately scattered between tables, highlighting the glorified majesty of the place. Windows were high and spotless, ceiling decorated with crystal chandeliers. Large impressionistic pictures hung on beige paint, emphasizing the beauty of the place.
''I'll have Coke, roast beef burger, large fries, tiramisu and white coffee,'' Nate said snapping his menu shut and handing it to waiter's gloved hands.
''Way to go, champion,'' Chuck nodded impressively, scanning the list. ''I'll have coffee.''
''Get me ice mocha, please,'' Serena added, knowing the offer by heart. ''No cream. And Mediterranean salad with no dressing.''
Blair eyed prices nervously, biting inner side of cheek. This wasn't expensive, this place was outrageously pricey. She couldn't afford absolutely anything on the list. ''I'll have water, please.''
''Just water?'' Serena asked raising her eyebrow, as if smelling her secrets.
''Yes,'' she cleared her throat, straightening her back. She actually didn't eat almost anything whole day and was looking forward to coming home and having proper lunch. Proper free lunch. ''I don't feel like drinking anything else.''
Serena seemed to consider this for a moment, but let it go. ''What was I saying... Oh, I hate her fascination with Paris. It's driving me crazy! I've been trying to get her to come home, but she won't listen. I'm completely bored.''
''Aw,'' Nate cooed, cocking his head. ''Do you miss your mommy? Well, board a plane to Paris.''
Serena rolled her eyes at him, not taking offense, but rather smiling amusedly. ''Always same places, always same destinations. I've seen it all, I don't even feel like going. But if you agree, we can go tonight. Lilly has the jet so we'll have to commute.''
Her eyes were bright and excited.
Commute? They called flying overseas in first class a commute? Blair's throat escaped a snort.
''Tonight?'' Nate repeated. ''Paris?''
He seem to ponder this for a moment and quickly pulled out his phone. ''Let me check plane tickets.''
''Blair, don't you like the plan?'' Serena asked piqued, twisting blonde strands of her hair.
''Who wouldn't?'' she answered diplomatically, regretting that snort. She tucked a stray hair by her ear. Chuck glanced at the movement and she caught his eyes. They were deep and rich, but Chuck hadn't spoken to her ever since leaving the parking lot. He barely looked her way and Blair found herself being bothered by that fact.
''Chuck?'' Serena called out, her eyes flashing.
''Paris is for lovers,'' He briefly glanced at Blair. ''And I have to go over Tropic's finances with Bart this weekend.''
''Chuck,'' huffed Serena, leaning across table towards him. ''We're only going for a day.''
''Nobody can go,'' Nate said, turning off his phone. ''All the first-class tickets are booked.''
''Fine,'' Serena shrugged her shoulder, as if she wasn't fazed at all. ''We can go next week. Chuck'll be free to mingle with us mundanes by then.''
This was obviously said with some mock attempt because Chuck rolled his eyes.
''Why don't you come with us, Blair?'' Nate smiled at her. ''The more the merrier.''
Blair's face turned into a grimace. It was only her third day at school and the it group was already dragging her to lunch, inviting her to crazy trips that sounded exciting and full of life. Their enthusiasm was addictive, but there was a hint of dubiousness hanging at the back of her mind.
Why her? Of all people, why her? How could she ever keep up with them?
''Blair obviously doesn't like the story about Paris,'' Serena laughed. ''You seem to be as bored of it as I am.''
''Well...'' Blair trailed off, neither denying nor confirming it. She could hardly afford to go anywhere over the bridge, let alone over seas. She honestly did not know how to even be part of this conversation. Blair watched them converse as if watching a play. The only thing that felt real was Chuck's proximity and warmth he seemed to radiate.
''Where do you escape to? What's your favorite place?'' Serena quizzed, cocking her head curiously. Her interest didn't seem genuine at all. Deep down, Blair had a bad feeling. She shrugged and said first thing that came to her mind. ''Italy.''
''Let me guess,'' Chuck finally spoke up after long silence, holding her gaze. ''It's not Milan, it's Rome.''
Blair gulped and nodded. She did love Rome, but only Rome from the books and movies, especially Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. It was a movie she watched countless of times. The blinding sun, small Italian streets, cute Vespa rides, vanilla gelato in heavy afternoons. It was the only version she knew. ''I love Rome.''
''I went there with my mom last summer,'' Serena began enthusiastically, switching topic to herself. ''We bought so much stuff in vintage shops. Our jet was so overloaded.'' When she noticed nobody was taking much interested in that story, she averted her eyes back to Blair.
''What place do you like the best? Do you go with family,'' Blue eyes caught Chuck's. ''Or with someone special?''
Blair forced herself to remain cool as Chuck carefully studied her. Mere mention of her family sent heat up her cheeks.
''Family,'' she replied calmly, grateful when waiter came by with their order. She took her glass and hastily swallowed half of content. Everyone busied themselves with drink and food for few minutes. Serena went to ladies room and Blair suppressed a sigh of relief. She was tired of questions and lies, but couldn't force herself to stop.
''What does you father do?'' Nate continued whatever interrogation Serena began as he chewed on his burger. It was beginning to be impossible to keep her anonymity.
He is a janitor, voice in her mind spoke quietly. His monthly salary amounts to the price of the socks you're wearing now.
How is she to say that? To utter that aloud? What would he think of her then? The invitation to Paris would be pulled back, knowing she couldn't possibly afford it. This would be probably last time they would be talking. Constance was full of rich, beautiful girls, all dying to be in Blair's place now.
She caught Chuck's eyes and, amidst of all the bustling chaos of the place, he smiled at her. That killer of the smile was that did it.
''Tourism,'' she responded, quickly averting her eyes away and grabbing a glass to drink. Tourism sounded acceptable. Tourism sounded good. It was relative.
''Does he has hotels or tourist agencies?''
''Hotels,'' she quickly lied, clutching her fists. Her heart was racing mile a minute. ''Down south.''
''Do you have siblings?''
Blair couldn't force herself to stop, their smiles grew and glint of approval sparkled in their eyes.
''I do. I have a brother. He studies economy abroad.''
They all nodded their heads, clearly impressed.
''Blair?'' Tiny blond girl with a fluffy dog in hands stood across the table. She was dressed trendy and in vogue, as per usual. Her mother was a designer who dressed whole Manhattan elite. It was Jenny Humphrey, a girl living in one of the apartments in her building. Blair chocked on water, coughing in napkin. How much did she hear?
''Jenny.''
''I'm surprised to see you here,'' Jenny declared, looking at her and the company with wide eyes that hardly missed a thing. She seemed much more older with disapproving glare directed at Blair. There was a moment of awkward silence. ''Interesting.''
She quickly walked away, leaving Blair behind. Color drained from her face. What if she heard her? What if she told her parents? Or even worse, to whole Constance? Blair suddenly felt sick to her stomach, tired of this charade.
''I have to go home,'' she weakly said, shakily rising from the chair. ''I think my pressure dropped again.''
She quickly picked up her stuff and boys politely stood up. Chuck caught her hand as it was reaching for wallet. ''You must be joking.''
''No,'' Chuck warned when she went to protest, his face determined. ''I insist.''
He threw the money on the table and spoke to Nate. ''I'll drop off Blair and I'll come back.''
''Absolutely not,'' Blair rushed on, not able to hide her shock. ''No need for that, I live close by.''
Chuck helped her with the coat. ''Then there is no need to turn me down.''
Somehow, she had a feeling he wasn't going to give up, so she said goodbye to Nate and let Chuck lead to the limo. They sped through streets and she let him pass her building, pulling up a block away. ''Which building is yours?''
Her finger pointed back at the way they came from and he raised his eyebrows. ''Why did we stop here? Do you plan on jumping me?''
Blair laughed out loud for the first time that day, some of the tension being relieved as he smiled at her. ''If my dad sees us, he is going to ask a lot of questions.''
''He likes to interfere in your life?'' he asked with raised eyebrows, as if it was something unheard of.
''I'm used to it,'' she shrugged her shoulders, sensing exquisite relief of speaking the solid truth.
He cocked his head and looked at her with alarming seriousness. She boldly looked back at him, letting him know he didn't bother her. They were silent for a minute and soft patter of rain could be heard above their heads. The small space of limo was filled with his cologne, the leather underneath her strangely alien, but comfortable.
She felt pleasant warmth flooding over her body, making all of this misery lunch worth while. As if waking up from a dream, Blair remembered mom was waiting for her.
''I have to go,'' she declared with a note of regret, not breaking eye contact.
''Okay,'' he softly said, still staring at her.
Blair couldn't force herself to move. There was something so compelling about him, something that made thought of leaving him feel like ripping a piece of her soul away.
Which was completely absurd since she barely knew the guy. Shaking the daze away, she bid him goodbye and climbed out of the car flustered, almost forgetting the bag.
Blair had to pick up the trash from residents that night. Mom was on the couch, sore and in pain. Jane cleaned the whole building from bottom to top, all by herself. Only because father was outside all day, too busy fixing car installations for Dan's boss.
Mother awaited her with bubble bath when she got back. Blair soaked as much as she could, still smelling trash everywhere for hours after. They were in her room, mother gently combing her wet hair.
''One day, my dear,'' Mom whispered absentmindedly, ''You'll be picking up silk and gold, not trash.''
Blair was silent, examining herself in the mirror. Her mom often made these kind of remarks. Blair believed her. She believed she'd graduate from Constance with excellent grades, she believed she would work her way up to the top and conquer the business world. Blair believed that and a lot more.
''Come on, I set the dinner on the table.''
They walked to kitchen and sat on small table that barely held four people. Dad was kind enough to compliment the meals she prepared. It was a peace offer and she gratefully took it. As they were quietly chatting and eating, a phone started to ring. It was an unfamiliar ringtone. They all looked at each other, wondering whose phone was it.
''It's coming from your room,'' Mom pointed out. They all looked towards her bed and Blair slowly rose towards it. She opened the vibrating bag on it, looking for the source of noise. Her hand touched cold smooth phone. Her eyes widened at the sight of brand new iPhone. Unknown number was flashing on screen, caller very much persistent. She already know who it was before answering.
''Hello?''
''Blair? It's me, Chuck.'' Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. ''You gave me no choice. I had to repay you somehow.''
She looked blankly at her family who were all eyes and ears. There was no way she was leading this conversation here and now. ''Okay,'' Blair clipped. ''We'll talk tomorrow. Good night.''
Dan quickly walked up and snatched phone out of her hands, right as she hung up. ''What's this?''
''Where did you get that, Blair?'' Dad asked worriedly, eying the strange object.
She had no idea what to say. To say it came from a boy would earn her order to never leave the house again. He'd make her drop out of classes simply on that account. Contact with boys was looked down upon, almost even forbidden.
''Georgina gave it to me,'' She quickly lied, too flustered to think of a proper story.
''That girl is crazy,'' Dan noted. ''This costs a fortune.''
At that information, father took the phone and angrily ordered her to return it.
''She didn't give it as a gift,'' Blair tried to fix the situation with familiar story. ''She got herself better one in Europe and borrowed this one to me-''
''It doesn't matter,'' father raised his finger and pushed her towards door. ''You have to return it.''
''It's late, it won't be polite to return it now-''
''Do her parents know she gave it to you?'' Mom asked dubiously. ''You know we can't pay to fix it if it gets broken.''
''They know,'' she lied on, gripping the phone in her hands. ''Mrs. Sparks was there when she gave it to me. Dad, it's late now. I'll return it tomorrow.''
He seemed to agree to this. ''Nobody touch this phone. Nobody. Not until morning when we return it. Just in case it breaks. Hide it somewhere.''
Blair gratefully took the phone and hid it under her pillow, smiling like an idiot.
Chuck called her again in the morning, while she was walking to school. Dan was walking with her, going to work, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. Chuck wanted to know where she was so he can pick her up, but she said she was almost already on school grounds.
For some reason, she felt nervous at the idea of them being alone together again.
''Who was that?'' Dan asked suspiciously.
''Penelope, from college.''
Blair was rushing to class when Serena spotted her. ''B!'' She walked up to her smiling broadly. ''Is it too personal? B is so much shorter and cuter.''
Blair was anything but flattered with this attention. She sensed some secret agenda from this girl and she wanted to shield herself from it as much as possible. ''Only my closest friends call me B.''
''We're friends, aren't we?'' Serena put her hand on her forearm. ''We'll be, you'll see.''
Blair's eyes burned into tan hand on her arm. She fixed her glare back to Serena and blondie hastily removed it. ''I just wanted to ask you have you heard from Chuck?''
''I've talked to him this morning,'' Blair stiffly replied. ''He said he's on his way.''
Serena was unable to hide her scowl and displeasure at these news.
''I need to see him too, to give him back his phone.''
''A phone?'' blond girl raised her eyebrows.
''He accidentally broke mine and got me new one,'' She explained with strange sense of pride and satisfaction. ''I didn't even notice when he sneaked it into my purse.''
''A gift,'' Serena laughed out loud, clearly amused with something. ''Imagine that.''
''Is something funny?'' Blair asked sharply, already annoyed and slightly anxious.
''That's our Chuck, he wastes no time or money. How obnoxious, right?''
''What exactly are you trying to say?'' he persisted dumbfounded, wanting for an explanation.
''Everything comes easy to him,'' Serena sighed in exaggeration. ''He has no sense of guilt whatsoever. It's all about buying his way in. He's like that thanks to girls that surround him; models, actresses... You understand? They all want glory.''
Blair straightened her back and crossed her arms. ''What are you trying to say?''
Serena leaned into Blair's face, her eyes full of pity. ''I don't want him to hurt you. Chuck's kindness and generosity don't last long.''
So she thought Chuck was buying his way into Blair's pants. Anger sizzled under cool demeanor and Blair felt herself snap.
''I don't care about his kindness or generosity, or his days and nights,'' Blair replied coldly, getting that iPhone out. She was no gold digger and no trophy girl, she especially wouldn't suffer crap from spoiled rich bitch. She spitefully threw the phone into Serena's hands, the item almost dropping on floor. ''Here, you can give him that.''
Blair angrily stormed off to class, completely ignoring Nate and Chuck and walked past them without looking at them. Penelope warned her, she did. And Blair was stupid enough to believe he was genuinely interested in her. Maybe he was, but duration of it was highly questionable.
Whatever, she thought. Few models and he'd already forget about her.
''So you're friends with Serena now?'' Penelope asked bitterly, sitting next to Blair in classroom.
''I'm not friends with anyone,'' She snapped, irritated with whole previous scene. Blair took a deep breath and calmed herself. ''Sorry about that. Listen, how well do you know Chuck Bass?''
This was topic that piqued her friend's interest. She turned towards her slyly, talking animatedly.''Nothing special. I know enough stuff to see he is dangerous.''
''What do you mean?''
''He is playboy,'' Penelope elaborated as if it was most obvious thing on earth. ''King of night life. Good car, good family and good looks. That's enough to draw all eyes. He gets anything he wants. So naturally, he is a man you can't trust.''
Blair sighed heavily, feeling herself torn. Penelope and Serena are telling her one story of Chuck, but her own eyes seemed to see something entirely else. Who to trust?
Class was over for the day and they were running to road, soaking wet. It was raining hard, making them shiver with cold.
''It's hard to find an empty cab now,'' Shouted Penelope over the rain, rising a hand and a car rolled over immediately. ''We got lucky. Come on.''
''No,'' Blair shouted back, knowing she had no money to split the cost. She was forced to use the bus instead. ''I forgot to pick up Management book at the library, you go ahead.''
She ran towards the bus stop after Penelope drove off, hiding under the plastic roof. Her teeth were clattering, her fingers numb. The bus was running late and she found herself trembling, the cold seeping into the bones. It was unbearable.
Suddenly, shiny black Audi pulled over and window rolled down.
''Blair,'' Chuck asked confused. ''What are you doing here?''
''Waiting for a bus,'' she shouted, hopping up and down to keep the cold away. She was half happy, half irritated to see him. ''I couldn't find a cab in this rain.''
''Come, I'll give you a lift.''
''No, thanks,'' She replied, though everything in her screamed to accept him. Blair needed to drop this act and drop it soon. Chuck Bass was nothing but trouble and he'd be the ruin of her one day.
''Come on,'' he insisted, his eyes darkening as she ignored him.
''Get in or I'll have to drag you in myself,'' Chuck called out to her, his face clearly not amused.
Blair contemplated her risks. After a while, she gave up and got into car, thinking how she'd freeze to death while waiting for a bus. She felt warm as they drove, not sure if he turned the heat on or if he radiated it himself. Chuck was looking straight ahead on the road, unusually somber.
''I'm sorry,'' he finally said after period of silence, surprising her. ''I didn't know you wanted the other one.''
''The other what?''
''The phone. We'll return it and you can chose whichever you want.'' His hands clenched the steering wheel as he drove.
''We will do no such thing,'' She countered, sharply glancing at him. ''The phone is perfect.''
''But Serena-''
''Serena what?'' She snapped, but forced herself to calm down. She closed her eyes, picturing Grace Kelly handling this situation. ''It doesn't matter. I just wanted her to give the phone back to you. That's all I said and wanted.''
''So,'' He asked, looking confused. ''What really happened?''
Blair thought how much could she possibly reveal. She told the truth, saying how it upset her proud father to be receiving gifts like that. His grip seemed to relax after hearing that story.
''I put you into awkward situation. Was your father angry much?''
''Yes,'' she confirmed aggravated. '' He wanted me to give the phone back right away. I did too and it was done.''
Chuck leaned in his seat, his eyes flickering from road to her. His mood seemed to lighten up a bit. His voice, usually husky and sardonic, simmered down to the softest sound, ''Why did you give it to Serena? Why didn't you come to me?''
She remembered what Penelope told her and what Serena implied. He was here to use her. The phone was just a price to get her into bed. ''Let's just say I have no interest in talking to you.''
''Yet you're doing just that,'' he commented dryly. ''May I ask what I did to deserve such an unpleasant status?''
Blair stared through window, but she could feel his eyes boring into her.
''You may not,'' she haughtily said after a moment or two.
''Blair,'' he sighed, ''I never-.''
Whatever Chuck was about to say was interrupted with Blair's scream as the car skidded to a halt.
''Did we hit something?'' She shouted terrified.
''No, I had the same problem this morning.'' Chuck grumbled and tried to turn on the car again, but failed. ''I'll be right back.''
''Where are you going?'' She demanded, unbuckling the seat. ''I'm coming with you.''
''Stay here,'' he ordered firmly as he opened the doors, drops of showers getting into the luxurious interior of the car. ''I mean it. I'm going to get some help.''
Blair waited as he searched for help outside. She hoped he wouldn't get sick just because she needed to be dropped off home. He entered the car again, drenching wet.
''There is car shop there, just around the corner.'' Chuck breathed out, rubbing his palms together to warm up. ''I called them to help. I'll hail the cab if you're late. We're close to your house. Go if you will.''
''We're close?'' She repeated, dumbstruck. Time flew when she was with him, but this piece of information got her worried. ''Where is that mechanic exactly?''
Chuck squinted through sea of raindrops on windshield. ''Here he comes.''
Blair took a moment to process this. There was Dan with tool box in his hands, coming to their aid in this storm. Even though car glass was tinted, she still froze for a second, afraid he'd seen her. The sound of Chuck rolling down window startled her. She lowered her head, letting hair curtain over face.
''Can you start the engine ?'' Dan asked, squinting through rain.
Chuck tried again without any success. ''No, I can't.''
''Okay then, pop open the hood so I can take a look.''
Chuck pressed the button and Dan went behind to fix the issue. She quietly watched him in rear-view mirror, her head still bent down.
''Did you drop something?'' Chuck wondered out loud.
''I'm looking for a pin,'' She lied, feeling more uncomfortable each passing moment. ''Look, I have to go.''
There was a moment of silence as Chuck tapped his fingers against steering wheel, the furious shower of rain dropping against the roof of the car. His eyes were focused straight ahead, avoiding looking at her.
''Okay,'' he slowly said, looking obviously perturbed. ''I've clearly kept you waiting. Do you want me to get you a cab?''
''No,'' she responded quietly, feeling the air go significantly colder. She sensed something between them change, his attitude more colder and distant. Blair couldn't wait to go home, Chuck Bass was someone that was wrong for her. ''I'll walk.''
She went to grab the handle when his voice full of incredulity stopped her. ''Can't you see this rain outside?''
Blair pretended not to hear him. Looking behind to check if Dan was still hidden behind the hood, she quickly climbed out of the car and ran home.
Dan lowered the hood. He was wet, cold and annoyed, feeling ready to call it a night and go home. He saw tiny figure exiting the car and scurrying off in the darkness. He scoffed in bitter amusement. One car break and the gold diggers go running away.
He walked up to front, knocked on window that soon rolled down. ''I can't fix it, you'll have to take it to car shop.''
''Great,'' Chuck muttered, exiting the car t. His phone suddenly rang. He answered, not even bothering to shield it from rain. Chuck's mouth dropped open as he stood in silence, listening to whoever he was talking to.
''Are you serious? I'll be right there.'' He hung up and threw keys to startled Dan. ''Take the keys, get him to shop, do whatever it takes.''
He then ran as fast as he could in the opposite direction, leaving irritated Dan.
''You could have at least taken my phone number'' he called out to him and muttered ''rich brat'' to himself. He sat down in the car, feeling less irritated the more he leaned across the smooth leather.