Chapter Eighteen
A Friend In Need
''A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.''
''Chuck Bass?'' Blair heard herself asking, no - demanding - her arm frozen hanging in the air. Her heart beat violently for million different reasons. ''Did he do this to you?''
''No,'' Dan replied sulkily, snatching the bloody cloth out of her hand and pressing it to wound on his forehead. ''Hounds at the doors did it. His bouncers. They didn't like me so they told me I can't get in and kicked my ass, naturally.''
He let out a snort, wincing in progress. Blair fingered the neckline of her shirt, remembering them from that one time she visited Tropic club. They were big and bulky, dangerous looking. One look at Dan's tattered outfit and she nodded in understanding. It was elite club for guest list members and people who can copy the look and demeanor. Dan resembled nothing like TFB. With his messy hair, ancient jacket and holey jeans - he almost looked like a beggar.
''He got them off of me,'' Dan explained with downcast eyes, as if the information was pathetically satirical. ''Chuck Bass helped me.''
It took her a moment to process this information. Chuck Bass helped her brother - wait, no. Chuck Bass helped Dan Humphrey, the guy who stole and wrecked his car. It sounded incredible and bizarre. Gratefulness overwhelmed her at this act of kindness.
Chuck Bass was a hero. Her own secret hero, unaffected and genuine. He was unaware of his own glory. Blair sighed, her heart warming in affection, while she shook her head sadly. ''Why did you go there?''
''I went to beg,'' Dan answered indifferently. ''What else? I can't get a job. I can't pay the debt.''
Elevation quickly undid itself as she realized something with a sinking heart.
Chuck was out on Saturday night in Tropic and she didn't even know it. Blair went to bed at last evening, completely exhausted, falling asleep in her clothes. He was out, partying and probably drinking, doing whatever Manhattan playboys did when they were in a relationship. It wasn't anything strange for him, he was notorious for hedonistic night life.
Nevertheless, the notion still nagged at her, much more than she should care to admit.
The air was cold in the countryside of New York, raw against exposed skin. Weekend getaway visitors were gathered in the warm wooden lodge, having breakfast and sipping steaming beverage. The mist clung to tall windows, clouding them. Serena leaned on the worn out rail of wooden ring, watching few riders train despite the cold morning frost. Nate watched her blond hair tangle around her face and disappear underneath collar of thick plaid coat.
''So,'' She dew out, turning around to face him. Last night's revelry left physical signs. Her skin was pale, almost yellowish, bags under tired eyes were prominent. Despite everything, vigor and bubbly excitement were stubborn and persistent. They didn't mention their moment alone after her birthday party. Then again, she probably didn't even remember the way she hung on him, drinking every word he said.
On the other hand, Nate would never forget it.
''Where's my gift, Natie?''
He smiled at the affectionate nickname and slowly put his hands on her shoulders, reveling in the spark of her green orbs igniting at the touch. Serena, led by him, turned around and gasped audibly.
Led by a stable boy, there stood proud arabian with great red bow around it's wide neck. It's chestnut fur shone on dim winter sun. It was a beautiful looking pure-blood. Serena's mouth were still wide open as she turned back towards him, excitedly asking, ''Are you serious?''
''Happy birthday, Serena,'' He barely uttered when she flung her arms around his neck. Their bodies clashed silently, coat against coat, one wild heart beating against the other. Nate felt complete bliss as he buried his nose in her hair, catching scents of perfume and hot chocolate. He breathed in and couldn't fight the smile off his face.
''Thank you so much,'' She squealed and planted a chaste kiss on the left corner of his lips. He was startled by the action and apparently, so was she.
Too soon, she broke it off. ''This is-.''
''Amazing!'' Finished a high pitched voice. Jenny Humphrey pranced over on her black horse, evidently admiring the arabian.
''Hey, Jenny,'' Serena's demeanor instantly subdued. She clapped her hands, forcing again her animation and displaying it lavishly to the undeserving world. ''It's my birthday present!''
''Impressive,'' Noted Jenny with arched eyebrow, black riding hat contrasting her soft platinum blonde hair underneath. ''It's kind of a present you buy for someone you really love.''
Serena looked back to Nate and beamed, shrugging with one shoulder. ''Nate is my friend. My best friend in fact,'' She put her hand on his shoulder. The gesture appeared but a mock movement of earlier hug, something grotesque and fabricated. ''He's closer to me than any of my girl friends.''
Jenny rode away, stifling a laugh for some reason. Cloud settled low over Nate's brow at the sound and he followed Serena to the prancing present.
''Can you believe her?'' She pranced on while stroking the arabian, admiring the silken fur. ''She thought we were together.''
Nate looked at her deadpanned, welcoming merciless cold as a distraction from the pain inside his chest. Did she know how much she was hurting him? How could she not catch up already? Her endless talk filled his mind like empty words, swirling around on the wind.
''I would be confused,'' She continued, still not looking at him. Her eyes were all over her new horse, her hands petting it affectionately. ''If it came from someone else.''
''But I'm not someone else,'' He heard himself mutter, his mouth set in deep frown. He had never been jealous of a horse before. ''I'm Nate. Your closest girlfriend.''
''Bart Bass caught on his way out of the restaurant with attractive young girlfriend,'' Nate read during lunch break, papers spread in front of him. ''King of the nighttime declared pleasant evening was only just beginning for the lively duo.''
He leaned back on his chair and laughed, ''This man is my idol!''
''Your dad is catching up on you,'' Warned Paige, wiggling her eyebrows.
Chuck rolled his eyes, but his foot tapped nervously.
Blair inhaled deeply, anger sizzling underneath her cool demeanor. She couldn't believe he didn't even mention Saturday night. They spent whole morning together and didn't even flinch when she asked him about his weekend. What an idiot.
Suddenly, someone nudged her shin and Nate leaned in to whisper, ''How's Penelope? You guys are still not talking?''
''No,'' She decidedly said, but her eyes were hesitant as they followed his glance. There she was, dragging herself through the crowd, shoulders hunched. Penelope obviously got the point and melted in the background past week, shunned and ignored. Blair observed she had been skipping classes lately and now, seeing her for first time after couple of days, realized there was something very wrong with her.
''She looks down,'' Serena noticed with a sidelong glance towards Nate. ''Depressed.''
Worse than that, they all thought, Penelope looked seriously sick. Blair rose from the table and excused herself, only to follow the hunched figure down to the restroom.
''Penelope?'' Her voiced reverberated across the white tiles, oddly mixing with agonizing sobs filing the empty room. Her eyebrows knotted at the loud wailing and choking coughs. ''Are you okay?''
''Go away Blair,'' Cried the hidden voice from one of the stalls, cracking at every syllable.
''Come out,'' She ordered, not bearing to listen to her anymore. She sighed as the sobbing turned to whimpers and sniffles. She waited for few moments as all noise eventually died out.
Slowly, but surely, Penelope opened doors of the stall. Her head was bent down, hiding puffy eyes and wet face. Before she could ask what was wrong, her former friend raised her hand. Pregnancy test was clutched in her fist. The two lines clearly stated it was positive. Blair's eyes widened, shock doubling and crashing down. All pretenses of anger and resentment were gone.
''Didn't you have Sex Ed in high school?'' Blair couldn't help but scoff.
Penelope shoved the test into the trash and opened faucet to wash her hands and face. As she did so, tears streamed down her face, another sob avalanche coming.
''You need to get it together,'' Blair advised harshly, still stunned and confused by the scenario. If she was Penelope, her parents would kill her. Undoubtedly. ''Go to a clinic.''
''I'm pregnant,'' Her ex friend uttered miserably, her voice shaking. ''I'm pregnant. Everyone will find out. How humiliating. I'm doomed. My parents - Oh, God-''
Another flood of tears followed, but Blair waived her hand impatiently, interrupting it. ''Nobody will find out if you don't say anything.''
She was aware of the powerful weapon she had in hands. This secret could destroy and repay the betrayal she suffered. But now that she had everything by her side, Blair didn't think Penelope worth all the trouble. ''Besides,'' she continued, arching her brow. ''You don't need to handle this alone. It involves two people.''
''But I am alone,'' She wailed, wiping her tears.
''Don't be ridiculous. You have father of the baby.''
''We're not even in a relationship. It's just sex.''
''I officially don't care,'' Blair picked up her bag, ready to leave. ''Good luck.''
''It's Nate,'' A small voice stopped her in her tracks.
''Nate?'' Blair blanched, completely thrown off. She suspected something happened between him and her former friend, but figured it was over as quickly as it began. She wrote it off as one time thing, little fling that quickly burned out. ''Nate?!''
''I need your help,'' Penelope pleaded hoarsely, wiping her wet cheeks. ''I can't do this alone. Can you talk to him? Please? It has to remain a secret.''
Blair gaped at her, thinking she must be mad.
''I'll die, Blair. I swear I'll kill myself.''
Unwillingly, her thoughts flew to Georgina and that trip to hospital. Shudder went through her body at the horror she experienced back then.
Another, more light and hopeful thought sprang up in her clouded mind. Blair got a chance to repay Chuck for saving Dan. Finally, she got a chance to be his hero.
''Fine,'' She heard herself say. ''I'll do it. But I'm doing it for Nate. He's Chuck's best friend after all. Don't take this as any personal favor to you.''
Penelope nodded gratefully and went outside to wait by the main entrance. Blair groan inwardly and dialed Nate's number, peeking at him from distance, behind wall. His phone rang as he twirled Serena's strand of hair. He took it out to check caller ID and imperceptibly glanced at Chuck before answering, ''Hello?''
''Don't say my name,'' She warned under her breath, pressing phone close to her mouth.
''Um, okay.''
''We need to talk,'' She stated shortly, looking directly at him though he couldn't see her. ''Can you come to Starbucks, the one just outside of campus? Nobody can know.''
''Sure. When?'' He asked, sensing something was going on, something serious. Blair just left to go to the restroom. What could happen in these short few minutes that she was gone?
''Now.''
''Now?'' He repeated, his eyebrows shooting up. ''...Okay.''
''We're waiting for you there.''
''We?''
''Penelope and I.''
His lips set in frown immediately. He threw cautious glance towards Serena who gazed at him intently. ''Okay. Fine.''
He hung up.
His blond friend leaned her arms on the table, her elbow touching his. ''Who was that?''
''Nobody,'' He shrugged after moment of silence, playing with his phone absentmindedly. ''An old friend.''
''Who?'' She asked confused.
''You don't know them.''
Her laugh was loud and incredulous. ''Is there actually a friend of yours that we don't know?''
''That's none of your concern,'' He curtly replied and got up immediately. Her lips set together in thin line, frustration visible behind green orbs.
''Apologies,'' Blair ran over to them. Her gaze was focused solely on purse and her own hands. ''I have to go.''
''Don't you have another class?'' Chuck furrowed his brows, getting up to help her with her coat.
''I forgot I was supposed to meet my lawyer today,'' She brushed him off without looking or thanking him. Blair was still irritated by the fact he didn't mention his weekend plans; specifically Saturday night.
''Uh, I'm going too,'' Added Nate, raking his hair with hands.
Serena stared at him wearily, keeping her mouth shut.
''You too, Brutus?'' Chuck grumbled, absentmindedly stroking Blair's back. She shivered in pleasure and despite inner urges - stepped away. He grimaced immediately, but didn't remark anything.
''Yeah, sorry. I have to meet with a friend. With one who called. Just earlier now.''
He left promptly and Blair gave herself few moments to plant a swift kiss on Chuck's cheek. His lips were left expectantly parted and untouched, his dark eyes following her retreating figure.
Penelope groaned as she slammed doors of Starbucks, her eyes welling up with fresh tears.
''He treats me like a whore!'' she roared angrily as she caught up with Blair who was just heading home.
Obviously, Nate's reaction wasn't what she had expected. Her glare was accusing, every now and then fleeting back to entrance to Starbucks. ''I want him to do something, to say something! But he sits there like a dumb idiot!''
Blair rolled her eyes at the theatrics, introduction to raging hormones of pregnant adolescents not very pleasant. Nate had always been kind of dumb and she was just seeing it? Crossing her arms, she let the tantrum flow freely.
''Are you going to go back and talk to him?'' Asked Penelope, eyes going wide and hopeful. After a moment of hesitation, her expression soon turned pathetic, her voice small. ''Talk to him. Tell him I'm sick. Maybe he'll feel bad.''
She sniffled, her eyes focusing on Blair. They were clear and full of fear now, but hope was not completely extinguished. ''I have to know what he thinks. What should we do? I know you don't want to interfere, but you're all I've got. You're all we've got. Please.''
Blair look at her with silent triumph, feeling her own attitude and mood improve with more control that grew inside her grasp. She wanted to be Chuck's silent champion, just like he was her's. Blair wanted to repay his undisclosed good with another matching good. He deserved it.
''I'll do it tonight. For now, let Nate come to his senses.''
Nate stared at bright screen of laptop, the assignment sheet blank and untouched. He couldn't feel his muscles. He felt stiff and sore from sitting in Bass dining room all afternoon and evening, avoiding his best friends' eyes. They typed away, discussing the project, demanding his opinion.
His words were automatic, his movements unconscious. He felt like today was a movie he once watched, but didn't particularly enjoy. It went as slowly as possible, without having option to pause or fast-forward. It was a torture.
His phone rang, Blair's ID flashing on screen.
Slowly and very silently, not to attract any unwanted attention, he rose from the table and went in the kitchen to talk.
''How's baby daddy?''
He sighed tiredly, looking back at the table and catching Serena staring at him. Shiver ran down his spine at the look she was giving him. He felt bare, exposed. Guilty. The dream he had about them was getting further away, leaving him alone and painfully awake. Nate turned his back to her and answered
''Really funny.''
''Just lightening the mood,'' Blair sang on the other line. ''Listen, I can only imagine what you're going through. Trust me, Penelope is having it worse. She's a mess.''
''I can assume,'' He replied shortly. ''What does she want?''
''Not much, for you to drop the attitude.''
His attitude? So she was to blame, as if Penelope didn't lie to him? Nate was furious. His whisper turned biter, his eyes completely blind to approaching Serena. ''She told me she was on a pill! She was supposed to be using it, Blair!''
''If you didn't trust her,'' She countered back, finding the logic faulty and immature - regardless that it happened to be in defense of her treacherous friend. ''You could have been using it too.''
After a frustrating exhale, Nate nodded sulkily, realizing she was right. As he did so, corner of his eye caught someone. He turned around hastily, only to face suspicious Serena. He quickly spoke to phone, panic overwhelming him. Did she hear anything?
''I'll call you later, okay?'' Without waiting for Blair's reply, he hung up.
It took all the cool he had in himself to turn around and, at that moment, he didn't have much to begin with.
''Who did you talk to?'' Serena asked, chewing on a pencil.
He shook his head and made a step to go back to dining room, but she blocked it.
''Serena,'' He replied with the same tone of voice, ''I was talking to an old friend.''
It was clear she didn't buy it.
''I'm here killing myself with work,'' Chuck's annoyed voice came out of the dining room. ''And you two are chit-chatting. Not on my shift. Get back to work.''
Nate sighed very slowly, careful not to make it a sign of relaxation or repose. Serena still warily watched him.
''To make the matters worse,'' Chuck continued, his eyes darkening. He gave the laptop evil eye as if it had any part in the misfortune that had befallen him. ''Blair's phone has been busy all night. Who is she talking to?''
''Good morning,'' Chirped Blair, sipping hot chocolate in remote café far from campus, looking at the fog crawling on the Manhattan streets outside.
''Good morning beautiful,'' Replied Chuck in his most seductive morning voice. There was a ruffle on his side of the line as he turned over in bed. She imagined his messy hair sprawled on silk pillows, sleepy eyes and sloppy, but charming kisses he'd shower her with. ''Is my chatterbox up already?''
''What is that supposed to mean?'' She asked indignantly, fighting off the smile off her face.
''I called you last night. Several times actually, the line was busy.''
''Oh,'' She played with cup of steaming liquid in front of her. She'd been on the phone talking to either Nate or Penelope, playing the middle man in current drama. She figured saying half of truth was better that hiding whole of it. ''I was talking to Penelope.''
''Everything okay between you too?'' Chuck inquired and she nodded, though he couldn't see her. ''I have class at 11 and I know for a fact that you have one at half past 10. Yes, I know what you're thinking. I am utterly pathetic for knowing my girlfriend's schedule by heart. Utterly, pathetically infatuated with you.''
She grinned, glad that he couldn't see her because blush that adorned her cheeks was too embarrassing for mature sophisticated student she thought herself to be. Saturday night was forgotten, she was adoring him more with each day, resolved to be his hero in one matter at least.
''I'm picking you up, right?''
''No,'' She replied somberly, all the humor gone. Iron fist clenched around her heart as she had to force another lie out of her lips. ''My father is still sick, I'll just go straight to class.'' Her doe-like eyes caught the sight of Nate as he got closer and sat opposite of her, looking wistfully at third empty seat. ''I have to go, Chuck.''
There was a pause where powerful words of affection rose up to her throat, but she closed her eyes and forced them down. ''I'll see you later.''
Hanging up, she opened them and focused on Nate.
''She didn't come?'' He asked, thoroughly annoyed. ''She thinks she's punishing me.''
''Nate,'' Her eyes flashed in warning. Last night, she realized how broken Penelope was. Some part of her thought how she deserved it, but the other part recoiled in pity, thinking how glad she was not to be in her place. It only strengthened her resolve to help her. There was something in tragedies of our friends that makes one feel fortunate and charitable.
''What am I supposed to do Blair?'' He asked in hush, leaning over his drink toward her. ''It's barely 8 am and I already called her fifty times today. She didn't even bother to pick up. I told her I'll do whatever I can do. What else does she want?''
''Can you blame her?''
''Let one thing be clear,'' He warned, gripping the wooden ends of the table. ''I never forced her to do anything. Penelope never did anything that she didn't want to do.''
His phone rang, interrupting them. Serena's ID flashed on the screen. Without hesitation, he ignored the call.
''Blair,'' He turned dead-serious. ''Get her to come. It's going to be taken care of today. Here.''
Serena dialed his number again just as the bell signaled end of class. She filed out on the hall and he rejected the call once again. Sighing in frustration, she turned to Chuck, ''Where's Nate?''
''No idea,'' He casually fixed his maroon bow-tie, unbothered. ''I haven't talked to him yet.''
''Okay, but where's Blair?''
She knew they didn't come together which was a complete surprise. He always picked her up earlier to spend time together before class. Not today.
''Her dad is sick,'' Despite the casual tone of voice, line between brows deepened and creased. ''She said she'd go straight to class. Why?''
''Why is Blair coming from outside,'' Serena looked pointedly at the end of the hall, the figure in question walking towards them with high head. ''If you said she's having class?''
''Didn't you have class?'' His arm encircled Blair's waist as she came and he kissed the top of her head.
''I did,'' She said airily, ''But I had a lady emergency.''
''Oh.'' He mouthed, glaring at Serena above Blair's head.
''Oh?'' Exclaimed Serena with dubious tone which did not escape Blair, and suspicious eyes which Chuck pointedly ignored. ''Really now.''
''Hey,'' Nate joined them.
Blair noted with suppressed eye roll how stiff his posture was, awkward and nervous. She wished he could get it together. He drove her to campus and they were smart enough to come separately. Serena was too clever not to notice these conspicuous things. Smallest slip-up could cost them everything. After all, they swore to Penelope secrecy.
''Good,'' Blond taunted, looking the newcomers with strange glint in eyes. ''Now we're all here.''
Later on, when Blair was done with her class, she found Nate waiting for her in the hall. Girls saw him, admiring his boyish charm and giggling as they passed by.
''Blair,'' He approached her, quite oblivious to the attention. He was still very nervous and tired-looking.''Did you call Penelope?''
''No,'' She admired the way he handled the situation. He wasn't brave, but he was persistent to take care of it. ''Her phone is off. Just a second,'' Blair turned on her own phone and saw she had an incoming message. ''She sent me a text.''
''What does it say?'' He asked impatiently, biting his lower lip.
''She agrees that you two meet to discuss it, but not alone.''
Their eyes met in silent harmony only two souls sharing the same secret could conjure up.
''I need you again,'' He said softly, looking at her with mix of sadness and gratefulness. They were too absorbed in the matter to notice Serena rounding the corner and pausing at the sight of them. Hall was empty except for the duo. She hastily retreated back few steps, hiding well enough to see and hear what they say perfectly.
''Where do you want to meet?'' She heard Blair ask and the question and it felt like acid thrown in her face. Nate had been acting odd these past few days and Blair was even more secretive than usual. Was there a link between these two occurrences? She grimaced at the internal turmoil, gripping the cold wall for support.
''Where we met last time?''
''I'll be there.''
They were sneaking around together and it had already happened? First Penelope and now Blair?
They've been friends for years when she started feeling something more for Nate. But then she found out about Penelope and all her feelings were cruelly squashed. Serena had been angry at him ever since, but thought her resentment begin to subside. She could have forgiven him Penelope eventually, but Blair?
''Wait for me at the back entrance to pick you up. If that's okay?''
She would never be able to forgive him Blair.
''That's perfect,'' Brunette nodded and couple parted, leaving in opposite directions. Serena waited, rooted to spot, until they left. Her heels were loud against the marbled floor on her way to see Chuck. For some reason, tears kept springing in her eyes, but she wiped them off quickly. There was no reason for her to cry. Chuck was the one to spill river of regret and shame for dating this kind of girl. Best friend and a girlfriend. How classic.
Five minutes later and they were in his limo. He wouldn't have come, but something in Serena's eyes disturbed him. She reeked of suppressed desperation. It wasn't look that he ever saw in her before and it put him off enough that he actually went along. ''Are you going to tell me what's going on?''
''Where's Blair?'' Her voice was indifferent as she looked out the window at the dull gray day. How ugly that day was. Thin snowflakes drifted through smog only to land and melt in dirt of pavement.
''Let me consult my GPS system I hid in all of her headbands,'' He replied sarcastically, setting his jaw. ''What's going on, Serena? If you're going to drag me to a stake out, at least have the decency to have the champagne ready.''
''Park right there,'' Serena called out to the chauffeur. ''Thank you.''
''Why are we stopping here?'' Chuck eyed the residential buildings of Upper West Side with disdain. ''Are you planning to make a terrible investment?''
Serena pointed to a nearby café without looking at him. ''Look who's inside.''
Chuck followed her glance. Past wide paneled windows, inside a quiet desolate place, sat Blair and Nate. They seemed to be leaned over table, engaged in a conversation. Chuck's eyes darkened immediately.
''Call Blair.''
Despite Serena's even tone, he could plainly see a dangerous glint in her eyes. Did she know something he didn't?
''Why should I?'' He looked away from the scene, mouth set in thin line. For some reason, he didn't want to know the details of this rendezvous. Still, thousands of questions ate away at his soul. People often got hints from providence about important matters in life and would be well off to bide them, but most often they do not - out of fear of the truth.
Chuck slowly turned to look at her, their eyes clashing in silent ferocity.
Chuck and Serena stared at each other, a mute discussion between their eyes.
Maybe they just met accidentally and decided to have coffee together, he seemed to say.
But then again, what could Nate and Blair possibly have to talk about - privately?, her green orbs countered.
They were never close, not even as she became a part of their group. She was always with Chuck and everyone else got the privilege of small talk, nothing else. What changed?
Clenching his jaw, he took the phone out and dialed Blair's number. He saw her frown when she saw caller's ID and ice, as cold as heart of the winter, washed over him.
''Where are you?'' He asked calmly, despite his heart thrashing violently.
''I got out,'' She replied airily. He watched her teeth play with bottom lip, her fingers delicately framing the phone. He regarded her with great deal of admiration and anxiety. ''I'm in hotel, working.''
He didn't know what he'd expect. An invitation for him to join them? The lie was studious and dangerous. It petrified him. Everything came crashing down at once. For a moment, he was speechless.
''Listen,'' She said with that tone of voice she used when Blair didn't want to talk. Lately, he became very familiar with that tone. ''I have to go. Can I talk to you later?''
''She said she's at the hotel?'' Serena shook her head as they hung up. ''Wait, I'll call Nate and ask where he is. Actually, better yet, let me go and ask him myself-.''
She grabbed the handle furiously when his firm grip stopped her. ''No.''
His voice was thick, yet deep and commanding. Serena looked into his eyes and saw something that made her pull her hand back immediately and sit quietly.
''Let's go Arthur,'' He ordered, picture of perfect composure. Despite the ice in his voice, there was terrible burning fire in his eyes.