AN: I'm desperate to get this episode done but I keep looking at my word count and thinking 'Holy shit, even I don't want to read more than this'. So the Kiss on the Lips party will be up either tonight or tomorrow and then I'm gonna work on shortening episodes because boy!
Disclaimer: I'm disclaiming!
EPISODE OUTFITS AND PICTURES ON MY PINTEREST: manhattanapple
SONG FOR CHAPTER: Knee Socks- Arctic Monkeys
Shout out to that one reviewer (Guest). Wanna be best friends? Call me up.
Monday morning and the ringing of an alarm clock going off was such a foreign sound that I ignored it for over half an hour until the room above made a raucous over it. I lazily roll out of bed, smacking the snooze button of the clock as I go.
Last night had dragged on.
Leaving as little room as possible to be questioned on Italy, Blair and I spent the whole of last night catching up on her life; Nate and her were going okay, but she's nervous about his feelings for her now that Serena is back; her dad left her mom for a young male model (which I wasn't surprised about considering Harold was the one who taught me how to walk in heels); Blair had a new pet bitch- Jenny Humphrey, who's poor soul was being ordered to do over one hundred invitations for the Kiss on the Lips party; and finally, Serena van der Woodsen disappeared after the Sheppard's wedding. No one knew where she was until Lilly had told us she'd gone to a boarding school. That part was probably the most surprising part: the thought of Serena van der Woodsen all prim and proper in a posh school, was an uncomfortable image. Conversation over our third musketeer lasted until ten, meaning that by the time that I got home and managed to fall asleep it was close to one.
Now, at seven-thirty, I'm crawling over to the clothes rack. I pull a shirt and a custom made pencil skirt, the pattern exactly like the one on the Constance uniform, off of a hanger and fling them on the floor next to me. I rummage in the drawers until I can find a pair of thigh high black socks and a school tie that I knot around the strap of my messenger bag.
Due to the late rising, I miss the shower and go straight for the coffee, which I chug down in order to ensure my awareness for the day ahead. After applying a decent amount of make-up, I tie my bed-head hair into a loose, high ponytail and grab the house keys before setting off to catch the bus to school.
Seeing as I was living in Brooklyn and trying to live a normal-enough life, the bus to St. Judes was the safest bet to getting to Constance on time besides a town car. Letting my building's door shut behind me, I spy the grey, bleak bus coming around the corner- thankfully the bus stop was just outside my building so I still had time to put my ear buds in and find the right track before the doors of the bus opened with a whoosh.
The public transport was crowded full of middle-class workers, St. Judes' boys and a few Constance girls who either were thinking the same way as me or just took this bus to stare longingly at Nate Archibald who sat next to his infamous best friend not three meters away from me. As soon as I notice the pair, I put my back to them, hoping they don't spot me. When they don't, I want to punch the air in celebration of my narrow escape. The conversation with Chuck yesterday had put me on edge and I really didn't want start the semester with a dark cloud so I keep telling myself to 'lie low' and 'Stay away from obsessive girls with camera phones'. So far it had worked, but it was only Monday.
"Serena and Evie looked effing hot last night." Okay, gross. My name rolling of the tongue of Bass not only turned my stomach but gained my attention. Turning my music down, I strain my ears to listen to two of my friends gossip like teenage girls. "And I'm not just saying that because any Upper East Side girl that can pull off jeans like they did, definitely deserves my attention." I stifle a laugh when I can practically feel Nate's eyes roll to the back of his head.
"What are you talking about Chuck?"
"There's something wrong with that level of perfection. It needs to be violated, exploited. You can't be beautiful and an angel."
"You are deeply disturbed."
"And yet, you know I'm right." I scoff loudly, not entirely believing that I'm hearing the words that are coming out of his big mouth. "You're telling me if you had the chance-"
"I have a girlfriend."
"You guys have been dating since kindergarten and you haven't sealed the deal." Chuck sounded utterly disappointed in his right hand man. It was getting hard to keep the laughter in.
"Who says, 'Seal the deal'?"
Chuck's chuckle is drowned out by the bus screeching to a halt outside St. Judes. Making sure they don't spot me, I jump off the vehicle first and head towards Constance, praying that the day proceeds as smoothly as Blair's low-fat yogurt.
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Spotted on the steps of the MET: An S and B power struggle. Did S think she could waltz home, and things would be just like they were? Did B think S would go down without a fight? Will poor, little E have to choose sides? Or can these two hotties work it out?
There is nothing Gossip Girl loves more than a good catfight, and this could be a classic.
Xoxo Gossip Girl
I groan when I finish reading the post. It was only lunchtime for god sakes, I scream to myself, dumping my salad pot into the trash can with an unneeded force. Texting Blair furiously, I demand to know what went down. Despite trying to stay under the radar, they were both my friends (Serena, only just, mind you) and them arguing just meant trouble for me.
This certainly wasn't what I had planned when I came back for school. Hell, my wish was to completely ignore all of them and the shit that they carried around in leather satchels and designer purses. I guess it's my fault for thinking I could drop the life that I've been living for the past sixteen years and expect the life to drop me too.
My hand vibrates as Blair's reply comes through:
Tell you the details later. BTW you're coming to the Kiss on the Lips party on Saturday. I'm not taking no for an answer. –B
I can smell your schemes from School. What are you up to? Actually, I don't want to know. Just don't include me. –E
A few minutes pass by as I wait for her reply, using the time to grab books from my locker and make my way to Civil History. My phone buzzes as soon as I sit at my desk:
Too late. Love you so much Evie, I.O.U. –B
Kati walks in, taking a seat behind me and inquisitively wondering what I'm glaring at intensely.
"What's that?" She asks, gesturing with a finely polished nail to the message on my phone.
"Blair's death sentence."
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The department store's lights were blinding as the artificial rays reflected off of the pristine marble floors and white walls. I was too tired to be standing in front of a mirror trying to find a dress that was not only in my price range, but could also fit nicely around my excess holiday weight.
I'd picked up five different ones, all with the same colour scheme (black) and none of them sat right over my barely there chest.
In the middle of frowning as I try to adjust a black sequined body-con, pulling and twisting, hoping that it would miraculously change into the perfect fit, a small blonde head peeps into the mirror, smiling kindly up at me. I stop and glare, not meaning to be rude but just my mood bringing out the worst in me- I didn't even want to go to this stupid party, who the hell calls a party 'Kiss on the Lips'? Bleh.
"Evie, right?" Her cute little voice completely matches her cute little appearance and I bet she had nothing but a cute personality and cute intentions. Again, bleh. "Need some help? I'm Jenny."
"Humphrey?" I don't know why I was surprised, maybe because I think of lumpy people that look like eggs and are morbidly obese when I hear the name 'Humphrey'. She nods enthusiastically, pleased that I know who she is. "So you're Blair's new prodigy?"
A gleeful smile passes over Jenny's lips, "Um… I don't know- Well I- I was just doing invitations for the party on Saturday." Her eyebrows flash upwards as she speaks and she lunges for, what I assume to be, her purse. She pulls out a pink envelope with my name in such an exquisite font that it would put the medieval monks to shame. "And here's yours! Blair said that you were coming."
Ripping it from her grasp in annoyance, I shove the envelope in my school bag and take out my phone. "I bet she did." I murmur with gritted teeth.
Your new lackey is here… did you send her? –E
I hated being so rude about Jenny, but my day hadn't been the best. Starting late was just the thing to start my progression into sourness, then there was having to listen to Chuck being… well, Chuck. Then being forced to come to this stupid party to keep Blair happy and not being able to find a stupid dress was the cherry on the cake of Bad Mood.
No, but use her! She wants to work in fashion, and she's got hope. But don't tell her I said that. -B
Turning back to her with a fake smile, I decide to put her to some use. "You look as though you know a thing or two about fashion." Her eyes sparkle at the compliment, "Tell me what to wear."
Jenny began looking around immediately, all I had to do was slip off the dress I had been wearing. It wasn't long before she came back, looking proud of her find. In her arms was a red skater dress with a scoop neckline that helped make my breasts more visible. The waist was tightened just above my abdomen, making me look as though I have curves and also hiding my lunchtime food baby- at least I know that I can eat before the party. Despite the fact that the colour wasn't something that I'd immediately choose, I was just over the moon that it fits.
"Nice job, Jenny." I smile at her, this time genuinely: she really was sweet, but she just needed to learn when she should or shouldn't approach me. Glancing down at her uniform, I notice that she hasn't tried anything on yet. "What about you? What are you going to wear?"
Blushing, she looks towards a pretty, red, strapless dress that hangs loosely from the bust-downwards. "Oh, um, I haven't really decided yet."
"Try it on." I demand, shoving her playfully towards the dress. Jenny squeals in excitement and grabs it off the rack, skipping off to the changing room. I laugh, watching her perky form go. I'd never admit this to Blair, but I'm kind of, barely, having fun.
I wait until she walks out, straightening the dress, nervously. She looks up at me, unsure, "I'm not sure… what do you think?" Biting my lip, I realise that she looks good- more than good.
"It looks stunning," her white teeth sparkle as she basks in the praise, "but it would look better in black."
{}
The Palace bar is every bit as sophisticated as you would expect from a hotel named 'The Palace'. What isn't so sophisticated is the blonde that's downing a martini alone.
Serena caught my eye as I walked in. I had hoped to find her and B hashing things out, but from the empty glass in her hand, I fear the worst.
Taking a seat next to her, I finish off the drink: partly to prevent her from consuming anymore alcohol and partly because it had been a rough day. Her golden mane flips round as she stares at me through half-closed, halfway-to-drunk eyes.
"Evie." She whispers as though us two being alone was a secret that can only be discussed between the included parties.
"Hey S."
"Evie…" She repeats, rubbing her forehead as though that would make her world stop spinning. I almost feel sorry for her: there is a reason why people do the things that they do and most the time the reason isn't their fault. "I'm so sorry." She chokes in her delivery and a breath catches in my throat. There is no denying that I miss her, or at least I miss the person that I grew up with.
A corner of my mouth lifts up in sympathy, "Let's get you home."
Five minutes, a cab call and a stumbling socialite later, I'm back at the bar and ordering my own drink.
Public self-pity isn't my forte, yet special occasions arise and one must seize opportunities. Nursing a Tiger beer between my cold palms, I hardly notice when Barney the Purple Dinosaur occupies the seat next to mine.
"I love this town." A groan reverberates in my throat as the husky voice of Chuck Bass swoops into my ear drums just like the alarm clock did this morning. Unfortunately, this time, there is no snooze button.
"Not right now, Chuck." I greet lamely, considering chugging the rest of my beer and heading for the exit.
"I'm going to have to tell my parents that the hotel they just bought is serving minors."
"Especially if they serve you." I retort, flicking my eyes to his groin, making sure he knows exactly what I mean by 'minor'.
He exhales deeply, his infuriating smirk still hanging off his face. "I love it when you talk dirty."
"How about when I talk with words like 'Goodbye' or 'Go to Hell'?"
"I've missed your hurtful wit, Evie."
"I've missed your…" I take a second to deliberate, "Actually, I can't say I've missed anything of yours."
"That's because you haven't yet tried anything of mine worth having." A laugh escapes my lips as the blatant come on leaves his. "So, let's catch up. Take our clothes off, tell each other our secrets."
"And then what? Braid each other's hair and talk about boys?" He laughs heartily, "Yeah, I think I'm just going to get a bite to eat."
I begin to stand with the intention of finding a greasy burger van to gorge myself on, only I'm prevented by Chuck saying the words that every girl like me wants to hear.
"The Palace does an exquisite bacon cheeseburger if you're interested."
"My, my Chuck," I say, smiling down at him, "it looks like you're finally figuring out how to woo a girl properly."
Taking my arm, he ushers me into the kitchen, sitting me on a counter and ordering my burger.
As I longingly watch the rich meat sizzle on the fryer, Chuck stares at me but not with a slimy, pervy look but a curious one. There is a question on the tip of his tongue and I want to know what it is, damn whatever the question may be.
"Out with it Bass. I can't stand you watching me like a piranha any longer." Taking a step closer, Chuck situates himself on the opposite counter.
"It's nothing… just that, I don't get you." Snorting in derision, I look away from his intense brown eyes.
"You don't get me? Now there's a pick up line if there ever is one. Subtle though, I like it." Now it's his turn to snort.
"Don't flatter yourself, Angel." I frown at the old nickname he used to use. "I'm more interested in what's hiding in there," He nods to my brain, "than what's down there."
"How chivalrous of you." The words are said bluntly, but I can barely keep the nervous shake of my voice from coming out with them. He was getting too interested and if he inquires anymore I might even have to change my mind about where I'd like his attention to be.
"Order up!" Calls a chef and Chuck goes to collect. When his back is turned I let out a huge breath that I didn't even know I was holding. Why did I even agree to this burger? Damn you weak willpower for diner food!
Placing the burger in my hands, Chuck watches as I waste no time in taking a bite out of the succulent, juicy mountain of grease. I bet I look borderline animalistic as I devour the dish.
"This is so freaking good." I squeal with a mouth full of food.
"I'm glad that you like it just as much as I like watching you eat it."
"You're disgusting." I reply between bites.
"And you love it."
"So much."
"Your sarcasm brightens my day."
"Your presence darkens mine."
"Haha! Touché." Polishing off my burger, I push the plate away and stand to leave. Chuck mirrors my actions and backs me up against the counter, catching me unaware and by surprise.
"Hey Chuck, I appreciate the burger but I've got to get home. I'll get the next one, promise." If there even is a next one.
He frowns dramatically. "Just answer one question of mine and I'll let the burger slide, free of charge." I gulp down the lump in my throat and he takes my pause as a 'yes'. "Does Blair know what you and Serena got up to on the night before the wedding?"
Ice replaces my blood and everything suddenly feels incredibly cold. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, Angel, I think you do." He lightly brushes my throat with a finger, smirking wickedly.
"Get out of my way Chuck. I'm done with this conversation."
"Ah, but you see, I'm not."
Having enough, I smack his hand away roughly. "I don't give a shit. I'll see you at school. Thanks for the burger." I was anything but thankful as I made a swift beeline to the exit. I don't want to admit it but I was scared shitless. Did Chuck know what he was talking about, or was he taking a wild guess in hopes of getting under my skin? Either way it had worked.
Well done Chuck Bass, you are officially on my 'Be Nice Too and Watch Out For' list.
Spotted: Princess E fleeing The Palace as her not-so Prince Charming sits on his new information. We all know that C has had a thing for E's recklessness in the past, but now? Now, her secrets are the things that's making this game even more exciting for him.
What we're all asking, and what E is about to have nightmares over, is what C will ask for in return for his silence? And I don't think it will be a friendly hug.
Good luck on making him forget this one, E.
Xoxo Gossip Girl
