AN: girl-at-home13 you make me want to carry on writing this fic. You're amazing and brilliant!

Disclaimer: I'm disclaiming!

EPISODE STILLS AND OUTFITS SEARCH ME UP ON PINTEREST AND CLICK EPISODE 2 BOARD: manhattanapple

SONG FOR CHAPTER: Pet Mouse - A Great Big Pile of Leaves

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Sunday morning was perfect in a stereotypical way: Waking up to the delightful chime of my coffee brewer finishing the work that God put it on this earth to do was magical. Wrapping my dressing gown around me and slipping on a pair of snug slippers, I practically skip to the kitchenette and gleefully pour myself a generous amount of the caffeine.

Last night had been surprisingly fun after I had ditched poor, old Chuck. I introduced Jenny to some of the nicer Upper East Siders to make up for taking the Bass away from her. When I became content with her progress on the social radar, I slinked off to find Blair, who was pouting. However, she never told me what was wrong, instead she chose to pretend like she'd never been upset: Dancing with me and laughing at the moves I throw out-which were positively embarrassing but I was too high on life to give two ounces of a shit.

Now, chilling with a mug in my hands and nothing else to do but relax, I wouldn't be surprised if I was named the living embodiment of the word 'Lethargic'.

Taking my sweet time to shower and get ready, I didn't even care about the time that the clock read- I had nowhere to be.

But then, out of the blue, Blair decides to text- and knowing Blair, the message won't be an invitation to catch up. A Waldorf never does anything without an agenda.

Be thankful of my natural talents for I have scored you an invitation to the Bass Brunch. Be at the palace for 11, thank you! –B

And what will you do if I don't? –E

You don't want to know, but it will be something sticky. –B

Groaning, I check the clock for the first time today (which seems like bitter defeat). 10:40. Thanks for the warning, B.

Quickly slipping off my dressing gown, I'm thankful that I've done my hair and make-up as I reach for a Jean, fitted, buttoned up dress and my white converses. Changing at the speed of light, I proceed to pack my patchwork messenger bag (which has kind of become my signature accessory) with keys, my phone, my purse and my leather jacket.

10:45.

I sprint out of the loft, not even bothering to lock up the place. As I turn the corner and into the stair way at least 30 mph I hit what feels like a brick wall. On collision I bounce backwards and prepare for my fall but it never comes. In a weird, cliché, every teen movie in history kind-of-way, rough hands have stopped me from face planting. Opening my tightly shut eyes, a stocky, blonde man-child stands before me. Noticing how attractive he is, I rush to stand upright, in the process completely forgetting that I need to be somewhere.

"Oh crap!" I exclaim, partly because I bumped into someone and partly because I've never seen anyone so pretty. "I'm sorry, I didn't see where I was going."

The pretty stranger smiles, showing large, white teeth. His teeth are so pretty. "No, it was my fault, I should've watched where I was going." He holds out his hand, "I'm Max."

I grasp it eagerly. "Evie."

Max falters, "Evie Elma from 2B?" I worry that he knows my name and where I live… can this incredibly pretty boy be my stalker? And if so, is that really a bad thing?

"Yeah, how'd you know?" Max reaches around to the back pocket of his ripped jeans, and brings it back with envelopes.

"I've got your mail, was coming down here to give it to you. Lucky I caught you."

Thankful that he isn't a freak, I send a prayer up to heaven, thanking me for this opportunity.

"Thanks, but I don't think I've seen you around. Do you live here?" I ask taking the envelopes, being sure to brush his hand in he process.

"Just moved in upstairs, 3B."

"Well, welcome to the building I suppose." I hope he doesn't notice how giddy I am over the prospect of my mail being wrongly delivered to his door in the future.

"Thanks…" Max's pretty lips pulls up into a smirk as a thoughtful expression comes over his face. "I was, uh, actually planning on having a small loft-warming on Friday so-"

"-Be aware of the noise? Got it, I'll make myself sparse." He chuckles and the noise is throaty and all-masculine.

"Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to come: You seem cool." I'm cool! "It will just be a couple of friends and my band mates."

"You're in a band." It wasn't a question but more like a statement of disbelief. This all just seemed too good to be true.

"Small time. Trying to make it."

"Well, I'll make sure I come check it out."

"You should."

There is a time in every girl's life where she question how real the world around her actually is. This is that time. This morning had been so perfect that I expect Chuck to jump out from behind a corner and shout, "You just got Punk'd!" announcing that he'd hired pretty Max as part of his game.

Speaking of Chuck.

"Shit." 11:05. "I'm really sorry, I've got to go, it was nice meeting you." I skip around him and start descending the staircase, leaving the pretty, flannel and ripped jeans wearing, boy to look back at me.

"It was nice meeting you too!" He calls as I start on the next flight of stairs. As I hit the sidewalk at a run, I'm thankful that the first taxi I hail picks me up. I slide in and tell him the address.

As I sit and wait for the lights to change, a feeling of apprehension washes over me. This morning could not have gone any better, and I've read enough Young Adult novels to know that this is when shit hits the fan. As if by magic, my phone goes off.

It looks like the table's all set at The Palace. As soon as the guests arrive, we can start dishing. And it looks like Blair and Chuck have a large appetite- for scheming that is.

Xoxo Gossip Girl

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There is no doubt that Bart Bass knows how to throw an impressive shindig. The hall was decorated with whites and greys, the only color (apart from the guests' attire) being the heaps of perfectly prepared food. Fruits and vegetables and carvery and salads adorned a long table, which already had a long line of guests waiting for their turn at the pickings.

The room was abuzz with hearty conversation, some pleasure and some business, and on a table near the back of the room seated Blair, Nate, Chuck, Kati and Is. An empty chair was waiting.

Picking up a glass of champagne from a nearly-naked-living-statue, I head for the table. Taking my seat between Kati and Is, I smile in greeting, my eyes landing on Chuck for longer that they had the others: I was checking to see if I could find any evidence that he was behind my perfect, novel-worthy morning- the thought was ridiculous but with Chuck Bass you can never be too careful.

"Morning, Evie. Don't you look particularly chipper." Chuck says, leaning back in his chair with a scotch in his hand. Was it me being overly paranoid or did he know something?

"I suppose I had an interesting morning." I shoot a look at Blair, signaling that we needed to talk.

"I know that look! You met a guy, didn't you?" Blair squeals in excitement. "Tell me everything!" Or we could just talk now.

"Well, it was nothing absolutely noteworthy. I just bumped into a pretty guy who just moved into my building."

"Oh no." Kati gasps theatrically.

"What is it?" Asks Nate, laughing at her dramatics.

"Whenever Evie describes someone as 'pretty' it means that she sleeps with them within the month."

"It's he definition of classy." Blair doesn't mean to sound bitchy but she has high standards when it comes to sex and has never liked the way Serena and I didn't care about doing the deed with someone special. Chuck chokes on his scotch, coughing and gasping as he tries to catch his breath.

"That is not true!" I shout at the same time that Chuck asks eagerly, "What does she say about me?"

The table bursts out laughing and I can't help but join in when I throw my napkin at Chuck playfully and a jokey pout forms on his lips.

Unfortunately, in NYC, good things don't tend to stick. The laughter abruptly stops when Blair growls.

"You've got to be kidding." I turn to identify the object of Blair's glare to find Serena and some guy standing at the entry looking as awkward and out of place as an accountant in an art class.

"This should be fun." Chuck smiles as he watches the pair. I shoot him a 'don't start' look and receive a wink in return. "Come walk with me." It wasn't a question, I could tell he had something to say, so I get up and begin to follow him around the room.

"What is it Chuck?" He wraps an arm around my waist loosely, and I let him- and that's only because I want him to tell me why B reacted the way she did to S and not because it made me all tingly inside.

"I think there is something you should know." He whispers in my ear. I begin to worry, when Chuck has to tell me something in private, I know it's going to come as a shock.

"Out with it then." Chuck pulls me behind a marble column and away from prying eyes.

"At the Sheppard wedding," something in my throat catches and for a split second I thought I was going to puke- I never want that day mentioned again. "Nate and Serena may have got busy on an empty bar." The relief that washes over me is quickly replaced by a mix of anger and pity.

"What?! Does Blair know?"

"Nate told her before Kiss on the Lips but this is my favorite bit," He takes another swig of scotch to build the suspense. "Nate is in love with Serena."

"No!" I gasp. How can that prick lead Blair on like this? "We have to do something."

"Already taken care of, Angel." One of my eyebrows raise in suspicion, "I gave a key for my suite to Nate, telling him to use it to settle things with Serena, I also gave a key to Blair, telling her to use it to bed Nate once and for all."

"That's…" I want to shout at him for doing something so manipulative yet nothing but the weird sense of regard for Chuck's brilliant scheming comes to mind, "Actually, that's pretty clever, Chuck."

He smiles deviously, "Did I just hear you say 'pretty' and 'Chuck' in the same sentence? Are you sure you don't want a key to my room?"

"Don't ruin this moment Bass." I reply with a condescending lilt.

"So you admit we're having a moment. I think I'm warming on you, Evie." A genuine laugh escapes my lips and I'm surprised that it's not sarcastic. Are we flirting, right now? His arm snakes around my waist again and he leans in.

"When did you think it was okay to touch me so much, Bass?" I whisper, worried that someone might spot us and get the wrong idea: there is definitely nothing, nothing, going on between us. Right?

"Since you walked in looking like that." He whispers back, pushing my back against the column. Chuck plays with the top button of my dress as he uses his other hand to stroke my waist. I could feel myself being lulled into a false sense of security. Heat was spreading to the places where Chuck's hands wandered and my mind went foggy. The scent of scotch, deodorant and aftershave washes over me and I feel myself relax. For some unholy reason, this (whatever the fuck 'this' is) felt right. All thoughts of pretty band members, brunch and Blair and Serena's imminent show down left my mind and all that was left were Chuck's… pretty eyes. That is until his crotch vibrates.

"Chuck," I whisper, coming out of my little head fuck that I instantly decide never to dwell on again, "Please tell me that's your phone."

He sighs and reaches into his pocket, pulling out his expensive mobile. As he reads the screen a grin progressively makes its way onto his lips.

"Showtime." He says simply, giving me the phone to read and pulling me by my arm back towards the party.

I look down and read the e-blast:

Spotted: N and B hot and heavy in the halls of The Palace Hotel, only to find S already waiting. Sparks were flying for sure but will it be a 3-way or D-Day? Stay tuned.

Xoxo Gossip Girl.

As we come back to the center of the room, we find Nate and Serena running through the doors, looking heated in conversation. I scan around for Blair and find her talking to the guy that came in with Serena.

"Who is that? I've seen him around with Serena."

"Dan Humphrey. Serena's new plaything, he's not that shiny though."

"Jenny's brother?"

"Who's Jenny?" I scoff but I can't be all that surprised that Chuck forgot the person he was interested in for all of 30 seconds.

"Doesn't matter." We walk up to them just as Nate and Serena does.

"Serena, there you are." Dan says, looking relieved to find someone that he's relatively comfortable with, but by the expression on Blair's face, she's looking to change that. "Uh, where were you?"

"She was waiting in a hotel room for my boyfriend." Answers Blair sweetly before Serena can get a lie in.

"To talk." Serena assures him.

"About why we weren't talking." Interjects Nate, looking a Blair for understanding and receiving nothing.

"Oh please, that doesn't sound any smarter the second time." Blair shakes her head at him, looking dejected.

"Why weren't you talking?" Dan asks, looking utterly confused at the whole situation. "Does this have anything to do with why you were waiting for Serena this morning?"

"-You were what?" Blair looks like shes about ready to cry so I reach over and grab her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"And here I thought you were waiting for me." Enter Chuck, looking almost proud of Nate- I glare at him, signaling for him to keep his mouth shut.

"What is going on here?" Dan looks around at all of us, desperately looking for some answers.

"We were just getting to that." Replies Blair, smiling again and looking positively over the moon.

Serena reaches for her but Blair shakes her head, "Blair, please, don't do this." Hearing Serena beg is new, ?ut all my sympathy for her has been lost, no matter what had happened between us.

"Sorry? Oh, do you wanna tell him?"

"I'll tell him." I say, ready to stand up for Blair. I may have been gone for a while but now I'm back and I'm not going anywhere.

"You know?" Asks Blair and Nate, shocked.

"Chuck told me." I reply simply, shrugging my shoulders as I don't think it mattered.

"I know everything." Adds Chuck, hands in his pockets looking relaxed as anything.

"And apparently I know nothing." Back to Dan- he's so whiny.

"Look, Dan, it- it was a long time ago, and I regret it." Serena steps towards him, trying to block out the rest of us as she attempts to salvage the situation. Not if we can help it.

"Look, Serena," Chuck begins, sounding almost sympathetic, "stop trying to pretend you're a good girl. So you slept with your best friend's boyfriend. I kind of admire you for it."

Silence falls over out little circle of drama as Dan swallows down the news.

"Is that true?" He looks to Serena, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from her.

"Well," Cuts in a scorned Blair, "Then she ran away and lied about it. I just thought you should know before you fall head over heels for your perfect girl and her perfect world and then get left all alone with no one but your cabbage patch kid."

"Cabbage patch?" I ask, stifling a laugh.

"Did you talk to my sister?"

"Ah yes, little Jenny…" I flip my head to Chuck: I thought he didn't remember her. "I do believe we have some unfinished business." He was baiting Dan, or at least I hoped there was no truth behind what he was saying (purely because I like Jenny and no other reason but that).

Dan takes a menacing step towards him, "You stay away from her."

"Poor Daniel. So little time, so many sluts to defend."

"Hey!" I shout, ready to smack Chuck, but Dan beats me to it, pushing Bass into a waiter that is sent flying to the floor. The raucous brings the attention of every single person in the room to Dan. And that's where Chuck and Blair wanted them to be all along.

"It's fine. It's fine. Everyone can stop looking." Dan sighs deeply, looking crushed, heartbroken and embarrassed at the same time. "He's a jerk…" Eyes swing to Chuck who is looking thoroughly pleased with himself, "But it's- it's my fault and I'm leaving." He starts to leave but Serena grabs his arm, stopping him.

"I'll go with you."

"Actually, I'd prefer if you didn't."

Nate turns on Blair whilst Serena looks longingly at the departure of Mr. Humphrey. "I hope you're happy."

"Not even close." The spite in Blair's voice made me want to hide and I'm not the one she's angry with. She runs off, followed by Nate. Leaving me and Chuck alone, he comes over and leans over my shoulder as I stare at Blair's fleeting form, worried for my friend.

"Look's like it's just you and me." I angrily look at him, still mad at what he said about Jenny. "I guess my room's available if you want to tell me how pretty I am."

"I'd rather slam my tongue into a car door." I reply, elbowing him in the stomach and strutting off. I can't believe I thought his eyes were pretty. There's nothing to him but cold, manipulative, childish behavior and I'll never see him as any different. No matter how good he smells.

Some might call this a "Fustercluck," but on the Upper East Side, we call it a Sunday Afternoon.

Well, Serena's mystery man is a mystery no longer. His name is… oh, who cares? Now that he and S are over, so are his 15 minutes. But his siser Jenny was spotter with a new dress… gifted from Blair herself. Everyone knows an Eleanor original is the uniform of B's private army. But will J be a loyal soldier, will she side with S' rebel forces, who left today's brunch with no friends and no boyfriend, or completely give up on the crown like our reformed E? And speaking of Evie, we heard that she got a close up and personal with a marble column, or as he prefers to be called, Chuck. You've been warned, E. Now all the mistakes are on you.

You know you love me.

Xoxo Gossip Girl