AN: I'm baaaaaaaack! This is kind of AU to the episode but isn't at the same time. And for the record, if anyone get's confused, just imagine that instead of going to save Nate form the poker game the next day, it all happened in the same night.
OUTFITS, OC'S AND STILLS ON MY PINTEREST: Manhattanapples
SONG FOR CHAPTER: Daylight- Matt & Kim
Big thank you to girl-at-home13, as always, if you haven't checked out her Chuck/OC story (though you probably have because it's awesome) then do it. And also to my reviewer, MysticDBRose17: Thank you very much! I am flattered that you are enjoying it, here is your update. ;)
Hey, Upper East Siders. There's nothing Gossip Girl likes more than a surprise, and we hear Blair Waldorf's got a 2-for-1 special- Her mom Eleanor, who just returned from Paris, and Serena van der Woodsen, brunch buddies.
Serena and Blair might have plans for the day, but Nate and Chuck are fully booked for the weekend… If they survive it.
Seems like someone's itinerary didn't leave room for interlopers. Doesn't Chuck know that a party isn't a party until someone crashes?
Xoxo Gossip Girl
My Saturday was looking to be a lonely one. Blair and Serena were off shopping in order to retain the friendship and closeness that they once had (they'd invited me, but more out of courtesy than actual want- I left them to it, not wanting to get in the way). And my only other friends were Nate and Chuck who were both off to the Lost Boy weekend or whatever is was called: I didn't even want to be invited to that.
Consequently, I had taken to my couch with my worn copy of 'Of Mice and Men' and a bunch of take-out menus that I had kept to the side for later.
Fully prepared to make this day fly by, I dived into the book, and didn't look up until a knock sounded at my door.
Dog-earing the page, I shuffle to open the door in my slippers, expecting the caller to be a mail courier. Instead, some blonde guy I vaguely recognise stands on the other side of the threshold, looking clean in his plaid shirt and jeans whilst I stand in my long pyjama t-shit and slippers. I stare blankly at the visitor, waiting for him to ask for a cup of sugar or some washing detergent. However, he stares right back, a smirk on his face.
"Can I help you?" I finally ask, becoming uncomfortable with this encounter.
He points a finger at his face, "Don't you remember me?" I blink, "Max. It's Max, you know, the guy you rudely barged into not four days ago."
Suddenly, the memory clicks into place and I feel my face going red, "Oh shit, right. I'm sorry, I-I remember now. What can I do for you Max?"
Max runs a rough hand through his hair, and looks me up and down nervously.
"Well, I noticed that you weren't at my house warming yesterday-"
"Oh, right, yeah. I completely forgot but next time I promise." I put a warm smile on my face, making sure that he knows that I meant what I said- I would've gone last night but I really did space after the whole Ivy/Serena thing.
"Well, maybe 'next time' could be tonight…" My head cocks to the side, curious at what he has to say and also amused at his obvious discomfort, "My friend's band is playing in Lower Brooklyn in this small dive named American Blues. I've got an extra ticket and no friends so I was wondering…?"
"If I would go with you?"
"That's only if you're into that kind of thing." Truthfully, I hadn't been to a lot of dive bars and even fewer concerts, but spending, what would've been, a lonely Saturday with a tub of Ben & Jerry's and The Notebook was much less appealing than spending it with a pretty boy at a cool bar.
"Sure, that sounds fun." Large, white teeth gleam as he smiles.
"Cool! I'll pick you up at eight?" I nod in agreement.
Sending me a wink, Max turns on his heel and practically skips away, just for my amusement. I'm still laughing as I go back to sit on my couch.
{}
By the time eight rolls around, I've pumped myself up for this gig. Not knowing what the appropriate attire is, I just put on; some light blue, jean shorts; a black strapless, crop top; a plaid blue shirt and some black combat boots. As I slept with by hair in a plait, I just allow my locks to fall around my shoulders.
I'm on the book's last chapter when Max picks me up, so I make him wait at the kitchen table whilst I finish. Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate the tears that would accompany the ending and made him wait another ten minutes whilst I dry my eyes, fix my make-up and compose myself. When I get back, he's taken to looking at the spines on the bookshelf.
"Impressive collection." Max comments, not taking his eyes from the rows of novels.
"You say that like it's a surprise…" He turns to me, and despite me smiling, looks incredibly apologetic, which is incredibly cute.
"Oh no! I didn't mean it like that. I only meant that, when I saw you first… you were all dressed up and I assumed-"
"You assumed that I was a spoilt socialite with no intellect that lived off of her parent's extreme wealth?" I laugh at the guilty look on his face, "You're half right… I'll explain on the way to the gig." Grabbing his rough hand, I drag him out of the building and into the brightly lit New York night.
{}
American Blues was the stereotypical bar that I thought it would be, plus a few unique characteristics.
Dimly lit, everything was made out of dark mahogany wood from the pool tables to the cup coasters. The barstools and booths were fitted with plush green velvet and the behind the bar was rows and rows of decorative glasses which, Max told me, had been collected by the owner from around the world. Considering I was still sixteen, and Max only twenty, we shouldn't have been allowed alcohol but I'd had a fake ID since I was fifteen and Max knew the owners, therefore it was easy enough for us to get a beer and make our way towards the back.
Apparently, Max's friend's band was quite well known among the Brooklyn Unsigned Music scene, as the place was packed with people who were all dancing to the pre-show music. The vibe in the bar was awesome and I quickly became comfortable with having full length conversations with Max, which pretty much always ended with me hurtling over in laughter- once you got him out of his comfort zone, Max was hilarious.
Three pints later and the band was introduced.
"The favourite thing about coming to these kind of things," Max had said when we first got here, "Is the pre-signed names that the musicians had come up with."
As it turns out, he was telling the truth: the line-up included God's Time Machine, Tattoo on My Pinkie Finger and Lampshade Paradise. All of which played songs with either incredibly long titles or ones with only one character (e.g. Lampshade Paradise began with the song 'Stuck in a Town with Only One Lighter and Too Many Cigars in My Denim Coat Pocket' and ended their set with '4?'). However, despite the stupid hipster names, my Saturday night couldn't have gone better. Laughing and dancing and singing replaced any other worrying thoughts I had. And once the alcohol had hit my system, even my phone ringing and vibrating non-stop in my pocket couldn't keep my hands off of Max's strong, butch arms that I had just noticed budging out of his grey Henley.
"I'm going to go get us another drink!" He shouts over the music. I nod and shut my eyes again, swaying my hips madly to the tune.
When my phone vibrates again, I frown, choosing to just text whoever it was to fuck off and worry me in the morning. I flip out my phone and open the most recent message:
NATE IS IN TROUBLE. 5 Star Banquet, Queens. I'll meet you there. –C
The thought of Nate being in any kind of trouble sobers me up in a second. When faced with the choice of staying in this amazing place with a guy that I might want to explore further relationships with or helping one of my closest friends- there isn't one.
Turning towards the bar, I spot Max coming back with a beer in each hand. I walk up to him, twisting and turning through the crowd. When he sees my determined expression, his smile falls slightly.
"I'm so sorry, something's come up and I need to go."
"Oh. Anything I can help you with?" I smile, warmed at his worry.
"No but I had a great time. If you ever have another extra ticket, come find me." Kissing him on the cheek, I don't wait for a reply as I run out of the bar, hailing a taxi and giving the address that Chuck gave me. Thankfully, it was only ten minutes away, I just hope that I'm not too late.
Spotted: Evie leaving her Brooklyn Baby before the night has ended, and we've got the intelligence to say that she's leaving them for Chuck. What happened to the 'No Girls Allowed' rule, C? Or can some rules be broken in order to win the game? Either way, we don't think that this Weekend will ever be a 'Lost' one.
You know you're predictable, E.
Xoxo Gossip Girl
Unlike American Blues, the place where the address took me didn't have the warm feel that came with the bar's dark atmosphere, instead, this place was just… well, dark. And sleazy.
Walking in, I saw Chuck looking into another room though a small window in the door.
"Chuck." I say, gaining his attention. He puts a finger to his lips, and I immediately quiet. Walking up behind him, I peep over his shoulder. "You made me leave my date to watch Nate play a card game?" I whisper in his ear, confused at why he said that this was an emergency.
Chuck's head turns and the expression on his face is an incredious and almost a derisive one. "Firstly, date? Who with?"
"Just some guy from my building… why?"
"No reason," I'm about to question him further when he rushes to change the subject, "And secondly, Carter Baizen-"
"Carter Baizen is here?!" My blood freezes and I feel sick to my stomach. My knees begin to buckle as I feel myself begin to have a panic attack. I grab onto Chuck's arm so that I'm steady, hoping that it appears as if I'm only doing this through shock.
"Yes, and he stole my watch and baseball." Chuck brushes off my little arm touch, "He was the one that invited Nate to this little game, and I have reason to believe that this is all about to go sour…"
We watch closely as Nate begins to look around nervously, as if catching on to the con that was taking place around him. All of a sudden, he lashes out and grabs Carter by the throat, stimulating the other players to get up and reach for him.
Chuck stiffens as they get Nate into a tight spot, he slams the door open and struts in, me in toe. None of them seemed to have noticed out arrival.
"I'm trying to help you out." Carter's voice sends chills down my spine and memories come rushing back that I've desperately tried to forget.
"Yeah, you're a real friend." Shouts Chuck over the scuffle. Everyone freezes and looks to us. Carter slowly turns, smirking at Chuck and, when noticing me behind him, grins and winks. I begin to taste bile. Noticing the display between us, Chuck's fist clenches. I want to ask him why he reacts to that but now is definitely not the time.
"Who let you in here, Bass?"
"He set me up." Informs Nate, straining to break free of the muscle that binds him.
"No one forced his hand. Your boy lost fair and square." Carter interrupts, pointing angrily at Nate.
"Did you?" Asks Chuck, walking menacingly towards the men. Seeing his advancement, Carter spins back to Nate.
"Look, man, if you don't get 'em the money right away, I'm gonna tell everyone where you live, and they can come get it from you daddy. What do you think about that?"
At the threat, Chuck pushes Carter back roughly, I hate to admit it but the display of violence and rough behaviour has my… nether regions… doing things that I hope they wouldn't be doing if I was sober.
"Look, you got my watch and my ball." Chuck whispers meanly, "You keep them. Take care of these guys. I don't call the cops, and we walk out of here."
Carter deliberates for a few seconds before scoffing and looking to his friends, "It's cool. I-I-I got it. I got it."
Nate is released with a violent push and he stumbles towards me. I grab his arm to steady him but he shakes it off. After he gets to throw a heated glare at the hippie, we begin to walk away, when Chuck suddenly stops and looks back at Carter.
"And Baizen," He turns, looking almost scared, "If you ever do so much as look at her again… I won't just be taking back that ball." With the final word he swaggers out, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me with him as I stare up at him, confused.
As we get a cab back to Chuck's suite, I'm thoroughly worried about what he said to Carter: I wasn't certain who 'her' was, but after the way Chuck had reacted to Carter winking at me, I had a few ideas.
I complied in going back to The Palace purely because I was worried about Nate, and not because I wanted to look for a window of opportunity to corner Chuck and interrogate him. When in the room, Chuck wastes no time in pouring three tumblers of scotch, passing one to both me and Nate who had crashed on his sofa, exhausted from the evening's events.
I downed mine as soon as the glass touched my hand, earning myself a raised eyebrow from both of the guys.
"I'm not feeling good." The answer seems to suffice them as they take silent swings of their own glasses.
No one talks, the room is silent. I can feel the tension between the boys- it's so thick that I can probably cut it with a knife.
Twenty minutes of the deafening quiet later, an incredibly large yawn racks me and my body shakes with the need to sleep. The alcohol has gotten to the point where it stops me from keeping my eyes open for longer than thirty seconds.
"Evie, you're tired and I'm not putting you in a cab dressed like that." Chuck murmurs as he gestures to my short shorts and lace crop top.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I slur, pulling pathetically at my boots, "Have you seen the crap that you wear half the time?" Nate chuckles and I manage to get one boot off with an extra hard pull.
"We can argue about fashion sense in the morning but first you're going to get in the bed and sleep whilst the adults talk."
"If you think that I'm getting into that STD riddled bed you got another this coming Bass." Second shoe off and I look around for somewhere comfortable to rest my head. Only for a minute, I whisper to myself, and then I'll get a cab home.
Sighing, Chuck puts his glass on the table and comes to stand over my sitting form. Putting an arm under my legs and another under my shoulder, Chuck carries my bridal style towards the bed.
"It's been washed, Angel. I give you a Bass promise that you won't catch anything."
My protestations cut off when my back hit the soft mattress, if one could sleep on a cloud, it would feel like this. I feel a goofy smile spread across my lips as I stretch under the silk duvet.
"Anything to get me in bed." I whisper as I feel my eyelids become heavier and finally droop closed.
The last thing I hear before I drop into a deep sleep, was Nate and the words, "Are you sure?" coming from his lips.
This just in: E was seen entering The Palace on the arm of Chuck Bass and hasn't been seen since. Everyone knows that you can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends, only has E made the right choice? Or is it too late to turn back?
Xoxo Gossip Girl
The only way to describe waking up on a bed made of the softest materials on earth is 'Heavenly', even better when you wake up feeling safe and warm with an arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you into the cosy body of-
Chuck?!
Nope.
Not happening.
Upon seeing the moppy, black hair, my reflexes kick in and I hit him. And a hard one at that.
"Ow!" Chuck groans, covering his head in case of any more attacks, "What was that for?"
"What happened? Why are you in bed with me? I did not ask for this?" I whisper harshly, being mindful of the oncoming hangover headache from Hell.
"Oh please, Angel. You were mewing my name all night." I scoff and look away, feeling my cheeks redden, I hadn't done that, had I? "Me and Nate could hardly figure things out money wise whilst you were practically, moaning my name."
"Don't flatter yourself… I probably said 'Fuck'." A smirk sets on his lips.
"No, you said that too." He throws me a wink and I immediately want to die of embarrassment.
"Whatever I said, I was drunk! Meaning that you can't hold anything against me!"
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to replay the sound of you moaning my name in pleasure-"
"Ew! Stop!" I shout, grabbing a pillow and hitting him with it.
Chuck laughs and waggles his eyebrows, "You want to finish what we started at Blair's?" I can't help the smile that sits on my lips as I recall our little play fight. Feeling bold, and possibly still drunk, I straddle him, relishing in his surprised, doe-eyed look that graces his face as he takes in my brashness.
"Be prepared to lose." I say, leaning down to distract him whilst my hand reaches for another pillow to initiate a surprise attack.
"Angel, a Bass never loses. The question is, what do I get when I win?"
Before I can give a snarky reply, we are interrupted my Nate's tired voice, "Guys!" He shouts into the sofa cushion, "Some of us are trying to sleep! Please stop!"
"I guess that's my cue." I whisper, suddenly becoming incredibly shy. I hop out of bed and gather my boots and shirt, not daring to look at Chuck, who I know is watching me as I walk around his suite. "Thanks for letting me crash… um, I-I'll see you at school."
The door shuts firmly behind me and I let out a huge breath.
What have I gotten myself into?
