A/N- You guys just make my day with these reviews! Keep them coming and I'll keep writing! I hope you like this chapter- it was a fun one to write!
The Lost Weekend
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Chapter Four
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Well, here we are at the end of a very eventful week. Friendships were destroyed, ex-loves were (maybe) re-kindled, and do I detect a chill in the air? Fall is upon us, faithful readers, and I'm ready to bundle up, sip some hot cocoa, and watch the sparks fly. Rumor has it that the old guard- B, N, S, and C- are all headed to Penelope's birthday party tonight- will our fabulous foursome finally make a united front to rule the school as seniors? Call me nostalgic, but I'm hoping so…
And what's this I hear about a new freshman making eyes at Chuck? Careful, new girl. B's never really been the sharing type…
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Blair walked across the courtyard for lunch, headed to the library again. Ever since she had been banished from Serena's group, she was becoming quite the model student. She saw Chuck and Nate sitting together; Nate laughing at some story Chuck was telling. Just like always. Blair had such a clear picture of the two of them, sitting just like that, as kids. She felt a sudden surge of affection for them both.
"Blair?"
Blair snapped out of her reverie and turned in surprise to see the blond freshman girl she had recently inducted into the "Projects" before being dethroned. "Hi. It's—Kelly, right?"
"Kelly Prescott. The lacrosse captain's sister."
Blair found it kind of cute that Kelly had apparently tried her hand at copying her style.. Her blond hair was perfectly curled with a purple headband and knee socks. A little amateurish and matchy-matchy, but cute nonetheless.
"Oh, right. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I was just seeing if you were doing anything for lunch."
Blair blinked in surprise. "You're not going to the steps?"
"Not today. I wanted to talk to you actually."
"Serena hasn't made it forbidden to talk to me?"
Kelly laughed, as if that was ridiculous. She'll learn, Blair thought. "No. She sent me."
Blair sighed. "Okay, I'm intrigued. But I hope you eat fast. I still have studying to do."
"No problem. I'll be quick."
Blair led Kelly to an empty table, and they both sat down. Blair unwrapped an apple and took out a Diet Coke, as Kelly unpacked a sandwich and bag of pretzels.
Blair took a bite of the apple, looking at her. "So unburden yourself."
"Okay," Kelly took a deep breath, sounding nervous "Well…you know Chuck Bass, right?"
"We occasionally cross paths." Blair shrugged.
"And you two are friends, right?"
"Kelly. What about him?"
Kelly looked down, blushing. "I…I like him."
Blair choked on her apple.
"Are you okay?" Kelly looked alarmed.
Blair swallowed hard, clearing her throat. "How do you even know him?"
"I went over to Serena's house to help her get ready for some benefit her mom was taking them to, and Chuck was there, and we started talking and he's just really funny and cute and-"
"And a good way to establish yourself at Constance." Blair interrupted her.
"What?"
"I get it. Putting yourself on the arm of an A-lister is the best way to get your name out. Just ask Sienna Miller."
"No, it's not like that, I really do like him! And I think he likes me too—he acted like it, anyway…"
Blair crossed her arms. "So tell me, Kelly, what was your big plan? Get my permission so youcan ask him out? Because I don't think he digs desperate."
"Well, Serena said I had to ask you first."
"Why? I don't own Chuck."
"But you guys went out, right? She said if I didn't ask, it'd be breaking the rules."
Blair's head was spinning. So Serena just threw this Kelly girl at her to torture her? And Chuck was flirting with freshmen behind her back?
She got to her feet, working herself up to a towering rage. "Chuck and I were together for about two seconds. The most misguided two seconds of my entire life. You know what? You want to date Chuck Bass? Go right ahead. Permission granted. Enjoy your new status- I couldn't care less."
"But you sound really upset."
"No! No, I'm just amazed at underclassmen these days. You all think you can just jettison the waiting list and go straight to the top."
"Blair-"
"Just out of curiosity, when are you going to launch your big Chuck Bass plan?"
"T-Tonight- all the girls are going to Penelope's birthday party, and Serena said Chuck would probably be there too."
"Well, as long as you unbutton a few buttons and are willing to put out on the first date, I'm sure he'll be interested. Have a super time, Kelly Prescott. I've got studying to do."
"You really do eat fast." Kelly said weakly as Blair threw everything into her bag and stormed off.
When she walked by Nate and Chuck's table, they both looked up.
"Blair, what's up? You look--" Nate decided not to say 'crazy' because he had seen this mood before, and it could get bad.
"I'm fine." Blair said, not looking at Chuck.
"Why don't you skip the library and sit with us?" Chuck said, motioning to the seat next to him.
"No, thanks." Blair said icily.
"What is wrong with you?" Chuck looked genuinely confused.
"Oh, I don't know, Chuck. Why don't you and Kelly go figure it out together?" Blair spat, turning on her heel and leaving.
Chuck looked at Nate, bewildered. "Who's Kelly?"
Nate shrugged. "No clue."
Blair flipped open her phone, hitting Speed Dial 2.
"Dorota? It's me. We need to go shopping."
--
"Well?" Blair came down the stairs of her house that night, spinning around.
Dorota bit her lip.
"It's a little much, Miss Blair."
Blair sighed. "What does that mean?"
"You kind of look like a prostitute."
Blair examined herself in the mirror. She was wearing a skin-tight black dress that barely covered a pink push-up bra. Her hair was curled and teased until it would easily rival Serena's. Her eye make-up was smoky and smudged, and her feet were bound in sky-high Giuseppe Zanotti gladiator-cum-dominatrix heels. She had even whipped out the garters and snaps to hold up her black striped tights.
"An expensive prostitute?" Blair pulled down her dress a little, reveling in having cleavage.
"Yes, Miss Blair."
"Perfect. Thanks, Dorota!"
Dorota just shook her head. "Happy to help, Miss Blair. Why are you doing this again?"
"I have a new girl to destroy and Chuck to seduce. I might as well look the part." Blair shrugged.
"You are back with Mr. Chuck?"
Blair considered this for a moment. "Honestly, Dorota? I have no clue."
"Well, then…good luck?"
"Thanks." Blair hugged her good-bye, and headed to the elevator.
--
The party was already well underway by the time Blair got there after a long day of shopping. She dropped her present for Penelope on the table of gifts as she walked by. There was DJ playing thumping music by Lady GaGa, a full bar, a dance floor, and little booths set up in the corners where people were already making out.
"Good party." Blair said under her breath, searching the room for Chuck. She finally spotted him sitting with Serena, their table surrounded by fans, and both of them talking and laughing way too loud to be sober. Kelly was sitting next to Chuck, her hand on his arm as she watched him adoringly.
"Bitch." Blair muttered under her breath, going to the bar.
"Wow."
Blair turned around to see Nate joining her. She smiled, doing a little spin. "You like?"
"I think this whole party's seeing more of you than I ever did when we went out."
"Well, lucky them."
"No kidding." Nate said, utilizing his ex-boyfriend rights to unashamedly check her out.
"Chuck and Serena look like they're having fun. What are they, like friends now?" She leaned against the bar.
"I don't know if they're friends so much as wasted." Nate laughed.
"Aww. Maybe they can go to family AA meetings." Blair sighed.
"You're in a better mood."
"You know me. I always feel better when I have a plan."
"A plan? What are you plotting now?" Nate shook his head in amazement.
Just then, Penelope appeared wearing a diamond tiara and grabbing both of them by the arm. "You two have got to see this! Serena just challenged Chuck to a drinking contest! This is going to be like The Clash of the Titans!"
Kelly was taking money from partygoers when Blair and Nate walked over, "Place your bets people! Ten shots apiece- fastest time wins!"
"Ten shots? Too bad Serena doesn't have me to clean vomit out of her hair anymore." Blair muttered to Nate.
"You are a crazy person." Chuck was shaking his head at his maniacally laughing sister, who looked like a kid on Christmas as Penelope placed the plate of twenty shots between them.
"You two sure you can handle this? I'm not taking you to get your stomachs pumped on my birthday." Penelope laughed.
"Please." Chuck rolled his eyes.
"Bring them on!" Serena started clapping.
"Your funeral." Penelope shrugged, walking away with her hands up.
"You ready for me, bro?" Serena giggled, putting her hands flat on the table.
"My boy was drinking liquor out of baby bottle. You're crazy, Serena." Nate rubbed Chuck's shoulders, as if warming him up for a boxing match.
"You can do it, Chuck." Kelly said in an annoying girly voice. Blair rolled her eyes. Chuck hadn't even noticed her or her dress.
"My money's on Serena." Iz said, standing on Serena's side of the table in a show of solidarity.
"Kelly, will you be the judge?" Serena said, cracking her knuckles.
"Of course. I promise to not be biased." Kelly winked at Chuck to the sound of catcalls.
Blair wondered if it was actually possible to see red.
"Okay- ready, competitors?"
"WHOOO!" Serena pounded the table.
"Ready." Chuck nodded his head.
"Then, on the count of three- 1…2…3!"
Chuck and Serena grabbed their first shot, clinking glasses and downing them in one swallow. These two really did turn drinking into an art form, and ten seconds in, they were both halfway done, neck and neck. It was turning into such an epic battle that the DJ even stopped the music to watch.
Empty shot glasses pounded the table, one after the other. People weren't even cheering anymore, just watching in awe. Finally, both Chuck and Serena grabbed their last shot, both taking a weary breath before raising it to their lips.
Chuck slammed his down a half-second before Serena, swallowing triumphantly. Serena didn't even care, cheering along with everyone else before putting her head wearily down on the table.
"New record! New record!" Nate pointed at his beleaguered friend, cracking up.
Kelly tapped on the mike the DJ had given her, turning to the crowd and hauling a bleary-eyed Chuck to his feet, "What should he get as a prize?"
Blair looked at Kelly's hand on his back, the dreamy expression in her eyes, and just couldn't take it anymore. Enough was enough.
"Me." Blair practically shoved Kelly out of the way, grabbing Chuck's lapels and kissing him hard in front of practically the entire school. After a moment of stunned silence, Chuck kissed her back and the whole room cheered.
Even Serena started clapping, laughing happily. Apparently ten shots had washed away the memory of being mad at Blair. And this was just the kind of moment you clapped for, whether you liked them or not.
Nate raised his drink as the music started up again. "To Chuck Bass!"
"Chuck Bass!" Everyone echoed, as Blair finally came up for air, holding Chuck's arm in the air.
"Get that man a chaser!" Nate laughed, handing him a glass of water as the DJ started up the music again.
"I think I've already found a better one." Chuck waved him off, kissing Blair again as everyone started dancing around them.
Spotted: B and C cementing their status as party legends. How about we raise a shot glass to the new It Couple? Even S was cheering for them- but that might have just been the alcohol. With B on Chuck's arm, it will be even harder for the two queens of Constance to not cross paths- what's it going to take to rebuild a burned bridge? You know I'll be watching. XOXO Gossip Girl.
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