A/N- Sorry for lack of updates lately- I'm applying to grad school and it's mega-stressful! But I hope you enjoy- reviews are wonderful and help me not pull out my hair from grad school madness! Love ya'll.
The Lost Weekend
--
Chapter Eight
Spotted: Fresh off from his successful trip to Yale, C and G downing drinks at Victrola, celebrating the new Bass/Sparks joint venture. It only seems fitting- this place was made for bad girls like G- and B if you recall last year's little Waldorf peep show. I'm sure you remember. Let's just hope C does. Choose your drinks carefully, C- Georgina's been known to bring her own mixers with some nasty side effects. S could tell you all about it…
Chuck sat across from Georgina at their table. Bart had excused himself to take (surprise, surprise) a business call.
Georgina sipped her Lemon Drop, taking it all in. "This place really is incredible, Bass."
Chuck raised an eyebrow. "Are recent rehab graduates really supposed to be drinking?"
She sighed. "Sorry, dad. Do you want me to go get a water?"
"I don't really care what you do."
She took another sip. "I didn't go in for alcohol, sweetie."
"What then? Sex? Drugs?"
"Check and check." She giggled, crossing one liquid legging-clad leg over the other.
"And now?"
"Oh, I'm completely cured." She said, doing a sarcastic innocent face that didn't really suit her.
"Right," Chuck rolled his eyes, feeling his phone suddenly go off in his pocket. He reached for it, checking the screen. Blair. Shit. He couldn't exactly explain what he was doing here in a quick conversation. He let it go to voicemail.
Georgina watched him like a hawk, like always. "Who was that?"
He was about to lie when she grabbed the phone out of his hand, checking it.
Georgina sat back in her chair, smiling. "Well, well. Blair Waldorf. The Virgin Queen of the Upper East Side. Anyone pry her knees apart yet?"
"I don't know; we're really not that close anymore." Chuck shrugged casually.
"Don't eff with an effer, Chuck. If you're not close, then why is she calling you at eleven o'clock at night?"
"I don't know." Chuck said, getting defensive.
"Well, let's find out." Georgina pressed the 1 for voicemail, switching it to speaker. Chuck thought it would look very uncool to lose it and rip the phone out of her hands. Blair's voice came out of the tiny speakers, barely loud enough for them to hear.
Hey. Just seeing how the meeting went. I'm sure you were brilliant. Come over later and tell me everything. We can celebrate…however you want. Kind of kidding! Love you. Bye.
Georgina could barely contain her glee. "Love you?" She repeated in a cruel imitation of Blair's voice.
Chuck calmly took his phone back. "Your life must be so dull that you find ours so fascinating. You make Gossip Girl's stalker tendencies look mild."
"You and Blair Waldorf? No fucking way."
"Why is that so hard to believe?"
"Chuck Bass and the girl who spent her entire life judging me and Serena for not being a psycho prude like her? I just don't see it."
"Well, good thing none of us need the cokehead's approval for our decisions."
"Former cokehead, thank you very much. What are you and Blair doing to celebrate tonight? Holding hands?" Georgina cackled, clasping her hands together like she had never heard something so precious.
"We're done here." Chuck sighed, getting up to leave.
"No, come on, Chuck! Lighten up! You want to date Mother Superior, what do I care? I just hope you get used to giving yourself hand jobs from now on." Georgina said, still laughing hysterically.
"You're disgusting." Chuck said, putting on his jacket.
"Oh, you're breaking my heart," Georgina laughed, grabbing his arm, "Don't go. I'm sorry, okay? It's just a little bit of a shock. Did Nate totally flip his shit when Blair left him for you? Or was this post-stoner boy?"
"Please direct any further questions to the online forums. Good night, Georgina." Chuck smiled sarcastically, leaving the club and bumping straight into his father.
"Chuck? Where do you think you're going?" Bart stopped him.
"I'm not feeling well, father." Chuck said, just wanting to get the hell out of here. He really wasn't feeling well- the thudding music, flashing lights, and alcohol working through his system were not sitting right with him for the first time in memory.
Or maybe it was just breathing the same air as Georgina.
"This is a business meeting, Chuck. It's very unprofessional to just walk out."
Chuck felt like he couldn't breathe. He needed to go. But the only way to get away from his dad was to level with him.
"Father, I'm just not sure if hiring her is the best idea. She has a history of drug abuse. Do you really want that coming out and reflecting badly on the company?"
"If we're letting go all of the people with addiction problems, maybe I should just fire you too." Bart said pointedly.
Maybe you should fire yourself. Chuck though brattily, but kept his face neutral. He sighed.
"Fine. Keep her around. But don't be surprised when it hurts Bass Industries."
"I thought you two were friends. She used to come over all the time."
Chuck was frankly shocked his father had even noticed this.
"We used to be friends until I found out she was completely crazy. You're making a big mistake."
They looked over at Georgina, who gave them a friendly smile and wave.
"Looks pretty harmless to me," Bart said, putting his hand on Chuck's shoulder in a patronizing way, "Come on. You're always talking about proving yourself. I'm giving you the chance to expand this place into a franchise. Don't you want that?"
Chuck took a deep breath, his lungs flooded with smoke and sweat. "Of course, father."
Aww, poor C. Nothing like some juicy daddy issues to lead you down the path of least resistance. Guess that little celebration with B is just going to have to wait.
--
Chuck collapsed on the couch at around two in the morning, feeling physically and emotionally drained. His dad and Georgina were very exhausting people to spend an evening with.
Serena came out of the kitchen with her late night orange juice, freshly showered and in a robe. She stopped when she saw Chuck. "Hey- you just get in?"
Chuck put his arm over his face in reply.
"What took so long? Were you at Blair's?"
"I wish," He said, his voice muffled by his arm, "My dad hired a new PR intern. Guess who."
"Some hot model?" Serena grinned, sitting down on the couch with him.
"Georgina Sparks."
Serena's face went pale and then red with anger. "What?" She said through gritted teeth.
"My feelings exactly."
"Chuck, she is not allowed in this house or I am not responsible for my actions."
"Easy, tiger." Chuck said, sitting up and looking a little more awake. Having someone else just as outraged by Georgina's reappearance made him feel better.
"What are you going to tell Blair?" Serena asked, swinging her legs up on the couch.
Chuck's eyebrows went together. "I was thinking…maybe I should not tell her?"
"No, Chuck!" Serena said, slapping his hand.
"Ow! What? It'll just make her mad, and I didn't do anything wrong."
"Charles, Charles, Charles," Serena shook her head, sounding creepily like Lily, "Have you learned nothing from last year? Never try to hide the fact that Georgina Sparks is trying to ruin your life from your significant other! Remember me and Dan?"
"Maybe you're right." Chuck said moodily.
"Tell her, Chuck. Believe me, just get it over with. Rip off the Band-Aid. Better her finding out from you than some creepy crazy reveal that Georgina would cook up to be as hurtful as possible!"
"Serena, get a hold of yourself." Chuck looked a little terrified.
Serena grabbed him by the shoulders. "Tell her now. I am not letting that evil psycho bitch do this to you and B."
"I can't call Blair now. It's two in the morning. She's never up this late on school nights."
"That's true," Serena patted his arm, "I'm going to bed. Even though, thanks to your wonderful news, I'm going to have nightmares."
"At least you didn't have to watch Georgina Sparks make sex eyes at my father for three hours." Chuck groaned, getting up as well.
"Ugh! Stop talking!" Serena covered her ears as they walked up the stairs.
--
Chuck pulled his books out of his locker, barely awake after not sleeping for the second night in the row. The few feverish moments he had fallen asleep he remembered vague dreams of Blair crying hysterically soap opera style (something the real Blair would never do, which had always been something Chuck had liked about her) while Georgina did a pretty spectacular evil laugh in the background. It had all been very weird.
Suddenly, his locker door was slammed shut by a hand wearing a small ruby ring. "What, you're not taking my calls now?"
Chuck sighed, turning around to face an outraged Blair. "Morning, Blair."
"What the hell, Chuck?" She demanded, hands on her hips.
"Calm down. The meeting with my dad went late, and I didn't get home until two in the morning. I didn't want to wake you up."
"Oh. Well, you could have at least texted me." She said, still annoyed.
"I should have. Sorry." Chuck said, suddenly understanding why Nate had always told him it was stressful dating Blair.
"Whatever, it's fine. Just don't do it again," She relented, putting her arm through his as they walked down the hallway, "So I take it things went well?"
Chuck remembered Serena's warning, and took a deep breath. Come on, Bass. Honesty, best policy, all that. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you."
Blair turned to look at him, alarmed. "Okay, spill. You're all pale and weird and shaky. Did you do drugs or something?"
"No, but my father and I had a very interesting dinner guest And by interesting I mean awful."
"The new PR intern? Who was it?"
"Don't freak out."
"You're the one freaking me out! Who?"
"Georgina Sparks."
Blair rolled her eyes. "Very funny, Chuck."
"I'm serious."
"Georgina's in reform school far, far away. I banished her. Remember?"
"I do. But she's back. Apparently they let her off early for good behavior, and her parents thought an internship program would be a good way for her to get back on track."
Blair stopped walking, still holding his arm. He turned to look at her.
"You're serious." She said, searching his eyes for a sign this was some bizarre Chuck Bass game.
"I am. It's not like you'll ever have to see her. And she'll probably mess it up and get fired in a week or so."
"Not until she gets what she wants." Blair said miserably.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, don't be stupid, Chuck! She was almost as obsessed with you as she was with Serena."
"That's not true."
"Serena told me it was! Sophomore year. She said Georgina would never shut up about you."
"That was a long time ago."
"But it was just one-sided, right? Nothing's actually happened between you two after that disturbingly precocious deflowering at Nate's sixth grade party, right?"
Chuck wished Serena was here to tell him if it was a good idea to lie this time. But Blair knew him too well, and her eyes widened with horror when he stayed silent.
"Gross, Chuck! You and Georgina?"
"It was nothing. Less than nothing."
"What does that mean?"
Suddenly the bell rang for class. Chuck sighed. "Can we talk about this later?"
Blair was still reeling, and didn't respond.
"Blair?"
She snapped out of it. "Fine. Meet me for lunch in the courtyard."
"I will."
They had that awkward moment of the newly-dating where you have no idea how to leave each other, on top of the fact that Blair had just discovered her boyfriend had been touched by an evil even worse than herself.
"So…bye." Blair said, going to kiss his cheek just as Chuck leaned forward to do the same.
They bumped heads hard, and parted ways with an awkward wave (Blair) and a nervous laugh (Chuck).
Blair watched him go, his arms partly visible under the rolled sleeves of his black pinstriped shirt. She couldn't stop picturing those arms around Georgina's long body, her perfect thin legs wrapped around him as they…
She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling fat and disgusting and not really blaming Chuck if he wanted to leave her for someone better. An old familiar compulsion was making her hands shake, and she could almost taste the oatmeal she'd eaten for breakfast in the back of her throat as she raced for the bathroom.
--
Serena fixed her lipgloss in the Constance bathroom. The bell had rung for class a few minutes ago, but it was just Art. Her hippy-dippy teacher never cared that she was a little left. Finally satisfied with her appearance, she went into an empty stall to pee before class. Just as closed the stall door, the bathroom door banged open and Serena saw a familiar pair of flats in the stall next to hers as Blair leaned over the toilet and emptied the contents of her stomach.
The horrible gagging noise that came when Blair stuck her finger down her throat made Serena's stomach hurt. She sat on the toilet for a moment, considering what to do. Blair would be furious if she knew Serena was here- they still weren't speaking.
But she couldn't stop herself.
"Blair?" Serena said softly, walking out of the stall.
No answer.
"B, come on. It's just me."
Blair finally opened the stall door, looking furious. "Why aren't you in class?" She said, wiping the tears spilling from her eyes with a wad of toilet paper.
"Why are you doing this again?" Serena asked sadly.
"I'm not doing anything! I just ate my breakfast too fast this morning, and I felt nauseous."
"B…"
Blair pushed her lips together hard, digging through her purse for gum. "Georgina's back." She said, not looking at Serena.
"I heard." Serena said, wanting to reach out and hug her but knowing she couldn't.
"She'll ruin everything." Blair said, her voice trembling.
"With you and Chuck?"
"Did you know they had a thing sophomore year?" Blair said, outraged.
"Yeah. Georgina told me. I wouldn't be worried though- I don't think it was an actual thing, it was more just friends-with-benefits."
"How comforting."
"Blair, think about it! He could have made her his girlfriend. And he didn't. You're the first girl he's ever cared enough to even have a second date with, let alone a relationship. And Georgina told me differently, but I always got the impression he broke things off with them because he just lost interest."
"Really?"
"Yes. Chuck was so freaked out to tell you she was back, but he did. He's not trying to hide anything."
Blair leaned against the sink. "That's true."
"And even if she did come back for him, that doesn't mean anything will happen."
Blair looked up at her, her eyes still watering from throwing up. "Just picturing them together…"
"I know." Serena said.
They both realized that Serena didn't have to imagine how Blair must be feeling- she had lived it just a few months ago.
"I just never thought you and Dan would break up. I mean, you know I don't like him, but you were so happy together. And she managed to destroy that, so who knows what she's capable of? She's the only person that I can't outmaneuver for sure."
Serena crossed to Blair, taking her hand. "Then let me help you. Don't lock yourself in bathrooms and make yourself sick- stand up with me and Chuck and we'll take her down. We should have worked together against her from the beginning last time. I should have asked you to help me."
Blair looked at Serena, remembering she was supposed to be furious with her once best friend. But she didn't feel anything but relieved Serena was there. Serena had always been a calming presence on Blair, and calming presences were in very short supply at the moment.
"S…you're right. I need you with me on this."
"I'm so sorry about everything I said after the fashion show. I was being a terrible friend." Serena said, never one to be ashamed of begging for forgiveness.
"Truce?" Blair said, looking down at their clasped hands.
Serena hugged her hard. "Truce."
Blair laughed as they broke apart.
"What?" Serena asked.
"I just can't believe you said "take her down." You sounded like me."
"Well, I can't live with one evil plotter and be best friends with the other and not have it rub off on me a little." Serena grinned.
"I'm so proud." Blair said, examining her slightly smudged eye make-up in the mirror.
Serena stood next to her, still looking worried. "Don't do this again, B. Please."
"Fight with you or throw up?"
"Both."
"I don't want to do either ever again." Blair said, a little too flippantly to assuage Serena's worries. She went on, turning to look at Serena. "And I have an appointment with my doctor coming up next Friday- just my little bi-monthly check-in. I'll talk to him about today."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Serena offered.
"You would do that?"
"Of course."
"That'd be great," Blair said, touched but as usual trying to get emotional moments over with as quickly as possible, "Who knows- maybe by then, we'll already have sent Georgina packing."
"We can dream, right?" Serena said, taking her arm as they walked out of the bathroom, "Come on. We have clay to sculpt, darling." She said in a hilarious mock-artiste accent.
"Sounds fabulous, mon cherie." Blair laughed, and anyone watching them walk down the hall would never have known they had gone three weeks without speaking.
Aww! It always just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when B and S make nice—how about you, readers? Are you as happy as me to see these frenemies together again? And will the joint forces of B, S, and C be enough to tackle the formidable Georgina? Will C be able to stay in :gulp: a real relationship when temptation is lurking around every corner in her trademark leather leggings?
Only time (and me) will tell…until next time! You know you love me! XOXO Gossip Girl.
A/N- Reviews are love!