-1C Doesn't Fall In Love, Drunken Stagger? Maybe
"Would you come on!" Eric yelled at Chuck, who was still a block or so behind him.
Eric stopped to wait for Chuck to catch up.
"Why didn't we take a taxi?" Chuck whined as he caught up to Eric.
"Walking is so much healthier." Eric smiled at Chuck, who's hair was windblown, making him look ridiculous because his face was so grim.
"I burn more than enough calories." Chuck muttered under his breath.
"Not anymore, Stifler." Eric replied, just as low as Chuck's previous comment
Chuck didn't reply, instead he walked slower. Eric groaned and set his pace to match his stepbrother's.
"Why are you so grim?" Eric's prying voice cut through Chuck's thoughts on how not to think.
"I am not grim." Chuck's denial was weak, and even he didn't believe himself.
"And I'm not annoying, but who'd believe it?" Eric smiled.
Chuck fought the urge to reply, "Not I." Eric decided to let it go until Chuck would tell him himself. He knew Chuck wouldn't be able to keep those feelings inside for too much longer.
"Ugh-" Chuck let out, signaling that he was wanting to say something, but he was holding back.
"Chuck-" Eric started. "You know other than being annoying, brothers are good for talking to."
Eric stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, as did Chuck.
"What do you want to talk about?" Chuck asked, his voice low.
"You aren't exactly quiet when you come home drunk." Eric stated.
"Little brother, you'll learn one day that even though you cannot completely drink them away, problems aren't problems when you are drunk." Chuck replied, sadness traced his tone.
"They are still going to be problems after the hangover." Eric stated. "But you have to settle this thing with B."
"I am not in love with Blair Waldorf." Chuck said, distractedly.
"I never said you were." Eric's expression was amused and curious, also excited that Chuck was opening up to him.
"Oh-" Chuck's face grew pink and his words stumbled.
"So, you are in love with Blair." Eric teased as they resumed walking.
"Ugh-Eh-maybe…yes." Chuck struggled with his 'cool'.
"You opening up to me as me more excited than Britany Spears around electic clippers or whatever." Eric smiled.
"You are such a loser." Chuck laughed.
"WE'RE HERE!" Eric exclaimed as he saw the sign for the café/club that Serena wanted them to meet at. He was just happy that he wouldn't have to put up with Chuck's slow walking anymore.
"Yeah!" Chuck exclaimed, sarcastically.'
S Understands V- Or NOT!
Serena was surprised at how many people actually showed up for her and Dan's hang-out night. Blair had even came without Serena having to drag her. In fact, Blair resembled her old, pre-destruction self. She was wearing a Waldorf original royal blue mid-thigh length dress. With ivory Kors heels, Blair seemed to have her old Queen B attitude as she held a conversation with one of Dan's friends, who had never even heard of Gossip Girl.
"Hey, S." Vanessa greeted as she approached Serena.
"Hey, Vanessa." Serena smiled.
Serena used to think that Vanessa didn't like her, but they had finally bonded at Blair's disappointing 17th birthday.
"Where's Dan?" Vanessa asked.
Serena shrugged. The last time she had saw Dan, he was talking to some dude he had meet at his father's gallery. Dan was more excited about tonight than Serena, but he never really went to as many parties as S did.
"Dan never used to be such a social butterfly." Vanessa laughed as she pointed Dan out in a group of people, his hands waving as they did when he was telling a joke. "You're good for him."
"Thanks, but I don't think I am the only reason Dan is coming out of his shell."
"You are." Vanessa stated, "Dan was always so shy, when we dated."
Serena didn't know how to reply to that. Any time it was even mentioned that Dan and Vanessa used to date, Serena felt anger and jealousy well up inside of her. But what really hurt Serena was that, she knew that Vanessa was a better match for Dan.
"I think I am truly my mother's daughter." It took Serena a second to realize she had said that out loud.
Vanessa looked confused, of course, she wouldn't know about Lily and Rufus.
"What?" Vanessa asked.
"Nothing." Even though she got along with Vanessa now, Serena wasn't about to tell her everything.
"Can I tell you something?" Vanessa asked.
Serena nodded.
"I am sorry that I was so rude about you and Dan when I first came back. Its just that when someone tells you that they love you and you realize that you love them, you don't think they will have moved on when you comeback a year later." Vanessa said.
Serena's mouth dropped a little, but not because what Vanessa was saying, but because her eyes had connected with Nate Archibald's, who was shyly coming through the door.
"I understand what you mean. Now, if you will excuse me…" Serena was already walking away, not waiting for V's reply.
"What are you doing here?" Serena asked Nate, when she reached him.
"Jenny mentioned it and my night opened up." Nate answered, his eyes skimming over Serena's white halter top and short jean mini-skirt. What really got him was how long her legs looked in her black Prada pumps.
"Where is Jenny?" Serena replied.
"No idea." Nate laughed.
What a good boyfriend!
"Where's Dan?" Nate asked.
"Over the-" Serena cut off when she saw Vanessa laughing with Dan, standing way too close, her hand possessively laying on his shoulder.
Vanessa looked at Serena, then her eyes shifted to Nate, before looking back to Serena. Her eyes saying "Fair game."
Fair game? No, it was war where S was concerned.