When You Met Me
Chapter 6
Cold, Kind, and Chocolate Eyes
Dan fumbled for the right words to say to her. Not because he loved her, but because he didn't know who he loved. Or if he even had feelings left. It rang and rang until she finally picked up. He stared out at the busy streets and bit his lip.
"Dan?"
He looked down at his feet and closed his eyes, "Yeah, it's me. I-I'm here."
"I'm so sorry about, you know…" She paused but he knew what she was going to say. It was exactly like Blair predicted.
"About everything..." He whispered to himself.
"About everything..." She finished.
Dan stuffed his free hand in his jacket pocket, and felt the realization of how pitiful he was being. Why was he calling her? Why was he getting back together with her? But, he pushed it in the back of his head and swallowed his pride.
"I am too." He could feel the lie hanging off each word, but Serena didn't seem to notice.
There was silence on the other end, and he resented it, she should be the one talking the most. She should be the one to be apologizing and begging him to come back to her. Though, as he leaned against the fence surrounding an office building, he knew, if she did, he'd feel even worse.
"Dan," She said finally, "I'll see you at school tomorrow, we'll talk. I promise."
I promise. Dan felt his heart clench, "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye."
Dan paused again, "Yeah, bye."
He flipped his phone closed and put it in his pocket. He began walking home, and it would be a long walk because his mind wouldn't leave him alone. A part of him wanted the Chuck Bass incident to be erased from his memory or from time. Oh, how he wished he could go back to that bus and change the outcome. But, the other kept nagging him…
Be true to yourself, it said, don't deny your feelings. Be yourself. All the corny clichés kept popping up in his mind. Wasn't that how things should be? Because in the end you know only bad things will come out of denial. Although Dan knew he should follow his own advice, he instead shook his head, picked up his pace and continued his walk home.
Chuck clenched his fists and stared at his empty room, feeling quite unsatisfied. At least when Dan was around they could fight, they could have sex, and they could do something. Anything would please him; just as long as he was able to do something he'd be fine. He'd feel better than this.
"Chuck?"
Chuck turned around at the sound of his name, "Nate?"
Nate came in sheepishly, "Hey."
"Hello Nathanial."
"You don't look too good."
Chuck stared at him, "Nice observation."
"He was here, wasn't he?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, he was."
Chuck wasn't ashamed. He should be gloating, not blushing.
"It was good? Or..."
"It wasn't good." Chuck interrupted.
Nate smirked, "Don't worry dude, he'll come back."
Chuck scoffed, "Right."
"Maybe you should reconsider."
Chuck looked down at Nate as he took a seat on his couch, "What do you mean, reconsider?"
"You know the whole "gay" thing…" Nate stared up at him, "Maybe it's just a…a phase?"
Eyes narrowed, Chuck felt a surge of anger rise up, "A phase? This can't be just a phase!"
Nate held up his hands in defense, "I'm just saying, maybe this isn't for the best, it's obviously causing you trouble."
"Of course it is!" He snarled.
Nate got up, "Maybe I should go."
"Maybe you should."
Chuck watched his friend leave and felt bile rise up from his throat. He hadn't felt this sick in well, never. His stomach didn't agree with the load of crap Nate was spewing at him. Chuck took off his shirt and tossed it on his bed.
"Fuck this," He muttered, grabbed one of his silky black shirts out of his closet and put it on haphazardly. He wouldn't stand for this kind of humiliation.
"Why did you get home so late?" Jenny asked on their walk to school.
"I was studying with Serena."
"Studying?" Jenny shot him a look, "For what?"
"Um," Dan fumbled, "For our exams."
"What exams?"
Dan sighed, "Okay, you caught me."
Jenny only continued listening.
"I was over there and we talked about stuff."
"Stuff like what?"
"Are you going to interrogate me or can I just explain myself?"
Jenny smiled, "Sorry, I can just tell when you're lying."
"I'm not lying!"
"Yes you are, you get this-this look, and I don't know I can just tell."
Dan scoffed, "Right."
"It's intuition." Jenny said.
"Intuition?"
"Yup."
"Whatever you say Jen."
English. Must avoid.
Dan took a deep breath and stepped inside his English classroom. He found his seat and sighed in relief when he saw Chuck's empty desk.
"Not so fast Humphrey."
Dan looked up, "I-I wasn't."
Chuck scanned the empty classroom, "We're early."
"Yes, I guess…"
"Stop stuttering, it's embarrassing." Chuck said, "Plus, someone will notice."
"Why would you care?" Dan spat back.
"Don't be so smug Daniel,"
"So now we're on a first name basis, Charles."
Chuck leaned in, "We were last night."
Dan felt his face grow even hotter and he couldn't think of a single word to say.
"You're kind of cute when you're all frustrated."
Dan narrowed his eyes, "Stop it Chuck."
"Stop what?" He leaned on his desk, "I'm just having a conversation with one of my classmates."
"Good morning." Their English teacher walked in and a smirk formed on Bass's face.
"Can Humphrey and I be excused for just a moment; we need to speak to the Headmaster."
"Sure, why not?"
Dan shook his head and mouthed 'no' behind their teacher's back.
"It's very important that we leave now Daniel."
The door slammed loudly behind them and Dan could feel other students stare at them as they passed.
"Chuck what are you doing?"
It only took him a second to realize what was going on. Chuck wanted to "talk" which could only mean…
"Sex." Chuck turned on the light, "It's our current topic of discussion."
Dan looked around the storage closet. It was much bigger and more glamorous than one would assume.
"This is ridiculous." Dan tried to open the door, "I'm leaving."
Chuck grabbed Dan's hand, "No you are not."
"I am."
Chuck stared at him angrily, "I'm not going to beg you to listen to me."
"Okay good, because it won't work."
"I'm going to make you."
"You can't always make people do everything you want them to. It's stupid, haven't you-"
"Haven't I what? Do you have some amazing speech planned?"
Dan let go of the doorknob, suddenly feeling the warmth of Chuck's hands.
"I don't know." He said, "I'm just as confused as you are."
Chuck stared at him as he confessed, "I'm not confused."
The sound of students lessened when the bell rang, "Well I am."
"Why?"
Dan looked at him, "Serena."
Chuck shifted his gaze to the wall, "Right, your girlfriend."
"Yes, technically."
"Not when you tell her you-"
"Chuck." He interrupted, "I'm not going to tell her! I want to pretend this didn't happen!"
Chuck immediately pressed his lips against Dan's, only to be pushed away. Chuck slumped up against one of the shelves full of old boxes, pictures, and alphabetized yearbooks.
"Leave then Humphrey."
Dan stared at his disheveled form and the way his cold, yet kind chocolate eyes bore a hole through his. His hand fumbled for the doorknob, but it was out of reach. He turned and found it, but before he turned it, he looked back.
"Maybe."
"Just spit it out already." Chuck stood up straight, "Or leave, whichever."
Dan stepped towards him, "What do you want me to do?"
"You know what I want you to do." Chuck stepped even closer, "It's not a fucking secret."
Dan gulped, "I know."
Chuck kissed him softly, taking his time, unlike last time where all he wanted was a finish, "I'm not confused," He repeated between kisses, which only grew in length and force.
Dan pulled away, "Chuck."
"What?" He pleaded, "I said spit it out already."
"Can you please just promise you'll keep this a secret?"
Chuck took his time answering, "I promise." He breathed out and Dan felt his heart clench again. Those words….
I promise. I promise.
echoed feverishly throughout body…
To be continued.
A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in forever! I graduated a semester early from high school so I have A LOT more time on my hands!! So I just adore this story and I decided to update!!! Please read and review!! &&& Thanks for all the reviews thus far!!