The In Crowd

Jenny Humphrey walked down the hall toward the lunchroom alone. It was her first year at Constance Billard and she still hadn't made any friends. It wasn't as though she wasn't trying either. It's just difficult to make friends when you're poor and no one knows your name. The only person who talked to her was her brother, Dan. That thought made her feel a bit embarrassed.

The previous year had been easier. She was attending a public school in Brooklyn where she already had lots of friends. She was outgoing, fun and lively. She was a part of every major school event and couldn't wait to go to school every day. Going to Constance seemed like a sentence to her. Still, it had been her mother's dying wish, so here she was. Thanks, mom...

She opened the door to the lunchroom and froze. Her brother was having lunch with a boy that Jenny only knew by name and reputation: Nate Archibald. From what she heard the other girls say, he was supposed to be the captain of the lacrosse team and he was supposed to be dating the most popular girl in school, Blair Waldorf. The most gorgeous guy in school was having lunch with her brother! Dan saw her and waved. She looked and noticed Nate looking at her as well. He was smiling. Jenny grimaced, panicked, and turned to walk back out. As she left, she saw Vanessa heading toward them out of the corner of her eye.

What was Dan doing? How did he even know Nate? Dan should have warned her that he was friends with Nate. If she'd known, she might have chosen to wear her hair a different way or at least put on makeup. How could Dan do this to her? It wasn't bad enough that the girls in school didn't notice her, but he wanted to make sure the boys in school wouldn't either? How was anyone supposed to notice her when she looked so simple-

She wasn't watching where she was going and she bumped into another older boy. This boy had dark hair, and dark eyes. He had handsome features, though Jenny still preferred Nate's boyish good looks.

"Well, hello, there, beautiful. I don't believe we've met," he stated as he grabbed her hand and kissed it, "I'm Chuck Bass."

His warm lips pressed against her hand and it made her blush. She tried to pull her hand away, but he had a firm grip on it. As he stood back up, his eyes gazed into hers and seemed to pierce her soul. She shuddered slightly.

"Chuck!" a shrill voice called.

Jenny looked over and saw a short girl with brown hair walking toward her. She instantly recognized her as Blair Waldorf. She stared at Chuck and realized why she knew his name.

Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf were as well-known as Nate Archibald. Blair was supposed to be the smartest, trendiest and most respected girl at Constance. Chuck Bass was feared, but loved at the same time. He was supposed to know everybody's secrets, but he had an insatiable sexual appetite. Jenny heard some of the girls in her class talking about how they wanted Chuck Bass to deflower them. It disgusted Jenny.

She recalled this image and immediately pulled her hand away from Chuck. Blair was standing in front of them, her eyes fixed on Jenny.

"Is he bothering you?"

"No!" Jenny answered quickly.

"Shame on you, Charles," Blair scolded, "I'm sorry. He really ought to be put on a bell."

"It's fine," Jenny insisted, "He wasn't bothering me."

"So sweet," Blair commented vaguely, "I don't think I know you."

"I'm Jenny," she introduced herself, "Jenny Humphrey."

She saw Blair's eyes light up.

"Hello, Jenny Humphrey," she greeted, "I'm Blair and this is Chuck."

"I know who you are," she stated, blushing.

Blair gave a faint smile.

"To make up for Chuck's rude behaviour, I'm inviting you to have lunch with us."

"It's fine-" Jenny protested.

"Great. Let's go."

Blair led the way into the lunchroom. Jenny noticed that Vanessa was now yelling at Dan and Nate was nowhere in sight. She was suddenly glad she didn't eat lunch with him. Watching Dan get belittled by Vanessa probably wouldn't have been that entertaining, especially since Nate was gone. She saw Chuck looking over, too. His eyes met her again and he smirked. Blair led them to a table where two older girls were already sitting and talking. They looked up when they saw Blair.

"HI, Blair," they greeted in unison.

"Jenny, these are Kati and Is. Girls, this is Jenny Humphrey. Make her feel welcome: move down."

Jenny smiled at Kati and Isabelle as they moved down so Blair and Jenny could sit together. Chuck took the seat across from them and motioned to a boy from Jenny's grade. He walked over, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Hey, you're Jenny, aren't you?" he asked.

"Did anyone say you could talk?" Chuck asked snidely.

Jenny shrank back as the boy looked down sheepishly.

"Sorry-"

"Save it. We're thirsty and the giggle twins probably want their gelato, isn't that right, girls?"

"Yes, daddy," they sang in mock sweetness.

Jenny forced a laugh. She noticed that everyone was watching her, including Dan. Dan looked like he was going to come over and say something to her. She shook her head slightly and gave a look she hoped told Dan that he wasn't invited. He sighed, grabbed his brown paper bag, and left the room.

"Do you know him?" Chuck asked coldly.

She snapped her head and met his eyes.

"What? Who?"

"That boy who gets our drinks," Chuck answered, "The help."

Kati and Isabelle smiled wickedly. Blair looked from Chuck to Jenny.

"I don't know him that well," she answered lamely, "I mean, he's in my grade. I think his name is Wes-"

"No one here is interested in Wes, Charles," Blair interrupted, "We want to know more about Jenny, right, girls?"

They nodded eagerly. Chuck sat back with a smug grin on his face. All eyes fell on her. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"What do you want to know?" she wondered, half-hoping no one would answer.

"Do you have any siblings?" Blair asked brightly.

"Um, yeah," Jenny answered reluctantly, "An older brother. He's in your class. His name is Dan."

"Dan Humphrey?" Blair echoed, a mistakable glimmer in her eyes, "Do we know Dan Humphrey, Chuck?"

"He's in my Algebra and Latin classes," Chuck answered coolly.

"Right. Isn't Nate in those classes, too?"

"Yes."

"So, Blair, do you have any siblings?" Jenny asked, hoping to take the attention off her and Dan.

Blair gave her a quizzical look. Jenny suddenly wondered if anyone every tried to change the subject on Blair. Kati and Isabelle looked a bit frightened. Chuck seemed impressed or amused.

"This isn't about me. We want to know more about you. Tell you what. Why don't we all go out for dinner tonight?"

"Great idea!" Isabelle praised.

"Totally!" Kati chimed in.

"I'm out," Chuck muttered, "I have other plans."

"Jenny?"

"Um, maybe-"

"Jenny, we're friends now and friends hang out. Besides, if you don't, it'll hurt my feelings. You don't want to hurt my feelings, do you?"

Jenny was suddenly aware that in no way was she going to be able to say no. She forced a smile.

"I guess not. Sure, I'll come," she agreed.

"Great. I'll have a car pick you up and bring you to my place so you can pick out something to wear."

"You really don't have to do that, Blair-"

"I want to, Jenny. You're one of us, now. I just want you to look your best."

Jenny sighed and nodded.

"Okay. Pick me up at eight?"

"I can't wait."

Jenny smiled. She had no idea what to expect, but she knew it would be a night to remember...