4 weeks had passed since Dan and Serena's hospital escapades, neither had spoken to nor seen each other since. Dan had been in the school office for 40 minutes. He spun a story of how he had to take care of his 'sick mother' back in Hudson . He told head mistress Quella not to mention it to Jenny as she only knew half of the story and it would only upset her. A lie of course. The truth was that if she confronted Jenny then she would ruin his story, upset his lie. When the head started to doubt his excuse he spilled all about how he was the 'perfect student 'with the 'perfect grades 'and how credible he was. He had excellent attendance, why would he lie and miss classes if it wasn't for good reason?

"Mr Humphrey, I understand that your track record is highly impressive but you have missed a lot and I'm not sure if you will be able to handle the work load at home, it's just even more pressure for you to be under. I'm only looking out for your best interests, to be able to get through the backlog of assignments and projects you will most likely need someone to help and guide you. Can you not seek professional help for you mother? What about your dad?

"No, I'm sorry it's just not possible" Dan shrugged his shoulders "But if you can't agree to those terms then I'm just going to have to drop out all together, I know school should be my first priority but things change"

"That's not necessary Daniel, OK, we'll figure something out "

Mrs. Quella had bought it all when Dan put on his 'I'm so innocent and butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' Humphrey charm. She told him he could catch up at home as long as he put in extra hours and came into school at least twice a week to show his progress.

"If you find that you are not coping and need a mentor you have to come straigh to me ok?" Headmistress said sternly "If I see that you are struggling at all then I'm afraid we'll have no choice but to step in and intervene. I also require you to make your teachers aware of the reason for your absence"

"OK, don't worry Ms, I'll cope" Dan said sweetly, keeping up his little act . He closed the door and made his way out to the school gates 'Well that was easy' he said as a devilish smirk appeared on his face

…………………………………………………………………

As each week passes Dan had seemed to be getting worse, his temper getting darker and his demeanor changing more rapidly. He was also going out more frequently. Rufus felt helpless. He had resorted to threats and harsh punishments; he even threatened Dan with the police. Neither were having the dramatic effect he was hoping for.

Dan was no longer his caring young boy but a shadow of his former self, his former bright personality. It was as though he had been possessed

Feeling like he had lost total control of Dan he turned to the one person he could trust and who had similar problems with one of her own children in the past, though never to the extent of his son

"What a surprise to see you here Rufus, what can I do for you?" Lily asked as she opened the door motioning him to sit down

"I kind of need your advice" Rufus said weakly, feeling ashamed that he couldn't seem to parent his only son

"Ohh, what with?" she asked

Rufus began to shift uncomfortably in his chair "Dan"

……………………………………………………………………………………

"You know, my mom spends more time in Foreign countries than with me" Blair said as she plonked down next to Serena on her bed

"That's not true"

Both girls had decided to skip school, crashing at the Waldorfs place since her mom was away

"I wish she would take me with her sometime" Blair tried not to let it show that it bothered her

"Well I don't wish that because then she would be taking you away from me" Serena smiled and threw her arm across her friends shoulders

"That's sweet S, let's got get Dorota so she can paint our nails"

"Blair, why on earth would you wnat Dorota to paint them? I hope you're not treating her like a slave"

"Ohh she loves it" Blair snorted "I let her paint her own, she should be greatful" she stuck out her tongue and pulled Serena up

………………………………………………………………..

"So little poor humpty dumpty has gone and got himself into trouble huh, and has friends, I never thought I would live to see the day" Chuck said with sarcasm

"Chuck don't be a smartarse" Jenny rolled her eyes about ready to give up on him. He infuriated her

"Watch your language little girl"

"Little girl? Don't be so patrinizing, last time I checked you liked the idea of 'little girl'" Jenny shot back "I will never forget what you tried to do"

"A case if mistaken identity"

"Can you help me or not?"

"I don't know, why should I help your brother, and what's he ever done for me except give me shit? And plus Dan on drugs and abusing alcohol is something I would like to witness" Chuck replied with a laugh intrigued by Dan's new supposed persona

"Just forget about it Chuck, I knew it was a mistake asking you to help someone other than yourself" Jenny barked and walked away from him

"Lets see what's finally knocked you off your high horse Humphrey" Chuck thought to himself as he took out his phone, he knew just the person to call

………………………………………………………………………………

Dan returned home to an empty house, or so he thought. He plopped down on the sofa, his head spinning

He started to get agitated and began to fidget in his seat so decided to go and get a glass of water. Just as he was about to take a sip his phone started ringing. It was Mason

"Hey man, what's up?" he spoke into the phone. "Yeah sure, I'll meet you there at 9. No, my dad won't be a problem" He closed the phone shut and rested against the counter

"Another night out huh, have they got a new deal for you?" Vanessa showed her face. She had been in his room when she heard the front door open

!I thought your days of creepy stalking were long gone V" Dan didn't even make eye contact with her

"Well I have to reach you somehow don't I since you no longer have 'time' anymore" Vanessa sniped back

"I don't know what your problem is V, your meant to have my back, some best friend you are"

"I'm still your best friend am I, I thought that since you had a new crowd now you didn't care about the rest of us"

"You didn't seem to have a problem when you had your tongue down Zach's throat did you?" Dan said

"A drunken mistake, except the difference is Dan I learn from my mistake whereas your still making them" Vanessa spoke in a calm voice as she walked toward him "Why don't we go to the movies tonight, call the guys and tell them your busy 'best friend' "Vanessa asked desperate to stop him going out for the 5th time that week

"I don't want to go out with you, please just leave" Dan stood up

"I'm not ging anywhere, I'm not your dad that you can push around, if I leave god knows what you'll get up to. Have you looked at yourself lately? You're a mess, you can't seem to sit still for a minute with fidgeting, and you always seem anxious and can hardly ever look people in the eye, you know people who can't give you eye contact often have something to hide, do you Dan? I mean when was the last time you ate? You're getting way to thin these days and you look dirty….

"I SAID LEAVE" Dan lost his temper and threw the glass across the kitchen smashing it into a thousand pieces "JUST STOP WITH THE 20 QUESTIONS" he shouted with fire and venom in his eyes. His face turning red with anger

Vanessa looked on shocked at what was unfolding in front of her, but most of all she was scared, scared for the very first time in her life of Dan Humphrey, of her best friend. She felt a sharp sting on her arm and realised she was bleeding. A piece of the flying glass had caught her arm and had started to bleed

"I don't know who you are anymore" Vanessa ran out of the loft as tears sung her eyes.

"Will every body stop saying that" Dan clenched his fist together and punched the wall, instantly bringing blood to the surface. He started tearing up the loft in a blind rage he upturned everything in sight. He picked up Rufus guitar and held it above his head before crashing it to the ground, breaking it in an instant. 'See what it feels like to have something you love ripped from under you' he thought to himself as he continued his uproar. Family picture, plants and memories all lay broken on the floor.

Thanks for the reviews, much appreciated.