Chapter VII
Did I Just Say That Aloud?
[PartyGal91 signed into msn status online]
[QueenB signed into msn status busy.]
PartyGal91: B wot the hell happened btwn u and Chuck today?
QueenB: Can't you see I'm busy S. How hard is it to use proper grammar? Plus that name is so junior high.
PartyGal91: If you have time to criticise me you have time to spill.
QueenB: Change the name first.
[PartyGal91 changed her name to SisforSerena]
SisforSerena: Better? Now spill!
QueenB: Marginally. And there's nothing to spill.
SisforSerena: That's not what Gossip Girl says. Apparently after what I heard was a catfight at the meeting (which I can't believe I missed btw D =) you and Chuck were caught leaving the empty classroom together?
QueenB: IT WASN'T A CATFIGHT! Gossip Girl should get a life and start reporting on important things that are actually happening. Like the tragedy that is more and more girls wearing tights as pants!
SisforSerena: Maybe you can explain away the fight. But what about what happened after the meeting. I'm waiting B?
QueenB: Chuck was just being an ass as per usual. It was nothing.
SisforSerena: C'mon B. First you kiss earlier this week, then you fight in class. Then apparently you disappear into a classroom together...
QueenB: It wasn't like that.
[LacrosseRULEZ signed into msn, status online]
SisforSerena: Brb
QueenB: Serena? Don't you dare tell Nate anything!
SisforSerena: What's there to tell B? = P.
QueenB: SERENA!
[Queen B sent a nudge]
LacrosseRULEZ: Hey Serena how are you?
SisforSerena: I'm fine, look about today... Could you perhaps not say anything to anyone?... I think it would be best, for both of us...
LacrosseRULEZ: I guess...
SisforSerena: Thanks Natie = )
LacrosseRULEZ: That's kk. I mean what are friends for right?
SisforSerena: You're the best = ). Did you hear we missed all the action though?
LacrosseRULEZ: Do you know what's going on between them? Chuck's didn't even want to play Xbox tonight. And then I saw Gossip Girl...
SisforSerena: He's grounded or something, maybe he's in a bad mood. But do you think he refused in a: I've got better things to do way? In a: I'm pissed at Bart so I'm sulking way. Or in a: I'm distracted by something life changing happening way?
LacrosseRULEZ: =|? Do I look like a girl to you?
SisforSerena: Brb Blair keeps on nudging me = S.
[QueenB sent a nudge]
[QueenB sent a nudge]
[QueenB sent a nudge]
[QueenB sent a nudge]
[QueenB sent a nudge]
SisforSerena: BLAIIIIRRRRR! PLEASE STOP! D =
QueenB: WHAT DID YOU SAY TO NATE?
SisforSerena: Nothing, he just said Chuck was acting weird.
QueenB: As if that's new.
[ChuckBass signed into msn, status busy]
SisforSerena: Maybe I can ask Chuck what happened ; P.
QueenB: I've gtg. Lots of homework to do.
SisforSerena: You can't run from the truth B, even in cyberspace! Lol.
QueenB: I am not running!
[QueenB is offline]
SisforSerena: Sure you're not!
ChuckBass: Hey man. I thought you were playing Halo?
LacrosseRULEZ: I thought you were too busy to play Halo?
ChuckBass: I didn't say I was too busy, I just said I wasn't in the mood.
LacrosseRULEZ: Because you wanted to ambush Blair online?
ChuckBass: Where did this come from?
[LacrosseRULEZ added ChuckBass to the conversation.]
SisforSerena: I'm still angry with you Chuck, but I'm willing to put that aside temporarily. Now you have a five minute reprieve to tell me what did you do to Blair?
ChuckBass: And hello to you too sis.
SisforSerena: Brb. When I look at this screen again you better have written everything down Chuck!
[SisforSerena status changed to away]
ChuckBass: Nathanial WTH?
LacrosseRULEZ: I thought it would be easier if Serena asked the questions.
ChuckBass: Since when did you become a woman?
LacrosseRULEZ: Hardy har
ChuckBass: What happened to bros before hoes?
LacrosseRULEZ: C'mon man. You know I always have your back when it counts.
[SisforSerena status changed to online]
SisforSerena: SO WHAT HAPPENED? TELL US!
ChuckBass: I don't see why I should.
SisforSerena: Last time you two had a trist it affected all of us. Plus as a BFF I cannot let Blair get hurt again. Now spill or your scarf gets it!
ChuckBass: You don't have my scarf.
SisforSerena: Wanna bet? You're all the way up in 1812, and I may have just snuck in your room and taken it off the dresser.
ChuckBass: You're bluffing.
[SisforSerena sent a photo link]
LacrosseRULEZ: That does look like she's holding your scarf man.
ChuckBass: B&^$!
SisforSerena: I learnt from the best.
ChuckBass: Touch the scarf and you'll die!
LacrosseRULEZ: Maybe you shouldn't mess with the scarf Serena... You know what happened last time = S
SisforSerena: Who's side are you on Nate? Now tell us Chuck or the scarf pays the price.
SisforSerena: Chuck?
LacrosseRULEZ: Maybe he's angry about the scarf threat.
SisforSerena: He better tell us what happened, or I will burn this scarf! DID YOU READ THAT CHUCK!
LacrosseRULEZ: You should have listened to me.
SisforSerena: Sometimes you have to djhfkueywkaejdkh
LacrosseRULEZ: Serena?
LacrosseRULEZ: Serena?
[Serena's is offline]
LacrosseRULEZ: I told you not to mess with the scarf. = |
[LacrosseRULEZ is offline]
Serena was in the middle of typing to Nate when suddenly her room door swung open. She knocked the keyboard with a start, as Chuck barged into the room, still in his yellow school shirt and beige slacks. He was absent sneaker s however, his feet covered by pink socks with purple poker dots. Serena grabbed his scarf from where it lay on the table, accidentally unhooking her pink laptop cord in the process. The laptop turned black, it's battery dead.
She turned, Chuck noticed the scarf in her hands, glaring at her as if through the power of his mind he could set her fingers on fire. Then he seemed to have an idea. He quickly darted for her cupboard.
"Chuck," she cried out in outrage, quickly rising from her chair. "Boundaries remember!"
He was out before she could follow him in, a pair of her new Jimmy Choos held up in his hand triumphantly.
"How would you like if I scuffed these?" he said triumphantly, smirking.
"Put those down," Serena shouted, quickly darting forward and making a grab for the shoes.
"Uh, uh, uh," Chuck crowed, jumping up onto her bed, and holding the shoes up to the ceiling.
"Get your smelly sock clad feet off my bed you creep," she wailed, disgusted.
She realised her mistake too late as Chuck's grin began resembling a Cheshire cat, a glint of mischief in his eye. She'd just handed him more ammunition.
"Give me the scarf or these sock's are going on your pillow," he took a threatening step back towards her cream pillows, his smirk growing wider. The bed springs made a noise under his weight, the bed dipping where he stood. He would have been an amusing sight in any other circumstance, the high heeled shoes held high above the bed, almost touching the ceiling, his foot raised, inching closer to rest above her pillow.
"Chuck, don't you dare," she screamed. "You do that and I will rip this scarf right now, so help me," she held the scarf up threateningly between both of her hands.
"Maybe I think it's worth it," he threatened, eyeing her menacing grip on his prized possession, trying to call her bluff.
"You're bluffing," she said, eyeing his sock with equal calculation.
"What's going on in here it sounded like someone was being murdered." Serena turned startled to be met with her mother wide eyed standing at the doorway, looking at the scene with shock. The worst thing was that Bart walked in right behind her, the same severe expression on his face, eyeing Serena like she was standing on her head. Serena realised she was still holding up Chuck's scarf, she quickly lowered her arms, blushing.
At least she wasn't the most ridiculous one in the room. Chuck, startled, was frozen with Serena's shoes still in his hands.
"Mom, I didn't know you were back," Serena said, perhaps slightly louder than necessary.
Lilly opened her mouth, but no words came out, her eyes fixed on Chuck stationary on the bed, arm still raised high above his head..
"What's going on here exactly?" she finally voiced, baffled.
"Chuck was being disgusting as per usual, he was trying to put his feet on my bed," Serena immediately launched the first accusation, her voice rising in pitch.
"Charles-" Bart started, his voice threatening.
Chuck finally snapped out of his frozen state, dropping his hands to his side he glared at Serena. "Please Serena, playing the innocent victim is unbelievable coming from you. Especially since you still have my scarf in your grubby hands," he snarled.
" Charles," Bart snapped now angry, but before he could lay into his son for his rudeness and disruption, yet again, of the family peace, Lilly interrupted with laughter.
Chuck and Bart both blinked slowly, looking stunned at Lilly who was unrestrainedly laughing at the scene that was in front of her eyes.
"Mom?" Serena interposed, brow furrowed.
"I'm sorry but, if you two saw yourselves right now..." she gasped. "I mean, you took his scarf so he took your shoes."
At this Bart looked again at Serena, who was looking slightly disgruntled at her mother's reaction, her hands folded over her chest, pouting. He then looked at his own son Chuck, who's mouth was slightly agape at Lilly's reaction, the pink shoes hanging in his hands, his hair ruffled.
And a small smile actually broke over Bart Bass' face.
"Mom this isn't funny," Serena protested. "Chuck was standing on my bed, his dirty socks were all over my sheets, I have to change everything now!"
"Please Serena," Lilly said, calming her mirth slightly. "I'm sure it's not that bad."
"So you're not going to do anything?" Serena cried, outraged.
"I think it's best if we leave you two to sort this out on your own," Lilly said breezily. She turned and headed towards the door, glancing back at Bart, who hesitated, then followed her. With a small amused smile on her face she closed the door on the scene, both Serena and Charles watching her with gaping mouths.
"Do you think that was really wise?" Bart queried, a crease of worry between his eyes. "I know Charles can..."
"Charles and Serena are acting exactly like siblings should," Lilly said reassuringly, as one who'd had experience. "They'll work this out on their own. It may be good for Serena to have a brother in her life who is a little more challenging then Eric. Look at it as character building for the both of them. So shall we go over the guest list for the benefit?"
She turned and walked down the corridor without a second glance. Bart watched her, feeling as stunned by her control over the situation (a control he for once was lacking) as the children probably were.
Chuck quickly stepped down from the bed, carelessly letting Serena's shoes slip through his fingers and thump to the floor. He had been expecting yet another one of Bart's speeches about how he ruined everything. He had not been expecting Lilly's reaction. He glanced up at Serena, who was looking at him just as stunned.
"Is Lilly usually like that?" he queried curiously.
"She must have had a few too many glasses on the flight back," Serena said by way of explanation of what she viewed as her mother's bizarre behaviour.
There was a pause as they both stood there, as if from the aftershock of a bomb, both feeling slightly foolish.
"I guess we did look kind of funny," Serena relented suddenly, and a giggle slipped through her lips. "You're face was priceless."
Chuck felt a small amused smirk tug at his lips, the tension that had between them since she had found him with a drunk Eric seeming to have been released for a second.
"So our 'parents' seemed okay with me being on your bed, how about we see how far we can push the envelope sis?" he wasn't entirely sure why the words spilled out of his mouth in a leering drawl, habit maybe? He only meant them as a joke, but Serena's face immediately hardened, as if she remembered why she was angry with him in the first place.
"Get out of here Chuck," she snapped, shoving his scarf into his surprised hands. "Your five minute reprieve is up."
"Come on Serena it was only a..." he began, but he found Serena was already pushing him towards the door and over the threshold. He didn't resist her force.
"And don't come in here again, or your scarf won't be the only thing I physically hurt," she snapped by way of farewell, and slammed the door in his face.
"I don't deal with damaged goods anyway," he snarled loudly, hoping his vindictiveness carried through the door.
Wrapping his scarf around his hand he headed for the stairs, resisting the urge to punch something. He knew for a fact that Lilly wouldn't find that so amusing, even if he was having a royal shitty day.
He had to hold the banister while heading down the stairs, his socks slipping against the polished wood. He'd forgotten everything in his rage that Serena had his scarf, coming up the elevator from 1812 in just his sock. Surprisingly going down the stairs was a lot harder then climbing up them.
He paused at the last stair, hearing an unexpected sound. He glanced over at the lounge room and saw Bart and Eric were sitting on the couch, Bart was actually laughing at something Eric was saying. He couldn't recall ever making his father laugh, except in scorn or disbelief.
"Oh Charles, are you leaving?" Lilly asked, interrupting Chuck's musings, coming out of the nearby coats closet where she had been searching for something.
"I think it's for the best," Chuck murmured, turning his gaze from Bart and Eric he headed for the elevator.
"But won't you stay, for dinner at least?" Lilly said, persisting in following him up to the double doors, watching with a small unhappy frown as he pressed the shiny button which would allow him to escape. "I feel like we hardly ever see you."
"With all due respect Lilly I don't think anyone's complaining," Chuck said, for once he couldn't bother keeping up his charming facade. He just wanted to go up to 1812 and try and forget this day ever happened. Luckily the elevator doors opened before a stunned Lilly could reply, and he entered.
"Charles, you know that's not true," she protested.
Chuck just gave her a small bitter smirk and shrugged, as if to say it wasn't worth arguing over. The elevator doors slid shut before Lilly could protest further, and as soon as they did Chuck slumped against the glass, running his hand through his hair and letting out a large gush of pent up air.
Blair lay on her queen size bed, her notebook open before her, her laptop firmly shut and her phone laying on the quilt beside her. She didn't appear to be making much headway on her homework tonight. She was playing with a tendril of her perfectly curled hair, tapping her pencil on a blank piece of paper, a sure sign she was preoccupied with something.
The problem was she couldn't stop thinking about this afternoon at school, the fight between her and Chuck and then...
She had absolutely promised herself that she would not talk to Chuck ever again after his comment in the rain. Hadn't that been proof enough that he would never change, he would always be the selfish jerk that said the wrong thing and tried to use her for his own perverse pleasure. Chuck Bass was not what she wanted. And yet, when she'd shoved him in that classroom, she thought that maybe a part of her did know what was going to happen, just like he did. She tried to deny it, but the truth had a way of creeping up on us.
At least she got the upper hand, she smirked, satisfied at his look when she'd closed the door on his face. It had been priceless, her tone, her poise, his helplessness.
And yet somehow she still felt defeated, still felt betrayed by her beating heart, by the fire that raced through her body, by her mind which was screaming at her to ignore everything that had gone before and just give him another chance, no strings attached.
That's why she hadn't completely pushed him away, that's why she'd given him a chance. Because every part of her being wouldn't let her give up on him entirely. Blair had given Chuck a choice, now it was up to him to live up to it. It had nothing to do with her now, it was out of her hands and in his. And she knew he would fail, it was why she asked it of him of course, the thing that she knew he would never give. It would set her free from him, make her realise that she deserved better, kill her stupid infatuation with him once and for all.
It was the perfect plan.
Then why was it so hard for her to let the topic go and concentrate on her work? Why is it that she was secretly hoping, in her heart of hearts, that he didn't fail.
The wireless landline on Blair's bedside table began ringing, she rolled her eyes, sighing. On the third ring it was silenced, obviously Dorota had picked it up downstairs. Blair expected it was something to do with her Mother's business. Nobody ever rang for Blair on the main phone, just like most girls her mobile was her best friend (figuratively speaking of course). Dorota walked into the room, she guessed the call had been shorter than usual.
"Yes Dorota?" Blair asked from the vantage point on her bed, annoyed as her maid looked at her as if suspicious she was up to something.
"The call was for you Mees Blair."
"Who is it?" Blair asked, trying to keep her voice neutral, trying to still the nervous butterflies in her stomach. Perhaps Chuck had decided on something after all.
"It's Meester Bass," Dorota said. Blair felt her heart swoop slightly. "Meester Bart Bass," Dorota clarified just as Blair reached out to grab the receiver on her table. The smile which she hadn't even realised was on her face dropped.
"Oh," she said, remembering that Dorota always called Chuck Meester Chuck, and that Mr Bass was his father. "Well why didn't you say that in the first place," she snapped, annoyed now.
"I thought you and Meester Chuck were broken up," Dorota said suspiciously looking at Blair, almost disapproving.
"We are," Blair said, trying to act blasé. "Now I have to take this call, so that will be all Dorota."
She shot her maid a look until she left the room, muttering something unintelligible in Polish.
Sighing Blair picked up the receiver, feeling slightly nervous but for an entirely other reason. Bart had never called her before.
"Hello Mr Bass? This is Blair," she said, pressing the receiver against her ear and trying to sound like a sweet respectable girl.
"Hello Blair," Bart's voice sounded through the receiver, as severe as ever. "You must be wondering why I called."
Blair didn't say anything to this obvious statement. Bart usually didn't waste words, but she supposed he may have felt as awkward about this call as she was.
"Yes, is there something wrong with Chuck?" Blair queried, reminding herself sternly that if there was something wrong she wouldn't care.
"No, no Chuck's...fine. As fine as he can be." Bart's voice lowered unconsciously at the sound of Chuck's name, taking on a disapproving tone. He was probably still annoyed about the morning parent teacher conference, Blair reasoned. "But he is why I called," Bart continued.
"Oh, really?" Blair asked, her stomach falling. She knew Bart had PIs follow Chuck and she wondered if maybe they'd been spotted by someone other than Gossip Girl leaving that classroom. She wondered how fine the line was between taking pictures for private investigation and taking pictures for perversion. She really hoped Bart hadn't seen what they were doing, and worse wanted to discuss it with her for some unknown embarrassing reason.
"I was informed this morning that Chuck requires...some extra tutelage."
"Oh," Blair said, her stomach returning to its normal place and her interest piquing. Chuck hadn't mentioned that to her this afternoon, not that they had done much talking.
"I hope you don't mind, but I've been looking over the class list from both St Judes and Constance and I noticed that you are one of the top students. I think someone with your tenacity would be perfect in getting Chuck focused, considering that you know him so well...Of course that is if you have no objections?"
Trust Bart, Blair thought wryly, adding the allusion to Chuck and her previous relationship as an afterthought. He'd probably forgotten all about it, for all the attention he paid to Chuck he may not even know they broke up. Of course if Serena was anything to go by it was hard to miss all the hookers Chuck invited to his rooms. Then again Blair remembered that Bart was never around to notice.
"So are you interested on starting tomorrow Blair?" Bart queried at her silence. "I'm sure tutoring would look good on your college application."
Blair had to admit, the offer was enticing. Mainly so she could hold it over Chuck's head for the rest of his life. Then again, she had sworn to herself she wasn't going near him, not unless he met her condition, and she knew for a fact he was never going to do that. Tutoring him would contravene her word, not to mention sitting in a room by herself with Chuck Bass put her in a very dangerous situation. And she couldn't stand it if he won, not now, not ever.
The idea of losing actually gave her a brilliant idea.
"Actually Mr Bass I've got so many extracurricular activities, it would be really hard for me to fit tutoring in as well" she said, working on making her voice regretful but firm. "But I do think I know of someone else who probably could help you, a guy in Chuck's class actually."
"Really, that would be preferable," Bart said, sounding slightly relieved. Obviously he was concerned about having a girl trying to tutor Chuck, one that wasn't Blair of course. Also there was less chance of a law suit if someone took the job who already knew Chuck's nature.
"Yes," Blair said, smiling widely now. "He could probably use the money too, you see he's on a scholarship in St Judes. And he's in the top percentile of the school." She begrudgingly added that bit in.
"If you could give me his name and number that would be helpful," Bart said, sounding sold already, Chuck always said he admired hard working people above all others, and what spelt working class more than a scholarship.
"His name is Daniel Humphrey," she said, trying not to choke on the words. She flicked through her notebook, though she would never admit it to anyone, and was planning to burn the page afterwards, she'd gotten Humphreys phone number from Serena. They had to work on this stupid project after all, and Blair didn't let anything get in the way of her prestige at school, even Humdrum Humphrey and his lowly connections.
She read the number off the paper, repeating it to ensure Bart got it right.
Bart had thanked her for the advice and they'd exchanged goodbyes, probably equal relief on both parts.
The tips of Blair's red tinged lips turned up as she placed the phone back on the cradle. She glanced at her antique clock, noting the time. She would give Bart ten minutes to 'convince' Dan of the deal, and then check in on the situation to ensure it was done. She knew it would only take five, but she was feeling generous towards the Brooklynite today. Maybe it was the sunny day, or maybe it was that she had found the perfect way to torture Chuck, but she was feeling unusually benevolent towards the low born Lonely Boy.
"Who were you talking to on the phone?" Jenny asked curiously as she looked up from her various maths books scattered over the table in the living room. She'd been puzzling over the problems, a part of her brooding over how much she missed her job at Eleanor's, the other part of her trying to eavesdrop on the low conversation Dan was having in his room. All in all she didn't have much time to actually do one question, let alone the set.
Her heart lifted slightly when Dan appeared from his room, looking stunned down at the phone resting in his hand. She'd hoped it may have been Serena who had called. She knew things had ended badly between them, to go by Gossip Girl catastrophic. But she was still hoping for a reunion. She liked the tall blonde, Dan was a much cooler person when he was around her, not to mention that Serena could probably keep Blair's minions at bay. They'd tripped her over in the corridors today, making her spill her book and papers all over the floor, eliciting a laugh from the whole corridor. In summary, school was beginning to resemble Jenny's idea of hell, and she could use some good news, even if it was just that her brother would stop brooding around the loft, bringing Jenny's mood even lower.
"I think Bart Bass just talked me into becoming Chuck's tutor," Dan said, looking up at Jenny with a baffled face.
"Wait, that was Bart Bass?" Jenny said, her eyes widening. "What did he say?"
"That Chuck needed a tutor, he was willing to pay money, it would look great on my application...Oh yeah and I start tomorrow..."
Dan stumbled over to the bar stools, looking like a bus had hit him, he slumped into the seat, still clutching the phone in one hand.
"I guess they don't call him a business shark for nothing," she commented. Then what Dan just said sunk in. "Wait, Chuck Bass needs a tutor?"
"Well it was bound to happen sometime, I'm surprised his brain's still functioning with all the alcohol I've seen him consume, and I've only known him for a year." Dan babbled, as he usually did when he was shocked or nervous. "Anyway Bart said something about trouble with school work, like that's anything new. He used to try and copy off my homework when I was dating..."
Dan trailed off at this. He hadn't mentioned Serena much since the incident where she'd gone Armageddon on him and had the whole school visibly ignore him for a whole week. Jenny was pretty sure he was still taking their break up hard.
"Was Bart as scary as everyone makes out?" she quickly asked, hoping to take his mind off broody thoughts. "Eric once told me he only had one tone of voice."
"Yeah...I think the tone is 'all I have to do is make a call and you'll be dead'," Dan laughed nervously. "He was scary enough to make me agree to tutor Chuck Bass."
As if he just realised what he just said he turned around and buried his head on the counter, groaning loudly. "I just agreed to tutor Chuck Bass. To voluntarily give up an hour of my time to spend with a guy I hate probably the most in the whole of the Upper East Side."
"Well it can't be that bad, can it? I mean how much are you getting paid?"
"True," Dan conceded, his voice muffled as it was buried in his hands. "He offered me fifty dollars an hour, I thought that was pretty good. But then I just remembered, it's Chuck Bass he's asking me to try and tutor. I mean, I don't think he even has the ability to learn anything, period."
"Well if he really annoys you, you could always spill to Gossip Girl," Jenny pointed out reasonably as she scratched out her hopeless workings and started a new page.
"You can't say anything to anyone about this," Dan said, snapping out of his shock and raising his head to catch Jenny's eye. "Bart said he'd prefer if it didn't get out to half the school...Chuck's a jerk and definitely deserves it. But I gave my word to Bart I wouldn't say anything. Although come to think of it, I'm not entirely sure how that happened either..."
"Okay," Jenny said shrugging indifferently.
"I mean it Jenny," Dan reiterated firmly. "Nothing to anyone."
"I said okay Dan, gee take a chill pill," Jenny snapped, annoyed at his overbearing attitude. It wasn't like she was that heartless. Besides after what she had seen between Chuck and his Father she was beginning to feel that perhaps he didn't act like a jerk just for the sake of it. That didn't mean she'd ever forget the Kiss on the Lips party, but she wasn't interested in antagonizing him either.
Just as Dan was about to retort to her tone the phone trilled in his hand.
"It's probably Dad working late again," Jenny noted, slightly annoyed.
"Hi," Dan answered the phone, whoever replied on the other end almost made him drop it.
"Who is it?" Jenny asked, watching him curiously.
"Nobody," he mouthed, then quickly jumped off the bar stool and went into his room, shutting the door firmly behind him. Jenny rose, curious and went to stand by his door. She pressed her ear to it, but all she could hear was the low hum of music. Obviously Dan had got wise to his sister's trick at listening at key holes. His voice was just a low rumble, incomprehensible. Sighing with frustration she returned to the table and her math's problems. She'd probably find out about it on Gossip Girl anyway.
"So uh...why exactly did you call me Blair? And by the way how did you get this number again?" Dan queried from his position on the bed. Music was playing low in the background, in order to ensure Jenny did not hear a word of this conversation. He'd been surprised enough to hear Bart Bass' voice on the other end of a call, now Blair Waldorf was ringing the Humphrey residence. Dan was starting to wonder if hell had frozen over but no one had bothered to tell him yet.
"So polite, true Brooklyn charm," Blair replied on the other end with false sweetness.
"Sorry but I really wasn't expecting your call like, ever... " Dan retorted, using the same tone.
"Well it's not voluntary by any means," Blair stipulated. "This is strictly business. As you are well aware we have to come up with an idea for the committee. Under normal circumstances I would have come up with the idea myself and you would have agreed with it. But seeing as I'm already swamped with work right now you're going to have to pick up your own slack."
"Well thanks for letting me know," Dan said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"You're welcome Humphrey. I was thinking we could meet tomorrow afternoon, it shouldn't take us more than an hour to write out a plan, maybe two with your contributions."
"Actually I'm busy tomorrow," Dan said quickly.
"Really, doing what exactly?" Blair asked overtly sceptical.
"Cater waiting," it left Dan's lips before he could think. He had been considering getting a job for a while, and had seen the advertisement in the paper. He had no idea why he was using it as his alibi though, too bad Vanessa had a date with Nate that night and now he was stuck with this.
"What?" Blair laughed, and not in a nice way.
"Look not that it's any of your business, but some of us actually work for our money," Dan snapped, annoyed at himself and at her. "We can meet Friday after school at the library to discuss the project then, that is if you can spare precious time from shopping, doing your hair and oh yeah, wrestling publicly with Chuck."
"We were not wrestling," Blair snapped, obviously he had hit a nerve.
"Look I don't care what you call it Blair, I've really got to go now I have an important call. See you on Friday." With that he switched the phone off before Blair could reply with a viscous remark which would cut him to the core. He grinned slightly at his small victory, but then he remembered what he was really going to be doing tomorrow.
Groaning he grabbed his pillow and pulled it over his face. Dan Humphrey tutoring Chuck Bass, what the hell had he been thinking?
A/N: Blair rang just to make sure Dan had taken the job so she could delight in the pleasure of seeing Chuck squirm on a certain afternoon = P. What happened with Nate and Serena when they disappeared from the meeting? Well I'm not entirely sure yet but I'll try and fill in the blanks lol.
Up next a little tiff between friends, Lilly and Bart try to set down some house rules, and Chuck finds out what Damien is really like, and isn't unpleasantly surprised. For now that is... Plus Nate and Dan spend some quality time together, could this be the beginning of a beautiful bromance? Oh yeah and don't forget an interesting tutoring session.
Thanks so much to svenjen, QueenBee10, Bellemme, mlharper and AquarianAir for reviewing the last chapter! I really, really appreciate it guys thank you so much = D!
Please review if you read = ).
Inspiring picture of the chapter: Google: "dan humphrey ohsosmitho" This one goes to Dan, the first pic where he looks like a stunned mullet. What he would have looked like after Bart's call lol.
SPOILER 4x20 READ AT OWN PERIL
I just saw the episode and that's why I posted this so quickly.
= O!
I have to rant, so I will here, sorry but I just have to get it out.
I think Chuck will redeem himself, this is probably his turning point (I'm hoping the writers actually get to the redeeming part now, cause I don't think he could get any lower).
If you look at everything that is going on you can kind of understand along with alcohol why he lost it for a second. Plus if you look at it I think he truly believedd at the party like so many times before, Blair was just playing with him, and she'd come back to him (Lord Marcus and others I can't remember right now. Anyway their usual pattern is to date someone else to make the other jealous, and Chuck probably believed that was what she was doing like so many times before. I guess this just highlights how much Blair has grown and how little Chuck hasn't but we can't blame the poor guy cause he's been a bit preoccupied with his life falling apart).
The way he looked so hopeful and helpless (like a little lost boy = ( ) when he was telling her they were the only real thing, I think he truly realised all his actions with his company and his hotel were shallow and all he needed really was her, to make him happy. And when he kissed her, at the beginning he thought she had come back to him so it was natural. When he lost control think it was just that he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Maybe he thought that she'd relent and didn't really mean what she was saying and desire would take over, like they'd done before (piano scene anyone, one minute saying they hated each other the next minute making out). Maybe he was still deluding himself that she was playing with him, that she cuoldn't deny what he thought she felt and when she realised she'd melt in his arms or something.
Anyway that's my interpretation of the scene. And to be fair to him he did stop as soon as she told him to. Hitting the glass wasn't the nicest move, but he didn't go to hit her he just lost his mind (he is the only character on the show that seems to have really devestating stuff happen to him all the dan time! That would make anyone go crazy, especially when the only person who you think loves you tells you she's in love with someone else. The guys whole life is falling apart and he has absolutely no one to turn to right now!).
Anyway though his behaviour in real life would never be acceptable or reedeemable, I think as it is a show Chuck can and will redeem himself. I did feel sorry for him anyway, although I may be a little biased.
I don't think what Louis and Blair has is real. I think she has feelings for him, but I think she is more in love with the fairytale then the man. Suprisingly I actually like Louis, and feel a bit bad for him. But I don't think that what they have is entirely real. I think they're both rushing into something that niehter of them is ready for.
Raina is a cow, and I cannot believe Nate. So your friend just found out his Dad killed someone (on top of a whole lot of other issues) then loses the love of his life and you dump him for some chick you've been dating for like a week who is also your best friends ex! C'mon Nate WTH? And Raina, how can you blame CHuck for what his Dad did? He's as upset about the whole thing as she is, he found out his Dad killed someone, not to mention his own Mummy issues! Give the poor guy a break.
Anyway maybe I'm just stubborn, but I still felt bad for Chuck. Serena ticked me off but at least once she realised how happy Blair was she backed off. And I think it was sweet of her to put up a little defence for Chuck, and say what I was thinking the whole episode, "I thought your prince had already been here." At least when Chuck is at his most down Serena seems to be the only one to feel sorry for the poor guy (like last time too I think, I can't remember the details)I guess she can relate to his self distruction with her own bad girl behaviour. I like to think they also have some sort of sibling bond as well as that comraderie of two people who've done things that niether Blair or Nate have.
I think Blair is trying to convince herself that she has changed so much, but I don't think she truly has. You can't change who you are completely because then you wouldn't be you. I hope at least they finish the season well, and Chuck can start redeeming himself and things can sort themselves out. (How about a Dan, Chuck, Louis chase that shows them all showing Blair why she shoudl be with them and hten her choosing Chuck lol jks only if he proves himself well!)
In short as this is a TV show, I'm still loyal to Chair and believe their destiny. I still love Chuck, and though he could grow up a bit I feel so sad for him right now and can kind of undestand him, his whole world is crumbling and he has no one to turn to, he's only 20 years old after all = (.
The episode left me sad, but it didn't kill my hopes for Chuck and Chair, annd though it's definetly not going to happen this season I'm sure it will in the next! After all tomorrow is another day.
I love how they compared Chuck to the Beast, because in a way he is tortured and as despairing as the beast, but remember Belle with her love transforms him into a beautiful Prince, and Blair will do the same for Chuck. I believe in Chair, I do, I do lol!
End of rant lol. Glad I got that off my chest sigh = (.