Chapter XI
Help Me, Help You, to Burn Those Bridges Away
Spotted: Serena Van der Woodsen and Lonely Boy sharing an almost kiss. Will they, won't they? All I know is they better be certain this time, because I hear three strikes and your out. xoxo GG
Serena avoided going home after school. She had to turn off her phone, and no doubt would have to get a new number. She imagined, along with the perverts from school, her Mom had probably left a dozen messages. Blair said something about having to do a lot of homework, so Serena was left wandering bereft, not feeling much like shopping, not feeling much like doing anything really. Eventually she found her feet taking her to a familiar street, she stopped in front of a nice brick house, pausing to look up at it. It was Nate's place, she always remembered how when her Mom had run off with her new squeeze Nate used to hold her wasted frame, allowing her to take in his crisp aftershave, and murmur stuff about how it really sucked and wasn't fair. Maybe she could use some of that simple childhood comfort right now, rather than Blair's insistence she seek further revenge. Walking up the steps she went to ring the bell, clutching her arms around her, she'd forgotten her blazer at school and it was starting to get chilly.
"Serena," Dan exclaimed, startled. He was just coming out of a side gate, quickly masking a look of guilt. To Serena's surprise he held a soccer ball under his arm.
"Dan, what are you doing here?" she asked, bemused.
"Uh...Nate asked if I wanted to meet up and play some soccer, to practice for the team. Apparently all their reserves got taken out by a nasty case of...anyway I thought we were supposed to meet up here but I guess I was wrong..." he rubbed the back of his neck in that familiar nervous way. Serena stood awkwardly, watching him. Since when had Nate and Dan become friends? Since when had Dan become remotely athletic?
"So he's not home then?" she queried, despondent despite herself. Sighing she gave up and sat down on the steps, holding her head in her hands.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Dan asked, concerned. He came to sit beside her, placing his soccer ball on the step below.
"How could you have missed one of the many flyers advertising Ivannah's number?" she groaned, looking up at him.
"Oh yeah...those," he said, giving a wry smile. "Well I have to say, I liked the STD one better, besides the disturbing fact it may be true, and that Chuck owns a pair of bathers that look like that..."
"It wasn't even my idea," Serena dismissed. "It was Blair's. You know, I thought if I got back at Chuck somehow justice would be served, but now my Mom is probably furious at me, and Chuck somehow comes out smelling like roses."
"If they had STD's," Dan tried to quip, Serena gave a half hearted laugh, looking at him and shaking her head, to her surprise she felt tears start to form at the edge of her eyes, despite herself.
"You look cold, you uh want my jacket?" he queried awkwardly taking it off before she could protest and placing it over her shoulders.
"I just don't know when my already screwed up family turned into some kind of Adams family," she wailed, looking up at the grey New York sky.
"Well I'm sure things will pick up soon," Dan amended, "I mean, me and Jenny neve exactly had fights on your scale, but I do remember one time when she crayoned all over one of my stories, so I grabbed her barbie and ripped it's head off."
"Psycho much," Serena laughed, looking at him in surprise.
"Yeah...it was post T ball...don't ask," he said at her confused look. "As weird as this is to say, siblings fight...and uh, from what I've seen of Bart on Thursday...and I really cannot believe I'm saying this...but maybe Chuck hasn't had a lot of positive experiences of family."
"Please, he asks for it," Serena exclaimed, rolling her eyes and dismissing the idea with preconceived prejudice. "But thank you for the idea, if the worst comes to the worst I might just rip off the head of one of his barbie dolls."
"No problem," Dan laughed, instinctively draping his arm over her as Serena giggled. Their laughter faded, but they continued to look at each other, suspended, their eyes locked.
Suddenly Dan's phone rang, startling both of them. He quickly took it out of his pocket, letting his arm fall from Serena's side.
"It's uh...Nate," he said, his heart sinking as he saw Serena take off his jacket and rise. "He's probably waiting for me at the park."
"And my Mom is probably waiting for me," Serena said, wincing at the thought while she brushed her skirt down. "Say hi to Nate for me,"
"Will do," Dan said, also standing awkwardly and taking his jacket from her.
"See you later Dan," her voice softened as she looked up at him, then she turned and made her way down the steps. Dan stood there, his buzzing phone in hand, watching her until she got lost in the crowd of pedestrians.
Finally snapping back to reality he glanced at the deserted house which he'd accidentally stumbled upon. Frowning, he looked down at the phone and wondered how he was going to confront Nate's issues when he couldn't even confront his own.
Chuck's phone buzzed again, he saw it was Lilly but he ignored it. Unlike Serena it wasn't like he didn't have anywhere else to go tonight. He was certainly going to be sleeping in 1812 this weekend, and he was confident Lilly would forget all about him once Serena argued with her. It was the perfect plan, so he celebrated it at the Palace bar.
He drowned down his third drink, fiddling absentmindedly with the toothpick, watching the olive boredly. There was no fair game here tonight, but he wasn't looking for company anyway. He felt restless, infuriated and full of ennui. His life recently seemed like a row of empty glasses. Throwing the toothpick down, annoyed at the turn his thoughts were taking, he signalled the bartender for another drink.
"Uh hey, Chuck right? I'm Damien, from the other day..." a voice sounded behind him. Chuck glanced up lazily, the new boy Serena had been hanging out with recently stood beside him. He was wearing a nice shirt and pants, his hair slicked back and cologne evident around him. Chuck rolled his eyes, he could have messed with this guy, and Serena as well, but he couldn't stir enough energy to bother.
"She's not here," he drawled, anticipating the question for the young blonde. "And if I were you, I wouldn't bother."
"Huh," the guy said, not looking particularly disheartened or annoyed by his comment. Instead of walking away however, he glanced down at the many glasses in front of Chuck. "A martini man?" he queried.
"Scotch," Chuck corrected. "These are just the starters."
A small spark seemed to alight in Damien's eyes. "So what are you planning on finishing with?" he asked, a small amused smile on his face.
"Not anything you'd be able to handle," Chuck sneered.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Damien said, sitting down in the stool next to Chuck he fiddled in his pocket, holding something in his hand. Despite himself Chuck looked curiously. Under the bar, where it was hidden to just Chuck and Damien, he opened his hand. Inside he had a packet of pure white powder. "I've come across some interesting things at boarding school."
"How good?" Chuck asked, slightly interested now, he sipped at his glass, hardly tasting the liquid.
"Let's just say, the guy I know has stuff that'll blow your mind," Damien said in a lowered voice, pocketing the packet carefully again.
"They all say that," Chuck sneered.
"Care to test the theory with me then?" Damien queried.
Chuck looked up at him, and a smirk tugged at his lips despite himself. Who would have guessed Serena's innocent preppy looking old school friend would be this interesting. Shrugging, as if he didn't have anything better to do, he rose.
"I guess I could spare a bit, we can talk price up at my suite."
"First test is free, consider it a friend of a friend deal," Damien said, grinning like a shark now as he too rose.
"Even better," Chuck smirked, strolling out of the bar knowing the other boy would follow. At least he'd found something stimulating to do tonight.
"I cannot believe Mom is waiting for Bart before she 'deals' with this issue," Serena whined, it was her turn to stab furiously at her salad, Eric sat across from her at the nicely decorated table. The two siblings had decided to have breakfast downstairs at the Palace bar, as a break in their usual Saturday morning tradition which occasionally happened at Starbucks and had started after the Ostroff centre incident. Of course with the recent merging of their families, Jonathon and Dan, they hadn't had breakfast together in a while, so Eric had been hoping for a quiet affair. Instead Serena was in a foul temper yet again against Lilly.
"Well on the bright side you won't be grounded for a whole week." Eric pointed out, trying to be positive.
"She should have dealt with it now, and grounded Chuck," Serena proclaimed, stabbing at a stubborn piece of chicken. "I just know by the time Bart comes back Chuck would already have played on Mom and made it seem like it's all my fault and..."
"Maybe that's why Mom is waiting for Bart to come back, so together they can formulate an unbiased view," Eric pointed out. "We both know Bart isn't Chuck's biggest fan..."
"I still think it stinks that while he's been holed up in his suite doing heaven knows what, I have Mom giving me the frosty treatment," Serena did not relent, pouting. Eric sighed, picking at his own food and knowing he was not going to make Serena see reason this morning. "Anyway, enough about me," she said fitfully realising Eric was rather quiet. "What's going on with you?"
Eric opened his mouth but before he could answer he was interrupted.
"Serena, hey," a boy with dark hair came up to the table, smiling. Eric noticed his hair was mussed and he had dark shadows under his eyes, as if he had a late night.
"Oh Damien," Serena said, looking up flustered. "I wasn't expecting to see you here..."
"Yeah, my Mom decided to try the food this morning. Of course then she had some sort of emergency, leaving me with a salad and a bunch of strawberries," he gave a wry smile, glancing at Eric who was looking at him in confusion.
"Oh uh...Damien this is Eric my little brother, Eric this is Damien, he's an old friend from boarding school. He goes to St Judes now..." she trailed off, having nothing left to say.
"Pleased to meet you," Damien said politely, holding out a hand which Eric took to shake.
"Same..." Eric replied with the automatic response.
Serena's phone trilled and she glanced down, then up with masked relief.
"Sorry guys but I have to go, Blair emergency. Something about a missing pair of Loubitanes, anyway I'll see you tomorrow Eric. See you at school Damien..." quickly gathering her things Serena sprung up and rushed out the restaurant like a hurricane, leaving a stunned Damien and Eric behind.
"So, your Serena's little brother, I heard you were pretty knowledgable," Damien finally said after a short awkward pause.
"Uh...I guess..." Eric said, feeling like a deer caught in headlights at the older boys dark gaze.
"So you'd probably know where I could get a good New York burger then? Mind showing me?" Damien queiried, smiling with all his teeth and a dimple.
"Yeah...I guess I could..." Eric answered, returning his smile with a shy one of his own.
The phone rang, cutting through Chuck's sleepy haze like a slap in the face. Growling he fumbled for it on his bedside table, managing to finally grab it he tore it off the cradle and pressed it against his ear.
"I don't need a wake up call, it's Sunday," he snarled into the phone, annoyed they'd make a mistake like that in the front desk.
"Hello to you too Charles," Lilly's arch voice sounded from the other end of the phone. Chuck's eyes snapped open and he quickly sat up, clearing his throat. He had not been expecting Lilly to bother to call him. "Just to inform you it's actually Monday," she said, a slight note of amusement, a slight note of concern in her voice. Chuck brushed his hair with his fingertips, he supposed he'd partied harder then he thought. There was some lingerie scattered around the suite, and the empty packet Damien had left him on the table. The whole weekend was like a blur, he supposed that stuff really was good.
"Oh," was all he said as she expected a response. "Right...I was just going to get ready for school..."
"You still have some time," Lilly noted, "Which is why I called. I was hoping you could come up to breakfast with the family, I would like to talk to you and Serena both."
Chuck tried to dispel his feeling of nausea, not sure whether it was due to his bender or Lilly's words.
"Okay," he finally murmured, not his usual suave self, his tongue feeling heavy and unused.
"Excellent," Lilly said brightly, "See you in ten minutes Charles."
She hung up and Chuck stared down dumbly at the phone, wondering how Lilly had just co-erced him into going up for breakfast with the 'family'.
Chuck strolled into the dining room, unconsciously buttoning and unbuttoning his blazer as he stopped at the table.
"Charles, I'm glad you could make it," said Lilly, smiling. He brushed his fingers through his hair fitfully, he knew he didn't look at his best. His eyes were red and bleary, his hair was barely styled, and for the life of him he couldn't do his tie up properly today. But he still shot Lilly a carefully crafted smile and tried to turn on his charm, despite everything working against him.
"Always happy to oblige you Lilly," he drawled, taking his seat at the table between Eric and Serena, one of which was ignoring him, the other glaring.
He glanced over at the younger boy who was looking unusually bleary eyed, yawning into his breakfast. He didn't comment however, he wasn't feeling much like extending olive branches right then, just to be rebuffed. Instead he poured himself some orange juice, drinking it unsatisfactorily he thought about the selection of refreshments he could choose from in his limo.
"Charles?" Lilly prompted, Chuck started, almost spilling some of the juice on the table.
"I'm sorry?" he said quickly, looking up, he hadn't realised Lilly had been talking.
"I was just saying, I specifically called you up here to talk about the incident on Friday. As I've already told Serena I've decided to reserve judgment on what to do about...your little school incident until Bart returns," Lilly proclaimed.
Chuck prevented himself from snorting derisively at this, instead putting on an air of polite interest.
"But I would ask both you and Serena to please try not to get into any further trouble for the rest of the year. This is your last year in school, how about the both of you try and make it a pleasant experience, for all of us?" she said, now turning her gaze on Serena too. Chuck felt uncomfortable at her pleading look, squirming slightly in his seat. Serena pouted slightly, but didn't say anything further, avoiding her mother's gaze. "Besides, I'm not sure how much more Mistress Queller can take, the poor woman," she pronounced, slightly amused. "She did suggest however Charles, that perhaps you should think about law school."
"Really..." Chuck said, raising his eyebrow. He didn't think he'd made that kind of impression on the woman. It was an amusing idea, if nothing more.
It was Serena's turn to snort derisively at this, Lilly chose to ignore her daughter's undignified sound, while Chuck frowned, annoyed at her.
"I wonder what career path Mistress Qrueller thought would be suited to you Serena," he sneered at her scornful look. "Perhaps after seeing the flyers she didn't even have to say."
"Charles," Lilly reprimanded quietly as Serena glared at him.
"At least I'll have a career, unlike the stunning path in front of you Chuck." She said snippily, widening her blue eyes, " Which college offered you early acceptance with the great Bass name behind you...oh that's right, none."
"We all know..." Chuck began heatedly.
"Children, please," Lilly said, quickly cutting off a further slinging match, she held her head in frustration.
"I should probably get going," Eric said blandly, standing up, "I've got to set up for a presentation. See you Mom." With that he quickly left the room, still yawning.
"See you darling," Lilly called.
"I'm going too," Serena said abruptly, also rising."Bye Mom."
"Be good," Lilly called after her, Serena just waved a careless hand in acknowledgment.
Chuck waited for the sound of the elevator door sliding shut before he too rose, settling his blaze jacket and picking up his satchel.
"Lilly, always a pleasure," he said, nodding to her.
"Have a good day Charles," she said tiredly. He hesitated, looking at her holding her head, feeling slightly guilty at the trouble he was causing her. But he quickly brushed the thought aside and turning left.
As soon as she heard the elevator door slide behind Chuck Lilly picked up her phone and dialled Bart's number. His voicemail picked up as per usual. Sighing she terminated the call and hesitating for a second she then clicked number one on her speed dial.
"Lilly...I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon," Rufus voice sounded through the receiver, awkward.
"I know, I'm sorry Rufus. But the children are at it again," she sighed.
"Serena and uh...Chuck?" Rufus queried.
"Yes, I was horrified enough by these flyers all over the school, but it seems its added fuel to the fire."
"Have you...talked to Bart about this?" Rufus queried, hesitating at the other man's name.
"I tried...he said he'd deal with it when he got back. But I don't want them jeopardizing their future due to silly childhood vendettas. First it was these flyers, who knows what will be next, especially with their apparent imaginations," she said.
"Like I said Lil's it'll blow over, you just have to give them time to fight it out," Rufus said comfortingly.
"Oh, I know I'm being silly," Lilly sighed, rubbing her head. "I'm sorry, but I just feel so out of my depth. I never had problems like this with Eric and Serena...well not with Eric at least."
"It's okay," Rufus supplied, "How about we have a coffee together and you can talk to me about it?"
"That would be...wonderful," Lilly exclaimed, actually smiling.
"As friends of course," Rufus amended, trying to reassert the clear lines they had recently drawn for themselves, a compromise which allowed them to still see each other.
"Of course," Lilly agreed, her smile fading somewhat as she quickly averted her eyes from the picture hanging on the immediate wall, of Bart, her and the children, all smiling happily on their wedding day.
"So," Mr Pieser said, clapping his hands and looking around at the unlikely group of students with a wide smile. "Who has a presentation prepared for me?"
A sullen look met him from Chuck, who was sitting at the very back of the class and who was still contemplating skipping this after school meeting. Clueless looks from Nate and Serena, both of whom were sitting at the front to be as far away from Chuck as possible, albeit in opposite corners. Blair's minions brought out crumpled pieces of paper, not very promising. It was only Blair and Dan who met the teacher's gaze with clear confidence of those who had done the work before. Damien wasn't even present, he'd been absent from school, Chuck wondered vaguely if he was still recovering from the weekend that he was still having difficulty remembering.
"Come on people, I asked for proposals," Mr Pieser grumbled, looking annoyed at the motley bunch of students." This assembly is in a short few weeks and I expect results. How about you Mr Bass?"
"Sorry, I was sick," Chuck drawled, not bothering to look up from his notepad, where he was aimlessly scribbling on his paper. "I can get a doctor's certificate if you deem it necessary sir." He let the last syllable draw out mockingly.
"Right..." Mr Pieser said frowning, it wasn't like he expected anything more from Chuck. "Anyone else have a half hearrted excuse?"
"Actually Mr Pieser, we would like to put forward our idea," Blair said clearly, shooting Chuck a superior look that said, 'if you can't do this, there's no hope for you with a whole essay.'
"Fine Ms Waldorf, pitch away, you and uh..Donald," he said indicating Dan as well, he lent against his desk, looking at them expectantly.
"We were thinking of a mockumentary," Blair supplied, holding up some pristine sheets of typed paper. "To run about five minutes in length. It's to show the adverse affects of alcoholism in the average teenager, and the pressures they face today which lead them to drink."
"Interesting," Pieser said, in an unusually good mood. He lent over and took the paper from Blair's hand, flicking through it.
"I'll be directing it," Blair added.
"Co-direcrting, since we both worked on the script," Dan corrected, intervening here. Blair glared at him, but didn't have a chance to comment as Pieser looked up.
"Well I must say this is well thought out," he said, nodding his approval. "But there's not enough characters here for the whole committee involvement?"
"Well we were thinking in addition to this there could be those who could make promotional posters, to hang around the school," Blair quickly amended, showing she had thought of everything, as usual. "And also organize questionnaires and pamphlets for students, to be handed out before the assembly."
"We'd be happy to do that," Penelope supplied sweetly, volunteering the four minions who nodded adamantly. It was a way out of having to be under Blair's direction, who already directed the groups every move inside school hours.
"So that leaves Mr Archibald, Ms Van der Woodsen, Mr Bass and the currently absent Damien to fill the roles in your little directional debut," Pieser said, satisfied he actually spared a rare smile for Blair, his eyes twinkling over his glasses. "I think that would work out very well, does everyone agree?"
Chuck contemplated being a voice of dissent, just to be contrary as everyone else nodded in obedience. But he decided against it, simply not declaring his interest one way or the other. His little acting role may actually be advantageous, giving him more time to work on Blair. He smirked at the idea, who needed an A when he could seduce her?
"Excellent," Pieser said. "I think you can all go early, and prepare for this throughout the week. I'm trusting you Ms Waldorf, in ensuring this assembly runs smoothly."
"Of course Mr Pieser," Blair beamed, taking the mantle of leader with delight. Serena tried not to groan at the dread that was Blair Waldorf when she was given command over something.
"Excellent," Pieser repeated as the other students, taking this as their cue to go, began gathering their bags gratefully. Chuck frowned as he picked up his own satchel, waiting for the others to file out before him so he didn't have to stand another death glare from Serena, an evident effort to ignore him by Nate, or Blair's little superior smirks.
As he went to exit the classroom once Penelope's skirt disappeared through the door, he glanced at Pieser, who was checking his watch almost with anticipation, wondering what had gotten him into a sudden good mood. He didn't have long to wait however, strolling down the empty corridor, he glanced behind him at the sound of heels and saw some strawberry blonde hair and a familiar pencil skirt disappear into the classroom, the door shutting behind her. Chuck didn't know whether it was amusing or sad that his teacher was getting more action then him. Shaking his head, feeling slightly frustrated as his thoughts turned to Blair, he took out his phone and called Arthur to pick him up.
When Dan filed out of class he was surprised by Blair, who shot him an unusual smile over her shoulder. As if she suddenly realised who she was smiling at she quickly turned away disdainfully, flicking her brown curls. He shook his head, confused.
Over the weekend they had exchanged insulting, yet surprisingly amusing messages to each other, commenting on each other scripts. Dan had found Blair both insightful and infuriating, though she had taken his criticism better then he thought, albeit with a few sharpened barbs. Still he supposed he couldn't expect the same dialogue to occur on school property, heaven forbid Blair Waldorf ever voluntarily talked to Dan Humphrey, and he was all right with that. He surmised Blair was okay in small doses, but he wasn't fussed on getting more of the snobbish brat.
He strolled out to the cool air, Blair's minions had already been picked up in town cars, Chuck was nowhere in sight thank goodness, and Dan was feeling relieved that he could hail a taxi and finally get home to some of Rufus spaghetti. He was preoccupied scanning for a free taxi on the street, so as he walked down the stairs he didn't notice where he was going, and almost stumbled into Blair, who was sitting waiting.
"What's your damage Humphrey, you almost stepped on my Gucci," she snapped, eyes flashing as she quickly picked up the bag and stood up.
"Sorry, that would have been a real tragedy," Dan noted shortly, astonished that her main thought was to her bag and not the hand he'd almost stepped on.
"Just because we worked together on a project does not mean you can place those big feet near my presence," she sniffed.
"Well that's going to be a little hard as we have to direct together?" Dan queried, purposefully baiting her, annoyed at her superior tone.
"Please I should be the director, Pieser obviously recognised my superior handiwork," she commented to him. He laughed at this, partly out of amusement, partly out of disbelief for her abject self centeredness.
"Of course, your superior handiwork, though most of the script was mine," he pointed out.
"I tweaked it to perfection," she retorted, narrowing her eyes challenging.
Dan had just shrugged, "Whatever helps you sleep at night Blair, he'd said, purposefully condescending. Before she could reply Serena came rushing down the stairs, stopping next to Blair and linking her arm in hers.
"Okay I'm sufficiently refreshed to do some retail therapy...Dan hey," she said as she noticed with suprise he was standing there with his hand in his pockets and a smile on his lips.
"Hey Serena," he commented, trying to pretend like he hadn't been thinking about the moment between them on the steps in front of Nate's house repeatedly over the weekend.
"Wait were you two actually talking?" Serena queried, laughing as she looked from Dan to Blair.
"No," Dan replied quickly just as Blair said, "Please, as if."
"Okay then," Serena looked slightly confused, but shrugged it off.
"Lets go S, in this proximity any longer with a Brooklynite and I may catch something," Blair said in her sickly sweet voice.
"I'm more worried for my own health, I hear outdated snobbery is catchy," Dan noted, almost smiling despite himself.
As Serena laughed in surprise, Blair quickly pulled her away without acknowledging Dan, though he swore he saw a smile curve her lips despite herself. Serena missed it as she turned to give him an apologetic look over her shoulder as Blair pulled her along.
Standing on the familiar school steps Dan was starting to wonder when Blair Waldorf's insults had started to seem more amusing then abusive. And had exchanging witty quips with Blair always seemed this entertaining? He was sure of one thing, the fact he even contemplated that probably meant he needed to get his head examined.
Chuck exited the elevator with a suffering sigh. He really hadn't been planning to come back to the suite after school, he could do without another guilt trip from Lilly. He was itching to go down to the bar, find a ditzy girl and disappear into his suite for a night of blissful ignorance. Unfortunately he'd left his favourite purple bow tie in his room. He never struck out with that purple bow tie, and he could use all the help he could get right now, with the way he was feeling.
He turned the corner, and was met with a vey surprising, yet not unpleasant sight. Familiar brunette curls were visible above the couch, attached to a body clad in a flowing champagne dressing gown.
"Serena finally," Blair called, obviously expecting it to be her tall blonde friend. "How long does it take to beg truffles off the chef? You should have just called down for them. Obviously you've been hanging out with the poorer class far too long." She hadn't bothered to turn around while pronouncing all this, a pout clearly evident in her voice. She was flicking absently through the many DVD''s Serena had flung haphazardly on the couch, occupied in trying to find a good movie.
Chuck supposed, with a smirk, that Lilly had gone somewhere for the night, and Eric was out. Leaving the suite free for Serena and Blair, except for one little problem... He walked forward purposefully and as softly as he could, planning to take full advantage of this very advantageous opportunity. Coming behind Blair on the couch, who was still occupied with the DVD's, he paused.
"What do you think, Chocolat or Ever After?" Blair asked, still oblivious.
Deciding his move quickly, knowing he wouldn't get a second chance, he smoothly lent over the couch and with one hand brushed her hair aside, leaving his lips free to brush her ear.
"Chocolat," he whispered softly, he could feel her stiffen at his touch, her back ram rod straight. "I know how you love Lady Gudivars."
"What the hell are you doing?" Blair shrieked, a second too late, they both knew it, but she recovered admirably. She instinctively snaked her arm around and grabbed his hair, yet again tugging it viciously. She whipped around, using her other hand to push him away from her. He held up his hands in surrender, as she relinquished her hold on his hair and stood, instinctively pulling her robe closer around her and crossing her arms.
"Just answering your question, no need to get your panties in a knot," he gave her a lecherous look at this, noting her cheeks were flushed and her eyes unusually bright, her shell pink nails peeking out at the bottom of the gown. He made his way around the couch and to her consternation slid down into the spot she had recently occupied. He glanced at the movies, and began picking his own way through them.
"The Notebook? Titanic?" he scoffed, holding it up with raised eyebrows. "Never took you to like that kind of chick flick movies Waldorf. Personally I think we should watch The Tudors, especially certain scenes." he held up the second season DVD, raising his eyebrows mischievously.
"We are not watching anything. Serena assured me you would not be here, and if I were you I'd get out of here before she comes back, and we both decide to recreate Saw," she looked at him with arched eyebrows.
"A bit hard to do seeing as you've never seen it," he countered, sinking further into the couch and flipping over the cover of the Tudors, reading the synopsis. "You know the more I watch this the more I can relate to Henry," he said smirking.
"Well obviously, you have so much in common, you're both hedonistic, narcissistic, womanizing pigs who will die alone of your many contracted diseases," Blair's smile was wide, with that acid sweetness that suited her so well.
"I love it when you talk dirty," he purred, looking up. "Say pigs again."
"You would love that. Now will you just go," she huffed, growing tired as he continued to examine the DVD.
"I'm going to hold a party soon, you know?" he commented, having a sudden inspired idea as he glanced down at the picture of Henry and Anne Boleyn, looking back regally at him.
"It's not a party if there's only one person attending," she pointed out bitingly.
"Ouch," he retorted mockingly, pouting, his hand going to his heart in mock pain. "Though my one man parties are entertaining, I was thinking more along the lines of a senior event, to celebrate this inspiring drug awareness week."
Blair rolled her eyes. "In other words, another excuse to go on a drug induced binge."
"We both know if there's one thing I know how to do, its party hard," Chuck drawled unconcerned by her aimed barb, buttoning his suit jacket and standing now, to meet Blair's dark gaze with his own. "Believe me Waldorf, when this party is over, it will be the ultimate unattainable standard for all school's in New York. The event of not only of our senior year, but every class that follows after us."
"Planning to rent a smoke machine then?" Blair queried, acting at being bored.
"Don't pretend you're not remotely interested?" Chuck drawled, smirking. "I was actually contemplating a theme, and I think I just landed on the perfect one." He held up the cover of the Tudors, smirking. "A party with a court, suiting to crown off our glorious reign, don't you think?"
"The only thing you've ever reigned over is stupidity," Blair sniffed, but he could tell she was intrigued now as her eyes were fixed on the face of Anne Boleyn, a crown settled elegantly upon her black hair. It appealed to Blair, the idea of a party having a personal court, of her being Queen. Especially one of the last parties of senior year, before exams, before college picks. The party to cement her image as the ultimate Queen of Constance for all eternity. The only problem was Chuck's smirking face.
"And who would be part of this court," Blair asked scornfully. "Geoffrey Hall?" he was a known pot head, the type of guy in class who made obnoxious comments about every girl that passed his way.
"As if," Chuck scoffed, brushing away the question quickly. In other circumstances he would have promptly answered with Nathaniel, perhaps followed by her name and Serena's, but he didn't really want to think of that current unpleasantness now. "But I think your more concerned about who I'm going to choose to be my Queen."
"I don't care, we all know there's only one Queen in Constance, and that's me," Blair said, her eyes flashing and her voice hard. "Besides, we all know Queen Katherine was the respected one." It was her old adage; she was the snow queen after all and must have the right idols to follow. Queen Katherine represented the perfect Queen with undisputed virtue, just like Blair. So now her virtue was a bit diminished, but she wasn't letting go of her dreams or of her standards, not ever again.
"But we all know Anne was more fit to be Queen, those dark eyes, that dark hair," he was enticing her now, his voice low. "She was born to rule with him. The perfect couple. On the arm of a powerful, ruthless King, matching him wit for wit, passion for passion. ..."
"That sort of thing never lasts..." she dismissed.
"They were perfectly matched, meant for each other you could even say, if she'd just conceded." he countered.
"If she was just a little bit more subservient, is that what you're trying to say? If she just gave in to his stupid demands?" she snapped, her eyes flashing now with annoyance.
"Well it wouldn't hurt to admit defeat, sometimes it can even be a good thing," he countered, feeling his own frustration rising.
"It wouldn't have worked because he couldn't stand anyone having any sort of power over him. He couldn't stand the thought that someone could be smarter and more devious and better than him," she barely knew what she was saying, her voice raised now in annoyance at his accusatory look.
"But don't you see, that's why she was the only one he could really lo-" it slipped from his lips, caught in the moment, he only managed to check the dreaded word too late. Blair's brown eyes widened. He stood there, at a loss for what to say, his heart pounding, his face flushed from the fumble.
The elevator doors sliding open startled them from their suspense, both of them glancing automatically towards the entrance.
"Do you know how hard it is to get truffles from the chef Alfonso? I had to practically beg on my knees," Serena's bubbly voice was heard before she walked into the room, holding up a white plate with small sandwiches on it. She paused as she saw Chuck, and the ruffled looking Blair.
"What are you doing here?" she finally asked, looking at Chuck with her sharp blue eyes, remembering just in time to add a bit of frost into her voice.
"I was..." he trailed off, without finishing the sentence he rushed to the elevator, avoiding Blair's dark gaze. He quickly jumped in before the doors slid shut. He realised too late he still had The Tudor's DVD in his hand. The coy gaze of Anne Boleyn looked up at him.
He quickly dropped the DVD onto the elevator floor, and kicked it towards the corner.
"Stupid," he muttered, intensely annoyed, though who he was most annoyed at, he wasn't sure.
"What was that all about?" Serena asked Blair curiously, turning her light blue eyes on her friend.
"Nothing..." Blair said breezily, quickly evading she turned her eyes to the DVD's. "So are we going to start watching something, it's already ten?"
"I guess..." Serena replied dubiously, certain something had occurred, but knowing she would get nothing further from Blair for now. "How about we start off with some hot Charles Brandon, I am so behind my Tudors," she said brightly.
"No," Blair said quickly, her voice far too loud. She blushed slightly at Serena's quizzical look. "I just mean...I'd rather watch Ever After..."
"Okay then," Serena said, smiling slightly in bemusement. "I'll just toast these and we can watch that...I guess... unless you want to talk about anything?"
"Nothing," Blair said decisively, quickly grabbing the cover and turning to the DVD player, mainly as an excuse to avoid Serena's gaze. "I have absolutely nothing to talk about."
"Fine," Serena sighed airily. "Whatever you say B."
"Yes, whatever I say," Blair retorted, some annoyance in her voice now, resolutely oblivious to Serena's curious gaze.
Serena sighed, giving up on her friend now, she headed to the kitchen counter, certain she would never understand Blair's weird pull to Chuck Bass.
A/N: It's been a while, so sorry. I did write this chapter and the next one ages ago, but I didn't put it up because you all requested more Blair and Chuck scenes, so I had to add this last bit. (I was also going to write a conversation between Dan and Nate, but I'll have to add that later). Anyway I had exams, so I didn't have a chance to write the scene until now. I'm sorry it's not vey good, but I am trying to listen to what you guys want and incorporate it where I can, where it fits in the story = ).
Inspiring chapter picture: Google: "the wedding party+gossip girl"
Next up: Dan and Chuck have an eventful night. And someone does some late night drunk dialling.
Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, I really appreciate it, you guys are champions = ). Please if you READ REVIEW! Pretty please. = ).
Thanks to jaimieerin, Temp02, tvrox12, thegoodgossipgirl, AquarianAir, svenjen, sakura288, Curious Blonde, Ingridmarie, 88Mary88, Momo, syatapandlisten and mlharper for reviewing the last chapter. = ).
Oh yeah btw anyone want a FREE BETA CODE FOR UNCHARTED 3 multiplayer PS3? I just got two, one for me, one for my friend, but I found out I don't need them. If you want it just let me know and I'll email it to you, first come first serve, if anyone is interested. = ).
PS. Don't do drugs kids lol.
I've completed the next chapter, and I'll post it in a few days, if anyone is still reading lol. Maybe I'll post it sooner, if I get at least five reviews ; P. Haha I know I'm a review junkie, I need help.