Chapter XIX
Your Worst Inhibitions
"What are we doing here again?" Nate groaned as he, Vanessa and Dan stood in the Palace courtyard, looking up at the multi storey hotel.
"Punishing ourselves for all the bad deeds we've done in our lives," Vanessa nudged him playfully with her elbow. She had a camera satchel hooked over her shoulder, all the equipment she needed packed into it. She wouldn't have even come if it weren't for Dan's enticing her with money, and Nate's pleading puppy blue eyes.
"It's not so bad," Dan chipped in, settling the collar of his shirt.
Both Nate and Vanessa turned to him with raised eyebrows, speculative.
"What," Dan queried, noticing their looks. "Anyway, what are you complaining about Nate, I'm sure you've been in Chuck's suite plenty of times? If anyone should be uneasy it should be Vanessa."
"Oh, so you and Chuck Bass are best friends now?" Vanessa asked, arching her eyebrows and putting her hands on her hips. "Do you hang out at the local country club together?"
"No," Dan blustered, "I just meant... you're the only one who doesn't go to our school so…"
"So that makes me the outsider?" Vanessa jumped on the wording, unable to resist a small curl of her lips upwards as she watched Dan struggle to convey his meaning. "Humphrey, I think all the private school snobbery has rubbed off on you."
"Yes, I just can't wait to eat cucumber finger sandwiches, and sip ridiculously expensive wine with my breakfast," Dan replied to this in an exaggerated posh English accent, straightening his back and holding an imaginary tea cup, with his pinkie out.
"It's lunch Humphrey, champagne is the order of the day," a drawl came from behind them, making Dan start and quickly abandon his imaginary cup. He turned; Chuck was a few steps behind them, strolling along in a pastel green suit with a bottle of champagne in his hand.
"Well that's the epitome of irony," Dan muttered, Vanessa snorted. Nate was oddly silent, examining his shoes, as Chuck stepped in front of them.
"You three are late," Chuck noted with a raised eyebrow, glancing at Nate than looking away lazily. "Blair's already having a fit, just a word of warning."
"So what's with the champagne?" Vanessa queried, never afraid to speak up. Dan was curious about that himself, everyone knew that there was one thing you could always rely on Chuck Bass to have, a fully stocked liquor cabinet.
Chuck glanced at her, his dark eyes boring into Vanessa for an awkward minute. She stared right back, her pointed chin jutting out, refusing to concede to his lofty air. "Low on supplies," he finally drawled and shrugged, quickly boring of the game.
"Oh really," Vanessa stated, glancing boldly at the expensive looking unsealed bottle. "I didn't realise you actually knew how to shop, I thought you had people to do that?"
"This is just any bottle of champagne," Chuck smirked, holding it up, "Not that you know much about champagne, how do you drink your liquor in Brooklyn? Out of bags or something?"
"Lay off man," Nate muttered, looking up now.
"I was just having some fun Nathaniel," Chuck shrugged, losing his smirk as he looked at Nate, a frown replacing it. "I'm sorry if I offended you." It was hard to tell if that was sarcasm or a statement.
"I'm going to head inside," Nate muttered to Vanessa and Dan, ignoring Chuck he turned around and walked briskly towards the revolving doors of the decadent Palace. Chuck looked after him for a minute, frowning, as Vanessa glared at him and Dan stood there awkwardly.
"Hold this Humphrey," Chuck abruptly pronounced, not bothering to glance at Dan he shoved his champagne bottle into Dan's unprepared hands and strode off purposefully to follow Nate.
Vanessa went to follow him, frowning, opening her mouth to say something, but Dan grabbed her arm.
"Maybe we should leave it for them to sort out?" Dan suggested as she looked at him.
"Well it doesn't look like Nate really wants to," she pointed out. "Maybe Chuck should learn to respect people's wishes; didn't his parents at least teach him that, between botox sessions?"
"Just leave it Vanessa," Dan said, slightly exasperated. "Come on, some things men just need to fight out between them, we have our pride you know."
"And since when have you been an expert on men?" Vanessa couldn't help the jibe, smiling slightly despite herself as she saw Dan's earnest look.
"I have my sources," Dan ran with it, seeing her more relaxed now he let go of her arm. "Now let's head inside before I get arrested again."
"Again? What do you mean again?" Vanessa queried, picking up on the word and quickly following behind Dan as he headed for the gold doors.
"Did I say again? Slip of the tongue," Dan quickly tried to brush off the query. He started walking faster, as Vanessa narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to query further.
Before she charged in on the attack Dan walked right into somebody, almost toppling over and dropping the champagne bottle. He bit back a swear word, his heart jumping in his throat as he narrowly missed letting the slender bottle neck slip through his fingers. He didn't want to even contemplate how much he would owe Chuck if it had smashed on the brick. He was so preoccupied with the champagne; he didn't even notice the person he had run into until they spoke up.
"Dan, Vanessa!" Lilly exclaimed, surprise etched on her face a she settled her bag, her eyes immediately zoning in on the champagne bottle clutched in Dan's hand. "Preparing on having a big night I see?" she raised her eyebrows, conveying disapproval through that one small gesture, as only Upper East Side parents could.
"Oh Lilly…I uh…" Dan fumbled, stuttering. It would help if Vanessa piped in here, but she said nothing, standing slightly back from him and watching him struggle to come up with some excuse. "This, it's just…you know.."
"It's Chuck's," Vanessa supplied, taking pity on Dan, she slung her arm over him.
"Oh," Lilly sighed, a look of understanding over her face. "Charles, I should have guessed."
Did Dan just imagine it, or did the corner of her mouth involuntarily turn up?
"Well, I'll be taking that then I think," Lilly said, composed again, holding out her hand for the bottle. Dan relinquished it, almost gratefully; at least he wouldn't be responsible if it smashed. "You two enjoy your project…a documentary or something I think Serena said?"
"Uh, yeah thanks," Dan said, slightly surprised she knew. Before he could think to say something in return Lilly had already turned on her cream heels, heading back into the hotel with the champagne bottle in hand.
"Do you think she's going to drink that whole bottle herself?" Vanessa finally queried as Dan blinked, watching the doors swing behind her. He wondered if he would still be liable to pay for handing over Chuck's bottle to his step-mom? It's not like anyone could really refuse that kind of well-bred manipulation, even Chuck Bass.
"Nathaniel wait up," Chuck's typical drawl sounded through the hotel as he rushed for the elevator. Nate didn't make a move to stop the doors, but he didn't bother to try and press the button for the floor of 1812 either. Chuck managed to get there with a bit of a jog, before the doors closed, quickly putting his hand out he squeezed in, they slid shut smoothly behind him.
Nate watched him but didn't say anything; Chuck straightened up, fixing his green bow tie and settling his hair. Finally, when he couldn't stall any longer he glanced over at Nate.
"Care for a roach?" he asked after an awkward pause.
"What do you want Chuck?" Nate asked, not bothering for small talk. They were friends enough to speak straight with each other. There was a tense silence; Chuck stuck his hand in his pocket, his face unreadable. Nate wondered what snarky jackass comment he was going to make now.
"I wanted to apologize," the unfamiliar words came out, making Nate stare. Was Chuck being genuine? "I was being an ass to you that day. I shouldn't have started on you." His eyes were trained on his shoes, not daring to look at Nate.
"Are you seriously trying to apologize to me right now?" Nate asked, trying to keep his face straight. To be honest, Nate had wanted to talk to Chuck for a few days now. He knew the other boy had been somewhat right, and he wasn't above admitting that. But now he thought that sometimes it was good to humble his best friend, who usually never apologized. It was also fun.
"Do you want it in writing Nathaniel?" Chuck asked, slightly annoyed he looked up. .
"It wouldn't hurt. I could frame it and put it up on my wall." With those words and Nate's easy grin, Chuck knew he was in the clear, the tension seemed to leave the elevator, and it was just two friends again, like it had always been.
"Don't make me take it back," Chuck threatened, smirking despite himself.
"I have the video footage to prove it," Nate indicated the small black dome which hid the elevator's camera.
"I have the power to erase it," Chuck countered with. "I'm glad you came to your senses though Nathaniel, you wouldn't want to miss out on being part of the exclusive senior court."
"Right," Nate grinned despite himself and shook his head, typical Chuck. "Since when have you had the time to plan all this?"
"Please, I pay people to do that," he drawled, leaning against the elevator, his usual arrogant self. "Your costumes will be ready for you tomorrow night."
"And where exactly is this party man?" Nate enquired sceptically.
"Victrola of course," Chuck shrugged. "Monday nights are usually slow so it will be good business, both ways."
"And when were you thinking of sending out invitations?" Nate queried, slightly amused.
"They're going viral today, senior class only."
"You do realise it's a school night right man? And you're only giving upper east girls a day's notice. What makes you think people are going to come?"
"If they're a senior, they won't miss it," Chuck shrugged matter of factly. "It's going to be a party for the decade Nathaniel," Chuck proclaimed at his friend's less then convinced look, grinning at him wolfishly.
And Nate didn't doubt it was going to be a night to remember.
"What is taking that Basshole so long," Blair snapped, glancing at the fashionable clock on the wall yet again. She was pacing up and down on the carpet, Serena wondered how her Loubiton heels hadn't made a dent yet. "It's already twelve thirty."
Blair had arrived at Chuck's early, in the hopes of some alone time. Unfortunately Serena was already there, a Cleo in hand, lazing on the couch. Chuck had given Blair suggestive looks over Serena's head, but she had glared daggers at him, hopefully conveying her need for him to not blow their cover. Finally, with each innuendo worst then the last, Blair had messaged him a threat, demanding he shut or she would shut him up. A few minutes of messages back and forth and Chuck had finally frowned in defeat, and then muttered something before leaving.
"You heard him, he's gone to get some refreshments, probably had Arthur pick it up," Serena rolled her eyes, looking up at Blair from where she lounged on the couch with a magazine in her lap. She had been tempted to ask Blair about her trip to Brooklyn since she got back from the Hampton's, but she didn't have the courage to. Every time she thought to open her mouth, her tongue somehow seemed to be stuck, as she remembered a sleepy eyed surfer looming towards her. It was ridiculous really; Blair and Dan were probably talking about the project. And then there was that picture of Chuck getting into his limo in front of Blair's door…
"What, what are you staring at?" Blair demanded, stopping her pacing. Serena hadn't realised that she had been staring at Blair while she was thinking; her brow furrowed forming a crease between her eyes.
"Nothing B, just a crazy girl," she quickly rectified, smiling brightly. "So what's this about Chuck going to your place?" she queried, trying to be subtle.
"What are you talking about!" Blair snapped immediately. "Chuck never came to my place."
"That's not what Gossip Girl said," Serena pointed out, watching her friend carefully again. "You weren't thinking of…"
"That's ridiculous," Blair interrupted fired up, her eyes flashing.
Before she could say more Serena's phone rang, she glanced down at the caller ID.
"It's Dan," she said, watching Blair carefully for any signs of secrecy as she went to open the phone. Before she could however, Blair snatched it from her hand.
"Humphrey, your bohemian friend better not have forgotten the camera," Blair snapped into the phone, "And you two wannabes better be up here in twenty seconds or else!" Without waiting for a reply she ended the call. "Here," she said carelessly handing a puzzled Serena back the phone, she resumed pacing.
Serena held the phone, slightly shocked, but also very relieved. Blair had talked to Dan with her usual disdain; there was none of the familiar signs which indicated that she was hiding something. Serena shook herself mentally for her silliness, her mind going to the next case in point, and the red flags that had popped up there. She frowned again, she had seen what being with Chuck had done to Blair last time. There was no denying that they had something between them, but that something wasn't always the best thing for Blair. Serena may be friends with Chuck again, but Blair was her best friend, and sometimes that took priority.
"So you and Chuck…" she began again, quickly sending a text of apology to Dan, and then carefully looking up to watch Blair with unusually discerning blue eyes.
"I told you, that's ridiculous!" Blair snapped, glaring evenly at Serena,. "Chuck is a Basshole, always has been and always will be, end of story."
"Okay, okay," Serena laughed, grabbing a pillow and pulling it up as a shield against Blair's glare. "I trust you B. Besides you swore you wouldn't go anywhere near him until he said I love you right?"
"Right," Blair stated, "Exactly!"
Serena felt easier, she should have known Blair, like she should have trusted Dan. Blair was the type of person who would cut off her own arm before she'd ever concede and relinquish her pride, especially for a boy like Chuck Bass.
They heard the sound of familiar male voices in the hotel corridor.
"I guess it's time to get to work," Serena sighed, throwing the magazine onto the couch beside her and getting up to stretch.
"I guess," Blair repeated, Serena, settling her skinny jeans, didn't notice the way Blair had resumed her pacing, wringing her hands and biting her lip.
Lilly went up to the pent house suite in the elevator, the champagne bottle in hand. She was going to be late for dinner with Bart at Daniel's, she would have to think of some excuse. An excuse that did not involve Chuck and champagne… She had thought it was a bit of an extreme measure when Bart got home from the Hamptons and had Chuck's liquor cabinet emptied, she hardly knew what Bart would do if he found his son blatantly ignoring his intended punishment. Although rightfully, no seventeen year old should have a liquor cabinet in the first place. Of course Chuck wasn't a regular seventeen year old; for one thing he had impeccable taste in champagne. Perhaps she should stay in tonight and tastes test some of it. It may even be more fun than an awkward dinner with Bart, where he apologized for the Hamptons and tried to explain, and she tried to pretend she hadn't heard it all before.
Smiling slightly at the ridiculousness of the thought despite, Lilly exited the elevator, going to put the champagne bottle with the rest of the alcohol. She paused at the kitchen counter when she heard a sound coming from upstairs. Frowning she put the bottle down on the marble top, glancing towards the staircase. Bart said he would meet her after work at Daniel's, and the help should have left by now. Eric was at a friend's house again, and Serena and Chuck were supposed to be down in Chuck's suite… Abandoning the champagne bottle where it lay, Lilly cautiously made her way up the stairs and to the door of the master bedroom, where the sound seemed to be emanating. The door was ajar, she glanced through the crack and saw her clothes scattered on the bed. Her heart jumped in her throat, she wondered how fast security could get up here.
"I'll go get it," somebody suddenly said, much closer to the door then she had anticipated. The door swung open before she could move and she let out an instinctive scream of surprise, along with the person who'd opened it.
"Annette," she exclaimed, looking shocked as one of their personal staff stood before her, still in uniform. "What an earth are you doing here? You should be home by now."
"Oh Mrs Bass, I'm so sorry…" Annette said, flustered.
"Is there any reason my suitcases are being packed?" Lilly asked, unsure whether to frown or be amused as she looked into the room to see another hotel maid staring shocked, with one of her tops held up suspended in her hands.
"It was meant to be a surprise, I hope Mr Bass won't be annoyed…"Annette said, wringing her hands
"A surp…Oh…" Lilly said, understanding now and smiling slightly. "Is Bart planning for us to go on a trip tonight... You don't need to answer that, I understand." Lilly said quickly at Annette's worried look. She felt lighter, smiling genuinely for the first time in a while. "Don't worry it will be our little secret. And I believe I have a dinner to get to," she said, quickly checking her watch as Annette looked relieved and smiled. "Would you be able to let the children know when they get home. I'll ring them, but they may wonder where we've got to for the night?" she asked, she was almost certain that was something Bart would have forgotten, but she could forgive him that for tonight.
Lilly took her leave then turned walking out on her cream heels. Perhaps this time was actually going to be different. It certainly was a very romantic gesture at least, and involved Bart taking a few days off work. Maybe they could actually work their problems out, one small step at a time….
"Hey," Serena said awkwardly, walking up to Nate. Nate stood in the middle of Chuck's living area, they'd moved the couch to the side to give them more room to move. In front of him stood Vanessa, camera focused on him, while Dan and Blair stood behind her with the script.
"Hey," Nate replied, he glanced at the camera, feeling self-conscious as he thought of the whole school watching this, or worse his grandfather getting a copy. As he glanced at the silver camera Blair waved at him madly, glaring, mouthing for him to look at Serena. Nate quickly glanced back at the blonde, painfully aware that Vanessa was just a few steps away.
"So ummm…do you want to have a drink…?" Serena asked, in between suppressed giggles. She held up two champagne glasses they'd raided from Chuck's cupboard. They didn't have any vodka bottles because ironically Bart had Chuck's liquor cabinet emptied for skipping out early on the Hamptons.
"Uh…yeah sure…" Nate said, looking at the camera again as he spoke and took one of the glasses.
"That's really…I'm sorry…" Serena said, bursting into giggles as she watched Nate blinking like a lost deer in headlights at the camera.
"Cut," Dan called out in exasperation for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
"Cut, really Humphrey? You're filming with a video camera from Wall Mart, in my living room," Chuck commented, smirking. He was lounging on a stool in front of his bar. His snarky comments didn't have the bite they used to, now he and Dan were…acquaintances? But he wasn't trying to make the project any easier, refusing to act on camera, and offering unhelpful lewd suggestions. Dan thought perhaps he was pissed about the loss of his champagne, so he tried to let it slide, but it was starting to grate on his nerves. He didn't need to reply however, Vanessa did for him.
"The camera was from B&H, not that I would expect you to know much about…well anything really."
Before Chuck could reply, he was interrupted by a display from Blair.
"Serena, how hard is it to keep a straight face?" Blair wailed, "This is the tenth time we've had to shoot this scene. Why were you born a blonde if not to act?"
"Well if you're so good B why don't you try it?" Serena demanded, feeling spurned.
"Fine, I will," Blair proclaimed, walking over to stand in front of the camera, she grabbed the champagne glasses from Serena. Serena pouted and stepped out of frame.
"Okay, start from hey, and this time try not to stare at the camera Nate," she snapped bossily. "Okay, go. Hello, Nathaniel, would you care to share a drink with me?"
"Um…" Nate said, looking baffled at Blair's over pronunciation of each word, and the way she was poised like she was wearing a plank of wood on her back. "Sure?"
"What do you mean sure?" Blair asked, returning to her normal form of speech and narrowing her eyes. "Did you even bother to learn your lines?"
"You can turn the camera off Vanessa," Dan sighed, "I don't think we're going to get anything more today."
"What are you talking about Humphrey, this is gold," Vanessa smiled wickedly. "It could be an expose."
"It's going to be a disaster," Dan groaned.
"Hey, it's not that bad," Serena said, coming over and putting her hand consolingly on his shoulder.
"We're going to look like idiots in front of the whole student body, how is that not bad?" Dan asked, looking up at her.
"Well, your scenes were really good," Serena added, trying to sound positive. She had been trying to be supportive of Dan today, to make up for her almost indiscretion at the Hamptons. Deciding that she trusted him, and she knew he would tell her what was bothering him in his own time. He showed his appreciation by squeezing her hand, though he was still looking like a person prepared to go to their execution.
"Humphrey's right for once," Blair said, giving up on scolding Nate, she looked over at Dan and Serena. "This is going to be a disaster."
"Well, not necessarily…" Vanessa said thoughtfully, lowering her camera and checking the footage. "The real problem you have is with the delivery of the dialogue, the pictures can be cut anyway you want…why don't you just make it a silent movie?"
"You think our peers are going to sit through five minutes of silent film?" Chuck asked derisively. "The only good thing about these assemblies is the ability to talk under the radar."
"Yeah…I don't really think silent will work out…" Dan commented miserably.
"Well, why don't we do a voice over then, like those commercials…" Nate supplied. The rest of the room stared at him. "What, it was just an idea?" he muttered, slightly annoyed.
"Nothing," Vanessa quickly said, glaring daggers at Chuck to make some snide comment along the lines of 'Everyone's just shocked you had a decent idea' but Chuck was silent. "That's actually a good idea."
"What are we supposed to read over?" Blair snapped, annoyed at the whole situation.
"What about Johnson's exploration of the four phases that lead to alcohol addiction?" Serena asked, looking up from her phone which she had been fiddling with.
"Is this opposite day or something?" Blair asked, looking at her friend uncomprehending.
"Wikipedia," Serena held up her phone. "We'll just cite Johnson at the end of the tape, it's not like they're going to grade us on it anyway. And at least it'll save us from having to shoot everything again to get the dialogue right."
"It's supposed to be drugs and alcohol week?" Blair pointed out. "It has to be related to the whole theme!"
"Well it could be applied to drugs as well, theoretically. Anyway alcohol is just a type of drug," Dan shrugged, glad of an answer to at least make something half decent to present.
"Just add denial at the end of it and I'm sure you'll be relating to your whole senior class," Vanessa noted wryly, as she looked up from reading Serena's screen over her shoulder.
"Fine," Blair huffed. "But we're each taking turns. Besides Humphrey and Vanessa, you two can start editing the footage."
"You owe me fifty bucks and a meal," Vanessa muttered to Dan.
"Fair," Dan sighed.
"Chuck, where do you think you're going?" Blair queried as Chuck abruptly rose from the stool, frowning down at his phone.
"I have to make a call," Chuck muttered.
"And when do you plan on contributing?" Blair demanded, stepping in front of him as he headed for the door.
"I contributed my suite," he indicated the room. "And I offered some…suggestions. It's not my fault you were too late to take me up on my offer…" he lent slightly closer to her, and Blair turned red.
"Just come back you Bass hole, if I have to do this into the evening so do you!"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Chuck said dryly, heading for the door and leaving.
"Who do you reckon he's calling?" Serena asked Blair.
"Who cares," Blair snapped. "Now come on, it's already five thirty, we were supposed to be done by now! Nate, hurry up and get a microphone from the study! Serena boot up the laptop!"
Serena and Nate shared a partly amused, partly exasperated look before they quickly rushed to do as Blair said. There was no reasoning with the Queen B when she was in one of her moods.
The six teenagers sat around the laptop, watching as the last scene played out and the video finished. There was a second of silence, the ramifications of it still sinking in. Finally Blair had the courage to speak.
"That was the worst thing I have ever helped to make," she stated, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
"It's not that bad," Nate supplied half-heartedly, feeling uneasy at the way he looked on camera beside Serena. He stole a glance at Vanessa, who was busy fixing something on the video and didn't seem to have noticed… at least he didn't think she did. Of course she didn't seem to notice much when she was working on her camera…it was a quality of hers which could sometime be annoying, this was one of those times. She'd barely said a word to him all day. Instead whispering things to Dan about editing, referencing films Nate had never heard of before.
"Well it's already eight, and I don't know about you guys but I am sick of looking at it. I think we should just call it a night…" Dan supplied wearily. He could just dive into a pillow right now, and hopefully suffocate himself before tomorrow. "It's not like we can do much anyway…"
"Whatever will be, will be, right…?" Serena supplied weakly.
Blair just groaned and put her head in her hands.
"I guess I should burn it on a disc then? Or do you mind just using the tape?" Vanessa queried, the only one who didn't seem too concerned. After all, she didn't have to show this to a whole school of her peers tomorrow. "If we use the camera tape, you'll have to play the audio over it seperately, I've saved it on the USB."
"We'll just use the tape," Dan said resignedly, "I really don't want to sit here another minute longer."
"All right then," Vanessa said, she opened the camera and took the tape out, placing it in one of the plastic cases she had. She was just about to label it as the other's sat in depressed silence, watching like it was a writ for their death sentence, when the door opened.
"Get dressed, were going out," Chuck proclaimed, sauntering in. He had changed from his eye sore of a suit into a white button down shirt with a rich purple waistcoat, and a purple bow tie to complement the ensemble of course. His hair was carefully coiffed and he had the smell of scotch about him. In one hand, typically, he held a unopened champagne bottle.
"Where the hell were you Bass?" Blair snapped, her dejection gone as her anger rose. "You've been gone for two and a half hours!"
"I had to sort out something," Chuck shrugged.
"At the bar?" Blair called him on it, raising her eyebrows as she looked pointedly at the champagne bottle.
"The bar came after," Chuck shrugged. "I was thirsty. Now do you all want to sit there dejected, wasting away your youth thinking about the stupid assembly, or would you like to have some actual fun with me?"
"I'm in," Nate said, shrugging. "I could use some fun."
"Why not," Dan added surprisingly. "I could use something to forget about what we've just done."
"You cannot be serious," Blair snapped, looking at them incredulously.
"Well…it could cheer us up a bit," Serena said, tentatively, looking at Dan. "Maybe some fun would do us some good…"
"Just like old times," Chuck grinned wickedly. "You in Waldorf? Or are you going to bed like a good pupil?"
"Shut up Basshole," Blair snapped.
"Come on B," Serena said, wheedlingly. She didn't want to be at odds with Blair for betrayal, but she really did want to spend time with Dan, preferably in a fun environment. "We haven't been out in ages."
"I'm not going out in this," Blair pointed out, indicating her clothes. They were appropriate for day wear, but not for a night on the town."
"You can borrow something of mine," Serena said brightly, smiling. "Just like old times! You and Vanessa both, of course," she added as she realised she'd left the other girl out.
"What about your Mom?" Blair demanded. "Won't she be annoyed, it's a school night, in case you've all forgotten!"
"Lilly and Bart aren't home," Chuck drawled. "I just went up there to change. Bart left a note, they've gone on a 'romantic' trip or something for a few days…" he shared a look with Serena.
"It's decided then, we're going," Serena declared, turning back to the girls and grabbing both Vanessa and Blair's hand and dragging them up. Blair allowed her to. She had nothing to argue with, and wasn't in the mood anyway, she was too depressed about the assembly.
"Actually I…" Vanessa began.
"I'm not taking no for an answer," Serena proclaimed, trying to look sternly at both of them. Vanessa didn't know how to respond to that determined sunniness.
"Just think on the bright side. You can bring your camera and tape the experience, make an expose out of it," Chuck drawled, amused, as Serena dragged the two girls towards the door.
Vanessa made an unpleasant face at him but didn't reply as Serena practically hauled them out the door, calling "We'll be ready in five minutes," behind her.
"They're so not going to be ready in five minutes," Nate stated, flopping down on the couch which had been put back in its familiar place.
"Definitely not," Dan agreed, turning off the laptop.
"We'll give them half an hour," Chuck said. "Anyone want to start early on the drinks while were waiting?" he held up the champagne bottle invitingly.
"Fill me up," Dan shrugged, grabbing the discarded wine glass on the table. "Why not?"
"Exactly the sentiment of tonight Humphrey," Chuck said, smirking as he went to find a cork screw. "Why the hell not?"
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. I've never reached 150! = ). Sorry it took so long, I didn't have time to edit but I posted anyway because I'm bad.= P I'll edit later I promise ; )
Please R&R = )
Inspirational picture for the chapter: Google "0201Chuck05"
Next chapter: Shenanigans! ; P