Chapter 1

AN: this is my very first fanifc so don't flame too hard, also I am moving changing the year that all of this takes place in so that I can use technology that I am more familiar with. So sorry if that ruffles some feathers. The year that this takes place is 2019

Coming to his parents' Beach house in the Hamptons he started out feeling like it was a waste of a trip. His family had been planning to go on a trip to the Hampton's for a while but as soon as they were packed and were about to hop on the elevator his parents got a call and backed out.

You see Jakes' parents both worked hard jobs that most of the time dug into their family time. His dad was a renowned heart surgeon who was leading the medical field in a whole new direction and his mother was a defense attorney, always trying to save the innocent from wrongful persecution. His parent had implemented the need to help others into Jake as he was growing up saying that the gratification that you get from helping others is better and longer lasting then the gratification that you get form tearing down somebody or just ignoring them. This lesson influenced Jake heavily and helped him find his calling.

So, when their phones started to ring, Jake just knew what talk was about to come. This has been the case for almost any family trip that his parents went on, so jake was used to this by now. Instead of staying in their Suit with his parents, Jake decided on continuing the trip to the Hamptons alone. Luckily, he knew that some of his friends were going to be down there also.

So jake rode the elevator down to the garage and walked to his truck. While most people in his place would want the newest sports car or have a driver drive them around, Jake was simpler. When he turned sixteen the only thing, he asked for was a truck for him to work on. So, when he turned 16 his parents had gotten him a blue 2011 GMC Sierra truck. Since getting it Jake has made several modifications to it, adding in subs, adding extra storage space in the bed of the truck, adding a shortwave radio system and lifting it.

When jake got to his truck he threw his bag in the back seat and cranked it up, connecting his phone to the truck and putting in the address for his beach house Jake pulled out of the garage and started heading east. Being alone in the car gave him time to think about what's been happening recently.

Last year Jake had started volunteering at his local fire station, trying to start training to be a fire fighter early. Recently he was finally able to become a probational firefighter, but he was still technically a volunteer because he didn't work full time, because of high school. Jake remembered the memory vividly, how could he not with it constantly replaying in his nightmares. It was back when he and his friend Will were exploring a abandoned townhouse on Wills Street.

Flashback

Jake and Will were best of friends, eight-year-olds who shared adventures in the heart of New York's Upper East Side. The city was their playground, and every corner held a secret waiting to be discovered. But one day, their innocence would be engulfed in flames.

The sun bathed the neighborhood in warm light, and the duo decided to explore the long-abandoned townhouse that loomed ominously at the end of the street. The place was a relic of the past, a decaying structure that had witnessed countless stories.

As they ventured deeper into the eerie house, the air grew heavy, the scent of decay almost overpowering. Unbeknownst to them, danger lurked in the shadows. Suddenly, the flicker of fire caught their eyes, smoke curling from a distant room.

"Panic gripped Jake's heart as he realized a fire was consuming the ancient building. They had to get out, and fast. But as they raced through the narrow hallways, flames blocked their way, trapping them.

Fear surged, and their breaths quickened as the fire roared, consuming everything. There was no way back, and they were cornered. Will's voice quivered as he said, "Jake, we need to find another way out."

Together, they retraced their steps, searching for an escape route. But the fire's ferocity was unmatched, the heat unbearable. They found a narrow passage at last, and with every ounce of strength, they forced their way through, emerging into the open air, faces streaked with soot and clothes scorched.

Firefighters arrived, sirens blaring, to battle the flames. But the townhouse was lost, reduced to a smoldering ruin. Jake and Will had made it outside, but the relief was tinged with tragedy. Will hadn't made it. He was gone, lost to the relentless flames.

Sitting on the curb, tears filled Jake's eyes. The fire had taken more than a building; it had stolen his dear friend. The memory of that day would stay with him forever, a reminder of the fragility of life. Jake vowed on this day that he would try to save others from fires and stop them from experiencing the pain and suffering that Will went through.

Flashback end

Since then, Jake has been working hard on his goal and he's finally starting to make progress.

After 2 hours of driving Jake finally arrived at his beach house and started to unpack his groceries and clothes. After putting everything away jake had reached out to his friends to hang out.

Jake: Yo anybody down to head to the beach?

Max: yeah, in an hour? Down by the lighthouse?

Emily: yeah, me and Liam are on our way

Jake: sweet see you all then

Jake strolled along the beach, the sand warming his feet, He looked up to see the sea stretched out before me. The beach had always been a place of comfort for him, most of his memories with his parents having been set here.

Then he spotted her from a distance, Serena van der Woodsen, lounging on a beach towel, her golden hair glistening under the sun. She had been the talk of the town last year constantly being blasted on Gossip Girl.

He was really surprised when she came back last year, totally different from what she was in the previous years. He had never gotten a chance to talk with her or to meet her personally but with this given chance Jake decided to take a chance.

Jakes' nerves pricked as he closed the distance, not knowing how he should open the conversation. He decided on a safe introduction. "You know it is kind of sad to be out on the beach by yourself" Jake said gaining her attention "want some company?"

Serena looks up, her blue eyes filled with curiosity as she shields them from the sun's glare with her hand at Jake "who's going to join me? I don't really see anybody to join me" she jokes as she looks around. Jake laughs "I don't know, was thinking I could" Jake settles down beside her and introduces himself.

"I'm Jake Martin" He holds out his hand for her to shake "Nice to meet you, I'm Serena" she laughs while shaking his hand. "Oh, I know, we go to the same school, and I think almost everybody knows you."

Serena looks at him shocked "Really? I can't say I've seen you around"

"Yeah, I don't really stick out much, plus I try to stay out of all the drama that everybody seems to follow everybody around."

"Smart, I wish I was able to stick to the shadows also."

Jake had seen how much damage the blasts of gossip that Gossip Girl sends out to her victims, and he had no plans to get in her sights. Despite thinking this he could not help but start falling into conversation with Serena. There was just something disarming about her smile and presence that just made people want to come near her and feel safe.

two hours passed when jake looked down at his phone and jumped up "shit, I was supposed to meet my friends like an hour ago, I got to go" Jake gathered up his stuff from the sand and turned back towards Serena holding out his phone. "I had a lot of fun talking with you, can I get your number?"

"It was fun for me too, here" Serena said grabbing his phone and typing in her contact. "Text me to hang out soon"

Jake waved to Serna as he walked away. It took about 15 minutes to get to where his friends were set up by the light house.

"Jake!" Emily screamed as she ran up to him to give him a hug. Liam and Max had just finished setting up the chairs and the umbrellas when he arrived.

"Sup Em" jake hugged her back before doing his handshakes with Liam and Max. Emily turned towards Jake and put her hands on her hips looking at Jake accusingly.

"What took you so long your 2 hours late, we agreed for 2:00 its 4:15 what held you up for so long." Jake didn't know what to say, wondering if he should mention Serena or not. Deciding not to he said, "My parents called me to check up on me and then I had to get groceries and drinks for later this week."

"Oh, okay" Emily settled down on her towel to tan "can you move, you're blocking the sun"

"Yeah, sure I'm going to head into the water Liam? Max? Wanna throw the football?" Liam looked up "sure" max though lounged in his chair and held up his book "Na, I'm going to keep reading. It's starting to look like the butler actually committed the murders"

Jake and Liam started to wad out into the waters and started to throw the football.

"So, what really held you up, I know you weren't on the phone, and you always grab groceries on your way into the Hamptons." Liam throws him a smirk "so what was it? or should I say who was it? Did women finally catch your attention?"

Jake catches the ball "Yeah actually, you would be surprised. I ran into Serena van der Woodsen, we talked until I realized how late I was with meeting you guys."

Liams eyes widen in shock, fumbling the football as it hit him "no way, The Serena van der Woodsen? There's no way you held a conversation with her for 2 hours"

"You would be surprised at how easy it is to keep a conversation with her, she's a really cool person" jake smirked back at Liam "I even got her number, she wants to hang out later"

"No freaking way, you going to take her up on that?"

Jake jumps for the ball "I'm thinking about it, thinking about taking her to that coffee shop, what's it called? Jarry's coffee house. Thinking we can go there and get to know each other more."

Jake looks over and notices Max and Emily picking up their beach stuff. "Looks like we're done with the beach for the day" Jake and Liam walk back to shore and meet back up with the others. "I'll see you guys later this week, Henrys on Thursday?"

Emily looks coyly over at Jake "definitely, maybe you can make up being late with taking up the guitar and singing for us"

Jake scrunches his face up "I was going to just by you guys' dinner but if that's the easier option" Max looks over affronted "NOOO you can still buy us dinner" Jake laughs along with everybody, and they each say their goodbyes.

On the way home Jake couldn't keep Serena out of his head so he whipped out his phone and texted her

Jake: Hey Serena, this is Jake, was wondering if you wanted to hang out at Jerrys tomorrow?

Serena: Yes definitely, what time do you want to meet?

Jake: does 10:30 work with you

Serena: that works with me ;)

Jake: sweet well I'll see you tomorrow

As jake got home a quickly took a Shower and got ready for bed. He was close to sleep when his phone went off.

Spotted: Looks like Serena's already moved on from lonely boy, igniting sparks on the beach. 🌞 Is it true love in the sand, or just another summertime fling? XOXO, Gossip Girl 💋 #HamptonsHeatwave #SecretsInTheSand