That Summer

The second Chuck had left Blair to go to Tuscany by herself was the second that he had realised he had made a dreadful mistake. As he left the apartment he couldn’t stop thinking about what he had done, his father’s words ringing in his ears. With each step he took on the concrete pavement he got lost deeper and deeper in the city, deeper and deeper in his thoughts. He made his way to the Palace Hotel, sat at the bar and ordered himself a drink. The guilt began to consume him. What had he done? Emptiness filled his eyes. The excitement he had for this summer had been drowned by the fear of maturing.

“Another drink,” Chuck demanded for the fifth time that afternoon. He needed to distract himself from the thought of Blair. The thought of what he was missing out on. He wanted nothing more than to take Blair to Tuscany. He knew, however, that everything would change when he did. Chuck’s mind drifted back that night at Victorla. From that moment on, his only goal was to win Blair’s heart. That night he knew that he might have a chance. There was no chance now. He had failed. Chuck reached for his phone to check Gossip Girl: ‘Spotted: Blair Waldorf boarding the Bass jet without bad boy Bass himself. Where could he be?’

As Blair boarded the plane she couldn’t help but wonder what exactly would happen when Chuck arrived in Tuscany. After all, Blair had always imagined romantic getaways with Nate, not Chuck. A few hours passed after landing when Ben, a member of the Bass Industries marketing team made the suggestion that Chuck wouldn’t come. Blair had been desperately checking her phone throughout the flight, hoping for a text from Chuck, which must have been clear to Ben since he stated that you don’t really get cell service up here, just as she picked up her phone for the twentieth time. The thought of Chuck lingered in her mind. By the time the plane had landed, Blair had forgotten about the thought of Chuck not coming and was instead enjoying the scorching heat.

As the days passed, Blair began to consider the fact that he was in fact not coming. Blair had rang Chuck a few times, not bringing herself to leave a message. A week had passed. Blair contemplated what to do. She had finally settled on an idea and decided to meet Serena in The Hamptons before going to see her fathers in France.

Exiting the plane, Blair found herself in The Hamptons being greeted by her best friend, Serena. As they drove to Eleanor’s Hamptons house the two discussed their summer so far and the betrayal from Chuck. Before they had realised any time had passed, Blair and Serena had arrived at Eleanor’s house. The front garden had perfectly trimmed, vibrant grass with a fountain placed twenty feet in front of the grand entrance. Blair and Serena were quick to walk down the gravel path and through the doors as the chauffeur unpacked Blair’s luggage.

While reading the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar, Blair sunbathed by the pool, Serena on a lounge chair beside her discussing the rumours she saw recently on Gossip Girl. Looking up from her magazine, Blair caught a glimpse of a limo driving through the gates. “Oh gosh,” Serena muttered inaudibly under her breath. Just as Blair returned to staring at her magazine, Chuck, with his hair slicked nicely back, greeted them, “Hello girls.”
“What is he doing here!?” Blair responded, confusion and disgust lurking on her expression.
“I’ve come here to clear my mind. It seems as though you thought the same. Great minds think alike,” Chuck said with his signature grin plastered on his face and a slight glint in his eye. This can’t be happening, Blair thought to herself as she looked at Chuck in disgust.

10 days ago

After he left the bar and drunkenly stumbled his way up to his hotel room, Chuck fell onto his silk bed sheets, his thoughts harassing his conscience. Knowing he couldn’t sit there and do nothing, Chuck realised that he had to have a clear mind. He could never win Blair back by sitting in a hotel room, drowning in self-pity. Just as he left his suite and passed the bar, he caught Serena walking in for a drink before leaving for the Hamptons.
“Hey sis,” Chuck said.
“What are you doing here, Chuck? Shouldn’t you be in Italy with Blair?”
“I’m coming to The Hamptons,” Chuck responded without a second to think. What place could be better than manicured countryside and two of his best friends?
“See you there I guess?” Serena said, shocked and hoping not to run into Chuck and whatever entourage he had following him.

Now

“S, a word please,” Blair scoffed, clearly infuriated.
“What were you thinking not telling me Chuck Bass is here!”
“What was I supposed to say? Oh, by the way Chuck is here. You wouldn't have come.”
“A warning would have been nice.” Serena tried to excuse herself from one of Blair’s potential meltdowns, “I gotta go”
“You can’t just leave me here with him,” Blair insisted dragging Serena back into the conversation.
“Ugh just figure something out Blair. You always do.”

Serena left the poolside, heading towards the kitchen. “So, how’s your summer been?” Blair asked, pretending not to care but hoping to break the awkward silence. Chuck didn’t know what to say.
“So you’re going to leave me in Tuscany and not even answer my question,” Blair said.
“That’s not what I meant. What should I say? That my summer’s been great, because it hasn’t.” Regret filled his voice.
“Well neither has mine because of you.” The words slipped out of Blair’s mouth.

Feeling a slight bit of hopelessness, Chuck went inside. “I’m losing her,” Chuck told Serena who was waiting inside for Blair.
“I don’t know what you expected after that stunt you pulled. If you really feel the way I think you do about her then you’ve got to fight for her. She would for you.” Serena’s phone rang. “Hey Nate, yeah I’m here. Why? Ok, I won’t.”
“What exactly is going on between you and Nate?” Blair asked entering the room.
“Nothing,” Serena answered.
“That’s not what Gossip Girl says,” Chuck stated.
“I told you nothing is happening,” Serena defended.
"Defencive much?" Blair added. A knock on the door startled everyone. Everyone, that is, besides Serena, who answered the door promptly.
“Hey,” Nate said as he stepped through the door carrying a bottle of champagne.

This is the first chapter. Bookmark this page and check back regularly. I might add this fic to ff net. I'll link it if I do :) Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl or any of the characters.