That Summer

Blair and Chuck often carried that same smug and slightly conceited smirk. The same look each of them wore on their faces as Nate walked through the door. They both saw this as an opportunity to grill Serena on what’s been happening between her and Nate over the summer. Anything to get the attention off the two of them. They both knew how to disguise deflection as a mindless thirst for gossip. Every teenager on the Upper East Side (and even a few curious Brooklynites) were conditioned and programmed to think in a gossip-focused kind of way, thanks to non-other than Gossip Girl.

“Well at least Humphrey’s not here.”
“Jee Blair, don’t you want to see me,” Nate joked.
“Oh, it’s not you that I don’t want to see.”

“So Nathaniel, what brings you here. Serena? Cause I know you wanna tap that,” Chuck spoke in lower tone, hoping to avoid Serena and Blair overhearing.
“Anyone tell you not to believe everything you read on Gossip Girl,” he knew Chuck wasn’t wrong but unfortunately for him Gossip Girl was. “Anyway you’ve been here with us all week. You of all people should know that nothing is going on,” Nate retaliated.
“You guys have been sneaking off an awful lot.”
“Or are you just putting on a show for Blair.”
“Alright Nate we get the picture,” Chuck decided to put the subject to rest. At least for a moment.

“Nate, care to join me outside?” Blair’s voice had an urgent edge. Grasping his sleeve, she walked a reluctant Nate to the poolside.
“Seems like its just me and you,” Chuck was beginning to get on even Serena’s nerve.
“What are you trying Chuck? Blair’s not going to forgive you. I don’t know why you’d waste your time on this suicide mission. Let Blair move on.”
“Well now your done with Humpty Humphrey, you can help me.”
“Ugh no Chuck. Whatever you want help with I’m sure there is someone out there who would want to help.”

“HAHAHA!” Blair burst into an odd pattern of laughter. Serena and Chuck let their heads turn to the poolside. “What are you doing Blair?” Nate inquired clearly not understanding the concept of just going along with something. Clueless as he may be, Nate never meant to cause any problems. Contrary to what inlookers might think. He could be both the most boring and chaotic person one could meet. Talk about being the chaos. Blair internally rolled her eyes as she continued to poorly act out her charade.
“Just consider it,” A solemn tone slipped from Chuck’s tongue. Serena knew exactly what he meant.

“So Nate, are we just going to let the champagne go to waste?” Serena asked, Nate and Blair now walking back inside.

----------------------------------------

The sun’s early evening rays seeped through the windows, beer and champagne now flowing as the group half-drunkenly gossiped in the kitchen. Any observer could easily overlook the slight strains and breaks that were overtaken by the friends’ wistful giggles. Breaking free from his chatty and flowing state, Nate offered to make dinner.
“No offence Nate, but what can you make?” Blair had never seen Nate make anything beyond a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.
“Actually Blair, he was quite the chef a few years ago,” Serena defended Nate, reminiscing on a past summer. Nate rummaged through the drawers of the kitchen side as he looked for something resembling a pot or pan.

Chuck poured everyone another glass of wine, continuing the jovial buzzing atmosphere. Everyone’s head’s were temporarily cleared from the endlessly distraction of the often warped city, music 'booming' to the rhythm of the conversation. Serena joyfully bounced from her stall. “Come on Blair, let’s watch a movie!” “Fine but I pick,” Blair insisted. “Ok though I’m hiding the Breakfast at Tiffany’s DVDs.” “I am not that predictable!” A semi-offended expression painted itself on Blair’s face. “Uh huh,” Serena sarcastically agreed. “How about The Notebook?” Blair had probably seen this movie at least fifty times. “Didn’t Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams just get back together?” Serena and Blair gossiped over the cast as they navigated the menu and sunk into the blankets. “I heard even they didn’t get along at first, Blair,” Chuck chimed in. Blair’s eyes rolled. Why couldn’t everyone, including herself, forget that whole ordeal with her and Chuck ever happened?

Subtle aromatic scents encapsulated the room, a half hour of chatter and movie-watching passing as Nate busied himself with cooking, finally finishing as hunger began to agitate Blair who throw a few half-drunken comments Chuck. Nate carried the plates in, balancing them on everybody's lap as he sat in an armchair. TV dinners just didn't happen on the Upper East Side but the rules were different in the summer. Less formal. More free.

“Well I guess it’s better than anything our parents have ever tried cooking us,” Serena joked, taking a bite of the somewhat sloppy bolognese.
“Remember when Lily tried cooking and invited us all over in '04?”
“Wasn’t she trying to impress Klaus?"
"Well we all know that that didn't go very well." Chuck mentioned. Lily was on her next husband now. Bart. The words of Chuck's father began to circle his mind, attacking his conscience, once again reminding him of what he didn't have. To Chuck, Lily's latest husband was to blame this time. Chuck's bitter and almost well hidden expression was decipherable to only those who really knew him. Mainly Blair.

----------------------------------------

They fell back into their nostalgic summer habits, endless nights of movies, bonfires on the beach. The feeling was coming back to all of them. The natural pattern of summer. It felt like the last year had never happened. But it had.

Ping Serena's cell sang a short melody. Her eyebrows raised in her ever-recognisable and bubbly curiosity as she reached for the phone through the nest of blankets and sofa pillows. Her face froze in its shocked expression as she saw the sender. Dan Humphrey.
"Who was that?" Blair was in an extra curious and snoopy mood today.
"Just Lily," Serena lied.
"You'd tell me if it was you had a summer fling right?" Blair questioned. The boys weren't listening, too caught up in their sports discussions, a conversation mainly led by Nate. Chuck wasn't too into general sports.
"Yes Blair," Serena insisted, though she knew she wouldn't. Avoidance was the foundation of Serena's life and with a whole summer of distractions sans Dan Humphrey, it couldn't be a better way to get over him. At least she thought it would be easy.

"How about the beach tomorrow?"

This is the second chapter. Bookmark this page and check back regularly. This fic is now on fanfiction net This is the link :) Disclaimer: I don't own Gossip Girl or any of the characters.