years and was playing sad; slow; love songs back to back。
Gorgeously dressed couples held onto each other and swayed to
the lonesome riffs; barely moving beneath the soft lights。 The air
smelled of orchids and candle wax and raw fish and cigarette
smoke; and there was a peaceful sophistication to the evening that
was both unexpected and familiar。 It wasn’t the rocking slam…fest
that some had hoped for; but it wasn’t a bad party; either。 There
was still plenty of booze left; nothing had caught fire; and the cops
hadn’t shown up to card people。 Besides; the year was just getting
started—there were tons more parties to look forward to。
Nate and Blair were dancing together; her cheek against his chest;
both of their eyes closed; his lips brushing the top of her head。 Blair
had put her brain on pause; and her head was full of static。 She was
tired of dreaming up movies。 Right now; real life suited her just fine。
A few couples away; Chuck had his hands full of Jenny Humphrey。
Jenny wished the DJ would bring up the tempo。 She was trying to
dance as fast as she could; to keep Chuck from groping her; but it
was having the opposite effect。 Every time she moved her
shoulders; her boobs bounced out of her dress and practically hit
him in the face。
Chuck was absolutely delighted。 He put his arms around Jenny’s
waist and pulled her close; dancing off the dance floor and into the
ladies’ room。
“What are we doing?” Jenny said; confused。 She gazed up into his
eyes。 She knew Chuck was friends with Serena and Blair; and she
wanted to trust him。 But Chuck still hadn’t asked her what her name
was。 He’d barely spoken to her at all。
“I just want to kiss you;” Chuck said。 He bent his head down and
enveloped her mouth in his; pressing his tongue against her teeth
with such force that she let out a little gasp。 Jenny opened her
mouth and let him thrust his tongue deep into her throat。 She had
kissed boys before; playing games at parties。 But she’d never
tongue kissed like this。 Is this what it’s supposed to feel like? she
wondered; suddenly feeling a little frightened。 She reached up and
pushed against Chuck’s chest; pulling her head away from him;
desperate for air。
“I have to go to the bathroom;” she mumbled; stumbling backwards
into a stall and locking the door。
She could see Chuck’s feet; standing outside the stall。
“All right;” he said。 “But I’m not finished with you yet。”