Beyond The Words | Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Your are the Guy who stole my heart
Im the Girl your always fighting for
We have a love people dream about…
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Making her way out of the elevator, Jenny took a deep breath, preparing herself for the people she’d see as soon as she walked around the corner. Feeling a hand on the bottom of her back she turned to face her brother.
“Your gonna be fine Jenny, if Blair says anything, I’ll make sure she leaves.”
Jenny nodded her head, that was only half of her problem.
“It wasn’t your fault Jenny. You know that right?”
Of course a part of it was her fault. People cant keep blaming Chuck. Some small part of her, knew exactly what it was doing.
Smiling at Dan, she clutched onto his arm as the two made their way into the apartment. Looking around she let out a sigh of relief nobody was here yet, thank god. Running up to Eric she hugged him tightly.
“Umm, cant quite breathe here Jen…”.
Laughing, Jenny let go of her step brother. “Sorry. Hey and sorry for ditching you last night too.”
“It’s ok, I actually didn’t notice until we were leaving.”
“Oh I feel loved.” The two friends laughed.
“So did you have a good reason for leaving me last night?”
“Actually, I kinda did.” Eric frowned at her, before noticing her discomfort, he could tell she had something to tell him.
“Your room?”
“Yeah”, Jenny replied nodding her head, making her way to her room she was stopped by her and Lilly.
“Jenny! Im so happy you’re here.” Lilly exclaimed, locking her in a gentle embrace. “Ive missed you.”
“Ive missed you too Lilly.” Jenny replied, smiling at her step mother.
“So where are you two sneaking off to?” Rufus asked, putting his arm around Lilly’s waist.
“Um, Eric’s got a new boyfriend that he needs to tell me about.”
“Oh, well I’ll leave you two alone with that subject.” Lilly muttered resting a hand on Rufus’ chest.
“Yeah that’s probably best. Dinner will be in about a half hour, so don’t be too long in there everyone will be arriving soon.”
“OK Dad.” Jenny said nodding her head. Watching them go, she pulled Eric into her room shutting the door behind them.
“What am I gonna do?! Tonight’s gonna be a total disaster!” Jenny shouted pacing her room.
“Ok.. Im guessing this has something to do with Blair?”
“Of course, Bitch Waldorf herself.” Eric laughed, sitting down on Jenny’s bed. “It’s not just that…”
“Last night - me and Nate sort of…”, Jenny raised her eyebrows, letting Eric know what she meant.
“Oh… you did?!”
“Yep”, Jenny sighed a smile forming on her face.
“How… did this happen?”, Eric asked as Jenny sat down on the bed next to him.
“We sort of had a fight in the rain, and he told me he loved me and we kissed and then we… well you know.”
“Wow, that sounds very - One Tree Hill…”, Eric pointed out, smiling at Jenny.
“Yeah I know, but it was amazing Eric. Nate was so sweet and amazing, and for the first time in my life I just feel so happy.”
“So what’s the problem?”, Eric shrugged.
“The problem is Vanessa’s into Nate again and she’s deluded herself into thinking they are gonna get back together…”
“Oh no.”
“Yeah and Im lying to her and I just feel so bad about it, but Im so in love with him Eric.” Jenny muttered looking down she began playing with her bracelets.
“I know you are. You always have been.”
Smiling, Jenny looked up at her best friend. “So what do I do?”
“There’s nothing you can do either way she’s gonna get hurt. You and Nate are just gonna have to sit her down and break it to her gently. Your only hurting her more by lying.”
“Yeah…”, Jenny nodded hearing the elevator sound she looked up at her door. “We should get back out there.”
Getting of the bed, Jenny grabbed Eric’s shoulder. “Oh and by the way, nobody can find out about this. Only you and Serena know, if Dan found out he’d freak.”
“Ok. How does Serena know?”, Eric asked arching his brows.
“She kind of guessed, she’s been really great about it actually.” Opening her door, she heard Eric shout her.
“Jenny…”.
Peeping her head around her door she looked at Eric. “What?”
“Was it worth the wait? You and Nate?”
Jenny smiled before biting her lip. “Totally!”.
Laughing the two made their way into the kitchen, Jenny’s smile disappearing as she saw Chuck hugging Lilly, and Blair shooting her a disapproving look.
“It’s good to see you Charles.”
“You too Lilly.” Pulling away from his stepmother, Chuck nodded over at Rufus before looking at Jenny.
“Jenny…”
“Hi Chuck”, Jenny muttered looking away. She wanted to smile at him, to show him all was forgiven and that she was OK now. That Nate, had taken away all her pain and replaced it with his love. But she felt Blair’s eyes, burning a whole through her so she chose not to anger her twisted rival anymore.
An awkward silence filled the room as it seemed everyone was waiting for Blair to say something but she didn’t instead she just clutched onto Chuck’s hand.
Gulping Jenny looked over at her Dad, noticing his struggle with the cooking. “Let me help you with that Dad.” Jenny said walking over to him. Jenny’s movement seemed to ease up the tension as Eric began talking to Blair, Dan and Serena started making out on the couch and Lilly fussed over Chuck’s shot wound.
Checking on the roast, Jenny sighed deeply. Where was Nate?
….
Getting out of the limo, Nate adjusted his shirt collar, smoothing down his shirt. Making his way to the building he was stopped by a familiar voice shouting him.
“Nate!”.
Clenching his jaw, Nate turned around to find Vanessa standing in front of him smiling. “Look I know you told me to stay away from you but I just wanted to apologize for last night. I don’t know what I was thinking, I didn’t mean to just spring everything on you like that.”
“Vanessa it’s cool alright. I just, I told you last night that you and me were just friends, nothing more. I thought you understood that…”
“I do, I don’t know what I was thinking.” Vanessa held out her hand. “Friends?”
Taking her hand he shook it. “Friends.” Nate smiled weakly, before opening the door for Vanessa. Watching her walk in he shook his head, before following.
“But one thing I don’t get is, your single. So why would you and me be a problem anyways?” Walking into the elevator, Nate leant against one of the walls.
“Lets just get there ok? Were both already late.” He understood what Jenny meant now.
Finally making it to their floor, Nate couldn’t get out of the elevator quick enough. Walking around into the apartment, he immediately noticed Jenny. A smile began to form on his face, she looked beautiful. Looking up from the vegetables she was chopping she smirked at Nate before noticing Vanessa approaching behind him. Had they come together?! Frowning she looked over at her brother, who was nudging Serena nodding at the late arrivals. Gritting her teeth she slammed her knife into one of the many carrots angrily. This was ridiculous.
“What did that carrot ever do to you?”, Eric laughed throwing the vegetables into the pan.
“She’s just practising for the next time she stabs someone in the back, aren’t you little J?”, Blair snarled quietly.
Jenny laughed weakly, throwing the knife down. “I was just picturing your face Blair.”
“Ladies, no fighting please.” Rufus said leaning over Jenny and picking up the chopping board.
Grabbing her drink she pushed her way past Vanessa and Nate, locking eyes with Nate as she did so. Feeling her stomach knot, she sat down at the table before taking a sip of her wine. She was ready to kill somebody tonight and Blair and Vanessa were at the top of her hit list.
….
Twiddling her fork around on her plate, Jenny could barely concentrate on her food. She wanted Nate to sit with her, to ask him why he came with Vanessa, and to kiss him and tell him she loved him, instead she was sat between Serena and Eric watching as Vanessa tried and failed to spark up a conversation with Nate, he seemed just as distracted and uncomfortable as she was - if not more.
Nate clenched his jaw, sitting next to Vanessa was the last place he wanted to be. But Dan had insisted, what was up with him tonight? Licking his lips he looked up and saw Chuck looking at him sheepishly, Chuck was sat way too close to Jenny, the only thing separating them was Eric. Fisting his hands he took a swag of his Gin, before turning his attention to Jenny. Searching her face, he was desperate to make eye contact but she’d hardly looked up from her plate all night.
Finally finishing her dinner she watched father get up. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight, it’s nice to have all you kids here together, I know you havent always gotten on, and I know some of you are still fighting…”, Jenny looked at Blair who grabbed onto Chuck’s arm. “But I want to thank you for putting your differences aside, and being here with us tonight. And also I’d like to raise my glass to my beautiful daughter Jenny, were so happy to have you home sweetheart.” Smiling, she watched as Rufus grabbed his glass, watching everyone else raise their glasses too… well everyone but Blair. “To Jenny.”
“To Jenny.” The table said.
Drinking the last of his wine, Rufus put the glass down onto the table. “Alright who’s ready for dessert…”, Rufus asked walking over to the counter.
Pushing herself away from the table, Jenny stood up. “Excuse me.”
Nate watched as Jenny made her way from the table, down the hallway. Wiping his mouth with his serviette, he got up from the table too and followed Jenny to her room.
Folding her arms tightly, she exhaled looking out of her window. The City lights usually calmed her down, but she was no nervous, and angry and anxious tonight nothing was working.
“Jenny…”
Jenny turned around to face Nate, who was walking into her room slowly.
“You ok?”, Nate asked shutting the door behind him.
“What are you doing here with Vanessa? Did you come here with her?”
“No Jenny of course not. We ran into each other outside the building that’s it.” Walking over to her, Nate cupped her face. “Jenny, I want to be with you not Vanessa.”
“You say that now but-”, Jenny was cut off by Nate’s lips crashing down onto hers. Resting her hand on his chest, Jenny melted against his touch. She’d missed him so much today.
Pulling away, Nate rested his forehead against Jenny’s. “I love you Jenny. Im not gonna hurt you again, I promise.”
Smiling gently. Jenny wrapped her arms around Nate’s neck, pulling him into another kiss.
…Love Is A Battlefield…
Pushing herself away from the table, Blair kissed Chuck gently on the lips before getting up and making her way to the bathroom. Hearing a noise coming from Jenny’s room, she opened her door slowly peeking inside. Blair began smiling, this again? Twice in the space of a few weeks. Pulling out her phone she snapped a picture as the two were caught against each other’s lips. Sending the picture to Gossip Girl, she shut the door behind her before making her way to the bathroom.
Fisting a handful of Nate’s hair in her hands, Jenny began to smile against his lips. Running a hand down his chest, she couldn’t help but caress his butt running her hands over it, she moved her hands to his waist before feeling a vibrating in his pocket. Pulling away, Nate grabbed his phone. Nate’s eyes widened, Jenny scanned his face.
“What is it?”, pulling the phone off of him. Jenny saw the picture of the two of them kissing, turning to face her door she noticed it was slightly open. Looking down at his phone, she shook her head.
Well what have we here? Nate Archibald and Little J locking lips at a family get together. It seems these two forbidden lovers have relit their spark, and are now hot and heavy. But isn’t V into N? And what would Lonely Boy say about his Little Sis and best buddies rendezvous?
“Oh no.” Running out of her room she made her way back into the dining area as she saw everyone staring at their phones, everyone apart from Lilly and her Dad of course. Swallowing deeply she felt Nate approach her, grabbing his hand she looked behind and found Blair making her way back into the room, with a smile on her face.
“What did you do?!”, Jenny shouted letting go off Nate’s hand and walking over to Blair.
“Oh, Im sorry didn’t you want people to know about you and Archibald. Oops.”
“What the hell is wrong with you Blair?!”, Nate asked shooting her a disgusted look.
“No what is wrong with you, she’s my sister!”, Dan shouted getting out of his seat and pushing Nate.
“Dan stop it!”, Jenny shouted.
“You just cant keep your hands off her can you?!”
“Dan!”, Nate shouted trying to reason with him.
“No I trusted you Nate! I took you into our home, again and you start sneaking around with my sister?!”
“Dan, it wasn’t like that!”, Jenny yelled pushing Dan away from Nate.
“What’s wrong with you Jenny?! He’s my friend!”
“He was my friend first Dan! I want to be with him!”
“You don’t know what you want, your just a kid Jenny”, Dan muttered looking down.
“Don’t speak to her like that!” Nate yelled.
“Oh what are you gonna do?!”, Dan shouted making a B line for Nate.
“Dan stop it! Your being ridiculous!”
“Im being ridiculous?! Come on Jen…”
“Hey leave her alone.” Chuck said getting out of his seat and walking over to the three of them.
“Don’t speak for her!”, Nate yelled pushing Chuck.
“Nathaniel come on…”, Nate snapped punching Chuck as hard as he could.
“Nate!”, Blair yelled running over to her boyfriend. Turning around Nate was soon the receiver of a blow by Dan, feeling a sudden stinging in his jaw he clenched onto his face.
“Dan!”, aiding Nate’s face Jenny soon saw Vanessa get up and walk over to the elevator.
“Vanessa”, running past Nate Jenny made her way over to her friend. “Vanessa please wait.”
“For what to see you and Nate together?! Do you think Im an idiot Jenny?”
“No of course not! Please Vanessa Im so sorry.”
“I don’t want to hear it Jenny, you knew how I felt about him and still you said nothing.”
“No Vanessa…”, Jenny grabbed Vanessa arm before feeling her hand slap across her right cheek. Jenny clenched onto her cheek.
“Jenny!”, Nate yelled running over to her completely forgetting about his argument with Dan.
Grabbing her shoulders he inspected her face. “Are you ok?”, watching Vanessa leave he shook his head.
Clutching onto Nate’s shirt, the two turned around and faced the destruction their love had caused. That Blair Waldorf had caused.
“Blair, I think it’s time you and Chuck went home.” Rufus said walking over to them.
“Mr Humphrey…”, Blair muttered tucking her hair behind her ear.
“You’ve done enough damage for one night.”
“Come on Blair.” Chuck said grabbing his girlfriends hand.
Watching Blair walk past her Jenny saw the smug look on her face.
“Oh Blair, one more thing.” Letting go off Nate, Jenny grabbed the jug of water from their table before throwing It over Blair. Blair screamed as the water down her face, soaking her perfect outfit. “You’ve crossed me one too many times, next time I wont be so forgiving.”
“Is that a threat?”, Blair snarled.
“Consider it a friendly warning.” Blair knew she was telling the truth, she saw the darkness lingering in her eyes. She knew full well Jenny had an inner bitch inside of her, if she didn’t hate her so much, she’d probably admire the girl. Grabbing her coat, Blair left the apartment with Chuck following.
“I apologize.” Chuck muttered turning around to face Nate and Jenny. “…For everything.” Looking at Nate, he nodded his head before leaving.
Jenny clutched onto her cheek again, as the stinging returned. “I think it’s best you leave too Nate.”
Rufus muttered, shoving his hands in his pocket.
“Dad…”
“Jenny, don’t.” Dan replied.
“It’s ok, I should go.” Nate said stroking the hair out of Jenny’s face.
“I don’t want you to go.” Jenny mumbled.
“It’s fine. You know where I am.” Kissing Jenny on the head, Nate made his way into the elevator slowly. He didn’t want to leave her, but she needed to sort things out with Dan and him being there would just make things worse.
Swallowing deeply, Jenny turned around to face her family.
“We need to talk.” Dan said running his hands through his hair.
Jenny walked over to Dan slowly, grabbing his arm. “Come on.” Leading him to her room, she shut the door behind them.
“Dan…”
“What are you playing at Jenny? Nate Archibald?”
“Why do you do that? Why do you say his name like he’s the plague or something. You had no problem Vanessa or Serena dating him so why me?”
“Because you’re my sister! Because Im supposed to take care of you, and because I know what Nate’s like, I know about his reputation with woman and it’s not something to admire Jen.”
Jenny ran her hands through her hair, as she began pacing around her room. “You don’t think I know about this? About his past, and all the things he did while I was away?! Of course I do Dan, but that doesn’t matter to me because I love him!”
“Your too young to be in love.” Dan muttered sitting on Jenny’s bed.
“Dan, Im 17 years old! A year older than you were when you fell in love with Serena!”
Dan shook his head before looking down, Jenny sat down next to him. “I know you worry about me, and that you want me to be happy. You have a really funny way of showing it but I know you do, because you’re my brother and I love you. But Nate is a good guy. You know he is Dan, he’s saved me so many times from so many bad people, he protects me and makes me feel so safe and so happy.”
“Happy?”, Dan asked looking at his sister.
“Yes happy, very happy… I love him so much Dan, Ive always loved him. And now were together, my life finally feels complete.”
Dan nodded his head. “I just want what’s best for you Jen. It’s all Ive ever wanted.”
Jenny smiled before rested her head on Dan’s shoulder. “I know you do. And I thank you for that. But I want Nate, and that’s just something your gonna have to live with.”
“Just Gimme some time to process this, Ok?”
“Ok.” Jenny whispered. “You shouldn’t have punched him.”
“He deserved it.” The two siblings laughed weakly.
“Ok, Im gonna go make sure he’s ok.” Jenny muttered climbing off the bed.
“Cant you just leave it for tonight?”
Jenny tilted her head to the side. “Dan.”
“Alright, go see him.“ Dan said raising his hands. “But don’t stay the night though, that’d be weird.”
Jenny smiled. “I cant promise you anything, Nate’s got a really comfy bed.” Jenny muttered to herself.
“Ok, are you trying to wind me up again?”
Giggling Jenny tucked her hair behind her ear. “Im sorry.” Kissing her brother on the cheek, she walked out of her room quickly picking up her purse.
Making her way back into the dining room, she stopped observing her father and Lilly’s confused expressions.
Jenny cleared her throat. “I know this must be a shock to you guys, and Im sorry for keeping it from you. But Nate and I are in love and I want to be with him.” Jenny shrugged. “I don’t know what else to say. Other than, Im going to be with my boyfriend. And if you don’t understand that, then Im sorry, but it’s just the way it is.”
Watching Dan walk out of her room, she smiled at her family weakly before picking up her coat and walking into the elevator, leaving a proud Serena and a smiling Eric behind her. Exhaling deeply, Jenny felt a rush of calm washing over her, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Everybody knew now, there was no more secrets, no more ammo for Blair to use, she could finally show the world how much she loved Nate Archibald.