GG Fic: These Things She Keeps Behind Her Eyes (Part I: Summertime, and the living is easy)
Title: These Things She Keeps Behind Her Eyes (Part I: Summertime, and the living is easy)
Rating: Definitely an R (maybe NC-17? I'm never quite sure where that line is) for drinking, drugs, swearing, and sex
Pairings: Serena/Blair, Serena/Georgina, Serena/Nate, Serena/Random Guys, hinted at Serena/Chuck... lol, Serena's a little slutty in this one. Plus, Blair/Nate and some Georgina/Chuck, if you squint.
Spoilers: None really. This story is set before Serena leaves for boarding school, a "prequel" if you will, so technically no spoilers, but I do reference (steal) some things from the first season and the books, just not enough that you would actually be spoiled, I think.
Word Count: 23,765
Summary: Serena can see so many things; she wants to un-see so many things.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Gossip Girl... well, except for some of the books and a copy of the first season. But seriously, this is all in fun and I'm not making any money from it, blah blah blah.
A/N: Originally, this started as a small one-shot between Serena and Georgina and at some point it turned into this massively long story. This is just my take on the months that lead up to Serena taking off for boarding school. I wrote it exclusively from Serena's point-of-view 'cause I’ve found most of the things I've read were largely through Blair's eyes and I've always felt a little clueless about what's going on inside Serena's head. It turns out, I think she's pretty unsure herself.
A/N 2: This is pretty much my second fic ever, and I've been writing it since last November, so I got antsy and posted it without a beta. Also, I tried to challenge myself and wrote the whole thing in present-tense which I never write in and am not very comfortable with. So please, please do let me know about any errors I've missed. And of course, feedback of all kinds would be greatly appreciated.
The sun beats down on her, adding to her natural tan as she stretches out on the lounger; the water is a beautiful deep blue reflection of the cloudless sky above; the sea breeze is perfect, both the one in her hand and the one gliding over her body. It’s only three days in and it already seems like this summer is shaping up to be the best one yet.
Serena is watching Nate and Anthony Avuldsen chase Blair with their water guns. She darts between Kati and Is, who are stretched out on a blanket further down the beach, and both the girls get hit in the cross-fire. Their squeals bounce off the water. Serena can’t help the chortle that escapes her at the sight of the two girls chasing after the boys with only their bottled Voss waters as weapons. Everyone’s face is lit up, by both sun-kissed cheeks and wide child-like grins. Even Chuck looks happily amused from his perch atop one of the lifeguard towers. Every so often she spies him spraying a jet of water down on the girls, causing them to turn and start after one of the other unsuspecting guys.
She takes a lazy sip of her cocktail, enjoying the sweet tang as the drink cools her from the heat of the midday sun. It’s different sitting back and watching, she thinks to herself; normally it’s her in the middle of whatever crazy or chaotic thing is happening. But this, the calmness of just absorbing the scene before her, feels so right.
“This isn’t right,” Blair breathlessly plops down next to Serena. She grabs the drink out of Serena’s hand and downs half of it in one gulp. “I should be the one lounging under the sun with a drink and you should be the one short of breath from being chased by boys.”
Serena quirks up an eyebrow at Blair, “As if you don’t love it.”
“That’s not the point.” Blair places the nearly empty glass on the stack of magazines serving as a side table. She wiggles her bum a little, making it clear Serena should slide over and share the lounger. Blair leans into Serena’s side, resting her head on her shoulder. As she continues on about their expected roles, Serena shades her eyes with her hand so she can look down at Blair, watch as the girl’s seriousness and passion on the subject colours her features.
Nate jogs up next to the lounger and gives Blair a quick squirt, hitting her in the chest. The water runs down into her red bikini top, turning it a shade darker. It’s like a little love tap, Serena thinks as she starts laughing with him; an immature, six-year-old boy punching you in the arm on the playground type love tap, but a love tap nonetheless.
“Nate!” Blair squeals over their mixed laughs. “Not fair! We’re on a truce or time-out or whatever. Now I’m all wet again!”
Serena and Nate are still laughing and Serena’s belly is beginning to ache at Blair’s protests about fairness and rules of the game and the sight of her adorable pouting bottom lip. Blair lets out an exasperated huff, crossing her arms over her chest. But a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips gives her away, and Serena knows Blair isn’t as upset as she’s pretending to be. “Oh, B. I’m so sorry you’re all wet!” Serena’s voice is laced with sarcasm as she mocks the girl.
“You should be! In fact-” Blair’s eyes slide over Serena’s body before she quickly twists herself around and grabs Serena into a tight bear hug, pulling her forward at the same time. Nate catches the look Blair tosses at him and takes the hint. Serena lets out a gasp at the coldness of the streaks of water that spray over her skin.
She tries to push Blair off of her, twist away, escape this onslaught in any way possible but Blair has an amazingly tight grip on her and she gains even more of an upper hand once she pins Serena down, straddling her legs. Still, Nate’s aim is sloppy and Blair is getting hit just as much as Serena; the jets of water become weaker as Nate doubles over with even more laughter and the gun empties its last few drops.
Blair collapses on top of Serena, exhausted. Nate drops down onto the ground, casting the water gun off to the side as he does. Heat from the sun-and their bodies-dries the beads of water coating Blair and Serena rather quickly; Blair partially slides off of Serena, stretches out along her, with legs still draped over Serena’s.
Blocking the hot rays of the sun beating down on Nate, Anthony’s shadow stretches out over his limp form on the sandy bank, breaking into the stillness of their recovery from the previous silliness. “Nate, man, feel like taking a walk?” Anthony pinches his thumb and index finger together, holding them to his lips. Not far behind Chuck swaggers up, casually drinking what looks like a piña colada, complete with an umbrella and slice of pineapple.
“Oh, yeah. Sure.” Pushing up from the ground Nate pauses, quickly glancing over at Blair, checking for any objections; she seems more concerned with finishing off the last drops of Serena’s drink, so Nate turns his attention back to the guys. “Chuck, you want in man?”
“Well, as much as I would love to stay here and watch the girls continue to wrestle. Or whatever it is you’re doing,” Chuck motions his hand about in the air; his grin is wide like the Cheshire cat’s. “I think I’ll join you boys instead.”
Nate gives Blair a quick kiss on the cheek before heading off with the other two guys, flicking his lighter on and off as he walks. After a few steps Chuck stops and turns back to face Serena and Blair, removing his shades as he looks them over. “Girls,” he drawls, “please do something I would do while we’re gone.” A quick wink and they’re left alone, lounging under the bright sun.
******
They’re strolling up the driveway to the house, arm in arm, having just returned from an early lunch and a quick but productive shopping spree in town. Serena is giggling so hard the sound of her laughter has disappeared entirely and she can barely breathe; Blair’s own laughter has her collapsing against Serena’s shoulder as they both try to continue walking. She can’t remember for the life of her what it was that Blair had said that they can’t stop laughing about, but it must’ve been damn funny.
“What... ohmygod... I can’t... breathe,” Serena tries to calm her breathing enough to string a sentence together. “What... what are we laughing about?”
Blair stops dead, forcing Serena to a halt as well. A gigantic smile spreads across her lips all the way up to her eyes. “You know? I have absolutely no clue.” Another burst of laughter erupts from her lithe frame.
Serena begins to join Blair again when she hears a deeper, distinctly masculine laugh; or actually several different laughs. Blair hears it too, her own laughter on pause as she tries to figure out the source. Serena tips her head up and nods her chin toward the side of the house; Blair seems to agree as she clenches Serena’s arm, dragging them both down the path to investigate further.
As they round the corner, wicker patio furniture comes into view, including four bodies-Jeremy Scott Thompkinson, Nate, some girl, and Anthony Avuldsen-spread across the couch.
“Blair. Serena. Hey,” Nate coughs out, smoke rolling out of his mouth. He passes a joint off to the brunette girl on his left. “Georgina here was just telling us the funniest story about running into Carter Baizen in Amsterdam.”
Blair stands looking at Nate with a cold stare, her arm tightening in its loop through Serena’s.
“You guys already know each other, don’t you?” Nate stammers as another joint is passed to him from Jeremy on his right.
Georgina’s gaze washes over Blair and Serena sees Blair’s eyes narrow back at the girl. Georgina shakes her head as she exhales, “No, I don’t think we’ve-“
“Yes. Actually, we’ve met. At Chuck Bass’s last birthday party,” Blair cuts her off.
Georgina’s face flashes with delight. “Oh my god! That’s right! How could I forget?” Georgina exclaims as she bounces around in her seat. “We played ‘Truth or Dare’ in his hot tub. I dared you guys to makeout!”
Blair’s face flushes and Serena turns away from her to give the other girl a better look. She tilts her head to the side, trying to place the face. “No... I don’t really remem-“
“Shit, that was you,” Jeremy laughs as he reaches around Nate to give Georgina’s back a slap of approval. “I remember reading that on Gossip Girl. Man, do I wish I’d been there that night!” Everyone on the couch starts laughing, obviously enjoying the memory. Or maybe Jeremy’s admission that he reads Gossip Girl.
“Nate!” Blair’s curt voice cuts the laughter short instantly. “Come help me take all this inside?” Blair’s arm withdraws from Serena’s and she turns to hand all her bags to an obedient Nate that jumped up the second the request (demand) was out. Serena drops her bags to the ground with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Come sit down,” Georgina gestures to the empty space beside her where Nate had been. “Join in our early celebration of 4:20.”
Serena takes the joint passed to her by Jeremy as she flops down onto the couch. “Sorry, I don’t really remember meeting you before.” The words trail after the smoke Serena releases from her lungs.
“No worries, babe,” Georgina smiles as she pats Serena’s thigh reassuringly. “I’m sure we were all pretty fucked up that night. Tequila shots, I think?”
“Anyway, why don’t we make up for lost memories and go out dancing tonight?” Georgina asks before she takes a long toke, nudging Serena’s shoulder with her own.
Serena takes barely a second to think over the invitation before shaking her head yes; it’s been way too long since she’s gone out and let loose, like a week maybe. “Sounds fun. Blair and I haven’t gone out in ages.”
“Perfect. We’ll make it a girl’s night out.”
Both guys slump down into their seats a little and each take an extra long drag on their respective joints, obviously disappointed to learn they’re not invited too.
“So,” Serena turns to look at her new friend, “you know any places we can get into?”
“Oh, honey,” Georgina laughs wildly. “With legs like yours, I’ll bet we have no problem getting in anywhere.”
*******
Three martinis in and Serena has yet to spot Georgina. All the girls were supposed to meet outside of the club over an hour ago, but after fifteen minutes of trying to convince Blair not to give up on the evening, they went in without Georgie. Serena grins over the rim of her glass thinking about how right Georgina had been about her legs: the bouncer barely took his eyes off them as he lifted the rope, letting them right in.
Serena slurps back the last sip of her drink and really wants to order her next but she hesitates, thinking it might be tacky to move onto a fourth when Blair and Kati and Is haven’t even finished their second yet. Though maybe Blair won’t notice; she didn’t notice Serena accept the third drink from the college senior that had practically begged her to let him buy it. No, Blair is too busy gushing to the girls about the daytrip she and Nate had taken on his family’s sailboat yesterday. God, this night is getting dull fast; wasn’t this supposed to be a girl’s night out with, like, dancing and debauchery? Getting drunk- no, plastered- really would be the only way to salvage the evening.
Serena turns in her seat, trying to flag down a waitress, when out of the corner of her eye she catches the brunette saunter in like she owns the place. She’s wearing a flimsy gold sequined halter top and black leather pants so tight they’re basically a second layer of skin. And strangely, even though her Zac Posen dress is short enough to be confused with a shirt, Serena feels completely overdressed.
She abandons her mission for her next drink and starts waving at Georgina instead. A wild smile spreads across Georgina’s face and she struts over to group of girls seated on the settee.
As soon as Georgina arrives, Blair finishes her drink with a flourish and stands; Kati and Is both follow suit, gulping their drinks down before standing-up behind Blair. Serena jumps up too, to greet their friend, but before she has a chance Blair speaks first, “Georgina. Nice of you to finally show, but it seems we’re just about to head home.”
Serena whips around at Blair’s opening line. It’s not quite what she was expecting to hear, not even close to what she was going to say; she was thinking of something more along the lines of Hey, finally. Do you want a drink first or should we just hit the dance floor? Definitely not anything about going home.
“What? Really? Already B?” Serena is pouting, hoping she can change Blair’s mind with her cuteness. “Come on, we haven’t even danced yet. You know you wanna dance with me.” She grabs Blair’s hands, pulling her arms back and forth in a mock dancing motion. Blair drops her arms and scowls at Serena.
“No. I think it’s time to go,” Blair delicately covers her mouth as she yawns, making a spectacle of the gesture. “I’m just tuckered. And a girl needs her beauty rest.”
Serena crosses her arms; two can play this game. “Well, I’m not all that tired. Maybe I’ll stay.”
“Fine. Stay if you want. What do I care?” Blair’s lips are pressed into a thin line and she arches one eyebrow at up her. Serena can feel her resolve crumble slightly. When did this evening go from being about dancing and drinking to a fight for dominance?
Fingers splay across the small of her back and Serena remembers the girl who has just arrived. She can feel Georgina lean in close behind her, lips near her ear, and then hot breath as she speaks for the first time, “Three shots of Stoli and I’ll have you dancing up on the bar with me.”
It’s a challenge and Serena takes the bait.
*******
The hardwood floor is cool on her barefeet. Serena pulls the silk robe a little tighter around her waist as she heads down the staircase to the kitchen. When she had stretched her arms out, searching the bed for the warm body she had curled around after crawling in only a few hours before, she had found herself alone instead. It wasn’t really the coldness of the bed that had prompted her to venture out in search of the missing body so much as how empty the bed had felt without her.
Through the doorway she can see her sitting at the large island, pushing some fruit salad around a plate with her fork. A soft gold glow lights up the room, lights up Blair, as the first rays of the sunrise shine through the kitchen windows. Serena feels a content smile form on her lips and she leans against the doorjamb, savouring the moment. “You’re up early.”
Blair looks up from her plate, watches Serena shuffle over to the stool next to her. “I couldn’t sleep.” She snorts and rolls her eyes, “You snore so loud when you’re drunk.”
Serena giggles and speaks around the piece of cantaloupe she’s popped in her mouth, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“It’s okay. I don’t think I was all that tired anyway.” Blair’s lips shift up into a small, shallow smirk. She pushes the rest of the fruit towards Serena. “You finish it. I don’t think I’m hungry either.”
“Yeah, sure. Sorry B. You know, that I didn’t come home with you last night?” She stabs at a grape with her fork but it rolls away, unscathed. Blair doesn’t say anything, and Serena worries for a moment that maybe Blair is still upset with her for ditching her in favour of Georgie.
“Are you okay B?” Serena reaches out for Blair’s hand resting on the counter; her hand is like ice in Serena’s grasp. Serena runs her thumb over Blair’s knuckles and notices a few small scratches. Blair tries to jerk it away but she just holds on tighter, giving a small squeeze before lifting her hand away, releasing her.
A small sigh escapes Blair and Serena feels her straighten up in her seat and slip on the day’s required composure.
“Oh, S. When I got in last night I found this,” Blair hands her a piece of paper that was cast off to the side; a note from Lily. “She’s gone to Monaco with... what’s his name? Richard? And Eric’s going to stay with CeCe a little longer.” She pauses, looking Serena over before going on. “She says you can do whatever you want for your birthday. Just tell the maid to put it together.”
Serena is looking down at the piece of paper and she must have some sort of dejected expression-even though she isn’t surprised at all-because the tone in Blair’s voice changes dramatically, becomes fakely enthusiastic. “This is perfect S! I think you should throw a party. Invite everyone!”
And Serena smiles at Blair, appreciating her effort. “Sure, whatever you want B. You can plan it all if you want.”
The suggestion gets Blair bounding off her stool, grabbing a notepad to begin making lists right away since we have no time, only two days to find a caterer and flowers and do you want a DJ or-and Serena looks down at the fruit, suddenly not as hungry as she was a few minutes before.
******
Serena’s shared a shot or a toke-and more often than not, both-with each of her guests, even the ones she didn’t know were invited. She’s danced herself silly to cheesy pop songs and sung her heart out to every ‘80s rock ballad; she’s giggled with glee at the water polo captain’s suggestion they skinny-dip as she lifted her top over her head; she’s smeared icing across Blair and Nate’s noses and licked it off of Anthony and Jeremy’s chests. All in all, this has probably been one of the best damn birthdays in a long time.
Only now, she’s kinda tired of the people who are still here, knocking back what little is left of the liquor or passing out in any and every available space. She really just wants to grab a bottle of something and her best friend and head to bed for their traditional nightcap before giving in fully to the tiredness.
She is stumbling over bodies strewn across the lawn as she searches loungers and couches and benches for brunette or perhaps sandy-blonde hair, but it’s just a sea of strangers. Naturally, just as Serena is about to give up she hears a familiar girlish giggle. The sound is carrying on the early-morning wind and Serena can’t quite place where it’s originating from. A haphazard scan of the area and she finally sees his hair peaking over the back of the sofa set-up under the canopy on the edge of the garden. Nate’s head bends down into what Serena knows is a kiss placed on Blair’s lips. She considers leaving them, letting them enjoy their relative privacy, but it’s her birthday and she doesn’t really want to be alone.
So she quietly enters the tent, lingering as they continue kissing. She pretends to examine empty bottles and scattered cigarette packs spread across the coffee table, shaking the occasional one just to be sure there’s nothing left. An accidental clink of glass on glass and she hears Nate’s tentative voice asking, “Serena? What’re you doing?”
“Oh, hey guys. Don’t mind me. I was just... you know,” she waves an empty pack of Parliaments around. “Just keep doing whatever.”
“Don’t be silly. Come here,” Blair waves Serena over and she doesn’t waste a second bounding over and collapsing next to Nate. Blair reaches across him and grabs Serena’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “So? Is it your best birthday ever?”
Serena is wearing a tired smile as she answers, “Yeah, actually. I think so.”
“Uh oh. You only think so?” Nate swings an arm up and around Serena’s back; he pulls her in close so that both girls are now pressed into his chest. His words are a little slurred, and Serena figures fleetingly, that if she thinks he sounds drunk, he must be really drunk. “Sounds like we’re gonna hafta fix that. Blair, any ideas?”
Serena looks expectantly at Blair and finds herself surprised when she doesn’t give an answer right away; but Blair’s brow is slightly knit together in deep concentration. Serena starts to say something, that it’s okay, really, I’ve had tons of fun, when Blair cuts her off with a low whisper.
“Give her a birthday gift, Nate.” Blair tips her head towards Serena. A mischievous glint shines in her eyes. “Go on, it’s okay, Natie.”
Nate rubs his hand over Serena’s shoulder a little; he shifts his weight beside her so that his body isn’t pressed into Blair as much anymore. His gaze is cast downward a little like whenever Chuck makes an embarrassing joke or after Serena catches him watching her with that goofy grin of his. His voice is very quiet, and Serena knows the question is meant only for Blair to hear. “Yeah? You sure?”
“Yeah, go on. Now, hurry up before I change my mind.” She’s looking at Serena as she answers, not even bothering to check Nate’s reaction. Blair runs her thumb over the back of Serena’s hand that she’s still holding in his lap. With her other hand she’s stroking the back of Nate’s neck, and Serena can tell she’s gently nudging him forward as she does.
Serena is intently watching Blair and has partially forgotten Nate’s sitting there between them when his lips suddenly press up into hers. Out of surprise her head jolts back a little, but she doesn’t break away from the kiss. Nate moves his lips slightly and she takes it as an encouragement to do the same. His tongue slides into her mouth at the first chance. And Serena opens her mouth a little more to make it easier for him. His hand moves from her shoulder and becomes tangled in her hair, holding the back of her neck, keeping her in the kiss. Serena squeezes Blair’s hand.
“All right, that’s enough Nate.” He stops instantly at Blair’s commanding tone. His hand falls back to Serena’s shoulder and he shifts his weight back against Blair. He doesn’t look up at either girl, doesn’t look anywhere.
But Blair is still looking directly at Serena, and even though Serena thinks she should look somewhere else, anywhere else, she is staring right back at her. Eyes solidly locked on Serena’s, Blair smiles shyly as she says, “Happy birthday Serena.”
All three remain nestled on the overstuffed couch. The breeze is wafting through the tent and the side of Serena that isn’t pressed into Nate’s chest is slightly chilled. She is enjoying their silence, for a change, but she knows she should break it. She’s the one who always does. She should giggle or start babbling or bounce up in search of more drinks. But before she can summon any energy, a small laugh escapes from Nate as his head lolls back on the cushion. His blank look melts away; Serena can feel an air of lightness float over him. “Yeah, Serena. Happy birthday.”
He’s smiling now. She can even see the smile reach his hooded eyes. And Blair is smiling too, looking up at Nate as she perches her head on his shoulder. “So, Blair,” Nate drops a kiss to Blair’s forehead, “I think it’s your turn to give Serena a birthday gift.”
“Nate!” Blair mock gasps as she swats at his chest. “You wish,” she says playfully, arching an eyebrow at him.
He puffs his chest out and gives both girls a little squeeze on the shoulder, “Yeah, I do.” His bottom lip juts out a little; Serena is reminded of a time when they were seven and he made the same face after Blair wouldn’t let him watch them play dress up in Eleanor’s clothes.
“Well, if you’re a good enough boy, maybe for your birthday,” and Blair gives him a quick peck on the cheek.
********
The stars-the existence of which she had almost forgotten about-sparkle in the black sky and the moon, though not full, is bright enough to light their walk home, which is a good thing since the only other light is the occasional one left on at the entrance to a long driveway.
Chuck is walking about a half-block ahead, an arm slung low over the waists of Kati and Is on each side of him, leaving the four of them behind walking in a line, arms looped. He keeps whispering in turn into the girls’ ears, probably something suggestive and vulgar in an earnest attempt at salvaging the evening by the time they reach Nate’s grandmother’s estate, and Serena finds herself impressed rather than disgusted at his determination.
“Oh my god! Who knew trust fund babies could actually run!” Georgina cackles before taking a deep swig from the champagne bottle.
Serena takes the offered bottle from her, quickly gulping down the cool liquid, “And those cops! That was the best part, watching those poor chubby guys trying to chase after like a hundred kids. I almost felt bad for them.”
Serena turns to her left, holding the rim of the bottle to Blair’s lips for her so she doesn’t have to untangle an arm from either Serena or Nate; the combination of walking and already being rather drunk seems to result in most of the champagne drizzling down Blair’s chin. Serena leans her head into Blair’s briefly, whispering a soft sorry before handing the bottle over to Nate.
“Oh, man! Chuck’s totally going to fire his new driver for taking off like that!” Some champagne sputters out as Nate Laughs.
“And rightfully so,” Blair’s tone has an air of irritation to it. “By the time this five-mile hike home is over, my new Manolos will be ruined. Someone has to pay for that.”
“It was a pool party B. You should have worn sandals.” Serena wiggles her foot out in front of her, showing off her strappy gold flip-flops.
“Yeah, well, not everyone can look like a goddess in flats S.”
“B, you look gorgeous in anything.”
“Hey! Who the fuck is bogarting the Dom? Pass it down.” Nate takes another swig before offering it across the girls, over to Georgina. Serena grabs the neck of the bottle, intercepting, and flashes Georgie a playful grin as she takes her own stolen sip. Georgie returns her grin, matching the playfulness and then some, “As long as you leave some to share S.”
She’s about to hand the bottle off, when a sudden whoosh bursts up as some automatic sprinklers come to life; Georgina yelps, caught off-guard by the spraying water next to her. The small droplets shimmer in the moonlight, beads of silver, and Serena finds herself drawn to the lawn.
She dances over, bottle still in hand, twirling through the mist; a light sheen of water glistens on her skin, her yellow sundress clings to her body. “You guys, come here. Dance with me,” Serena spins around in a circle, arms outstretched; the sound of laughter-hers and Georgie’s and Nate’s-is her music.
Georgina skips over, quick to twirl beneath the falling drops next to Serena. “Come on B! You too!” Serena pauses for a moment, her arms reaching out towards Blair.
Georgina circles over to Serena and perches her head over Serena’ shoulders as she slides a hand down her arm until it reaches the champagne bottle. “Yeah B. Don’t leave our girl waiting,” Georgie calls as she tips her head back, sipping and spinning over to Nate as he steps onto the lawn.
Blair’s hands slide into Serena’s and within seconds Serena is hurtling the two of them in chaotic circles; she holds tight to the grasp she has on Blair even as it becomes ever more slippery.
From the middle of the street, a pair of discarded Manolo Blahniks watch as the three a.m. glow of a silver moon bathes four teenagers in moonlight as they swirl through the cascading water of a sprinkler on a stranger’s front lawn.
********
“Hey G. What’s up?”
“Where are you hon?”
“At home. Why?”
“Home? S, get your pretty little butt over here. I’m having a party.”
“Oh. I’m kinda watching a movie with Blair. Maybe tomorrow?”
“Serena, seriously. It’s the last weekend before everyone has to go back to the city. And go back to school. If there was ever a reason to party S, this is it.”
“Georgie, I didn’t think you ever needed a reason.”
“You know me too well babe. So you should also know that I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Well-“
“Don’t make me come over and drag you here. Just tell Queen B everyone who’s anyone is gonna be here and throw on something hot. I’m giving you one hour S.”
********
Blair’s hips sway in time with the beat. Her jeans fit her like a glove and Serena can’t seem to take her eyes off of her-her hips, her ass, her curves- as she raises her arms above her head, drink in hand, her body matching every thump of the bass.
All blonde and bubbly, a girl bounces up to Serena’s spot at the edge of the deck with a tray of Jell-o shots; Serena grabs two, keeping her eyes on Blair as she slurps back a red one. The girl bounds on to the next party guest and Serena decides to head over to the dance floor, second shot still in hand.
As she pushes through the bodies to where Blair is, she loses sight of her. Standing now at the center of the deck, Serena is being jostled in all directions by the waving mass. Hands slide over her back, thighs, but none of them are Blair’s, just strangers trying to entice her to join in with them. The only one standing stock-still, she sucks the second shot back and thinks of finding the girl with the tray for more; getting another for Blair, for when she finds her.
But bodies press in closer, forcing Serena to start to sway whether she wants to or not. Escape seems like an impossible mission and as much as she wants freedom from this hot sticky mess she’s tangled up in, Serena gives in and moves with the flow. She forgets about the drinks, the people, and she only knows the music, its sounds bending her body. Her eyes close and she moves with the rhythm; she moves with the image of Blair swaying back and forth.
A body presses into her, a slender thigh slotting in perfectly between her legs, and their movements match perfectly. Serena is still enveloped by the music as she slides her hands down the body, over a thin cotton tank-top, resting on hips that push in even more against her once she reaches them. She doesn’t need to open her eyes to know who she’s dancing with, but struck with worry that the vision in her mind could be tricking her she does anyway.
A devilish grin spreads across Georgie’s lips and it causes Serena to chuckle as soon as she sees it. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Georgina’s mouth is right against Serena’s ear so she can hear her. Georgie has positioned herself so closely into Serena that they’re not really dancing anymore so much as rocking together from side to side with Serena’s arms encircling her. They stay locked together like that for what seems like several songs, Serena occasionally running her fingers up Georgina’s back or down her hips, thighs and Georgina’s fingers finding their way into Serena’s belt loops, gripping tightly as she slightly slides along Serena’s thigh wedged between her own.
Eventually an admirer is joining them in their dance. He runs his hands over Serena’s on Georgie’s waist, pulling both girls back into him as he moves his hips in time with their beat. Georgina arches her back into the guy, breaking away from Serena a bit; her head falls back onto his shoulder as she grinds her ass against him. A drunken smile spreads across his face and he tries to pull Serena in closer too. Instead she shuffles back, a little further away from them, still keeping time with the music.
Georgie doesn’t seem disturbed by Serena’s missing body as she turns around in the guy’s arms, running her hands under his pink polo shirt, up his chest. His grin widens and he completely abandons his attempts at including Serena the second Georgie glides a hand back down over the outline of the hard-on showing through his boardshorts.
Either the crowd had really thinned or they had somehow managed to rock their way to the edge of the make-shift dance floor, as Serena finds herself easily stumbling away from Georgie and the guy and everyone else. She is turning to head back into the house, to get back to her interrupted search for more shots and then Blair, when she notices them sitting on a bench: Nate and Chuck are sharing a bowl, and Blair is perched on Nate’s lap, staring right at her.
“Hey,” Serena walks over to them, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Couldn’t have been looking too hard,” Blair deadpans as she leans back into Nate, taking a long sip of her Smirnoff Ice.
Chuck hands the pipe off to Nate, blowing smoke right into Serena’s face as he does. “I have to thank you Serena.”
“Yeah? What for Chuck?”
“That was quite the show,” his grin rivals Georgina’s. “I’ll be enjoying that one over and over for some time. Nate too.” Smoke hiccups out of Nate as he shakes his head from side to side, trying to disagree.
Serena rolls her eyes; she should have known better. “I aim to please, Chuck.”
“I know a few ways you can please-“
“B, there were Jell-o shots,” Serena cuts him off as she reaches out for Blair, pulling her up from her spot on Nate. “Come find them with me?”
Blair tugs her arm away from Serena, but doesn’t move or sit back down; her glare is cold though, and Serena just wants to rewind back about ten minutes.
“Please?” She is begging and apologizing and admitting regret all in one word; it may be simple but she knows the tone is right, and she knows it will work.
“Well,” Blair shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly, “I do need another drink.”
********
Both girls lazily dangle their legs in the water as they sit on the edge of the pool; the party, still in full swing across the lawn, is not quite out of earshot but here it is just the two of them, here it is quiet. Blair has rolled her jeans up to the knees, and even though her cut-offs wouldn’t have gotten wet, Serena shed them before dipping her legs in the water. The only tray of shots they could find-mostly empty glasses-sits between them. Serena traces the rim of an empty glass with her index finger before plucking up an orange one to pass over to Blair.
“Here,” she hands the shot glass over, “they’re really good.”
Blair takes the offered glass but doesn’t move to drink it down, only tapping it against her thigh. “How many have you had already?”
“I dunno, a couple.” Serena digs her finger into the squishy gel, scooping it out, and pops it into her mouth. “I’m not that drunk though. I don’t think,” she giggles a little.
“Yeah, me either.” Blair sucks back the shot she’s holding. “Time to change that I guess,” her tongue flicks out over her lips as she plunks down the empty glass and picks up another one. Serena grabs one too and they clink their drinks together before both setting to work at prying the Jell-o away from the glass with their tongues.
“So,” Blair starts once she finishes gulping down the sweet mass, “if you’re not that drunk, why were you dancing like that? With her?”
Serena looks down into the water; the pool lights give the water an eerie blue glow that feels strangely calming. “Don’t know. She was there I guess?”
She’s still looking down at the pool, watching small ripples move across the surface from the movement of their legs below, both kicking softly back and forth. Blair doesn’t say anything in response, but Serena can hear her pick up another glass and slurp back the contents.
“I was looking for you,” Serena turns to look right at Blair. “I wanted to dance with you.”
Blair smiles at Serena as she swallows and places the glass back down. She still doesn`t say anything and Serena isn’t too sure why but she feels rather ridiculous now. She can’t tell if she should keep talking or if maybe she should wait for Blair to finally say something or maybe she should just slide down into the water, disappear beneath the blue surface. Instead she picks the next best option, and grabs another shot.
“Hey!” It’s startling to finally hear Blair speak, causing Serena to pause just as the shot slides into her mouth. “That was the last one.”
“Oops,” Serena grins as she sticks her tongue out with Jell-o for Blair to see, before returning it to her mouth as she awkwardly speaks around it, so as not to spill any. “We can share, if you want.” Her grin reaches her eyes as she raises her eyebrows, daring Blair to make a move.
Blair’s cheeks flush slightly even as she is reaching down to push the tray back; Serena watches, frozen, while holding the small lump in her mouth, as Blair scoots a little closer. She places a hand against her neck, just below Serena’s ear, the pressure very light. And then, just like that, Blair’s mouth is against hers.
And maybe Serena had basically suggested it, but she is still shocked by the contact; it takes every bit of effort not to swallow from the surprise. For a moment she presses her lips back against Blair’s before parting them, allowing her friend access inside.
Blair’s tongue enters her mouth, sliding along Serena’s a little before pulling some remaining bits of Jell-o back into her own; she pulls back from Serena, though only enough to break contact as she swallows. “Mmm, that is good,” Blair whispers before pressing her lips back in against Serena’s for another taste.