gossip girl 12 终结- 第26部分

“Don’t　be　mad。”　Hollis　put　his　hands　on　Vanessa’s　shoulders　and　whirled　her　Aeron　chair　around　so　she　faced　him。　His　gray　eyes　were　wide　with　concern；　and　his　chin　had　a　tiny　bit　of　the　five　o’clock　stubble　that　Vanessa　had　always　found　so　sexy。　“I　have　someone　for　you　to　meet。　This　is　Norma　Desmond。　She　sort　of　has　this　diva…ish　personality；　but　I　think　there’s　a　lot　going　on　beneath　the　surface。　She’s　certainly　a　charmer。”　He　scooped　up　the　tiny　puppy　and　waved　its　paw　at　her。

“You　decided　to　get　a　dog。　Any　other　decisions　you　made　today　that　you　didn’t　tell　me　about？”　Vanessa　asked　crisply。　She　gazed　down　at　Norma；　who　was　shaking　her　tiny　butt　uncontrollably。　The　name　was　from　Sunset　Boulevard；　a　film　Vanessa　and　Hollis　both　loved。

“Look；　Vanessa；　I　know　you’re　mad。　I’m　really；　really　sorry　about　the　way　everything　went　down。　I　should　never　have　had　you　pitch　the　film　to　Streetscape。”　Hollis’s　eyes　looked　so　sweet　and　sincere　that　Vanessa　wanted　to　believe　him。

“So　then　why　were　you　going　along　with　them？　Why　didn’t　you　leave　with　me？”　Vanessa　asked　sharply。　She　glanced　down　at　her　beat…up　Doc　Martens　so　she　wouldn’t　have　to　look　at　his　face　when　he　lied。　She　willed　her　boots　not　to　kick　him。

“Because　Streetscape　has　changed。　I　realized　that　when　I　saw　it　was　Stacy　handling　the　meeting。　Stacy　is　under　a　lot　of　pressure　to　make　movies　that　will　sell。　Before；　no　one　knew　who　she　was；　so　she　could　afford　to　take　risks。　Now；　she’s　known　in　Hollywood　and　she’s　scared　shitless。　That’s　why　she　called　that　other　exec　in。　I　know　the　demo　talk　is　bullshit；　but　it’s　the　formula　that　works。　I　mean；　I’m　still　building　my　career　and　they’re　the　best　and　I　trust　them；　but　I　know　they’re　not　the　best　for　you；”　Hollis　explained。　“And　I　just　got　Norma　because　I　felt　so　guilty　and　she’s　so　cute。　She’s　part　chow　and　part　poodle。　She’s　a　choodle；”　Hollis　explained　proudly。　“And　I　wanted　to　see　you　smile。”

The　puppy　was　adorable；　and　Vanessa　fought　a　smile。　She　didn’t　want　to　be　won　over　so　easily。　“Why　did　you　even　set　up　the　meeting？”

“I　got　excited。　I　love　your　story；”　Hollis　said　earnestly。　“But　what　they　want　to　do　isn’t　your　movie。　Once　I　saw　how　off…track　they　were　getting；　I　pushed　them　away　from　your　idea　on　purpose。　I　didn’t　want　you　to　wind　up　making　a　movie　that　would　promise　your　vision。”

“Really？”　Vanessa　grinned　shyly。　Now　that　she　thought　about　it；　Hollis　hadn’t　really　spoken　up　at　the　meeting　until　after　the　story　had　gotten　so　off…track—and　after　Stacy　had　made　it　clear　she　wasn’t　going　to　have　it　any　other　way。

“Of　course。　So　they　want　me　to　direct　the　film。　It’s　on　location—in　Iceland。　And　I’ll　have　to　go　to　Australia　too；　to　cast　the　Maoris。　The　twin　kids　evolved　into　a　whole　family；　like　Cheaper　by　the　Dozen　but　with　Maoris；　in　Iceland。　But　I　told　them　I　needed　to　think　about　it。　I’ll　drop　it　in　a　second　if　you　want　me　to。”　Hollis　gazed　down　at　Vanessa。

Vanessa　glanced　around　the　apartment—the　brand…new　ecochic　furniture；　the　clean；　bare　walls　they　hadn’t　decorated；　the　expansive　living　room　they　planned　to　throw　so　many　dinner　parties　in。　If　Hollis　went　to　Iceland；　it　would　be　a　long　time　before　they　really　lived　in　this　apartment　together。　But　dropping　a　Streetscape　project　was　equivalent　to　career　suicide。

Just　then；　Norma　whined　plaintively。　“Well；　I’m　going　to　take　Norma’s　protest　as　a　no；”　Hollis　shrugged；　scooping　up　the　puppy。

“No。”　Vanessa　shook　her　head　definitively。　They　had　plenty　of　time　to　build　a　life　together。　After　all；　she　was　only　a　sophomore。　“You　need　to　do　it。　I　want　you　to　do　it—we　both　do。”　Vanessa　reached　for　the　puppy　and　buried　her　nose　in　its　soft　and　fluffy　fur。　“How　long　will　you　be　gone？”　she　asked。

“A　few　months。　But　you　can　e　to　Reykjavík　whenever　you　want。　I　mean；　you　need　to。　I　don’t　know　what　I’ll　do　without　you。”

“You’re　not　gone　yet；”　Vanessa　murmured。　It　was　a　lot　to　process。　She　was　sad；　but　not　upset。　Yes；　Hollis　was　leaving；　but　somehow；　their　relationship　seemed　stronger　than　ever—strong　enough　to　stand　the　distance。　And　maybe　a　few　months　apart　would　be　good　for　her；　too。　She　could　concentrate　on　her　own　work。

“Thanks　for　bringing　me　a　friend；”　she　added；　still　cuddling　with　the　puppy。

“I’ll　miss　you　guys；”　Hollis　said　huskily。　He　kissed　Vanessa’s　forehead；　then　the　puppy’s。　“Take　care　of　each　other。　You　two　are　my　family　now。”

Vanessa　smiled。　“Absence　makes　the　heart　grow　fonder；　right？　And　a　few　months　isn’t　too　long；”　she　insisted。

Right。　And　Iceland　isn’t　very　far　away　at　all。

on　some　nights；　frenemies　beat　strangers

“Vodka　tonic；”　Blair　said　brusquely　to　the　Tribeca　Star　bartender；　a　pretty　platinum　blonde　who　looked　like　she’d　never　had　her　heart　broken　before。　Unlike　Blair；　who’d　had　her　heart　broken—five？　Seven？　Nine　times？—by　the　exact　same　guy。

“Another　one？”　The　bartender　arched　one　penciled…in　eyebrow。

“Yes；”　Blair　said　icily。　It　was　her　right　to　get　as　drunk　as　she　wanted　after　the　night　she’d　had。　She　pulled　out　her　cell　and　dialed　Pete’s　number　again。　Of　course　it　went　to　voice　mail。　Tears　pricked　her　eyes。　It　was　really　over。

Blair　felt　a　tap　on　her　shoulder。　She　whirled　around；　ready　to　tell　whoever　thought　it　was　a　good　idea　to　talk　to　her　to　fuck　off。

“You　okay？”

Blair　looked　up　and　into　the　eyes　of…　Chuck　Bass？　What　the　hell？　Where　was　his　pinky　ring？　Or　pet　monkey？　Blair　had　heard　that　Chuck　had　transformed；　but　seeing　it　in　person　was　so　shocking　she　almost　forgot　her　tragedy　of　a　life。　His　dark　brown　hair　was　cut　close　to　his　head；　and　his　dark　eyes　looked　serious　and　friendly　at　the　same　time。　He　wore　a　blue　cashmere　sweater；　khaki　pants；　and　loafers。　He　looked　surprisingly　good。

“Hi；”　Blair　said　finally。

“Good　to　see　you；”　Chuck　said　enthusiastically。　He　slid　onto　the　metal　bar　stool　next　to　her。　“Jameson　on　the　rocks；”　he　ordered。　“And　we’ll　also　have　a　grilled　cheese。　And　the　hummus　plate；”　he　added。

“I’m　not　hungry；”　Blair　said　shortly；　hoping　Chuck　would　get　the　hint　and　leave。　After　all；　she　hadn’t　e　down　to　the　bar　to　socialize—she’d　e　down　because　her　drunk　ex…boyfriend　was　in　her　bedroom　and　she　had　nowhere　else　to　go。

“Well；　in　case　you　change　your　mind。　You　want　to　talk？”　Chuck　asked。

Blair　considered。　She　and　Chuck　had　never　really　gotten　along；　but　they’d　known　each　other　forever；　and　someone　was　better　than　no　one。　“Have　you　seen　Nate　this　break？”

“I　have。　He’s　been　a　little…　bent　out　of　shape。　Have　you？”

Blair　nodded。　“He　thought　it　would　be　a　brilliant　idea　to　e　here。　To　find　me。　And　then　crawl　into　bed　with　me。　Which　was　fucking　perfect；　because　five　minutes　later；　my　boyfriend　came　into　the　hotel　room　and　got　the　wrong　idea。　So　let’s　just　say　I’ve　had　a　shitty　night；”　Blair　said　tightly。　She　grabbed　a　cocktail　napkin　and　began　shredding　it。　Tiny　pieces　of　paper　rained　down　on　the　oak　bar　like　snowflakes。

“That’s　rough；”　Chuck　exhaled。　He　stared　into　his　drink　contemplatively。

“I　just　don’t　know　why　he　always　does　that。　He　always　fucks　up　my　life。　He　always　has；”　Blair　said　in　a　small　voice。　The　tears　started　again。　Chuck　took　another　cocktail　napkin　from　behind　the　bar　and　offered　it　to　her。

“You’re　probably　the　only　person　he　can　trust；”　Chuck　said　gently　as　the　bartender　placed　the　grilled　cheese　and　hummus　plate　in　front　of　them。　Blair　eyed　it　hungrily。　She’d　never　been　one　of　those　girls　who　lost　an　appetite　in　a　crisis。　“Here。”　Chuck　grabbed　half　of　the　sandwich　and　held　it　toward　her。　For　a　second；　Blair　thought　he　was　going　to　try　to　feed　it　to　her；　but　he　didn’t。　She　took　the　sandwich　from　him　and　Chuck　pushed　away　her　half…finished　drink。

“What　you　need　is　a　bubble　bath；　some　candles；　and　some　chocolate；”　Chuck　said。　Blair　rolled　her　eyes。　Of　course。　This　was　what　the　whole　conversation　was　leading　up　to。　Chuck　just　wanted　to　take　advantage　of　her。

“And　I　suppose　I　need　pany　in　that　bubble　bath；”　Blair　replied　sarcastically；　draining　the　rest　of　her　drink　and　standing　up。　She　grabbed　the　bar　counter　for　support；　feeling　shaky。

“Look；　you　can　stay　upstairs　in　my　suite；　and　I’ll　sleep　in　my　apartment。”　Chuck　gently　put　his　arm　on　her　shoulder　to　steady　her。　“And　tomorrow；　we　can　go　to　brunch。”

Blair　wanted　to　shake　him　off；　but　she　was　too　tired。　Instead；　she　gratefully　leaned　into　him。

Upstairs；　Chuck　led　Blair　down　the　hallway　to　the　Bass　suite。　“Good　night；　Blair；”　he　said；　kissing　her　on　the　forehead。　“I’ll　pick　you　up　tomorrow　morning。”

She　may　be　down　and　out；　but　that　doesn’t　stop　the　boys　from　falling　for　her。

if　all　else　fails；　move　across　the　ocean

Serena　sat　at　a　banquette　of　the　Star　Bar　at　the　Tribeca　Star　hotel　on　Saturday　afternoon；　nervously　chewing　on　a　pink　star…shaped　cocktail　stirrer。　She　wore　a　clingy　blue　Alice＋Olivia　dress　and　Christian　Louboutin　over…the…knee　boots；　her　hair　pulled　into　a　high　bun。　She　was　utterly　oblivious　to　the　admiring　glances　shot　her　way；　lost　in　her　own　little　world。

The　Star　Lounge　had　never　carded；　so　she’d　been　ing　here　since　she　was　fifteen；　when　she　used　to　meet　Blair　for　a　drink　before　going　up　to　Chuck’s　suite。　The　lounge　looked　the　same　as　always：　black　leather　ottomans　and　couches　surrounded　the　perimeter；　and　the　walls　were　covered　with　shelves　of　flickering　candles。　It　was　only　Serena　who’d　changed。

Cue　the　Joni　Mitchell　sound　track…。

She’d　sat　on　her　bed　in　her　empty　apartment　last　night；　leafing　through　scripts　her　agent　had　sent　along。　She　could　be　a　young　woman　looking　for　love　in　the　city；　she　could　be　the　beautiful　former　golden　girl　who　gets　sucked　into　a　downward　spiral　of　coke　and　vodka；　she　could　be　the　love　interest；　a　beautiful　but　vacuous　blonde　who　was　only　the　end　goal；　or；　for　a　real　change　of　pace；　she　could　be　the　bitchy　villain　in　a　superhero　movie；　wearing　a　leather　catsuit　and　a　dark　wig。

Serena　didn’t　want　to　be　in　any　of　those　movies。　She　didn’t　want　to　be　in　any　movies；　period。　Sure；　the　press　junkets；　the　swag；　the　glitz　and　glamour　had　been　fun　at　first；　but　they’d　quickly　lost　their　appeal。　Instead；　she’d　thought　a　lot　about　what　Dan　Humphrey　had　said；　about　Columbia　giving　him　the　chance　to　think　and　learn　and　explore。　The　more　and　more　she　thought　about　it；　the　more　appealing　college　seemed。　Where　else　could　she　spend　her　time　reading　and　growing　up　and　figuring　out　what　she　wanted　to　do　with　the　rest　of　her　life？

Just　this　morning；　she’d　summoned　her　courage　and　made　a　call　to　the　Yale　admissions　office；　to　let　them　know　her　deferral　period　was　over。　Now　she　was　officially　in；　ready　to　matriculate　next　fall。　She’d　told　her　parents　and　brother　at　brunch。　There　was　only　one　other　person　who　needed　to　know。

I’m　sure　that　person　will　be　thrilled。

“Your　friend　ing？”　the　server　asked　dubiously；　picking　up　Serena’s　now…empty　vodka　soda。

“Who　knows？”　Serena　sighed。　She　knew　Blair　was　staying　at　the　Tribeca　Star；　and　was　counting　on　her　ing　in　or　out　at　some　point　in　the　evening。　But　she’d　already　been　waiting　for　an　hour；　and　so　far；　no　sign　of　her。　“I’ll　have　another　one。”

Serena　glanced　up　at　the　entrance　again。　If　she　didn’t　e　in　five