Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 15:28:24 -0800 (PST) From: Jason Decade Subject: Ever After 20 Disclaimer: This is a story about gay people...if you can't read it or don't like gay people, leave. Go...bye. But if you like it, read it and write to me. And Gossip Girl was not my idea, she was made by Cecily von Ziegesar. Chapter 20: Are you strong enough... Gossip Girl: Hey boys and girls, gossip girl here, and can you believe we're almost through the summer? It's been a wild ride, thanks in part to our newest residents. Yes, that's right, A and K hit the scene fast and hard, almost like they were out for vengeance....Looks like Queen B better watch her hive. Looks like one of her little worker ants are interested in K...better watch his stinkger, some stings don't just sting, they resinate. Meanwhile, what about our fabulous A and his Prince Charming? Sure hope he doesn't find out that his Prince is more in distress than anyone thinks. XOXO, Gossip Girl Archibald Stephen III, the local good guy, all around heroic athlete and nice guy, stood in the corner of the party with his friends, Robert, Steven, and Gregory. The guys sat in the corner of one of the biggest parties of the century smoking a blunt that got them so high that they were imagining things, the room was actually spinning. He had been thinking more and more lately and he thought that telling his mother and father was the best thing he could do, but then they had come up with this dumb idea about hooking him up with a fixed husband and it had been the end of his joy. He had to babysit some loser who's family was doing the same to him, but when he saw Adaen, something had shifted. Things shifted even more when he head Adaen speak and watched how Adaen reacted to him and how he acted in general. Adaen was different from anything around Manhatten, that's for sure. But all the stress and all the acting that being an heir to billions brought...he had to relieve stress some way. Steven had insisted that he take a hit freshman year and that was all it took. Now that Archie was in college, a sophomore, he was more together, more receptive. As sexy and charming as he'd been, there was something in Adaen that had shied away from him. He had to find a way to get closer to him. "Here." Steven smiled, passing the blunt to Archie. Archie took it and took a hit, letting the smoke slide out of his mouth. "Hey, look, it's the party twins." Steven smiled. Archie jetted up and looked around, immediately spotting Adaen and Kendall, " Here, take this!" he panicked. "What?" Steven said, burning his finger trying to take the blunt, " What the fuck is your problem?" "Dude, he can't see me with this!" he said, panicked. - - - - - - - - - - As Kendall and I entered the party, I noticed that I had lost most of the shy feeling I had at the beginning of summer. Kendall and I had been on such a wild ride this summer. It was hard to explain, but I definitely changed a little and so had Kendall. She stopped believing the hype in her 'slutty' reputation. Archie and I had spent time with each other this summer and it was interesting. He was interesting. I found myself wondering, not if it would work, but how would it work. How could I, after being with him this summer, go back home and not know him. Could I stay? With all the loose ends and the unsolved...things, could I really stay here? I had asked Kendall, who replied that it would be fun and I had asked my grandparents, who were thrilled. My parents weren't as thrilled. Shocked? Duh. What would I do? "Adaen." Kendall smiled, " Are you okay?" "Yeah." I smiled, " Just thinking." "About what?" Kendall asked. "Hello." Brandy said, walking up to us, " Adaen...Kendall." she sneered, " I see you're enjoying the party." "That's generally what one does." I snapped. "So, umm, I heard you plan on staying." Stacy said, tossing her hair, " It's a really nice place, where are you from originally?" "Oklahoma. Then I moved to Texas, been there forever." I explained, " Manhatten isn't Hargrove." I said, looking around. "So, you party big down in Texas?" Brandy smirked. "Everything's bigger in Texas." I smirked, " I wasn't much of a partier." "So, why party here?" Brandy asked. "Well, I have a friend who really needs to be reminded that everyone can change." I said carefully. "Don't you hate needy people?" Brandy smirked, looking at Kendall. I shrugged, " I don't know, I mean, could be worse. She could be a total bitch." I smirked at Brandy. "Exactly what I was thinking." Kendall smirked. "I think we should go." I smiled. "Ta ta, hoes." Kendall said as we walked away. Later at the party, I had made my way to the middle of the party and was looking around when I felt a tap on my side. I turned to see Archie and smiled. "Hey, I didn't know if you were going to show." Archie smiled. His smile was perfect and he was so beautiful. His brunette hair and blue eyes sparkled. I had seen his body when we went to a pool party, his abs were perfectly sculpted and he had a muscular build. Just a bit more muscular than a swimmer's build. Not much. "We decided to stop and get some food. Gotta have energy if..." I stopped and smelled the air, " Is that weed I smell?" I asked, a smile etched on my face. "No...no, must have been Steven." he said, smelling his shirt, " I don't what that was." I chuckled, " Ok, well, I'm on curfew tonight." he laughed, " Hey! It's because of you! My grandma thinks that since you and your parents are coming, I should be well-rested and seriously adjusted." He laughed again, " I love the way you talk!" he said, " You're so hot." he said, but he looked as if he had overstepped his bounds. "Thanks." I chuckled, " I do not get that a lot...at least not from the people I want to get it from." "So, you wanted to hear me say it?" he asked. "I...well, I ummm...." I stammered and he waited for a response, " I'm gonna go." I smiled. "Don't." he said quickly. "I have to." I smirked. "So, you're staying? For good, I mean." he asked. "I don't know yet." I smiled, " I really do have to go." I said, leaving. - - - - - - - - - - As Kendall and I made our way into Kendall's grandparents' penthouse, I thought about Archie and how he had wanted me to stay. That made me think back to my first meeting with him.... "Don't tell me you guys have been out on the town." Ballard's voice came from the hall. We stopped and watched him wheel himself out into the living room. "And be quiet, the grand 'rents are sleep, you wanna wake 'em?" Ballard smiled. We ran over and hugged him. "We're not drunk." I chuckled. "But you went out." Ballard said, " My how times have chanted." "Hey, it's a whole summer, did you think we'd be cooped up here?" I asked. "Yeah, sorta." Ballard said, " You, not her." I scoffed, then chuckled, " I'm kinda shocked myself." "Well, I'm beat." Kendall yawned, " Talk to you bitches, tomorrow." We chuckled as she stumbled into her room. "So, she's...." he started. "Dealing with past issues." I said. "And you're...." he said. "Dealing with future issues." I said. "Like, you and my best friend?" Ballard said. "How'd you..." I began. "It's Hargrove's newest scandal. The unrequited love you had for Davis. I put the pieces together." he said. "So, that's it? That's what everyone thinks, that I'm just some pyscho that loved a guy who didn't have the faintest interest in me?!" I said, getting angrier with every thought. "Opinions vary." he said. "Your opinion?" I asked. "Come here." he said, hugging me as I cried into his shoulder. "He was here. We got into a fight before I left and it was bad. It was bad when he got here...then it wasn't." I sniffled. "So, he's off doing the basketball thing?" Ballard asked. "He's off doing HIS basketball thing." I said. "You do know you're going to have to go back, don't you?" Ballard smiled. I nodded, " Sucks." I said simply. "Oh yeah." he said, " Now come on, you're going to bed." I wiped my eyes, " Look, wheels, you roll in here and say exactly what I need to hear. How?" I asked. "It's the truth. That's why we're connect, I'm the only person who's ever told you the truth...that and we're the only survivors of a seriously bad car crash." "Could you kindly not refer to my life like that." I smiled weakly, getting on the elevator. "You'll be fine." he smiled, " Night." "Night." I said, as the elevator doors closed. - - - - - - - - - - Gossip Girl: Hello boys and girls, It's Gossip Girl again. I just heard the juiciest gossip ladies and gents. Apparently, one of Manhatten's most promiscuous is back...That's right, Ballard Kipton. He's back! And you remember what happened last time he was here....something tells me our other resident lothario won't love this. It seems like everyone's coming to our little paradise. Soon, they'll have to pay to come here. As the day started, I was full of undeniable strength and courage...five hours later, I was ready to get away from my grandmother. Grandpa was okay, he was a worker. And when he got home from work, he was cool grandpa, but lately grandma had tainted him. Poor grandpa. He was a strong-willed person, but grandma was more than willing to break him. I was happy when I sneaked away and hid downstairs in Kendall's grandparents' penthouse. I was shocked when I entered the kitchen and the fridge was open. I looked around and heard a crackling noise. "Who's there?" I asked, " I have a...a..." I picked up spoon, " A big, long machete." There was a chuckled and Ballard sat up, " Gonna spoon me to death?" he asked. "What in the hell are you doing?" I asked. He lifted his hand and showed me mayonnaise bottle, " I dropped it. So what're you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready to be pimped." he smirked. "That's not funny." I sighed, " He's a nice guy and..." "And?" he asked, wheeling himself to the counter and starting to make a sandwhich. "And we've...flirted. I mean, he's different." I said, " Have you met him?" I asked. "I've had the pleasure." he groaned, " Perfect, Athletic rich boy." "Jealous that you're not him." I asked. "A little." he said. I leaned against the counter, " What is this? I mean, in the car you tried to...it with me! Then I'm helping you and we're platonic and you make all these comments and it's all apparent to everyone but me and...what are we?" I asked. Ballard looked at me in shock, his made sandwhich still in the air. He put the sandwhich on the plate, " I don't know." I sighed. "Look, I know you're going through some rough stuff and I hate to complicate things even more, but I love you. I'm not gay. If I ever wanted to be gay, then you are who I'd want. I've never felt this for a friend, but I know enough to know I'm not gay." Ballard said. "So, we're advanced friends?" I asked. "We're kindred spirits." Ballard said. "Kindred spirits? What the hell?!" I said confused. "Didn't Kendall tell you?" Ballard asked, " I went to Africa for half of summer. Just got back, I guess ome of the shaman's words stayed with me. Let me tell you, Africa...not wheelchair accessible." "Ok, so, you love me, but not in a gay way?" I asked. "Sorta in a gay way, it makes me jealous to see you with other guys, but I don't think we can be...Even if, I like you way too much to ruin us with one of my patented relationships." Ballard smiled. I chuckled, " Thanks for clearing that up." I said, " So, is all that just jealousy or do you dislike my bo..." "You're calling him your boyfriend?" he asked. "No. I usually call him Archie or Big Daddy." I joked. I heard a clang and looked over to him. He was standing by himself and he looked angry, " You slept with him?!" he said angrily. "You're standing...you do know you're standing, right?" I asked. "Did you sleep with him?!" he asked again. "No." I said, staring at him, " I was joking." "Oh." he said, losing his concentration and sitting back in his wheelchair, " I've been working with a doctor in Africa. He's been helping me get my land legs back." "Can you walk?" I asked. "Not yet." he said, " I'm sure I can still pull bitches in this chair." "What?" I chuckled, " Let me guess, he healed your personality too?" "We're in New York. Everything's possible." he said, wheeling past me, " See ya." I smiled to myself and walked to the elevator. I guess it's time for everybody to move on. Like he said, anything's possible. - - - - - - - - - - Gossi[p] Gir[l]: So, word on the street is that one of the most prestigious families of the Upper East Side is throwing a private dinner. Who's invited? Only close, personal friends. One has to wonder...is one of the new wonder twins dating one of these, close personal friends? Something tells me that this dinner party isn't going to go very well. How do you prepare for a dinner where everything that can go wrong, will go wrong? And what happens when you get a bunch of socialites in one room for an extended amount time? I think we all know...so there'll either be an orgy or a brawl...or both. Either way, I'm already interested. It was turning out to be a nice little dinner party. Robert Kimball and his parents, Steven Parker and his dad, Stacy and Brandy and their parents , Kendall and Ballard and their grandparents, and Archie and his parents were there. I had found myself making out with Archie on my bed. I moaned as he kissed me, his tongue so soft and his kisses made me feel like I was in Oz and got drenched by water...all that for just saying that his kisses made me melt. And his hands were everywhere. I loved it. We stopped for a moment and just looked at each other, smiling. "You think they're looking for us?" I asked. "I don't really care." Archie said, looking at my lips, " It's weird." "What's weird?" I asked. "How right our parents are." he said, " About us. You're perfect." "I'm not perfect." I smiled, " I'm anti-perfect." "I love how you talk." he said, touching my lip, " So, ummm, do you think we'll get married like they say?" I stiffened, " I...umm, i don't know." I said. "So, you're telling me you haven't thought about it?" he asked, sitting up. "Oh, I've thought about it. I just...I'm young. Younger than you. I'm just eighteen." I stammered. "Well, I'm only twenty." he said, " I can see us." "Forever though?" I asked. He thought about it, " Yeah. I seriously like you. I guess you could say that I l..." "Umm, I think I hear grandma!" I said, standing, " Dinner must be ready!" I said, quickly leaving the room. - - - - - - - - - - "He didn't say that!" Kendall chuckled as we stood on the balcony, " What did you say?" "I ran." I sighed, "Like a little scaredy baby. I cannot believe I just left." "Well, I think it's safe to say you've committment issues." Kendall laughed. "What gave you that impression?" I joked, looking out into the city, " What am I going to do?" "I don't know. I mean everything's falling apart, you've got a hot guy who wants to marry you and spend the rest of his life with you." Kendall said sarcastically, " I think death's the only way. Jump." "Funny, very funny. But I'm so young." I said, " How can I say that I want to be with him forever?" "Do you like him?" Kendall asked. I nodded, " Do you really like him?" "Yes." I said, " It's just really easy to be with him." "And you're making it hard?" she asked. I thought about it. Kendall was right, but I wasn't going to let her now that, " What about you and Robbie?" I asked. "Hey, that's so different. He's with someone else." She said, turning and leaning back on the balcony, " Besides, why would I date someone who's cheating on his girlfriend?" "True. But who isn't nowadays?" I asked. Kendall looked at me sideways, " You weren't together when you slept with...who again?" I looked at her in awe, " Well, one day, right?" "I just really can't tell you now." I smiled, " And how'd you know that's what I meant?" "Because you're a nice guy and you bash yourself over the little things. You think too much." she said. "I wonder if Hannah Montanna is on." I sighed. "Doesn't matter. You still have to get through dinner. " Kendall smiled. "Oh, you know something, don't you?" I asked. "Nope." Kendall said, leaving me by myself. I sighed and leaned deeper. What was so bad about it? Marriage, I mean. So what if I'm young, people used to be like, fourteen, and they lived together forever...forever. It even sounds like a long time. "Looks like some deep thoughts." Steven said as he watched from the corner of the balcony, " I hope you don't mind, but I needed to get away from the party." "Or you're just following me." I said, turning to him, " What do you want?" He smiled and took a sip. "Oh no. There's not enough sympathy in all Manhattan." I said quickly. "Sympathy? I've seen the way you look at me." Steven smirked. "Oh yeah, cause you're so hot. Sleeping with anyone you see." I said angrily. "Just the hot ones." he smirked. "Or the drunk ones. Oh yeah, I've heard." " That damn Kendall." he chuckled, " Fully consenting. Besides, my sexual orientation is pretty blurred." "Blurred?" I asked, turning away from him. He moved really close, so close that I could feel his breath on my neck. I felt him rub against my back and his hard-on against my ass. He then began to lick my neck and I felt as if I was gonna moan any minute, but I didn't, I turned and pushed him backwards. "What?" he asked, looking at me with his dark, penetrating brown eyes. "I think you should go." I said angrily. "Why?" he asked. "Because you just had your hands all over him." Ballard said angrily. Steven groaned, " Hey, wheels, beat it." he growled. Ballard stood from his chair slowly and stood. He slowly began to move and I stared in awe. "I said leave." Ballard growled. Steven chuckled and left the balcony. Ballard sat back down and I continued to stare at him, " What?" he asked. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. "That I can scoot? No big deal." he said. "And for your information, I don't need to be saved, I'm a big boy, I can do it by myself." I said, marching past him. - - - - - - - - - - I was very quiet at dinner. It was all a little too close to home. Maybe the big city was a little too much for me. I mean, how can I possibly deal with all of this? This is creepy. The perfect guy wants to love me for the rest of my life...and again I'm in a triangle, or worse, because now I'm totally crazy. I've been trying to find ways to help Kendall with her issues and I guess I need to take a look around. And Heath Ledger died! How and why?! I love Heath Ledger! He was so sexy and now I definitely don't have a chance. Who's next? Colin Firth!? No, not possible! I'm going to fix everything now...At that very epiphani-cal moment, I felt a hand creep up on my knee. I tried not to jump and I looked over to see Archie smile at me. On the other side, Steven put his hand on my other knee and I looked over at him and he smirked seductively. I couldn't do anything because I had already wigged out at another dinner, so I just smiled and looked on. Gossip Girl: I guess everything's on the menu at this dinner party. I was definitely not disappointed by this dinner party. Looks like A and K have some problems. Looks like Britney's not the only one in need of help. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side of Penthouse. Until next time, boys and girls. Xoxo, Gossip Girl - - - - - - - - - - Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Please give me some feedback because that's how I get started.