“No. My brother Dan was supposed to come with me, but he didn't really want to, so I just let him drop me off. Actually, I do know one person,” Jenny said. “Oh,” said Blair. “And who is that?” “Serena van der Woodsen,” Jenny chirped. “We're making a movie together. Did she tell you?” Just then, a waitress brandished a platter of sushi under Blair's nose. Blair grabbed a chunky tuna roll and shoved it into her mouth. “Serena's not here yet,” she said, chewing hungrily. “But I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you.” “Okay. I guess I'll just wait for her here, then,” Jenny said, snagging two flutes of champagne from a waiter's tray. She handed one to Blair. “Will you wait with me?” Blair took the champagne, tilted her head back, and poured it down the hatch. The sickly sweet fizziness of it didn't exactly jive with the raw fish and seaweed she'd just eaten. Blair burped queasily. “I'll be right back,” she told Jenny, practically running for the powder room. Jenny took a sip of her champagne and gazed up at the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, congratulating herself on making it in there. This was exactly what she'd always wanted. She closed her eyes and finished off her flute of champagne. When she opened her eyes again, she saw stars, but still no Serena. Another waiter walked by with more champagne, and Jenny took two more glasses. She'd drunk a little beer and wine at home with her dad, but she'd never had champagne before. It tasted wonderful. Careful, it doesn't taste so wonderful when you're on your knees in the bathroom, throwing it up. Jenny looked around for Blair again, but couldn't find her. The party was so crowded, and although she recognized a lot of faces, there was no one she'd actually feel comfortable going up and talking to. But Serena would be there soon, she had to be. Jenny walked over to the bottom step of a marble staircase and sat down. She could see everything from there, including the door. She waited, drinking both glasses of champagne and wishing her dress wasn't so tight. It was starting to make her feel nauseous. “Well, hello,” a deep voice said, hovering above her. Jenny looked up. Her eyes settled on Chuck Bass's aftershave-commercial face and she sucked in her breath. He was the best-looking boy she'd ever seen, and he was looking right at her. “Aren't you going to introduce me?” Chuck said, staring at Jenny's chest. “To who?” Jenny said, frowning. Chuck just laughed and held out his hand. Blair had sent him over there to talk to some chick, and he'd been skeptical. But not anymore. The cleavage on her! It was definitely his lucky night. “I'm Chuck. Would you like to dance?” Jenny hesitated and glanced at the door. Still no Serena. Then she shifted her gaze back to Chuck. She couldn't believe a handsome and self-assured boy like him would want to dance with her. But she wasn't wearing a sexy black dress just to sit on the steps all night. She stood up, a little wobblier than she'd been before, after so much champagne. “Sure, let's dance,” she slurred, falling against Chuck's chest. He slipped his arm around her waist and squeezed her tight. “Good girl,” he said, like he was talking to a dog. As she stumbled out onto the dance floor with him Jenny realized Chuck hadn't even asked her her name. But he was so handsome, and the party was so amazing. This would definitely go down as one of the most memorable nights of her life. Yes. It would. the five and dime “I always drink rum and Coke,” Vanessa told Serena. “Unless I'm doing shots. But you have whatever you want. They have everything here.” Ruby was taking their drink order. Because she was in the band, she got them for free. “I feel like something different,” Serena mused. “Can I just get a shot of Stoli and a Coke on the side?” she asked Ruby. “Nice choice,” Ruby said approvingly. Ruby had a cool black bob with short bangs and was wearing dark green leather pants. She looked like the kind of girl who could take care of herself anywhere, anytime. Her band was called SugarDaddy, and she was the only girl in it. She played bass. “And don't forget my cherry!” Vanessa yelled after her as Ruby left to get the drinks. “Your sister's awesome,” Serena said. Vanessa shrugged. “Yeah,” she said. “It's a pain in my ass, though. I mean, everyone's always like, 'Ruby's so cool' and I'm like, 'Hello?' ” Serena laughed. “I know what you mean. My older brother–he goes to Brown, and everybody loves him. My parents are always so into everything he does, and now that I'm back from boarding school it's like, 'Oh, we have a daughter?' ” “Totally,” Vanessa agreed. She couldn't believe she was having such a ridiculously normal conversation with Serena van der Woodsen. Ruby brought them their drinks. “Sorry guys, I gotta go set up,” she said. “Good luck,” Serena told her. “Thanks, sweetie,” Ruby said. She picked up her guitar case and went to find her bandmates.Vanessa couldn't believe it. Ruby never called anyone sweetie except for Tofu, her parakeet. Serena certainly had a way of melting people's hearts. Vanessa was even starting to like her a little herself. She picked up her drink and clinked glasses with Serena. “To cool-ass chicks,” she said, knowing it sounded seriously gay, but not really giving a shit.Serena laughed and tossed back her shot of Stoli. She wiped her eyes and blinked a few times. A scruffy-looking guy wearing an oversized tuxedo was walking into the bar. He stopped in the doorway and stared at Serena as if he'd seen a ghost. “Hey, isn't that your friend Dan?” Serena asked Vanessa, pointing at him. Dan was wearing a tuxedo for the first time in hi............