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1x12, School Lies
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ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE there wasn't anything that seemed to be off limits. So throwing a pool party at the school seemed like just another Saturday. Some played around in the pool while others hung out around the pool. Girls gossiped while boys checked them out.
Jasmine on the other hand was sitting at the end of the pool away from everyone else. She wore a white two-piece with blue butterfly designs. Her bottoms were high-waisted. She had her feet in the pool as she watched everyone. She wasn't really in a partying mood. She hadn't been all winter break.
Her breakup with Dylan was as public as her break up with Carter but somehow it hurt worse. She had come to the realization that the only thing boys saw when they looked at her were either dollar signs or a stepping stool for their own ambitions. And that sucked.
Chuck had invited her to come with him and Nate to Monaco but she declined. Instead, she took the first plane out to London. She enjoyed her time going to art museums, shopping, and going to the operas. But through all of that, she still felt her hurting heart. It hurt her to know that every single boy she's dated had only wanted something from her. Carter wanted money and Dylan wanted to be able to choose his own college and she was the key to both.
Earlier this evening she had been at Blair's hanging out with her and Serena. But then Kati and Is came over and then somehow they ended up here. Jasmine didn't mind though. If she was out that meant she didn't have to dwell in her depressing thoughts.
Chuck had been watching Jasmine all night. He had seen how she wanted to be far away from everyone. He had gone far enough to pay a girl with herpes to try to sleep with Dylan. Jasmine somehow found out and told him to put an end to it.
Reluctantly he did.
But that all didn't matter. He was worried his sister would break back down into herself. She had finally begun to step back out again but now here she was back where she started. He didn't know how to help her.
Jasmine watched as Blair stomped over to her brother. She wondered if Blair had told Nate about how she slept with Chuck. Probably not. She hadn't dared asked Blair that question. She only shook her head at the two as Chuck walked away from Blair.
A yelp was yanked from Jasmine's mouth as she felt something wrap around her ankle and pull her into the pool. Water shot into Jasmine's nose as her head went underwater and the chlorine stung her eyes. She instantly kicked her feet to swim up. Her head shot up from the water and she had to blink away the water that clung to her lashes. Once her vision cleared she saw a grinning Nathaniel.
"Oh, I hate you." Jasmine splashed water at Nate.
His deep laughter rang in Jasmine's ears as she continued to swat water at him. He eventually caught her wrists to stop the onslaught of water.
"I had to wipe that sour puss look off your face somehow." Nate smiled at the girl as she glared at him. But she couldn't hold the expression for long. She never could stay mad at Nate. "Don't let him take up any more space in your head. What he did was a dick move and doesn't deserve a single tear from you."
Jasmine knew he was right. What Dylan did was selfish. But it was the fact that her two boyfriends—her only boyfriends—had used her like this.
"I just wish things were different. Maybe it's a mixture of having to see Carter again so soon and the whole thing with Dylan." Jasmine ran a hand over her hair to push it out of her face. "How was Monaco with Charles?"
"It was fun. You should've come especially for New Year's." Nate leaned back into the water.
Monaco with the two of them would have been fun. But she needed time to herself. But she did get a few gifts delivered to her hotel room on Christmas from Chuck.
To everyone else, Chuck may be an ass but for Jasmine, he is thoughtful and considerate.
"Oh, my god." Nate gasped as someone fell into the pool. The person didn't move to swim up but only lay face down submerged in the water.
Nate quickly swam over to the boy and Jasmine followed behind him. Nate lifted the boy out of the water as everyone came to the edge of the pool to help pull him out. They laid the boy on the ground once they pulled him out. Nate started compressions on the boy's chest as Chuck pulled Jasmine out of the water.
Serena was on the phone with the police trying to get an ambulance here. Everyone began to scramble. They wanted to get out of here before the police did. Jasmine, Charles, Nate, Serena, and Blair all remained around the boy as Nate continued chest compressions.
♕
"THANKS TO THE cell phone somebody left behind we've got plenty of evidence of who was at the party." Headmaster Prescot of St. Judes played a slideshow of photos taken from the phone that was left at the party. "Lucky for you, Andrew Collins is going to be fine. Unlucky for you, we need to hold someone responsible. Miss Queller?"
Jasmine barely paid attention to what was being said anymore. Miss Queller was the new headmistress at Constance. So after Jasmine took a good look at the older woman she zoned out.
She caught pieces of Miss Queller's little speech. Especially when she said that the students have to write a ten thousand worded personal essay about how they all came to be on school property after hours. She would also be conducting one on one interviews.
Blair looked over at the Bass girl with a knowing expression. No one would say a word.
***
"So we all know how this works." Blair started.
"Look, no one talks, no one gets into trouble." Chuck finished.
Jasmine wrapped her cardigan tighter around her body as she stood beside Blair. She knew that Queller couldn't expel the whole class. So if everyone was quiet about the party then nothing could happen.
"Who did break in anyway?" Nate asked.
Chuck chuckled at his friend. "I guess we don't have to worry about Nate cracking under pressure."
"So we're all agreed then?" Jasmine rocked on the back of her black heeled ankle boots. She looked over each member of the group. Everyone nodded at her.
"Agreed," Serena said softly.
"Look, Blair, I know you have your sights set on Yale but, uh, this Skull and Bones stuff is a bit much. Don't you think?" Dan spoke up. He hadn't said a word since they all left the meeting.
Jasmine looked over to the Waldorf. "Maybe. But it works. Every time." Blair had a knowing smile on her face.
Everyone began to disperse. Jasmine headed back into the school building and headed toward the music corridor in the school.
Mrs. Baker, the music teacher, spotted the young Bass girl in the halls. She quickly approached the girl with a notebook in hand.
"Ms. Bass!"
Jasmine turned around to find the older woman waving at her. Jasmine approached her with a smile. "Mrs. Baker, how are you?"
The darker-skinned woman smiled brightly. She loved having Jasmine in her music classes. Jasmine always showed so much love for music and she has the passion for it. She was deeply disappointed when Jasmine dropped out of the Winter Showcase.
"You left this in class earlier this morning when you were practicing. I know how private you are about your notes." The older woman passed Jasmine the pink notebook. "But I did take a little peek through it because some of your papers fell. I didn't know you wrote songs of your own."
It felt like Jasmine's heart stopped beating. She had never wanted anyone to see the lyrics she had created. She only did it for fun or when she wanted to deal with her emotions especially recently with her breakup.
Mrs. Baker saw the shocked look on Jasmine's face. "I only looked at two songs. You shouldn't feel embarrassed, honey. They were amazing and have so much emotion behind them. You truly have a way with words."
It was comforting to know that someone Jasmine trusted had seen the songs but it still felt embarrassing.
"Thank you, Mrs. Baker." Jasmine moved to slip her notebook into her bag.
"If you ever want to play those songs for me sometime I would love to listen." The older woman smiled warmly at Jasmine.
Jasmine shook her head frantically. "I could never perform them. I mean your praise is appreciated but you don't have to lie to placate me."
Mrs. Baker's brows pulled together in confusion. "I would never lie to you, Jasmine. I truly mean every word I said. Your songs are good. Stop being so hard on yourself."
More students began to flood the hallway as the bell rang. Jasmine adjusted her bookbag on her back as she stepped out of the students' way.
"I'll see you in class later. Think about what I said." Mrs. Baker moved down the hall and slipped between the students into her classroom.
Would it be so bad if Jasmine played them for someone? She knew Charles would listen to her. She felt comfortable enough to play for him along with Serena and Blair. Nate had already seen her play before. But playing the piano and singing while playing the piano were two different things.
Maybe she could try. Maybe she should just see where things go.
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NEVER WOULD JASMINE have thought she would be actually searching for Dan Humphrey. Don't get her wrong she likes the boy but she doesn't really know him. She's friendly to him when she sees him because he's dating her best friend. Jasmine prefers to keep to her small circle of friends but she wanted to speak to Humphrey.
The same could be said about Dan. He never thought he would see Jasmine Bass calling after him. He had just arrived at Blair's house where he thought they would be writing the essays. But he could tell it was more like a party instead. He smiled with apprehension at Jasmine. Her sky blue mini dress clung to her body as she walked with a purpose. It almost scared Dan a little bit.
"Daniel!" Jasmine smiled brightly. She didn't know why her brother had such an issue with Dan. Yes, Dan did hit him with a mean right hook but it was well deserved. "I need to ask you something."
What could Jasmine Bass have to ask him? He was confused. He and Jasmine have only had light conversations out of pleasantries. "What's up?"
Jasmine wrung her hands as she shifted awkwardly. "Serena told me that your dad is a musician and he used to be in a band." Dan nodded to what she said. "I was wondering if I could pick his brain on some stuff."
That wasn't what he was expecting her to say. He ran a hand down the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah sure. I think he would like that actually."
"Really? Great!" Jasmine's face lifted. She had been scared to ask Dan not only because she doesn't really know him but also because she had never really talked about music with anyone besides Mrs. Baker. "I'll... I will text you and we can set up a time?"
"Cool. Just uh, let me know."
Jasmine watched as Dan looked around Blair's apartment. She watched as his eyes settled on her brother. She was not stepping between them tonight. So instead she excused herself and headed toward the kitchen.
***
"So how are you twins but you are totally different?"
Jasmine looked over her shoulder in confusion. She frowned once her eyes settled on Vanessa who stood a couple of feet behind her. Jasmine was outside waiting on her town car to take her home.
"Excuse me?" Jasmine turned to face the girl. She had her coat bundled up to her neck and her hands rested in the pockets. This was completely random and unexpected. She's only ever spoken to Vanessa once and it was at Blair's birthday party in greeting.
Vanessa crossed her arms over her chest with a huff. "Your brother is a pig."
Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Listen if he told you lies about wanting to be with you then slept with you and now he's kicking you to the curb don't take too much offense to it."
"Wow. Both of you are entitled. Is it some spoiled rich kid thing?"
Vanessa was like Dan in a way. But Dan was actually not exhausting to be around. Jasmine still didn't like Vanessa because she thinks that Vanessa still has a crush on Dan. She also doesn't like Vanessa because of how she likes to talk down about her friends.
There was no way this was happening right now. "Please don't tell me you're trying to pick a fight with me." Jasmine fixed Vanessa with a pointed look. "If you have nothing but bad things to say about people like me then why are you always trailing behind Dan like a lost puppy to these kinds of functions?"
Vanessa opened her mouth to speak but Jasmine's town car pulled up.
"I suggest you watch what you say about my brother. Yes, he is my twin and we are different in some ways. But there are a few ways were alike. You cross my brother, you cross me. And I promise you that I can be much worse than him." Jasmine offered her that one piece of advice before she stepped into her town car.
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MISS QUELLER WAS going to be a pain. She had called another meeting only to tell the students that Nate had confessed but he wasn't the one who broke in initially. She suspended him in front of everyone to try to prove a point.
So now it was Jasmine's turn to take a seat in Mrs. Queller's office.
Jasmine crossed her ankles and rested in the seat. She tapped her nails on the wooden armrest as Miss. Queller watched her with interest.
"Jasmine Bass, honor roll, straight A's, highest GPA out of the rest of the girls in your grade, why would you be at that party?" Miss. Queller looked at Jasmine's file that lay on her desk in front of her.
In the past Jasmine would have been nervous sitting in the headmistress's office. But she didn't care. A lot of things didn't matter to Jasmine anymore. It was almost like her view on certain things have changed. She also didn't like how the headmistress treated Nate in front of everyone.
"I was invited to the party. Obviously, that's why I was there." Jasmine shrugged.
Miss. Queller let out a sigh and rested her hands on the desk. "You're a star student. Yale only accepts one student from Constance each year and you could be the one. Why ruin all of that for a stupid night of alcohol and drugs?"
"I wasn't drinking or doing drugs. I was simply enjoying my time at the party." Jasmine made sure to keep her answers short. "I'm sure you've enjoyed your fair share of parties back in your day." Even if your day was like fifty years ago.
"I was able to reach your father. He didn't show much interest in this predicament. Maybe you broke into the school to get a reaction from your father?" Miss. Queller was trying to fish for something.
Jasmine almost laughed in her face. Why would she ever want a reaction from her father? "Miss. Queller, I don't think you understand, I don't have to rebel to get my father's attention. I assume he didn't answer when you first called him? He could care less."
Miss Queller frowned at the young girl. She knew that Jasmine and Charles Bass were the richest among the students. She could see why Jasmine isn't taking this meeting seriously.
"I'll be honest with you. I didn't break into the school. So much was going on that night I don't even know who did." That was a lie. Jasmine knew who did it. Serena had dated the swim captain freshman year and got the key from him. But Jasmine wouldn't snitch on her best friend.
It was a mutual understanding that even if Jasmine was the one to break into the school she wouldn't get expelled. Bart Bass always cleaned up the messes his children made even if he was so reluctant to do so. A wing in the school would be built in the Bass' name if either of his children were found guilty. Bart wanted his children to have a certain image and he didn't bat an eye at tossing money around if it kept them having that certain image.
With a deep sigh Miss. Queller leaned back in her chair. "You're dismissed, Miss. Bass."
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THE ENGAGEMENT OF Bart and Lily was to be expected. Jasmine saw how her father had changed since he started dating Lily. He was actually around more. Jasmine didn't know if she thought that was a bad thing or a good thing yet.
What Jasmine did know was that Serena didn't look too thrilled about the engagement. She thought that Serena would be excited to have her as her step-sister but maybe it was the thought of having Chuck as her step-brother that soured the mood. She could see why Serena didn't like the idea of having Chuck as a brother but that was okay. Jasmine loved her brother and she would grow to love Eric as her brother as well.
"It's a rare occasion to celebrate the merging of two families. And I couldn't be happier to be here tonight to celebrate Lily's acceptance of my proposal." Bart toasted. He looked at everyone in the room. "So to my lovely bride and our growing family."
Jasmine happily clinked their glasses together. She smiled over to Charles and he returned it with a twisted smile of his own.
Chuck took Jasmine's hand and led her over to Serena and Eric. He dropped Jasmine's hand and wrapped an arm around Serena's shoulder. "How glad are you to see our families merge, sis?"
"So glad that if you ever call me that again it'll be the last thing you ever say, Chuck." Serena swiped Chuck's hand off of her as she turned to face him.
Chuck however didn't falter. "I love it. Our first brother-sister squabble. I hope you're going to make yourself available for more... missed childhood memories. Bathing together, for example."
Jasmine swatted at Chuck's arm. "Don't make it weird, Charles." She then moved to talk to Eric. "I hope that we have the chance to become close."
Eric smiled innocently at Jasmine. "I would like that." He knew how kind Jasmine and he was happy to be able to become family with her.
***
The little engagement party continued. Jasmine watched as she conversed with Lily and Eric and Bart and Chuck sat on either side of Serena. She also saw how Serena jumped up and quickly left. She just wished that Serena would give the merging of their two families a chance.
Jasmine moved to take up Serena's vacant seat between her brother and father. Bart stiffly smiled at his daughter. Chuck however leaned back onto the couch.
"Just give her a moment to breathe. You can be uncomfortable to be around, Father." Jasmine smiled sweetly to try to soften the blow of her words.
Bart however wasn't affected by them. "You're new stepsister got herself into trouble and I only helped. She should be appreciative." He then looked between both of his children. "At least I'll only have to worry about her and Charles. You and Eric aren't troublemakers. Chuck isn't even as bad as Serena."
The one thing about having Bart Bass in your corner was that he offered security. His status in New York was high. So it was no surprise that Bart was able to help get Serena out of trouble.
Jasmine only wished that both parties would try. But she knew how Serena could be and she also knew how annoying Charles could be. Maybe she would have to look into stocking up on ibuprofen. She could see many headaches in her future.