chapter EIGHT.

Of course Jenny didn't have the helpers nor the proper ingredients in the house to make a mimosa or even scrambled eggs, like Hazel had suggested, but she'd looked mimosas up online and found out what they were and how they tasted. Jenny knew she was underage and probably wouldn't be able to order a glass of orange juice and champagne oh-so-casually, like Serena or Blair did every second of their lives, but she'd taken the Metro to Manhattan nonetheless, hoping that somehow she'd be magically cured of her throbbing headache or that she'd see a full glass of mimosa sitting on someone's doorstep, untouched and very fresh.

Fat chance.

The new Jimmy Choos that Kati Farkas had purchased for her made distinct, hollow clicks against the pavement as she walked, still nursing a Starbucks cup full of coffee. This time around, though, she'd ordered an iced coffee, wishing now that plain old ice was the secret cure of a hangover. But of course, it wasn't. Which is why she'd flipped open the pair of Chanel shades that she'd 'borrowed' from Blair and slid them over her eyes, finally feeling some likeness of relief.

Jenny took a deep breath of Manhattan air and nearly swooned because of it. Even the air here seemed better than it did in Brooklyn, somehow. God, the city was amazing - the real city, at least. She just wished she could truly be a part of it without having to take such long bus rides here and back, spending half her allowance in one day just to make the trip. But she guessed that was a small price to pay in return for becoming Constance's new Queen Bee. Which definitely had a lot of perks.

Like having people like Kati and Isabel buy shoes for you and Penny and Hazel to guide you through the shark-infested waters of the Upper East Side. Like having Elise Wells carry your books for you and do your tests for you. Like being noticed for once.

And speaking of noticing, Leo Dunne was doing just that as Jenny walked by Central Park, looking very chic and mysterious in her never-worn-before outfit and pair of oversize sunglasses. He'd been playing lacrosse in the park with some of his buddies when he noticed the blonde walking by rather slowly, as if she were a tourist taking in the scenery. . . Or perhaps a supermodel who just enjoyed walking like that.

At first he thought she might have been Serena van der Woodsen on account of her perfect hair and attractive figure, but when he looked a little closer he could tell the girl before him was a bit younger and much less. . . experienced than Serena was. Rushing over to Jenny, he leaped right where she was about to walk, stopping her from doing so. "Hey, have I seen you before?"

Jenny rolled her eyes beneath the pair of shades that hid them, something Blair had inadvertently taught her to do back when they used to hang out. But inside, her stomach was aflutter. This was Leo Dunne, captain of St. Jude's lacrosse team. He wasn't just anyone - in fact, after Nate's (several) little incident(s), Leo had basically become the school's new reigning prince. So getting together with him would prove very beneficial for Jenny, especially among her new group of friends. They'd positively worship the ground she walked on if she were able to tame one of the school's hottest, most athletic male students - especially one as high up in the social chain as he was.

"As a matter of fact, you haven't," Jenny finally responded, a mischevious smile playing over her lips. The tone of voice she kept had a mixture of commandment and come-hither to it, hoping that both of those qualities would seem unstoppably sexy to Leo and he'd fall head over heels for her right away. Jenny stuck her chest out a little more and tucked a strand of pale blonde hair behind her ear. "You're Leo Dunne, right? I'm Jenny. Humphrey. I go to Constance."

Leo's lips curled up into that distinct half-smile that Jenny thought always looked so cute on guys and she had a minor heart attack as he put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her a little closer.

Easy, Speedy.

They both began walking down Seventy-second Street while Jenny eyed him curiously from the side. He had dark brown hair that had been styled just this morning, a subtle chin dimple, a defined jawline, gorgous glittering green eyes, and a great sense of fashion. Clearly he was a winner.

And she couldn't wait to tell her friends all about him.


Careful there, Little J. As I've noticed with the Humphrey lifestyle, once something good comes along, there's usually something bad soon after. . .

you know you love me.
xoxo; gossip girl