Going Full Tilt (Carter Baizen)

Eight - The Freedom

Happy Summer Upper East Siders.  Gossip Girl here, seeing that all of her favorite kittens are up in the Hamptons to enjoy the sun.  Looks like our favorite socialites are staying together.  Ellie Westfield, Blaire Waldorf, Lina Baizen and Serena Van der Woodsen are staying in Ellie's summer home and had visitors galore.  The only one we haven't seen come by and visit is one Carter Baizen.  We know Ellie and Carter are friends but is this banishment coming from a certain Prince Charming?  Fourth of July is just around the corner, but I'm betting we will see a whole other set of fireworks....

Ellie was never one to host a formal affair.  Her mother had taught her enough and she would have enough practice once she was done with school.  With her parents out of town, Ellie hosted all of the pool parties she could.  Serena and Blair would help with set up, her DJ was basically living in the guest house so he was on hand every day.  Ellie started to live up to her status.  Her father told her to have fun and handed her a card.  She went with it.

The only person she hadn't heard from all summer was Carter.  Lina told her that her father had basically locked Carter down.  A big party was happening mid July for Westfield Industries and as head of public relations, Carter needed to make sure the party was perfect.

To Carter, the better job that he did, the better he would look in Christian's eyes.  He knew that he needed every advantage if he wanted any change at making Ellie his.  It broke his heart that he couldn't see her yet.  He just needed a few more days to finish his work and then he could join Lina in the Hamptons.

Nate on the other hand, was happy that Ellie was becoming more of a socialite.  He wanted her to fit more into his world.  Letting loose, being free; all the signs that could point to making her the perfect girl to lead him to the top.  Yeah, Nate finally wanted the status that he used to have and take over the Archibald business.  But he needed the princess in order to accomplish that.

A couple of days before the 4th, Ellie was lounging by the pool with Serena and Blair, enjoying the calm before the next party.  Ellie sipped her champagne as Nate and Chuck argued about something on the other side of the pool.  Nate caught her eye and smiled.  She smiled back and went back to the conversation between Serena and Blair.

"Ellie, I've noticed Carter isn't around." 

"Yeah, Lina says he's working on something for the company. "

"You should really avoid him Ellie," Blair said.  "He isn't the most popular and could really bring down your reputation."

"Carter hasn't been anything but respectful the entire time I've known him." Ellie heard herself get defensive.

"If you knew what we knew Elizabeth, you would be on our side," Blair said.

"Enlighten me then Blair.  What don't I know?  All Nate has ever told me is that I should stay away from him without any reason why."

Serena looked at Blair.  "Ellie, a couple of years ago, Carter took Nate to a poker game and stole a signed baseball and watch from Chuck.  Nate would have been seriously hurt or killed if Chuck hadn't intervened when he did."

Ellie's eyes widen and took a quick glance at Chuck and Nate.

"Let's not forget the stunt he tried to pull with you Serena about your dad," Blair said with a sip of her champagne.

"He what?"

"Oh yeah, tricked poor Serena into going around the world looking for her dad.  Some wild goose chase."

Ellie's head spun.  This wasn't the Carter she knew.  Her Carter was sweet, caring.  She put her glass down.  "Why wouldn't Nate tell me this?"