Eric Is Back (A Gossip Girl Novel)

5. 2009

Jonathan and I were sat at a table in Smachno's – this quirky, little Ukrainian cafe out in Brooklyn. Jonathan glanced around the room, his face twisting in confusion.

"Um... is this where you take all of your dates?" he asked, perplexed.

I tutted. "Oh, come on! You make it sound like I'm some serial-dater or something."

"No, no! I'm just... a-are you Ukrainian or something?"

"Nope – one hundred percent American!"

"Oh."

I could have taken Jonathan to the movies or bowling. But instead, we were sat here in freakin' Smachno's!

But why?

What had possessed me to do such a thing?

Well... I knew that this was Dan and Vanessa's favourite hotspot. Well, at least it had been two years ago...

And I brought Jonathan here because I wanted to make Dan jealous!

*

"If I have one more pierogi I'm going to explode!" Jonathan complained, rubbing his belly.

"Yeah, me too," I agreed.

"I'm surprised – I didn't think I'd enjoy this sort of food as much as I did."

"Well, I guess I'm full of surprises," I said with a wink.

"Yes, you are, Mr Houdini!"

My eyes flashed to the door, trying to make Dan appear out of thin air. I'd been waiting for him to show up all evening. Naturally, it hadn't happened. Was it ever going to happen? I mean, I couldn't sit here all night long with Jonathan!

*

Ordering dessert had given me an extra fifteen minutes to play with. But even when the waiter took our plates away, Dan still hadn't shown up.

It was stupid, really. I mean, Brooklyn was a big place – he could have been anywhere by now!

I insisted on paying the check in full. When the waiter returned with my change, Jonathan started putting his jacket on. I cringed. I wanted us to stay. I needed us to stay. I didn't eat all of those damn pierogis for nothing!

I couldn't stop fidgeting. My fingers tapped loudly on the table. I couldn't hide my frustration.

"Oh, sorry..." Jonathan said. "I thought we were leaving."

"Yeah," I grumbled. "We will... in a sec'."

"Okay..."

My eyes were on the door, trying to make Dan materialise.

"You okay, Eric?" Jonathan asked. "You look a little –"

"I'm fine!" I snapped. "I just... I-I think I ate too many pierogis."

"Oh, okay."

I felt bad for Jonathan. I mean, he had been such a perfect date. And here I was... using him just to get back at Dan.

I had to make things right. I had to end this date on a high.

"You wanna catch a movie?" I asked. "Or is it too late for you?"

"No, no," Jonathan said. "I don't mind staying out late with you."

I smiled. Jonathan really was a nice guy.

"Okay – well... let's go."

"Cool."

Jonathan and I got up from the table and shrugged into our jackets. As we made our way to the door, a bell chimed. When I looked up, I couldn't believe my own eyes.

Eating all of those pierogis hadn't been such a waste of time, after all!

Sure enough, Dan was stood in the doorway, looking as handsome as ever with his thick, curly hair and his big, brown eyes. Next to him was his best friend, Vanessa. Naturally, she was wearing a French beret and had a bunch of cameras wrapped around her chest. They had probably been out making one their weird art films together!

"Oh, E-Eric!" Dan spluttered. "W-what are you –?"

"Eric!"

Out of nowhere, Vanessa threw herself at me, squashing me into a hug.

"Oh my God!" she squealed. "I heard you were back in town! You look so... handsome! Seriously, when did you grow up to be such a stud!"

I felt myself go red. "Oh... t-thanks."

In the corner of my eye, I saw Jonathan scratching the back of his neck. Turning to him, I said, "Oh, guys – this is Jonathan. He's my... um, date."

Vanessa's eyes lit up. "Hey, Jonathan! I'm Vanessa!"

"Hey, Vanessa..." he said shyly. "Nice to meet, you."

I turned to Dan, trying to decipher his reaction. His lips curved into a tight smile. His eye twitched a little.

My plan had worked.

I'd made him jealous – I just knew it!

"Hey, man..." Dan choked out. "Nice to meet you."

Jonathan smiled back at Dan. "Nice to meet you, too."

For a moment, no one said anything. Everyone was too busy staring at everyone. The tension was thick you cut the air with a knife!

"We're just heading to the movies!" I blurted out, unable to bare the silence any longer.

"Oh, okay," Dan said. "Well, um... enjoy your night!"

"Thanks," I said smugly. "We will."

Dan's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

He really was jealous.

"Bye, Eric!" Vanessa said brightly. "Bye, Jonathan!"

"See ya, Vanessa!"

Sticking the knife in, I slipped my hand into Jonathan's and led him out of the cafe. Just before we left, I saw Dan's eyes move down to our entwined hands, his mouth dropping open in surprise.

Yes! I've won!

*

Jonathan and I were stood in line at the movie theatre waiting to buy our tickets. He was scratching the back of his neck again. I just knew he was thinking about what had happened in the cafe.

"So, um... what was that all about?" he asked.

I lifted an eyebrow. "What was what about?"

"You know – with that guy? Is he your ex or something? Did you used to date him?"

I couldn't believe it! I barely knew Jonathan and yet he'd somehow been able to pick up on mine and Dan's secret history.

"That guy?" I spat out.

"Yeah."

"That's Dan!" I said. "He's my stepbrother!"

Jonathan gasped. "Oh my God! Really?!"

"Yes!"

"I'm so sorry! I didn't know!"

I shrugged. "Don't worry about it."

"I've ruined this date, haven't I?"

I rolled my eyes. "Jonathan, you couldn't ruin this date if you tried!"

He smiled. "Thanks."

As we moved closer to the ticket counter, I wondered how Jonathan had been able to pick up on the sexual tension between me and Dan.

"So, um... why did you think Dan and I used to date?" I tried to ask nonchalantly.

"I-I don't know," Jonathan replied. "Your stepbrother just didn't seem too happy to see me, I guess."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm... interesting."

I guess my plan had worked better than I had expected.

But what did that mean for me and Dan now?