Here Lies Jane Doe

Sebastian's Secret

Roll up, roll up...The Upper East Side has been quiet, but I'm here to ruffle a few feathers. You might have heard the legends of Serena Van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, or the many relationships of our good Mayor Archibald – but that was all the work of Gossip Girl...

Don't worry, Gossip Girl is dead and gone... Oh but who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell – well, that was Gossip Girl's phrase but I'm going to be different. Know this kids, I'm bigger, better and even more ruthless than my predecessor. This is your warning Upper East Siders, you're not safe whilst I'm around. Times have changed and you cannot avoid me because I'm everywhere and we are prepared...

Keep my secret, know my name... Jane Doe – kisses x

I was curious about the message that had come up on my phone – it wasn't like anything he had ever read before.

What a cliché... I thought, reading the name again. Slipping my phone into my pocket, I was almost ready to hit the Upper East Side with the legendary Bass magic running through my blood, but only after one last look in the full length mirror to check my appearance.

Tie – knotted perfectly and straight. Shirt – crisp and neatly tucked in. Shoes – shiny and polished. Blazer – brand new, never been worn.

"You got this..." I Mombled, pushing a rogue clump of brown hair back off my face. "First day of the new school year and all that..."

Throwing my bag onto my shoulder, I made my way towards the front door, passing Mom who was deeply engrossed in designing a new line of clothing for Waldorf Designs. She was a hardworking woman who was so unbelievably dedicated to her work on the fashion line that whenever there were looming deadlines, it was best for me to lock myself in my room. Despite having never pressed the pedal of a sewing machine, Mom was a back seat driver through and through when it came to the clothing lines.

"Henry?" Mom called out, I backtracked so that I was standing in the doorway. "Come here, let me look at you. First day of a new school year only come around once..."

"Mom, it just a new year- not my first day of big boy school..."

She walked up to me, heels clicking on the shiny floor. "I know a lot has changed over summer, but remember you are a Bass and we keep our heads held high. All four of us, you sister included- which reminds me- she left early for practice, so she's left ahead of you."

I smiled weakly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I got this, Mom. Don't worry, and I'll look out for Tiff too when I can, although I'm pretty sure she doesn't need me." Over Mom's shoulder, I could see the clock and the time. "Sorry, but I have to dash. I said I'd meet Sebastian on the way. See you later..."

That was the thing about Mom, she worried about a lot of things that she really didn't have to worry about. But looking at it positively, it showed she cared. Sometimes it might have verged on being too caring, but it encouraged me to break free a little and do some potentially unorthodox things. Things that I won't go into in so much details.

Stepping out onto the main streets of the Upper East Side, I looked down the path to see a sleek black car with blacked out windows waiting to take me to school.

That was the one thing I didn't really like about my lifestyle – sometimes it felt like everything was provided for me on a silver platter. People would look at me with envy and disgust, like I was some kind of spoiled brat. I had a chauffeur, a nanny and a private tutor to help me with my studies. Part of me wished I could have the chance to fight for something for once in my life.

"I'm going to walk this time, Xander..." I waved to my driver. He nodded before rolling the window back up as I started on my way towards Sebastian's.