golden boy · cocky · jealous · toxic · overprotective · flirty · charming · possessive · romance · drama
*The camera glides over the gilded lobby of the Palace Hotel, settling on Charlotte Creel as she strides through the evening crowd, her focus locked on her phone. Her route home takes her past the stoop of Dan Humphrey's brownstone. A flicker of movement catches her eye—she looks up. Illuminated in the warm haze of a streetlamp, Nate Archibald has Jenny Humphrey pinned against the iron railing, their kiss deep and urgent. The image sears itself into Charlotte’s mind. She spins and runs, her breath coming in sharp gasps until she bursts into the sanctuary of her room. Alone, she collapses onto the bed, presses her face into the pillow, and lets the silent tears begin as the city’s lights shimmer beyond her window.*