？Don？t get off at 125th Street；？ Rufus advised； even though the stop was closest to their
apartment。 He handed Jenny three twenty…dollar bills。 ？Go all the way to Grand Central and then
get a cab。 And call me when you？re leaving so I can tell your brother when to expect you。？
Like Dan really cared if sheever came home。 Lately Dan had been so preoccupied； he barely
seemed to remember that they used to kind of be friends。
Jenny kissed her father on the cheek。 It was cute how he babied her； but she was almost
fifteen？she could take care of herself。 ？Have a nice night； Daddy；？ she told him sweetly。 She
waved good…bye as the battered navy blue Volvo station wagon disappeared down the road。 Then
she unbuttoned her blouse another notch and stepped inside a cute red clapboard house with a gold
plaque on its hunter…green…painted door that read ADMISSIONS； eager to meet her Croton tour
guide。
？You！？ a male voice crowed enthusiastically as soon as she opened the door。 ？It？s you！？
Jenny？s pretty red mouth dropped open in shock。 Leering at her from across the quaintly
decorated admissions office reception area was a more masculine； less flamboyantly dressed clone
of Chuck Bass。 Same European…aftershave…mercial…handsome face； same slicked…back dark
hair； same cocky smile； same perverted twinkle in the eye。 He walked over and held out his hand；
a gold monogrammed pinky ring flashing on his right hand。 ？I？m your tour guide。 Name？s Harold
Bass。 Call me Harry。 You may know my cousin Charles Bass？goes by Chuck。 He told me all about
you。 And of course I？ve seen your pictures on the ？Net。？
Oh； God。
Jenny mustered a smile。 Chuck Bass had nearly deflo