Hesitant at first, Eric replied with a simple, “uhhhh..�?but tried not to sound too
nervous in his response hoping his sister didn’t pick up anything from the tone he
used. He held the phone down, right hand over the bottom as he belted out a
loud,

“SHIT!�?/P>

Obviously one wouldn’t put it past Eric van der Woodsen to be a master at
swaying the truth, well a student for now at least as he was only under the wing of
step brother and most manipulative upper east sider, Chuck Bass. Looks like
within three days time, Bass fueled Eric’s hatred for Nate Archibald and it worked
like a charm, especially with what Nate forced his sister to do. His actions not only
caused Serena pain but her whole family felt it. Lily was once again out of the
running for mother of the year as her daughter departed and son turned to old
ways. After Jolene peaced out to go see Georgina or probably drown her head
in a well, Eric headed back home to swallow a couple of pills he managed to score
on the way there. But he had not gotten to those white beads that put him into a
state of pure bliss yet as his sister called him sounding ecstatic about her trip.
Taking a deep breath Eric held the phone up to his ear and could hear Serena
calling out his name on the other end.

“Eric? Are you still there?�?she asked, a shaky voice compelled him to lie.

“Oh, sorry Serena,�?said Eric in his regular cheerful voice. “It was nothing, just a
documentary about Harold Archibald and co. They mentioned some recent news
about him purchasing a new car for Nate, supposed to prevent deadly accidents,�?BR>he continued, one lie after another. Seems like our little van der Woodsen was
learning from the best.

“Okay,�?said Serena with much disinterest. The last thing she wanted to hear
about was her ex boyfriend who was responsible for the pain she had been
feeling upon leaving for Belgium. “I guess I’ll just read gossip girl later to find out
what’s been going on since my absence.�?/P>

Actually, he had a lot more to learn seeing as he couldn‘t cover all his tracks just
yet. Perhaps more in class lessons from Chuck over breakfast tomorrow would
help his case.

“Do you really think that’s the best idea?�?asked Eric, knowing that Nathanial’s
accident would be all over Gossip Girl within the next second. “I mean, the
reason you left to be with dad was because all the drama that occurred here was
getting to you. I think you should stay off Gossip Girl for a while, give it a few
weeks and your head will be clear by then. Everyone is fine here, up to their
usual mediocre tricks but nothing major has happened. If that was the case, I
would let you know.�?/P>

He sounded so assuring that it put Serena’s head to rest.

“Would you?�?she didn’t question him but simply request incase future events
were ones that jeopardized her friends health. Although it had been proven time
and again that Blair Waldorf and the rest of the gang were nothing but
backstabbers, they were also there for Serena, in sickness and in health.

“I most definitely would,�?said Eric in the calmest of voices. “Now I’ll call you
tomorrow afternoon just to see how you’re doing and perhaps you can tell me
more about this Prince Amedeo’s sister. Give dad my love.�?/P>

“Give mom mine,�?she said and then softly. “Bye Eric.�?/P>

With that, he hung up and placed the phone on the bed besides him feeling sick
with the bluff he just told his dear sister. But he had little time to rest as Lily van
der Woodsen burst in through the doors to reveal the news he had already been
made aware of.

“Nate was in a car accident,�?she declared upon entering and began to dig into
her purse to find her cell phone. “I have to let Serena know.�?/P>

Here it comes, one obstacle over the other, without any breathers. Eric sighed
loudly and jumped to his feet immediately, grabbing the phone from his mother’s
hand.

“It’s okay, mom,�?he said innocently. “I was just talking to Serena and I broke the
news to her, gently.�?/P>

“And?�?asked Lily van der Woodsen fearing for what her daughter might do
upon hearing this news.

“She was very sad,�?says Eric as his head falls, simply hanging from his neck. He
had the act down, now the words just poured out from his mouth and if this were a
fairytale, frogs and thorns would have instead. “Serena wanted to come back
here immediately to take care of Nate, she was so worried. But I informed her that
it wouldn’t be such a good idea and although it is gut wrenching to know that the
one you love is in great pain, I assured her that I would be there for Nate, in her
place.�?/P>

Lily sighed upon hearing the kind words her son used to console his sister. Looks
like she would be back in the running for mother of the year in no time. She
walked towards him and put her arms around the young boy before kissing his
head.

“I’m going to go call Bart and see if there’s anything we can do,�?she said before
disappearing from his room.

Feeling ill already, Eric quickly entered the bathroom and looked for the pills he
had just purchased that evening. He pulled out a yellow bottle, one that read
‘prescribed for Serena van der Woodsen�?and emptied it’s contents into the sink
as they flushed away with the water. After finding and opening a napkin, he
poured the fifty something pills he purchased into the bottle and glanced at it for a
few seconds before downing almost half the bottle. Now staring at himself in the
mirror, Eric turned away as he couldn’t bare to look at the man he was growing
into but somewhere, something deep inside insisted that he take a closer look.
Welcome to the dark side, Eric van der Woodsen, I hear they have cookies.