"Please, anything but that"
"Oh don't complain Chuck, you love it really"
"Yeah we all know your deepest secrets after all"
"And I suppose your tastes are far superior Nathaniel"
"No one objected to my choice last week. Including you I might add"
"All I'm saying is I can't watch Breakfast at Tiffanys for the hundredth time." Chuck sighed, "It is the only film Blair ever chooses when it's her turn."
Blair glared at Chuck from her position by the DVD player whilst Serena snorted as she collapsed on the sofa next to Nate.
"I suppose watching Pretty Woman every four weeks isn't hell either?"
"I still maintain that the combination of Richard Gere and Julia Roberts is a match made in heaven." He waved his glass of scotch in the air. "Besides it's the rags to riches story, it gets me every time."
Nate and Serena shared a look. Getting on the subject of everyone's favourite movie tended to cause arguments. Movie night normally ended in a battle of wits between Blair and Chuck, whilst the two blondes of the group attempted to actually watch the movie.
The point of movie night had initially been so that they could watch those films that they'd always wanted to see but could never be bothered buying. However after the first few times it evolved into a repeat of either the same movie or the same genre every four weeks as each of the favourites sneaked into the pile.
This week was Blair's turn and the second movie night since Serena had returned from boarding school two years ago. The whole affair had been put on hold whilst the friends attempted to regain the friendship and trust that they had all those years back.
It went without saying that Blair had chosen yet another Audrey Hepburn film for her choice.
"Well we could watch My Fair Lady if you want." Blair smirked at her boyfriend across the room. "I know how much you adore musicals."
Chuck made a face, prompting Serena to giggle. The blonde had already finished two cosmopolitans and was currently trying to stand up in order to make her third.
"Hang on guys! Aren't we missing the point a bit?" Serena waved her finger at the pair. "We do not judge, we are the non judging breakfast club. Surprisingly not that does extend to movie preferences. For instance, if I want to choose Harry Potter next week then I reserve the right to avoid all mocking."
"Hear hear!" Nate announced from the corner. "The same goes for the fantastic array of 80s teen classics I own. May I just add that it is due to my taste in movies that we have our name." he glanced at Chuck, who stared back for half a second before sighing in defeat and downing his scotch.
"Let's get this over with then."
Blair pressed play on the player, grabbed her drink and took her seat next to Chuck. Within an instant she was pulled into his side, where she settled with a content smile on her face.
Next to Blair Serena turned her phone off, one of the many rules of movie night. Nate shifted next to the blonde and took it out of her hand. She turned to protest but was met with raised eyebrows.
"How do I know you won't switch it on in ten minutes and text Baizen?" He whispered. "And believe me I'm doing this so that you won't drunk text him again, not so you don't break rules."
Serena tutted at Nate as she turned back to the screen. She tried to ignore the two on her other side as they decided to forgo actual movie watching.
"May I also suggest you nudge your dear best friend. I'm pretty sure that's another rule being broken." Nate gestured to the pair who were bordering on heavy petting. Serena snorted before pinching Blair on the arm. When she whipped round to protest Serena waved a list in Blair's handwriting.
"Rules are rules my dear." She smiled. "Do we all need a little reminder?"
"Of course not. I wrote those rules after all." Blair turned to sit properly on the sofa. Chuck's arm remained around her shoulders as he groaned in protest. She glared at him and gestured to the television.
"There is a movie playing there Bass. Watch it now or you may have to leave. And we'll replace you with Humphrey."
"You wouldn't do that Waldorf, because that would mean you'd actually have to see him every week."
"We're going to have to find a replacement anyway." Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at Serena, who shrugged in apology. "I leave for Brown in three weeks and lord knows how boring it would be just you three. Not to mention dangerous."
"Perhaps we could replace you with Whore-gina. I hear she's back in New York." Chuck remarked from his corner.
"Oh yes, why not replace Serena with the girl you lost your virginity to. That wouldn't be awkward on any level."
"Or we could conference call. Serena could watch the same movie at Brown whilst we watch it together." Nate suggested, almost as if he didn't want to be heard.
"I have already worked it out. Every Wednesday night, like we always have, we will all meet to watch a movie together. May I remind you that I own several helicopters and it doesn't take that much time to fly to Providence."
"So it's agreed, every Wednesday you guys can fly out to Brown and we can crowd into my dorm and watch a movie." Serena grinned. "I love that idea!"
Blair looked at Serena in shock. Could she really expect her to fly to Providence every week to sit in a dorm room?
To her consternation the other three took the chance to shake on that plan. Serena smiled at Blair slightly, hoping that the brunette would go along with the plan so she could avoid the risk of cancelling movie night for a while.
"Fine I'll fly to stupid Brown and sit in a stupid dorm room."
"Don't worry about it B! Besides by that time it will be your choice again. You can inflict your harshest choice on us all."
Blair grinned at the idea. Movies flitted through her head and she decided to pick the one that would force the boys to squirm with embarrassment at the idea of watching it.
She composed herself quickly before grabbing the remote and turning up the sound.
"Right, back to the movie guys. If we talk for more than ten minutes you know I reserve the right to rewind."
Movie night rules:
No phones or contact with the outside rule from the moment the play button is pressed to the moment the last credit disappears.
Junk food only, no healthy food allowed to be consumed for the whole evening.
If two of the group decide to make the move to coupledom, no smooching during the movie, this is group time.
If the movie is interrupted for more than seven minutes by talking the film will be rewound until the moment the person who began to talk remembers.
An intermission will be instigated halfway through the film to allow for toilet breaks and drink top ups.
If the host is out of town the others must still watch their choice for the week.
Outsiders are only allowed to join if all four agree to the person.
Should one of the group move to college (Serena) then the other three must join them where they are