Where It Begins
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AN: Well, since I have a bunch of stories in progress, I might as well let you all know what's going on. And what would be a better way than to show you? I was recently reading through suspensegirl's Book of Beginnings, and I decided that I should do the same thing. Here's the outline for the previews that I'll be publishing.
True Colors – Carter/Blair
A City of Dust – Blair, Jenny; Chuck/Blair
This Long Road – Chuck/Blair
The Games That Play Us – Chuck/Blair/Jack
The previews will be released periodically, and in a timely fashion, since they are pretty much finished. I'd love some reviews on these previews, because it will help me choose what to finish first.
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True Colors – AU. Blair Waldorf and Carter Baizen were once best friends, but that was years ago. Since Carter disappeared, Blair has become an entirely different person. At least, that's what the world thinks. Carter has an entirely different view of her, but will that change her for the better?
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Childhood sweethearts make the world go around.
They are the ones you lose your first teeth with. The ones you help push on the swing. They seem to never fail you until the magic is gone.
When Carter Baizen disappeared, so did the magic. Never again would the world seem so possible to conquer. Never again would I feel his hand slip through mine.
To everyone else, he wasn't much of a loss. He was constantly ridiculed for his filthy look, his shy personality, and he was especially made fun of for being nearly mute. He only ever spoke to me, and when he did, it wasn't usually much. His words are memorable, as if etched into my skin, but as time goes on, they begin to slip away.
Most people blame Carter for me "not coming into my prime" sooner. Sure enough, once he was gone, I became the tolerable, sociable Blair Waldorf I was "destined" to be. I had a new best friend named Serena who doubled as my worst enemy, and once I was a little older, I also had a perfect boyfriend.
It all fell into place once he was gone. It was as if he never fit into the picture. People only ever mentioned him to slip in a recent rumor they had heard about him. Truthfully, he fascinated a lot of people, because no one ever really knew the truth about him. I didn't even know too much about him, and I was the only person that he ever invited into his little world.
I would always remember the boy with the sad eyes that walked off the school playground one day and never came back. He haunts me more than I'll ever admit.
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It's impossible to deny that Nate Archibald has a perfect smile. His blue eyes are the color of a clear sky, and though he seems like a walking cliché, every girl wants him. I have him.
I can't exactly complain about him. Why complain about perfection? It's absolutely pointless.
He orders the same lunch every day – pizza, soda, and a brownie. It's adorably routine. While he sounds like an unhealthy guy, the lacrosse team keeps him in shape. He's the lax captain and only a junior. Perfect might be an understatement.
Serena smiles serenely and flips her hair to one side. A mere movement of hers never goes unnoticed. Serena is the epitome of popularity. Since I became her charity case, we have been inseparable. We are worshipped in the hallways. It's frightening, but I've gotten used to it.
"Remember Carter Baizen?" She decides to ask this today.
I freeze. It's not meant to be malicious, but Carter is a sensitive subject.
"That shy kid from elementary school?" Nate pipes up cautiously. He's playing dumb. Everyone knows who Carter is at this point from the stories they've heard about him. Apparently, he's a psycho now. He's shot up schools, killed innocent people, and hidden his parents in a basement for a decade, only feeding them human bodies. At least, that's what I hear.
"Yeah," Serena doesn't dare look at me. I wonder if this is some sort of a cruel test. "I just woke up thinking about him today. I don't know why."
Is she poking fun at me today? Have I done something wrong? I look up at her, but I see nothing evil in her eyes. She's being genuine, I can tell, but Serena didn't know Carter. She never took the time to even speak to him. Why was she thinking of him?
"Interesting," I mutter in a tone that is insinuating that she change the subject. Serena's smile falters and she understands. She blinks her eyes apologetically in my direction and I sigh.
Serena's just hopelessly oblivious. I wish I could be that way.
She does change the subject and begins complaining about some English paper, but I tune her out, because Nate has started talking with her and he's enough to occupy her. I scan the lunch room like I do every day, but on this day, I catch something unusual.
There's a boy sitting alone at a corner table, flipping through a history textbook. I've seen him before, but I can't remember where. He's too preoccupied with the book to look up and I can't examine his face.
"…Earth to Blair!" Serena's fingers are snapping between my eyes and I break out of my daze.
"What are you staring at?" She looks over her shoulder and searches for an odd sight, but finds none.
"Nothing," I say under my breath. "What were you saying?"
She smirks. "Nothing important." Nate snickers and I know I missed something, but I don't bother prodding either of them to find out what it is.
I turn around to glance at the boy one last time, but he's gone.
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The rest of the day was a blur, like school usually is. I just go through the motions. It works for me most days.
But today, I have to find a way to escape. I rush past Nate and Serena, avoiding their usual offer to hang out after school, and almost find my way out of the school gates, near freedom.
But fate decided to collide with me. Literally.
I crashed into someone I couldn't identify. His face was down as he helped me pick up my books, and I prepared my best fake smile, attempting to hide my annoyance.
"Thanks-" I start to go off into my usual diatribe, but my breath catches in my throat.
Murky green eyes. A shy, simple smile.
"Carter," I manage as I let out a gasp for breath.
Suddenly, I feel free.
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