Welcome back Upper East Siders.
As you may know, the end of the summer has always held a special place in my heart. Another year brings new books, new clothes, and new drama. Though last year's troubles may have been forgiven and forgotten during time spent apart, tensions are certain to resurface among our favorite socialites once they are sharing the same city once again. After all, in the Upper East Side, there is no such thing as a clean slate.
Let's recap the gossip, shall we?
After her dramatic break up with Wesley Morgan at the end of the school year, Laurel Sinclair has been flying solo this summer. But as summer draws to a close, the Princess of Manhattan must return to face the city without her prince. One question lingers in all of our minds: how will school carry on without its alpha couple?
The Holbrooks and the Fairfields spent most of the break at their summer homes in the Hamptons. Rumor has it; Teddy spent his entire summer following Paige around like a puppy. It's not much of a rumor really, considering most of us could have guessed that on our own. You'd think, after eight years of rejection, poor Teddy might take a hint and move on. All I can say, is it must have been painful to watch your true love make out with other guys for two months, in a bikini, no less. You can look, T, but you can't touch.
And of course, Henry Bass has been hitting it off with the ladies of Cabo this summer, though he didn't stick with any one of them for long. While his friends worry about their failed romantic escapades, leave it to the king of the three-day-girlfriend to spend the warm months getting friendly with foreign women. It's comforting to know that some things never change.
But as always, I've saved the best info for last. An inside source tells me a new family has relocated from California to the Upper East Side. Delia Beaumont, a wealthy socialite who's made marriage her hobby, has moved across the country for a "new beginning" after her most recent divorce, bringing her two children in tow. Declan and Sloane will be soon be attending St. Jude's and Constance, respectively, as juniors alongside Henry, Laurel, and the rest of the group. It's impossible to tell how the twins will fit in among our favorite Manhattanites, but no matter what happens, this is bound to be interesting.
It's clear that a year filled with secrets, lies, and scandal awaits us, and I promise to keep you updated on all of the juiciest and dirtiest details. Get ready, New Yorkers, because class is back in session. You know you love me. XOXO Gossip Girl.
"King of the three-day-girlfriend," Wes commented, handing Henry his phone back. "That's a new one."
"I like it," Henry replied. "It has a nice ring to it, don't you think? It's better than 'Baby Bass' anyways. I hate that."
"Oh c'mon; your parents are Gossip Girl legends," Wes argued. "Your mom and dad were, like, the main focus of the original blog; it only makes sense the she'd pay a tribute."
"I know that; I've read Classic Gossip Girl, and I do not want to think about my parents doing any of that stuff. I mean, they're my parents. It's just gross." Henry shuddered. "But anyways, I get that they were pretty exciting back in the day, but is it really necessary to say I'm related to 'the famous Chuck and Blair' in every other post?"
"But… you are related," Wes said.
Henry rolled his eyes. "A fine point, Wesley. I realize that my parents are, in fact, my parents, but I don't think that's my defining quality. There's been what, three Gossip Girls since Mom and Dad were newsworthy? I can't be taken seriously if all people see when they look at me is the son of powerful and influential people. Ideally, I'd like to be seen as powerful and successful myself, but at least I'd like to lose 'Baby Bass'. I'm not a child."
Wes looked out his window. "Well, simply considering that we've just pulled up to a high school, where you will be a student for another two years, I'd say that you are, by most standards, considered to be a child."
"Someone's feeling contrary," Henry said, pulling open the car door.
Wes followed Henry up the steps that led to the conjoined campuses of St. Jude's School for Boys and Constance Billard School for Girls. Wes was not thrilled about the beginning of the school year; he'd quite enjoyed the summer he'd spent holed up in his apartment and was not looking forward to nine long months of learning and homework and social politics. There was one thing in particular he dreaded the most; something he'd been dreading all summer. Henry noticed Wes glancing nervously over his shoulder and smirked. "What's the matter; are you afraid to see Laurel?"
"Of course I'm afraid of her," Wes agreed. "She's terrifying. Last time I saw her she threw a potted plant at my head."
"You did dump her." Henry pointed out. "Without warning. At her birthday party. In front of her friends and family. I may not be a relationship expert, but even I can tell that was a dick move."
Wes shifted uncomfortably. "I know I should have let her down easier, but it just… wasn't working, I guess. I don't know."
"See this is why I don't do long term relationships," Henry said. "It's too complicated. Hey; at least now that you're single I can take you to strip clubs and you won't get all uncomfortable."
"Um, hooray, I guess," Wes said.
"Oh my god, I am going to kill him."
"You're not going to kill anyone."
"No seriously, I'm going to stab that son of a bitch."
"Killing people is wrong, and you don't have time to worry about a murder charge." Paige patted her best friend on the arm. "Besides, we decided not to waste any of your thoughts and emotions on Wes. He's just a boy."
Laurel pouted. "But he dumped me."
"That was months ago," Paige reminded her. "I'm not saying you should have gotten all the way over it, but you need to focus on moving forward. On a similar note, Wes has been your friend since kindergarten. Do you think, maybe, you might consider forgiving him? You know it was really out of character for him to break up with you like that."
"You mean, you think I can get him back?" Laurel said, perking up.
"That's not even close to what I'm saying," Paige said. "I think I'd prefer if you killed him. No; you definitely should not get back together, ever, but I think you guys should try to be friends. You maintained friendship successfully for eight of the ten years you've know the kid, and I think you could go back to that place."
"This is probably your dream come true," Laurel grumbled. "You never liked us together anyways."
"I didn't," Paige agreed. "As I've told you many times, it was a really weird relationship. As cheesy as it sounds, there was no chemistry. At all. I mean, you guys liked each other, but you didn't seem to love each other. I've known you guys for a long time and I love you both dearly, but you and Wes are definitely better off as friends."
Laurel groaned in protest.
If anything, Laurel Sinclair was an idealist. She always expected things to work out on their own, and got easily upset when they didn't. Even when they were little, she'd been a dreamer; the petite, golden haired princess of her own personal fairy tale. With her sunny outlook and a heart the size of her head, Laurel tended to see the world as what she wanted it to be, rather than what it was; and that's why she needed Paige to look out for her. With her tall, slim figure and reddish hair, Paige had always been the sensible one, the level headed one. She was everything Laurel was not.
Laurel was outgoing. Paige was reserved.
Laurel was always in a hurry. Paige was neat and organized.
Laurel had her head in the clouds. Paige had her feet on the ground.
It shouldn't have worked, but somehow, they made a good team. If they hadn't become friends, it was likely they'd both be outsiders. Laurel was charming and sweet, but too spacey; and Paige understood the workings of people, but was too cautious to have navigated the school's social hierarchy by herself. Separate, they would have been lost, but together, they were unstoppable.
"Well I wish he didn't look so good, then." Laurel sighed. Paige turned to see Henry Bass climbing the stairs behind her and Wes Morgan trailing behind him. Henry looked like he always did: dark hair, strong jawline, cocky grin, and a perfectly pressed uniform. He looked a little bit tanner, but otherwise no change there. Wes, on the other hand, seemed to have gotten even taller over the summer and looked more mature. He'd grown in to himself; even his tousled blonde hair seemed to suit him better. Even though Paige would never ever consider dating him (the girl-code prohibited it, and she was also just… not attracted to him), she had to admit he looked great. Paige thought it was incredibly impolite to Laurel that he got hotter since they broke up.
Suddenly, Wes's face drained of all color; apparently he'd seen Laurel. It occurred to Paige that he'd probably been dreading the first day of school as much as Laurel had. They watched as Wes slowly made his way over to where the girls were standing. He looked like was going to pass out. "Um… hello. H-how was your summer?"
Laurel flipped her blonde curls over her shoulder. "Oh you know, just trying to pick up the pieces of my broken heart."
"Oh, right." Wes glanced around like he was ready to bolt. "Um, I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything."
"Well you fucked that up," Paige told him.
"I know I did. I didn't mean to be a jerk, I swear," Wes stammered. "I just didn't know how I was supposed to break up with you, and so I just said it, but I guess I did it wrong. I just… I'm sorry."
"Whatever," Laurel replied. She grabbed Paige by the hand. "C'mon Paige, we have better places to be."
"I'm sorry," Wes repeated, but they were already gone.
Spotted: conflict between the two ex-lovers. Nothing serious so far, but we all know friction is the first step to starting a fire. Let's just hope Golden Boy doesn't go up in flames. Oh Wes, apology not accepted.