Chapter 1
"74: A person of genius is intolerable if he does not possess at least two other things: gratitude and cleanliness."
Good morning Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here. Welcome to the 2008-9 academic year, here's hoping you all had juicy summer vacations, I've had it on good authority that most of you did, just check out the archives! Anyone thinking of getting a fake tan to boast time spent on the beach, don't bother, I'll see right through the orange tint. Anyone still hoping for a holiday romance, sorry honey, time's up. Don't be too disappointed, right next door are the offspring of the greatest combinations of wealth and beauty, you can't go wrong. Anyone who didn't party enough... well, what have you been doing with your time then? Besides, I wouldn't worry too much, school's about to start. No word yet on the first bash, but a party isn't a party until I say it is right here.
SPOTTED: S, have you completely abandoned the UES for Brooklyn and Lonely Boy? Can barely remember the last time you were spotted on home turf without him.
N in Central Park, trailed by a particularly pungent smoke and at least five different freshman girls. Sorry, sophomores now. Sounds familiar…
H, J, P, K and I in Bendels, again, repetitive. Yawn anyone? Got enough photos of you guys in there, find a new scene.
Now here's something to wake up about: ex-Queen B, arriving in style at JFK, tanned from her summer in France with her daddy and his lover boy. Looking good B, how we have missed you. Well, I certainly have anyway. Returning to royalty any time soon? I hope so.
Also seen returning, our very own beloved C. Business in Monaco over? Or did you run out of girls and booze in your secret life over there? If only we could have seen it for ourselves, C how could you leave me out of the loop? You've got a lot of making up to do for me C, I expect plenty of scandal from you this year, particularly as it's senior year…
To all new freshmen at Constance-Billiards and St Judes, let me introduce myself: I am your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite. On your first day, let me give you some advice: 1) learn who's boss and worship them at their feet, or you will undoubtedly spend the next four years in social hell. 2) If you see a certain brown-haired, brown-eyes, Burberry scarf-wearing boy with the smirk of the devil, try and keep your panties on, despite the temptation. 3) You're nobody until you're talked about, and the talking starts here.
Welcome to high school, my darlings, welcome to the best days of your life, and the worst. I'll be watching...
Now, who am I? That's a secret I'll never tell.
You know you love me
XOXO Gossip Girl
Blair Cornelia Waldorf was awake long before her alarm went off. She'd been staring out the window in silence, listening the faint sound of New York early morning traffic, watching the sun rise over the Upper East Side. She'd been hugging her tiny figure in her black Vera Wang chemise for about half an hour, having slept so poorly she'd eventually given up trying to get some rest. Her stomach grumbled every few minutes, reminding her how little food she'd kept down the evening before. Her mom had taken her out for dinner to celebrate her returning home, to some new Japanese restaurant in Manhattan, and though the food had been delicious - the fish fresh, the sushi seasoned perfectly, the soup light and tasty, with enough spice in the noodles - Blair hadn't been able to eat much more than a few bites of only a few select dishes. Not that her mom noticed much, she'd spent half the time on the phone to some client or other, and Blair had serenely watched the sushi chef prepare the food in front of her behind the conveyor belt, and eavesdropping on all the conversations around her, wishing her mom would stop talking about Milan, to the people on the phone and to her.
But no such luck. She wondered what else hadn't changed…
She'd spent the summer vacation with her father and Roman as planned, in her bedroom that she'd adored so much in the photos, tucked away in a beautiful, tranquil corner of France. She's spent her days lounging around in the sun, studying up for her senior year, her mind focused on Yale. After the disaster that was Junior year, she just wanted to keep her mind on building her life after high school. Away from New York, away from Gossip Girl, away from Nate, away from Chuck…
Somewhere where people wouldn't think of her second to everyone's favourite blonde.
Away in France she had escaped the incessant bitching that had turned on her. Being alerted every now and then by Gossip Girl on her phone, with more to see on her laptop, was infinitely better than physically being in the city, where the rumour mill meant at times she'd been unable to step foot outside of her own home without sparking all manner of controversy (an exaggeration maybe, but a not too big one). Chuck's last hand had had a lasting effect. She could so clearly remember the day she realised just how long it was likely to be, more precisely the moment she realised. And it wasn't in the Palace bar, walking away from cruel words laced with scotch, although it was certainly… illuminating. But that was before Serena encouraged her to fight back, and reluctantly she'd scrounged the energy of will to turn up to school after the weekend.
And then she realised that which she hadn't wanted to, and it killed her desire for revenge. From there, she cascaded into a whole lot of things she didn't want to know, but ended up accepting nonetheless. So she watched as Little J rose to the top, along with Hazel, the blonde girl Blair had always written off as an airhead, whilst Isabel and Kati kept their old positions, except with new allegiances. She watched the silent feud between the new leaders of the pack for dominance, and the let the crap she subsequently got from their frustration wash over her without touching her. She gave a single retort, early on, right in Hazel's face to stand for every time after:
"I'll give you a comeback when you give me something worth coming back at."
And then smirked as Hazel failed to snap back and stormed away. Amateur. After that she feigned boredom and forced her will to ignore them. Thankfully it worked every time.
Mostly Blair had Serena to thank for that, along with her own stubborn pride that still hung on. Serena made up for her disappearance and stayed true and firm as a rock for Blair, just like she'd promised. They even stopped fighting as much, Serena learnt to take Blair's crap more often, understanding that Blair wasn't angry with her, she just had no one else to throw her anger at. Blair always made it up to Serena somehow, even though it wasn't usually with the phrase 'I'm sorry'. Usually it involved telling Serena to take the night off from being a BFF and go be a BGFF to Cab-Humphrey. Another thing; after spending perhaps too much time with the pair of them, Blair had gotten used to Dan, even learnt to respect him a little. Thus, whenever Serena was down from Dan being insecure over something or other, Blair was the one to pick up her phone and tell Humphrey -not Cabbage Patch - to stop being an idiot. After all, God knows what his best friend was advising him to do. Perhaps it was because she used his actual name in that phone call that he took her seriously.
As much as she loved Serena for being there for her, she knew that she was becoming a root in Humphrey's insecurities, namely in how little time he then got to spend with his girlfriend. And Blair wasn't bitch enough to jeopardise one of the best things that her best friend had in her life, so she took up her father's offer to visit, giving the two lovebirds all the space they needed, and made sure Humphrey was grateful for it. His surprise at her good deed had been gratitude enough.
She had other methods of combating her loneliness.
As for Nate, and Chuck… well, Blair didn't want to think about them anymore that much. She'd thought about them enough. She'd only be repeating herself in her head, and she was dreading the first day back enough as it was. The most she could think freely was that going to France, and putting an entire ocean of space between herself and her past had done wonders to her perspective.
Though nothing for her self-esteem.
Again, too dark for the first day back.
When her alarm clock finally went off Blair extended a slender hand to turn it off, her eyes never moving away from the view of the rising sun. She then counted the seconds, a smile slowly growing.
She reached sixty and her cell-phone buzzed with a new message. She walked over to the bedside table and smiled.
Morning B! Rise and shine hun, breakfast and yours? Please please please xoxo S
Trust S and B to have synchronised alarm clocks.
Blair's smile deepened. Last night was the first in a while that Serena had spent alone at home, alone meaning without Dan or Blair. When school broke out for vacation Serena's mom finally moved the Van Der Woodsens out of the Palace Hotel and back to their now finished town house, and took the Basses with them, preparing for - what Serena called, and both Dan and Blair agreed with - matrimonial hell. That's the day when Serena officially got her own drawer for her spare clothes in Dan's room. It was also the day when Chuck booked his flight to Monaco for the next day. Again. He left New York even faster than Blair did…
Stop thinking about that, Blair berated herself. The point was Serena had been asked to stick around to welcome Chuck home last night. For the Van der-Basses' sake, Serena had grumbled on the phone later, once Blair got home from the restaurant.
Morning S, you know you don't need to ask xoxo B
She sent her reply and turned to a letter that had been lying next to her phone on the table. It was from the headmistress, Ms Queller, asking Blair to report to her office before the first bell on the first day. It was in response to Blair offering her services to the school, in order to win more favour for her Yale application, and the letter emphasised she wasn't in trouble, she was merely being taken up on her offer.
As if she didn't have enough on her plate.
When she came out of the shower, hair dripping, Serena was lounging on her bed on the phone, presumably to Humphrey. Blair smiled in welcome in her fluffy bathrobe, trying not to burst with glee. She hadn't seen Serena in weeks not since Serena had visited for a week or so, after having heard so much about how much Blair liked it there. Serena returned her smile with one of her own, and spoke into the phone again.
"Dan, I've gotta go. I'll see you at school, ok? Love you." Serena said, ending her call as Blair rolled her eyes as she always did, grinning. The moment Serena hung up the two girls squealed a each and Serena jumped off the bed to give the damp Blair a hug, not caring if she got wet in the process, the two spinning round on the spot in their hug.
"Oh B, I missed you!" Serena gushed, unchanged.
Blair grinned into Serena's shoulder. "Missed you too, S."
The two parted and giggled at each other. Like the school girls they actually were.
"Come one, get dressed et cetera and come down for breakfast and we can head out. I'll go say hi to your mom, don't take forever, ok?" Serena called over her shoulder as she headed to the door to give Blair some privacy.
Please Serena. This is Blair Waldorf we're talking about here. Throwing on whatever is a look that doesn't suit her.
Nonetheless, Blair was blow-dried, brushed, dressed, mascara-ed and scrutinized in the mirror with enough time to eat a couple of mouthfuls, push around the rest of her food around her plate, down some freshly squeezed orange juice for Vitamin C, gather her things and carefully apply lip-gloss before being dragged out the door to walk to school, ignoring the appreciative eyes that followed them.
"So, how was last night?" Blair asked, masochistically. Why, why, why did you have to ask?
"Ugh, oh it was great." Serena answered sarcastically. "Actually, it was worth it just to see the look on Chuck's face when he saw us at Arrivals." She giggled at the memory. The level of disbelief on Chuck Bass' face had been priceless, particularly when her mom gave him an awkward 'welcome home' hug, and then when his father patted him on the back even more awkwardly and said that he glad to have him back. The skeptical twitch in Chuck's eyebrow wasn't as funny though. "Dinner was awful though, it was so awkward. Never seen anyone so reluctant to come back home."
Blair gave a bitter smile. "He can join the club."
Serena stopped and put her hand on Blair's arm. The school entrance was just around the corner, not yet in sight.
"It'll be ok, B." Serena gave her a strengthening smile. "I promise."
Blair just stared at her, expressionless and un-readable, blank to the world and shut off behind her defenses that were already rearming themselves, defenses that never really switched off, and rarely breached. Then finally she smiled, that rare smile that, to anyone who knew her well, said that there was no way of telling whether it was genuine or not because ever she didn't know herself. It would have to be good enough though.
"Still with me, S?" Blair asked, hiding her nervousness.
Serena knew her better than that though. She nodded and smiled. "Still with you, B."
Thank God for being early. Dan was waiting for Serena by the gates, and all the other faces around looked new, freshmen, and didn't know who Blair, Serena or Dan were. Yet, anyway. Still, always nice to see a genuine welcoming smile first, before the fake ones or the bitchy sneers. Perhaps Blair would survive the day now. Regardless, she left Serena with Humphrey and headed inside to the headmistress' office. The secretary asked her to wait outside, gesturing to the seats next to the other girl who was waiting.
Keep you in the dark
You know they all pretend
Keep you in the dark
And so it all began…
Blair's head turned in surprise as the Foo Fighters upped the volume on the girl's iPod, MP3 player, whatever she was listening to. It wasn't that loud, but in the quiet waiting area it was still pretty audible. The girl herself didn't notice Blair's eyes on her: she had her eyes closed.
Send in your skeletons
Sing as their bones come marching in… again
They need you buried deep
The secrets that you keep are at the ready
Are you ready?
Frowning, Blair studied this new girl. Her legs, straightened out to support her slouching, sported black, almost knee-high, swede, wedge heeled boots with thin leather straps spiralling round to tighten them. They looked a couple of years old, but… still. A hint of black cotton socks on bare legs, and a navy, full pleated skirt that was just short enough to get away with it.
I'm finished making sense
Done pleading ignorance
That whole… defense
Spinning infinity; boy
The wheel is spinning me
It's never-ending, never-ending
Same old story…
Her plain, crisp, white shirt hugged what was probably a size ten figure and C cup cleavage. Her navy tie was tied up neatly around her neck in place, only the top button of her shirt undone for air, and the sleeves were three quarter length and folded back a bit at the elbow, emphasising the angle of her arms crossed over her impressive chest. One her left wrist was a simple, silver chain bracelet, adding an intriguing elegance.
What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say that I will never surrender?
Framing her soft, vaguely Japanese inherited features was the darkest brown hair that had clearly never been dyed before, yet was naturally sun-streaked, straightened and curling ever so slightly under her chin as it gradually stretched to her chest. One side, the side Blair could see, her hair was tucked behind her ear, the other side falling freely further forward across her face, deepening her profile. Her dark eyelashes needed no mascara, her lips needed no lipstick, in fact Blair could only spot concealer under her eyes and on her chin.
What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays
You're the pretender
What if I say that I will never surrender?
A new Constance-Billiard blazer hung over her lap, and the cord of her headphones trailed into a black Kangol across-the-body bag that sat casually next to her. Blair had never seen the girl before, yet she was too old to be a freshmen, she looked more like Blair's age. A transfer student maybe, but where from? And why did she look vaguely familiar?
Blair wondered if the familiarity came from her odd resemblance to Serena… in a limited sense. This girl hadn't shown up without a thought to her appearance, though the bare legs, lack of make-up and slouching screamed of Serena's chaotic beauty. But the tie, the straightened hair, the careful length of the skirt spoke more of… well, Blair herself.
Except the girl hadn't walked straight out of Saks.
Blair frowned to herself and turned away. The corner of her mouth curled upwards; she was still a snob, Blair thought, she hadn't left that behind in Junior year. So what if the girl wasn't wearing the wares of any fashion designer Blair Waldorf recognised? She still looked undeniably good. And she radiated something that neither Serena not Blair possessed, something Blair couldn't put her finger on…
"Miss Waldorf? Miss… err… Ka-ta-ya-ma-Argen?" The secretary ventured, hesitantly. The new girl's eyes flew open, revealing she hadn't really been asleep, and immediately focused on the secretary and nodded, smiling reassuringly as she took the headphones out of her ears and into her bag.
"Ms Queller will see you now." The secretary said, focusing on Blair. Blair smiled gratefully and went through the open door.
The office hadn't changed much since she was last in her, defending her ass after the incident in the pool. Shit, what was the guy's name, the one that hit his head and fell in… Blair let the sting of… whatever that unpleasant feeling was… bite her for a second and then let the thought pass.
That's not shame, is it B?
Ms Queller hadn't changed either. Still very formal, in a stylish, no nonsense, designer suit, and she still gave the impression of being a particularly cunning fox waiting for the right moment to pounce on its prey.
"Ah, Miss Waldorf, welcome back. Please, take a seat, thank you for coming early this morning." Ms Queller extended both arms to the two seats in front of her desk and sat down herself.
"Not at all." Blair said sweetly.
"Have you met Kei Katayama-Argen?"
Blair turned in her chair to face… Kei, was it? Her smile faltered when she saw Kei's eyes… they would have been Chuck's were it not for the green mixed in them. Suddenly it occurred to her how strange it was that she was noticing the little details first and adding them up into a large picture rather than vice versa. Perhaps it was those eyes… for all their softness, they seemed to catch up and engage you until they let you go. Eyes that saw a lot and was frank about it.
Peculiar…
"Kei, this is Blair Waldorf. Kei's just enrolled into the Senior year of Constance-Billiard from England, she'll be in your classes so I was hoping you wouldn't mind being a sort of… guide, for the first week or so. Just until Kei's settled in." The smile of Ms Queller's face told Blair this wasn't really a request. Blair smiled back and nodded. "Excellent! Blair here's one of our finest students, I'm sure the two of you will get on wonderfully." Blair blushed at the compliment and Kei gave her an impressed smile. "Now, you two had better head along to class before the warning bell. Welcome to Constance-Billiard, Kei, I hope you have a good year. Thank you Blair." She then effectively dismissed them by turning her full attention to her computer.
Outside, the two girls turned to face each other in silence. Blair caught a last glimpse of the look of pure amusement on Kei's face as she looked seemingly straight through the headmistress' door. Blair had to admit, it was a sloppy welcome. Then Kei met Blair's studying gaze and held it for a second before smiling amiably and extending her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Blair." To Blair's relief, Kei didn't have the accent Blair had been expecting. She'd been expecting something like Keira Knightley, so posh she must have come from Jane Austen's age, not today. Instead, Kei sounded… well, normal. 'Posh without being hilarious', Chuck had once said whilst they were having a movie night and commenting on the best British accents… oh crap.
Kei frowned slightly as Blair twitched her head as if to shake her thoughts out of her mind. She hadn't even seen the guy yet… and she was going round in circles. God what must Kei think of… oh.
She met Kei's gaze and let out a quiet laugh. She then took Kei's hand and shook it like a normal person.
"And you, Kei."
Don't worry, New Girl, she'd just losing her marbles, that's all.
XOXO
In a matter of hours, having Kei follow her around all day proved to be one of the most useful assignments she'd ever been given. Firstly, Kei didn't talk much. She seemed to speak with looks and smiles and studied gazes, taking everything around her into those hypnotising eyes. She paid attention in class, kept up with everything, and didn't both Blair one bit. It was great. That, and everyone was keeping their distance. Outside class Blair had seen Hazel, Jenny, Penny and co staring at Kei, their hawk-like view evaluative and their whispers not quiet enough to avoid being overheard.
"Who's the new girl?"
"What's she doing with Blair?"
The best one Blair heard was this: "Do you think she's… y'know… good enough?"
Come on. They actually had to discuss it amongst themselves? When Blair reigned it was her say and that was final. You rose and fell at her command, not the ruling of a committee. Nevertheless, they kept their distance due to that uncertainty, and because it was Blair. After all, who knew how much influence ex-Queen B had over NG (Gossip Girl's unoriginal initials for Kei, to Kei's vague amusement. What seemed more funny to her was that whilst Gossip Girl had managed to get her cell-phone number when she/he didn't even know her name). So, Blair had had an entirely stress-free morning.
Morning. Not day.
It seemed that Hazel, with many a glare and toss of her blonde hair, got the committee to rule in her favour. This new girl had spent only a few hours in Constance-Billiard and had more appreciative glances from the St Judes boys than Hazel had in months, despite being seemingly oblivious. About time Hazel learnt that all important lesson in bitching: keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer. Competition is always listed under enemy. Her temper was boiling high today: Jenny had turned up to school on the bus side-by-side with Nate Archibald, the ex-Queen B's ex-boyfriend, and smiles on both their faces. When they walked past her, neither had noticed. The nerve! This morning's Gossip Girl update hadn't been very complimentary either, she couldn't believe that Gossip Girl was cheering Blair on when it was she who had caused Blair's downfall. What the hell! Penny wouldn't shut up about how Chuck didn't notice her either in the corridor, and comparing that with Hazel being ignored by Nate.
"He did not ignore me." She'd hissed, trying not to snap.
"What do you think it means, though? I mean, Chuck and Nate are, like, the Kings of the Upper East Side if Blair and Serena were the Queens."
"Penny?" Hazel had glared at her. "Shut. Up."
Not only all that, but she'd almost failed a history essay, and her mom would kill her if she found out she wasn't concentrating on her studies. Still, finally the opportunity came to vent…
Blair had been putting her books insider her locker and get her lunch out when she noticed a shadows close in around her. Unshaken, she turned and rallied her defenses. Oh joy, Hazel had perfected her own bitch smile over the vacation, and she was joined by Penny and a couple of other sophomores that Blair didn't know by name. At the back, Isabel and Kati tried to balance their wish to go and their pull to stay.
"Hi, B." Hazel chirruped, sickly sweet. "We were wondering where your new protégé is. Haven't corrupted her mind already, have you?" Hazel smirked. "What do you reckon, girls? Think we'll find her behind the St Judes bike sheds? Or possibly the restroom, wasn't that a favourite haunt of yours last year?" She giggled cruelly, quickly followed by the rest of the group. Blair noticed, mildly gratefully, that Isabel and Kati didn't make a sound, merely looked down at their matching Jimmy Choos. "I wonder who you'll recommend her to, and to her… Nate or Chuck?" She grinned as she saw Blair involuntarily tense up at their names, her eyes turning ice cold. "I mean, Chuck won't say no to first dips, but Nate would be so much more of a challenge, a bit cleaner too I imagine."
What the f - Blair's fists clenched in anger, but before she could put an end to her silent front, the locker door next to her slammed shut, and the first thing she saw were a pair of cold, hazel eyes. Eyes that fuelled the smile that grew over Kei's face within seconds as she spied her prey.
"You must be Hazel, right?" Kei said, all charm. Hazel almost took a step back, she looked so taken-aback for a moment. She recovered quickly, twisting her face to match Kei's without looking caught out. "I'm Kei, the 'New Girl'. How d'you do. Can I ask you something?" Kei ploughed on, ignoring the worried looks on Hazel's friends. Whilst Hazel tried desperately to hide her uncertainty, Blair watched, fascinated and unfazed, waiting.
She was not disappointed.
"I'm new here to New York, and I don't know much about NYC fashion, but… is it, like, a thing, to wear your lipstick smudged over your face like that?"
The silence was deafening, as though her last few words were still echoing through the hallway. Everyone's eyes darted to Hazel's reaction, and to check for themselves.
"God, I'm so out of the loop, not knowing a thing like that. It's sort of all round here," Kei said, pointing around her own unpainted, unmarked lips to demonstrate. "How'd you get it like that? You haven't been sporting it for long, I noticed, I mean, your make-up was fine during history, it was just after you went back to see the tutor about that essay you did. I didn't realise that the teaching staff, as well as giving academic advise, gave tips on things as trivial as appearances."
Kei let the last word drag ever so slightly, pronouncing every syllable with extra care, making the word hang over the group. Instead of smirking however she just stared openly at Hazel, quietly daring her to conjure a comeback to top that. Hazel gawped at her like a stunned fish, all the colour gone from her face. Blair fancied she saw a light hint of green in there. Finally she pulled herself together, turning lobster red in embarrassment and fury.
"Bitch." She spat at Kei before flouncing off down the corridor, quickly followed by her astounded groupies. Kati and Isabel took their time: they were already on their phones.
Kei smiled and turned to face Blair, held up a bento box and asked her first proper question:
"Want to go find somewhere quiet to eat lunch?"
"156: Madness is rare in individuals - but in groups, political parties, nations, epochs, it is the rule."
Hey people. This is my second fan fiction on this site, and my first for Gossip Girl. It mean a great deal to me if people reviewed this and told me what they think of it. I know that Blair has taken quite a departure from where the show left off, so I ask you all to bear in mind that this a good few months later, and that things would have drastically changed for some characters. Also I'd love to know what you think of Kei so far: little too far? Would love some constructive and long-winded comments, and some good hard honesty is always appreciated. Also if anyone likes Heroes, that's what my first fanfiction's for, based around Sylar. No one's reviewed in a while so I've ceased posting for the time being until someone shows enough interest, I have trouble writing otherwise.
By the way, I'm English, I have never stepped foot on American shores, so if I've messed up somewhere, with language or general things, please tell me for at least future reference. Not sure what will happen exactly in chapter 2, likely to be considerably shorter or it'll take a while to properly formulate in my head.
All quotes that begin and end the chapters, unless specifically stated otherwise, come from Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, specifically from the Epigrams and Interludes, translated by Marion Faber, I use them only as references, I do not have any claim of Nietzsche's work.
I have no idea who originally came up with the 'keep your friends close and your enemies even closer', but I at least acknowledge that it doesn't belong to me lol.
The song lyrics in this chapter are from The Pretender by the Foo Fighters, which I have NO rights over.
I have no rights to any of the characters with the exception of my own characters. They're mine, hands off please.
Many thanks to Gleechild for replying to my messages and for your encouragement. I doubt I'd have the guts to do this otherwise.
Noticed this as I was editing: I'm using spellings recognised by my laptop on Microsoft Word Processor using the English dictionary for the United Kingdom, so I'm sorry if it looks like I can't spell.
Didn't sleep last night because I was writing for this, hope it was worth it. Argh so nervous lol. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to get all the way through this lol, hope you're all well, take care all xxx