A/N: Hey there!
First, it's important that you know I started writing this when I was very inexperienced and it takes several chapters to get to the good stuff. My writing is like wine, the older the better and I won't blame you if you think characters are bit ooc. I focused on character growth and you can see later the shift between Chuck and Blair.
To summarize, Blair is poor, eager to save herself and parents by education, as she was raised in conservative over-protective, patriarchal environment. She goes to elite private university surrounded with rich people, drawing attention from Chuck, favorite playboy, also commonly known as Prince of Darkness because night life has his name tattooed on it's ass. Chuck thinks she is something that she is actually not. Blair is leading a double life and it just might cost her most precious things, maybe even love.
Chapter One
All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter
She was sitting in a boudoir.
A whole room just for make-up and pampering yourself. Was it for Sunday brunch at Plaza with your best friends? Or for a romantic evening in one of the fancy restaurants? Everything was carefully placed on large carved Victorian table with a marble surface; various expensive perfumes, La Praire 200$ foundation, make-up brushes of finest hair and every other magical item a girl could wish for.
Blair picked up a bottle of golden liquid, labeled Chanel no. 5. Of all Mrs. Spark's aroma collection, this was by far her favorite. She took a sneaky peek at her mother. Blair saw her through cracked door, fluffing the pillows in the bedroom. She gingerly opened the bottle and pressed few drops on her neck.
It smelled like a dream. A vivid exciting dream, full of life and extravagance. She deeply inhaled, closing her eyes, letting herself be carried away by the luring scent. But as soon as she opened them, the dream evaporated and she was left with a cruel reality. Blair pressed her lips in mute frustration at her reflection in the mirror.
How off did she look in this room. Whole apartment was bathed in luxury, with white drapes, white printed walls and pristine furniture with even more pristine ornaments. A vase of hydrangeas sat on nearby coffee table, it's colors and beauty highly contrasting Blair's clothes.
She was dressed in plainest clothes there were on Manhattan. Boring white shirt and boring jeans with awfully boring shoes. To add insult on everything, they were someone else's old rejected clothes. Her mother walked in just as Blair moved away to the floor length window with an impressive view.
It was Saturday morning and Central Park looked spectacular.
''You've been touching Mrs. Spark's fancy stuff again?'' Mother observed, sniffing the trace of perfume in the air. ''Is this about tomorrow? Are you nervous?''
Her mother set the mop aside, worry creasing her forehead. She wasn't Blair's mother. Though if anyone asked Blair, there would be no doubt about it. Mrs Smith was a gentle, but strong woman who was unable to have children of her own. Against her husband's wishes she adopted not only Blair, but hot-tempered Dan as well because she thought one precious wasn't enough.
''I'm not nervous,'' Blair replied confidently, feigning courage for her heart went in a flurry at the thought of tomorrow and what was about to come. Her whole future was at stake.
''If you say so,'' Jane hummed, grabbing the mop and cleaning the nearby shelf. ''That's a nice view. It's nice to look down at the world.''
Blair sharply turned to her mother, but Jane's face was hidden as she seemed to be bent on scrubbing a spot. She wondered at her mother's subtle jab at the snobism. Blair's thoughts darkened and they lingered on little basement they had, their only view of other people's feet and street trash. ''It's refreshing to see the sky and trees. Nothing is gray here. Don't you agree, Mother?''
Jane's seemed to put some more vigor in scrubbing of the invisible stain. She did not look up as she spoke. ''You don't need this. You don't need make up or expensive clothes to be beautiful. You already are.''
Blair scoffed. Of'course, Mother always tried hard to downplay how poor they are. As if Blair wasn't aware they were at the bottom of the food chain. She took a step back and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was pale, not tan like other girl's when they returned from Ibiza or St. Barts. She barely afford to go out in the sunlight with all this work, let alone buy a good bronzer or trip to solarium. Her hair was completely ordinary; brown with slight bouncy curls, long overdue for good trimming.
There was nothing in there to recommend her.
She could feel familiar anger and resentment start to boil when a doorbell interrupted them.
Suddenly, Blair's entire demeanor changed and she perked up. ''They are here.''
Her mother rolled her eyes and quickly got up to collect her cleaning products. She muttered something under her breath and set the perfume back on it's place.
Blair ran to the door and opened it wide. On the other side was her childhood friend, fatigued with journey and most probably annoyed with her step-mother, who was heard behind yelling at phone in her hands.
''Georgina!'' Blair squealed, enveloping her arms around irritated friend. ''You're here!''
Finally, she was back from family vacation in Europe. Blair was dangerously close to dying out of boredom without her only friend. If she had to watch another Mexican soap opera with Mother, Blair would have killed herself.
Georgina walked past, huffing about jet-lag. She airily greeted Jane and started complaining about horrible service in Rome.
Her step-mother, Diana, followed behind with a scowl on her face. ''Are you done?''
''Yes,'' Jane answered, grabbing Blair's elbow to lead her away.
''No,'' Diana interrupted lazily while typing away on her phone, ''Let her stay. I need help with unpacking.''
Jane's lip thinned at the nature of a request. The woman didn't even bother to ask permission, let alone politely.
Unlike Blair, Jane detested the whole Sparks family, seeing through their masquerade of charity. They may be acting all Samaritan with giving Georgina's old and outdated clothes to Blair, but Jane knew better. They were proud, patronizing snobs and she'd be damn if she let them use her daughter. Jane had other plans for Blair. It included no cleaning whatsoever.
In Jane's opinion, Blair was too smart and beautiful to end up like her. She recognized well Blair's fiery ambition and a potential. She didn't laugh it off or tried to stomp on it. No, Jane set big plans for her little girl. Smile plastered on, she lied, ''Sorry, I actually need her home.''
''Oh, but Jane,'' Georgina wailed from her bedroom. ''I have to show Blair all the stuff I bought! We need to catch up! Come here, B!''
''Mom, please,'' Her daughter begged, making a pout face she knew it was her weakness. Blair herself couldn't wait to hear everything about Europe. She would rather be fawning over pictures and new clothes than go home and clean, or whatever dusty and smelly thing Mother wanted her to do.
Jane reluctantly nodded and in that moment entered Dan, struggling to carry three suitcases. He glared around, looking for a place to set them and Diana boredly waved towards living room. His mother helped him on as Blair scurried away into Georgina's bedroom.
She helped her unpack, admiring all the beautiful fabrics and jewelry, listening to every perfect detail of the vacation. Soon after Diana walked in and commented in disdain, ''Georgina darling, your closet is full.''
''Well, yeah,'' her step-daughter snapped. ''If I got closet room like I wanted, this wouldn't be an issue now.''
''Take this,'' Diana seized random majority of clothes in it and flung it on the bed, ignoring the reply. ''And throw it away. This is for you, Blair. I've got you a little something in Rome.''
In lap of shocked Blair fell a necklace in plastic bag. She gasped, not having time to thank her since Diana left immediately. It was charming looking, with green beads on tiny silver chain.
Before vacation, Blair talked to Sparks family about her desire to travel and explore new cities, especially mentioning Rome. She half-hoped they would invite her along, counting on their long-termed friendship. Maybe they didn't invite her, but this necklace seemed like an good comfort gift. She quickly put it on, fingering the shiny beads.
''I can't stand her,'' Georgina seethed as they were left alone. ''She always buys me things she knows I wouldn't wear.''
Blair eyed the pile of colorful robes on the bed enviously. They were beautiful. She probably couldn't even afford a pin in shops like these. Georgina noticed her interest. ''If you like any, you can just take it. It would end up in trash anyway.''
''Don't mind if I do,'' Blair purred, trying to hide the wave of glee that took over her. ''So, are you ready for tomorrow?''
''Of'course I am,'' Georgina said haughtily, sinking in her chair as Blair set newly-bought dresses on a rack. ''I'm definitely in. Father will be so proud. Constance Billard, here I come. ''
Tomorrow was the day results of college applications arrived. They both applied to famous private university, Constance Billard. It was known for almost flawless class program and secure high-paid job after graduation. Whole Manhattan elite attended and only top students.
Blair was aiming for scholarship. She grew up with a book by her side, a thirst for knowledge and simmering fire in her that sometimes didn't let her sleep at night. There were visions in her head that the rest of the family could barely comprehend. Her father was a concierge and her mother private cleaner, they were both ignorant when it came to education. Blair was aware of the bars around her life, and also determined to break them.
''Oh, you're applying too, right?'' Georgina asked, a hint of a mocking smile on her lips. ''I'd say good luck, but you'll need more than that. Try not to drench my laptop in your tears tomorrow.''
''We'll see,'' Blair clipped, put off by her friend's patronizing attitude. They were both well aware of their social differences, but Georgina was here to remind her if she ever forgot. Once again, Blair felt the weight of the food chein pressing on her.
''My dad hired only the best tutors there are on East Coast. I've been trained by first-grade doctors, advised by first-grade lawyers and tutored by first-grade engineers. Sorry to say, but it's what it takes. Boy, he will go crazy when he hears I got in. I'm gonna make him proud. Too bad he had to stay in Europe...'' And on did Georgina rant, focusing especially on disgust towards Diana.
Blair had been patiently waiting by the telephone since 8 am, anticipating the moment she'll be summoned upstairs to Sparks floor. Her family didn't own a computer or believe in Internet, so she had to use Georgina's.
It was slightly later than she usually woke, but it was Sunday. Her parents let her sleep in on Sunday. Mother cleaned the little flat they had, trying to get her to eat something. She was too nervous, but gratefully accepted cup of tea. Finally, around 11 am, phone rang. On the other line, sleepy voice of Georgina bid her to come upstairs.
''Good morning.''
''Shh,'' her friend opened the doors, her hair a tangled mess and her Victoria Secret silken robe stained with coffee. ''Diana is asleep. Let's go to my room.''
Georgina yawned and dragged herself over to her bed, lighting a cigarette. Blair noticed she still had yesterday's make-up on. Her friend started to moan about the gelato and poor quality they have in the States.
''How about we check the site?'' Blair asked impatiently, her hands trembling. She couldn't focus on the conversation when all she could think about were the results. ''Either that or I'll have to steal Diana's supply of Xanax.''
''God,'' Georgina rolled her eyes. ''How can you feel anything this early in the morning?''
''It's almost noon.''
They turned on the computer. Blair suddenly felt hot and the next moment cold and then hot again. Her heart seemed to move to her throat. Georgina typed in needed information and they waited a moment for it to load. That moment felt like eternity.
''Oh, my god!'' Blair threw her hands in the air, feeling her whole body spark with electric elation.''I'm in!''
She squealed and jumped in glee, hugging her friend and knocking her down on the bed. They laughed together, not bothering to keep their voices down. Suddenly, Diana stormed into the room, narrowing puffy eyes and securing her robe.
''What's all this noise?''
''Blair got into Constance!''
Diana's face was more disbelieving than impressed. Her congratulations were stiff and strained. ''What about you, Georgie?''
Georgie was now hopeful. Her eyes shone brightly, not doubting her acceptance. She typed away and after few moments her face fell.
''Georgina?'' Blair lightly touched her shoulder.
''I didn't get in.'' Her face was still impassive, staring blankly at the screen. Georgina kept repeating that sentence over and over again. Blair got the urge to comfort her, but Diana's sharp words interrupted her.
''Blair, I'm sure your family is waiting downstairs to hear happy news. Goodbye.''
Being sent away stung. Reluctant to leave in this fashion, Blair nodded understandingly and walked away. She closed the doors of the room behind, and walked through the marble hall. In midway, she heard frantic voice of Diana.
''HOW COULD YOU NOT GET IN? AFTER ALL THE EFFORT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH, AFTER BEST HELP IN NEW YORK, AFTER SPENDING SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY''
''AND CONCIERGE'S DAUGHTER GETS IN. IMAGINE THAT ABSURDITY, ILLITERATE JANITOR'S DAUGHTER GOT IN AND YOU DIDN'T. DO YOU NOT SEE HOW EMBARRASSING THAT IS?''
Blair didn't realize her eyes were brimming with tears. She quickly walked out of the apartment and went home straight into her room. The living room was full of family, eagerly waiting for big news. Dan laughed at her tears, obviously thinking she didn't get in Constance Billard.
She ran through the questions and gasps at her tears, flinging herself on tiny bed and punching the pillow with tiny fists. Someone knocked and entered. She sobbed so hard she couldn't talk. It was her mother. Knowing well her daughter, Jane didn't press the matter but rather let Blair's temper subside.
''Pumpkin,'' she said gently, setting down a stack of worn magazines. ''I've brought you magazines from Shapiro apartment. You know they always cheer you up.''
Blair suddenly straightened her back and shot a glare towards her mother, shouting with a voice that carried across faraway mountains, ''I'm not janitor's daughter! I'm not cleaner's daughter! I'm me! I'm Blair! I'm Blair!''
She angrily wiped her eyes with back of hand and they caught attention of one of the teen magazines. It was dated to this month with picture of the necklace Diana gave her and sign under: This issue's free gift!
A free gift? From a magazine?
She was angry, frustrated and ashamed. It was stupid of her to think Sparks as her friends - or even worse, as part of her family. What a moron she was, they would never think of her as anything but janitor's daughter. Those thoughts only triggered more hot tears. Blair gave a hard pull to necklace, ignoring the pain in the back of her neck. It broke into pieces, beads falling on her floor among all broken toys Georgina didn't want.