As she began to stir from her sleep, Blair turns around to face the clock. 7:13. Damn it. Not again! Blair thinks to herself as she shoots up from her bed. She has overslept once again, and only has seventeen minutes to get to the bus stop that will take her to school. If she misses this bus she will definitely be late for class, and she can't afford that. It is quite a commute from her family's loft in Brooklyn to Constance. Running around her room, Blair finds the remains of her uniform that she had thrown around the night before. Pulling her hair back with the first headband she finds and throwing on a pair of plain black flats, Blair runs out of her room. She is greeted with a silent apartment, with only the sound of the bustling city to wake her up. Grabbing an apple, Blair runs out of the apartment, and walks the few blocks to get to the bus stop. It is a beautiful, crisp fall morning. While strolling around the corner, Blair sees that the bus is already there and sprints forward to meet it.
"Good morning, son!" is the welcome that Dan receives as he joins his parents at the table for breakfast. His mom tries to make an effort to have the family eat one meal together a day, and because of everyone's busy schedules, breakfast is usually the only time that works. Dan scans the table. He sees a wide variety of different foods that he can choose from, depending on what he is in the mood for. He also sees that his sister is still not downstairs yet. Looking to his father, Dan mumbles a response groggily.
"Make sure you talk to your philosophy teacher about that grade you received on that test last week. If you can't get through to him I may have to make a call about it," Rufus tells his son.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it today," Dan tells his him.
"Rufus, let's discuss that later. It's too early for conversations like that," his mother says.
Jenny then runs down the stairs. "Dan! We're going to be late! Come on; let's go down to the car now!" She grabs a bagel off the table and runs out the front door.
Dan stands and turns to grab his book bag. When he turns around, his dad is right behind him. Rufus takes Dan's tie in his hands and tightens it. "Remember, son, your future is in your hands. That's why it is imperative for you to talk to your teacher about that grade. If you can't get it up, then you can kiss your dream of going to Dartmouth goodbye."
Dan nods and steps away. His parents are always on him for something. They're pretty intense about matters concerning school. Rufus is a very successful music producer, and he used to be in a band. His mom is a famous artist with galleries all around New York City. With success in just the name of Humphrey, Dan is constantly feeling pressure about his grades and college.
Walking outside, Dan is greeted by the cool, fall air. He steps into the car, where Jenny is waiting for him, and they take off towards school. Jenny spends most of the ride chatting about insignificant things, such as the parties that are happening that weekend or some designer's new fall fashion line. He learned early in his life that sometimes it is just easier to tune her out and nod at the appropriate times.
When they arrive, Jenny immediately leaps up to join her friends that are waiting outside for her. Dan watches her walk into school surrounded by her group, who all seem to look the same to him. He will never understand what she sees in them because they all act like spoiled brats. Dan's family may have money, but he is anything but spoiled.
Dan walks across the street to grab his morning coffee. When he returns, Dan hears his name being called, and turns to find his friend Nate running towards him. Nate is his best friend and is the only person he has confided in about his family. He is the only one who understands how difficult family matters can be, probably because can identify with it. They smile at each other, and Nate claps his back. "Man! I didn't hear from you last night. How did your parents react to that grade?"
Dan takes a sip of coffee and responds nonchalantly, "Oh, you know, just the usual. 'I'm going to be a failure, a disappointment to the Humphrey name,' just the usual. I have to go talk to him before class starts, so I'm going to head in there now. I'll just meet you there?"
"Yeah that works. I see Chuck over there, and I've wanted to talk to him about this weekend anyways," Nate responds.
Dan winces. "God, I will never understand your friendship. He is a complete asshole to everyone, and a shitty friend to you."
Nate turns around and laughs back at him. They've had this argument several times before, and they never seem to get anywhere with it. Dan just shakes his head and goes to walk inside.
Without looking, Dan begins to walk up the stairs, only to find his feet fall out from underneath him. His coffee falls out of his hands as he tries to brace his fall. His hands catch himself from completely falling. All he can comprehend is an "oof" that he hears underneath him. Dan immediately springs up and looks down to see a very angry brunette with coffee all over her books and clothes.
You have got to be kidding me.
"Watch where you're going, jerk!" Blair shrieks.
Blair had been relaxing outside on the steps with her book, waiting for her best friend to arrive. All she had wanted was some peace and quiet before her class began. Now, she has to deal with Dan Humphrey. Ugh, she was not anticipating this. Although they haven't talked in years, she knows him. Everybody knows Dan Humphrey. He is cute, smart, and his family is very wealthy. The girls at school talk about him all the time, so she knows more about him than she would like to. Blair stands up and turns to look at him.
"I am so sorry, I was not looking at where I was going…" Dan begins to respond.
Blair immediately interrupts, "No shit, Sherlock. God, now I have to wear this coffee-stained shirt all day. Thanks for that. And this book! I just got it yesterday! Wow, this day could not get any better."
"Listen, I really am sorry. It was an honest mistake. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Blair sighs. "No, it's fine. I've just had a crappy start to the day. I'll just head to class now, thanks for everything."
She begins to walk away, when Dan suddenly reaches out to grab her arm.
"You look really familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" he asks her.
Blair laughs sarcastically and rolls her eyes. "No, we've just gone to school together for the past four years. I'll just go now."
She grabs her books and walks up the rest of the stairs, leaving a very puzzled Dan in her wake.
A/N: Hey guys! So this is my first time writing fanfiction, so please review and let me know what you think! Constructive criticism is more than welcome!
