"Can I help you, miss?"
"I'm fine, I'm just wandering," Blair replied airily. "This is my hometown," she said quietly, to herself more than anyone else. She had been wandering the streets of Manhattan all day, thankfully she wore flats today. On her first day back in town, she could think of no better way to spend the sunny day than to get lost and wander. She was staring into Central Park from the 72nd Street entrance. She was completely unaware of the stares she was receiving herself, people wondering what this gorgeous girl was looking at. It felt good, to be lost in a sea of New Yorkers. She missed this place; she missed the park. It was the place of calm and tranquility amidst the turbulent waves of the city.
She entered the park and immediately got lost. She found a nice flat rock and lay out across it, basking in the sun's final rays in her BCBG white cotton dress. New York in the summer was truly remarkable. Normally, it wouldn't have been safe to be in the park this late, but there were throngs of people, savoring the last weeks of summer.
Blair was savoring the last weeks before she returned to Constance. She ran. She wasn't trying to deny anything, but she dreaded what people would say about her return. It had been months since the overthrow of Queen B. She moved to France for the remainder of the school year and had spent most of the summer in Paris. She changed her phone number, email address, and never checked GossipGirl. She had worked very hard to completely sever ties with New York society. Aside from Serena, she hadn't kept in contact with anyone except her mother.
She watched as the sun disappeared and gave way to a deep purple sky. Looking around, she noticed most people making their way out of the park and decided to follow suit. She followed a long-legged blond, she walked with a sway. Her whole body had a flow to it, a natural grace. She immediately was reminded of her best friend. Serena wasn't expecting Blair's return.
Up until two days prior, Blair had every intention of finishing school at the academy in Lyon, but was prompted to return to Constance because of the AP classes. Blair needed all AP classes to get into Yale, plus she would be guaranteed valedictorian at Constance, whereas at her French school that bitch Manon Baroche was 1st in the class. After a two day debate with herself, four pro-con lists, and several frantic calls to her therapist, Blair came to the decision that it was best that she return to New York.
As Blair exited the park, she headed downtown, to the Plaza. She needed to see Serena. It was only fair that Serena know that she was back. She considered whether or not Serena's step-brother would be home, but decided it was irrelevant and had no effect on her decision to see Serena. He was not worth her thoughts. She had spent too many nights crying about what he said to her, about the terrible names he called her. She needed to move on. She found herself at the familiar black gates in no time at all. She was surprised at how energized she was, even after about ten hours of walking aimlessly. She walked briskly to the elevator and was whisked to the penthouse. Hopefully Serena was home, she should have called.
When the elevator opened, she walked into the living room cautiously. She didn't want to disturb Bart if he was working. "Serena?" she called quietly. "Is anyone home?"
Serena came flying out of her room screaming. As she ran closer, Blair could see the tears forming in her best friend's eyes. "Oh my God! I thought it was you, but then I was like 'no way' and I can't believe you're here!" she said, as she leaped at Blair to pull her into a bear hug.
"Oh, S, I've missed you so much," Blair practically cried.
"You too, B."
"Screw the French. Nonchalance is overrated!" Blair cried back to Serena. She hadn't realized how much she missed Serena's vibrancy. Her love of life was what Blair envied most about her.
"Look at your hair," Serena mused as she ran her fingers through Blair's long locks. "It's so long."
"Is it too-"
"No, no, no. It's amazing!"
"Thanks S," Blair said as they took seats in the living room.
"So, spill everything. I want to know each excruciating detail. Every baguette, every beret, every chateau and boulangerie. Tell me everything."
"Well, at first I was really intimidated, but I didn't want them to see that I was afraid-"
"Those French can smell fear!" Serena interjected.
"Anyways, I never let them see…." Blair regaled Serena with the whole story. She told her about the parties and her friends, about Roman and their new cat, no detail was spared. "But I missed home. I will never get over this city. I missed you way too much."
"So, does this mean you're staying here for school too? This isn't just a visit," Serena added hopefully.
"Yes, Blair Waldorf is back."
They talked for hours. It was later than Blair realized. She had to get home. Her mom wanted to spend time with her daughter too. She said goodbye to Serena, and was just about to get into the elevator when it opened in front of her to reveal Lily holding a vase of orchids. "Blair!" she said excitedly.
"Hi Lily," Blair said, "Why don't I help you with those?" she offered, taking the vase and setting it on the coffee table. Then, Lily pulled her into a hug.
"We've missed you around here. Tell me all about France," Lily said.
"I wish I could, but I'm actually supposed to be with my mom right now. She's probably freaking out," Blair said with a slight pouty face.
"Oh, well, you and Eleanor simply must join us for dinner. How's Friday?" Lily asked.
"That sounds great Lily, I'll have to talk to my mom."
"You don't worry about a thing. I'll arrange everything. I'll call your mother tomorrow. It's great to have you back!"
"Bye, Lily. I'll text you later Serena," she said as she stepped into the elevator.
Blair was surprised at how easily she fell back into her life. This wasn't going to be so bad, she thought to herself as she crossed the courtyard and walked through the iron gates. She put in her headphones just as she saw a black limo pull up in front of the gates. She knew that limo. She would recognize it anywhere. She had dreams about that limo, what the hell, she had nightmares about that limo. She saw the door slowly opening and quickly turned the corner before she caught a glimpse of who she knew was getting out. He definitely would have seen her, but she wasn't ready to face him. She would just pretend that she didn't see him. She just let her music wash over her as she walked back uptown to her home.
She tried to escape the feelings that flooded her mind. She tried not to drown in the pain that was slowly overcoming her. She had actually loved him. She saw herself with him, as in the long term. She loved him, and he clearly didn't feel the same way. She thought she was ready for this. She had mentally prepared to face anyone. She had practiced the smiles and knew exactly how she would greet them, so why did she feel al the pain? Why did it still hurt? She couldn't take it, she had to be farther away from him. Just as 'Hometown Glory' came on her playlist she felt her feet moving faster beneath her. She was running. She ran through the hoards of people. She felt the tears coming, but couldn't stop. She needed to get away. She needed to get home. She just kept running, tears falling swiftly, her white dress whipping behind her as she fled. Finally, she made it home. She ran to the elevator and into her room, throwing herself on her bed.