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"You would think I would have nothing more to dread today than the prospect of seeing Jenny Humphrey sitting at the top of the Met steps with my minions but no, thanks to Ms. McAllister, that's the least of my worries." Blair sighs heavily as she and Serena step in sync to class the following day.
Serena laughs playfully, "Come on, Dan is a great partner to have on a project that affects your grade so heavily."
Blair gives Serena a sharp look. "Really? How would you know that? You probably made him do all of your homework for you while you dated him. In fact…" Blair thinks for a moment. "If that's the case, then you dating him finally makes sense."
"You're terrible, B." Serena shakes her head. "Of course, I didn't use Dan for his intellect."
"Intellect? More like basic intelligence required for attending a prestigious private school. The only way an Ivy League accepts him is if they need another low-income student to fill their scholarship quota."
"So it sounds like that whole 'being nice this semester' goal is going really well?" Serena asks sarcastically.
"Hey, you said I should do that, I never agreed to it. Anyways, I am going to be late for class. See you at lunch." Blair says before heading off in the direction of her French class.
Later that afternoon, while sitting on the steps waiting for Serena, Blair taps her foot impatiently. Her supposed best friend was late by 10 minutes now. Finally, after feeling far too conspicuous to be seated alone in such a public venue Blair begin furiously tapping at her phone.
B: Where are you?
S: Sorry! Caught up with tutor. Going to be late. Wait for me :) Only 10 more mins, promise xxxx
B: Lunch will almost be over by then… It's fine, I should go to the library anyways.
S: Sorry, again. I'll make it up to you!
Blair sighs as she tosses her uneaten parfait in the trash and looks forlornly at where Jenny and her former minions sit atop the steps. She sees them all giggle and even though she's out of earshot, she knows she's the reason for their laughter. She tears her eyes away and heads back to the school.
She still has 45 minutes left of her lunch period so she actually does end up going to the library. She makes a start for the computers to begin searching for some relevant texts to her and Dan's project. As she's jotting down the titles and catalog numbers on a scrap of paper she senses someone hovering behind her.
"What do you want?" She turns around to glare at the offender.
Of course, it's Dan Humphrey. Blair rolls her eyes as he speaks. "Hey, didn't expect to see you here."
"The French Occupation isn't going to research itself." Blair says dryly.
Dan lifts the paper from beside her hand and starts inspecting it. "You found quite a few good options. I'll help you find them." He offers.
"I'm fine on my own, thank you." She hastily reaches for the paper.
He swipes the paper back. "We work together or we fail, remember?"
Blair huffs in resignation. "Fine. But you follow me." She leads him off toward the History shelves, not caring if she's too fast for him to follow. But he succeeds in his pursuit and is right behind her as she starts scanning the titles. "I need the list back." She holds out her hand.
He ignores it and instead reads aloud. "VI5732567"
She pulls out the corresponding book and thrusts it at him. "Next."
He reads the next one, and so on until he's carrying a stack full of 8 hardback books.
She glances at her watch. "Class is starting in 5 minutes."
"Should we divide these up between us? We can each scan read and take notes on 4 and then get together to go over them?" Dan suggests handing her a few of the books.
"I suppose that is an efficient way of doing it." Blair says slowly, taking the books. She adds, "But, when you say 'get together' let's just clarify that. Approved meeting places include the school library, a coffee shop nearby, or my penthouse. Notice, none of those options include Brooklyn as I simply refuse to enter the land of hipsters and poor people."
"Actually rent in Brooklyn is higher than-" Dan starts to protest.
"Let me stop you right there. Nothing you say about Brooklyn will change my mind. So those are my conditions, do you agree?" Blair waits for an answer.
"You're ridiculous but fine." He sticks out his hand and she reluctantly shakes it.
"See you in sixth period, Humphrey." She says, walking off with her head held high.
"See you, Waldorf," Dan echoes with a shake of his head.
Blair is actually thankful for the library run-in as she enters sixth period. The reason being, Ms. McAllister decided it would be helpful if all the partners sat together for the semester so they could "get better acquainted" and use any spare class time to work on their projects. If Blair had not had the earlier precursor of the torment inflicted upon her by the mere proximity of Dan, she would not have been able to appear unfazed by the new arrangement. Biting back every urge to protest and scream and demand she be seated as far away as possible, she managed the neutral expression of a dutiful student as she slid in beside him when the announcement was made.
As their teacher monotonously drones on, Blair flips through one of the books they had checked out, idly flagging the relevant pages. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Dan has begun to do the same and by the time class ends, a quarter of each of their respective texts are accented with vibrant tabs.
"I'll have my notes to you by Saturday." Blair tells him confidently as she packed up her bag.
"I can do the same." Dan slides a textbook into his messenger bag before slinging it on his shoulder.
"Miss Waldorf," Blair looks up to see Ms. McAllister standing before their desk. "I wanted to check in regarding your assigned partner. Shall I expect any further protestations?"
Blair scans the teacher's face, noting that her expression almost urged Blair to make her demands. It furthers her resolve to act as though she was completely fine with the arrangement. "That won't be necessary, but thank you Ms. McCallister. I misjudged the assignment before but now see how this is actually a blessing in disguise as I have the chance to work with a peer possessing equivalent intellect." She seals the statement with a smile, in her peripheral vision, she can see Dan stare at her in complete bafflement.
Rendered speechless for a moment, the stern teacher regains herself. "I'm so glad to hear it. I look forward to seeing what you two accomplish together."
"As do I," Blair widens her smile and gazes toward Dan who still stares at her wide-eyed. "Well, we're off to go research together. Thank you again."
Once out in the hallway, Blair mimes gagging, finally allowing herself to feel the nausea induced by her earlier proclamation. She rehearsed that speech about 20 times last night in the mirror of her vanity. A moment later, Dan exits the classroom and joins her in the hallway where she still stands.
"What the hell? Since when do you want to work with me?" He scans her face. "I thought you hated me and this assignment. In fact, I recall you mentioning getting lawyers on 'correcting such a heinous error in judgment.'" He intones.
Blair starts laughing, "Clearly, I deserve an Oscar for that performance if even you bought it." She pauses to halt her laughter before explaining further. "I did indeed look into fighting the pairing but after speaking to my dad I changed my mind. It turns out Ms. McAllister's husband is on the board of admissions for Yale so given that newly discovered connection, I decided it would be best to play nice and go along with her horrid arrangement. Afterall, Yale does value teamwork."
"Of course, being nice to me now serves your best interests. That explains everything" Dan's face floods with clarity. "Why didn't you mention that at lunch? That would've been the perfect opportunity to warn me."
"Because it was far more fun to see your face when I bullshitted all that nice stuff about you." Blair laughs at the memory.
"I didn't think fun was something you were capable of." Dan replies.
"I didn't think even having a shot at an Ivy League was something you were capable of but here we are." Blair tosses back.
"So what, we have to pretend to be friends now?"
"Who said anything about friends? All I said was that I will be civil to you so it doesn't look like I totally hate the arrangement." Blair says as though it's obvious.
"Which you actually do." Dan supplies. Then he seems to think of something, "Are you really so sure that the McAllister's pillow talk consists of the dynamics between her seventeen-year-old students?"
"Ew, I would rather not picture that." Blair shakes the image out of her head before continuing. "The point is, that it could affect my chances at Yale, therefore, I will not jeopardize my future by making a scene." Blair says flatly. She glances around. "I have to go. I've been near you for far too long and we both know that being seen with Dan Humphrey is the only thing that could possibly tank my reputation even further at this point."
"Wha-" Dan tries to reply but she's gone before he can finish his sentence.
