Author's Note: Hey everyone, I want to thank you all for the reviews. Greatly appreciate them, though my deepest hope that you guys can make it through. I feel like some of you may not make it with all this angst. Lol. I'm loving these reviews, especially with how engaged you guys are in some of the other storylines. I know most of you are holding strong by not wanting to the preview, I just put that up for those that needed to see that bit of light at the end of the tunnel so you guys don't think I'm going completely dark on you. Chapter Ten will be a whole new ball game, I can't give anymore clues other than that to best explain. I have replaced the preview with this chapter so I can keep up to par with the chapters being correlated with the site and what I have unlike my other stories where the computer had like chapter five and it was chapter three on my end. I know it's confusing and I hated it when I read the stories back on my down time. So I'm making a conservative effort to change that. So I hope you enjoy the chapter as it's sure to have some craziness. Lol. I look forward to the feedback.
Sorry for it being long, I tried to cut down the scenes but in the end I had to add things to keep it moving at a quick pace.
Gossip Girl: Prime
Chapter Six- The Alpha Female
[Monaco, France]
Hearing the glaring sounds of her alarm clock going off, Katie slowly rolled over to hit the alarm clock to get it to stop. Throwing the covers back on her bed, Katie slowly got out of the bed as she began to rub the sleep from her eyes. Sleepily she walked towards her bathroom as she began to turn the water on in her shower before she began to relieve herself of her clothes. Putting her hair up in a bun, Katie looked on at her reflection in the mirror for a moment before her gaze eventually turned to the scar that was on her leg. Touching the scar, Katie could still think back to the strength she had to endure just to be alive to see this scar.
[Flashback- Seven Years Ago- Three Days Later after the Supposed Death- Tijuana, Mexico]
Crying out in agony, Katie pulled on tight to the straps that were on the table as the pain became excruciating with what the medical staff was trying to do. Since Katie was presumed to be missing thus far back home, Georgina knew the only way to get her sister the medical attention she needed was to take her across the border. It had been touch and go for a few moments with Katie battling against hypothermia but she had managed to make it to the little clinic in the small town outside of Tijuana. Feeling like they had escaped one thing, Georgina heard Katie's cries of pain to know that they were only facing another problem in their wake of a plan that wasn't so simple. Looking on at the doctor of the clinic quickly relieved himself of his gloves, Georgina began to question why he showed frustration.
"What? What? You're not saying anything?" Georgina asked
"I can't help her" The doctor replied in a heavy accent
"What do you mean you can't help her?" Georgina asked before the doctor looked back at Katie to see that she was crying from the pain. Walking over towards the young assistant that was assisting him in the clinic, the man looked over the injury once more before he spoke with the assistant.
"Monitor the leg. Do not give any pills. Rub the leg with the special treatment but that is all until I come back" The doctor told his assistant as Georgina listened in intently before the doctor showed Georgina out of the room to where they were standing outside
"What the hell are you doing?" Georgina asked "I thought you could help her?" she asked
"I can't help her if I don't know the full truth" The doctor said "She's not from here, I know American well enough to know when I see convicts" he said
"We're not convicts. Claiming that she is a convict is only a compliment to her in the long run" Georgina replied
"Then what are you?" The doctor asked
"Look, she can't go back to the states. If she gets medical treatment in the states than the person looking for us will find us and that'll be very bad" Georgina said "You know me somewhat to know that I'm not caught up in the law like a convict" she said
"I also know you well enough to know you dabble with drugs" The doctor said
"I'm a teen? What teen doesn't do drugs?!" Georgina reasoned as the doctor just looked at her "That wasn't a great example but I swear to you, she's not that type of teen. I just brought her hear because I know what you can do. People have spoken highly about your work for those that don't have the insurance in the states to get the treatments there" she said
"She had propofol in her system, how is that possible if she had no prior medical treatment before said accident?" The doctor asked
"Because she may have been injected with it…." Georgina began to say as the doctor just gave her look
"I want the truth or else I report you two" The doctor said
"I injected her with propofol to put her in somewhat of a coma, make her look dead" Georgina said "It was only for a short time period so that we could get away" she said
"Injecting your sister sounds so common" The doctor replied sarcastically
"It sounds crazy but it was all a part of her master plan to get away. I just stupidly followed orders" Georgina sighed "But that's not the point, the point is can you help her?" he asked
"I can't operate on her Even though the propofol was flushed out by the water she ingested, she still has lingering traces of a depressant that could be fatal in a surgery to repair her leg" The doctor said
"A depressant? She's not on a depressant" Georgina said
"There's enough traces of the depressant to say she takes it regularly. Even if she were to skip a day, there was enough in her system" The doctor said
"She's not on depressants so it might be something else, which otherwise makes it okay because she's as cookie cutter as it gets" Georgina said before Katie's screams tore them from their discussion as they both rushed back into the room. Seeing how the infection was spreading on Katie's leg, the doctor was filled with Katie's screams "You have to do something" she said
"I can't operate, she'll have to go to an American facility" The doctor said
"No, you have to do whatever needs to be done" Katie quickly replied as she bared the pain
"She can't take anethesia or else she'll be…." The doctor began to say
"Then don't give it to me. Just fix my leg" Katie said as the doctor looked from Katie to Georgina, questioning her decision was based off of pain "Georgy, do this for me. You have to do this for me" she said as she reached out for her sisters arm to pull her close
"Kate, this isn't some simple procedure. If he does this, you will feel everything" Georgina told her "We have to…" she began to say
"No, we don't have time to wait. If we wait, they will find us. We have to keep going" Katie said as she made Georgina look her dead in the eyes "I want the procedure. Just do it!" she yelled becoming irritated with all the questioning
"Fix her leg" Georgina told him as the doctor sighed in frustration before he turned to walk towards the cabinet behind him. Opening up the cabinet, he pulled out a bottle of tequila to hand to Georgina
"She'll need this. Next best thing to anesthesia" The doctor said as Georgina handed the bottle to Katie, who wasted no time in unscrewing the cork before taking a swig from the bottle while the doctor prepared his work station "Close the doors" he told his assistant while Georgina backed away, preparing herself to hear the sounds of pain at a level she's never heard before in her life.
[End of Flashback]
Coming back to her reality with the sounds of the telephone tearing her out of her reverie, Katie quickly looked on at herself in the mirror before grabbing her robe. Heading out of the bathroom, Katie walked towards her side of the bed to grab her phone. Seeing that it was a call that she was expecting, Katie quickly ran inside the bathroom to turn the water off for the shower before rushing back to the phone. Answering the phone, Katie made sure that this wasn't any form of a set up call, so she waited for the other person to speak first in order to know that things were safe.
"They've confirmed the meeting" The man said
"Good. What time?" Katie asked as she walked towards the window to look out
"Lunch" The man said
"That's a first for the old man" Katie laughed to herself "Good, I'll be ready. Tell Christian I'm in the city and he'll send for me" she said
"Are you sure this is best?" The man asked "You entangle yourself with Grimaldi's and you will be openly choosing a side. Your relationship thus far has been a secret, but dining with the Grimaldi's is a different thing" the man said
"I definitely want to pick sides. Winning is all that matters" Katie replied before she quickly ended the call
Tapping her pencil anxiously, Blair looked over at the clock as she could only hope that the professor would speed through the lecture. Being engaged in class had become a task these past couple of days since Blair felt like her mind was wondering off and about every other direction other than being in class. Looking over beside her to see April eagerly taking down the notes, Blair just laughed to herself as she could always count on April to be the dutiful student even when she was more than prepared than half the class. Coming to an end with his lecture, the professor opened up the floor for the presentation portion of the class. Shifting nervously in her seat, Blair sighed as she felt that this portion she had to pay attention to as this would be her measuring stick for her presentation that she was trying to put together. Raising her hand to go first, Blair watched as April eagerly got up from her seat as she was surprised to see April be so enthused on getting up in front of everyone.
"Hello everyone" April greeted the class happily
"Hello" A few of her classmates muttered through their boredom
"For my Phycology presentation, I have taken on a concept that has been a bit abstract. With much research…" April began to say as the teacher's assistant began to upload her presentation to the big screen "I have created my hypothesis to be….Alpha Females can't coexist together, and when forced to, they resort to mean girl tactics" she read as Blair sat up in her seat, intrigued with what April's presentation would hold before her mind was put to ease with the title slide being that of April's hypothesis along with a picture of Blair and Serena.
"What the hell" Blair muttered to herself as April gained all of her attention in the matter of seconds.
[Four Days Earlier- 96 Hours Earlier/ Friday….if you want to be technical]
Taking a bite out of her apple, Blair listened on as April babbled on and on about this week's presentation that was presented to the class. Listening to April, Blair swore that she thought the girl was going to have a panic attack with just the mere possibility of getting up in front of the class. Crossing off the topics that she had come up with off the top of her head, April over talked the subject to see if she could create something and see the possibility of it, but with each topic that she got off the list, it only got clear that her choices weren't as many as she may have thought. Coming to their usual bench, Blair took a more than needed seat as she began to sip on her water while April began to pace while Blair sat. Noticing that she was the only one freaking out about the presentation, April looked on at Blair in disbelief.
"Why aren't you freaking out?" April asked
"I've used out all my freak out powers on the fact that I've been targeted by a vengeful mother, a psychotic enemy trying to blackmail, and an identity stealing lesbian; this isn't much to freak out about" Blair replied before she took another bite of her apple
"Valid" April said after she took a few moments to access that what Blair had said had some weight to it "It's easier for you than it is for me" she sighed
"How so?" Blair asked
"Because you can get up in front of the class and command respect, you practically do it every day at work" April said
"As do you" Blair replied
"Only because I'm familiar with the rest of you. In the class, it's like I'm that high school girl all over again" April said
"If I knew who you were in high school, I would object to that statement. Since I'm not, I will say that you'll do fine in speaking in whatever topic that you choose" Blair said as she finished up her apple "Now that we have established and gone through your freak out, we can now access the work ahead" she said
"Or more along the lines of Sarah Myers" April nodded "Justine's insider is supposed to e-mail a link to her calendar to see if we're on her meeting list" she said
"Her meeting calendar that is prized and guarded…." Blair said
"Her meeting calendar that she only opens up to people that are worth her time" April added
"Yes, now that's something to freak out about. So we will as a group freak out about that today" Blair smiled as she got up from her seat to toss her apple into the trash
"And to the office we go. It's always quite amazing how you shift from school to work so easily" April said
"It's a craft I've learned from my very own mother, the play version and the real life version" Blair said "I'll have to catch up with you at the office, I need to swap out bags" she said
"Then check in on a certain boy" April said "Does that sound a bit familiar?" she asked
"Does it? I don't want to hover" Blair asked
"You'll do it regardless" April said as Blair just nodded in agreement with April before Blair began to walk off
"I'll see you soon" Blair called out as she went to flag down a taxi. Looking on at Blair for a few moments, April came to a sudden thought as she recalled a movie that she had watched on her late night channel surfing.
"…Alpha Female. The Mindset of an Alpha Female" April said to herself as she pondered the thought for a few moments before quickly jotting the note down on her notepad "I've got to get a tape recorder" she said as she wrote.
Getting a breather as she stepped away from her desk, Serena enjoyed the rare times where she could just walk the campus. Though it wasn't the sight of Constance or St. Jude's, Serena found a certain culture about the junior high school that felt real and genuine than what she had always attended in prep schools. Grabbing herself a chicken burrito out of the cafeteria, Serena began to make her way out as she was immediately overwhelmed with the sound of loud thumps and fast paced lyrics that she could only come to understand as being rap or on the good days, r&b. Watching as the crowds began to gather around the usual kids that were dancers at the school, Serena walked over to see Marley front and center. Seeing Marley in her element, Serena could see how Marley could turn the attitude on and off as the expressions used while she danced could only demonstrate what she was trying to convey with movement and the lyrics. Getting their usual cheer, Marley soaked in the praise from her peers as she spotted Serena looking on from the back. Making her way towards Serena as her peers began to disperse, Marley turned her emotions to nervousness as she approached the blond.
"I'm not quite sure what I should call you" Marley said
"You can call me Serena. The whole proper name titles was never my thing" Serena said "You looked good out there" she noted
"Do you even know what I was doing?" Marley asked
"You were dancing. I'm not that clueless" Serena laughed
"Look who's catching up" Marley laughed as a silence came between them "I wanted to apologize for how I was last week, it was a tough week and I just don't like getting in trouble" she said
"Then why get into trouble?" Serena asked "Be where you need to be and no trouble will arise" she said
"Easier said than done" Marley said
"If you applied effort like you do when you dance, I'm sure you could accomplish a lot" Serena said
"I like how you try not to sound so adult but sound so very much like an adult" Marley said
"I try not to be because then I think of my mother. I'm just starting to understand what the numerous adults have told me over the time" Serena said
"Right, so you're now a hypocrite?" Marley asked
"Most likely but I'm going to pretend that I'm not to keep you on the straight and narrow" Serena said before she looked on at her burrito
"Are you going to finish that?" Marley asked as she looked on at the burrito for a few moments to notice that Serena had no real desire to continue to eat the burrito
"I suppose I won't. I thought this would be more grilled chicken and less…" Serena began to say
"It's the chicken from the chicken parmesan, so it's not really grilled, it just fried chicken in a burrito. Health isn't that big here" Marley laughed
"You want it, you can have it" Serena said as she handed the burrito over to see Marley take a bite out of the burrito "You're used to the food I see" she sighed
"I'm used to everything" Marley replied as a dash of sauce spilled onto her clothes "And I'm also used to the fact that this burrito is messy no matter how neat you try to be" she said as the bell rang for the next class "Thanks for the burrito" she said as Serena just nodded
"Next time I'll do the salad" Serena said
"Go ahead, it's left over lettuce from hamburger Thursday" Marley said as she walked away
"Of course" Serena said to herself before her phone began to ring. Digging in her pocket, Serena took her phone out to see that it was her publicist calling "Hey, I was just thinking about calling you" she said
"Are we thinking about the same thing because oh, how I wish we were" Serena's publicist said
"Uh, I hope. I was going to call to see if we can set up some sort of fundraiser for books or paint, I'd offer to buy it outright but Yolanda will have a fit and think that I was trying to buy publicity" Serena sighed
"Okay, so we're not on the same page" Serena's publicist quickly replied
"What page do we need to be on?" Serena asked
"Oh, just the page that has Jason's mother getting ready to tape an interview in regards to her son's death" Serena's publicist said
"Is that really shocking?" Serena asked after a few moments "I suspected it would be coming after a while. She has her questions like everyone else" she said
"That doesn't shock me, it's the interviewer that's pushed for it to be broadcasted" Serena's publicist said "Tyler Waldorf. First ever television interview, and it's going to be with Jason Peters mother" she as Serena froze
"I believe we're on the same page now" Serena replied
Getting out of the taxi, Blair sighed as she made her way up the steps. Wanting nothing more than to just collapse onto her bed to get some bit of sleep from the sleepless night she had had, Blair hoped that once she opened the door that maybe Dan's effort would resort in other means to take away the stress she was feeling. Opening the door, Blair made her way into the townhome to hear the sound of discussion coming from the living room area. Putting her stuff down by the door, Blair walked in further to see Alessandra and Lyle present while Dan sat with his notes spread out on the table. Looking up to see the brunette, Alessandra quickly smiled as she put her cup of tea down to greet Blair as Lyle wasted no time in taking her seat. Unable to shake the look of confusion, Blair faked a smile as Alessandra walked up towards her but her main focus was on trying to figure out what was going on.
"What is all of this?" Blair asked
"Work" Dan replied after he arranged the papers in the stacks
"As in your back to it? Or as in you just stopped by to see Dan?" Blair asked as she looked from Alessandra to Lyle
"Dan called us actually" Lyle said "He said he was ready to get to work and I can't exactly shy away from that" he said
"Really?" Blair asked as she looked over at Dan but he couldn't read what her eyes were saying to him
"We've been piecing together the story, so Dan was aware of it and I must say, he's grasped it quite well. Makes me think amnesia no longer exists in him" Alessandra smiled
"Trust me, it does. I'm living proof that it does" Blair muttered to herself "You recall the story?" she asked as she looked over at Dan
"I wrote the story" Dan replied
"I get that but it's one thing to write something then understand what you wrote" Blair said
"You sound like my father" Lyle said
"Many dinners, many lectures, much boredom" Blair replied to Lyle
"Blair, I get the story. I just want to get some bit of progress on this. The story is amazing and genuine" Dan said "I mean I think the market could use this right now. I saw this Lindsay Lohan film…" he began to say
"First mistake. Never see a Lindsay Lohan film" Lyle said
"Her only true, decent work was Mean Girls. That movie somehow touched me in some odd way" Blair stated
"I could imagine" Dan replied sarcastically "Anyways, I didn't see the movie with the intention of liking Lindsay Lohan. I saw it to see the mindless crap that people actually pay money to see" he said
"Mindless crap isn't something I'd shoot for when making this movie" Blair said
"This story, this potential movie is worthy of making it" Dan said "I think we should just go ahead with this" he said as he noticed a silence in the room "I'm fine. I'm better than fine, I just want to move forward and stop thinking about the prior stuff" he said
"The prior stuff wasn't all that bad" Blair said
"The prior stuff is something I can't get back, but I'm trying to understand it" Dan said as Blair and him looked on at each for a few moments, to show the other that their words were pointed towards each other "I can do this, I want to do this" he stated as he looked on at Lyle and Alessandra
"Simon has been pressing for what we're going to do with you" Alessandra thought to herself
"Should he not consider the fact that he just had a traumatic event happen before pressing for work?" Blair asked
"I wish I could say that he was sympathetic the whole way through but after a while, with the buzz that other publishers were getting, Simon became a bit antsy. Dan's project has gotten us buzz from the focus groups we held" Alessandra said
"See, buzz. I didn't even know I could create such a thing" Dan smiled
"Look, I'll talk with my team. Set up some possible dates, then we can go from there. How does that sound?" Lyle asked
"Sounds good with me" Alessandra said
"And it sounds more than good with me" Dan smiled excitedly
"Well, I have to get back to the office" Alessandra said as she looked on at the clock
"While I have a dinner meeting that I will more than certainly like to prepare for" Lyle said as he put his coat on
"Is it the usual lady?" Blair asked as she walked over with Alessandra and Lyle to let them out
"It's the usual and the constant" Lyle smiled as Blair enjoyed how devoted he was a boyfriend, which made her trust him around Dan. "I'll see you" he said leaning in to give Blair a hug before he made his way out while Alessandra followed behind.
"That went well" Dan said as Blair closed the door
"It went great" Blair smiled weakly "I just hope that you know what you're doing" she said
"C'mon, I know what I'm doing. I'm the author, I should know" Dan said
"Big difference…." Blair began to say
"So are you against this?" Dan quickly asked "Because it just sounds like…."he began to say
"An argument that I don't want to have before work" Blair said quickly interrupting "Good job for you" she smiled, trying to give as much support as she could while hiding her concerns on the matter
"I thought you came from school?" Dan asked
"I did, I just thought I'd swap out bags" Blair said
"Or check on me" Dan concluded "Because I'm pretty sure you use that bag for the same reason for both school and work. You know, just a pattern I've picked up on you. My brain functions quite nicely if you should wonder" he said as Blair made her way towards the bedroom, leaving Dan behind.
Like a bat out of hell, Serena closed the door to the taxi as she charged up to the door. Making her way into the lobby, Serena bypassed the receptionist as she walked towards the elevator. Tapping her foot nervously with the anger boiling up in her, Serena nearly willed the elevator doors to open up as she wasted no time in stepping on the elevator. Pushing the desired floor number, Serena waited with great anticipation as she could only watch the floor indicator. Hearing the sound of the ding going off, Serena saw the doors open up and her immediate thought was to just go. Racing through the office in a quickened foot speed, Serena narrowed in on her sight as she came closer towards him. Noticing the blond in a full head of steam, Tyler broke away from his conversation to face the blond.
"You've got a lot of nerve" Serena replied angrily "How dare you?!" she asked
"Relax, relax. Come on, let's go somewhere less…." Tyler began to say before Serena smacked his hand away
"No, I'm not going somewhere less quiet. You want to make a big public spectacle, then let's making it a big public spectacle. What the hell are you thinking?" Serena asked
"I'm not doing this with you" Tyler replied
"Why? It's not as fun when I'm not caught off guard?" Serena questioned
"Because I don't owe you anything. I'm doing my job" Tyler said
"How? How is this doing your job when you know it would cause this effect?" Serena questioned before Tyler grabbed her by the arm as he dragged her into the stairway before slamming the door behind him "Let go of me!?" she said ripping her arm out of his grasp
"You're not coming to my job and doing this. You want to make a scene, then explain the scene you made at Jason's house. Explain that scene first" Tyler said
"So this is your roundabout way of finding out? How desperate can you get" Serena said
"I'm looking out for my friend, you know, Sean. The guy that you had a thing for, now you don't. It's hard to keep up" Tyler said before Serena slapped him across the face
"My business, my life" Serena stated
"Your business and your life have screwed up mine" Tyler replied after a few moments "You've had ample time to get the truth out, to say your side but for some reason you just keep holding on to your truth while Sean suffers for it" he said
"Because it's not everyone's business!?" Serena exclaimed "I know you're new to this world, but every moment of the day, my life has complete access by those at the single touch of a button through Gossip Girl. The fact that this hasn't come out, is the only shred of decency Gossip Girl has ever shown me, so I'm sorry if I'm not eager to get in front of a camera" she said
"If you have nothing to hide then why not?" Tyler asked "You claim that you're the victim, which in every circumstance you should be, but you're not the one getting the brunt of the public opinion" he said
"I have tried to help Sean. He's agreed to not talk about it…." Serena began to say
"But that doesn't help him!? That helps you. You think you're helping him by not having him talk about, but you're not. You're not doing a damn thing for him but ruining him" Tyler stated
"It is between us!" Serena yelled "Sean and I are the only people that know, so if he has no problem…" she began to say
"He did have a problem with it!? He came to you, asked your permission like he was some sort of kid to clear his name for the sake of his kid but you still, you still, turned him down" Tyler said "You fail to see it, but regardless of what happened between the two of you, he's loyal to you. He cares about you…." He said
"And I care about him" Serena replied
"When it's convenient" Tyler stated "If you care, then care enough to let him have his life back. If you ever really loved him, then love him enough to relieve the burden he has to carry and will continue to carry" he said as a silence came between them
"I will do everything in my power to protect Sean, but this interview will not happen" Serena told him
"This interview will happen. You could bet that" Tyler quickly replied "I'm not Sean. Whether you want it or not, I'm putting this story front and center until you get off your ass and do something about it" he said as Serena glared on at him
Walking the campus along with Nate and Chuck, Carter couldn't help but take in the college atmosphere that he had missed out on. Granted he skipped his own college experience voluntarily but Carter couldn't help but feel like the experience could've been legendary. The sorority parties or pledging for a frat, that it's only known goal was to get as wasted as can be, Carter smiled as it all seemed appealing. Standing off in the line with Chuck, Carter could tell that waiting in line for anything was foreign to Chuck as they spent the waiting time looking on at the New York University campus while Nate took care of his necessary business at the school. For a moment, Carter felt tempted to use one of his many pick up lines to entice a group of girls that had passed by Chuck and him but his judgment had gotten the better of him to reserve his pick up lines for another time or to be forgotten all together. Once finished, Nate walked over towards Chuck and Carter with a smile on his face.
"I have officially dropped a class" Nate smiled
"Are we supposed to be happy with your mediocrity?" Chuck asked
"From the guy that paid people to write and do his homework" Nate quickly replied
"Just stating Nathaniel. We make a day trip of you dropping a class, I would think we'd have more of an achievement than that" Chuck said "What's Trip going to say?" he asked
"What's Trip going to say? You're joking right?" Nate asked with a bit of a smirk "Political science was his thing, not mine. New York University was my plea to the Captain to show that college was still on my mind and since my father is six feet deep, I don't need to be eight o'clock risen to get to a class I really don't care about" he said
"The boy has lined up a good point" Carter said "Though your mediocrity still speaks louder than your points made" he said
"What exactly are you going to do all day?" Chuck asked "You've been cut off, with the few dollars that Trip sends your way. Your residence is my penthouse…."he began to say
"Otherwise, what's your plan for the future?" Carter asked "Your mooching ways have become noticeable now" he said
"I don't mooch" Nate replied
"Do you work?" Carter asked
"No" Nate replied
"Do you have any source of income coming in? Disability? Black mail funds? Anything of monetary value?" Carter asked
"No" Nate replied
"Then congratulations, you've dropped a class and discovered you're a mooch" Carter told him
"Okay, so just tell me what I can do. I'd be willing to get a job to help out" Nate said
"You getting a job isn't a concern for me. I just wonder what exactly you'll be doing from sun up to sun down" Chuck said
"You do nothing from morning to afternoon" Nate pointed out
"That's because I do plenty from afternoon to early morning with a business and a pending business on the way that will change said noted schedule" Chuck said
"I never thought I'd be getting a serious talk from Carter Baizen, playboy and slacker extraordinaire. Chuck Bass, king of non-education but get rich quick ideas" Nate said
"We've taken on a new lease on life" Carter said
"Also known as you hiding from Blair" Nate quickly replied
"That as well" Carter nodded "We're appealing to be serious businessmen" he said
"I don't get it" Nate said
"Of course, with your one class and all" Carter said
"I'm not trying to be anything, I'm bored and have found interest in this day trip to see that it carries to no interest" Chuck said "I'm aiding your underachieving ways, and I'm not certain it's been a good investment in time" he said
"Then what exactly would be good to invest your time in?" Nate asked
"I feel like we should've invested in college" Carter said
"Like buy one?" Nate asked
"Again, the one class mentality speaking. Check back in for this knowledge trip you're about to go on" Carter said "College is the essence of maturity. It breeds the future, while weeding out the slackers. You make it here, you can make it anywhere" he said
"Still bored" Chuck sighed
"If you're so keen on college then why not opt for another round of Ivy League App stress" Nate questioned
"Because I've had my dance with that, I want a new tango. I want to find this maturity that everyone is searching for in a sparknotes version. I need to mature gentlemen, I need to understand the means of adulthood beyond the money and girls" Carter said
"So is this late reaction to Vanessa?" Chuck asked
"It's a late reaction to me growing. I need to grow, I need to be serious. So today, I suggest we do serious things until I reach my max level of boredom" Carter said
"That new Vin Diesel movie came out" Nate suggested
"Scratch that, I feel like we're aiding to your inner gay desires. I'll be thinking cars and you'll be thinking Vin looks cute with that white shirt on" Carter said "We need a universal theme" he said
"Golf" Chuck suggested
"Golf?' Nate questioned
"Golf" Carter smiled "That's precisely the very boring thing my father does all the time. It's been the cause of many fights in my house, so it has to be the path to maturity since it's lead my father to remain in the house" he said
"I question your warped mind" Nate said
"Get another class and turn your questions into a hypothesis on a term paper you've written on little to no sleep the night before, until then, shut the hell up and get your golf clothes boys. It's about to Tiger Woods real up in this piece" Carter said as he clapped his hands in excitement as he walked ahead of the two boys
"This actually worries me" Nate said as he walked behind with Chuck
"It should provide a source of laughter. Carter can't tell where the golf club ends and begins, much less swing accurately" Chuck said
Gathered around the computer, each girl pulled up a chair as they looked on at the screen. The silence between them as they each tried to will the screen to have an e-mail pop up. Letting out a sigh as she leaned back in her chair, Blair looked around to see just how close the girls were behind her. Noticing that each had their own mechanism for trying to get the e-mail sooner than later, Blair took her foot to push each of them back as they could barely see that they were being moved by her. Jumping up at the sight of Blair's inbox gaining another message, Jenny was once again met with defeat once she realized that it was only spam. Getting up from her chair, Jenny let out a groan of frustration as she began to rub her eyes from the strain she had put on them by all the screen watching she was doing.
"Guys, we can't just will this e-mail to come" Blair stated
"The power of the mind is quite interesting" April said
"Not getting into that right now" Blair quickly replied
"What's our plan B?" Justine asked
"We have no plan B. Sarah Myers is our Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C" Jenny sighed
"Do you guys honestly think I would leave us with just a Plan A? granted it's not at the forefront of talk but we will get into Fashion Week one way or another" Blair said
"All the samples, I can just feel them" Justine said as she figuratively held out her hand for the pretend samples
"That's your motivation?" April asked
"Isn't it all of ours? Samples says you been there, samples gives you a sample to the product that is not out yet. Samples are your friend" Justine replied just as an e-mail came in, causing the girls to go silent
"Who is it from?" Jenny asked as she looked on at Blair
"….Sarah Myers office" Blair said as she quickly looked up at the girls
"Well it's so nice that we can just casually look at each other, can we look at the e-mail now" Justine said urging Blair on to read the e-mail
"It's her calendar for the month" Blair announced as she read
"Good" Jenny noted
"List of all her meetings…." Blair began to say
"Okay, get to the good stuff" Justine noted
"We got it" Blair smiled "We got a meeting with Sarah Myers. September got the coveted meeting with Sarah Myers" she celebrated happily along with the girls
"We get the samples!" Justine dance excitedly
"Well let's not get ahead of ourselves, we still have to put together an amazing presentation. We need to get her on our roster, then the rest from there will be added" Blair said
"Yeah, yeah we get it" Justine said "So this means we'll begin work on the presentation since we only had three days" she said
"Yeah, we should probably add in a few of the pieces that April's been working on to show the pieces that could go with her designs" Blair said before a knock came to the door, to show Serena standing in the doorway.
"Hey, can we talk?" Serena asked as a silence came between them for a few moments
"Yeah" Blair sighed as the girls caught the hint to leave them alone
"Uh, we can start on this sooner as in now" Jenny said as the girls got up from their seats to leave, greeting Serena on their way out. Closing the door behind herself after she entered, Serena put her purse down as she stood in front of Blair's desk to see the notes that Blair had on her desk in regards to Sarah Myers.
"What's on your mind?" Blair asked
"Did you arrange for Tyler to come after me?" Serena quickly asked catching Blair off guard
"What are you talking about?!" Blair questioned in confusion
"I'm talking about your out of the blue anger towards me, which has now prompted your brother to do an interview with Jason's mother about the events surrounding Jason's death" Serena said
"Because I just love bringing Jason into the equation" Blair replied sarcastically
"Just tell the truth, you did this" Serena said
"I have no clue as to what you're talking about, so how could I do something I know nothing about? I usually like to revel in my schemes, not shy away from the responsibility of them" Blair said as Serena studied Blair for a few moments
"B, he's going after me in a roundabout way" Serena said "What happened with Jason….that can't happen" she said as a silence came between them
"And I'm not going after you, not in that manner" Blair replied as Serena breathed some bit of a relief "But I can't stop Tyler" she stated as Serena looked at her in disbelief
"Knowing what you know, knowing what Jason put me through….you can't stop your brother?! You're the only on that can" Serena said
"This is his job, I can't just direct him to do as I please" Blair stated
"Oh, that's a load of crap and you know it" Serena replied "Tyler and you are cut from the same cloth. I'm sure you've collected enough info on your brother to come up with some form of blackmail. Blackmail is what you do in cases of getting your way" she said
"Maybe but only when it serves a purpose" Blair replied
"A dark aspect of my life is about to be put in the press for the world to see, isn't that a purpose?! I'm your best friend!" Serena exclaimed as the tension caught the eye of others outside in the lobby but the girls were unaware
"What would you have me do Serena?! Shut down the networks of said magazine, blackmail journalists that dare sniff around a lingering story that has yet to be talked about, convince the governor to censorship on things that I feel need censoring…." Blair began to say sarcastically
"You don't need to be so patronizing" Serena replied
"Then you should realize that I'm not some know all figure that possesses power over everything. Yes, I have some means to get the results I want, but nothing in resort to something that I can't shut down completely. This story, your story, it'll be a continuing thing. If it's not Tyler then it will be someone else" Blair said
"I just find it convenient how you use the whole power trip in regards to you, but when I need you, you can't do anything" Serena replied "You want to play childish games…" she began to say
"I'm not the one asking for heaven and earth to be moved" Blair quickly replied
"I'm done" Serena replied angrily
"As is this conversation or lack of one to be correct" Blair replied as she didn't back down
"You two want to play, let's play" Serena replied before she turned to grab her purse in clear frustration "Thanks for nothing Blair" she muttered out of frustration before opening the door to leave.
Meanwhile….
Looking on intently at the conversation that once was between the girls, April sat at her desk just salivating at the two girls body language that expressed tension. April didn't need to be in the room to know that by how Serena left, she left on bad terms with her best friend. Changing her focus to Blair as she remained seated in her office, April could see that Blair was a bit unaffected, but effected somewhat to show frustration over her friend. Grabbing her tape recorder out of her pocket, April thought for a moment as she accessed her thoughts.
"The Alpha Female has come into contact with a disgruntled member of her inner circle. Though not phased with the tension filled encounter, The Alpha Female remains in thought. The cast of characters in Mean Girls redux would have Blair Waldorf, Regina, The Alpha Female in the same group; Serena van der Woodsen, Cady, upset member of the circle" April spoke into her tape recorder as she looked on for a moment, not realizing that Jenny and Justine were looking on at her in confusion as to why she was talking to herself.
Meanwhile…
Hailing down a taxi, Serena sighed in frustration as the conversation with Blair hadn't gone as she expected it would go. Once the taxi pulled up, Serena wasted no time in getting in the car as she immediately gave her desired destination to the driver. Taking the phone out of her purse, Serena went through her contacts to a desired number that she hadn't used since her modeling days of when she was younger. Thinking for a quick moment, Serena pressed on with her plan.
"Serena van der Woodsen, I was wondering when we'd get a call in from you" The woman said
"I've been meaning to get in touch with you but things have been a bit crazy" Serena smiled "I was hoping though I could catch up with my one time employer" she said
"You know she's had you in mind for her spring collection, hoping to woo you out of retirement" The woman said
"I'd be open to talking with her. A person like Sarah Myers is a gem in this industry, I've been fortunate to work with her only if I was eight at the time" Serena laughed
"How do you feel about lunch?" The woman asked going through Sarah's schedule
"Good, preferably September…19th" Serena replied
"…there's something booked all ready, but I'm sure she'll be more pressed to meet with you. This might actually make her day" The woman said
"I hope, it's certainly made my day" Serena smiled devilishly
Twenty Minutes Later….
Hearing the sound of her e-mail going off, Blair tore herself away from her discussion with the printing assistant as she made her way back into her office. Coming out of the lounge area with her usual cup of tea in hand, April was surprised to see Jenny and Justine rushing out of their office towards Blair's. Knowing without having to be told that something was up, April put her cup of tea down on the nearest desk as she raced behind the girls into the office to see the shocked look of Blair as she looked on at the computer.
"Uh…there's kind of been a tweak to the schedule" Jenny said hesitantly
"We sort of lost our meeting" Justine added "But its fine, we can do another scheme or set up, something" she said trying to calm Blair
"Why? What's happened?" April asked
"…Serena is what happened" Blair uttered angrily as she took a few moments to compose herself before she just began to laugh in disbelief "She wants to play, we're going to play until the damn cows come home" she replied before she immediately walked out of her office and into the lobby. Quickly pulling out her tape recorder that was on hand, April began to get a jest of Blair's actions.
"The Alpha Female has been hit with a surprise attack. Learning that another Alpha Female has threatened her. The Alpha Female, also known as, Regina; she must acquire to her resources to see the damage caused by Cady, Alpha Female number two" April quickly relayed into her tape recorder before making her way out of the office, leaving Jenny and Justine behind
"And that's precisely the reason why her virginity is still intact, that and Harry Potter" Justine said as she shook her head at the thought of April.
Reading through the archives of Gossip Girl, Tyler sighed as he found Gossip Girl's persistent nature of updating to be amazing. At a rate of nearly four times a day, Tyler saw that Gossip Girl would update her page with vital information on the inner circles of Constance and St. Jude's, of course it was all high school drama but sprinkled in along the way, Tyler saw that it was information that related back to prominent figures that suffered embarrassment due to the revelation. Glancing up to see Sean stepping off the elevator, Tyler kept his focus on his friend as he continued to walk towards Tyler. Grabbing him by the collar, Sean threw Tyler up against the wall as he glared on at his friend. Trying to fight back against Sean, Tyler began to realize that Sean's strength from weight lifting so much had come to full fruition as there was no fair fight in fighting back against his friend. Enraged with what was going on, Tyler's only hope was to just stand his ground in hopes of Sean seeing his point of view.
"Give me one reason as to why I shouldn't kick your ass?!" Sean asked
"….I did what you couldn't do" Tyler muttered as he tried to breath
"By going behind my back on something that had nothing to do with you?! This wasn't just a regular story, this wasn't your story to write!" Sean yelled "Better yet to put on national television" he stated
"That didn't take long….Serena raced to tell you, so you could come protect her" Sean said as he tried to get out from Sean's grip
"She didn't have to call me, your co-worker told me. Thought I'd know that my so called friend was doing his first televised interview. My natural reaction is to support you, that is until I hear that you're televised interview is to have Jason's mother at the helm, getting her to talk about Jason and the whole thing surrounding his death" Sean replied as he loosened up his grip a little
"Yeah well, you left me no choice" Tyler muttered
"What?!" Sean asked "Are you being serious right now? I kicked your ass when we were kids, I'm pretty sure you've got little to no strength to fight me back now that we're older" he said
"Bullshit….I was sick that day" Tyler muttered "You keep using that story from when we were kids, but it has no merit on the now" he said trying to pull away from Sean
"Well now I'm sick of the media hounding, guess what, you're now the media" Sean replied
"You're too damn caught up in all that is Serena to see what needed to be done!" Tyler yelled in his defense "You're a fool if you think that you won't get screwed over in the long run, and I'm sorry if I can't just sit back and watch you play noble while she gets to walk around living her life. What I did, I did for you as your friend, as someone that gives a damn about Michael to want him to know that his father isn't some murderer. So if I got the option again, I'd do it again in a heartbeat" he replied before Sean let go of his grip on Tyler before shoving his friend away
"You want the spotlight on her, you got it" Sean said as he tossed the numerous newspapers at Tyler "You forget at the end of the day, Jason was the monster in this. By doing this, by you being so damn smart for your own good, you're making him the sympathetic hero when it was his fault to begin with!" he yelled as a silence came between them
"How long?" Tyler asked
"What?" Sean asked
"How long will you continue to be this noble hero while being the martyr of your own life?" Tyler asked
"You know the key word in that sentence that you fail to understand, the my life, that's something you fail to butt out of" Sean replied
"Because this effects more than you!" Tyler yelled
"Then grow the hell up!?" Sean exclaimed "I get it, I get that me going away forced you to be alone since your parent's death. I get that I'm your family but you can't hold on to me to the point of where it's obsessive" he said
"Obsessive? So me not buying into this bullshit your being fed is me being obsessive?" Tyler questioned
"Things are the way they are. Sometimes the right thing isn't always the best thing" Sean said
"I see you as family, you know that. We've been best friends since I can remember. My job isn't to tell you what you want to hear, my job is to be your friend. This, what you're doing is stupid and one day, whether you get the girl or you don't, you'll realize this is stupid. You have your whole life ahead of you but your allowing one day to define your career, not a basketball, just one day!" Tyler told him "I'm getting your ass out of this mess and I don't give a crap if you hate me for it, but I'd rather you hate me and be known as the guy I know, my best friend that doesn't deserve this crap that's being said or written about him. So be mad, I clearly don't give a shit at this point" he told Sean as a silence came between them
"I'm asking you, don't do this. For me" Sean replied
"This is for you!?" Tyler exclaimed "I may be a Waldorf but that doesn't change the essence of who I am" he said
"Really?" Sean asked in disbelief "Because this whole going behind my back, you never would've done that. I don't need you to speak for me, I have a voice of my own to do that" he said
"Then do it" Tyler replied
"I have, I just haven't broadcasted it to the public. I don't need the public to perceive me as a good guy because I am. I don't need anyone else's approval but from the one's that I love and know me best. I guess my question is, why do you need the public to validate me? Why is so important for me to come out with what happened, when inside I know what happened and know that I did nothing wrong as well as Serena?" Sean asked "Answer that for me. The public's opinion shouldn't matter, it doesn't matter to me but clearly it matters to you" he said
Now there was a time,
When you loved me so.
I couldn't do wrong,
And now you need to know.
Coming out of the office, Jenny and Justine looked on as Blair made her way towards the center of the floor. April rushed up towards her office, grabbing her textbook out of her bag, rushing to find the chapter that would serve most useful in this vital moment. Feeling as if they were in a madhouse, Jenny and Justine could only be spectators as Blair grabbed the headset from the receptionist and turned it into a mic for everyone to hear her in the cubical area of the office. Everyone tore their attention away from their computer screens as Laurel quickly got up from her seat to see what was going on.
"Blair, what is going on?" Laurel asked as she walked up to Blair
"Everyone, on this half of the room, turn your screens to the Gossip Girl site…." Blair instructed
"She's lost it" Justine muttered to herself as Jenny hung her head as April quickly ran up beside the girls
"What'd I miss?" April asked nearly out of breath
"Why are you panting?" Jenny asked before April began to speak "Wait, I don't want to know" she quickly replied
"Blair, what is going on?!" Laurel asked "I was on a conference call" she said
"This is employee training" Blair replied
"In what?" Justine asked
"Warfare" Blair quickly replied as April smiled happily
"My presentation is going to be awesome" April said to herself
"Wait, we're not the government…." Laurel began to say
"Not enough time. Essence of warfare mode is swift and direct timing. Any second lost is a second gained by the opponent" Blair directed "Now, I want half of the room on Gossip Girl, tracking the moves of Serena van der Woodsen. If she goes to the restroom, I want to know. If she gets pooped on by a bird, I definitely want to know" she said pointing to one half of the room "This side, I want you pulling up contact information off my cell phone database" she said pointing to another portion of the room "Then this side, my most important of them all, my nucleus, I need you to make the kill shot, the final go ahead when I have given the word. Now do we understand how we're functioning?" she asked as Jenny quickly pulled her cell phone out
"Who are you calling?" Justine asked
"Her therapist" Jenny replied as she walked over into the corner with the phone up against her
"The Alpha Female begins to go into a counter attack from the recent surprise attack made by Alpha Female/ Cady" April said into her recorder
"Blair, is this necessary?" Laurel asked as Blair turned to look at her
"We lost Sarah Myers. It's very necessary" Blair replied before turning back towards her Gossip Girl sight "Gossip Girl headquarters, what's my status on the target?" she then asked
"The target is turning onto and getting off on Fifth avenue and 57th street" One worker said as Blair thought for a quick moment
"As suspected, creature of habit. I'm calling off, take the store as given" Blair said as she pointed to each employee "Tifany, Louis Vuitton, Banana Republic, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, Bergorf, and Saks. Call each store, inform them that a looming threat is on the way, run for cover" she said "Let's see how she reacts when there is no retail therapy session available" she laughed to herself
"You don't think by the slightest bit that might sound crazy?" Justine asked
"Warfare tactics, you have to be willing to think outside the box" Blair replied
"Oh, you're out the box. So far out the box" Justine said to herself as she looked over to see April scribbling down notes and nearly rambling to herself "Give me this" she said grabbing the pen from April while the employees took to their assigned calls.
See, I been a bad bad bad bad man.
And I made a deal.
Yeah.
I found a brand new love for this man,
And I can't wait till you see.
I can't wait.
So how you like me now?
Letting out a sigh as she walked down the street, Serena could only hope that retail therapy would help her through this stressful day. Noticing employees rushing out of the department stores, Serena looked on with concern as she began to see each store put up closed signs. Standing in shock, Serena just watched as they all scattered like chickens with their heads cut off. Stopping one employee as they ran about, Serena could see the fear that was in the young girls eyes.
"What's happening?" Serena asked
"An anonymous call came in, looming threat coming. They said to run" The girl relayed in panic
"To every store? What threat?" Serena asked
"I don't know, it was just an anonymous call" The girl said before Serena took a moment to think before coming to her conclusion as the girl quickly ran off
"Damn you Waldorf!" Serena said stomping her foot down in frustration before she grabbed her cell phone and began to dial while the madness ensued around her "Yes, Manhattan Daily? I would like to send in another candidate for the then and now of our recent Constance alums. Blair Waldorf, would be a superb candidate" she smiled as she waited for a reply "I have just the picture and I'll write up a piece that would best honor Blair and her accomplishments since then" she said as she scrolled through her photos on her phone to come across a photo of Blair when she was down sick with the fever with zit crème all over face
"We would need to call to verify but having Blair Waldorf would be perfect" The guy said
"It sure would" Serena smiled as she hailed a taxi "The picture just sent" she said as she watched as the photo was sent off by e-mail
Remember the time
When I eat you up
Yeah I was a line
That you can't give up.
"Call center, what's my status?" Blair asked as she noticed the girl had been writing and jotting down notes as she was on the phone
"Manhattan Daily just called to verify a story" The girl said "I confirmed it and requested the proofs be sent over. I'm multi -tasking, running daily office business along with our warfare training" the girl smiled proudly
"What Manhattan Daily piece?" Blair asked in confusion as she walked over towards the girl
"The one that just called to confirm your Then and Now piece for Constance Alums" The girl said
"Constance Alums? I've barely been out of high for like two years. I'd at least think they'd hit the five year mark before considering….oh, my God!?" Blair began to reason before the proofs of her picture came in. Noticing how Blair was freaking out, the girl looked on at Blair in fear
"I thought…." The girl began to say
"Fired. You've failed warfare mode! You'll never make it another war room" Blair yelled as the girl quickly got up from her seat
"Blair, are you serious?!" Laurel asked
"Look at it?!" Blair asked as she turned the computer screen to show the picture as Jenny, Justine, Laurel, and April looked on in horror by the picture
"What's all the goop on your face?" Justine asked she squinted to see what it was
"I break out, so I put….I put a certain crème on my face that looks worse than what it is. It was a one time thing…." Blair began to say
"Oh, that's sad" Justine said shaking her head in disbelief before Jenny's phone began to ring
"Yes, Dr. Han…..please, this is an emergency…what do you mean she's been banned? What patient signs a contract to be banned?" Jenny questioned as she began to walk into an office
"Next up, next up. Someone from the nucleus, you've been demoted to call center" Blair called out as one of the nucleus members jumped out of their seat to fill in the vacant spot
"Do you know how to stop her?" Laurel asked as she looked over at Justine
"I barely know how she began" Justine reasoned
"The Alpha Female must look within her inner circle to find loyalty. Any doubt will cause the Alpha Female to reprimand and throw out of the inner circle" April said into her recorder
"Okay, call center time to redeem yourself. Call Constance, ask them their policy on academic dishonesty. Tell them under no stipulations does it exclude past academic dishonesty mishaps, if they refude then tell them we will go to the Times on such a scandal. Nucleus, go into my flash drive of 2003 and print out the paper in regards to Influential People Essay" Blair stated
"You're going to accuse her of cheating?" Justine asked in disbelief
"Not cheating, academic dishonesty. Big difference, bigger punishment" Blair replied "Tell them, I the plaintiff, have come to realize that on said day when the paper was turned in, I ran a fever of 109, bringing the picture in as evidence but I distinctly being taken advantage of in my weak mental capacity" she said as one of the members of the nucleus began to dial the number to Constance, relaying what Blair had said
"This is chaos, absolute chaos" Laurel said throwing her hands up in defeat as she walked back to her desk
If i was to cheat on you
Would you see right through me?
If I sing a sad sad sad sad song
Would you give it to me?
So how you like me now?
Staring out the window as she nearly expected a wave of media to come after her since the Waldorf kids were out in full force, Serena listened on the same repeat storyline that was on constant repeat throughout the day, feeling relieved that nothing new had broke. Coming into the office, Trip sighed as he tossed the folder onto his desk as Serena wore the same frustration on her face as he did. Knowing that it wasn't for the same reason, Serena still felt like her frustrations were valid. Hearing her phone begin to vibrate, Serena quickly walked over to answer the phone.
"Is his Serena van der Woodsen?" The woman asked
"Yes, this is she. Why?" Serena asked suspiciously
"This is Constance Board of Education. We would like to ask you questions in regards to a term paper?" The woman asked
"Term paper? I haven't done a term paper since high school" Serena replied
"It has been brought to our attention through hard copy evidence and picture evidence that you may have cheated on a term paper" The woman said
"I can't believe her" Serena groaned "Can you believe her?!" she questioned as she looked over at Trip
"Who are we talking about?" Trip asked
"I would like to appeal. Whatever I'm being charged call my attorney because I state this as my rebuttal to the accusation….I was only using the printer, nothing else. Kinkos was too confusing to figure out and her house was along the way, the printer was all I used on said day of events" Serena reasoned
"Would you be willing to do a lie detector test?" The woman asked "The accuser said you would use that excuse" she said
"I'll do a lie detector test when she does a mental stability test" Serena replied before she quickly ended the phone call
"Serena, what is going on?" Trip asked in confusion
"I'm at war" Serena replied as she began to contemplate her next move
"War? With who?" Trip asked
"Blair" Serena replied
"How is that possible?" Trip asked
"Because I just happened to be the lucky person of the day, I don't know. I'm not taking this lying down, this will be a fight. I guarantee that" Serena replied
"Don't you think you're taking this a bit far? I mean is what you two are fighting over worth it?" Trip questioned
"Yes, but I didn't account for the fact that there's an added member of crazy that is a boy Waldorf?!" Serena exclaimed "I have girl and boy Waldorf coming after me for their own version of a kangaroo court sort of justice" she said "One Blair is manageable. Two, is chaos" she sighed "I have to handle chaos by creating a diversion of chaos" she said to herself
"Okay, you're scaring me now" Trip said as Serena trailed off in thought before she lit up with a smile. Quickly grabbing her purse, Serena walked up to Trip to give him a quick kiss before running out of the office
Does that make you love me baby?
Does that make you want me baby?
Does that make you love me baby?
Does that make you want me baby?
"Gossip Girl corner, you're silent. I need to hear progress" Blair called out
"We're trying to identify the street. She's taking backstreets" The employee said
"Clever, but I will find you" Blair said to herself
"Blair, tell this woman that you would never sign a letter to be banned from a medical institute?" Jenny asked as she walked up towards Blair to hand her the phone
"Who is this?" Blair asked
"Dr. Han" Jenny replied
"I'm not Dr. Han, I'm Roselyn!" Dr. Han yelled out, breaking his disguised voice before Blair grabbed the phone
"Dr. Han, this is Blair. I will need to schedule an appointment…." Blair began to say
"No, no. No way in hell. You signed legal documents that are legit in a court of law. In no way shape or form can you charge discrimination" Dr. Han replied
"Oh, I don't need the appointment…" Blair began to say
"Yes, she does!" Justine, Jenny, and half of the employees yelled
"I would like to set up an appointment for my dear friend, Serena. She's about to reach a level of ineptitude after I get finished with her" Blair said
"You can't schedule appointments for other patients" Dr. Han replied
"We found her, we've located the target" The employee called out as Blair quickly ended the call, rushing over towards the
"The Alpha Female, Regina, has been presented with an opportunity to take on the other Alpha Female, Cady. It looks to be her final move in this stage of salvaging the mess made by Alpha Female, Cady" April said into her recorder
"What's the location?" Blair asked eagerly
"It looks to be close to your cellular home front" The employee said
"Home front? Alpha Female, Cady, has circled back to headquarters" April said in a bit of shock
"No!" Blair exclaimed "Damn you van der Woodsen!" she muttered angrily before she quickly ran out of the office, grabbing nothing but her coat on her way out. Watching Blair from the window, everyone in the office watched as Blair ran off like a crazy person. Standing in pure silence, Justine just shook her head.
"Should we abort the warfare mode?" One employee asked
"Yes, this isn't the damn Call of Duty" Justine replied "Abort, code blue, megatron, just get the hell out of warfare mode" she instructed to everyone as they wasted no time in relieving themselves of their headphones. Breathing erratically, each of the employees found that they had reached a level of exhaustion as if they were truly on the battlefield.
"The Alpha Female has worked her inner circle to the point of exhaustion, but at the end of the day, the Alpha Female feels secure with one headquarter as she hasn't accounted for an unknown headquarter" April said into her recorder
"Seriously?! This has got to stop" Jenny told April as April shielded her recorder out of harms way
Oh, mercy.
Hello.
Oh yeah.
Turning the corner in full speed, Blair found more ground could be picked up if she ran rather than wasted time in New York traffic. Getting in a full sprint as if she were a track athlete, Blair weaved in and out of waves of people that she encountered. Reaching the final stretch of her sprint, Blair focused on her breathing as she picked up a different speed to finish the run off. Running up the small set of stairs, Blair used record time to gain entrance into the house. Hunched over, trying to get her breathing stabilized, Blair waited for a few moments as she heard nothing in the house at first. Breathing a sigh of relief for a moment, her joy was quickly killed by the sounds of laughter coming from the living room. Immediately running into the living room, Blair looked on to see Dan and Alessandra in work mode.
"Blair, what are you doing here?" Dan asked
"I thought….I just thought that you and…Alessandra. I don't quite know why I'm here….but I can go because you're clearly working" Blair began to scramble for excuses as to why she suddenly appeared back at the house
"Why are you sweating so?" Alessandra asked with much concern
"I just…I ran" Blair relayed hesitantly
"From your job?" Dan asked
"Isn't that five miles away?" Alessandra asked
"I haven't been working out as much I should, so I just ran in my dress and heels" Blair said as she looked on at her attire to see how unfitting it was for a lie. Looking at her strangely, Blair laughed nervously "But as I said, I should go" she laughed nervously
"You really shouldn't. I'm sure we can find something for you to do" Serena said as she walked down the hallway towards Blair "You're sweating" she said as she looked on to notice the excessive water stains that were on Blair's dress
"She ran" Dan told her as Serena laughed
"It's understandable" Serena replied "With that looming threat that was called in on 5th and 57th street, people were in a panic, so I'm sure you just went along with the crowd" she said as smiled devilishly
"Apparently. I just had to run because I wanted to escape the lenses of Manhattan Daily taking a current, more subdued and well put together, picture of myself than that of ill times that are completely inaccurate" Blair replied as Serena and Blair kept their fake smiles for a few moments longer "What's going on?" she asked as she looked over at Dan
"Serena helped me" Dan smiled
"Helped you? With what? Organizing make up pallets or your attention schedule of her?" Blair asked
"What?" Dan asked
"Nothing, just throwing possible reasons as to how Serena could help such a brilliant writer such as yourself" Blair replied
"Oh, but you see that's where his muse comes into play…" Serena began to say
"Oh, that's bullshit. I'm the damn muse in this relationship" Blair quickly replied breaking her sweet exterior she tried to convey for Dan's sake before a silence came between them all
"Is everything okay?" Dan asked "I feel like something else is going on" he said as he looked on at the girls skeptically
"Nothing. She's just tired from her sweat filled jog" Serena said "But I am eager to share the news with Blair since this will be big for you" she said
"Yes, this helps majorly" Alessandra added
"What's the news?" Blair asked
"Well Serena happened to come by, and we started talking. I told her about problems with the producer and how it could affect the movie. So Serena has arranged a party with a few of her contacts that happen to be producers" Dan smiled
"Since when do you do Hollywood? Emphasis on the doing part" Blair asked
"I have connections to producers through Richard and my modeling days of when I was young. That's how I met Sarah Myers, great fan of my work" Serena said as Blair glared on at Serena, giving her a death stare that she hoped Dan wouldn't see
"The party is tomorrow night. With such late notice, I'm hoping that we can get a full attendance and do an on the spot presentation of the script" Alessandra said
"Yeah" Dan said "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't come by today Serena, thanks a lot" he smiled as Blair couldn't help but get jealous at the smile Dan had on his face towards Serena that spoke of more in depth feelings that Blair had yet to fully discover.
"You won't have to worry about a thing, I've taken care of everything Dan will need" Serena said as Blair glared on at Serena "Well, I should be going. I have a few more calls to make" she said as she walked over to grab her purse
"As should I" Alessandra said "I feel relieved with the progress that we've made" she smiled
"Yeah, we might actually get to the production phase with the right person" Dan said as he got up to walk Serena and Alessandra out "Serena, thanks again" he said as Serena smiled on at Dan, knowing that Blair was looking on. Turning to leave, Dan looked for a moment as Alessandra and Serena left while Blair couldn't help but watch Dan look on longer than usual as company had left the house. Closing the door, Dan turned to see Blair's watchful eye on him, which surprised him. "What?" he asked
"Why am I just now hearing about problems with a producer?" Blair asked
"Because it just happened today" Dan said "Apparently Lyle's normal producer that he works with couldn't wait any longer on the project, so he took another project" he said
"Okay, so then tell me. Why go and tell Serena?" Blair asked
"Are you being serious right now?" Dan questioned
"Do I look like I'm kidding with you?" Blair asked
"I didn't ask because I didn't think me asking or telling Serena would be a big deal. She's your best friend, she's an extension of you" Dan said
"She'd wish" Blair scoffed at the notion "She's loving the fact that you came to her with your ailing questions" she said
"What's the real issue here? Ever since you came, I could detect something between the two of you" Dan asked
"There's no issue. My only issue is that I have to hear about you having a problem after the fact of you telling other people" Blair said
"Okay, well when you start acting like my supposed girlfriend then I'll tell you these things. While I'm your patient that you have to shield from everything and anything then…" Dan began to say
"Who's shielding you? I'm not shielding you by showing concern. I didn't know I had to agree with you in order to be perceived as your girlfriend" Blair questioned
"No, this has nothing about my perception of what I want you to be" Dan replied "I talked to Serena, I told Serena because she cared to know. She didn't treat me like a damn head trauma case that is about to make a breakthrough at any moment. She treated me like a person" he said angrily "Maybe if you did that a bit more then you'd know more details in the present than in the after fact" he said as a few moments of silence came between them before Dan turned to head to his bedroom, leaving Blair behind.
"The old Dan wouldn't have left this mess for me to clean" Blair said to herself as she began to gather his notes up. Stopping for a moment, Blair thought to herself before she walked over towards her purse to grab her phone. Having a bit of hesitation, Blair replayed the argument with Dan over in her head and the thought of Serena's smug smile overwhelmed her and her decision making. Beginning to write a text message, Blair eagerly typed away.
Blair: Alessandra, Serena is unable to get in touch with you but she wanted me to send you a final list of the guests that are to be invited. She's busy so just direct any other changes to me.
Sending the message off. Blair waited eagerly for a moment before her phone began to vibrate from another message coming in.
Alessandra: Okay. Serena and you are such a help. Dan's lucky to have you both
Blair read the message as she couldn't help but shake her head at the prospect of Dan having them both. Staring off aimlessly, Blair thought over her actions but could only come to same conclusion that one way or another, Serena had pushed her to this point and she was simply fighting back. Fighting for her relationship.
Sizing up the distance the ball had to go, Carter looked on for a few moments before he finally took his stance. Letting out a yawn as he watched Carter, Nate rested his head on the dash of the go kart while Chuck laid back on seats with his sunglasses covering his eyes to show that he had fallen asleep. Taking a few practice swings, Carter imagined the golfers and how they would take this swing on the television. Finding a comfort in his stance, Carter softly hit the ball as he anxiously watched the ball roll towards the hole only to spin out. Cursing loudly in frustration, Carter threw his golf club as far as he could. Hearing Carter's curse words, Chuck immediately woke up from his slumber a bit relieved that the end was near for their day of golf.
"Can we go now?" Nate asked "I'm bored out of my mind that it's actually making me reconsider adding another class to avoid this type of boredom" he groaned
"Would you ask Tiger Woods to leave the golf course?" Carter asked
"No because I wouldn't be on the golf course to meet Tiger Woods nor do I want to be" Nate replied
"Why are you taking this so seriously?" Chuck asked still half asleep
"Because we've spent a half a day out here, and I'm so many stroke behinds that I swear it's only get worse with as much attention I put towards it" Carter said
"You lost me" Nate replied
"I'm sure the average literary sentence loses you" Carter said "I need to channel my inner Phil Mickelson" he said taking a few deep breaths
"Or you could just channel yourself getting back to Victrola to get to work because that's where we should be" Chuck groaned
"I'm channeling!" Carter declared just as Jack pulled up in his golf cart
"And this day just got worse" Chuck sighed as he looked on at his Uncle's signature grin as he got out of the cart
"Boys, fancy seeing you all out here" Jack said as he walked up to him
"We're just leaving" Chuck replied as he sat up
"Not sure golfing includes one sleeping in the back of the cart and one sleeping on the wheel" Jack said
"Golf is a new form of torture" Nate replied
"I bet" Jack smiled smugly "Do you mind if I borrow my nephew for a moment? Business to be discussed" he said
"I mind" Carter said as he walked over towards Jack
"You shouldn't be jealous, it's a female trait and Nate's" Jack replied
"Jealousy isn't a trait of mine, I just tend to dislike my business partner talking with other businesses that practice bad tactics" Carter said
"This is cute, you sticking up for Chuck" Jack replied with a bit of smirk
"What do you want? Chuck quickly asked
"Must we do this with an audience, such bad etiquette" Jack said
"This is all you get" Chuck said as a few moments of silence
"I accept your decision to leave, I actually enjoyed it…" Jack began to say
"Can we get to the point?" Chuck asked as he sighed
"I would like for you to come back to Bass Industries. The company is your birth right and I want this to remain in the family. I've seen how much work you've put in and I just think that we could be stronger together than apart" Jack told him as Chuck looked at him skeptically
"Have you been smoking the herb?" Chuck asked
"No, I know it may sound that way but once I plan to assume control of the company. Granted that you did quit and forfeit your rights to CEO, I want to bring you in as my Vice President of operations" Jack said
"And the pay?" Chuck asked
"Ten percent increase to the salary you were all ready earning" Jack replied
"Well, that's…that's certainly something I didn't see coming" Chuck said as he thought over Jack's proposal for a moment
"You'll still take on the same duties, this is as good as it gets for you kid" Jack said
"You mean besides the fact that he owns two companies, one being a hotel on the way" Carter questioned
"Bass Industries trumps whatever Victrola could ever be" Jack said
"I guess this makes sense" Chuck said after a few moments of thought
"What is there to think about? This deal is crap" Carter replied
"No, it's not crap. It actually makes sense, and for Jack to come here…I see that something great could be done here" Chuck replied
"Are you high?" Nate asked
"I believe that if my Uncle has come here to ask suck a proposal, that would get me such a prominent seat in Bass Industries then it only means one thing" Chuck said
"A brighter future" Jack smiled
"You're up to something" Chuck quickly replied
"Thank you, I was thinking you had sold your soul to the devil….again" Nate replied
"You giving me the Vice President seat, that's a bit of a stretch. Especially since you're one to revel in the glory by your lonesome than to share it" Chuck said "So what have you done in the timespan of a week?" he asked
"This was an honest proposal…." Jack began to say
"You and honesty don't go together" Chuck replied
"Not like you haven't been known to cause chaos. You unleashed this unholy warfare on the Upper Eastside, which ended in a blood bath" Carter said
"Pure allegations. Nothing significant but my prior ties to Chuck's mother" Jack said
"His mother, who was bat shit crazy. Yes, take the claim for that, makes you sound so noble" Carter replied
"I'm not coming back to Bass Industries. I've made it clear to my father and I'm making it even clearer for you" Chuck said "So whatever your up to, you'll need another route to go" he said
"Typically I'd use some clever golf phrase to express my sentiments of hit the road but I think I'll let my actions speak for itself and….actually hit the road" Carter said as he grabbed another golf club to throw out of frustration "That hit the road. Now I….I'm about to hit the road because I've stated…."he began to say
"You lost the zest to the stinger to where it just seems drawn out" Nate said
"Shut up drop out" Carter quickly replied
"You can't run away from your birth right" Jack told Chuck
"Oh, I sure hope I can. I just might actually be normal if I could run as far away from all things Bass" Chuck said just as Nate received a text message
"Thank you Jesus" Nate praised to himself
"What?" Carter asked
"Party at the Met tonight for Dan" Nate told the boys
"The Met? For Dan?" Carter questioned
"That's what Serena just text me" Nate told them
"Well then, I believe we have plans that we must attend to. But since we're being serious we won't stay too long because we'll keep in…." Carter began to say
"Again, you lost the zest" Nate quickly replied as Chuck and Carter got their spots in the cart before Chuck waved off to his uncle while Nate drove off. Watching as the boys zipped off down the fairway, Jack pulled his phone out as he began to dial a familiar number.
"Get a dress, you're going to a party tonight" Jack said
Stowed away in her office, April used this rare work time in the morning where the girls were just getting their schedules in line for the day. Finding her office to be the only safe place to compromise her notes and audio notes, April felt like to access her notes early and put them down in the proper document form that she would eventually have to turn in. Looking on at her notes that she had collected over the past day, April began to type away her desk as her ideas and thoughts were flowing freer than ever. Coming up with her hypothesis and theory after looking at the notes she had, April felt confident that her topic would come together to create the perfect paper. Taking a few moments to think, April began to get back to work as she typed away furiously once a sudden thought came into her mind. Using her Psychology textbook as a reference as she wrote.
"The Alpha Females have exhibited in crucial, critical times to display the ultimate mean girl tactic, relational aggression. Such tactics include publicly humiliating or spreading nasty rumors about other girls, pitting friends against one another, excluding or rejecting former friends, or even developing a set of rules for their group members and punishing disobedience. Though they have not gone to such extent, The Alpha Females have displayed aggression towards each other in attempts to protect that of which they conceal, but one may question what it is the true depths of what they may conceal…." April began to say
"Why are you talking to yourself?" Blair asked as April looked up to see the brunette looking back at her
"Nothing. I was just…I was just thinking aloud" April said as she casually put away her recorder so that Blair wouldn't see "What's up?" she asked
"I'm just relaying the news to everyone or the few that are currently in the office, Dan's holding a party at the Met. So be there and dress casual, it's a business function" Blair sighed as she entered the office to tell her
"Business?" April asked
"Yes, something in regards to the producer" Blair said "He's hoping that he can find a producer for the movie he's working on with Lyle" she said
"You don't seem so excited" April noted after a few moments of silence
"I'm excited, I'm just not thrilled of how it all came about" Blair said "But I think it will all work itself out in the end, and he will appreciate my input on the manner" she said as a weak smile came to her face
"What's it like?" April asked after a few moments
"What's it like what?" Blair asked in confusion
"To love" April asked with a smile of hope "I imagine that it's what the movie describes it to be. Dancing, unexplained singing, joy. I guess the childish G-rated versions of it" she said
"It is, at first" Blair said "But then the work comes in. It's all work, constant work that sometimes you don't get off days from" she said
"But it's worth it, right?" April asked as Blair's natural answer would've been depressing but seeing the bit of hope in April's eyes, Blair found that she couldn't break the girls hope
"You'll love, it'll be an experience that you'll never forget. It'll hurt and it'll be gut wrenching at times but it's always worth it. The feeling is the best thing in the world, so it's always worth it" Blair said giving a glimmer of hope as they shared a silence "You're coming tonight, right?" she asked
"I'm putting it in my calendar as we speak" April said as she held her phone up to show evidence that she was
"Good, glad to have the support" Blair smiled "We have a strategy meeting in an hour in the boardroom. We have to figure out a way to get Sarah Myers back since we've been infiltrated b the likes of a heathen" she said before she made her way out of the office. Looking on at Blair for a few moments as she walked back to her office, April studied her closely before grabbing her recorder once again.
"The Alpha Female natural instinct is to display confidence. Even in times of uncertainty the Alpha Female exudes the traits of a leader, but have no doubt that a plan is forming to show dominance to the Alpha Female, Cady" April spoke into the recorder.
Meanwhile…
Observing the cubical area of the office, Blair began to notice that some of the employees weren't coming in at the time they should be. Not wanting to frustrate herself with what was going on around the office, Blair just chalked it up to something she'd have to figure out later, when she was ready to take on another task. Making her way into her office, Blair was surprised to see Jenny and Dan lounging in her office. Seeing the surprise that was on her face, Jenny smiled for a moment as she knew Blair would welcome the impromptu visit that Dan had made.
"I'll see you guys later" Jenny said as she got up from her seat on the sofa "I do believe I have work to get to" she said
"Are you coming tonight?" Dan asked
"Wouldn't miss it" Jenny smiled before she closed the door behind her as she left
"This is a surprise" Blair said as they looked on at each other for a few moments before Dan got up from his seat to hold up a brown bag
"You left early, so I figured that you skipped breakfast" Dan said "Got you the breakfast burrito that you like" he said as he handed the burrito to Blair. Looking on at the burrito for a moment, Blair's look of surprise had shifted to another realization
"My favorite burrito" Blair smiled weakly
"With the extra sauce in the bag" Dan said "I remember that tid bit from a rare café experience in seventh grade" he smiled
"I'm glad" Blair smiled "I've got my favorite burrito" she said
"Listen, I know that things were a little crazy yesterday but I hope we're on better terms today" Dan said "I don't want this tension and I just feel like we're both trying and we're not being ourselves" he said
"Possibly" Blair said "That's a valid point in all of this but tonight is all about you. It's about helping you" she smiled
"Thanks" Dan said as he awkwardly leaned in to kiss her on the cheek to where his gesture didn't even feel natural but forced "I'll see you tonight then" he smiled
"Yeah" Blair said forcing a smile before Dan walked over towards the door to leave
"We have something in common, love the burritos" Dan smiled before he closed the door behind himself to leave. Standing in silence for a moment, Blair looked down at the burrito that he had so proudly delivered to her.
"Only problem is that I'm not the one you have something in common with….Serena, ultimate breakfast burrito with extra sauce on the side" Blair said to herself as she looked on at the burrito and what it stood for.
Did-did you trip down 12 steps into Malibu
(Malibu, ooh, ooh, ooh)
So why the hell is there a light that's keeping us forever
Bel Air baby, did you get dressed up?
Pretty pout, pout
(While you bottomed out out)
I can't stop it when there's chemicals keeping us together
Uh, uh, uh, I'm singing
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Trip played with his watch as he waited patiently. Seeing that Serena was on a mission, Trip figured that any point of trying to calm her down in this mess that had been created would prove to be useless. Putting her final earring on, Serena grabbed her perfume to spritz a few dabs on herself before she turned to face Trip. Noticing that he looked like he wanted to say something so badly, Serena just sighed as she gave him the final pause to give him the conversation he desperately wanted to have with her.
"Is tonight necessary?" Trip asked
"Yes" Serena quickly replied
"Why?" Trip asked
"Because Blair has to know that she can't just use me as her punching bag when she can't deal, I'm punching back and hopefully Tyler will get the hint in all of this" Serena said
"So this is all for sake of defending yourself?" Trip questioned
"Yes" Serena replied just as her phone began to vibrate from a call that she was receiving. Looking at her phone skeptically, Serena walked over to grab the phone before she answered the phone "Hello" she answered and within a matter of moments, Serena's facial expressions had turned to anger
"Oh, tonight will not be good" Trip said to himself
"No, I didn't un-invite anyone?! Invite everyone on my contact list that I gave to you…" Serena began to say before she waited for her reply as Trip began to dial a number of his own "I don't care if the Met gets filled to the max. If so then Blair will have un-invite the people she's invited" she exclaimed before she made her way out of the room. Putting the phone up to his ear, Trip waited a few moments before the caller picked up.
"Yeah, I know this may be unexpected…but I need your help. She's gone off the deep end" Trip said
Whoa, how the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
They fall in love
How the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
Oh how the mighty fall in love
With their arms linked together, Blair and Dan looked on at the scene of the Met to see that it looked like a scene out of a frat party with how crowded it was. Looking a bit shocked, Dan was unsure if this was a normal thing to see the Met at the max. A smile slowly coming to her face, Blair tried to conceal her happiness so that Dan wouldn't see. Walking towards the couple, Alessandra weaved her way in and out of the crowd just to get to Dan and Blair.
"Looks like Serena planned a rager as opposed to a business gathering. Take the girl from the party but can't take the party out of the girl" Blair sighed
"We may have a slight problem" Alessandra said
"What?" Dan asked
"The Met, it's at maximum capacity and we're getting calls from the…." Alessandra began to say
"I do believe I can offer a suggestion and may have a bit of contact to solve this said problem" Blair said
"Good, what's your solution?" Dan asked
"We set up tents on the outside, move a bit of the party on the outside. The Met should have outside heaters in storage so pull those out in case of a chill. I can call in a favor for catering to have food in and outside" Blair suggested as she read it off like she already planned it "Its all quite simple, I'm surprised Serena missed such an important step in part planning" she said
"Well I guess we should try it, we have no other option" Dan sighed "Good suggestion" he said giving Blair her due respect before he quickly walked off with Alessandra to tend to the problem at hand.
"Game, set, and match to me" Blair said to herself
"The Alpha Female smiles devilishly as she's more than aware that Alpha Female, Cady, will be walking into a set plan…." April began to say as she quickly popped up beside Blair
"What the hell?! You scared the crap out of me. Why do you keep talking to yourself?" Blair asked as Jenny and Justine quickly walked up to grab the recorder from April
"No more talking to yourself" Jenny told her "It's getting creepy. The guy on the subway thought you had turrets or something" she said
"And the sad thing was he could recognize it because he had turrets himself. You were about to make a love connection with all this crazy talk to yourself" Justine said
Your crooked love is just a pyramid scheme
And I'm dizzy on dreams (and I'm dizzy on dreams)
But if you ask me two's a whole lot lonelier than one
B-baby we should have left our love in the gutter where we found it
(Gutter where we found it)
Cause you think you think your only crime is that you got caught
I'm singing
Seeing the scene, Serena quickly got out of the limo while Nate and Trip quickly followed behind her, trying to keep up. Standing on the steps, Serena took on the full display to see that what was supposed to be a small gathering had turned into a rager. Clenching her fists tight, Serena groaned in frustration as she could only imagine what else Blair had done in retaliation.
"This isn't exactly what I expected, but it could work" Nate said
"It's not what was planned. Blair did this" Serena replied
"Blair planned this?" Nate asked
"I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding" Trip tried to reason
"No, I'm pretty sure my sister had something to do with this" Tyler said as he walked up towards them "Serena" he said greeting the blond before she just rolled her eyes and walked off
"You're not supposed to be here" Trip said
"Relax, I'm just about to leave. I just wanted to show my support for Dan but finding him would be pointless in this mayhem" Tyler said
"If Serena and Blair are at war, I can only imagine the result will be…it will be very bad" Nate said as the boys nodded in agreement with his statement
Whoa, how the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
They fall in love
How the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
Oh how the mighty fall in love
Making her way through the crowd, Ivy looked on for a familiar face as she found this party of all parties to be more difficult than the others she had attended since being in the Upper Eastside world. Noticing Blair from a distance, Ivy quickly headed over towards Blair as she was the only person she could recognize out of the bunch. Just as she began to approach Blair, Ivy quickly saw that Blair was walking away with a group of girls that appeared to be her friends. Standing in the midst of the overwhelming crowd, Ivy just sighed as she looked for any bit of a familiar face.
"You know, it's hard to leave such a party when it leaves much intrigue. Dan throwing this type of party, a bit shocking" Carter said as he walked up beside Ivy
"I guess some things have changed in Danny" Ivy smiled "I think you've come to my rescue" she said to him
"Good, it's this new serious approach I'm trying out" Carter smiled
Whoa, how the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
They fall in love
How the mighty fall
The mighty fall
The mighty fall
Oh how the mighty fall in love
Stepping out for some air along with the girls, Blair observed the tent area to see how Dan was doing with one of the producers she had sent his way. Thankful that Cyrus's entertainment law contacts had come in to handy, Blair could only hope that Dan would hit it off with someone that she had brought in rather than Serena's shady producers. Taking a sip from her glass of champagne, listening on to the talks of Justine and Jenny on the random guests that showed up, Blair smelled a gust of a familiar perfume that let her know instantly who she was about to encounter. Like a scene out of the wild, wild west Blair slowly turned to face her as they came to the anticipated stand down.
"The Alpha Females Regina and Cady have finally come in to contact with each other" April said as she noticed the two girls glare upon each other
"After listening to a few of your recordings, I've finally understood what the hell you were talking about. You're using Mean Girl references to these two" Justine said
"Hence the Cady and Regina" Jenny said finally catching on "Who's who?" she asked as Justine and April just gave her a look "I can pretty much take a guess as to who is who now" she nodded as the girls backed away from Serena and Blair in their standoff, hoping they'd work it out
"How vindictive can you be? Changing the guest list, really?" Serena questioned Blair
"I added class instead of the crappy Lindsay Lohan producers you've thrown at Dan. That's a stellar way to show your belief in something he's worked so hard on" Blair replied
"Lindsay Lohan producers? They work in the industry Blair, they don't exactly represent one person" Serena replied
"One is enough to get a bad reputation" Blair replied "You know, that's something you should know about" she said
"If the truth would've been written in your play, you know the part where you had sex with my boyfriend like a horny jack rabbit, then you'd know what it is to have a bad rep" Serena replied
"Oh, get off it. Dan is my boyfriend, and I did what a girlfriend would do. I supported him and I'm supporting him with his book and movie" Blair replied
Meanwhile….
Walking alongside Orsen Deans, a producer that he had talked with, Dan felt like this was a surreal moment to be talking actual concepts of the film with such an icon. Taking a seat with Lyle, Dan began to loosen up as the process of this was to just sale the story as opposed to himself. Though he was a bit hazy on a few things, Lyle and Alessandra had grown to know the script well enough to talk so highly about the book.
Meanwhile….
"The only reason why you've gravitated towards Dan again is that he thinks your some angel" Blair replied
"What?! I never gravitated towards Dan until you started acting so crazy. It's not my fault that Dan doesn't see me in this new light you've suddenly cast me in" Serena replied
"That's because you've put on this act like you're some saint. Knowing that Dan is at the reset button with his amnesia just allowed you to get your mythical mystique back with him" Blair replied
"Are you hearing yourself? You sound like a lunatic!?" Serena exclaimed
"At least I own mine. You did just about the same things I've done, Manhattan Daily sound familiar. So don't act like I'm the only one acting like a lunatic" Blair replied
"I've only retaliated to show you that I'm not going to deal with your tantrums like in high school. Tyler and you can play evil siblings all you want but I'm not going to be pushed around by you" Serena stated
"Give me a break, you like the spotlight. You yearn for it. I'm surprised you haven't casted yourself in Dan's movie for crying out loud" Blair replied
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Serena asked
"It means that anytime you can have the spotlight, you take it. Dan suddenly blanks and can recall freshmen year where you shined bright, so you gravitate towards that as some justification of the unwanted spotlight you're trying to avoid now" Blair said "You left Sean out to dry in all of this because you can't deal with the fact that people might actually want to know what the hell happened and now you want to pull the I don't want the public to know crap. Newsflash, you've given them access thus far, might as well give it to them now so at least Sean can have his life back" she stated
Meanwhile…
Feeling the words becoming harsher with each words said, Justine stood with a grimacing expression on her face as all she could do was look on at the crowd that was beginning to gather. Looking beside her to see that April had her recorder on hand, Jenny tried to grab the recorder back but Justine had stopped her from doing so.
"This could actually be used as a case study. We could be billionaires if she cracks this" Justine stated
"But it's wrong, you can't study someone without them knowing" Jenny stated
"Do you think you wouldn't get the same material with her knowing?" April asked as Jenny thought for a moment
"…just explain the whole relational aggression?" Jenny asked
Meanwhile….
"You have no right to bring Sean into this. Sean has nothing to do with my reasons" Serena replied
"He has everything to do with it!? He's the one suffering in all of this. Tyler's looking out for his friend, as he should do, and you want to berate him for that because it goes against what you want. You're vindictive and crazy, that's his family, Sean has a family to care for but he's so stuck with being loyal to you to see that you're not showing him any loyalty back" Blair replied
"So glad to see you decide to take my side in things…" Serena began to say
"This has nothing to do with sides, this has everything to do with you because that's how you want it to be as always" Blair replied
"Well if we're calling on the past then it should be no surprise that once again you can't handle change in your perfect little world" Serena replied
Meanwhile…
Flipping through the pages of April's notes, Justine and Jenny read with much fascination on the data that April had collected thus far. Finding much interest and understanding, Jenny just stood in amazement as she began to process what April had so eloquently written. Taking the reading glasses off, Justine handed the glasses back to the old man that sat in his wheelchair before returning back to the circle.
"So medically she's crazy" Justine said in disbelief "This explains so much" she said in disbelief
"Her Alpha Female traits put her in a different class. Her reaction is to react instead of process a healthier manner of dealing with things" April said
"True, Blair's always been like that" Jenny nodded
"People , like all creatures are both voluntarily and involuntarily responsive/reactive to perceptions. People can 'make' perceptions. By believing some of our images are real. Irrational beliefs make for dysfunctional behavior" April explained
"What you just said, that's Blair all the way" Justine replied as she felt like she was cracking the case that was Blair.
"Crazy people do what they do, they too simply react to their unrecognized images as if empirical perceptions. We're all 'crazy', only differences is the degree, mild crazy is accepted as normal, even though it's not natural. Sanity or psychological well-being is one 'frame of reference' up from the 'frame of reference ' most people are currently functioning at. Humans are still evolving to that level. It's already available, we all had 'glimpses' of it" April explained
"So then where does this whole Alpha Female come in to play?" Jenny asked
Meanwhile…
"I can't handle change?! Are you joking? I've dealt with nothing but change. This past year has been a change galore" Blair replied
"No, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about you wanting Dan to see you as is one and only" Serena replied
"I'd tread carefully…." Blair began to say
"You ever stop to think that I might not be the threat you make me out to be. The real problem in this is that karma has finally come back around to you" Serena replied "You two would've never happened if it weren't for him feeling sorry for you. You snuck around behind my back to have this relationship because deep down you knew that some part of it wasn't real" she said
"Shut up" Blair replied
"This is karma and I'm glad you're finally seeing how it feels to have something taken from you!" Serena stated angrily as Blair just glared on at Serena
Meanwhile….
The silence of the crowd had been deafening, as it was clear that the words had gotten feistier between the two girls. Looking over at Jenny to see she was looking back, Justine nodded for a moment as she could see Jenny came to the same conclusion as she did along with her.
"I think we're about to see where the Alpha Female comes into play" Justine stated as they turned their attention back towards Serena and Blair
Meanwhile….
"You bitch!" Blair yelled as she lounged at Serena, causing the two girls to get into a cat fight of epic proportions. Friends trying to stop the fight as it only drew more attention from other guests, mixed with spectators that cheered the fight on.
"Blair!" Jenny said trying to get close
"Serena!" Trip said as he tried to get as close as he could but found arms swinging about as they continued to go at each other
"Take…it…back!" Serena said as she grabbed on to a chunk of Blair's head to prevent her from getting the upper hand
"Never!" Blair yelled before she shoved Serena back into the fountain while she fell along with her. Rolling around in the water, splashing about the girls didn't let up on their mission to destroy each other.
Meanwhile….
Coming to his portion of the discussion, Dan did his best to explain the aspects of the story that had to have a bit of abstract view, which in some cases caused a bit more money in producer speak. Noticing that Orsen's attention was being shifted elsewhere to where the crowd was going, Dan slowed up on his talking to realize that he was losing the attention. Getting up from his seat in a casual manner, Orsen walked along with a crowd while Alessandra and Lyle reluctantly tagged along. Dan slowly stood to his feet, tempted to go along with the crowd but ultimately decided to stay back to see what was going on. Standing up on the chair, Dan looked on ahead to see two girls wallowing about in the fountain, in what looked to be a chick fight. After a few stares, Dan keyed in on what was happening to see that the two girls looked familiar to him because they were Blair and Serena. Laughing to himself in disbelief, Dan just shook his head as he got down from his seat.
Meanwhile…
"Okay, this is ridiculous. We have to stop this" Justine said listening to the crowd cheer on the girl fight
"How?" April asked while Jenny looked over to see Carter, Chuck, Ivy, Trip, and Nate trying to get Serena or Blair's attention individually.
"Chuck!" Jenny said as she ran over towards Chuck and Carter "Can you guys handle this side?" she asked
"How exactly do you manage a crowd?" Carter asked
"You work with crowds of drunken guys all the time, you can't handle this?" Jenny questioned
"Good point" Carter replied
"We'll handle this side but we just have to stop the crowd madness first" Jenny said as Chuck and Carter quickly began to shoo the crowd away as Jenny and Justine began to do so on their side
"Parties over. Go home, parties over" Chuck said as people hesitated in walking away
"Go home!" Carter called out as he shooed people away. Noticing the disgruntled people walking away, Ivy scanned the crowd before she finally noticed Dan from the distance. Looking on to see Dan hailing a taxi as he made his way down the stairs. Quickly breaking away from the crowd, Ivy ran over to follow behind Dan, leaving amongst the dwindled down crowd of the girl fight. Hailing a taxi just as Dan drove off in his, Ivy quickly hopped in, in a hurry.
"Follow that taxi ahead" Ivy instructed the driver
Managing to get both girls tame, Serena and Blair sat with handcuffed to the posts with a bit of space between them. Since the police had come to clear up the disturbance, Justine was able to convince the police officers to leave the handcuffs as a means to settle the peace between the feuding Alpha Females. Accessing the mindset of both girls, the gang stood back to see that they were still furious with each other but they knew this was the only way to settle the matter since they weren't eager to let them get back to normal life to let this problem fester on. Sneaking in a picture of the two, Carter quickly noticed the glare that Blair sent his way and quickly put his phone away. Noticing that Ivy wasn't around, Carter began to look around a bit before he finally just came to the assumption that she had to leave for work or something. Stepping to the front, Jenny took Serena and Blair's cell phone before handing them to Justine.
"Is that really necessary?" Blair asked
"Says the girl that just partook in her own version of WWE Smackdown? Yes, very much" Nate replied
"Let me go. I have things to do tomorrow, cleaning up her mess would be one of them" Serena replied
"Oh, please. You have little to do beyond sleeping in and watching stupid Katherine Hepburn movies…" Blair quickly replied
"Katherine Hepburn isn't stupid, you're stupid" Serena replied
"That's a real mature comeback" Blair replied "This is stupid could you let me go. You know the person that actually is running a company" she requested
"A company where nearly fifteen employees have checked into some form of a clinic or hospital for exhaustion" Justine replied
"From doing work?" Blair questioned
"No, for this little feud you two have going on. We don't do warfare tactics, that's military crap" Jenny scolded Blair
"Trip, can you please get me out of this?" Serena asked as she looked over at her boyfriend
"I actually have some place to be" Trip said looking on at his watch
"So you're just going to leave me?" Serena questioned
"You two clearly need to work on your issues, so you two can do that however your friends see fit to do so" Trip replied "I will see you in the morning" he said walking over to kiss Serena on the forehead before he turned to walk away
"Can somebody, anyone that is loyal to me, take these handcuffs off of me!?" Blair stated becoming frustrated
"No. You both will stay handcuffed to these posts until you show some semblance of sanity" Justine said
"And how exactly can we show that?" Blair asked
"By doing something uncrazy, I don't know I didn't think up this part of the plan" Justine quickly replied "The security guard will call if he thinks your good or if he should shoot for the sake of humanity" she said
"So what are you guys going to do?" Serena asked in a panic
"Get some work done" Chuck replied
"Something productive" Carter said
"Productive and you don't go together" Blair scoffed
"And I thought handcuffs and you never would, guess I was wrong" Carter smirked before they all turned to walk away, leaving the two girls behind
"The Alpha Females are left by their inner circle as the inner circle has assessed the fight is not worth fighting for…." April began to say into her recorder as she stayed behind before Jenny quickly grabbed April's arm to tug her along "Hey, I was talking" she stated
"And that's what the problem was" Justine replied as Jenny caught up with them. Realizing that all their friends had left, Blair and Serena sat in silence for a few moments as it was finally hitting them that they were left behind.
"Look what you did" Blair replied
"Oh, shut up" Serena replied annoyed that she'd have to stay behind with Blair
Meanwhile….
Climbing the stairwell of the familiar loft building, Ivy opened the door to the Humphrey loft that she had been in numerous times in Vanessa's babysitting watching duties. Looking around to see there was no sight of Dan, Ivy walked over towards Rufus's guitar collection that he had left behind to realize that one was missing. A slight smile came to her face as it all began to come back to her, grabbing the pick from Rufus's stash of collectible guitar pics, Ivy quickly made her way out of the loft. Heading up towards the rooftop, Ivy opened the door to the rooftop to see Dan sitting on his crate with his dad's guitar in hand.
"It's been awhile since you've done this" Ivy said making her presence known as Dan turned to look at her "You used to do this whenever your parents got into a fight. You'd sit up here and strum away, no key or melody, you'd just strum" she said as she handed the pic to Dan
"What's this for?" Dan asked
"I figured if you're so stressed and bothered, might as well learn to play the damn thing correctly" Ivy said as Dan took the pic while she pulled up a crate
"I had to come back here. It's the only place that makes sense to me. Everything else, it just seems chaotic and unreal" Dan said "I feel like I'm trying to adapt to a world that I would never be in as my normal self" he sighed as he strummed
"The Upper Eastside?" Ivy asked
"The Upper Eastside. Serena van der Woodsen. Blair Waldorf" Dan said "I don't get how I go from a boy that loved every bit of what Brooklyn stood for, to a boy that wears Marc Jacob like it's the natural thing" he said
"Marc Jacobs is nothing to thump your nose up at" Ivy laughed
"You get what I mean though, right?" Dan asked
"I get you" Ivy smiled as a silence came between them "You ever think about stopping?" she asked
"Stopping what?" Dan asked
"Stop trying to be the boy in The Upper Eastside to start being the boy from Brooklyn" Ivy said as she strummed the guitar with her hand as she sat across from him "Maybe you did it for success reasons, but maybe you did it to prove you were just as good, if not better than them" she said
"After tonight, I'm clearly seeing that they themselves don't even care about each other" Dan sighed "I failed tonight. I failed big time and I'm just not sure I want to keep trying" he sighed
"Then come back. Come back home" Ivy said "No one is forcing you to stay or be something you're not. Just come back to Brooklyn. I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere" she smiled
"It never does" Dan laughed softly
Seeing the lights of the Met begin to dim as the night had taken over, Blair looked around to see the steady stream of people that had passed by were now slowing down to be none at all. Hearing Serena let out a sigh, Blair looked over at her friend to see her try to adjust herself so that her back was up against the post, to where a sleeping position was possible. Taking this moment to think, Blair felt like for the first time in the past couple of days she was forced to slow down and think. Thoughts running rampant with no signs of stopping for the sake of cruelty. Closing her eyes, Serena just rested as she had gotten used to the fact that there was no more fight left in her. Opening her eyes a bit, Serena looked on to see Blair in deep thought as if she was accessing some things over.
"It's natural for me to blame you" Blair spoke after a few moments
"I know. You've done it since we were kids" Serena sighed "I just don't get why now? I haven't done anything" she said
"Oh, you've done something. You always do something" Blair laughed "Even when you don't realize it, you do something that evokes this childish behavior in me to act out. It forces me to want to say and prove that I exist along with you, that I could have the same allure as you" she laughed sadly
"B, I thought we were over this?" Serena asked after a few moments "I thought we were done trying to put each other down?" she questioned
"We can say that we are but we never will be. I'm always going to measure myself to you because your just….your my best friend, you're just you" Blair exclaimed
"Does this have to do with Dan?" Serena asked as Blair grew silent "Is this about his amnesia?" she asked once again as Blair remained silent "B, answer me!?" she said
"Yes, it's about Dan!" Blair admitted "It's about freshmen year Dan. It's about Dan, who's in love with you. It's about Dan that brings me a burrito for breakfast because he thinks that it's my favorite as he remembers some unknown event in 7th grade, when there's no way in God's green earth that I eat something that greasy in the morning. It's about the Dan that plays horrible emo music while I study for a test for a class that I'm barely surviving in. It's about Dan, and it's about you" she said as tears welled up in her eyes "I got scared, I got insecure. Nothing about what I've done and how I've progressed mattered because it became inevitable. I just turned into that girl again and that girl blames you, she blames you even when she knows it has nothing to do with you because in her mind, it has everything to do with you" she told her
"I didn't do anything B" Serena replied "In some odd way, I wish I could say that I did so you can be assured that there is a problem that is fixable but I didn't" she said
"You were right though. Maybe this all is karma coming back around" Blair said
"I just said that because I was upset. There's no basis to it" Serena said "Dan and you work. You fit, and you two have something that we all strive to have. I was never ready for freshmen Dan or even the version of Dan that I did have" she said
"It's all our past now or he likes to call it, the prior things that he can't get back" Blair laughed softly as a tear from her eye "I wish that you really were a lesbian, that we could both be lesbians" she said as Serena looked at her strangely
"Okay, that's random" Serena laughed
"I say that because I just keep thinking, who I would register to if another bout of amnesia should hit someone I love. I think of you. We're each other's worst enemies, we're each other's best of friend, we're each other's support, and we're everything to each other that there is no me without you…" Blair began to say
"And there is no me without you" Serena concluded
"I just want to exist to him" Blair said "I want to feel like in some tiny part of his world in freshmen year, I existed in his mind as something other than Queen Bee" she said
"You have to give it time" Serena said after a few moments "I know it's cliché but it's truth. You have to give him that time or else he'll feel resentment towards you" she said as Blair thought for a moment before Serena laughed to herself for a moment
"What's so funny?" Blair asked
"I just think it's funny that we're practically grown-ups, and yet we still manage to be so childish with each other. You're the only person that could drive me to be so childish and the only person that I constantly feel like I have to prove that I'm strong enough. You bring out some sort of warrior in me" Serena laughed "I just think about where the hell was this warrior girl, when I was getting the crap beaten out of me" she said as a seriousness came over them
"I think you were strong, I think you are strong" Blair said
"I like to think that I am but I can't do a simple thing as talking about it. I feel like if I talk about it, he'll have that control over me again. The things he did, the things I let him do to me…" Serena trailed off in thought as she thought back "People will think how stupid could she be to wait that long, to let it get to that point" she said as tears welled up in her eyes
"Screw what people think. Everyone has had opinion about us since Gossip Girl came about and beyond, who cares" Blair stated
"I care. I can sit here and do this we are woman chant with you but in the stillness of the night, the moments at night where it's just me. I think about it, I judge myself harsher than what anyone could ever do and I feel ashamed, I feel like I'm stupid for putting myself in that position. I'm basically ruining Sean's life and while I want to do all I can to stop it from affecting him, I just can stop it. I can't stop running from it" Serena said
"Who says you have to run?" Blair asked "S, it's all a part of the process. No matter what you do or how good things are going, you'll never shake the doubts but that doesn't make you weak. It just makes you normal. You're strong, every day that you recognize that you deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, that's another day of taking away the power he tried to strip from you. So if you going toe to toe with me makes you feel childish, I happen to see it as you showing your strength that I'm not sure the old you would've done" she said as Serena smiled with tears welled up in her eyes "I actually thought the 5th avenue shut down would break you, but you just kept coming" she said as the two girls laughed
"It did…" Serena laughed "I wanted to buy a new purse so badly" she laughed as they just enjoyed the moment "Ugh, why can't we talk like this all the time?" she asked
"Because we're too damn stubborn" Blair laughed "We're independent women that want things done our way, our time. No room for anything different" she said
"To being independent" Serena said holding her fist up
"Independence" Blair cheered on as they just laughed before the moment of realization once again came in "How the hell are we going to get out of here?" she asked
After an hour had passed of Serena and Blair calling out for help, the girls managed to wake the sleeping security guard to free them from the handcuffs that they were in. Making up and apologizing for their actions as they knew that it was all ready forgiven and forgotten, it was the niceties of just saying their apologies to let the other know that they were. Giving out their hugs, Blair and Serena quickly split up to go their respective ways in search of a hot shower. Once pulling up in front of the house, Blair sighed as she got out of the car, handing the money to the driver before she began to climb the small set of stairs. Letting herself in, Blair made her way in to see Dan coming out of the kitchen with a water bottle in hand as he had got up for his late night thirst quencher.
"Where've you been?" Dan asked breaking the silence between them
"Handcuffed to a post" Blair replied
"So the police handcuffed you for your little brawl?" Dan asked
"How?..." Blair began to ask
"I don't think it really matters. Point is that I saw it and it's over" Dan replied as a silence came between them "Was tonight ever really about me or was it just you getting back at Serena?" he asked
"…it was just us having a misunderstanding. It's a thing that will always be there with Serena and I…." Blair began to say
"So it just came at my expense?" Dan questioned
"You may see it that way but we both never wanted the night to turn into what it did, it just turned into that because we allowed it to" Blair said
"Well what you allowed cost me a chance to find a producer. I was talking to Orsen Dean, but he seemed more interested in your fight with Serena than in discussing anything with me" Dan said
"Dan…" Blair began to say
"You said that tonight was about me. Supporting me, helping me get back to work" Dan said as he looked Blair dead in the eyes "Was it so bad between Serena and you that you couldn't hold off on whatever it was that you two will forever have going on? Could you not just support me and be there for me?" he questioned
"I tried" Blair said as Dan felt no sincerity in what she was saying
"…I don't believe you" Dan said after a few moments of going back and forth in what to make of her words but couldn't find the sincerity in them "You see, I got this little tid bit while I was there, random fact that was floated around that you purposely sabotaged the party. You invited all of the people on your guest list so the part would reach the max. You did what you did to make Serena look bad but it came at my expense" he said as Blair looked on at him with her water welling up in her eyes "So you lied then….and you're lying now. You couldn't support me and be there for me because you only went for yourself" he told her before he slowly began to back away
Tonight, there's gonna be a whole lot of smoke in the air
Blow it hard for the ones who ain't here
Seems like every day we're putting one six feet underground
So blaze - what goes up, must come down
[Present]
Sitting in pure amazement at the presentation, Blair looked on at April as she broke down her topic to the class. On occasion, April would look over at Blair to see how she was reacting to the subject since it was clear as she went on that Blair was the subject of her presentation. As time went on, April continued on, showing much passion as she spoke about The traits of the Alpha Female and Mean Girl tactics used; Blair could see that her other classmates were really intrigued in what April had to say. Wanting to be mad as this was news to her that she was the subject, Blair couldn't manage to be upset as she knew April had no malice behind her actions but just truly someone that satisfied her curiosity of that she had.
"And that concludes my presentation" April said as the class began to clap for her before one student rose their hand up for a question
"We'll take questions" The professor said
"When the Alpha Female realizes the mean girl tactics gets her nowhere, what is she left with? I mean it's clear that she protects the things she holds close but the thing she held close, it started to move away from her protection. So what now?" The student asked as April smiled weakly before looking over at Blair as if she needed permission to access her true thoughts. Nodding to oblige and urge April on, Blair showed support than resistance to the truth
"She protects until she realizes she's no longer needed. It's in her nature, she's conditioned to be loyal and true. Being alone doesn't bother her because she's already alone. She stands alone in the standards she sets for herself and she'll standalone until her demise" April said as her eyes eventually met Blair's
"And that'll be all for the day" The professor said "April great job on the presentation. Everyone else, remember to work on your presentation and don't half ass it" he told the students as they gathered their things. Walking out together like they had many times before, April became nervous as she wasn't quite sure how to act around Blair. Making their way out to the quad area, Blair ate her usual apple that she had stored away as she took her usual seat.
"So I'm thinking I should my presentation on mind control. I was looking at some show last night and the villain used mind control" Blair said as she ate her apple. Though it was just a meaningless question that they would talk about regularly, April smiled as she was just relieved to see that they were good on all accounts.
"You could use mind control to get all the employees to not fear you anymore" April said as she began to pace back and forth
"Did I really cause people to experience exhaustion?" Blair questioned
"You enforced warfare tactics at a job where fashion is the key component. It's been decided on in a three to you get no vote, you're issuing a formal apology along with an ensured Christmas bonus" April said
"Bonus?" Blair questioned
"They had to go to a hospital or clinic" April stated once more
"Fine" Blair replied hesitantly
Now my buzz is gone', I need to re-up on reality
Can't let them see me weak, I need to pause on it
Is there any possibility that everyone feels like me?
Putting her hair up into a ponytail, Serena took a deep breath as she took these few moments to access her thoughts. Letting the memories flood back to where she could speak from the truth and not feel like she was being backed into a corner. Taking one final deep breath, Serena quickly turned to open the door to see Trip waiting outside. Immediately, Serena's publicist greeted her with a warm smile as she began to lead her towards the main room. Walking down the hallway, Serena felt every bit of her nerves going into over drive as she feared meeting Jason's mother for the first time. The closer she got to the main room, where the interview was to be held, Serena felt like every bit of air was being sucked away from her. Looking over to her left, Serena looked to see Sean looking back at her with Tyler by his side. Sharing a slight moment, Serena felt a bit of relief to know that Sean was being interviewed along with her. For the first time since Jason had died so tragically, Serena could feel the true moment of freedom from not just Jason but from the hell she put herself in.
"Serena their ready for you" Serena's publicist said before Serena made her way into the room
Ashtrays and heartbreaks
I lost some, let's toast to one
So put 'em high, lets reminisce
You're gone, but you'll never miss
Ashtrays and heartbreaks
I lost some, let's toast to one
So raise a glass to the memories
Set 'em free and fill up all those ashtrays
Fill up all those ashtrays
Finishing up their lunch time dance routine, Marley took in the cheers from the spectators that were her peers. Celebrating a successful performance, Marley quickly grabbed her things as she looked on to see where Serena was. It was a Monday, so Marley expected the faculty to be as sluggish as the kids were in getting back into the swing of things but Marley still held out hope to see Serena's face in the back. Heading towards the front office, Marley looked around inside for a few moments before Marley looked at Serena's desk to see that she wasn't there. Sighing in frustration, Marley made her way out of the office as she began to dig into her back pack for loose change. It wasn't just the fact that Serena not being there was disappointing but Serena's absence took away the option of Marley eating for the day, let alone the night. Counting over and over again, Marley came to the same conclusion that she only had thirty cents to her name for any source of food.
Tomorrow when you wake up and realize life ain't fair
Throw it back, and make the whole world disappear
You never miss what you had until it's gone
When it's right, something always will go wrong
Sipping on a cup of coffee as he looked on at his phone, Dan read the news on the message boards. Entertained with what was going on in the world, Dan laughed to himself for a few moments before he turned towards the building where he worked at. Looking on at the address to make sure that he was at the right address, Dan took the earbud out of his ear as he turned off the navigation system on his phone that let him know where to go as he walked to his office building. Heading up to the floor, in which his office was, Dan was immediately greeted by Alessandra as she seemed excited as she got off the phone.
"Good news, we got Orsen" Alessandra smiled
"How?" Dan asked "I thought he wasn't even paying attention" he said
"He was and he said that a colleague of his absolutely loved the story and they're eager to work with you and Lyle" Alessandra smiled as Dan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Now my buzz is gone, I need to re-up on reality
Can't let them see me weak, I need to pause on it
Is there any possibility that everyone feels like me?
Finishing up his phone call, Jack smiled as he made his way down the staircase. Ending the call, Jack groaned in frustration as he headed towards the dining table just as Ivy made her way into the penthouse from what looked like a morning run. Taking a seat at the table, Jack put his phone down while the maid prepared his coffee to his liking. Sitting beside him, Ivy began to nibble on the fruit that was out on the platter as they sat in silence for a few moments.
"Did you make the call?" Ivy asked
"Yes" Jack sighed "I got boy wonder Orsen Dean, which I'm still a bit hazy on why he needs this producer?" he asked
"Because it's the producer her wants" Ivy said
"And I should care why?" Jack asked
"Because Blair's little brawl with Serena cost him a chance with this producer. The sooner Dan gets back to work, the sooner he'll see how his work has nothing to do with the Upper Eastside" Ivy said
"Aw, look who's getting all three steps ahead on me" Jack smiled
"You never said why yourself?" Ivy asked "What's the reason why Dan is such a priority for you? Why is breaking these two up such a big deal?" she asked
"Hopefully, you'll never have to find out" Jack said after a few moments "He's had his time in the Upper Eastside, it's best he get back to his comfort zone" he said "How about dinner tonight?" he then asked
"Can't" Ivy replied as she got up from her seat "I'm having dinner with Carter tonight" she said
"Carter? He's not part of the plan?" Jack asked
"Yeah, he is. He's just a step you overlooked. Nothing stirs up the throws of pain than a good old fashion dose of jealousy" Ivy said before she relieved herself of her shirt as she threw it back on to Jack's head while she headed up the stairs.
Ashtrays and heartbreaks
I lost some, let's toast to one
So put 'em high, lets reminisce
You're gone, but you'll never miss
[Flashback- Tijuana,Mexico- Seven Years Ago]
Looking on at the dark sky, Georgina sat on the ground with her own bottle of tequila in hand as she wiped away tears. Hearing the gut wrenching cries of her sister still rang loudly in her ear that it was most certain that it was an image and sound that would stay with her forever. Once they were done with the gruesome procedure to set the bone in place for healing, Georgina found the closest bar around and paid whatever moment necessary to get the strongest bit of alcohol that would get rid of the horrors. Hearing the sound of the door opening, Georgina looked over to see the doctor's assistant waving her over to come back inside. Hesitating at first, Georgina reluctantly rose to her feet as she carried the bottle along with her. Leading Georgina back to Katie's room, Georgina quickly noticed her sisters movements as she had awaken from her slumber. Leaving the two alone for their privacy, the doctor's assistant urged Georgina on as Georgina did all she could to avoid looking on at Katie's leg as much as possible but couldn't help but to do so.
"Can I ever find you without a bottle in your hand?" Katie asked as she still a bit drunk
"In this case, it's exactly what the doctor prescribed" Georgina laughed nervously as a silence came between them
"I got a cool little cut on my leg" Katie laughed
"Little isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe it" Georgina replied "It was an experience that scared me shitless, I give you that. I'll make sure to never take part in hurting you again just based off what I've heard in the span of hours" she said
"I forgive you" Katie smiled "I always do. I always forgive you, even when I don't want to" she laughed to herself as she began to touch Georgina's face
"I've got to ask you something. As coherent as you can be, I need you to answer something for me" Georgina said after a few moments
"…coherent is something I can't guarantee" Katie smiled "I like your face. You always did get the good genetics. I love your nose. I want your nose, do you think the doc can give me…" she began to say
"No, no. We're not doing any bit of plastic procedure, not in this condition" Georgina replied quickly shutting down the idea
"Why? Are you gonna say that natural beauty crap?" Katie asked with a bit of laughter as she looked on at her sister with her head a bit contorted
"No, more along the lines that you have depressants in your system. The doctor thinks you took them regularly" Georgina said "….it's not possible, is it?" she asked as Katie grew silent for a moment as if she were being sobered up with the mention "Is it?" she asked
"Anything's possible" Katie smiled weakly
"How? You're freakin Mary Sunshine. Why would you need depressants?" Georgina questioned
"….I really don't want to talk about this. You're as we quote, killing my buzz" Katie said as she looked away from her sister
"You have no buzz. If you're capable of understanding what the hell I'm saying then you have no buzz" Georgina replied "Katie, look at me" she demanded of her sister but only got met with a silence "Answer me!" she demanded
"Because you have no idea the hell I've had to endure!" Katie replied angrily as she turned to look at her sister as a silence came between them, Georgina looking at her sister as if she had morphed into a different person in the span of seconds "Pain, is nothing to me. Death is nothing to me…."she began to say
"This must be the alcohol because….this isn't you. You're not afraid of death?! Are you being serious right now?" Georgina questioned "Everyone, even I, the proclaimed badass is scared of death" she said
"….then maybe we don't know each other like family should" Katie said as she looked on at Georgina with tears welled up in her eyes "I'd welcome death….because I've been dead longer than you've realized" she told Georgina.
"If death is what you want, then why go to all of these lengths to run? Why put me through this is you just want to die!?" Georgina replied unable to keep her emotions in check
"….I dreamed that one day I could wake up with no weight on me, no expectations, no one to answer to, no religion to bound me. I dreamt that Georgy, and I swear it was the sweetest of dreams. I dreamt it so that I just wanted it to come to life, I just wanted it to be real" Katie said
"So this is you chasing after a dream? You couldn't chase after it in the comforts of home, in the Upper Eastside?" Georgina asked
"No. I can't go back. The Upper Eastside is not home….it's my hell" Katie replied "And I have to do everything possible to stay away, no matter how hard it may be. I can't let him find me" she said
[End of Flashback]
[Monaco, France]
Protests still remained on corners of the street but nothing that would alarm the average person. Looking out her window as they drove to the small café, Katie sighed as the images of the people did leave her a bit upset as they were clearly hit most by the economy. Tugging on her hand, Katie looked over to see Christian smiling back at her with a warmth that let her know that now wasn't the time to feel sentimental for the people. Once arriving at the restaurant, Christian got out of the car first before immediately helping Katie out with him. Following their small set of guards, Christian was led back to the backroom to where they had their own private dining area fit for the royal family. Taking their seats, Katie sat nervously as she waited anxiously for the arrival.
"Catalina seems to be more nervous than I" Christian joked as he looked over at his mother
"It's not every day that one sits with a man of the cloth. Proper niceties are still something I have to pick up on" Katie replied with a bit of a laugh "You shouldn't tease" she said
"It's all in good spirit. I have no doubt that you'll impress" Christian smiled
"Catalina, you've never made known your stance with the man above. I would fear it's you uncertainty that has you nervous" Sophia, Christian's mother, said
"I have my faith in the man above. It's his workers I question" Katie replied
"They carry out his word, nothing to be scared of" Sophia replied
"Their do much more than that" Katie replied as she took a sip from her coffee before the guard walked over towards Christian before opening the doors to show that their guest had arrive. Nervously rising from her seat, Katie smoothed out her dress before the man made his way inside to be greeted by Christian.
"George" Christian said as he went to greet the man
"Christian, nice to see you again" George smiled
"You're aware of my mother Sophia" Christian said as George smiled over at Sophia before Christian turned to grab Catalina's hand "Catalina, I want you to meet one of the finest men I know. George Sparks" he introduced as Katie extended her hand out towards George to find he had a skeptical look
"Is something wrong Mr. Sparks?" Katie asked nervously
"You look familiar" George smiled
"I assure you, my nervousness has me feeling anything but familiarity with you. I hope to talk with you to become familiar" Katie said as Christian and George laughed
"You've got yourself a smart one here" George smiled
"I assure you, she'll be a face you won't forget when it's all over with" Christian smiled as Katie smiled even brighter with his words
"I do agree to that" Katie replied cunningly
Ashtrays and heartbreaks
I lost some, let's toast to one
So raise a glass to the memories
Set 'em free and fill up all those ashtrays
Fill up all those ashtrays
Music/Lyrics Used in this Chapter: [I had a little too much fun listening to these songs while writing. Love the new Fall Out Bo album]
The Heavy: How You Like Me Now
Fall Out Boy: The Mighty Fall
Snoop Dogg [now Snoop Lion] feat. Miley Cyrus: Ashtrays and Heartbreak
Author's Note: So I hope you enjoyed the craziness that is Blair. I will break down by characters.
Blair/Dan: When it rain it pours. That's what my friend said about this chapter in regards to these two. I know you guys will take sides on if Blair was wrong or right. I can state in my own opinion that I think she was both. Only Blair can manage to be wrong and right at the same time. I think her insecurities got the best of her and she turned what should've been an event about Dan into a vendetta against Serena. I think at this point, Blair is just trying to hold on so tight to Dan that it just goes against her. Dan of course doesn't exactly know or remember how to deal with Blair in this state, when she gets crazy like this, to him it's her being selfish and unable to handle someone else getting the spotlight. So he was put off by that. I know, I'm being evil but its all for the sake of story.
Blair/Serena: I loved writing them in this chapter. I wanted to make their feud a bit more different than high school but then I was like they're sort of reverting back to their high school selves so they kind of have to get childish in some manners. It's just a manner of they manage to bring out those childish antics in each other that they can't really process normal. Blair of course is a bit more extreme, but I think Serena fared well. In the end, Serena and Blair will always have their insecurities and a lot of that stems from their friendship. I wanted to keep that aspect in their relationship because I think that's their driving force with each other, to be better but to give a reminder of we're still flawed. The moment they become perfect adults is when they become boring. So they're making progress but I still want them to be imperfect. I know you guys love the progress and they will continue to grow but don't expect them to be too adult like. I loved their talk because it just reminds you or at least I hope that it does, that they love each other and that they're best friends truly. My favorite line is when Blair wishes Serena was a lesbian and that she was in love with her, it was a random thought I had but it wasn't like oh, I want them to be lesbians, it just the love Serena has for Blair, Blair knows that's a constant as if they truly were in a relationship.
Marley: I was really happy that people liked Marley and were taking to her storyline. In this chapter we get another hint that Serena is right, but also the value Serena has to Marley. Serena's absence meant more to Marley because Serena was her only source of food, since Marley sort of thougth Serena would be her food source. So yeah, this storyline will interesting and I think it will go in a direction you wouldn't expect. Not in a crazy way. I know you guys are thinking how many people are going to go crazy in your stories. lOl
Ivy/Jack: They are cooking up a plan. I mean to give you bit by bit with the plan because I don't want to give you too much until it's absolutely necessary. But I will say that Jack has a vested interest in Dan that will serve from a reason I gave in the Second Time Around. Remember, everything I write will come in to play some way shape or form. I wouldn't start making a Ivy/Carter fandom, she has a purpose for Carter and it's only to get Dan
Katie/Catalina/Georgina: Just to remind you guys, Katie is pretending to be Catalina. So I still use Katie's name but to Christian and Beatrice, she is Catalina. Just think Revenge in this storyline in the terms of the whole name thing. Georgina in some cases is being redeemed but I wouldn't exactly put her into a cookie cutter position. Katie's story will unravel slowly and as I said will add a bit more length to the chapters because it is like Katie is a separate story, but she is vital to the essence of Gossip Girl. I truly hated how they made Dan Gossip Girl on the show because it made no sense. So this is me explaining it and sort of giving you the reasons as to why Gossip Girl came about to her swan song as Katie said. Katie's got a agenda.
The Alpha Female/ Mean Girls: This was basically April's project on Blair. Blair had no idea that she was April's subject but it sort of helped give Blair perspective, even though she didn't say so. This project will have some bit of an effect on Blair but it will only help her in the long run.
