A/N: So once again it's a late update, I apologise! I'm going to try and update this at least once a week if not twice, and do the same with my new fic!

I would have got this up sooner but I couldn't resist uploading the first chapter of 'Love Wears A Mask' - if you like this, or even if you don't, I'd love it if you could check it out!

Here's more of this, hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! It's the longest yet! 4,717 words I think!
- Maddy x


"Hi Blair," came the voice that Blair had always associated with that of her future husband. "I know I'm meant to be calling on behalf of Jenny-"

"Because you're her lapdog, yes I am aware of that," she cut in aggressively. Blair was not in the mood for a 'Back off, he's mine' speech; she'd given enough of them in the past to know exactly how Jenny's would go. In fact she wouldn't be surprised if the same threats were used, just in less harsh, educated vocabulary.

"Look, I know we haven't got the best relationship at the moment-"

"Mm, breaking up with your girlfriend of at least four proper years, letting her run off to France without trying to stop her, ignoring her for two months even when she needed you most and then dating her protégé almost instantly after doesn't exactly scream 'happiest couple', Nate."

Serena's mouth fell open and then audibly clamped shut at the glare she received from the angry brunette. Mouthing 'I'll be downstairs', she crept from the room as fast as possible, desperate to be out of earshot before the yelling began. As she walked past her step-brother's room, she heard the ominous sound of 'Blink 182 – I Miss You' floating from under the door. That kind of music always meant a moody Chuck, and she'd had more than enough experience in the past two months to know that she should move away before he caught her outside and verbally assaulted her.

Meanwhile, Blair was listening to the rather pathetic albeit endearing attempts of her ex-boyfriend trying to apologise.

"I was mad, and I know it wasn't fair to you, but it was Chuck, you know? My best friend!"

"I am aware of his identity," she said dryly, rolling her eyes.

"Ok, I wanted to say that you made a mistake and so did I, and I want to put this behind us," garbled Nate, the words flying out at a high speed. "We have such a long history; I don't want to ruin it with what happened two months ago…"

Blair was silent. The words she'd longed to hear from him were now being said, but it wasn't what she wanted anymore; of course she missed Nate in a friendly way, but especially after her experience, she knew that them being romantically involved was doomed to fail. Nate must have taken her silence as a negative, because he was rambling again.

"I know I'm with Jenny now, I know you two aren't friends, and I'm not trying to cause trouble, but you're too important to me to just ignore like she wants me to." This caught her interest.

"So what exactly did Little J want?" she asked innocently, using this opportunity to find the flaws in their relationship. She didn't want to exploit Nate, even after everything she loved him platonically, but this was too good a chance to get dirt on her. You can't crush their desires without knowing what their desires are!

"Well, um…you know, just like, er, stuff, you know?"

"Nate, that was possibly the vaguest statement you've ever made. I think it even beats the time when I asked you where my history textbook was and you said, 'well, I think, it could be, at like, school…or your house…or somewhere.'"

He laughed and conceded, "Yeah, I'm not so good at remembering the details." Or the basic point, Blair thought wryly.

"Come on, Nate, I can't make things better between me and Little J until I know what she wants from me…I don't want to upset her by doing something wrong," Blair coaxed. Yeah and I go shopping at the 99'cent store in Brooklyn.

"Wow, thanks for being so great about this, Blair! She just didn't really want us hanging out alone together…or at all, although I'm sure that won't be a problem, I'll sort that out! And then there was something about sitting on a lower step? I didn't really get what that was about-"

"But I do, don't worry." The little bitch.

"I was thinking we could go and have coffee, catch up…" he trailed off. Blair grinned at this. He just handed me the scissors to cut down Little J.

"Sounds perfect, Natie! I'll see you tomorrow at 5pm at Biscotti on Fifth, ok?" she arranged, grabbing her planner and jotting down the time, balancing the phone between her ear and her shoulder.

"Great, see you then! And, um, could you possibly not tell Little J- I mean, Jenny about this?"

"Not a problem." For me, anyway!

"Thanks Blair, I've really missed you…"

"Me too, bye!"

Wow, plotting social destruction really is exhausting!


At five o'clock exactly on Tuesday, Blair Waldorf strutted into the chic Italian coffee shop which she had frequented with Serena since they'd started drinking mochas. Nate's blond head caught her eye immediately, and to her delight she realised he was sitting right by the window. Such a naïve guy, she thought affectionately as she made her way towards him, a brilliant smile in place.

"Blair, you look…wow," he choked out, looking at her with wide eyes and blinking stupidly. "Um, I got you your favourite, a Tuxedo Mocha." Still has his uses!

"Thanks, you're just as handsome as ever, Archibald." He blanched slightly at the name, immediately conjuring an image of his scarf-wearing ex-best friend. Tossing his bangs out of his eyes, simultaneously shaking those thoughts away, he pulled out her chair and asked her about France, unable to keep his eyes off her.

Nate knew he'd made a mistake letting her go almost as soon as she'd vanished. The absence of her constant straightening of his school tie, of her delighted smile when he'd bought something special for her, of her had been more painful than he would ever have expected. So accustomed to having her at his side, to hearing her and his mother chat as he watched a sports match with his father, when she simply wasn't there anymore, it had completely shattered the basis of his everyday life. He wasn't Nate Archibald without Blair Waldorf as his girlfriend.

The object of his thoughts wasn't oblivious to his staring. In fact she knew practically every thought as it formed, reading his expression a talent she'd had to learn ages ago. How else would she have known when his attention wavered? However these thoughts were nearly as unpleasant as the his wandering thoughts towards Serena.

She was uncomfortable at his emotions. He was flighty in his affections, one moment fully in love with someone and the next entertaining wild notions with some other girl – and no one knew this better than Blair herself. She'd experienced the pain of being cast aside in favour of someone else, and as much as she disliked Jenny Humphrey, she would not wish that feeling on anyone. Except maybe Nelly Yuki – that girl was just…Anyway, she'd decided that was definitely not going to date Nate, for any , she'd been handed an advantage and she was going to use it!

And maybe, as well as Little J feeling insecure about her relationship, I could publicly announce my complete lack of romantic interest Nate… just so Gossip Girl would know…and tell everyone, including a certain Bass.

Pleased with her plan, she continued her conversation with Nate until she heard the familiar sound of a camera shutter. Gossip Girl was about to send an update. Nate blabbered on, ignorant to how he was being manipulated, until the buzzing of both of their phones announced a text.

Spotted: Two old flames reigniting at Biscotti.
I can definitely feel the heat, and I don't think it's coming from the coffee! But then we always knew N and B were hot stuff. You know what they say about fire; play with it and you might get burned…Little J, I think it's safe to say you just got scalded.
Too Little to play B's games?

You know you love me,
XOXO Gossip Girl

"Shit!" exclaimed Nate, looking up at her with panic all over his handsome face.

"I'm so sorry Nate, I didn't think anyone would care about two friends catching up!"

"Jenny's going to freak…" he muttered. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, leaning back into the comfortable chair he was sitting in.

"She can't possibly; I was giving you advice on what to do for your two month anniversary! I'm just trying to be a good friend to you!" Please don't pick up on the lie, please can you have been too busy reminiscing to have been listening to what I was actually saying!

Nate looked up, his expression already relaxed. "Oh yeah, of course, you said something about, um-"

"Organising a private showing of her favourite movie," Blair supplied. It was actually one of her own fantasies, but this was important – she could handle giving up that idea to Little J. She can have that battle, I'm going to win this war.

"Exactly! So, if she gets mad, I'll just tell her! I should call her now and-"

"No, don't! No need to make a fuss unless she brings it up…"

"Ah yeah, good idea…um, sorry Blair, but I think I should probably be going…" Nate said apologetically, standing up and helping her to her feet.

"Of course, I need to get to a manicure appointment. It was great catching up, Nate," she smiled, still glowing from the success of this meeting.

"It was, definitely. Bye Blair!"

He left the coffee shop and Blair walked out a few minutes later, sunglasses in place and a grin on her face which practically screamed: You are going down, Little J.


The next morning was not greeted happily by Chuck.

He didn't do mornings in general. They only meant hangovers, having to remove last night's entertainment and an absence of alcohol until at least eleven o'clock. Glancing at the empty space next to him, he noted that at least one of those wasn't required today, but the hangover was one of his worst yet. Having Blair sleeping just a few metres away on Monday night had forced him to gulp down quantities of hard alcohol which had definitely done permanent damage to his liver, and even now, on Wednesday morning, the effects were still lingering. That, combined with last night's drinking, resulted in pure torture.

But how else was he supposed to get through the night? Sober? He actually laughed at the thought, regretting it immediately as the sound made his head throb. Forced to endure the journey to school with his nearly step-siblings, he took comfort in the fact that at least it wasn't with Blair like yesterday. The entire journey had been in silence, except for the ramblings of Eric, and when they had arrived at school, she'd leapt out of the limo and avoided him all day.

She hadn't managed to avoid Gossip Girl though. Bitch. Chuck wasn't even sure which girl he was aiming it at, the girl who was having secret meetings with Nathanial, or the one who was telling him about it!

"Chuck, we're here," Eric said softly, clapping him on the shoulder before sliding out of the limo.

Chuck sighed and followed, walking up the steps and straight into St. Jude's. Luckily no one attempted to talk to him; the murderous look on his face seemed a slight suggestion to stand back. The teachers followed the lead of their students, and he managed to make it to lunch without having spoken a single word. At one point, a freshman tried to push past him because he 'couldn't be late to Chemistry', however a single look from Chuck made it clear; not angering Chuck Bass was far more important than avoiding a detention for tardiness.

He sauntered to his usual spot in the courtyard, and was just surveying the other inhabitants when he let out a groan. Blair was walking innocently across the yard, trailed by Jenny who was pink with rage and in turn followed by Penelope, Hazel, Kati and Iz.

"Blair, I'm talking to you!"

The yell caused her to halt and spin around, the smile on her face terrifying. "I'm so sorry, Little J, I heard squeaking but I didn't realise it was directed at me," she sneered.

"I'm sick of you trying to steal my boyfriend. He dumped you because he doesn't want you! He didn't call you because he doesn't want you! He only met up with you because I told him to!"

"That's funny because I distinctly remember asking him to meet me…But then, you're always trying to take what's mine, I'm not surprised you're attempting to take my words too," Blair answered nonchalantly.

Chuck watched, fighting a stream of emotions. He was furious that someone as pathetic as Jenny Humphrey would talk to Blair like that, but then again it wasn't like he had treated her any better. He recognised amusement at the ease at which Blair fired insults, and slight pride for being her tutor in the art. Then there was also something that felt a bit like relief. Relief that she hadn't seemed affected by the Nathanial comment. He dismissed it angrily. She's probably just hiding her weaknesses, of course she still wants the golden boy. She made it clear you were her last choice, stop trying to find a way out!

"So you admit it, you're going after her boyfriend!" crowed Hazel.

"That's against the Girls of the Steps rules!" joined in Penelope.

"I think I know that, seeing as I created them," snapped Blair. "Look, I'm not trying to steal your boyfriend. Unlike you, Little J, I don't like going for other girls' leftovers."

Jenny blushed and Chuck fought back the victorious smirk that was threatening to emerge.

"Gossip Girl said it, you're trying to get back with him, and you're just denying it now so that when he rejects you, you have an excuse!" Jenny yelled, noticing the arrival of Nate in the courtyard. She motioned for him to join her, and he ambled towards her, clearly confused at the confrontation.

"Jenny, you don't even know what we were talking about." Blair rolled her eyes, appearing cool but Chuck saw right through it. She had a final blow to strike, and it was taking all her control to suppress a smirk. He realised how similar they were and swallowed hard.

"Yes I do! You were trying to get him to dump me! Tell her, Nate!"

Nate looked at her in disbelief and turned to Blair, waiting for her to say something. To everyone's surprise, she merely reached into her bag and took out a nail file, perfecting the manicure she'd got done after her meeting with Nate.

"If you must know, I was advising Nathanial" – Chuck smirked at the name – "on what to do for your anniversary. I was trying to arrange something nice for you so we could get along," Blair finally tossed out, continuing to file her nails.

The minions stared in shock at Blair. She may have been a formidable queen and a loyal best friend, but she was not one to plan romantic evenings for her subjects. They couldn't deny it, what she'd done was purely selfless!

Jenny's mouth opened and closed, and she appealed to Nate in disbelief, hoping that he'd deny this outright. However he simply nodded and folded his arms, disappointment in his eyes as he looked down at her. She'd been fantasising about being Nate's perfect girlfriend for so long, that once she'd attained the status, she'd simply copied Blair. Jenny didn't want to admit she was out of her depth, but at that moment she felt as Little as her name made her out to be. There was silence around the courtyard, the only sound the light scraping of nail against file, and then the spell was broken by Nate's quiet declaration.

"I asked Blair to make an effort, and she did. I never thought it would be you who would try to make a fight. I thought you were different, Jenny." With a sad sigh, he shook his head and looked down at the floor.

Blair could recognise defeat in her ex-protégé's eyes, but knew that this was the time for a final statement. Taking a deep breath, she announced, "I don't want Nate, Jenny. He's my friend and I'll always love him, but we're not meant to be. I'm not stopping you two from being together; I think you're doing that yourself." She paused, and risked a glance at Chuck.

The moment their eyes met, he felt the intensity of his desire for the petite brunette. The clear sincerity in her eyes, coupled with the fact she'd said this in front of Nathanial, made it impossible to doubt her…but that didn't make things any easier. The sheer possibilities this conjured were enough to make his head reel and his stomach threaten to regurgitate its contents. Blair studied him for another moment and then nodded subtly. What was that for?! Immediately worried for the words to come, Chuck braced himself.

"I have my own love-life to fight for; I don't need to fight you for yours," she concluded, a slight blush colouring her cheeks at her confession. Then she straightened, Queen B persona in place once more and said directly to Jenny:

"But I'm fighting you for Queen B, so you better get prepared."

With a flick of her perfectly coiffed curls, she swept past the girls, a superior smile giving way to a smirk of pleasure at the admiring faces of Kati and Iz. They'll be the first girls to win over. Her mission accomplished, she disappeared into the building, leaving the tumult to form behind her. The roar of talk immediately started up and when Nate followed Blair's lead and returned to his homeroom, Jenny was left standing speechless in the centre of the courtyard.

Chuck, meanwhile, was suffering the same, although in a much more inconspicuous manner.

Did she just admit in front of the whole student body that Blair Waldorf was going to fight for me? Holy mother of… Wait, was that supposed to just fix things? Does she expect me to come running up to her like some horny pansy and declare my love for her? To buy a bouquet of flowers and something from Bergdorfs and apologise? To beg her to come back to me? … Actually that's quite a good idea, I think I'll visit Tiffany's instead…

His mind whirring with a plan of action, Chuck Bass remained impassive on the brick wall and plotted how to woo Blair Waldorf…now there was something out of character.


Blair was crouched over the toilet, purging. I can't believe I just announced in front of the whole damn SCHOOL that I am trying to win over Chuck Bass! CHUCK BASS!! I'm ruined, I'm an idiot, he made it clear how he felt and now I'm just humiliating myself over and over… Her thoughts went round and round as she threw up, tears quickly running down her face as she realised the extent of her confession.

If it had been someone like Nate, then she would have got away with it. Nate probably wouldn't have understood how it related to him, and even if he had it wouldn't have surprised him and wouldn't have scared him. Chuck Bass was a whole other fish.

She'd known him since preschool, she'd seen him with his many conquests, and she knew him like no one else. And he knew her exactly the same. Which was why she was doubled over, heaving her small lunch up. He would have realised exactly what she meant, and if there was something that scared Chuck Bass more than black clothes, it was love and commitment – which was practically the essence of Blair. Their passionate affair had been completely out of character, and although she craved that ardour, she needed security. She needed to feel safe, and loved, and yes, she was more than willing to offer that back but it wasn't exactly what he wanted.

The boundaries between being sick so as to stay skinny and maybe lose a couple of pounds, and throwing up simply for some stability, some control, had been breached. This wasn't strategic thinking, this was desperation.

And that was downright terrifying.

"Um, hello? Someone in there?" a soft voice called out, hesitant but seemingly well-meaning.

Knowing she'd been caught, and that it wasn't really a question but a statement, Blair sat up, reached into her purse for her facial wipes and replied croakily, "Yes, it's Blair. I just had some dodgy lunch! I'm never ordering sushi from that place again!"

The laugh sounded fake to her own ears, and clearly to the girl outside, because she replied, "I just wanted you to know that I was really impressed with what you said out there… and I'd hate to think you were making yourself sick because of the idiots who go here."

Having cleaned her face, Blair stood up and opened the door.

In front of her stood a short girl, only an inch or so taller than Blair when she was in flats, and with beautiful waves of black hair. Dark eyes shone out from behind thick black glasses, which were surprisingly stylish on her. Blair tried to guess her ethnicity, the olive tone of her skin confusing her, but she acknowledge that the girl was definitely attractive. Not beautiful, but striking. She must have noticed Blair's scrutiny, because she blushed and bit her lip, showing dazzling white teeth. For some odd reason, Blair found herself smiling and greeting her with a quiet, yet confident 'hello'.

"Hi, I'm Tigerlily – embarrassing I know, you can call me Lily though," she added, catching the raising of Blair's eyebrows.

"Blair Waldorf. I don't think I've seen you around?"

"I keep a low profile…I don't like to get involved with the drama of fighting for a higher spot on the Met Steps," she grinned, and her confidence elicited a smile from Queen B.

"Well, if I ever claim my crown again, there's a spot free next to me," she offered, trying to convey how grateful she was just for this purely friendly conversation.

"Wow, thank you, I might just take you up on that…" Lily trailed off and then looked up hesitantly at the imposing figure before her. "I don't want to sound presumptuous, but if you ever need someone to talk to, who's not involved in the latest Gossip Girl scandal, I'm here… I'm not great with the plotting but you don't need help with that! It's just if you need, um, a listener." She saw Blair open her mouth and quickly rushed on. "I know you're strong and independent, but I think it can help to take a break from the Upper East Side bubble."

Blair held her gaze for a few moments before saying, "I appreciate the offer. We can swap numbers, and I'll… give you a ring."

The two swapped phones, and Blair was just keying in her number when a thought hit her.

"Wait, you're not from Brooklyn, are you?"

"No, don't worry," laughed Lily. "I'm on Lexington! Totally Upper East Side," she added with a snooty flick of her hair.

She must have noticed Blair's nervous checks in the mirror, because she quickly excused herself and allowed Blair to touch up her hair and make-up. As she applied her fire-engine red lipstick, she was reminded of the red glints on Lily's glasses. I like her, she decided. She's got confidence, assurance in herself. But she's not another Serena. Then another thought came to her.

See, she proves that Nelly Yuki could look decent if she ever tried. I knew I wasn't being judgemental, whatever Serena says. That girl chooses to commit fashion crimes.

Her spiel on the flaws of Nelly Yuki was cut short by the buzzing of her phone. Picking it up, expecting an update on the conflict that lunch, she gasped when she read the caller ID. Flipping it open, her eyes quickly took in the content.

Palace Bar, 7.30?

- C

Damn that Mother-Chucker!

And she'd just regained control, too! Trust one text from him to make that fly out the window.


To Be Continued!


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Update soon!
- Maddy x