I don't want to get on a soapbox, but I'm kind of going to; bear with me! I forgot to mention in the prologue that while this story takes place in 'Season One' instead of the year being 2007, the year will be 2014. Basically, I'm doing this because certain things that I want to include weren't around in 2007, or weren't as big of a deal then as they were circa 2014. I'm also already planning on making a sequel that will take place in real-time.

If you feel so inclined make sure to check out the Instagram page ( 'gilded . ff' but no space, a link will also be on my profile page) I've set up as a 'social media companion piece' for this story. I'll be posting character aesthetics, chapter preview videos, text conversations we might not see via posted chapters, outfit inspirations, etc. I may already have two videos posted on there...

I also would like to take a moment to HIGHLY suggest that you go give greyspaces' story 'The Chase' and its sequel 'Ultraviolet' a read if you haven't already. Though I imagine if you're reading this, you probably(hopefully) already have. Her oc is...phenomenal, and the journey/story is captivating. There are so many stories on here with no real plot, rhyme, or reason, hers isn't like that at all. The meticulous planning that clearly went into the original story, and now the sequel, deserves to be appreciated. So go do that, quickly.

Once again, thank you to anyone giving this story a chance! Hope you enjoy the first full chapter.

WARNING:

VULGAR LANGUAGE, SUGGESTIVE SITUATIONS, DRUG, AND ALCOHOL USE

WARNINGS WILL BE AT THE START OF ALL CHAPTERS.

All rights to 'Gossip Girl'; plots and characters belong to the author Cecily Von Ziegesar as well as TV Producers Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage. I only claim ownership of my original characters. And while they are part of the Rockefeller family, and mentions of the family's infamy and status will be made, any mentions of them are purely fictional and none of the characters that comprise the family are based on the true-life family.

"I know hate is a strong word and everything, but it's okay: we're teenagers."

Blair was a bigger wreck than she had expected. For someone that had seemingly appeared so cool and collected at the sudden loss of her former BFF, she was quite the opposite upon Serena's return. Their whole lives Blair had felt inadequate to almost everyone, that's why she always put on such a strong front to others; she always made the point to make people feel inferior to her to mask her insecurities. Girls like Serena and Odette couldn't possibly understand her day-to-day struggle. They had a natural confidence and had family behind them that constantly built them up in one way or another.

Blair couldn't relate.

Her entire life for every compliment she received from Eleanor there would be five insults, digs, or just general disapprovals. Having her dad around used to alleviate the tension. He would never say anything at that moment, as to not irritate Eleanor further. But after the fact, when Blair was feeling her lowest, he always found some small way to make her feel a little better.

But her dad was gone now.

He'd left her to weather hurricane Eleanor all alone. As perfect as she once thought her dad was, he still had his flaws as a father. Who abandons their kid and then sticks an ocean between them? Even if she did want to call her dad, there was the issue of the time difference. Potentially, it was a whole new day in France and by the time she'd hear back, it would be a new day in New York too and what was the point of that? It was all way too much of a nuisance, so she stopped bothering to call him at all.

It was selfish to expect people to bend to her will, and essentially bring themselves down to make her feel better, but she would be lying to herself if she said she didn't expect her friends to do just that. At least to a degree.

Serena had always been terrible at it.

She would try for a time, but her personality was too big. She liked the attention just as much as Blair, if not more. She took pleasure in having all eyes on her, and when you were with Serena it was a given that all eyes would be on her. She had been beautiful since birth and everything always came so effortlessly to Serena. She ate far more than Blair yet always remained skinny. She could talk to anyone and never appeared nervous. Boys loved her, girls wanted to be her. She was everything Blair wanted to be and she didn't even have to try.

In Blair's eyes, Odette was a much better friend because she always toned herself down at her expense. Which was a lot to ask, but Odette always obliged. She was younger than any of Blair's other friends which was an initial drawback but the fact she always let Blair have all the spotlight, with zero fight back, also made her rather instantly appealing.

Odette was typically always willing to entertain Blair's whims but fairly recently she had begun to grow somewhat tired of it all. It could be sort of draining to constantly feel like your only purpose in a friendship was to make the other person feel better about themselves. And honestly, due to Blair's low self-esteem, it was starting to get harder to do. But she also knew being friends with Blair had its fair share of perks and that she would rather have her as a needy friend than a vengeful enemy.

However, nights like last night made her seriously question it all. Blair had been a sobbing mess by the time Odette arrived and talking her down off the metaphorical ledge proved to be far more difficult than she had initially expected. She would talk her up only for Blair to bring herself back down. It was a constant back and forth.

Finally, around two o'clock in the morning, Odette had finally managed to calm Blair down by reminding her that she couldn't let Serena get her this worked up and ruin all that Blair had worked so hard to achieve in her absence.

The Blair that was friends with Serena back then was a much different girl today.

Blair had always struggled a little bit with her weight, she was never fat per se but certainly a little chubbier than the other girls. But, the emotional trauma of the last year (and bulimia) had done wonders for her body. She was the thinnest she'd ever been and her mother was extremely pleased with that fact. She had found herself a group of beta girls to follow her and elevated her status to that of 'Queen Bee' at Constance with her long term goals set on the entire Upper East Side. She had a gorgeous boyfriend, even if he was somewhat emotionally and physically distant. It didn't really matter, she had him. Nate Archibald, the guy so many girls pined over was her boyfriend. She had the beauty, she had the friends, and she had the boy. Life was good, for the most part.

Hopefully their talk had stuck with Blair and her confidence hadn't retreated in the last five hours since Odette had seen her.

Unfortunately, due to her unexpected late-night, Odette had overslept and was running extremely late to meet the girls.

Typically she was a creature of habit and she had a very strict morning regimen that she followed like religion.

She'd wake up at five-thirty on the dot and workout in her home gym till six. From there she'd take a shower, generously apply her moisturizers, and do a collagen face mask as she did her hair. Her last step, before applying her makeup, was to always, always put on sunscreen. When she was in middle school she had read in a magazine that it helped to keep one's skin smooth and delicate. Looking at her mother's aging face she knew her older self would appreciate the extra care younger her put in to prevent looking like that.

But today she had to skip a few steps and she was majorly regretting it as she hurried up the steps of The Met to greet the girls. They all looked so well put together, as they should for the first day of school. The first day of school was the time to show off how skinny and tan you had gotten over the summer, it was important to look your best on all days but especially this one. And she didn't even get to shower or do her collagen mask. She had also forgotten to apply her sunscreen and would now probably need lots of botox as an adult to combat the wrinkles, just like her mother.

"Hey guys," she greets somewhat breathlessly, "Thanks for waking me up Coco." She shoots daggers at her younger sister who was seated a step below Kati and Iz, looking absolutely stunning in.. 'my new Hermes boots?' "Nice boots." She comments as she kicks the tip of the shoe lightly. She hadn't even had the chance to wear them yet.

Coco scoffs as she feels Odette kick her, "Yeah well, it's not my job to be your wake up call." Kati and Iz giggle along with Coco at Odettes expense.

It was safe to say the sisters weren't seeing eye to eye these days.

Odettes lips were pinched shut as she refrained from firing back at Coco. She wasn't in the mood for a catfight with her baby sister, especially in front of all these girls that she knew would revel in the mess of it all.

Instead, she shifts her focus to Blair.

She was deep in thought as she studied the invitations Jenny Humphrey had made for her. After a few additional beats pass Blair smiles brightly to the freshman, "Very nice Jenny. Don't forget to keep one for yourself as thanks for a job well done." She reaches out and takes the box of handwritten invitations from the new girl.

That was the arrangement they had agreed on, but Jenny had wondered if there would be some sort of catch.

When it was announced over the summer that Blair would be hosting the first big social event of the season Jenny made it her mission to reach out to Blair and offer her services. This was Jenny's very first day of high school, and her first time attending private school. She had heard all the stories from her older brother, Dan, but she was eager to give herself a different experience than him. She meant no offense to her brother, but he was a complete nobody in this world and Jenny wanted to be somebody. From her extensive research of the Gossip Girl site, she knew Blair and her exclusive posse of headband wearing mean girls was the exact way to go about it. Handwriting each individual invite had taken up most of her time, but it was all worth it now. Jenny was all smiles as she looked down at her invitation.

Coco had been feeling pretty good about herself but at the revelation that Jenny had received an invite to the Kiss on The Lips party, she couldn't help but sulk. The charity party was well known for only being for upperclassmen. She knew this, but it didn't change the fact she felt she deserved to be the exception. Not this nobody from Brooklyn. Where had she even come from anyway?

Odette didn't fail to notice Coco's sudden change of mood, but she didn't dare comment on the fact. The party was somewhat of a sensitive subject between the sisters, and lately the cause of most of their fighting.

"Oh shit, incoming B..."

As she registered Kati's warning Odette braced herself for whoever might be approaching them. She was tempted to turn and take a peek but didn't want to be transparent and give them all away.

"Hey, I looked for you guys all over the dining hall. We don't do breakfast there anymore?"

Due to her pointless therapy session, Odette had missed Serena's epic crashing of Eleanor's soiree but suddenly she understood why Blair had been so full of despair after the fact.

She looked incredible.

Serena had always been a pretty girl and far more developed than most of the other girls in school. Yet the time away had clearly still done wonders for her. Her skin had never looked more clear, and she had never looked so...well kept. Maybe seeing her like this was so shocking because this was one of the only times Odette had seen Serena sober.

'Some things have changed.'

"When's the party?" Serena questions as she snatches one of the invites from Iz's overly tight grip, ignoring the awkward side-eyes all the girls were giving one another.

"Saturday. And you're kind of not invited."

Yeah, lots of things had really changed...

There are two types of rich people; those who have money, and those who have wealth. And the Rockefellers had wealth beyond what most people could believe. Which they liked to boast, typically with lavish parties such as the one tonight for their foundation.

Despite seemingly having it all and some, they were always looking for more, more, more. David was constantly reminding his children, and his children's children, of the fact that if you weren't constantly looking to expand and grow you'll get left behind. Not by him necessarily, but by society.

In his mind, there was no question that the next best move for them was to partner with Bass Industries, which had proved itself as a growing, and reputable, powerhouse company over the last two decades.

Bart Bass was new money. He was reared in Queens, of all places, and within five years of graduating from Columbia, he was well on his way to being considered the real estate king of Manhattan. In the last ten years, he had skyrocketed his wealth to new heights with his companies venture into international markets. There was no one else currently in the real estate game doing it as well as Bart Bass. He was a self-made billionaire and Bass Industries was revered as one of the most affluent companies of today.

Much like Bart Bass, the Rockefellers owned several enviable properties in Manhattan. Unlike Bart, they had built, or amassed said properties over generations. The Rockefellers were true blue old money; modern-day New York royalty. And while maybe not everyone liked the Rockefellers, everyone feared them. The name carried weight. Forget merely opening doors, throwing their name around could help you shatter entire glass ceilings. However, say or do the wrong thing and they could also have you black-listed in high society; and once they say you're out, you're done for good. There is no coming back from crossing a Rockefeller, and Rockefellers always manage to come out on top. Regardless of who they have to step on to get there. History had very much proven this fact.

Knowing that, some might say Bart would be an idiot to partner with such a cut-throat family. But there was very little that scared Bartholomew Bass and David and his clan of Rockefellers were not one of them.

Despite all that the distinguished family had to offer Bart wasn't quite sold. David was the patriarch of the family and acting CEO of the company, and the foundation. He was still wise in the ways of business, sure, but there were whispers amongst the board of directors that he was slipping up with age...

It wasn't just Bart's money that was new, but his ideas. David was far more traditional and somewhat stuck in the past. Bart had no issue making it clear he would be more willing to do business with David's son, J.D, whose thoughts and ambitions much more accurately aligned with his own. But the old man was far too stubborn to pass down his company. He was convinced he could win Bart Bass over based purely on his own merit.

He also was a firm believer that it never hurt to flash around your money and connections.

"...and I want to thank my dear friend, Bart Bass, for letting us host our little event here." The press furiously snapped pictures as David talked to his eager crowd. "He just recently bought this hotel you know? Mark my words that company, that man, is truly going to elevate not only the Upper East Side but Manhattan as a whole, in a way that we haven't seen...well since a Rockefeller did it." With a subtle wink, David raised his glass in a toast, "Here's to Bart. And here's to all of you that came out to celebrate us. Yeah, I'm looking at you, Andy." He snickers and a few people from the crowd join him in laughter, "My apologies, I'm only poking some fun at my old friend. But truly, thank you for your support, Governor Cuomo. Thank you all. Enjoy the party, and don't worry all drinks are on my tab tonight cheapskates." At this reveal a roar of applause breaks out and David moves to exit the stage.

The family's overly ambitious publicist, Jordan Leakes, was quick to David's side giving him his notes before he could even step off the stage. He offered the older man his hand to help him down the remaining steps which David, of course, swatted away more than determined to do it himself. Jordan wasn't phased in the slightest and carried on with talking his ear off.

"We should move quickly and try to get a picture of you and the Governor."

"That was a wonderful speech Pops."

David's eyes lit up as he was greeted by Odette.

"Grandfather." Jordan quickly corrected, his eyes scanning the room, "'Pops' is so midwestern middle class."

Odette and David exchange a mutual eye roll as they greet one another with a kiss to the cheek. There was no point in correcting Jordan, he was constantly looking to preserve their family's image. It was annoying but also expected.

"I had begun to think I had just imagined you were my granddaughter." David gives the teen a knowing look, "Where have you been hiding?"

"According to Gossip Girl, she's been in bed all summer crying over that Baizen kid."

"Yeah? Thanks for that Jordy." The sarcasm dripped off her tongue but Jordan never even bothered to look up from his phone. "Gossip Girl is for teenagers. Why are you even reading it to begin with?" she continues, her eyes narrowing at him.

Before he can answer David taps the man on his back, "Jordy, why don't you go get yourself a drink. I know you're on the clock, but I'm insisting." His point was clear. Fuck off.

Odette smirked knowingly and waved goodbye to the clearly perturbed publicist before he begrudgingly headed to the bar.

"Only a stick in the mud like him would be upset at the prospect of getting paid to drink for free." Odette comments offhandedly as she turns her attention back to her grandfather.

David chuckles as he takes another drink of his scotch before offering her a sip.

Odette shakes her head, "I'm not particularly a fan..." In truth, she had only ever tasted scotch on the tongues of other people. But even its smell brought back bad memories flooding back. It wasn't for her.

"Well feel free to get yourself something more of your taste, just keep it in moderation. You never know who might be watching. I'm going to go look for Courtney, I spotted her around here somewhere." David casually peers around the room as he saunters off in search of the youngest Rockefeller.

Odette promptly heads towards the bar, making sure to be debonair and greeting each passerby. As she waits for the busy bartender to come her way she turns back to observe the bustling party. The room was quite crowded, all with people here to celebrate her family and the work they did. Sometimes it felt like she was having a lucid dream, that this wasn't really her life. But it was, and perhaps she was lucky. Sometimes, however, it all felt like too much of a hassle.

Amongst the jovial crowd her eyes catch sight of Jordan, so obviously schmoozing and boozing her grandfathers' colleagues. In particular, a young, beautiful blonde. That man never knew when to quit, and he was always ready. Which in her opinion made him somewhat calculating. He was always looking for the next best thing.

Odette's face twisted in disgust as Jordan's hand dropped below the blondes' waist. What would his wife Ally think of that...

Across the room, Jordan could feel someone's eyes burning a hole in his head. Looking up from the group he was socializing with he spots Odette at the bar. Alone. In a very understated, very Jordan way, he lifts his drink to her with a small, but noticeable, smirk.

Her jaw clenched as she quickly turned away from his gaze and back to the bar. For being a distinguished man in his thirties, Jordan sure behaved like that of an ill-mannered child.

A reporter from the New York Post was asking Odette for a sound bite on her knowledge of what's to come for the Rockefeller family.

"I think the next big event for us is the annual tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. Christmas has always been a massive deal in my family and we're all really looking forward to it..." Looking over the reporter's shoulder Odette can see Chuck walk into the party. He was most definitely not on the guest list. Leave it to Bass to be an event crasher though, "I'm sorry, can you just excuse me for a moment." Without waiting for an answer she moves around the reporter to meet Chuck midway.

As soon as he saw her a devilish grin broke out across his face. She was so easily annoyed by him, and he loved watching how easily he could get under her supple skin.

"What are you doing here? You weren't invited."

"Please," He pushes past her and goes to the bar. Signaling the bartender he orders his usual, "My father owns this hotel, I don't need an invite." He takes a long gulp of his drink before offering her some. 'Who said chivalry was dead?' Before she can respond with something smart he pulls the glass tumbler back, "Oh right, you don't like scotch."

She can already feel her blood pressure rising, and she hadn't brought her pills. She takes a shaky breath to steady herself. "Chuck, this is a private event that my grandfather has worked very hard on. I don't need you coming in here and...chucking it all up."

"Relax Swan," He rolls his eyes at her typical dramatics, "I wouldn't dream of pissing off your dear old grandfather. Jimmy here," he nods to the bartender, "just happens to make the best drinks."

Odette looks down at his glass and then back up at him, "Take glass, pour scotch. It's hardly rocket science. No offense to Jimmy." She throws in the last portion for the bartenders' expense.

Chuck studied her carefully. She was clearly getting overly worked up, but he wasn't sure what exactly had her so frigid. Surely not him. "You need to learn to relax more. I'm having some people over later for a toke session if you care to partake?"

"Shut up!" Odette was almost tempted to cover his mouth as she frantically looked around to see who all may have heard him, but it seemed the only witness was thankfully Jimmy. Odette did occasionally...indulge. Of course, she would never want the general public to be aware of that fact. Chuck was Chuck, shame was his game but she was a Rockefeller and according to Jordan and the world, they had a particular image to uphold. "Look, stay, go, whatever. Just please try not to roofie anyone, okay? This is a classy party. Predatory behaviors aren't exactly on the menu."

"Oooh, I love it when you talk dirty."

This comment throws her for a loop and her face falters momentarily before quickly going stoic as she regains herself, "Yeah okay.." Turning sharply on her heel she walks away from him. She wouldn't allow Chuck Bass to throw her off her with his stupid little mind games. That was so last year.

Odette is pulled out of her thoughts of the past, of which she was desperate to forget, by the feeling of two dainty hands taking firm hold of her left arm.

"Damn, what are you stewing about?"

Odette was taken slightly off guard by seeing Blair so chipper. It was a stark difference from when she had last seen the demure brunette. "I take it things with Serena went well?"

"Well, she groveled a lot so I didn't feel like torturing the poor girl much more. She's really lost without me." Blair shrugged looking around the party.

Odette nodded but didn't say anything more on the subject. Sometimes it bothered her how ingenuine Blair could be. Like everyone else in their world she had an image she liked to present, Odette could understand that. But how exhausting it must be to constantly project yourself as something you so obviously weren't. Blair was very insecure, that's all it boiled down to.

"You have your big night with Nate, right?" She watched as Blair's face lit up at the mere mention. Tonight was the night Blair was giving her sacred virginity to Nate Archibald. Odette didn't quite understand the big tadoo. But the 'loss' of her virginity hadn't been a particularly special moment so perhaps she just didn't understand. Or that's what Blair would tell her anyway.

"Oh, you have no idea..." Before Blair can spill all the lurid details the girls are interrupted by David. Within seconds Blair's entire mannerisms switch and she turns on the charm for the Rockefeller patriarch. "Lovely party Mr. Rockefeller."

"Thank you, Briar."

"It's Blair, pops." Odette murmurs, barely audible. Blair shoots her a look, shaking her head as if she was horrified that Odette would dare correct him. She could already hear her, 'If he says my name is Briar, guess what? It's now Briar.'

"Of course, my apologies. Thank you, Blair." David offers her a small bow of his head in apology. "I hear you're hosting your own party very soon?"

Blair straightens her shoulders as a proud smile spreads across her face. She was always eager to boast about her achievements, "Yes, it's a party to raise money for the Giant Ibis Conservation. The American Bird Conservancy picks a different endangered bird each year and it's a cause I've always been very invested in. It was a cause close to my grand-père's heart and that's always stuck with me."

"...that's so important. So few kids your age have the drive to take on something as demanding as hosting an event of that size. I hear it's slated to be quite successful. For being your first year that is very impressive Blair." He turns his focus past where the two girls stand as he continues, "It's just too bad. My poor Coco is truly torn up over the fact she has to miss out on such a big moment."

Watching the exchange cautiously Odette's eyes narrow ever so slightly at her grandfather, "It's only for upperclassmen."

Turning his focus back to the girls he stares blankly at his grandaughter, "Right, but she tells me you're going?"

"Yes, well I-I," She stutters a bit, caught off guard by his bluntness, before continuing, "I take advanced classes though. My credits basically equate me to a junior."

"I know, you make me so proud." He pulls her hand to his lips and gives it a small kiss before looking to Blair, "I know the event is for you younger folks, and while I don't share your passion for the birds, I do share your drive and ambition. You don't see that much in your generation. So I would like to donate." He pulls out his personal checkbook and begins to write Blair the check right then and there. "Now I have dropped a pretty penny on this party I'm hosting today so I can't donate as much as I normally would like to but I would be willing to pledge, hm.. how does 1.4 million sound?" He scribbles his signature and looks up to gage the young brunettes' stunned expression.

Blair's mouth had all but hit the ground. The event was being hosted by a teenager for other elite teenagers, and admittance to the party was earned by donating to the cause. Most of the teens in attendance were trust fund babies, but they were only donating what little they wanted to spare. Two to three thousand here, maybe ten thousand there. But leave it to David Rockefeller to far exceed expectations. "Thank you so much, Mr. Rockefeller, that is truly so, so, generous." With his donation, Blair would officially be the most successful teen charity host of this season. Possibly of any season ever.

"It's not a problem dear like I said I'm happy to support ambition. You don't even have to list me as the donor, you can just put down Odette here." He gestures to his grandaughter with a small smile.

"That's very kind of you, but I've already made my donation." Odette clarifies as she twiddles a strand of her hair nervously.

"Oh..." David rubs at his bearded chin for a moment, "Oh! Well then here's a thought, why don't you just put it under my sweet Coco's name?" He stares at Blair knowingly.

The truth finally comes out.

"Blair you don't-"

Blair is quick to cut Odette off, "Of course! Honestly, I was already having one of my assistants draw up her invite. It was just going to be a surprise."

"I'm glad to hear it. I need to get back to my guests now, but you both have a wonderful rest of your evenings. And Ms. Waldorf, thank you for having this conversation with me."

'No, thank you!' Blair smiles cheekily, her dimples on full display, at the older man's retreating figure. She was on cloud nine.

Odette, on the other hand, was seething. Grandfather had always done this. He always bought them anything they wanted and had taught them that everything they desired was theirs for the taking. Or in this case the buying. Was there anything the Rockefellers had gotten for themselves without throwing money around?

"B, you didn't have to cave to him like that."

"Don't be silly Dette, I seriously was already planning on inviting her. So it's a win-win."

Odette was rather positive that Blair was definitely not already planning on inviting Coco. But like Grandfather always said, everyone, has a price.

To: Coco

From: Odette

You had pops bribe your way into Blair's party? Seriously?

To: Odette

From: Coco

Chill. He's the one always telling us to go after the things we want.

To: Coco

From: Odette

Yeah, Y-O-U go after it. Don't send him to do your dirty work.

To: Coco

From: Odette

That was so mortifying Co

To: Odette

From: Coco

yeah I'm sure Blair really minded

To: Coco

From: Odette

So, NOT the point.

To: Odette

From: Coco

I wanted to go to the party, I only mentioned it to pops in passing. I didn't know he would do that.

To: Coco

From: Odette

Totally.

To: Odette

From: Coco

You're really being a bitch right now so I'm gonna go.

To: Odette

From: Coco

but FYI they're filming at the house.

Odette rolled her eyes at Coco's last text. As if her mood could get any worse. She so wasn't in the proper headspace to be roped into filming tonight but the party was wrapping up, Blair was going to be busy with Nate, and she needed some serious distance between her and Coco right now. She was short on options.

Unless...

No.

well, fuck it.

Collecting her things she doesn't even bother telling her grandfather goodbye as she makes her hasty escape out of the room and to the elevator. She was a woman on a mission. And that mission was to not be caught sneaking her way up to Chuck's suite. As deplorable as he could be, at least she could get high for free, and sadly that was her best offer for the night.

Thanks again to anyone that's read this far and I hope you enjoyed it!