AN: Probably going to be my last update for a few days but we shall see.

Disclaimer: I'm disclaiming!

OUTFITS STILLS AND OC'S ON MY PINTEREST:

Criticisms, complaints, a freaking 'Hey' would suffice as a review so please, please, please review for me. :3


There's plenty of upside to being the spawn of the fabulously wealthy. But the downside? Supper successful parents expect nothing less from their offspring. And when it comes to college that means the Ivies. It's more than just getting into college, it's setting a course for the rest of your life. And for those few who aren't legacies, the pressures are no less. When parents have sacrificed for their children's futures, what kid would wanna let them down?

Good luck, bitches. I'll see you on the other side.

Xoxo Gossip Girl

"Yes, mom, I've got tabs on the Princeton rep. I've read their book, followed their blog. I've got it covered." My mobile was wedged between my ear and my shoulder as I desperately try to convince my mother that I've got everything under control, and that I definitely don't need her to fly over from Moscow. "I'm legally an adult now, I can take care of myself." Ironically, whilst saying those words I'm struggling to perform the simple act of pulling on socks.

"Yes, I know dear! But your father and I are just looking out for you, you know how desperate he is for you to get into Princeton." I could hear my uptight father grumble over the speaker. He doesn't speak- ever- he only makes sounds to put his point across. At my parent's wedding, he didn't say 'I do', he just grunted in agreement.

"Look, mom," I sigh loudly, running a hand through my hair in hopes of taming its messiness. I woke up late again and I didn't want to miss this morning's assembly, "about college, I need to speak to you. But right now, I'm late and I've really got to go." Dropping to my knees, I reach under my bed, feeling around for my black Dr. Martens.

"I'll call you later, sweetheart." Without a goodbye, or an 'I love you', my mother hangs up. We'd never really been a close knit family, which explains the fact that we're living on opposite sides of the map and I'm emancipated, but sometimes I wish that my mum would just fly over unexpectedly and tell me she's proud. Shoving my phone into my skirt pocket, I find the shoes and slip them on. Tying my hair into a messy bun, I sling my bag over my shoulder and run out of the door, all whilst trying to put on my leather jacket that chooses this morning to decided not co-operate with me.

Thankfully, I still manage to make the bus and get to school on time. I'm out of breath by the time I get through the black iron gate of Constance Billard, receiving a curious look from Chuck and Nate who are chatting not five meters away.

"Morning guys!" I exclaim, walking over to them with, what I'm sure is, a red face.

"Late start?" Asks Nate, amused by my appearance.

"That and an interesting call from Mrs. Elma herself."

"Why'd your mom call?" Chuck looks at me curiously, it's no secret that my parents and I have a strictly professional relationship so any out of the blue calls are un-heard of with the Elmas.

"Why do you think? Ivies, stupid. They're counting on me to get into Princeton and study law."

"And what do you want to study?"

"English." There was no hesitation in my answer, I loved English and reading and writing. Knowing undoubtedly that this is what I want to do makes me even more upset- because I know I can never do it. "But my parents will never hear of me wasting my time on something so time-wasting."

"See this is what I'm talking about, Chuck!" Nate looks at Chuck with a desperate expression, "Our parents are planning our lives for us and it's not right! Why can't you see that?" Chuck has no time to answer as the bell shrieks and students start heading towards the assembly hall.

As we walking into the church-like assembly hall, we are welcomed by the girls' choir singing 'Glamorous' as an accapella. Despite my desperate need to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation I give Jenny, whose part of the singing squad, an encouraging thumbs up. By the time they've finished the song, all of us students are seated and already bored of this morning procession, I myself am starting to wonder if rushing to school this morning was worth it.

The heads of both schools replace the choir and we all start to take notice- there is not one person in this room that doesn't want a spot at an Ivy League school, no matter what they actually want.

"Thank you, ladies. And good morning, students." I look around for a particular blonde, having noticed her absence when coming in the hall, but Serena is nowhere to be found. "I ask all of you to show a little sympathy for our junior class. They are almost trough Ivy Week."

I snort and whisper into Blair's ear, "We don't need sympathy to get into college, just a building in our name." She stifles a giggle behind her hand but otherwise remains composed.

"As is our long-standing tradition," begins the headmaster of our brother school, "the Constance Billard girls will be in charge of Friday night's mixer, and the St. Jude's boys will provide the ushers for the visiting representatives." I know that last bit has piqued quite a few of the boys' interests, including our very own Dan Humphrey.

"For those who dream of attending an Ivy League school, this mixer is the most important event of your life." A bit melodramatic but she seems to insight the fear that she wishes for into the girls.

"But no pressure." Both heads laugh and if there was a time to cry out of the irony of it all, this would certainly be it.

I tune out for the rest of their little talks and instead look around the room for something exciting to look at. What's not quite exciting but also quite surprising is the site of Nate and Chuck ghosting out of the assembly hall. I mean, it's not unnatural for the pair to do a little pot before school, but their interviews are today and despite all the rough patches, they're still my friends.

Making a rash decision that I'll most likely regret, I crouch behind my pillar and crawl out too. It doesn't take a genius to know that they're behind the bleachers just off campus. Just as expected, they're lighting up a joint and passing it back and forth between them.

Not caring about the smell, I walk up to them, rip the roll-up from between Chuck's lips and throw it on the floor.

"Really, guys? On interview day?" Chuck just smirks as he bends down and retrieves the zoot, brushing the dirt off and relighting it. Giving up on him, I turn on Nate, "Archibald, why are you risking this, you know your parents will kill you if you don't get the usher position."

"I don't care, Evie! I just want to do what I want."

"And is ruining your chances of getting into the big league what you want?"

"Evie, chill," Chuck soothes, coming up behind me and rubbing my arms as he takes a hit, "It's all good, our parents have ways." I shrug his warm hands off, not liking how quickly my anger disperses when he does that.

"Wouldn't you like to do something for yourself for once, Chuck?"

"Is that concern I hear? Oh, Angel, I didn't know you cared so much."

"Can you just be serous for one second?"

"Why be serious when you can be high?" He waggles the joint at me, blowing smoke into my face. The smell instantly makes me want to retch.

"You don't get it do you?" I say, waving the air in front of my face to get rid of the smoke, "There are people who work ten times harder than you do and yet they'll still end up with less. Don't you see the issue with that?"

"And this is coming from, Evie? The same Evie that bought her own nerd to do her homework for an entire semester?"

"What I used to do was childish… but I've grown up. Maybe you should too."

Spotted: E telling it like it is and leaving C to yet again watch his childhood sweetheart walk away from him… old habits die hard don't they, E? Especially the habit of putting your nose where it doesn't belong. But don't go smelling anything too rotten, you might just end up finding something you wish you hadn't.

You know I'm right.

Xoxo Gossip Girl.

{}

I hated field hockey. Scratch that. I hated competitive sports in general. But today it was just taking the biscuit. You give a bitchy, rich girl an object of murder and there will be hell to pay. Throw in a vengeful Blair Waldorf and a tired Serena van der Woodsen and you've got yourself a massacre.

As girls in short skirts and polo's run around with tanned legs, chasing a ball for no purpose but to outshine the others, it's no wonder that it becomes another PE lesson where I have an excuse to sit and watch- I mean, I'm turning my life around but I can only go so far.

Sitting, on the grass, sunshades on and enjoying the brief spell of good weather, I notice Blair shooting looks towards her blonde best friend. I don't think much of it until they collide and fight for possession of the ball, and then, all of a sudden, Serena goes down and the whistle blows. Blair hit her. I'm shocked and I sit upright, worried about the events that are coming next. Two minutes later, Blair violently shoves Serena, earning herself a green card.

I get why Blair's mad, but resorting to violence, that's a new low, even for her.

Even worse, the next tackle send Serena flying.

"Blair! I'm running out of colours here!" Shouts the coach. I get up and make my way closer to the pitch.

"Enough, okay?" Pleads Serena. I'm starting to feel bad for her. But only just.

"It's enough when I say it's enough." Replies Blair menacingly. The whistle blows again and I'm biting my nails in anticipation as Blair seizes the ball and Serena head's straight for her. They collide viciously, eliciting a scream from Blair as they both plummet to the ground.

I run over to them, trying to pull Serena off of Blair's shrieking form.

"Guys!" I shout over the audience. "What the fuck are you doing, get off of each other!"

"Get off me!" Cries B, screaming like a banshee.

"Is that enough for you yet?!" Serena lets go, walking off flustered. Blair rushes to compose herself.

"So you idiots have actually come to physical blows? What's wrong with you?" I exclaim. I've already had to deal with Nate and Chuck being stupid idiots, I don't want to deal with this too. "Can't you just give up with this shit already?"

They stare each other down for a few seconds, both breathing heavily from their squabble. Suddenly, a twisted smile appears on Blair's face and she grabs her thigh, screaming in pain.

"Ow! My leg!" She cries, sobbing as though it was really in pain. I just stare at her, disappointed at both of them.

"Serena, you're out of here." Says the coach, motioning for Is and Kati to help Blair of the pitch.

"I hope it's broken." Serena murmurs before walking off in a huff.

I look over at Blair's crying form before walking off myself. Monday was just not my day.

Hey, Upper East Siders.

We hear that World War III just broke out, and it's wearing knee socks. Choose your side or run and hide. We have a feeling this ones to the death.

Xoxo Gossip Girl.

{}

The elevator doors of the Waldorf apartment opened and I step angrily into the hallway. I'd come here as soon as school finished, not wanting to wait to get out what I needed to say. I could hear Is and Kati fussing over Blair's leg in the living room. Without greeting them, I rudely dismiss both of them. Seeing the anger that's written on my face they do as they're told. For the first time in a long time, I feel like the old me.

Relaxed on a lounger, un-bruised legs propped up, Blair smiles innocently at me. However, I'm anything but fooled.

"What the Hell were you thinking?" I shout, dumping my bag on the floor, pushing her legs of the couch and taking their place. She gives me a tight smile, not liking being told off.

"She deserved everything she got."

"Maybe, but you didn't have to stoop to her level, B." Her face twists with rage.

"Oh?! And you've never gotten into a fight at school?!" She cries, her eyes glazing over with tears. "Why do I have to be the one that rolls over and takes it? You never did! People don't expect her too! It's unfair, and I'm sick of it!" Sympathy and understanding washes over me.

"B, I get it and I'm sorry for having a go at you but what I used to do wasn't good. Let Serena be the only bad guy here. If you want to get back at her, do it the Blair Waldorf way, not the Evie Elma way."

Her signature, mischievous smile plays on her lips. "I plan to." As if on cue, her phone rings. On the first chime she picks it up, "Finally."

Whoever is on the other line said something to make Blair cringe in her seat, "You're heinous." And then she smiles, "You know me well."

Blair gives me a please look, then puts the other caller on speaker. The ID reads 'Chuck,' why am I not surprised?

"Serena came home for a reason." States Blair, her attitude quickly going from playful and excited to serious and scheming.

"One can only guess." Chuck says through the phone.

"I'm done guessing." The finality in Blair's voice made me worried for Serena, she was in for war. "I want answers, and no one likes to be on the ground floor of a scandal like Chuck Bass."

"I am a bitch when I wanna be." Blair shots me look when I laugh, immediately shutting me up. "Who's that?"

"Just Evie."

"Ah, Angel!" I sigh, at the public use of that stupid, embarrassing nickname, "Are we over our petty squabble yet, can we just skip ahead to the crazy make up sex?"

"Wow, Chuck. At least buy me dinner first." I reply sarcastically, earning myself a chuckle from the other end.

"You guys are disgusting." Says B, her lip curling in revulsion, "Anyway, opportunity to cause some trouble, uncover a secret?"

"Take 'yes' for an answer."

After hanging up, Blair turns to me, looking over the moon. "Now we wait."

{}

The next morning, Blair calls me over before school, luckily I was up early talking with my parents because of the time difference. Greeting me at Waldorf place was Chuck Bass, smiling as he sees me walk into Blair's bedroom.

"So I take it you found something then?" I ask flopping myself onto the bed, trying my hardest to not nap.

"Did you ever doubt me?" Chuck asks playfully coming to sit next to me.

"Do you really want me to answer that-?"

"-Guys! Can you please stop the flirting for just a second, this is important." Throwing her a disbelieving look, I flop my head down on the pillows and turn towards the computer. Chuck gets up and joins Blair by the monitor.

"Is that Serena?" I ask, seeing the blonde mane and assuming the obvious.

"Yep, at the Ostroff centre." Blair says the words as if she found the purchase history on her mother's credit card around Christmas.

"Elaborate for me please?"

"It's a facility for the disturbed or addicted." Answers Chuck, coming back to sit with me on the bed.

"Then you must have your own wing." I say with a smirk. Chuck laughs heartily, making me smile. Over the last couple of weeks Chuck has grown on me, especially since he's never mentioned the secret.

"Your wit never fails to impress me, E." Chuck winks and something flutters inside my stomach.

My smile drops instantly. Nope, I refuse to believe that I just got butterflies.

"So, B, what are you going to do now?" I ask, quickly changing the subject and Chuck's attention.

"Well, I was thinking… total social destruction."

"Yep, that sounds more like you." I say, impressed with Blair's trail of thought.

"So how do you ladies want to pay me for my services?" Ask Chuck, waggling his eyebrows between us.

Grabbing one of Blair's duck feather pillows, I toss it at him, hitting him directly in his infuriatingly snarky face.

"No you didn't." He says, catching it before it hits the ground. Our eyes meet for a second before he jumps on the bed, hitting me with the pillow as I lay helpless underneath him.

"No! Mercy!" I squeal, in hysterics as he abandons the pillow and begin his new assault by tickling me. "Please Chuck! I- I hate- being tickled!" Laughing wildly, we roll around on the bed, both trying to best each other.

"Hey!" Shout Blair, clapping her hands as though we're dogs and her our trainer, "Hey! You two! Leaving now." We stop our attack, both of us breathing heavily and both in a compromising position. Chuck is leaning over me, on hand propping him up and the other on my waist. Warmth fills me as I look up into his brown eyes.

Pushing a lock of hair out of my face he whispers intimately, "You can repay me another time." Biting my lip, I wonder what he means, and then I find myself wondering what I want him to mean.

"Ugh, you guys are disgusting."

{}

The rooftop mixer was a formal affair, which called for one of my only smart outfits; a blue, high-waisted pencil skirt with a brown belt wrapping around my ribs; and a grey vest-top tucked in with a matching grey cardigan that falls to my thighs.

A soft, acoustic band were playing as Constance and St. Judes students alike were desperately trying to win the hearts of every representative that they could get their manicured hands on.

I'd gotten here a bit late so already, there were no spare representatives to woo. Maybe this was fate, maybe I wasn't meant to go to an Ivy League and this was the world telling me that I should go to NYU and get an English degree.

Yeah, right.

Noticing Chuck ushering the Princeton rep, I walk over, plastering a polite smile on my face. I cut into the conversation taking the reps free hand in mine.

"Hi there, I'm Evie Elma."

"It's nice to meet you. What can I do for you?" She was pleasant enough.

"Well, my parents are alumni of Princeton and they'd murder me if I didn't introduce myself. You may know them- Alexie and Vera Elma?"

"Ah, yes! So you're that daughter…" What the hell is that supposed to mean? She gives me a disapproving look and turns back to Chuck, completely ignoring me. Chuck gives me an apologetic smile but I just act like it doesn't bother me. Only it does, and I don't know why because I don't even want to go to Princeton. A dangerous thought enters my head and just as I am about to find a knife and stab her with it, Blair saves me.

"May I please have everyone's attention?" Conversation stops as she takes control of the whole room. "Welcome again to the Constance Billard/St. Jude's Ivy Week Mixer. I'm Blair Waldorf, chair of the Community Outreach Committee." She waits for her applause to dissipate, "Every year, our schools choose to support one local institution that we feel benefits our community."

I start adding things up; Dr. Ostroff being here; Community Outreach bullshit; what Blair said about total social destruction… she was going to out Serena to every single university here. This isn't social destruction… Blair's going to destroy Serena's life.

"This year," She continues whilst I try to find Serena within the crowd, "our schools have chosen to honour the Ostroff Center." Everybody claps, oblivious to the scandal that is about to be ousted. I spot Serena with her arms around her brother, and question why she's comforting him.

Suddenly, it hits me… Serena's not the one with the problem.

I grab Chuck's arm as Blair talks about how the choice is a very personal one. Noticing how worried I am he wastes no time in stepping away from the Princeton bitch.

"What's wrong, Evie?"

"We have to stop Blair." He tilts his head to the side, confused.

"I thought this was what you guys wanted."

"No. Not like this."

He nods, turning towards the stage. I knew he'd stop it, he'd run on the stage naked if he has to: He's Chuck Bass.

Only it's too late.

"Can I please have Serena van der Woodsen join me onstage?" Blair's face is positively gleaming as she takes in the shocked expressions of everyone in attendance.

"I'm sorry." Says Chuck. I shake my head, too upset with Blair for doing something so horrible to appreciate the fact the Chuck Bass was apologizing.

Spotted at Ivy Week Mixer: S and B's last stand, and only one gets out alive. Better take cover.

{}

After the devastating showdown, I hunt down Blair, finding her with Kati and Is.

"Blair, we need to talk." I pull her into an empty corridor, not waiting for her agreement. "What you just did…" Her smile never falters, she's expecting praise or an award, "What you did was-"

"Blair," The sudden appearance of Eric interrupts my lecture, "Can I talk to you? It'll just take a moment."

Blair gives me a 'Here-we-go-look' as if what she just did was just some rookie prank.

"Serena's not a patient at the Ostroff Centre." He begins, proving my suspicions.

"Eric, you've always been a sweet kid, and I can understand you wanting to-"

"Hear him out, B." I order sternly, cutting her off.

Eric gives me a thankful look and proceeds. "Serena is not a patient. I am."

Blair shakes her head in disbelief, "I've never even seen you take a drink."

"I'm not an alcoholic. I did this." He pulls back his sleeve to reveal the deep scar that he burdened himself with. I shut my eyes tightly, feeling empathetic tears well up. "And today, Serena protected me."

Suddenly, Blair has nothing to say.

"Eric, I… I didn't-"

"See that coming? Yeah. Well, it must be a shock for someone who thinks she knows everything." One last look at Blair's sullen face and Eric walks off to find his family, leaving Blair and I thinking about Serena and Eric and he bigger picture.

"I think there's something you've got to do." I whisper, grabbing her hand and taking her towards the exit.

It's time to finally end this.

{}

It takes us no time at all to find Serena- Her spot a Central Park. Blair and I approach her carefully, knowing that a lot of damage has been done. She looks up from her book, notices us, and then looks down again.

"Whenever something's bothering you, we can always find you here." She clears her throat, dog-earing her book and standing up.

"You here for another catfight?" She asks sarcastically.

"No, S." I say stepping closer and laying a hand on her arm, "Blair has something to tell you."

Reaching into her bag, the brunette pulls out a blue envelope.

"What's that?" Serena asks, looking unamused.

"A letter. I wrote it to you when you were away at boarding school. I never sent it." Blair's voice cracks as she fights back the tears. She needed this, they both needed this.

"Dear Serena,

"My world is falling apart, and you're the only one who'd understand. My father left my mother for a 31-year-old model… a male model.

"I feel like screaming because I don't have anyone to talk to. You're gone, my dad's gone, Evie won't speak to any of us- I don't even think she knows that you've left, and Nate's acting weird." Her voice breaks further as she continues on with the next sentence, the same sentence that broke my heart when she first read it to me, "Where are you? Why don't you call? Why did you leave without saying good-bye?

"You're supposed to be one of my best friends. I miss you so much.

Love, Blair."

She folds the letter back up and looks to Serena, who's feeling just the same as she is.

"Why didn't you send it?" She asks, heartbroken, "I would've-"

"-You would've what?" Blair interrupts, bottom lip trembling slightly, "You knew, Serena, and you didn't even call."

"I didn't know what to say to you or even how to be your friend after what I did." I wipe a tear from my eye and grab both of my friends' hands, which they accept. "I'm so sorry."

"Eric told us what happened." I say, feeling as though it was my turn to talk, "We know that your family's been going through a hard time, too. But we don't have to go through it alone anymore."

Spotted in Central Park: Two white flags waving. Could and Upper East Side Peace Accord be far off? So what will it be- truce or consequences? We all know one nation can't have two queens, there personal advisor is going to have to pick a side.

What will happen next? Only time will tell.

Xoxo Gossip Girl.