Chapter 2
"I can't believe it's you!" Nate exclaimed, gesturing towards the black mask in Tinsley's hand.
"Neither can I," Blair growled, stepping between the two.
"BLAIR!" Tinsley smiled, wrapping her arms around her older sister. Blair froze underneath her touch.
"I can explain…I was just on my way to look for you and then I spotted someone…very familiar," Nate tried, placing his hand on Blair's shoulder. Blair pulled away from Tinsley and glared at her boyfriend.
"Nice try, Nathaniel. You've had four hours to look for me. Besides, the whole point of the party is to not recognize anyone. You disgust me," she spat, throwing her own mask at his feet. She turned and walked away.
Tinsley placed a delicate hand on Nate's arm. "I better go," she murmured. "See you around?"
Nate smiled as she walked away. "I sure hope so," he whispered to himself.
…
Blair awoke to the overwhelming smell of fresh pancakes. She threw back the covers and made her way down the winding staircase of her beloved penthouse. A perky, skinny reminder of last night met her at the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning, sunshine!" Tinsley grinned, jumping up and down. Blair couldn't help but notice how effortlessly beautiful her sister was; a pang of jealousy hit her like a train. Tinsley was wearing a blue tee, no bra, and sweats; hair down in her natural waves and a makeup-free face, she looked even better than she did last night.
"What has you up so early? Wait, scratch that…what has you back home?" Blair scoffed, walking past her sister.
"Well, if you could believe it, I missed you," Tinsley bounced behind her, "and Mom. And Dorota. And friends."
"You don't have friends," Blair said, rolling her eyes. The girls entered the kitchen, where plates of different shaped pancakes were waiting on the island.
"Well, you're my friend. So are Serena and Nate! Even Chuck, in an unfortunate way. And I have my Constance friends, so I'm good."
"Serena, Nate, and Chuck want nothing to do with a fifteen year-old. Especially Nate, my boyfriend, which is a fact you've conveniently forgotten. Stay out of my group and I'll make your return much more bearable," Blair threatened. Then she looked down at the pancakes. "Is this in the shape of Mickey Mouse?"
"Dorota likes Disney," Tinsley explained, pulling the plate from Blair. She leaned over the island and sighed. "Listen, B…I'm sorry for catching you off guard. You know I love you! I really wasn't enjoying California as much as I thought I would. Can't you just accept that? We're blood."
Blair bit her lip. "Fine. But don't think you're joining us on the steps for lunch. You don't get special treatment just because you're family."
Before Tinsley could reply, the elevator dinged. "Blair?" a familiar voice called out.
"It's about damn time," Blair muttered, pushing her pancakes aside. She sauntered into the foyer and came face-to-face with Nate.
"Hey," he greeted, keeping his distance. "I just wanted to apologize about last night. I know you've been planning this for a while…"
"How nice of you to notice!" Blair exclaimed sarcastically. "But yes, Nate, I thought you were worthy of having me whole-heartedly. I guess I was wrong."
"You're not wrong, Blair! I love you," Nate assured her, grabbing her arms and pulling her close. As he embraced her, he noticed Tinsley over his shoulder. His heart warmed immediately.
"Hey, Nate. Want some pancakes?" Tinsley asked innocently.
Blair groaned and pushed Nate back, turning towards her sister. "Can you leave me alone for, like, two minutes? You've only been home for 8 hours and you're already giving me a migraine."
Tinsley held her hands up in compliance and walked back into the kitchen. Blair turned back to Nate and smiled. "So, where were we?"
"That's not cool, Blair," Nate muttered. "She's your sister and she loves you. Maybe you should take some notes from her."
"Some notes? What is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, you know…"
"No, I don't."
Nate rubbed his eyes and sighed. "Tinsley is much more…approachable. You make everything into a complicated game, Blair. Can't we just live our lives and let whatever happens, happen? Sex doesn't have to be a planned affair. I want it, with YOU. I love you." And with that, he kissed her forehead and walked back into the elevator. Blair watched in disappointment as the doors closed shut.
"You know, B…I wish I waited," Tinsley said quietly, returning back to the foyer.
"You had sex? When?!" Blair asked in disbelief.
"California," Tinsley shrugged, "and I wish I could say it was just one mistake. More than once with more than one by fifteen." She started up the stairs and then stopped. "And for the record, I wish I could be in your place right now. Enjoy it while it lasts." And with that, she continued up to her room.
