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"The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become."
~"The Unbearable Lightness of Being"
Flashback—Blair's memory (one month earlier)
Blair was freezing, but she didn't care. She was almost there anyway. Instead of wearing the heavy, practical coat she should've worn, she wore the fashionably feather-light plaid swing coat that matched perfectly with her headband. Now she was paying the price. And seriously, who walks in the winter? I guess Blair Waldorf does.
She pranced into the hallway and rang up to the penthouse, frustrated when Serena didn't answer. She was probably asleep or on the phone or something. She didn't mind. She rang up the elevator and went to the highest floor, stepping out and dusting herself off from the snow outside. Then she heard voices. One male and one female.
"Mom, it's not that easy!" Blair almost started when she heard the voice. It was deep, but not in Chuck's range just yet. It was Eric van der Woodsen. Blair relaxed slightly.
"Honey," a woman's voice soothed, "I was young. Foolish. I didn't know what I was doing, but the one thing I can tell you is that I wish I hadn't had to do it. I wish that there were some way that I could have been able to stay where I was. And you—"
"I what?!," Eric yelled at his mother. "I'm not crazy! I can't believe you didn't tell me that you were in a hospital like me! How could you do it?"
Lily was crying by now. Blair stepped back just a little, unsure whether she should just run or hide. But then she heard Lily speak softly. "Eric. You can't imagine how hard it is to give up something like that. Something so much a part of yourself and of the person you love…" She trailed off and Blair heard Eric patting her on the back. He ushered her away, possibly to her room. Blair did not come out until he reappeared. She acted as if she had heard nothing of their private conversation.
"Hey Eric!" she bubbled nervously. "Where's Serena?"
Eric looked at her, and then smiled. "She's in her room. Go on up."
Blair walked past him slowly, and then turned to see him making some tea for his mother.
"Hey…Eric?" Blair stumbled over her words. Eric looked up. "Tell Lily to feel better. She sounded sad."
Eric's face showed no shock at her eavesdropping. He just nodded and she raced up to Serena's room.
Flashback End
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