Lining Normal

Chapter 2 : J.G

Blair's POV.

"Blair, would you stop hovering me like I'm a child," my dad laughed looking at my 13 years old self. I was very concerned, maybe even scared perhaps. He was lying on the hospital bed, how can I not worry? I skipped 2 days of school to take care of him.

Dad took my hand, "I'm supposed to be parent here. Since I am, I'm telling you I'm going to be fine. You can go home Blair."

I shook my head, showing how stubborn I am. He was sighing now. Seems that I had to explain to him of my stubbornness.

"Daddy, I love you. And I don't leave when someone I love is sick," of course, it was the few times where I have shown my maturity at 13. My dad just sat silent and a smile interrupted his perfect feature.

"I hope one boy would be able to make you feel that way, someday, the feeling of being with a person forever," and it all went blank.

I opened my eyes and blinked twice (where's my eye mask?), what an awful weird dream. No wait, that wasn't a dream; that was a memory. A hazy one if it wasn't for the vivid dream. All I remembered before was how dad suddenly passed out in front of me and I was sitting in the hospital for days hoping he would be healthy. That conversation was a blur by my worried self at that time. Now that I have seen it more clearly, I wonder what that was all about.

"I hope one boy would be able to make you feel that way, someday, the feeling of being with a person forever."

Being with one person forever? Well, it did happen at first with Nate. We vowed (or only I did) to be together forever when we were still a child. It didn't work out, obviously. Serena, my best friend did the damage. Long and hurtful story to tell. Then, I met Chuck Bass, the mighty playboy of the decade in the Upper East Side. Wait, scratch that. In the whole New York Continent.

Of course, our 3 year relationship shows that he wasn't that Chuck Bass anymore. But still, I was in concern now. About what, I haven't had any clue. As I was worried for something about Chuck, but I can't pinpoint on what. Yesterday, it felt as if I don't know him anymore. Or rather, I wouldn't like to know who he is now. I still feel I can be with him forever, but this everyday concern would only peel me to pieces by each coming day.

Then it struck me, the stain on the ceiling. What is that stain doing on that ceiling? "Dorota!" silence phases in the room. I shifted my position on the bed and then I realized, how uncomfortable the bed was. I caught in conscious now, I wasn't at home, nor was I in Bass' apartment. I was in my dorm, only several times used to be honest.

I curled up and looked at the empty bed next to mine. Used to be Georgina's but I sacked her out for good. She was sad Humphrey wasn't into her. The only time the boy was in use. I went out of bed and looked at the mirror.

"Oh shit! My eyes are like Panda's!" I rubbed the circles beneath my eyes, knew it wasn't caused by lack of comfortable sleep but the cry I had the night before. I sighed, not wanting to think of it. I might be paranoid again. Blair, this is so not you. Have some faith on Chuck like you always do.

I looked at my dress. "My D&G is all rumpled."

I heard my phone rang of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi. Oh Serena.

"Hello?" I heard a sighed voice from the other end. "Serena?"

"Blair! Where have you been? I've tried to call you a thousand times!" she shouted, worried.

"Hang on," I looked through my phone. 23 missed calls. "More like 23 times," I joked.

"That's not the point! Where were you? Dorota called, said you haven't been home since the night and Chuck hasn't come to stop ringing me every five seconds because he can't get in touch to you."

Chuck? Of course. What am I thinking? He's my Chuck, my sweetheart. I was wasting my cries yesterday!

"Did Chuck sound worried? Or more like he's sorry? Like really sorry? Maybe a combined of both?" this made me happy a little. I was concerned out of nothing.

"Blair this is not another game you are playing to get back to Chuck is it?" What? No! She's my best friend but she's so oblivious of things about me at times. "Blair, he's sorry he forgot your dinner yesterday…" And I hung up. God Serena's so hateful at times! Dinner? Did she even listen to me yesterday what I was so excited about? I said anniversary damn it not a fucking dinner!

And what has that made of Chuck? Did he forget our anniversary for a dinner too? Gee, I wonder if he remembered my name! I looked around, patiently stopping myself from crying. I hate crying. And I don't want to look more like a freaking panda.

My phone rang again, same song. Serena. I turned my phone off. There, worry all you want. I checked my closet. Last years design. Ugh, could life be more of hell? I took a purple Chloe's blouse and a proper white Balmain skirt. Thank goodness it is spring, I don't have to wear the only awful last year's coat in there.

Whatever sadness I have, I still have to go to class. I promised my dad, and my step-dad, Cyrus, that I'll do well. It's their proposition to see me succeed. I may not succeed in ruling NYU but I will succeed at least being a high credited student here.

After an awful shower and a few re-thinking of the clothes, I head out from my dorm into my class. I let my hair down and leaved the head band, nothing mixed with the outfit. I turned my phone on. 31 missed calls from Serena. Seems that she stopped 20 minutes ago. Oh well, she still has her own paparazzi to settle down; she's busy. But then I looked up to my phone again, no miss call from Chuck. I guess Serena was lying when she said Chuck was sorry.

I am very disinterested in the Economics class. Mr. What's-His-Name was going on and on of what I call zero-error in my mind. I may be good to lie at people's faces right now if they asked me if I'm fine (who will ask in this miserable place?) but not to my concentration. I was more focused to not suddenly break down in tears but just kept looking. At least I looked like I was interested in the class. I should win an Oscar for that.

"Mr. Garner there who is somehow not acknowledging what we have been discussing as always," the class broke into giggles. Did I miss some kind of inside joke? Few of them swing their head to the left side of the class. I turned too, to see a guy in a baseball cap rubbing his face and slapped himself a few times to wake up. I couldn't see his face, he was a couple of rows in front of me. But I do recognize his voice.

"Yeah, sorry bout that," he adjusted himself in his seat. "I, uh, I had this thing, last night and um…"

"Save it after class, Mr. Garner," and the professor kept it on with his economical slate. I was appealed though by my conscious to know if the recognized was actually him, the guy who did the open mic last night. John. I wasn't sure.

Class ended, thank you God. People rushed to step out and I saw the Garner guy stood in front of the professor's desk rubbing his head. He had his cap off and his chocolate hair was sticking out in every position. I slowed my pace to get a peek on his face, to confirm that it was him.

Within two seconds of a time, I realized it was him. He gazed from the professor to me in a split second, changing his eye colour from blue to green and they found it's way back to the professor. I looked away, surprisingly embarrassed that I was checking if he was the guy from last night or not. Why should I care? He's a definite stranger!

I walked out of class, surprisingly in a hurried pace, not really looking where I'm going. I don't really know where to go now. Plus, I don't know why I'm walking in such a fast pace. I feel like I was scared that guy was going to catch up to me and I'm going to be bailed up in full embarrassment. Plus, he might think that I was checking him out! No!

"Blair?!" I heard someone yelling my name out. God, did he catch up on me! I fastened my pace, almost running now. I daren't to look back. "Blair, wait up!" Shit, his voice was even louder now.

I've lost, he caught me. Rather that he caught my arm, stopping my pace.

"Okay, I'm not actually looking at you alright. I was just checking if you were the…" I was scribbling all the words I can find in my head, closing my eyes to dilute any kind of embarrassment he might mention.

"Blair, what the hell are you talking about?" then I realized, it wasn't John. I opened my eyes. It was…

"Humphrey?" I looked at my arm that he touched and automatically yanked him away. "Eww! Don't touch me with that hands that have touched Georgina!"

"Okay, now I know you're actually Blair. Serena said you have somehow changed in the tone of voice," he pulled his hands up not to touch me. "Listen, I'm not here to perpetuate any reason for you to pull all sorts of negativity towards me okay, not that I'm not used to it but I'm just helping Serena out here. She tried calling you a few hundred times and you won't answer so she called me to ask you, how are you?"

That was so Dan Humphrey. Couldn't help to stop his babbling invading the earth. "Tell Serena, I'm fine. I look like a panda, my boyfriend forgot our anniversary, my best friend is oblivious and I am wearing last year's clothes. So I'm fine."

"Okay, can you just repeat that, cause I'm not exactly following, and the panda thing," he needs help.

"Just report to her that I said I'm fine. And I don't really need anyone right now," I walked away, feeling the sadness that I left before my curiosity and embarrassment in economics appeared. I looked around, saw a flock of people in every end, the simple bees buzzing of noise. I need quiet and peace.

And here I am, in the library. Peaceful enough, but too much people. I walked down each isle to find a very commuted space from everyone. There was a table far away from everyone's, no one was at it and that was what I took. I took a seat and looked outside the panelled window. NYU, it seemed so normal and so easy for those people, but definitely the hardest part in my life now. Minus the new paranoia of Chuck in mind, I still haven't got a clue why I was so concerned. He missed my birthday last year but it doesn't get me all emotional as this had.

I looked down and opened the economics book. Sometimes you got to get used to drain all your emotions with work. That was what I'm doing in the perfect peace until…

"Excuse me," I looked up, kind of in fright that his voice was so recognizable. It was him. John. Embarrassment on a scale of a hundred came in. This guy must think I'm into him or something. Why was he lurking everywhere I see?

"Um, you're in my seat," wait what? His seat.

"Your seat?" I asked back, feeling a bit down that I was wrong in acknowledging his intention.

"Yeah, everyday on the weekdays I sit here to catch up some sleep and you're sitting on it," he smiled, his eyes were glinting blue in the sun, not that I realized it often.

"You mean the sleep in class just now wasn't enough?" I thought he would be mad at my sarcastic remark but he laughed, understanding my irony. I wasn't satisfied. "Well, I don't see any name here indicating that this is your seat. It is a public library for every student here."

"Okay," he went near me and lifted my book. Before I said anything, he pointed to the desk where there was some kind of engraved writing on the table. J.G. "That's my initials and that said much that you're in my seat."

I was not giving up. "Okay John Garner. That doesn't mean anything but vandalising public property."

"I paid my tax; that should pay up for that," he smiled again. It was annoying though kind of endearing.

I looked up, giving my perfect bitch face. I wasn't giving up. I have my peace in this seat so I'm not going anywhere. He has to give up.

"Well fine," yes! I win! "Its not the only seat here so…" he pulled the chair in front of me and sat on it. "Good day, miss." He buried his face in his arms, dozing off. I was defeated. Well, I am still on my peaceful seat but it wasn't exactly in mind that he'll still be around.

I looked at him, he was like a little boy after his soccer practice, burying himself on the dining table being so exhausted. I smiled a bit. He's annoying but still kind of cute.

Cute? What the hell, Blair?! Why are you calling this immensely hateful guy cute?! He's a stranger and worst of all, an annoying one. I suggest myself (few times) to ignore the guy. He wasn't snoring or making any sounds; he sleeps quite peacefully, but I feel as if the guy himself was disturbing my focus. I couldn't help but watch him sleep. He does a few (unrealized) shift of movement to comfort himself and I find myself looking at him.

My phone vibrated (it was on silent mode) and I had to juggle my things in my bag to find it. Serena again. I hung up on her, putting the phone on the table. It vibrated again, Serena. "Gee, stop calling me!" I hissed between my breath, which I noticed the guy in front of me was up, looking at me.

"You're up?" I kind of choked the words out.

"Yeah, your phone was the alarm," he pointed at my berry.

"Sorry," wait, why was I supposed to be sorry? "Well, you might want to go and find another suitable table so I can't interrupt you."

"No, am not leaving," he smiled, his eyes squinted out of sleepiness. He had his left hand supporting his face. My phone vibrated again, gosh can Serena stop calling! I left it on the table, making it turning around and round. "You're not getting that?"

I sighed. "I told you, if you can't stand that find somewhere else to sleep."

"If you're not I can take it for you," before I said no he snatched my phone away and looked up to it. "Serena, nice name." I tried to reach for it but his free hand pushed any of my reaching.

"Don't you dare!" I threatened him.

"I need my sleep, so," he answered. Damn! "Hello?"

I couldn't stop him, couldn't even reach him. God, why was this stranger messing up my life! He stepped quiet for awhile, I knew Serena was probably surprised a male was answering my phone.

"Um, who are you looking for?" he asked. I tried snatching again but his hand caught mine and locked it down on the table. "Blair? Right. Um…" before he continued he listened again. "Who me? I'm just a guy who needs some sleep here and seems like Blair is out of reach for now. So, bye." He passed the phone back to me. "Thank me later."

Before I could beat him to death, I realized he was still pressing my hand on the table. He noticed that and apologized, "Sorry, Blair." He learned my name, and it was quite tasteful how he had spoken them. I pinch my own hand. Silly Blair, what has got into you!

"Listen, I don't know who you are or what the hell you are doing near me but I want to get one thing clear," I spoke to his face without blinking. "No stranger is allowed to just snatch my phone like you just did."

"But you clearly knew me right?" I was surprised by his relaxed self. He was so easy in everything, smooth in every sentence he spoke.

"What do you mean I know you?"

"Well, when I showed you that engrave I made there, I only said that was my initial, but I didn't say my own name. You can't know a name just by looking at initials right?" shit. I slipped. Get a grip Blair! Why am I so nervous talking to this guy!

"Well, I am observant at things and your name…" what am I blabbing?!

He cut me off. "You like Jeff Buckley?"

"What?" I can't believe he just turned this into one whole other conversation. Not that I mind, I don't want to explain how I knew his name.

"Jeff Buckley. I can see that you were humming to the song last night," he smiled, very much an agonizing sweet smile, which I couldn't help but smile a bit.

"That is um… That's my dad's favourite song. He listens to it every night. Well used too. Now its all this weird French songs I don't really understand," I laughed a bit, surprised that I did to be honest.

"So I take that that's the only song you knew of him?" he was leaning forward, and surprisingly so am I. I was really comfortable now chatting with him. It feels much at ease.

"No. His version of Hallelujah was pretty great and I loved Lilac Wine too and um…" I looked at his face and he was a bit surprised by it. "What?"

He chuckled a bit before getting his face straight. "Well, you don't really look like a girl who listens to someone like Jeff Buckley." I broaden my shoulder and smirked.

"What type of girl do you think I am?" I am a little offended but I was really glad he was straight up honest about it.

"Just a…" he stopped, just looking at me. As if he was searching something in me through my eyes. "Just an ordinary girl. But you proved me wrong on that."

It wasn't exactly what I thought he would say. Which was 'spoiled little brats of Upper East Side', or something like that. He thought I was ordinary, which might be an insult but he said it as if it were a compliment. I step back into the real world when I realized I was silent, he was too and he smiled.

"Well, its almost noon and I have to get lunch before you start hearing my stomach crumbling and um, its not really a fascinating sound, trust me," he laughed at his own joke. He smiled at me. "Its really nice to meet you, Blair." I was somehow a bit happy that he had pronounced my name with a perfect hitch of sound.

"Nice to meet you too, John."

Ah, this was pretty long. Not to mention I changed it quite a few times before posting because I really wanted them to meet properly like I have in my head. I guess this is the best I could do. Thank you for those who reviewed and thank you for those who have read this fiction too. If you guys have any ideas to put in, just let me know in the reviews and it will be a big help too. Thank you!