Author's note: I know I haven't been putting these in, but the formatting's too much of a hassle, but, as I'm sure you know, I own nothing! Plus, sorry for the hiatus, I still have a ton written, but I stopped typing them up and posting them… I'm gonna try to get back on the wagon, but bear with me please. Reviews would help me a lot!

[Halfway through the day , everybody! Now, the big question – where will you sit? Sure, little J has given up her claim on one of the steps. But will M take up the challenge? I'm hoping for an even better catfight than B and S last year… You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl ]

Miranda breathed a sigh of relief as she walked out of her last class before lunch. She pulled out her phone and texted Gigi, "I swear, school is the worst form of torture! So, your input on my lunch?" "You know you want to sit on the steps… oh, you should find little J and bring her with you!" "By ourselves? Why don't I just sit with Blair like I'm one of them?"

"M, she'll take it as a sign you respect her authority! And I'm sure you can have fun just talking with little J. You could even let her in on the secret!" "No, I want to tell them all at once… Ok, Gigi, I give in. Where is J normally?"

"Well, she won't be where she was last year… oh, I just got sent a pic of her, she's in the courtyard with Eric. How cute!" "Maybe I'll bring him with us…" "Sounds like a plan. Better get to it! Text me how it goes, ttys, dear. XOXO." Miranda flipped her phone shut and hurried off to the courtyard.

Jenny and Eric were happily chatting at a table by themselves. Surprising, considering Jenny used to soak up the attention she got from her huge crowd of girls. In fact, that was the topic of their conversation.

"You know, Jenny, I'm proud of you. This summer, focusing on your designing, has really mellowed you out. You seem so much more confident in yourself." Jenny lit up at the praise, "Thanks, E. That means a lot. And, yea, it's nice to have something to be proud of."

Eric was opening her mouth to respond when a shadow fell over the table and the two quickly turned their heads towards Miranda, who had just walked over. " Hi! Little J, right?" Jenny smiled awkwardly, "Yea, but I prefer Jenny. Miranda, right?"

Miranda smiled, "Cool, you still read Gossip Girl. And you're Eric. Nice to meet you." "You too…" Eric paused, looking adorably confused, "But, uh, what's going on here?"

Jenny playfully hit Eric's arm, "Is your phone dead or something? Sheesh, Eric, you need to check Gossip Girl more often, don't you recognize her?" "Yea, Jen, I do… just wondering why she's talking to us," he whispered.

Miranda laughed, "I don't look down on sophomores, and I was actually looking for you two. I was wondering if you wanted to come eat lunch with me on the steps?" Jenny lit up, "Oh, Blair wants me to join you guys?"

Miranda's smile turned a little evil, "Who said anything about Blair?"

It had been easy to convince Jenny to come along – of course she'd want an in with Miranda, if she was gonna challenge Blair. Eric had gotten dragged along, a little wary to make Blair mad, but wanting to hang out with the two girls anyways.

As they walked to the steps, Miranda turned to Eric, "Oh, E, Gigi wanted me to check with you about some deets." Eric gave her a confused look, until the light bulb went off and he laughed nervously, "Oh, right, Gossip Girl…"

Miranda giggled, "Yea, she heard that you recently had an… interesting… night at Victrola." Jenny snapped her head to Eric, raising her eyebrows and smirking, "Why didn't you tell me about this?" Eric grinned sheepishly, "Sorry, Jen, I was trying to find the right time…," he turned to Miranda, "And, yea, I did… Chuck set up a private show and… uhm…"

Eric was blushing furiously and Jenny gasped as she realized what he wasn't able to say, "Omigod, Eric, are you bi?" Eric nodded. Miranda smiled, "That's cool, E… so would you be okay if Gigi posts it? Cuz I could maybe convince her to hold it back, but if you don't mind…"

Eric shook his head, "Oh, no, it's fine, Miranda, I wouldn't fight her over this. I don't care if everyone knows." "Ok, good, I'll let her know, and you'll be front page in a bit."

Just then, they reached the steps and saw Blair and her posse eating their yogurt. Blair glanced up and saw them. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but quickly turned back to her girls and continued their conversation. Better not to make a scene until she needed to.

Miranda turned to Jenny, "You ready to do this?" Jenny just nodded, a huge smile lighting her face. Miranda smiled back, "Ok, let's go." She linked her arm with Eric's, and Jenny grabbed the other one. The three calmly walked about six feet from Blair, and two steps up, and sat down.

Miranda immediately started up the conversation again, reaching over Eric to touch Jenny's knee to get her attention, "Oh, J, you should totally make some dressed for me! I'll pay you whatever you want, but I love the designs of yours I've seen." Jenny's voice jumped an octave, like it always does when she's excited, "Really? That'd be great, M! Eleanor's told me that she'd use my designs and give me credit if I could get some buzz! This'd be perfect! Really, you wouldn't even need to pay me, you'd be helping me out!"

Miranda smiled, "Well, I'm happy to help, but I insist on at least paying for the materials… and I'm always looking for fun new clothes."

She opened the container she'd brought with her, and Jenny looked confused, "Wait, why do you bring your lunch?" Miranda looked confused, then laughed, "Oh, right, I forgot people don't normally do that here. Well, I always have our cook make my lunch, so I don't have to worry about not liking the school lunch."

Jenny nodded and mumbled under her breath, "Well that's not why I bring it." Eric heard her and patted her arm, but Miranda just raises her eyebrows almost angrily, "Jenny, there's no reason to be ashamed of where you come from, despite what Blair may say. You have more talent than any of those girls, and just because you don't have a trust fund to fall back on doesn't mean you aren't as good as them."

Jenny stared wide-eyed and Eric smiled, "You are so not what I expected, Miranda."

She just smiled, and then poked Eric with her elbow, and pointed at the girls walking towards them, "I think we're about to have company."

They looked up and saw Blair leading her followers to them. Miranda quickly made a decision, "Hey, why don't we just leave? I don't want to have a confrontation… yet." Jenny looked surprised, but stood up anyways and grabbed Eric's hand to help him up.

"Ok, let's go… no running, though!" Miranda said, and laughed loudly again. Jenny and Eric laughed with her, and they turned and walked away.

Blair stopped halfway to them, deciding whether to take this as a victory or an insult. She chose the first, so her groupies wouldn't get nervous. "There, you see? She's got Gossip Girl on her side and she's still afraid of me. There's nothing to worry about."

[Oooh, a little bit of confrontation. B played it off nicely, but is it really a victory or is M just choosing her battles? You decide, I'll keep you posted. You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl]