Vanity Blair

Disclaimer: Gossip Girl and quotes belong to Cecily von Ziegesar and the CW.

Chapter VII: Sense and Subterfuge

SPOTTED: A mysterious cloaked female figure entering the junior Bass residence. Meanwhile, it is rumoured that B may attend Lady Coates' musical evening tonight. For the pleasure of the Misses Coates' talents? We think not...

Much to her surprise, Blair received a visitor that same day, and thankfully it was not Bass. Serena arrived on the doorstep, her mother in tow.

A maid brought them tea in the parlour, where the daughters had situated themselves away from their mothers. Blair sat calmly, running over recent events in her mind. It was, infuriatingly, all she could think about. She wondered whether she should confide in Serena. It would be nice to recapture some of the intimacy they had shared before Serena had left for Paris.

She remembered the days they had spent walking in the grounds of the Constance Billiard School for Young Ladies, arm in arm, gossiping about their crushes and fellow pupils. But Serena seemed changed, somehow. They had scarcely spent much time alone together since Serena had returned, and when they had they only talked about mundane things – the latest fashion and gossip, never about their own lives.

Serena was pacing up and down in front of the fireplace, wringing her hands. She had never been good under stress.

According to the social columns of Lady Mischief, whom Blair had to rely on for gossip during her period of morning, Serena had become friends with an unknown female with the initial J, who was becoming famous for her sense of style. Looking at Serena, she did look a little more put together than usual, thought Blair idly to herself.

"Would you like some tea?" she offered, mind elsewhere. She poured out two cups mechanically.

"Blair," Serena was saying, having finally come to a stop particularly close to the grate.

"You and I have been friends for so long, haven't we?"

"Yes," answered Blair vaguely, recalling them being thrown together on the first day at their very school. The unlikely pair – tall, blonde Serena, disorganised and chaotic, and the tiny, dark Blair, so precise and polished – had become firm friends.

"So I know – I hope when I tell you that – oh B," sighed Serena, dropping into a chair in characteristic Serena fashion. "Blair, last summer, Nate and I – we..." she stopped.

"Nate?" echoed Blair, putting down her teacup and saucer with a trembling hand. She had begun to feel a little hollow inside.

"Nate," agreed Serena. She took a deep breath. "We didn't plan it, Blair. I would never have wanted it to be this way. If only I hadn't – oh, Blair. It was my fault."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, Blair – surely you know of – of such things as – as carnal relations?"

Blair blushed violently. "Yes – what are you saying, Serena?"

Serena ducked her head looking at the floor. "I – Nate – I never meant to, Blair, I swear –"

Blair rose to her feet unsteadily. Her head felt like it was spinning, her ribs constricted like she couldn't breathe. "You – you slept with Nate?" she asked in an unnaturally high voice.

Serena made no answer, just hung her head. A moment later she whispered, "I'm sorry Blair-"

Blair stride to the door and pulled it open wide. "Get out."

"I – what?"

"You heard me," said Blair coolly, fixing her gaze on the gilt candlestick behind Serena's head so she didn't have to look at her face. "Get out. I'm sure you know where the door is."

"But B-"

"Remove yourself from my house with all possible speed."

Serena slunk past, looking forlornly at Blair, who refused to acknowledge her. Blair closed the door gently behind her, leant against it for a moment, then rushed to the large porcelain bowl holding an arrangement of flowers and threw up into it.

About an hour later Eleanor came to find her. She looked surprised to see Blair alone, staring dully at a book of poetry. "Did Serena leave early?"

"Yes. She had a prior engagement."

"Oh. How strange. Her mother mentioned nothing of it. They have invited you to accompany them to the Coates' tonight. I feel it would not be seemly for me to attend so soon."

"I don't wish to attend tonight."

"What? Blair, you've spoken of nothing else all week."

"I don't feel well."

"Nonsense. You've been fine all day."

"I have a slight headache. Besides, surely it is not seemly for me if it is not for you."

"Blair, whatever is the matter?" asked Eleanor, assessing Blair with a shrewd gaze. "Have you had an argument with Serena? Tonight will be the perfect time to make it up with her. You two have been friends for years – there is nothing that could keep you apart."

Blair sat in the carriage later that day, determined to do nothing of the sort. She stared fixedly at the opposite wall whilst Lily kept up a wall of mindless chatter between the two silent girls.

When they arrived, Blair quickly made an excuse to go to the other side of the room and speak to a girl she detested. She mingled amongst the crowd waiting for the entertainment to start and then pretended to listen to the conversation of a small group of women laughing over a ridiculous gown.

"You decided to return my gift," said a smooth voice beside her. Blair almost jumped out of her wits. It was rare to see Chuck Bass at any sort of social occasion, especially one which didn't involve drinking or gambling. "I'm heartbroken," he told her, though he looked nothing of the sort.

"Of course I returned it," snapped Blair, fluttering her fan in front of her face to hide her high colour. "What were you thinking, sending me any sort of gift?"

"Only of you, dear Blair."

She scoffed. "It's Miss Waldorf, thank you."

"I was right, though, admit it."

"What on earth are you talking about? And keep your voice down. You're noticeable enough as it is with that dreadful scarf."

Bass looked hurt. "What's wrong with my scarf?"

Blair gave him an irritated look and turned away.

He followed. "Don't you want to know what I was right about?"

"Not particularly."

He caught up with her and muttered, "Rubies do suit you more than diamonds."

"They do not," she replied, nettled.

"They do. Diamonds make you look washed out."

"They do not!"

"Admit it. You liked the necklace."

"I did not," Blair lied through her teeth. "Go away."

"Would you prefer emeralds next time?"

"Don't you have someone else to torture?"

"Probably, but I choose you."

"Excuse me if I am not flattered," said Blair, and stalked off to find a seat as far away from Bass as possible. Bass simply smirked at her retreating back.

Behind him, Jenny Humphrey smiled to herself.