Chapter Five- Once Upon an Open Mind
[Dan's P.O.V]
Do I really have to wear this stupid ass poncho? I mean I think the people are starting to understand that this is Pepe's Taco Shack just by the sign and the insanely loud Mexican music. I don't think its called Mexican music, excuse the racial slur, its mariachi music…I got chewed out by the waitress here when I said that and I thought I was going to die of constant nagging when she went on her tirade. I'm holding this guitar and swaying but I have idea what they expect me to do, this couple is looking at me like I'm some sort of an idiot and at this point I'm starting to agree with them on that opinion. This job blows, and so does my dad. He called me a few times, which seems to be the recurring theme the past couple of days since our big argument, if you can call it that, but I'm in no rush to have the Full House moment especially when I have to scramble to pay the rent in a few days. The catering job may not have been a suitable career but hobb knobbing with the rich got pretty tips that was more than enough and then some when it came to rent. Now, now I'm stuck swaying and listening to mariachi music while Pepe is off banging his wife's sister in the back. My life has officially been deemed as suck. Just as I'm ready to deem my life as a complete failure I see Waldorf make her way inside with disgust written all over her face. Yeah, not exactly how I wanted her to see me. She glances over at me and laugh a little through the disgust as the sight of me in poncho with a sombrero and the added fake mustache can be appealing even to a rich snob like her. Finally this song is over and I can get the hell out of here I say to myself as I immediately start ripping off my get up.
"Humphrey, this is very…very, Hispanic of you" Blaire laughs
"Shut up" I groan as I hand over the poncho to the bartender
"You play the guitar?" Blaire asked
"I don't play. I strum" I reply as the bartender hands me my check and at this point the check is the only good part of my day. That was until I saw the Pepe screwed me over "Where the hell is my money? I worked two over time shifts this week on top of covering for Alejandro" I complain
"Hey, I don't make out the checks I just hand them over" The bartender tells me
"Yeah, whatever" I said shoving my little eighty dollar check back inside before I throw the sombrero onto the counter "I quit. Tell Pepe that" I said before I look over to see a look of surprise on Blaire's face "C'mon lets go" I tell her before I start my mad dash for the door while she follows behind
"I thought you needed a job to pay for the rent Humphrey?" Blaire asked
"I do, but I need my pride" I fire back "They've got me in a damn sombrero for crying out loud" I then say
"I saw" Blaire laughed "Why don't you just talk to your dad? Come up with a compromise?" she suggests
"Yeah, no. I'm not going to ask for his help when he's the one that put me in this position" I tell her as we turn the corner
"Then talk to Lilly. Talk to someone who can spare you of this embarrassment" Blaire says
"I would love to talk to anyone or that someone you speak of but I'm not rich if you haven't noticed" I reply as I open up the door to the building for her to enter as we make our way up to the loft
"And there's that pride you speak of, I believe I see a little of stubborn ass behind it" Blaire said "You haven't even gone to class the pass couple of days, and if you continue than you'll be screwed for midterms" she tells me as I begin to realize that midterms are coming up and I need to start studying or else work will be the last thing on my mind
"Crap" I say realizing that she is right but I won't dare come out and just tell that to her "I'll just look at your notes…and Ryan probably has the notes for English" I say trying to scrape together a plan for success
"Ryan? Ryan barely even pays attention on his own and your going to trust his notes on your academic future?" Blaire asks
"I don't have all the answers here Waldorf! I'm just trying to survive, I have to make this work" I snap at her
"Yes, but at what price. Its noble that you want to keep the only home you've known but you can't sabotage your own life trying to do it. You need help and you need it now" Blaire reiterates to me "So moving on to the more important things…lets have sex" she says as I just look at her
"I don't feel like sex tonight. I've got a crisis on my hands" I sigh
"All the more reason why you should have sex" Blaire tells me as she begins to undo my shirt
"Isn't this like breaking a rule or something" I reply as I watch her take my shirt off while she begins to fumble with my belt "Rules you wrote I might add" I then point out as she finally relieves me of my belt and begins to unzip my pants
"I had a great day. Epperly has let it slip that there is possible opening for assistant style editor, and I'm more than sure I will land the job just by my charming wit and dictorial fashion sense. That, Humphrey, is a great day. So I need sex and possibly a shot to erase the memory of me groping you" Blaire tells as she takes a step back to give me the honors of dropping trousers because she was too much of a lady to do that
"I hate you" I mutter as I pull her towards me, quickly capturing her lips with mine as I pick her up to put on the counter. Sliding my hands under her skirt, I immediately pull down her underwear while I move my savage like kisses down to her neck as she moans into my ear.
"We're not doing it on a counter. People eat on the counter" Blaire said pushing me back
"Waldorf, just shut up" I tell her before I pull her into another kiss
"Don't tell me to shut up" Blaire stated as she broke the kiss once again
"Then where? Where would you like to have sex?" I asked her as she took a moment to access which part of the loft she wanted to have sex at
"Seeing as the moment is fleeting, we should just do it here" Blaire said hopping off the counter to lean up against the wall before I moved towards her to pick her up so that she was resting against the wall
"How is this better?" I asked her
"Shut up Humphrey" Blaire tells me before she pulls my boxers down with her feet and I had to admit I found that talent very impressive when it came to her. Deepening the kiss once I positioned my hand above her head as she began to kiss my neck. I slowly thrusted inside of her causing her to let out a small whimper. Thrusting in and out we both found a rhythm that was suitable for the both of us as I couldn't help but let out a slight moan at how incredible this was feeling. Who'd ever think I'd be having sex with Blaire Waldorf on a wall. This day was definitely strange if not like any other, but then again these past few months had been just that especially since Blaire Waldorf had frequented in and out of my life.
*****[Blaire's P.O.V.]
Glad to see I've been taken down from Gossip Girl site, I was about to surpass Serena for the most the most comments under my post. What's with the bashing of Serena? I'm beginning to notice that more and more I'm bashing my best friend. I should seek advice about that before this becomes a habit. Sitting at my desk at work, I should be stapling the packets for this afternoons meeting for the ad execs coming in but I'm staring down Epperly's door to get my moment alone with her because I'll be damned if one of these ivy leaguers get this position. This position is made for me, its something that I have come to realize that I'm great as. My mind though can't help but wonder how Humphrey is doing, I know he's been a little down with how things are about his dad so much so that he's letting his school work slip through the cracks. Usually I could care less about what he does but I guess since we're officially sleeping together as so called sex buddies, but I'm not that cold hearted not to care. Oh, crap…Epperly's door just opened. I grabbed my portfolio and my notebook, gave a lame excuse to one of the other interns as to why I couldn't deal with stapling when I had a career to start. Epperly begins to close her door before I sacrifice my Marc Jacobs by sticking them in to stop the door for closing.
"Do you have a moment?" I ask as pleasantly as possible while Epperly seemed as if she was having a rough day
"Yeah, sure. Close the door behind you" Epperly told me as she walked back over towards her desk "What's on your mind Blaire?" she asked taking a seat
"I wanted to inquire information. Information on the new assistant style editor position opening up" I say trying my best to exude confidence
"And where did you hear that bit of information?" Epperly asks as she leans back in her chair
"Epperly, c'mon. This offices has more loose lips than anything. Was it suppose to be a secret?" I ask her
"No, but it wasn't suppose to be all over the office" Epperly sighed
"You seem a bit shocked by that, like its really suppose to be a secret?" I ask her
"No, Blaire. It's not suppose to be a secret. Its just the person at this position has to know style and all its oddities. They need to have a knack for it" Epperly told me
"All of those traits are instilled in me" I tell her before Epperly gives me a smirk "Before you start to think of all the reasons as to why you don't think I'm qualified, let me assure you that I know style. I mean I'm from the upper east side" I then add
"I know where your from, that has never been an issue" Epperly smiles
"Then you should know how well aware I am of the latest and up and coming stylist and the always fashionable trendsetters. I have critiqued and saved many girls from a humiliation just by their shoes" I describe to her the glory days of Costance
"That's very…noble of you" Epperly said
"Noble? What exactly are you looking for in this position because I'm dong major kissing up and I'm realizing your not even paying attention" I noticed just by her expressions
"Blaire, what you have said is all good and all. Believe me your fashion sense is amazing, but I just….I don't think your suited for this job" Epperly tells me as I nearly fall over in shock
"What do you mean? how am I not suited? Collect trending styles and then critique them, attend fashion shows and tell the honest truth that no one had the nerve to do at the show…tell me where I don't fit in?" I asked her
"Because as you mentioned before, your from the upper east side" Epperly said
"And still missing the point?" I asked her
"You tend to have a skewed opinion and narrowed vision of what you see as fashion. You may say Marc Jacobs and someone else may say Karen Harris" Epperly replied
"Karen Harris? That's JcPenny and excuse me while I barf, Sears" I told her
"And there is the narrowed vision. Blaire all things can be fashion, whether it be Sears or Bloomingdales" Epperly told me
"So I'll spend more time flipping through a Sears catalog, I can adjust to what you want because I believe fashion is flexible" I said trying to work my magic in any way shape or form
"Blaire, I appreciate you charisma and spark but your not what I pictured for this job and I can't recommend you" Epperly sighed
"Okay, I'm really not understanding here because I thought you like me and my work. You know I know fashion but just because I don't shop at Sears makes me less of a candidate" I said "What do I need to do to prove to you that I want this job? I need this job" I told her
"A lot of people need jobs, but it doesn't mean they're good at the job. Here we do things different or at least I do because I do happen to eat, sleep, and breath fashion. So I want to help those who have those same visions and want to change the world that is fashion" Epperly stated
"And I don't fit that vision?" I asked her even more in disbelief that she was turning my dream upside down
"Look, open your eyes to all that is fashion. Open your eyes period and then maybe we can come back to this" Epperly told me "Embrace New York and not just the Upper east side because I think a girl like you has lived the sheltered life for all too long" she then said as I just stood with a blank stare wondering how the hell my dream got shut down all so quickly and there was nothing I could do to save it
[Dan's P.O.V.]
I can't remember the last time I've been in a mall. I mean everything seems so expensive here to where it doesn't even look welcoming to a poor schlep like me. Ryan occasionally works the fragrance booths as another side job because his brother likes to sneak off with the manager for quickies. Earlier today he called and said that he could give me some hours because he was becoming burned out with all the work he had to do, wish I had that problem. The more and more I walk in this store the more I'm realizing that I have lived in a cave for the past couple of months because everything seems so gadgety and expensive to the point where I think I might have to take out a loan just to look at these items. Waldorf would probably feel at home in this place, but then again this was more her speed and affordable in her range is my outrageously expensive speak. Finding Ryan hitting on a customer that has no idea what she is getting herself into, I can't help but shake my head in disbelief that he manages to mix work with pleasure but then again this is Ryan we're talking about. I've spent plenty of times being a wingman that I know not to approach right away because he's trying his best to get the didgets and I wouldn't dare want to miss a possible slap in the face. The way things are going, its all ending right about now for Ryan…now I can get on with my life and stopping watching his.
"Really, Ry?" I asked him
"No harm no foul" Ryan told me as he began to organize the products in the glass casings "So I have a lot of crap for you to sift through, and I need you to spritz the little cards to pass out for samples" he said
"Okay, I can do that" I tell him
"Yeah, you can do this. A chimp can do this" Ryan laughed "So why did you quit the other job?" he asked
"My dad got me fired. It's a…it's a long story that is just frustrating" I sighed
"Family drama, that's nothing unusual. What he didn't like you bringing in the insane amount of money?" Ryan asked
"He didn't like that I haven't found a career yet, but little does he know is that that job helped pay the bills" I reply
"Well this job won't put you over the moon but it should help" Ryan told me "But there is a few rule that you have to follow" he said just before I could hear the annoying voice of Chuck Bass coming my way. Turning slowly I quickly rolled my eyes in annoyance as I saw his latest fling
"Dan Humphrey, I can't say that I'm surprised you selling rather than buying" Chuck said as he walked over towards me
"What do you want Chuck?" I asked angrily not in the mood to deal with his crap
"I'm Raina, by the way. Chuck's fiance" Raina said introduced herself to me
"So your Chuck's latest victim, good luck with that" I tell her
"I see you've been a prick to everyone" Raina laughed as she looked over towards Chuck who seemed so proud to be the town ass
"Humphrey and I could never see eye to eye on anything, let alone bank accounts" Chuck teased "So what's your best selling perfume?" he then asked me
"I don't know. I just started working here" I said
"Shouldn't you know this stuff if your going to be selling it, I mean this will be the key to future, that and paper or plastic as your tagline" Chuck laughed
"I actually can help you with that. I work here" Ryan said as he stepped in
"No, I think I want the newbie's help" Chuck said as Raina grew bored
"I'm going to check out the sunglasses, make your taunting short because we have a meeting and we can't afford to be late" Raina said before she leaned in to kiss Chuck on the cheek before walking off over towards the sunglasses
"You really want to bring her down with you, she seems sweet" I tell him
"I didn't ask for your opinion" Chuck replied "Now tell me which perfume I should buy" he then asked Ryan
"Why don't you just ask Raina? She's right over there?" I told him
"It's called being a surprise, and its not for Raina. It's for Blaire" Chuck said as he began to look on at the different type of perfumes "She's taken this anger too far and she needs to move past it and realize that sacrifices had to be made" he said
"So your buying Blaire perfume while your engaged to Raina. Yeah, you've surpassed jerk to scum bag" I told him "Why don't you do Blaire a favor and leave her alone" I then told him
"And if I don't. Humphrey, you act like she can stay away from me. I love Blaire and whether she likes to admit it or not she loves be back" Chuck said in usual cocky demeanor
"No, I'm pretty sure this time is different" I replied
"And I'm pretty sure you have no idea of what your talking about, as usual I might add" Chuck replied
"I mean it, Blaire is trying to…find her way and she doesn't need you messing that up. If you love her then you'll let her go" I tell him as he turns to look at me
"This noble act may work for Serena but its becoming quite annoying. What goes on between Blaire and I is my business not yours. So if I feel like screwing her brains out then you'll just have to deal with it" Chuck told me before my instinct finally just kicked in and the only reaction was to connect my fist to his face. Ryan quickly ran over to break up the possible fight that would ensue but Chuck and I both knew this fight would continue on even without Ryan in between "You son of bitch!" he sneered at me as Ryan held him back
"Leave her alone" I replied
"I want his ass fired. I want him fired!" Chuck yelled at Ryan before he shoved him off of him. Slowly turning towards me, Ryan had this look on his face like he hated to do this next thing but he had to respect Chuck's wishes
"I know, I know. I'm fired…funny thing is I never worked here" I said beginning to realize how sore my hand was as I slowly backed away watching Chuck tend to his jaw. That in itself was satisfaction to me, knowing that I could kick his ass at anytime I wanted to. Screw his money and his pompous attitude.
[Blaire's P.O.V]
After the debacle with Epperly earlier that day there was nothing more I wanted than to have a big tub of popcorn, lightly salted of course, along with cookie balls. That name sounds so disgusting now that I think about it but at this point it will substitute the pint of cookie dough ice cream that I want right now. As if this day couldn't get any worse, the theater that we had been going to due to the reason that it wasn't crowded like a damn Twilight movie seems to be packed as if there was a new Twilight movie. Humphrey was reluctant to sit next to me fearing that I would bite his head off but it appears that he's had a pissy day to so I don't want to exchange sap stories about our day. I want to sit and enjoy this movie angrily but I can't help but notice those sour patches Humphrey has in his hands along with the constant attention he keeps showing to his hand as well. I knew I needed something sour along with my sour ass day, stop cursing…it's not ladylike. What the hell does Epperly know about my vision on fashion? I know fashion even the crappy kind you find at the thrift store. I'm more than qualified to give and objective opinion on Sears fashion without barfing. Maybe I need to stop saying that it makes me want to throw up because that kind of proves her point a bit and I'm not letting her win. I have to prove myself and I guess open my eyes to see that Humphrey is hardly touching his sour patches and I really want some.
"Are you reaching?" Dan asks noticing how I was trying to sneak a grab
"What? No" I reply trying to play if off but my hand is halfway on his lap so it's a little hard to explain "Okay, I was reaching. Let me have one" I then declare
"You should ask nicely" Dan replies just as the movie ends and people slowly disperse
"Give it now!" I demand before I grab the box and pour some into my popcorn
"What's wrong? Your pouring your sour patches into your popcorn and although that tastes great together, you never do that" Dan asks
"I'm not having the Full House moment with you" I snap at him which only makes him laugh "Why are you catering your hand like it's a million dollars or something" I then ask him
"I'm not answering less in case you answer my question, and if this were a million dollars it would be cut off and into my bank account" Dan told me
"Take it you haven't talked to Rufus" I then conclude going back to snacking on my food
"No, I haven't" Dan replied before a waited a moment to see if I would answer his original question. Realizing I wasn't going to budge he quickly grabs the tub of popcorn along with my cookie balls as he gets up. I swear in this moment I could kill Humphrey and never regret it
"Give me the popcorn" I demand
"No, not until you tell me what's going on with you. Your acting like a crazy person" Dan tells me before he lets out a sigh "Did Chuck by you that perfume after all?" he then asks me as I look at him strangely
"What? Chuck bought me perfume?" I ask him
"Yeah or at least he wanted to" Dan said before he took a seat "He came into the mall with Raina today, he was looking to buy perfume for you while Raina was over looking at sunglasses" he told me
"Wow, he was really serious about the sneaking around" I said still amazed that Chuck thought I was that big of a whore to just sneak around with him
"Your not going to sneak around with him, are you?" Dan asked "I know he's still got this hold on you but your better than that" he tells me
"No. I shut the idea down the first time he proposed it" I replied "That still doesn't explain your whole tending to the hand?" I then ask
"It still has to do with Chuck. I told him to leave you alone and then he said his usual Chuck thing then I punched him. So now I won't be getting the job at the mall because he had me fired, but it was worth punching him" Dan sighed "Now I just have to figure something out. Maybe beg for my job back from Pepe and get another job" he said
"And where will school fit in?" I ask
"It can't. I mean I have to keep my home, I know its pathtic but I need a place to live" Dan told me
"Its not pathtic" I said "Thank you, for the whole punching thing…its actually the nicest thing you've done for me that I secretly wished for" I then added
"Your welcome" Dan replies "So now you tell me about your day? Every sentence earns you a sour patch" he then said
"I'm not going to talk for candy" I reply feeling like I was requested to act like a dog
"Waldorf if your going to junk out then you'll need these cookie balls and sour patch. Cookie balls? that's interesting, even for you" Dan laughed
"Epperly shot me down for the promotion. She thinks I have a narrow view on things that would spread into my work" I told him as I extended my hand out to receive my sour patch "I want balls too" I then said not realizing how disgusting that sound but it was too late because Humphrey was all ready laughing
"I'm sorry that mine don't suffice" Dan teased "Epperly isn't entirely wrong, you know" he said handing over the cookie balls
"Are you being serious?" I asked him really hoping that he was teasing me
"Waldorf, your ideas on fashion are all over priced and expensive to some. Some people are extremely fashionable and don't spend thousands of dollars on their clothing" Dan said
"That's not fashion though" I replied still a bit confused
"And that's being close minded. Look at Vanessa…" Dan said before I quickly had to stop him
"I'd rather not" I quickly stated
"Vanessa is extremely fashionable and she doesn't spend a fortune on it. Here in Brooklyn it works, hell in New York in general it works" Dan said
"Please, she'd be stoned if she thought that would work in the Upper East Side" I said
"Open your mind mean accept that label whoring is not the way of life. Sometime trips to Target and Sears are like a trip to Bloomingdale" Dan pointed out "I think if you really want this job you need to stop thinking your way is the only way, and that is what Epperly means" he then said and sadly I was beginning to understand just what Epperly meant after he broke it down further. Ugh…I hate Humphrey
"I guess I can use your closet as inspiration" I sighed
"No, your not using my closet" Dan said as we got up from our seats and began to head out of the movie theater
"Why not?" I asked him "You clearly have Brooklyn style, somewhat appalling but its style down here" I said
"How are you being open minded when you continually criticize me" Dan said
"Its you…I'm stating facts" I replied "Your such a girl" I quickly fire back
"How am I being a girl?" Dan asks
"Because you just are" I told him before taking a quick swipe at his arm
"Ouch!" Dan said as he grabbed onto his arm
"And a wuss" I laughed