Chapter Eleven- Feelings Show
[Blair's P.O.V]
I'm starting to feel like a teen movie. You know that part when the girl and guy admit their true feelings or kind of hint at it, then they kiss and they have that whole happy montage where you think they'll be together forever. I'm not in montage mode but I do feel a bit different about things now with everything that happened in Buffalo. That name is still weird to say, I mean who calls a town Buffalo but that's beside the point. My photo shoot with Ellie was amazing, Tonto's art was so breath taking and went great with Ellie's pieces that she had chosen. I was a bit worried that things would be awkward between Humphrey and I the next day but it just felt like another day, he was normal and wasn't acting like a total girl. I don't know why I'm obsessed with calling him a girl, but he does have a tendency at times but its actually kind of cute. He's definitely different from anyone that I've ever dated, not that we're dating but we know each other a bit more personally seeing as we've slept together numerous times, all of which Serena will never hear about if it were up to me. It just seems weird to have some sort of feelings for Dan, seeing as for so long Dan was Serena's…for a while I honestly thought that Serena was ready to devote her life to him but of course she screwed up the relationship like she always does. Dan is different though, he's actually a guy a girl can rely on and be proud to say that she's with him…I don't know anymore about anything and I can't really give definite answers to anything because I'm just going through the motions these days. Looking at my watch I soon realize that I have a meeting with Epperly in two minutes, I'm a little concerned with what she thought about the photo shoot seeing as that its not my job to just re do a photo shoot and use W's name as some sort of sling around thing. I continue to go down the possible outcomes just as Epperly comes over to me, and now I'm officially shitting bricks.
"Instead of talking in my office I was thinking we could go out for lunch" Epperly told me as I slowly began to put my things away in my desk and rise to my feet
"Okay" I said nervously as if I was going to be pulled a side and beaten but seeing as we're walking down a very public hallway I'm a little comfortable but not for long when I see the company limo waiting for us
"Stefano wants a review on that new restaurant so he's gone out of his way to arrange the limo" Epperly smiled as he walked up to the limo and got in
"I've been meaning to try that new restaurant" I lied because Humphrey and I have all ready ordered a to go order from there last night. Yes, I'm ordering to go now…it's a little shocking but not so much with me being all open minded and all
"Hopefully the food is good" Epperly replied "So I guess you know that I just didn't by accident bring you" she said
"I did come to that conclusion" I replied
"We've looked over the prints in the magazine, and we want to congratulate you" Epperly said as she handed over the newest issue of W magazine where she bookmarked my page in which Ellie Mason was featured. I would scream and jump up and down like a school girl but I'm trying to remain poised
"This is such amazing news. I'm glad you guys liked it, I thought you were going to be upset" I then said
"I was a little for you going behind my back but if you produce work like this then I think we need to reconsider your position at W" Epperly smiled
"As in the open one that you said I wasn't qualified for?" I asked trying to sound nice but lets face it, I don't do nice as well as most people
"Yes. The fact that you Blair Waldorf chose someone like Ellie Mason is astonishing all in itself, who by the way is linked to Perry Mason" Epperly smiled "That was major that you were able to snag her" she said
"I had help, but it was fun to get her. I do like Ellie's work though, I mean its something I can see myself wearing and that's honestly" I told her
"I'm really glad that you've taken into my consideration what I told you. That makes me proud to know that I can guide you in the right direction because there are sharks in this business and you have to be careful" Epperly said
"Tell me about it" I shrugged
"We won't be filling the space until the fall, but your responsibilities have been upped. You will be handling the photo shoots now and make sure that we get the type of vibe that screams W" Epperly said
"Will I be working with Alice?" I asked realizing that was Alice's job
"Yes, Christian is a bit of a flake but he'll be around here and there" Epperly said
"Thank you. I will not let you down" I smiled letting a bit of my inner school girl come out
"So, the boy, was it Humphrey?" Epperly asked me
"What?" I asked not knowing what she was talking about
"When I called to send the press release to Ellie, she told me about how cute you looked with the boy, and I figured since the only I've seen you with…it had to be Humphrey" Epperly said as I just tried to find the words to say "You two do look really good together" she commented as she began to play with her Blackberry while I just ran the thought of why people made it a point to comment on how we looked together
[Dan's P.O.V]
Apparently work is going well for Waldorf, she's text me about five times in the span of an hour just saying quote on quote yay! Which delights me, I know shocking. I have to admit that since our kiss I haven't been able not to be happy when it comes to things involving her. We haven't done the post kiss talk because we pretty much know what it was, for her it was probably a thank you for driving and taking her to Buffalo while my meaning could have meant or did mean…I like you, Waldorf. In the weirdest of places it dawned on me that I did have genuine feelings for the girl I had swore to loath until my last breath, I was sitting in class listening to professor talk about classic love stories and how opposites don't always tend to attract like we think, then I thought that was incorrect because look at Romeo and Juliet. Those two were as about as opposites as they could be and look at how they fell for each other, stolen glances progressing onto finding their soul mates. I went over lists and lists in my mind on how opposites do attract, when I just simply thought of Blair Waldorf all of sudden…and boom, like that I had come to admit that I was attracted to her and even liked her very much so that my thoughts were even filled of her. It wasn't the sex that made me come to this conclusions but just her personality in general…she was complicated, complex, intelligent, sensual, manipulative, and sexy…qualities that in any other girl I would have fell for at first sight but it took me awhile when it came to her, but now I'm glad I did. I'm quickly torn from my thoughts of Waldorf once Ryan shows up and joins me at the table.
"How was the last minute trip?" Ryan asked as he looks on at the menu
"It was good. Very good actually" I smiled thinking about the kiss while Ryan looked at me with this strange look "It was" I laughed
"I'm afraid to even ask what your referring to" Ryan sighed "What happened?" he then asked
"Waldorf and I kissed, she kissed me though" I told him
"All of which I'm sure your extremely pleased about. I thought you were going up there to help her with some fashion shoot" Ryan said
"I did, but then we ended up at a club to meet up with Perry Mason and Ellie Mason…they left and then she kissed me" I said
"That sounds…pathtic. Humphrey what happened to the arrangement? You were suppose to show you were in control, your not suppose to date the booty call" Ryan said
"She's not a booty call to me" I replied
"She's the apple of your eye now? I get it" Ryan said
"No, she's not the apple of my eye either. She's just Waldorf, and I happen to like her" I said
"Like progresses into love" Ryan said "Booty calls morphing into love always ends in disaster" Ryan sighed
"I'm not in love, so you don't have to worry" I replied as I began to play with the sugar packets in the tray
"It'll have to do for now but spare me the lovey dovey talk when it comes to Waldorf. What are your plans for tonight?" Ryan asked as I laughed to myself knowing he'd hate what I was about to tell him
"I was actually going to surprise Waldorf with dinner to celebrate he success at work and to kind of gage where things are between us" I told him
"And this is the part where I puke" Ryan said as he motioned to throw up while all I could do was just laugh at him before my cell phone began to ring "Is that lover girl calling?" he then asked as I was nearly shocked to see the name on the caller identification
"No, its…Perry Mason" I replied
"Okay, I'll pretend to know who that is" Ryan nodded in agreement just to oblige me
[Blair's P.O.V]
I had finished up early at work and although I was craving to get back to the loft so I could relax, I had to stop by and check on Darota to see how the home front was running without me especially since Serena was eager to hang out now that Ben and her were on shaky ground. S, always thinks that by her wanting to hang out more that I don't pick on the fact that it means her relationship is about to run its course, I've known the girl since we got our first Gucci together and she still thinks I don't know her. I would be eager to gloat but I think she's beginning to realize that he was a mistake even for her standards, which in Serena land can't get too low. Stepping off the elevator I could hear a loud hacking sound coming from upstairs and before I knew it here goes Darota running up the staircase not even as so much giving me a passing glance on her way up. Looking over at the dining area I could see my mothers work sprawled out all over the table and whenever that happened it was never a good sign for the staff. Making my way upstairs I could see her sitting up in the bed with her glasses on all while she was coughing up a storm. Mother looked a bit surprised to see me but then again she was burried deep in designs so any person from the human race would have surprised her.
"I'll prepare your tea, and what can I get for you ?" Darota asked as she gathered all the tissue to empty into the waste basket
"I'll take teas as well" I replied as I noticed that Darota was struggling with the trash and the comforter set that she had to wash "I can take the trash down" I suggested to Darota and almost every eye in the room turned towards me
"Sweetheart, I blew my nose on those tissues" My mother said to me as I just shrugged off her attempt of sarcasm
"I can take it. Darota is barely handling the comforter set, its not a complicated thing to do…put trash in trash can" I replied as Darota thought twice
"Ms. Blair the trash must be put out or odor will spread throughout the house" Darota warned me
"I'm well aware of the importance of waste management, now go, before I change my mind" I scolded Darota and within moments she scattered out of the room "I see you've been avoiding the protein shakes I have been instructing you to have along with your wheat grass shots" I said taking a seat on the edge of the bed
"That stuff is disgusting" My mother replied as she couldn't help but scrunch her nose at the thought of drinking that stuff "What are you doing off so early?" she then asked
"I finished up things early at the office, where I had an amazing day" I smiled proudly
"Who'd you conspire against?" My mother asked
"I didn't conspire…I inspired" I laughed as my mother couldn't help but join in on the laughter "I landed Ellie Mason for a photoshoot. They loved the photoshoot and have decided to run it in the next issue" I told her
"That's amazing" My mother smiled proudly "If I knew your talents were in dictating others around a photo set then I could have used you" she smiled "I'm really proud of you, I've noticed some significant changes in you" she then told me
"Really? What might those changes be?" I asked her
"Your becoming quite independent. I mean I have to say I was shocked with you desire to take out the trash…in all my life I don't think I have ever heard you suggest such a thing" My mother laughed "And you seem like you've become more into your own, like your starting to have clue as to what you want out of life" she said as I just hung my head trying to avoid her eye contact
"Yeah, I just wish my personal life could have that whole sense of direction in it" I sighed
"Explain yourself…is this about a boy?" My mother asked as she pushed her notebook off to the side to give me her full attention "Is this about Daniel?" she then guessed
"Why does everyone say its him?" I then asked
"Well is it?" My mother then asked
"Yes, its him. I don't know about him…we kissed a couple of days ago, I mean a full on kiss…a kiss that just made me feel like my lefs were gonna fall out from under me type of thing" I described to her
"Sounds like a hell of a kiss" My mother laughed
"It was, but its Daniel Humphrey for crying out loud. I've all ready messed up in the dating department with my last selection" I shrugged
"Yes, but you see there is a big difference in the last choice…it starts with the name then it trickles down to the personality" My mother teased
"What about the fact that its the very boy Serena has sporadically loved ever since she's returned" I told her "There is a lot of complications that come along with this said Daniel Humphrey" I replied
"Last time I checked Serena was dating Benjamin" My mother said
"Girl code mother, girl code. You can't just date your friends ex" I stated
"I'm aware of it. I may be old school, but I think if a guy makes you smile and changes you for the better then you gotta give it a chance. This generation has this notion that love comes like a bus…" My mother said before I had to cut her off on the whole love notion
"No love. There is no love there, just a twinge of like. Love, is not even in the vocabulary with him" I quickly pointed out
"Stop worrying about the rest of the world and just live. Your young, your beautiful…live a little" My mother told me as I just smiled at her
"All right. I'll embrace this whole live a little mentality" I told her "Please take care of yourself, your going to run Darota ragged if you don't start taking the extra steps towards your health" I said as I got up from the bed
"I can take the protein but I'm not touching the grass" My mother agreed as hearing her referring to the wheat grass was a tad bit funny
"Okay, we can call that an agreement" I smiled at her before I leaned over to give her a kiss "I'll call you tonight, maybe if I get all famous at my job then you could have your people call my people" I joked
"Ha, ha, ha" My mother replied "Get out off here" she laughed as I walked over to pick up the trash bag I promised to take out on my way out of the room
[Dan's P.O.V]
I was almost sure that she would be able to smell the aromas coming from the kitchen once she made her way into the loft. A couple of times I thought over and over in my head if I was making a big deal out of nothing…I mean it wasn't nothing because this was a huge accomplishment for her, but was I seeming like a groupie or something. Then again, I could just use the whole I was starving and wanted a home cooked meal card, where I so happen to have enough to feed a family…yeah, I think I'll use that excuse. Now if I start getting tattoos of her then that would make me a groupie and crazy all wrapped into one, but I don't see that happening any time soon. Just as I was finishing up the final touches on my home made chicken parmesan she makes her way into the loft looking as if she was glad to meet stable ground. Flopping onto the sofa, she pops her head up as she is over come with the aromas in the room. I can't help but laugh at how dramatic she's making herself out to be when I know deep down she probably had fun being needed so badly at work. She probably started imagining herself taking over the magazine by days end if it were up to her.
"What did I do to persuade you to make such a meal for me?" Blair happily asked as she took in the smells "It smells like heaven" she smiled
"Heaven? That's a bit much don't you think?" I asked her
"No, it is not. So what has inspired this feast?" Blair asked as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge
"You" I replied as she turned to look at me before instantly became nervous "I mean I wanted to make your favorite for your great day, the success you had with the photoshoot and all" I began to babble
"Well, thank you Humphrey" Blair said before she leaned in to kiss my cheek "This means a lot to me" she said just as she opened up her bottle and began to drink
"The pleasure is all mine" I laughed before I reached up into the cabinets to pull down a wine glass and then for myself a beer out of the fridge just before I hand over the bottle of wine "Nothing says celebration like a good dose of alcohol" I told her
"At this particular moment I will have to agree with you" Blair smiled at me before she happily made her way back into the living room to grab to pour herself a glass of wine as she lay sprawled out on the sofa
Over dinner we had laughed and talked about our adventures on the road, though she had never gone on a road trip before I could tell that if I were to propose one at this very moment she would assist me on the journey with no questions asked. It was a beautiful sight to see her stuff her face with the meal I had slaved over…well I didn't slave over completely, but it took a lot of time away from sleeping that I planned to do when I came in from work. I could tell she was becoming a fan of my cooking even though she wouldn't admit it, I was winning the battle of her stomach and I had just hoped I was managing well in the battle of her affections. It'd be dumb of me to think that she was completely over Chuck but I hope that she would leave room for another, possibly me, to come in and show her that love isn't suppose to hurt so badly. Through writing I think I've come to learn what love is supposed to be, and what its not…maybe what I had with Serena was never truly love but infatuation progressed into love, but I know I want that love….that love where it paralyzes you in all that is them, that love that makes you want to spend forever and day with that person, that love where the very thought of them not being around makes your heart sink to your stomach, that love that keeps you with the stupid grin even when the person is on your last nerve, that love where sex isn't a word you call intercourse but it'd be love making…I want that love. Now I can't say I'm in love with Waldorf, but I think we both deserve to open our hearts to it whether it be to each other or someone else. Laying sprawled out on the floor with our bodies close together, we both hold our respective glasses of wine, I didn't want to just down beer so I thought I would give wine a taste seeing as it does go better with Italian food.
"I'm actually good at something" Blair laughed to herself as she stared up at the ceiling "I mean for the first time I feel like I can control my fate, and that if I do my best then I won't have to scheme my way to the top" she said in a trance like state
"That's because you are good at what you do" I replied "The games were you just running scared and not having faith that you're an amazing person" I told her
"Who'd ever thought you'd be telling me that" Blair laughed as she rolled over to prop herself up on her forearms so that she could get a good view of my face "You loathed me Humphrey" she smiled at me
"I didn't loath you" I replied as she just looked at me like I was crazy
"Your such a liar. You couldn't stand me, the only reason you put up with me was because of Serena" Blair laughed
"Okay, okay. Maybe I did somewhat loath you, but you weren't as bad as I made you out to be. Besides you were like attached to Serena twenty four seven so that bugged" I then gave in to her accusations
"I knew it. I knew it" Blair declared "You, Daniel Humphrey, loated me" she laughed
"Same could be said for you" I told her as I just took in the moment and how good it felt to just relax with someone "I got a call from Perry today?" I then told her as she laid back down
"Oh, yeah. About what?….does he still think your gay?" Blair asked
"No, I told him at the photoshoot. I made up a girlfriend, so he got the hint" I replied
"That's good" Blair said as she looked over at me "What'd he say Humphrey?" she asked again
"He wants to offer me a job, a writing job" I said as I looked over at her. Hearing the new she immediately sat up and jumped on me in excitement
"That's great. Humphrey, that's really great" Blair said proudly "What exactly will you be doing?" she then asked
"He's starting up this new magazine that consists of short stories from local talent, its sort of like a not so English lit book" I told her
"That's an interesting take, I'm sure you babbled on and on to him about how you think there aren't enough writing magazines out there" Blair laughed
"I do think its amazing idea" I laughed as I sat up "You'll be my biggest fan, I can see it now" I teased her
"We've done a good job taking care of each other" Blair said as she looked me in the eyes and this point I had no clue what to think of the statement "We came from crappy relationship to now being successful. I'm glad that you pulled me through, and I with the strength of God were able to be your saving grace when you were at the brink of destruction" she teased
"I don't think it went like that but I'll accept your somewhat approval with how things are turning out" I said
"So I know we haven't talked about it, and seeing as we're pretty much talking about everything at this point…" Blair said as I slowly caught on to where she was going with this
"You want to talk about the kiss" I replied "Yeah, I do think we should talk about the kiss" I laughed nervously not knowing how this was going to go
"I kind of, maybe….enjoyed the kiss. A little too much. So much so that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, which is horrible because I don't like thoughts of you clouding up my day because in order for me to be a powerful woman…I need to be focusing on the prize" Blair rambled
"So you've been thinking about me?" I asked as that was the only thing I could conclude from that run on of sentences
"Don't flatter yourself. I know you've been thinking about me" Blair replied not wanting to give in so easily
"My mind does tend to drift to you…occasionally" I said
"Occassionally? Your lying, yet again Humphrey" Blair laughed
"I think about you" I quickly replied "I think about you a lot more than I should" I then added "Do you think this is normal for us?" I asked her
"We have sex and we live together…nothing about us is normal right now" Blair replied "But I kind of like not being normal, it feels refreshing and less stressful" she sighed
"Then maybe we should think about kissing more often, take out the arrangement and just be us…Dan and Blair, Waldorf and Humphrey" I suggested to her
"So you want to stop our friends with benefits tag?" Blair asked a little skeptical at the fact
"Yes, because I want the next time we sleep together to be because we truly want to. I'm attracted to you, and that's something that has taken me a while to accept but I also respect you enough to treat you like you would want to be treated when someone is courting you" I said
"Courting me, so chivalry is still alive" Blair laughed "I'm not an easy person to be with" she said
"I think you are, you just weren't treated with respect" I said
"And what if we don't work out? What if you just annoy me to death and I will be forced to break your heart, which will lead me to be casted as your villain in your upcoming successful writers magazine…then I'll just have to sue you for defamation of character" Blair babbled as I couldn't help but move in closer towards her finding her irresistible at this moment
"And what if we work out and you'll be forced to admit that life does exist after Chuck Bass, which will lead me to prove to you over and over each day that I can be that guy for you…not that I'm saying I'm in love with you or anything" I told her as she just smiled at me while our faces were nearly centimeters a part
"I'll hold off on suing you, but I'll put my legal team on speed dial" Blair laughed before she captured my lips with hers. Deepening the kiss, I was glad to see that her lips weren't a distant memory and that kissing her felt like what I had imagined it to be. Not caring to much where our glasses landed on the floor, my only concern was that I didn't smother her as I laid on top of her. My hands roamed underneath her shirt before she finally relieved herself of the shirt as did I when we broke a part for air.
"I thought we weren't going to have sex?" I asked trying to gasp for air
"Your words, not mine" Blair said before she pulled me into another kiss
"But we're not doing the benefits thing" I said breaking the kiss
"Oh, for crying out Humphrey…you've officially become my boyfriend. Now can we please?" Blair asked
"So this is me having sex with my girlfriend? I just want to clarify" I asked her
"Yes" Blair laughed before I pulled her back into a kiss as we fell back on to the floor.