Chapter Thirteen- Scheme Your Heart Out
Blair's P.O.V.
So I'm at the Orchards Gala, an event my mother and Lilly teamed up on. The boring classcial music is starting to annoy me for some odd reason, which is surprising because I usually like the selections they play at these social events. Maybe the Humhrey beliefs are starting to wear off on me to the point where I'm even thinking like him. Being his girlfriend isn't as hard as I thouht it would be...yes, I've thought about it since we started hanging out because I just wondered what was the Humphrey harm that Serena kept falling for so often, but I'm understanding the charm very much so now. So much so that even though our relationship status only exists to us it's hard for me to be away from him, especially more now that we're both on opposite sides of the room making random conversations of our respected circles. It took us a while to get here seeing as it was hard for us to leave the bedroom because we knew once we left the loft we'd have to go our seperate ways to keep up the Dan and Blair persona that other people knew us as, two people who loathed each other occassionally. Just as I'm about to hit he brink of eroti fantasies over my Brooklyn boy toy, Serena finally has made her appearance at the party...she looks like she's been at another party prior to this, which means she's working her it girl status to the fullest. My best friend mode is starting to kick in and I have to ignore Humphrey's gaze at me that's saying let's get out of here all ready but i had to go and meet Serena over at the bar. Making my request for another cosmo, Serena doesn't say much at first to me but I know her well enough to know that she wants to...she just needs to process.
"One more drink or straight to the conversation S?" I ask her as the bartender passes me my cosmo before she turns to look at me
"How was work B?" Serena asks me but I know that's not something she truly cares about to wait that long to ask about
"Apparently I'm still on the job. What's wrong with you?" I asked getting straight to the point as she just laughed
"Can't you tell?" Serena asked me
"Yes, but I want to keep our friendship in tact" I replied hoping that her buzz wouldn't be noticable to everyone else around us. For a moment she just looked at me until it finally dawned on me what she was talking about "...Ben. You two broke up" I then concluded
"Yes, we went out to Nantucket... And things just were off the whole time. So we decided to end it" Serena sghed
"Are you okay?" I asked
"I saw it coming. Hell, you saw it coming... I just wish relationships weren't so hard. For once I just want something where it just grows" Serena told me
"Like a plant" I suggested making Serena laugh a bit
"No, I want to actually have a relationship where a future can exist and not just the short term gains" Serena said
"You sound like you've been thinking a lot. Like you have some sort of master plan going on in your head" I replied
"Being Serena van der Woodsen has it's perks but not in the things that matter. I look at my mom and Rufus...they've been through so much but it's real between them. She loves him, he loves her" Serena said
"Well it's a burden being you, but I thought you were at your exploration phase...finding yourself" I said "I mean S there's a reason why your relationships don't work, and I'm not trying to place blame on you...but it's you" I then said
"I know, I know but now I feel like I'm finally figuring it out. I'm realizing what's been there all along" Serena said as she seemed to stare off in a certain direction. I simply took as her dreaming of that perfect person but once I began to notice she was looking in a specific direction of where I was looking at early. Slowly turning to see her object of her affection, I realized she was looking my object of my affection. My heart rate sped up as a part of me had this instinct to simply claw her eyes out, but I had to remain calm and collected with a hint of disgust for all things Humphrey."
Please tell me your not going to start up season 100 of the Dan and Serena story?" I asked tearing her attention away
"What? I mean it's Dan...he's..." Serena said as if she was all ready drunk off of love. I had to snap her ass out of it
"S? Earth to Serena" I called out
" I thought Dan and you were friends?" Serena asked
"Friends should be used lightly like a good perfume or in his case like aftershave. S, we just go to school together" I replied as she laughed at my sly insults. while inside I was just praying she would scope another suitor out but just please don't look at at Humphrey "Besides, you two aren't even speaking... Remember you dumped him for Ben. Not a good way to rekindle the all ready screwed up romance" I said hoping shed get the impression that Dan hated her. I know but c'mon she's like the Angelina Jolie of the Upper East Side.
"Yeah, but Dan isn't a grudge holding person...that's more of Chuck and...you" Serena laughed
"I know it's not going to be ghat easy but I miss him... I miss talking to him" she said
"You use the word missing so loosely these days S" I said realizing that this was indeed a problem and I needed to address this before she starts catching feelings then presses Dan to get back together only to find out he's seeing someone who happens to be her best friend. This in no way will be good if S starts the destructive pattern of falling for Lonely Boy.
"Maybe you were right" I then sighed beginning to play the lonely girl role with her
"About?..." Serena asked not having a clue as to what I was talking about
" Maybe we should start putting ourselves out here more. Go back on the dating scene" I said
" I want to put myself out there...with Dan. B, I've only been talking about him this whole time" Serena laughed at me wonderig if I had missed he whole conversation between us
"No, Dan is not an option. Dan is the fall back for the moment because yor sad about Ben and realized your ouer option was Dan. You need to get over your issues and the only way to do that is meet someone new and hope they're not screwed up" I proposed
"We could do a girls night, we haven't had a lot or those with you going back and forth to your moms then to see Ben then back to my house" I said
"In which your always gone or asleep. Darota is getting this whole Ms. Blair needs her res down to a tee to wher Im actually believing that amount of sleep is necessary for you after that amazing photoshoot you put together" Serena replied and in my head I was making a mental note to reward Darota for all her lies
"Which is why I want to spend time with you, for one night be he us we used to be" I said as she was totally sapping this up like it was gravy and she was the quote on quote biscuit
"B, you've really sold me on this" Serena smiled "Lets do it. let's have a girls night. With lots of guys and alcohol, and lots of music she laughed" she said...yes, she's ready for a committment I thought to myself as I had a little chuckle moment
****{Dan's P.O.V.}
After last night at the whole Orchard Gala...which was the epitome of boring parties but it was a little fun to get all dressed up with Waldorf. I wish that we could do stuff like that, he going out and having the big fancy dinners... Being waited on like we're some kind of royalty. But we can't becuase no one can know that we're even together, Waldorf is my girlfriend...and I can't tell anyone about it, not that they will be believe me. Slowly running my fingers through my hair as I sit up in the bed to realize that she isn't in bed. I take a quick glance back at the clock to see that it's not even time for her to go into work yet... speaking of work, I've got to get ready for my first day on the job with Perry. To get he chance to work with Perry Mason on a project that could be the evolution of writing in general is something I longed to be a part of but working with Perry Mason is also an added bonus to the pie because let's face it, he's Perry Mason. Beginning to undress so I can grab a quick shower, my shirts off and I'm well…no, now I'm fully naked and as I open my door...there's Darota. With the cry of all cries from every man that has every cried out before, I let out a screeching sound.
"Mr. Humphrey! I'm married!" Darota yells out as she covers her eyes while I do the best to cover my nakedness while I run to put on my pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt
"Darota, what are you doing here?" I ask her
"Ms. Blair and I are working on scheme" Darota said with that heavy Russian accent
"A scheme?" I ask just as Blaire tip toes back into the loft looking like she was a spy on a mission with a cup of coffee in her hand
"Ok, I've scouted two really Abercromie like guys that will definitely fit what we're looking for" Blair says in a whisper having no clue that Im awake as she hasn't even turned around to face Darota and I "This plan is going to be...Humphrey!" she said as she turned around surprised to see me up
"It looks like we're busted" Darota said"Darota please cover your ears for this. I don't particularly want you to hear details of my bedroom activities" Blair instructs Darota, who does as she's told like she always does
"When shall I uncover Ms. Blair?" Darota asks as she quickly uncovers her ears
"Count to a hundred" Blair says before she once again follows what she is told to do
"I thought you were asleep... you usually sleep like a baby after, we know, sex it up" she turns to tell me
"Uh, I have my meeting today, and I knew it was wired that you had to have it this morning" I told her knowing that she was being strange this morning
"I've had to have it plenty of times!" Blair refuted the statement as we both looked over to see Darota with her hands covering her ears still
"Thats beside the point, your scheming? Against who?" I ask her
"Is it really necessary for us to get into the details? I mean this should be the part where you trust me and we leave the door open for possible back firing without the words I told you so being thrown around" Blair says trying to reason her way out of the situation
"Will this scheming hurt someone physically..." I said before she quickly answered
"No" Blaire replied before I could even finish my sentence
"Or mentally?" I ask her which causes her to freeze for a second
"Possibly" Blair reluctantly answers before I run my fingers through my messy hair "Look, this is not what you think. This is a scheme that is for the greater good. This is a scheme that will make the universe happy, this is scheme that will put things in its rightful place" she tries to sell it to me as I head back into the bedroom to put on my dress pants on while she follows behind me
"Okay" I replied knowing that whatever I was going to tell her she would process for the sake of processing in front of me but eventually she would do what she wanted to.
"What? Okay? Okay as in its fine, knock yourself out or okay as in disappointed?" Blair asked me
"Okay as in…okay. I'm not going to lecture you or be…" I said before she interrupted me
"Judgemental. Know it all. Hypocritical. Close minded. Narrow minded…." Blair listed before I finally had enough of the words
"I'm not…okay, I'm at least three of those words. I just want you to think before you do anything to anyone. Get beyond the personal gain and just think about the overall outcome" I told her as I grabbed my dress shirt
"I will think. I will think about the overall outcome and then some" Blair agreed as she looked on at me scurrying around the room trying to button my last button all while I grab my dress shoes "You've got the big meeting today, you should let Darota iron those pants for you" she suggested
"I really don't have time because you see, my girlfriend is up to something…I don't know what, but I'm pretty sure I had to address that before my pants. So I will be stopping by the restroom to do a last minute check of odor as well as adjusting" I replied as I tried to do my tie but I had too much on my mind to focus on it. Grabbing my tie after she saw I was struggling with it
"Girlfriend, I like that title. It's a title that I take seriously" Blair told me as she finished up doing my tie
"Okay" I replied a little confused as to what she was talking about
"I promise that I will think" Blair smiled at me as I looked over at Darota to see she was smiling back with the same weird smile on her face
"All right" I said as I grabbed my keys and made my way over to the door to get ready to leave "Have a great day at work, and I'll see you when I get back" I told her before I leaned in to give her a quick kiss "Remember word of the day" I told her
"Think" Blair replied
"Like Aretha Franklin!" Darota replied happily making reference to a popular song by the Queen of Soul
"Yes. Well thank you for the awkward morning Darota, and I hope you enjoy your visit as a guest" I said before I turned to leave
[Blair's P.O.V]
I'm standing here and processing what he's telling me about this whole think and look beyond the personal gain…you know, blah, blah, blah and all I'm thinking about is which guy should I call first. Its still new to me to have a straight laced guy because they don't like the word scheme, to them it sounds as crooked as George W. Bush, but I can't help it…this is one problem that needs to be taken care of. So I'm smiling and playing the good girlfriend but my plot is getting even more diabolical as I nod and smile at him as he once again reminds me to…think. I can't believe Darota saw him naked though, it's a great sight to see…believe me I'm fully enjoying the fact that I can see him naked and not feel ashamed but now I feel like Darota and I have shared everything. Yeah, that's another thought I'm having as he's telling me about having a great day…wow, I've never had that before with a boyfriend…the whole have a great day phrase. Usually when I heard that phrase it was the segway to something potentially bad happening, like have a great day was code for your world is about to get screwed up, but with Humphrey, have a great day is have a great day. It's amazing what a girl picks up on when she opens her mind up. Finally, he left. I mean I'm going to miss him but like I stated…I've got problems and they come in a form of a blonde. Turning quickly to Darota, she quickly pulls out the whiteboard that has all the necessary bullet points to accomplish this mission and I'm afraid I'm going to need to use all of them to accomplish this task at hand.
"I thought he would never leave" Darota replied
"Yes, he does have a tendency to be like and episode of Full House, but we must bear it because we like him and his judgmental ways" I tell her as she hangs on to my every word "Now, we must act quickly because from what I gathered from Serena's itinerary…she having breakfast with Eric, doing a bit of shopping in Soho, drinks with Penelope, and then is arriving back at my place for our girls night. This leaves us with exactly eleven hours to make S fall in love again" I divulge as Darota seems to be disturbed with something "Is there something you'd like to share Darota?" I asked a bit annoyed that she didn't listen to my great detective information I gathered…from a piece of paper.
"Sorry Ms. Blair, I just have…I still see Mr. Humphrey naked in my mind" Darota said a bit ashamed for having such naughty thoughts
"Well unsee him" I replied
"I can't. He's vividly sculptured, well toned, impeccably…" Darota says before I realize the words are a bit to descriptive
"Okay, no. That's just wrong. You're a married woman. Your suppose to me all vowy and stuff not looking at sculptures" I told her
"I can't help it. With baby it makes it hard for…" Darota said before I knew I had to stop her or else my mind was going to be filled with unwanted thoughts…no, really they'd be unwanted
"Stop. Do not describe anything else" I replied before I took a deep breath of realization "Get one last mental picture of Humphrey, but we will never speak of this conversation any more. Are we agreed?" I asked her
"Yes, Ms. Blair" Darota agrees before I gesture for her to get her mental picture on. Closing her eyes, she seems normal but her hands slowly rise from her side and in an instance I slap them down
"That enough for you!" I scolded her not wanting to even guess what she used as her mental picture. Taking a moment to gather myself, I begin to look over the cycle in which Serena falls in love and how I can get this to happen all in a matter of a day
"Have you found what you were looking for?" Darota asks as she creeps up behind me before I turn to look at her
"Yes, I have. I'm not proud, but he's the closest I could find to what she usually goes for" I replied as I pulled out my cell phone to reveal the picture of my token of Serena's soon to be affections "His name is Kyle Channing. His parents own a chain of restaurants, so clearly they don't know much about the Upper East Side. Kyle loves working out, very much into art, and the ex-factor trait….he's a musician" I told her
"What does musician have to do with anything?" Darota asked
"The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree Darota" I said "Now I've convinced him that I know the perfect girl for him but he would have to work to get her, of course he thinks its me…but, I'm sure once he gets a glimpse of Serena, he'll be smitten…they all are" I told her
"How will you make sure they meet?" Darota asked
"My minions are all at said locations where Serena is sure to be. If anything goes off track then they are sure to put them back on track" I told her
"So they know about Mr. Humphrey and you?" Darota asked as she beamed with happiness for me
"No, if they knew then S would know, and S can't find out. Look, its just better if S is involved with the latest boy because then that means her time would be occupied and she won't notice things around her" I explained "If she found out about Dan and I…she'd be hurt" I said sadly as the thought of Serena finding out nearly killed me. Doing my best to implement the think policy I know in my heart that I have to do this and that think has just been turned into thought as in I'm going in guns blazing.
"Could the reason why you feel the need to set Ms. Serena up be because you may actually be falling for Mr. Humphrey, Ms. Blair?" Darota asks me and I wish I could refute it as quick as possible but my feelings are to transparent when it comes to Darota
"I just don't want my...or whatever Humphrey and I to end" I replied sadly "I mean I'm hurting my best friend, I'm fully aware of that fact but I can't let this thing go...I'd rather scheme and do everything in my power to take away the guy she could very well be in love with because I want him" I said as a tear fell from my eye as my selfishness was finally becoming clear "What type of friend does that make me?" I asked Darota
"A girl who is in love" Darota smiled as I just shrugged off the notion
"Let's not go over board. This plan needs to work, and then we'll deal with whatever else when we get to it" I told her getting back to business as usual. Just as I get ready to make reference to any other western metaphor I get a text from one of the minions to report that she showed up at the penthouse
"Is that?" Darota asked
"Yes. The plan begins" I told her
[Dan's P.O.V.'s]
A fast pace world, the magazne industry. I mean it all seems like it's going one hundred miles per hour without a stop in sight. After my weird and truly memorable morning, I had to stop by the dry cleaners that I used to go to a lot when I wouldn't have enough time to iron my close. I've known the owner for years and he happens to be the biggest Lincoln Hawk fans so it's no surprise what I bribed him with to get the wrinkles out my pants and shirt. From there are on I was feeling secure and confident at the day ahead of me because it wasn't like I was interviewing for a job, I all ready knee he head man I charge and now all I had to do was do the job at hand. When I made it to the skyscraper-esque building that has Perry's name plastered all over it, I was immediately greeted by the receptionist, which is normal but it was like she was expecting me. Leading me up to what appeared to be my office, I was completely floored by the enormous size of my office to the point where I almost thought of living here for a while... My first vacation home. Marvelling in all that was the incredible about his job, I was surprised when Perry had joined me in the office along with one of his collegues.
"So I take it you like the view?" Perry asked me
"I love the view. I love he office" I replied " Thank you so much for this oppurtunity" I thanked him
"Your bright Daniel and I like what you can bring to the table" Perry said as he turned to look at his business part beside him
"Dan, I want you to meet Ross Whitman. I've worked with him on numerous projects that I feel like knows me all too well. You'll be working mostly with him but I'll be signing the check" he said
"I know we've discussed it before, but what is it again that I'll be doing? I just want a clear understanding" I asked as Perry and Ross just looked at each other before closing the door
"Well we want to start a magazine that caters to the writers. We've got numerous fashion and gossip mags but none that glorify the art of writing" Ross replied speaking passionately on the subject
"And my job would be?" I asked
"To do what you do best...write. I've read your material and I love the rawness in your work" Perry told me
"I want you to go through and help this magazine come to life. Go through the crap and the valuables along with Ross. I want you to be my co cheif editor" he said"A title. Wow, I've never had one" I reply beginning to laugh nervously while Perry just smiled at me"I look forward to your work" Perry told mr before he looked down at his watch for the time " I will c
atch up with you later but Ross will get you started with what you will be working on" he said as he inched his way out of my office...that sounds cool to say my office
"So the manuscrits are being sent up to you. In the mean time you could just get used to the view" Ross told me "Just look through them and put down feedback and we'll ho from there today" he said as he made his way out of my office... I seriously love saying that...my office.
I'm grinning like an idiot but that quickly fades when I get a text from an unlikely person whom I thought would be a while before I hear from them. I know this cycle though, I know it all to well I think o myself as all I can do is hope that she wasn't in trouble.
S: Hey, Dan
I didn't know what to do so I just froze for a second. I couldn't ignore it because I didn't want her to think I was bitter about her decision. No, I have to answer and let it be clear that Im doing good.
D: Hey
S: How have u been?
D: Good. Busy w/ skool
S: R U n class now?
D: No wrk. Wht's up?
S: Nthng. I was jst out. I wnt by the crnr bakry u lvd dis mrning
D: Rlly? Wht time?
S: 8
D: I mssd u.
I text back wondering how she was going to use the corner bakery to get me back, before I could get another good chuckle in about her missing me, the manuscripts had arrived to my office and I didn't really care to finish up the conversation because I had to get started on work or else it'd be another job lost.
[Blair's P.O.V]
Ever since my stellar photo shoot, I've found myself constantly setting the bar for what my competition had to at least abide by. It was like I was the it girl in the office because all the other interns would stare in awe of me as I walked the halls with Epperly and Stefano so proudly. Advice to those interested in heading into the editorial aspects of the magazine industry, know the photographers. The photographers will be your ally's even when they are the biggest divas of them all but when it comes to getting your shot, they will do anything for you…if they like you of course. Christian made the mistake of pissing of the photographers and by sleeping with one of them, which ended as bad as a Mariah Carey movie. So I make mental notes to myself to always abide by the do's and the don'ts of Christian because I will get the position. I was finally able to sneak away to sit at my desk to get the update on how the plan was going so far. Judging by the gossip girl location map, S is fully divulged in Soho and Kyle seems to have tagged along with her. Oh, my plan is working perfectly…by then end of tonight I'll be hearing about her latest love interest and then tomorrow how good he was in bed. Maybe I should be Serena's matchmaker because clearly I can at least find her type better than she can. I did think about possibly reuniting Nate and Serena again, but even though they think that once upon a time they were good together…Nate lately is proving that he's only got the pretty boy thing going for him. I just hope he marries rich or extremely gorgeous, and surpasses all things pre-nup because I fear what he'd be doing if his parents weren't so wealthy. Just as I go on a long and hard thought process of where we would all be in ten years, I get a call from Humphrey.
"Humphrey, have you gotten tossed out on your ass all ready?" I teased as I answered the phone extremely excited that he's called me
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Dan asked as he let out a little chuckle towards my humor "I have an office" he told me "I'm talking a huge office with a view" he said
"Congratulations, that for you is a significant level of accomplishment. What literary masterpiece are you going to stash away in this office with a view?" I ask knowing that he was probably having a hard time between To Kill a Mockingbird or Moby Dick
"Probably To Kill a Mockingbird or Moby Dick" Dan laughed "How is your day?" he asked
"Its been productive" I replied
"The work aspects or the scheming front" Dan asks me
"The work. I do separate my work from my past time activities" I said
"So scheming is now a past time? that's an interesting tid bit to pick up on" Dan said "What's the scheme?" he then asked
"It's really not that big of a scheme. It's just a little competition that I have to take care of…all things have been legal thus far" I assured him
"Your abiding by the legal system is not was scares me, the fact that your scheming against competition…its beneath you. Your very good at what you do, and Epperly would be a fool to not see that, the photoshoot was amazing. How you were at the photoshoot…it was like this was something you were born to do" Dan said "I just wish you could see your potential and trust that its enough" he sighed as I take a moment to take in his words. How is it that my once sworn enemy was my biggest cheerleader? Now I have to go through with this scheme because I'm not sure if I'm ready for Serena to come and chew him up only to spit him back out. Although there are no fears of any kind over me losing out to competition its always nice to hear how he really feels about me
"I appreciate the words. I really do Humphrey" I sighed as I knew I had to turn the pressure up on Serena
"It's the truth. I happen to think your amazing, you're the most amazing thing I've ever known" Dan replied as I can't help but blush
"Do you really have a view?" I then ask as I just want to bask in glory for a bit because us being successful is something that I'd like for us to both revel in
"Yeah, the office is so spacious. I'm thinking about putting a sofa in here, like what we always see on the movies and stuff" Dan told me
"Humphrey, don't touch a piece of furniture. You'll only make it worse by doing that, the point is to have a view not an eye sore" I replied
"Eye sore? I have great taste" Dan laughed as he replied
"Taste as in food or an appetite, but in design of clothing, interior décor…not so much" I said "You left with wrinkled up pants this morning" I then pointed out
"I stopped by the dry cleaners and had it taken care of" Dan said
"Thank God. I was beginning to think I was dating a slouch, we would have been over before it even truly began if that's how you were planning to dress for now on" I said before my phone began to vibrate as I was getting a call from Penelope
"Well maybe you could…" Dan said before I quickly cut him off
"I'm sorry. I have to go, we have an emergency meeting to get to" I told him before I ended the call hoping that I still had time to get to Penelope on the other line "Yes, Penelope. Fill me in quickly" I said answering the phone
"Okay, so S and I are Philip's for drinks…why she chose Philip's is beyond crazy…" Penelope told me as I could tell she was getting easily distracted
"Focus Penelope!" I snapped at her
"We were talking and she's fallen all ready. I think you've succeeded in Operation make Serena fall in love" Penelope said
"I never titled the mission, and if I did, that would be a horrible name. Operation Get Serena to Fall in Love shows Kyle not being in the vicinity…where'd he go?" I asked her
"That's what I thought but she left her phone behind when she went to the restroom, and I saw a text that she received…and it said I missed you" Penelope reported as the thrill of victory was oozing through my veins
"As in past tense, so maybe she got all hot and bothered by him and gave him a sneak peek in a local restroom or something" I said beginning to beam
"Yes because that's a desirable trait in a girl" Penelope said under her breath
"Penelope, need I remind you who got a little loose after the Orchards Gala…with junior college guys, I might add" I pointed out to her
"Point taken. So what do I do?" Penelope asked
"Get tested if you know what's best for you" I laughed thinking she couldn't be that dumb
"Not that, I'm talking about S. He sent her the last so text and she hasn't replied yet so the longer she waits he…" Penelope said as I realized where she was getting at
"He'll think she's not interested. Yes, your right…just text him back" I told her
"And say what?" Penelope asked
"Say something along the lines of had a great day, then invite him to go somewhere" I told her as I could hear her typing out the words before she let out a little laugh as if she had discovered something "What?" I asked her
"We may not have to over think this one too much. It's a familiar suitor that sent her the text" Penelope said
"Familiar, it has to be Kyle. He's the only one she's been seen with on Gossip Girl…or maybe Ben came back in the picture" I said
"No, it's a little familiar. You might even be able to take this one because its so familiar" Penelope laughed
"Okay, stop using the word familiar because I clearly have no clue what your talking about. Why would I want to take this one? It's Kyle, right?" I asked her
"No, more along the lines of Brooklyn's finest. It was from Dan Humphrey" Penelope told me as in that moment I just froze. Everything around me seemed to come to a halt as I just could believe it "So what do you want me to do?" she asked me while all I tried to do was slow up my heart rate and prevent the tears that were all ready welling up in my eyes to not come out
"I've got to go" I said nearly struggling to get the words out
"But.." Penelope said before I hung up the phone on her
[Dan's P.O.V]
Some of these works are amazing. I mean they range from poems to stories and everything is just amazing. I've spent most of my day stowed away in my office…which I still like to say…reading the manuscripts that were sent in and I just feel this overall urge to become a writer again. Its like when you watch a movie that's so inspirational and after watching you have this urge to do something courageous or something that puts you imprint on the world that way a movie could be made about you in the same manner. Ever since Waldorf and I discussed my lack of writing I had to admit that I was seriously giving it a lot of thought, and I guess I'm searching for that reason…the reason to write again, the reason to feel like that boy who had met Serena van der Woodsen for the first time. I know that I was love drunk off of her then, but that boy who saw her for the first time was so inspired by her that it fueled countless stories that have come to be the signature of my writing. Now that we were over it was like trying to find my way in a darkened night, as nothing came that quickly to me. A lot of people have this misconception that writers have it easy, that you can just sit there in one sitting and write whatever in record time…spew things out left and right, but to create something its more than that. Writers are their own biggest critics on top of the people criticizing what they hoped would be sub par. Looking at these manuscripts just help me realize that I'm not that far away from it, I've got something in me…I don't know what but I know that my reason is coming. Realizing that I've drifted off into my thoughts, I look down to see my phone vibrating.
"Tell me why in God's green earth have you requested my catering company?" Ryan asked as I answered the phone
"Hello to you too" I laughed
"I mean it Humphrey, why have you requested to have catering done at your loft?…oh, God. Are you trying to be romantic?" Ryan asked as he began to realize what I was getting at
"Exactly" I said "I wanted to do something special for her" I said beginning to collect all my manuscripts together along with my notes as I was getting prepared to leave for the day
"You've clearly broken all the rules when it comes to the friends with benefit tag, I mean your giving guys a bad name with this" Ryan said
"I know, I'll be hated everywhere. So do you think you can do it?" I ask him
"I can do it, I just don't think I should be doing it" Ryan replied
"Why are you so anti Waldorf?" I asked him
"Because you use to be. I mean its like you were team Edward and now you over all naked and all on team Jacob" Ryan joked
"Well I'm team Waldorf, and I want to give her a night out" I said
"I hardly call the roof top a night out" Ryan laughed
"You know what I mean, I mean its not like we can go out like a regular couple due to the fact that no one knows about us" I told him
"Yeah, yeah. I get you. I sent some of the guys out and they're getting things ready. I'm even throwing in the dessert platter for you" Ryan sighed
"The dessert platter, I thought you were anti Waldorf?" I asked him
"I'm anti breaking the rules of friends with benefits because then girls are only going to comply with the arrangement thinking that it will lead to what your doing" Ryan said
"Yeah, whatever. Thanks for your help" I told him as I looked down at my watch to see that time was working against me "Crap, I have to go and pick up a suit before she gets in" I said in a near panic
"A suit? Why do you need a suit?" Ryan asked me
"Because it sort of goes with the theme, don't you think? Ry, I have to go before I end up being late to something I planned" I told him before I hung up the phone
[Blair's P.O.V]
I can't believe that jackass. I can't believe that I actually believed him. He's just as worse as Chuck if not worse because at least with Chuck there was the possibility of him screwing you over in due time. But with Humphrey….I actually thought. I don't know what I was thinking, clearly not what I thought I was thinking before. I really don't even know why I'm surprised by all of this, I mean all the times we'd always talk about Chuck and I, but never about Serena and him. I mean I made jabs at it but he never refuted any of it, it was like he was biding time with me until she came running back and sure enough she's running like she's in the Olympics. I was stupid to think that I could surpass Serena in Humphrey's mind, its clear that he's still hung up on her…he can't even write anymore because of her. I didn't buy that crap about him losing it, he makes Serena out to be like she's the muse to all his masterpieces…newsflash, if Van Gogh can do it, than so can he. See this is what I feared, I hate that once again I have to put myself up to the great Serena van der Woodsen…she's always the girl for everyone, hell she'd probably be the girl for Chuck if she gave him the time of day, but guys just think the world of her and never stop to realize that she'll always be a fantasy. I love my best friend, I really do but Serena is the girl you dream about, but she's not the girl that wants the forevers. Hell she can't even pay attention for a minute without getting bored. Girls that want the forever are the girls that are worth it and in the long run the girls that the movie is never about. Storming into the loft, I'm even more furious that I have to go listen to S talk about the rekindling of romance with Humphrey. By the end of tonight, I will be out of this cycle of the saga of Dan and Serena, they can have each other for all I care because I'm officially moving out. I put on my outfit for the evening and take an Aleve for the headache I'm about to get for the evening before I open the door to see Humphrey all dressed up looking like he's been caught. Before I even realize what is going on, I just do what my mind is telling me and I just slap him.
"What was that for?" Dan asked confused as to why he got slapped
"Because I figured you out" I told him
"I would hope you would have, I've been planning this" Dan said as he massaging his red cheek before I just slapped him again
"You ass hole" I said but this time the slap was nothing compared to how hurt I felt in this moment, with tears welled up in my eyes it was clear that I was the fool in this situation
"Okay, Waldorf…your really going to need to stop slapping me, and start talking because I have no idea why your slapping me" Dan told me
"I got the text message. My little plan caught your text" I revealed to him
"Because I sent it to you, I'm trying to surprise you" Dan said to me and I swear if he wasn't so strong I would have punched him in the face for being arrogant about it
"Yeah, well I'm surprised!" I replied angrily "What is your baggage? I mean no, what's the big thing when it comes to Serena van der Woodsen because its like she's got this mystique about her. Everyone just swoonds over Serena damn van der Woodsen, and its becoming a bit sickening. Every aspect of your life is tied up in one girl, so that when she broke you, she broke you good. I may be screwed up when it comes to Chuck, but I can see who he really is…I know what he's capable of but Serena still gets the rose colored glasses when it comes to you" I yelled at him as he just for the life of me simply took it like he wasn't surprised by anything I was saying "You deserve better, I hate to admit that because right now you deserve to get your ass kicked, but you deserve better. She's the fantasy that you'll never have, and…I could have been the real thing. But now, since you've screwed that up then I guess you'll be stuck with your fantasy because as far as I'm concerned…you meant nothing to me!" I said wanting to leave the lingering affect that I was not going to let him hurt me
"So what is this the end?" Dan asked as he leaned up against the doorframe "I screw up, apparently. You get upset and you leave?" he asked
"That's how it goes. I'm not that girl anymore, I refuse to be and I will not be the girl your with on your path back to Serena" I told him
"Then, by all means…go" Dan said as he stepped out of the way giving me the full path to leave
"I'll send for my things" I told him as I didn't quite expect him to give up so easily, but then again he had his Serena back "Goodbye Humphrey" I said through muffled tears before I just walked away
[Dan's P.O.V]
This is the story of my life. Always sitting in last place wondering when the hell I was going to get to the head of the line at something. Had a great day at work and now I'm having a crappy evening on top of my rooftop paradise. You see my whole plan was to have a rooftop dinner, then watch a classic movie, and from then on who knows…but I guess the joke was on me. I ended up having to let the catering staff go home, I was just glad that Ryan wasn't here to say I told you so because that's all it would have taken to get him back on the anti- Waldorf side. A couple of times I kept thinking about the fact that I should've stopped her or made her understand that whatever she thought was completely off, but its no point…she was all ready convinced in her mind and frankly, I had no idea what she was talking about. I know this makes me sound dumb and stupid for not putting up a big fight but…I had this weird feeling like things would work out, regardless of what would happen…things would work out whether we were together or not. Getting up to turn off the lights that I had streaming above the rooftop, I just looked out at the view from the rooftop and just really felt like maybe this was what my life was supposed to be like…the constant guy finishing last. I hear the door slowly opening up from behind me before I turned around to see that it was Waldorf.
"I thought we were over" I said as she slowly made her way over towards me as she began to take in the scenery
"Was this for me?" Blair asked
"It was, but then again we're suppose to be over" I shrugged
"Your even all dressed up and everything" Blair smiled weakly as she turned to take in all that I had done for her
"So what brought you back?" I asked her
"I went out to get drinks with Serena because it was all a part of my scheme to get to fall in love with a guy that I had set her up with unknowingly" Blair told me
"That was part of your scheme, okay…continue" I said becoming interested by the minute as my prophecy was slowly being brought to life of everything working out
"When I was talking with Penelope, she had told me that you text her and you said I missed you. So that lead to me slapping you and being very upset" Blair said as I just nodded
"Very dramatic would be the key phrase of it all" I said
"You could say that…well, I had met up with Serena. She told me about how she had text you and even showed the text. I read back to see how it all started it off and that's when I realized that you were talking about a bakery" Blair said beginning to mutter towards the end because then that reveal that she jumped to conclusion
"I'm sorry, what did you say on the last part?" I asked wanting to revel in the fact that I was completely innocent because I know she probably compared me to Chuck
"You were talking about a bakery, not about her" Blair declared
"You don't say. I was talking about a bakery and not planning our reunion" I said sarcastically
"I give you that but she's always going to be the obstacle between us" Blair stated
"As will Chuck. They're both the obstacles in this relationship, but I happen to think that I've grown beyond who I used to be with Serena. I happen to think we're creating something far greater than what they ever were to us" I told her as I brushed away a strand of hair away from her face
"Easier said than done" Blair replied
"Maybe so, but I know how I feel about you. I know that this relationship between us is something that I like right now. I like the banter. I like the way we need each other, and I like how we're teaching each other things we have yet to even know" I said
"What about the scheming? Do you like that because that's a part of me. I know I'm not as hardcore as Chuck but I do scheme" Blair said as I just shook my head at that notion
"No, you scheme because your afraid. You plot against people because you afraid of losing what you view as important to you" I said "I know your good at scheming but your also very good at putting this wall up, which is understandable because you've got your heart broken…but I'm not him, I'm not Chuck" I told her
"It's Serena we're talking about" Blair said
"And its you we're talking about. I want you read my lips clearly….I don't want Serena, I want you. I want the girl, who wants the forevers" I told her as she did her best to stop the tears from falling "Your so used to not being the first pick, and your going to have to get over that because you're my first pick" I told her
"So basically this is the whole thing back firing on me…my scheming to get Serena away from you ends up going against me" Blair said as she began to laugh to herself
"It seems to be that way" I smiled as I moved in closer towards her
"I like my rooftop. It's very nice of you" Blair told me
"You're a complicated woman Waldorf. Your just complicated" I laughed
"Complications can be good" Blair reasoned as I just looked at her
"Complications can, yes they can" I smiled before I leaned in to kiss her.
"Quick question?" Blair asked as she broke the kiss "Why didn't you come after me? she asked
"Have you ever seen the movie She's All That?" I asked her as she looks at me with a bit of confusion before she just laughs
"Your lame Humphrey" Blair says in between spurts of laughter while I just can't help but enjoy the sound of her laughter as opposed to her tears
"I may be lame, but I'm the same lame person you tried to scheme to keep" I smiled
"Don't flatter yourself. I just wanted to spare S your boring speech on French film noir as opposed to modern film noir" Blair replied
"In due time Waldorf, in due time" I smiled as I pulled her into another kiss that seemed to go on for ages
Was this the way I wanted things to go, no, but I happened to like how it ended. Dancing on the rooftop underneath the stars is the textbook movie scene, and for once I happen to believe we're our movie like love story. It was all laughs and our usual banter as we just enjoyed each others company. We ended up falling asleep on the bed that I had set up and I swear I could say in this moment that this was the best night of my life as I just watched Waldorf fast asleep in my arms. That night on my iphone under the notepad I had finally found that topic that would fuel my next writing excursion, Blair Waldorf had become my reason. My reason to start over again in every aspect of my life. In a matter of months she had become, My Uptown Girl.