August sipped away like a bottle of wine

'Cause you were never mine

The sun-drenched sands of the Hamptons welcomed the arrival of summer with open arms, as if eager to embrace the privileged few who sought refuge from the bustling streets of Manhattan. Among the elite, a group of four friends had gathered in this luxurious haven, their laughter and carefree spirits carrying on with the gentle breeze.

Blair Waldorf stepped out of the pristine beach house, her dark curls catching the sunlight. The turquoise waters glistened in the distance, and the scent of salt mingled with the delicate fragrance of blooming flowers. But for all its beauty, the Hamptons couldn't hide the fissures that had begun to form within their tight-knit group.

Blair's gaze drifted to Nate Archibald, her boyfriend, and the source of her growing unease. They had embarked on this summer retreat with high hopes of rekindling their flame, yet the spark seemed to flicker with each passing day. Nate's attention was undeniably divided, and the reason was clear to anyone who cared to look—Serena van der Woodsen.

Nate and Serena laughed under the summer sun, and a pang of jealousy and frustration gnawed at Blair's insides. She forced a smile, playing the role of the oblivious girlfriend, but her heartache was palpable beneath the façade.

Chuck Bass lounged on a nearby chaise, his signature smirk gracing his lips as he surveyed the scene with a detached amusement. His feelings for Blair had always been a labyrinth of complexity, a tangle of desire and self-imposed restraint, but he had learned to bury those emotions deep beneath layers of charm and arrogance.

From the moment he met the brunette all those years ago, Chuck had found himself drawn to Blair's side, offering witty banter, a scheming partner and a sympathetic ear. He recognized the turmoil she was battling, for he too had his own demons to contend with.

But Blair's struggles extended beyond the complexities of her relationships. The weight of her failing romance with Nate and the suffocating standards imposed by her dear mother had ignited a dangerous spark within her–her old friend had returned. In the quiet moments when the others were asleep or lost in their own worlds, Blair found herself ensnared in a cycle of secrecy and self-destruction.

Amid this complex web of emotions, Serena van der Woodsen floated through the summer like a carefree dreamer, seemingly oblivious to the storm brewing around her. Her laughter echoed through the beach house, her smile as bright as the sun, yet her presence only served to deepen the fractures that threatened to tear the group apart.

"Enjoying the view, Waldorf?" Chuck drawled, breaking into Blair's thoughts. "Seems like summer sun is not the only thing heating up the Hamptons."

"Look at them. All polished, all smiles, not a single hair out of place." Chuck continued, a sardonic smirk playing on his lips. "Utter perfection."

"Save it for someone who gives a damn, Bass."

"Oh, I most definitely think you do."

"I most definitely do not," Blair shot back, attempting to ignore the tug at her heartstrings.

"Waldorf, you're losing your touch."

His observation stung, hitting too close to the mark. Lately, the delicate house of cards of Blair's meticulously crafted life seemed to be crumbling at an alarming pace. Her stomach churned. She needed to compose herself, and fast. The scene unfolding before her meant nothing. Nate was her boyfriend. Serena was her best friend. And Chuck was… well, Chuck. The lines were clear. The bond shared among the four of them had been unwavering since childhood—a bond she couldn't let weaken now. If she repeated that mantra enough, perhaps she could convince herself of its truth.

A few minutes passed before Chuck disrupted the silence. "They don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"What it means to be like us. How it truly feels."

"I am nothing like you," She retorted sharply. She couldn't be.

"Keep telling yourself that."

Serena and Nate were still engrossed in their absorbing conversation, causing Blair's lips to curve again into a forced smile. Chuck rose from his chaise and leaned in beside her, his voice a low murmur that barely grazed her ear.

"It really looks like the perfect summer romance, doesn't it?" he insisted, pushing her buttons for the second time that day.

There was that word again. Perfect.

"Too perfect, if you ask me."

"And when have things been perfect in our world, Blair?"

"Touché, Chuck." Her mask of composure gradually gave away, though not fully fading.

Blair had striven her entire life for perfection—the very embodiment of poise in her mother's eyes, the ideal size, impeccable grades, never a blemish on her pristine tongue, the flawless girlfriend for Nate, never uttering a complaint, eagerly awaiting the Vanderbilt ring to grace her finger. Her life seemed to follow the perfect path, step by step. Always content to play the role of the impeccable friend, she found herself relegated to second place, perpetually in the shadow of the effortlessly radiant Serena. However, perfection continued to elude her grasp, no matter how far she went or how fast she ran; Blair could never quite catch it.

The only place in her world where perfection wasn't required, or even expected, was with the boy standing right beside her.

Yet, she was nowhere ready to accept defeat. Giving up wasn't in her vocabulary; after all, she was Blair Waldorf. A Waldorf was never allowed to falter. She had to be perfect, even if it meant losing herself along the way.

"Blair, look," Chuck interjected, sensing her unmistakable inner struggle. He wanted nothing more than to see her smile return to her lips.

"Shut up, Bass." A faint hint of her usual wit tugged at the corners of her mouth, a familiar occurrence whenever she used her favorite nickname for him. But she didn't follow through.

The brunette strode towards their best friends, and as Chuck's gaze lingered a moment too long on the curves of her body, she turned to face him. The mask was firmly in place, the façade up.

"Come on. We can't let the blonds have all the fun."

With synchronized steps, Blair and Chuck approached the shoreline, where Nate and Serena lounged on separate beach towels, their laughter and voices carried by the soft breeze. Serena was basking in the sun, while Nate seemed to be indulging whatever inane thing Serena was chattering about. Typical.

"Nathaniel. Serena," Chuck greeted his friends. "We couldn't resist the allure of your picturesque beach side rendezvous."

Nate's smile widened. "Hey, guys!"

Serena's eyes lit up as she welcomed them with open arms. "Come join us! The water's perfect, the sun is glorious, and we've got space to spare."

"I thought you'd never ask," Chuck quipped, taking a daring leap onto Serena's towel. His left arm found its way to rest on one of her long legs. Serena kicked it off right away. "Don't be so feisty, Serena."

Blair rolled her eyes, but quickly recovered, a well-practiced smile plastered on her face. She settled beside Nate, linking arms.

"What were you guys talking about?" Blair's voice chimed, a touch higher in pitch. Her fingers gave Nate's arm an intentional squeeze, a bit too firm. She couldn't suppress the urge to intrude upon the little bubble their friends had created moments ago. The knot in her stomach refused to untangle. Chuck barely managed to stifle a laugh, keenly aware that Blair could put on quite a show for everyone except him.

"Remember when we used to build sandcastles here?" Serena replied, a soft smile playing on her lips, a dreamy look in her eyes. "That one time when we'd spent hours crafting the whole thing, only for Chuck to fall and destroy it in seconds?" she chuckled at the memory. "He just couldn't bear to part with his drink, and, well, it ended up all over his shirt," she added, sharing a knowing glance with Blair.

Blair's lips twitched with amusement. "What was it?" she asked, playing along.

Serena's laughter bubbled forth as she incorporated herself into the towel, sitting. "Remember the look on his face?" she mimicked Chuck's stunned expression, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

Nate's grin mirrored Serena's as he chimed in, "He was so pissed."

Chuck rolled his eyes dramatically. "Ah, yes, by all means, keep mocking me," he remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And that shirt never recovered, by the way."

"Don't pin the sandcastle collapse on me, sis," Chuck added, looking at Serena. Then, with a playful smirk, he continued, "It was the princess's fault," pointing at Blair.

"How many times do I have to remind you that—" Serena smacked Chuck's arm. "I'm not your sister."

Blair scanned the sand for an appropriate object to emphasize her point, seized one of Nate's sandals, and hurled it teasingly at Chuck. "It was not my fault, you bastard."

Chuck raised his arms in a mock surrender.

"Calm down, you two," Nate interjected, though it was not necessary. He unclasped his arm from Blair's and casually draped it over her shoulders, smiling from ear to ear. Then, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the side of her head.

"If I recall correctly, I merely suggested the princess lend a hand, given her conspicuous lack of activity all morning." A sly grin was playing on Chuck's lips as he quipped. Blair had chosen to sunbathe rather than help, lounging on her towel with her sunglasses on, soaking up the sun while the rest, mainly Nate, did the heavy lifting.

"Pot calling the kettle black, aren't we?" Blair scoffed.

"...and she managed to kick me." Chuck finished, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Don't underestimate your strength, Waldorf."

While the four of them continued to share anecdotes and laughter, Blair couldn't help but acknowledge that there was no place she'd rather be than right here, surrounded by her three closest friends.

Nate's smile momentarily lingered on Blair before shifting to Serena. There was something different in his expression when he looked at the blonde, a change Blair chose to ignore. After all, she clung to the hopeful thought that everything would eventually fall into place. Yet, little did she know that the place she sought might not align with her desires.

"So, are we all set for tonight?" Blair inquired, activating her micromanaging mode. Her words carried a sharp edge of scrutiny, a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and her insistence on ensuring that every element of the upcoming event was in its precise place.

"Eric said that Lily's already on her way to Dubai to meet Bart," Serena stated. "The house is all ours."

At the mention of Bart, Chuck's demeanor subtly shifted. He masterfully masked it by closing his eyes, as if savoring the touch of the summer breeze. The contrast between his calm exterior and the emotions stirred by his father's name was a skillful display that only a few could detect. Yet, behind this façade, the painful truth stood resolute: Bart Bass preferred the distance of miles and the presence of others over spending even a fleeting moment in his son's company. Chuck had painfully learned that separation was a shield against inevitable disappointment and pain—a harsh reality he confronted each time he attempted to bridge the gap, all to no avail.

Blair, eager to keep the conversation going, interjected, "Everything's falling into place. Dorota's almost done, decorations are up, and the playlist is ready. The only thing missing is—"

Chuck's eyes flickered open. "Relax, no need to worry. I'll bring the booze."

"It's not as if Lily hasn't stocked every cabinet with alcohol, Chuck," Serena added.

"I won't be nursing martinis all night. I'm not your mother."

"Will Dan be joining us?" Blair redirected the conversation.

Her friend's relationship with the Brooklynite had been tumultuous at best. After a sweet start, filled with shy smiles and glances, a lack of communication and a lot of victim-blaming rocked her friend's world, leaving behind a messy aftermath. One that Blair often found herself cleaning up. She opposed the relationship more than anyone else, not wanting her friend to experience that kind of heartbreak ever again. However, Serena remained determined to mend things with him, much to the dismay of those around her.

Nonetheless, Dan's presence always had an unexpected benefit—it kept Nate away from Serena, directing all the attention to Blair herself. As it should, in Blair's view. After all, every cloud does indeed have its silver lining.

"Why the interest? I thought you hated that guy," Nate said, his irritation evident.

Great. Just great.

"Believe me, Nate, I do."

"I don't know. He hasn't replied to any of my texts since last night. He's probably busy," Serena finally said.

"I'm sure he is," Chuck raised an eyebrow, his trademark smirk returning. "The question is, with whom."

"If he does come… Behave. Both of you. I'm not saying it twice," Serena's tone turned unexpectedly stern. Blair and Chuck exchanged a knowing look.

Serena abruptly stood up, mentioning that she needed to see Eric to ensure everything was in order. As if she could check every detail without a single butterfly catching her attention. Then, everyone would complain about the subpar decorations, dim lighting and questionable music choices.

Blair fought against the urge to follow.

"Take it easy," Nate's voice held a soothing tone. "She won't mess things up."

"Oh, of course not. Serena's known for her impeccable event planning skills."

Nate's brow furrowed in response.

Blair rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh. "Nate, you've seen her in action. Planning and attention to detail aren't exactly her strong suits."

"Well, she's good at this. Same as you."

Chuck discreetly looked away from his two closest friends as Nate attempted to ease the tension, a reassuring smile on his lips.

At Blair's silence, Nate shifted uncomfortably. "Blair, can we just enjoy the day? Let's not overanalyze everything," he tried.

"Ever the Serena defender," Blair murmured under her breath.

"What's gotten into you?" He looked down at Blair, his arm slipping away from her shoulder.

"Would it kill you if, for once, you stood by my side?"

"This isn't about picking sides."

"Isn't that how it always turns out?"

Nate's jaw tightened, his gaze holding steady. "Blair, you're not being fair."

Blair's eyes blazed with frustration, her voice cutting. "Fair? After everything, that's what you have to say?"

"You know I'm here for you."

"Clearly."

Nate turned to Chuck, shrugging his shoulders, as if silently urging him to intervene and fix things.

Meanwhile, Blair attempted to stand up and follow the path Serena had taken moments before, but Nate's grip on her arm stopped her.

"I'm sorry," Nate's apology was automatic, a rehearsed response to Blair's frustrations. He had mastered the art of placating her. "You're right."

Blair sighed, her shoulders drooping as she settled back onto the beach towel.

Chuck's patience was wearing thin. The incessant back-and-forth among his friends had become an incredibly wearisome ordeal. Annoyance coursed through him as he witnessed once again how Nate's words and actions seemed to chip away at Blair's spirit. Her light and fire dimming as she played the role of the perfect girlfriend.

As the tension began to ease, Nate cleared his throat, his voice gentler now as he attempted to shift the mood. "I've got a surprise for you, something special."

"A surprise? Really? What is it?"

Nate nodded, a small grin forming on his lips. "You'll have to wait until tonight."

Blair's eyebrows raised in intrigue.

"You're being quite mysterious, Archibald," Chuck said, his tone tinged with amusement.

Nate chuckled at Chuck's comment. "Don't worry, Chuck. You'll find out eventually."

Blair rolled her eyes in playful exasperation. "No need to be jealous. I'm not going to steal your boyfriend."

"Relax, Waldorf. I'm fully aware of my role."

"And you play it so well," Blair scoffed, a smirk dancing on her lips.

With that, Blair leaned in and pecked Nate's lips, her smile radiant. "I need to get ready," she said, her excitement palpable.

Nate grinned back at her, his eyes sparkling. "I'll be looking forward to that."

As Blair walked away, Chuck leaned in closer to Nate, his tone skeptical. "So, tell me about this grand surprise."

Nate shrugged with a sheepish grin, leaning closer to Chuck. "Well, you see... In fact, I may need your help."

"My help? For what?"

"I might have exaggerated. I'm hoping you can help me in making the surprise happen. The whole thing."

"You're dragging me into your mess, aren't you?"

Nate chuckled nervously, sensing Chuck's reluctance. "Yeah, well, you're the only one who can pull it off."

"Nathaniel, you owe me big time."

Blair made her way back to the elegant Hamptons beach house, her thoughts swirling with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. What could Nate have planned? As she stepped into the luxurious interior, the memories of countless summers flooded her mind. No matter her anxieties, things always worked out in the end and it was clear that she had acted foolishly and overreacted at the sight of Nate and Serena.

Climbing the grand staircase, Blair headed to the spacious bedroom she had chosen for the summer and closed the door behind her, enveloping herself in the surroundings. The soft, pastel colors and tasteful decor offered her comfort.

Her wardrobe held an exquisite collection of designer outfits, each carefully chosen. Tonight was definitely special, and she wanted to look her best. Her fingers danced over the array of dresses hanging in her closet until a tulle, black dress caught her eye – elegant yet subtle, it seemed perfect for the occasion.

As she envisioned herself wearing it, a wave of warmth spread through her. The knot in her stomach, that familiar feeling of unease, appeared to loosen its grip. The thought of spending a magical evening with Nate, surrounded by the ocean breeze and starlit sky, filled her with anticipation.

With absolute determination, or perhaps a desperate hopefulness, she steeled herself. Blair was determined not to let her insecurities win this time. Nate was planning a surprise for her, not her best friend.

Tonight was going to be perfect.


Author's Note:

My history with Gossip Girl goes back fifteen years. It was my first tv show, my first ship, my first introduction to fanfiction. The memories are endless, both the good and the bad, and I wanted to create something that I would have loved as a teenager, obsessed with these characters that I still deeply adore. They were my entire world, and while it wasn't always smooth sailing, the good moments were truly exceptional. This story is a gift to my younger self; she deserved more happiness and less judgment from others.

I hope you enjoyed it, and thank you for embarking on this journey with me. All feedback is welcome.