As night fell, Central Park came alive with lights dangling between trees. The night breeze brought a slight chill that mixed with the smell of grass and leaves, reminiscent of the approaching fall. The sound of city horns and distant conversations echoed softly in the background, contrasting with the vibrant, euphoric energy of the party. The fast rhythm of laughter and music stood out as the guests spread out, creating a mix of colors and lively conversation.
More and more people arrived at the park. Bianca got out of the cab and ran over to Elizabeth and Scarlett, hugging them.
"Bianca!" They both smiled as they saw their friend after a year apart.
"I'm back to stay!" Bianca grinned excitedly. "How are things here?"
"Lizzie sent Mike Dawson to hell," Scarlett replied teasingly. "She gave him false hope that he'd feel part of royalty."
"Shut up," Elizabeth rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I told her before you arrived."
"I wasn't surprised, I have to admit," Bianca laughed out loud as the three of them walked to the party area, greeting some acquaintances. "To be honest, he liked you more than the other way around. You know I'm not lying."
"I've always said that," Scarlett said, putting her things in a suitable closet. "Better to be like me — i don't fool anybody."
"Bitch, you mean," Elizabeth said quickly, and Scarlett shrugged, unconcerned about her status.
"Sophie said she was already here," Scarlett looked around for her friend and sent a message. "I told her we're here."
"I think she's over there," Bianca pointed to Sophie, who was coming out of the bathroom. She spotted the girls and walked toward them. "Soph!"
"Bianca!" Sophie hugged her long-time friend. She was a little tense because she was about to meet Charlotte and wanted to know the reasons for her sudden disappearance. She felt hurt by all of it. "I'm glad we're all finally going to be together this year."
"I have a feeling this is going to be our year," Bianca smiled excitedly.
"Where's Jeremy?" Sophie asked when she didn't see him with her sister.
"He went out to buy something," Elizabeth replied, not really caring.
"Did he go to the bathroom to throw up his alcohol?" Scarlett teased Sophie, who just ignored her. Her secret of forced vomiting would be well kept from everyone, as she didn't want to hear any worrying comments right now.
"You'll be done soon," Elizabeth replied with a laugh, her eyes catching Charlotte arriving at the same time as Daniel, Sebastian, and Mike. "Look who's just arrived."
"Who?" Sophie turned and looked at the blonde, not knowing how to react. Elizabeth waved at Mike, but he ignored her.
Mike watched Elizabeth from a distance, pretending not to be interested as he brought his drink to his lips. But every time his eyes met hers, a tightening in his chest reminded him of all he had lost. She seemed relaxed, chatting with her friends, but he could see small signs of discomfort — the way she fiddled with her hair or avoided looking directly at him. As much as he tried to keep his composure, frustration burned inside him. He still couldn't believe she'd broken up with him, as if everything they'd been through could be forgotten so easily.
Elizabeth, for her part, noticed Mike from a distance but tried to hide any reaction. "Don't look at him," she repeated to herself, her heart racing every time she felt his eyes on her. Despite her calm demeanor, the memory of the breakup still echoed in her mind, and the feeling that things could have been different plagued her.
"He's going to hate me forever," Elizabeth huffed.
"Relax, it'll pass soon," Scarlett said to comfort her.
"He's probably in his room listening to depressing music and thinking of ways to show he's better than you," Bianca added with a laugh.
"Men never admit when they're worse than us," Charlotte overheard the conversation. "Hello," she greeted them.
"Charlotte, don't ever be like that again," Scarlett hugged her tightly. "We had to look on gossip blogs. Even your parents couldn't tell us anything."
"I'm sorry," Charlotte bowed her head, feeling guilty. "I won't disappear anymore, I promise."
"We're all together again," Bianca smiled and hugged the blonde after not seeing her for so long.
"Now let's get the party started," Elizabeth pulled Bianca and Scarlett toward the busiest area. Sophie and Charlotte glanced at each other.
"Why did you leave without telling me?" Sophie asked, obviously hurt by her friend's attitude. "I thought we were sisters, that you'd tell me everything."
"I know," Charlotte said without a reaction. "I promise that I'll tell you everything as soon as I'm ready. You're the one I trust the most in the world, and I don't want you to be angry with me." The blonde held back her tears, especially in front of the curious onlookers. "Trust me."
"I hope so," Sophie poured herself a drink. "I've needed you so much this summer. My house has been a mess."
"I'm here," Charlotte hugged her tightly, and Sophie returned the hug. "I always will be."
Sophie tried to smile as she hugged Charlotte, but inside, the pain of being abandoned by her friend still consumed her. Throughout the summer, she had waited for a message, a phone call —any sign of Charlotte— but nothing came. She reflected on how alone she had felt, trapped in the hell of her parents' arguments with no one to trust. "I thought she was my sister, that she would tell me everything," she thought, biting her lip to control the rising emotions. Charlotte said she trusted her, but Sophie began to wonder if things had really changed between them.
"Now you can kiss," Jeremy came up with a bottle, playing with both of them. "The Upper East Side isn't the same without this duo."
"Jeremy!" Charlotte laughed and hugged him. "Now I'm back."
"So let's enjoy the party," Sophie laughed and pulled her toward the others. Jeremy walked in the other direction.
As the night wore on, the party became livelier. Daniel was in a corner, kissing the fourth girl of the night, adding to his reputation as a womanizer.
"Your brother's a pig," Elizabeth whispered to Sebastian, who just laughed.
"Let the idiots fall for it," Scarlett shrugged.
"There's not much I can do about it," Sebastian said, sitting down and pouring himself another beer.
"At least you're decent," Bianca commented, and Scarlett choked on her drink. Sebastian looked at her, startled.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Everything's fine," Scarlett said slightly ironically. "I'm going to get something to eat." She left and walked over to Daniel.
"Did you come to check on me?" Daniel smiled wryly as she approached.
"I'm not a gossip," Scarlett said, helping herself to some snacks. "I know you're dying to check up on me." She smiled mischievously as she took Daniel by the arm and led him to a more private corner. "Let's enjoy the evening somewhere else," she whispered, winking at him.
Daniel didn't hesitate to smile sideways, always with that air of superiority that Scarlett hated and found fascinating at the same time.
"Have you decided to hunt me?" he teased, not hiding the irony in his voice. "I knew you couldn't stand it."
Scarlett laughed and moved closer with a defiant look, making the provocation even more obvious.
"Shut up," she said, pulling him firmly, but with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I knew you were waiting for me all summer like a desperate puppy." She whispered in his ear, feeling him respond to the power play between them.
"You won't be able to resist me tonight," Daniel whispered back, but Scarlett just smiled, a twinkle in her eye.
"I just want to see," she replied, leaving the teasing in the air as she walked back to the group, carrying the snacks with a touch of superiority that only she could display.
She saw Mike drinking with a dejected look on his face.
"Are you going to cry about Lizzie for the rest of your life?" Scarlett teased.
"Shut up!" Mike rolled his eyes in irritation and walked away. When he looked over, he saw Jeremy with his sister and a group of strangers. They were on drugs, oblivious to the world around them. Jeremy got up to get a drink, and Mike approached.
"What's that?" Mike asked worriedly.
"Don't get all righteous on me now," Jeremy laughed, completely out of his mind. "I really underestimated your sister, but she introduced me to new things."
"Dude, you're losing your mindt," Mike said, grabbing Jeremy's arm. "This isn't you."
"Oh, now you're going to lecture me?" Jeremy laughed, his eyes filled with alcohol and other substances. "I'm finally having fun, Mike. Unlike you, who's still mommy's little saint."
"This isn't fun, it's destruction," Mike said firmly, but he felt his frustration growing. It was like talking to a brick wall.
"Don't try to be a hero," Jeremy snapped, returning to the group, while Mike shook his head in disapproval, feeling the weight of responsibility growing on his shoulders.
The party was in full swing, with laughter and music echoing throughout the park. Groups of students were dancing to the heavy beat, while others were already sitting on benches or lying on the grass, lost in a world of alcohol and excess. All around, the dim light of the lanterns and the hushed whispers created an almost surreal atmosphere. For those on the outside, it was a perfect night, but for those inside, everything was slowly falling apart.
Charlotte had broken her promise to herself and was completely upset, unable to stop staring at Sebastian. They had always been best friends, but she had always felt something more for him.
"You're crazy to be with him," Scarlett came up beside Charlotte and handed her a bottle. "Good luck!"
"I don't know if I should," Charlotte said, taking the bottle, a little confused.
"You're Charlotte Fitzgerald. Everyone here would do anything to have you," Scarlett encouraged her.
Charlotte nodded and started to walk toward Sebastian, stumbling slightly. As she approached, her mind struggled with an avalanche of emotions. The alcohol made everything seem easier, as if the weight of expectation and judgment had disappeared for a few hours.
"Maybe this is the only time I have the courage to tell you this," she muttered to herself, stumbling over her words and her own feet.
Sebastian, realizing her condition, tried to smile, but his heart tightened. He knew Charlotte too well not to realize that there was something more behind those laughs and jokes.
"Whoa, watch out!" Sebastian grabbed her before she fell. "Did you drink that much?"
"Of course I did!" Charlotte laughed out loud. "We're at a party, and I always move everything around here. I hear things have gotten pretty bad around without me."
"A bit," Sebastian laughed softly. "I thought you weren't going to get out of hand today. You did all the talking, and now Daniel is bragging about winning the bet."
"A bet?" Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"Just a silly thing between brothers," Sebastian sighed, trying to avoid the subject. But inside, he felt uncomfortable. He didn't want Charlotte to know how much he was involved in this, even if he didn't want to hurt her.
"So it's his problem," Charlotte rolled her eyes. "You're more important."
"Thank you," Sebastian laughed, a little embarrassed. "Would you like some water or something to eat?"
"No," the blonde shook her head. "I want to know if we can be alone at the lake. I've missed you a lot these past few months."
"Charlotte," he took her hand carefully. "Are you hitting on me?"
"Of course," she laughed out loud. "Shall we go?"
"Listen," Sebastian looked her seriously in the eyes. "You're drunk. I'm not going to take advantage of that. We've known each other all our lives, and I think of you as a sister. Tomorrow you won't even remember things correctly. Nothing will happen between us."
"I'm sorry," Charlotte was embarrassed and had no reaction at this point.
Sebastian made her sit down and gave her some cold water. On the other side, Sophie, Bianca, and Elizabeth sat at a table and watched the scene.
"Charlotte's getting drunk," Bianca commented, looking at the situation. "I think we're back to normal."
"Unfortunately, I'm not surprised," Sophie lowered her head. "It'll never change if it goes on like this."
"Sebastian, as always, helpful and patient," Elizabeth commented unintentionally.
She had been watching Sebastian all evening, and the two of them exchanged intense glances.
"Did I miss something?" Bianca asked, noticing something else in the sentence.
"Not much," Elizabeth replied quickly. "Sebastian has been helping me a lot these past few weeks since I broke up with Mike."
"Hmmm," Sophie laughed, realizing the situation. "You always liked him, that was clear. Now you're single and free of the boy from the Bronx and his dysfunctional family."
"Things have to go slowly," Elizabeth commented with a little nervousness in her voice. "I'll get some more things." She stood and left the table.
As she got up from the table, her heart was racing. She pretended to be fine, but Sebastian's looks made her so nervous that she could barely breathe. As she walked toward the bar, she couldn't help but look at him again and feel her face heat up. She knew that something was changing between them, but she didn't know how to deal with it.
When Elizabeth got up from the table, her heart was racing. She pretended to be fine, but Sebastian's glances made her so nervous that she could hardly breathe. As she walked toward the bar, she couldn't help but look at him again, feeling her face heat up. She knew something was changing between them, but she didn't know how to deal with it.
"You've gone all funny," Bianca laughed out loud. Scarlett was nearby and overheard the whole conversation.
"What are you listening to, Gossip Girl?" she asked.
"Nobody has any idea what happened last summer," Scarlett said in her typical debauched tone.
"What?" Bianca asked, curious.
"I took Sebastian's virginity," Scarlett said, pouring herself another tequila drink. She smiled dismissively, as if it were no big deal. "He practically begged."
Bianca widened her eyes in surprise.
"You really suck."
"Do you want to know the truth?" Scarlett leaned toward Bianca. "He wanted romance, I wanted fun. And we all won."
Her tone was cold, as if what she had just told her was as trivial as choosing an outfit.
"It's just that you're still a prude because you don't have the courage to let go for good," Scarlett threw the truth into the air.
"I'm fine with that," Bianca rolled her eyes and left her talking to herself, heading to sit with Sophie at the table.
Sebastian left Charlotte with Bianca and Sophie while she recovered from the excess alcohol in her system. Sitting back in her chair, Charlotte closed her eyes, fighting for the world to stop spinning.
"I promised myself I wouldn't do that again…" she mumbled, more to herself than to Sebastian.
He sat down next to her, placing a bottle of water in her hands.
"We always promise," he replied softly. "But there's always a next time."
Charlotte opened her eyes, looked up at the sky, and laughed bitterly.
"And this 'next time' is destroying me."
"I'm going to get some more water," Sebastian said, getting up and running into Elizabeth on the way.
"Is Charlotte already using you as a nanny?" Elizabeth asked, trying to lighten the mood. "I realized why you were missing."
"She'll be fine," Sebastian laughed, but his eyes showed concern. "We're back to the routine."
"No surprises." Elizabeth approached him. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Of course." Sebastian smiled at her, and the two of them walked to a slightly quieter part of the park.
"How have you been these days?" Sebastian asked, his voice soft as they walked toward a more secluded spot.
"Better, I guess," Elizabeth sighed. "It wasn't fair to keep locking Mike up. He deserves something more…"
"And so do you," Sebastian said, giving her a knowing look. "You'll find someone who understands you."
The pause between them was filled with silence. Something in Elizabeth's eyes suggested that maybe, just maybe, she already knew who that person was.
"Maybe," she murmured, avoiding his gaze. "And what about you? Will you find your great love this year?"
"Who knows?" Sebastian laughed softly, but their laughter seemed to cover something deeper, as if the answer was right in front of them, but neither had the courage to admit it.
Mike watched them from afar and lowered his head, annoyed. Bianca approached him.
"Watching from afar will only make things worse," Bianca said, hugging him from the side. "Relax and enjoy the party."
"I haven't given up on us yet," Mike tried to convince himself. "I think we could still have a chance."
"It's better not to think about it," Bianca comforted him. "It's better to stick to the present, and if it has to happen, it'll be little by little. Everything has its time."
"Let's see," Mike nodded and looked away, seeing Sebastian and Elizabeth talking alone by the lake. "Time, huh?" He walked away, a little hurt. Bianca just sighed.
Mike bit his lip, fighting the urge to shout. Seeing Elizabeth so at ease with Sebastian was a silent blow. Every laugh, every gesture felt like an open wound. He tried to convince himself that there was still a chance for them, but with every second that passed, that hope became more distant.
"It's no use," Bianca said softly, seeing the emotion in Mike's eyes. "If she's already moving on, you should do the same."
"I came to get my glass," Sophie said, returning from the bathroom and picking up her drink from the table. "What's that?" She looked at Jeremy, completely drunk.
"He's completely out of it," Bianca said, looking at the scene, worried, and got up.
"Let me go," Sophie said as she approached him. "You look terrible," She shook her head, trying to support him.
Jeremy let out a forced laugh, but his squinted eyes showed that he was far more intoxicated than just drunk.
"And you, always the responsible one…" he muttered, his voice breaking. "It tires you out, doesn't it? Looking after everyone…"
"Just you," she replied, half-joking, but the pain in her voice was real.
Sophie was exhausted, and Jeremy couldn't see how much his actions were affecting her.
"I'm fine," he slurred, staggering, barely able to stand.
Sophie noticed that his pupils were extremely dilated.
"What else did you take?" Sophie held his face and stared at him. "Are you on drugs?"
"You don't care, Mom," Jeremy laughed and almost tripped, falling on top of her.
"You're in no condition to stand up," she said, supporting him on her shoulder. "I'm taking you home."
"I don't want to go," he mumbled, trying to walk. "My parents have already arrived from their trip, according to the schedule."
"That's all you remember now?" Sophie sighed, shaking her head. "If it was only the alcohol…" She looked at him with concern. "Let's go. I still have to look after Charlotte."
"I can take him," Mike appeared beside them. "I'm already on my way home. My sister won't be sleeping over, so there's a spare room."
"You're taking him to the Bronx like that?" Sophie asked, disgust evident in her voice.
Mike gave her a wry smile, but behind it was irritation he was trying to hide.
"We're not savages there, Sophie," he said, narrowing his eyes. "I can take care of him. Trust me."
"I do," she replied more softly, sensing the tension. "But it's Jeremy, and he's… like this."
The concern in her eyes was undeniable.
Mike took a deep breath. Behind Sophie's arrogant attitude, he could see that she truly cared, and that irritated and touched him at the same time.
"Take care of him and let me know," she finally said.
Mike smiled weakly, and the two of them called a cab and set off.
A few minutes passed, and Scarlett walked up to Daniel, discreetly pulling him by the hand, leading him to a secluded corner.
"Let's go and enjoy the evening in a more private place," Scarlett winked at him. "I think we'd better be alone for a while."
Scarlett pulled him close, but without losing the aura of control that she always kept around her. For her, this was a way of showing that, even if she had refused Daniel in the past, she still dictated the rules.
"I always knew that, in the end, you'd go for it," Daniel whispered, his voice laced with irony.
"Let's see who runs after whom," Scarlett replied, smiling mischievously, making it clear that she was in charge now.
The two of them got into the waiting limousine and went to the Sorrentini house, since Daniel's parents were traveling and Sebastian was still at the party. He took her to his room.
She grabbed him by the shirt and gave him an intense kiss, and Daniel responded with the same intensity. Their tongues tangled, only stopping when they needed air.
"Wow," Daniel smiled sideways, feeling victorious. "I didn't know drinking would affect you so much. From what I remember, you dumped me during the summer break."
"Well, what matters is that now I want to," Scarlett smiled mischievously, looking him up and down. "And I want it in every way. We're alone, and we have all the time to enjoy it."
"Let's get on with it," Daniel whispered, pulling her closer so that she could feel his erection on her thigh. He took her towards the bed, they locked the door and, ignoring everything around them, they gave themselves to each other.
…
Back at the party, Sophie grew annoyed with one of her classmates, Thomas Lancaster, who insisted on trying something more with her. The brunette pushed him away, causing him to trip over a drunk senior, and suddenly, chaos ensued. Fights were breaking out everywhere.
"Holy shit," Sophie sighed deeply, irritated. "Bunch of stupid people."
She approached Sebastian and Elizabeth, who were near Bianca, looking after Charlotte.
"We'd better go," Sebastian said worriedly. "This isn't going to end well, and whoever stays is going to have to deal with the mess."
"Scarlett's gone, and Jeremy's going to sleep at Mike's," Elizabeth said, checking her phone for messages.
"I can take you home," Sebastian offered, and Elizabeth nodded.
Charlotte just stared at them blankly. Sophie noticed and sat down next to her.
"My driver's here," Elizabeth said after answering a call on her phone. "See you tomorrow. What about you guys?" she asked the three of them.
"Charlie's going to my house," Sophie replied. "My driver is dropping Bianca off at home. I already sent a message."
"Thanks," Bianca said gratefully.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow." Sebastian took Elizabeth by the arm, and they said their goodbyes.
"He'll be waiting for us on the other side," Sebastian said, checking his messages. He turned to Charlotte. "Can you get up?"
"Yes," the blonde muttered, sipping a cup of coffee. "I'm a bit queasy."
The three of them walked to the limousine and got in.
"You drank until you couldn't stand it," Bianca said worriedly. "If you want to feel better, Jeremy was much worse," she added with a laugh.
"God," Charlotte sighed deeply. "Why is it that when I really want someone, I never get them?"
"What's all this about?" Sophie asked, confused, not understanding what Charlotte was getting at.
"Sebastian dumped me and said he sees me as a sister," Charlotte huffed, annoyed. "But I've seen him around Elizabeth, and all of us here have been friends our whole lives. Why is it different with her?"
"I don't know how to answer that question," Bianca admitted, not sure what to say.
"I try so hard, Sophie," Charlotte continued. "I try to be perfect, to be the person everyone wants… and then I see Elizabeth, without even trying, with everyone at her feet. It's unfair."
Charlotte let out a heavy sigh, laying her head on Sophie's shoulder.
"Love isn't a competition, Charlie. But you always make it sound like it is," Sophie laughed, though there was a bitter tone to it.
"Because, for me, it is," Charlotte whispered, squeezing Bianca's hand.
The insecurity she had been hiding behind her bold attitude was finally showing. She soon fell asleep, but before long, they arrived at the Blancs' apartment, and Sophie held onto her.
The night air was heavy, as if it carried the weight of decisions not made and words not spoken. They all knew that something big was about to change in their lives, but exactly what remained uncertain.
A new stage, Sophie thought as the limousine glided through the streets of Manhattan. She looked at Charlotte, asleep beside her, and felt that somehow, they were all about to face their own demons in the coming months.
"Good night, B!" Sophie said as the limousine pulled up in front of the building.
Charlotte just nodded sleepily.
"Good night, see you tomorrow," Bianca smiled at them, and the driver made his way to the Lower East Side, leaving her at home.
It had been a long and exhausting night. Everyone was preparing for bed, knowing they had a new day ahead of them. A new chapter was beginning for the Upper East Side group, and the future promised even more changes.