003 - poison ivy

season one -
episode three

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"There's plenty of upside to being the spawn of the fabulously wealthy, but the downside, super successful parents expect nothing less from their offspring and when it comes to college that means the Ivy's.

It's more than just getting into college, it's setting a course for the rest of your life and for those few who aren't legacies, the pressures are no less. When parents have sacrificed for their children's future, what kid would want to let them down?"

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KENNEDY CHECKS HERSELF OVER in the mirror making sure her school uniform is on correctly and sitting right before looking behind her seeing Anastasia sitting on her bed reading one of the magazines Kennedy has sitting on her nightstand.

"Does this look okay?" Kennedy asks motioning to the differently styled uniform, Anastasia smiles brightly at the design and nods her head.

"Yes, gosh you can style absolutely anything perfectly, I'm so jealous" Anastasia states.

Kennedy smiles, "Thank you, Stas" said girl says before looking at her watch, "Crap, we're going to be late, come on" Kennedy states clapping her hands together.

Knowing the assembly is close to being over and the interviews are happening at the school.

Kennedy already organised for fashion design school since one of her number one fashion designers have offered her a summer program due to her amazing designs.

Anastasia and Kennedy rush into the school seeing the students all leaving the assembly.

"Good luck today, Stas" Kennedy states waving as she rushes off into the other direction where she knows Vivian Hawthorne is awaiting for her in a private room to discuss the summer fashion school.

"Hi, I'm so sorry I'm a little late" Kennedy apologises running into the room seeing Vivian smiling at her already.

"Nonsense, Miss Van Der Woodsen, you're on time" Vivian states motioning to the chair in front of her desk.

"Okay, thank the lord, here's my design book, I know you said you wished to look at some of my designs" Kennedy states smiling at the mature fashion designer who claps her hands excitedly opening the folder of Kennedy's designs

Vivian gasps and widens her eyes at some of the designs, "Wow, you're talented, Miss Van Der Woodsen" Vivian states handing the folder back to the brunette who smiles.

"Thank you, Mrs Hawthorne, please call me Kennedy" Kennedy states seeing Vivian nod.

"Of course, my love-and please call me Viv, I'm far to be young to be called by my surname" Vivian chuckles.

After thirty minutes Kennedy and Vivian go their separate ways but not without sharing a quick embrace and making new plans to get together again for another meeting.

Meeting up with Anastasia by the steps Kennedy smiles being handed a cup of hot coffee by her blonde best friend before the two of them leave for the day knowing Anastasia's also happy with what she said for her college application.

The two best friends walk around Central Park laughing between one another before stopping at one of the malls to go shopping, after multiple piles of clothes are packed into bags and placed into Kennedy and Anastasia's arms.

They both head towards Kennedy's place so they can try on some of their new outfits also knowing Serena and the others won't be home just yet due to all of the interviews happening at the school currently.

Kennedy waves at the front desk clerk person before walking into the elevator beside her best friend shortly arriving at her floor and apartment suite walking inside seeing no one home as they're walking into the Van Der Wooden's bedroom placing the bags on the brunette's queen sized bed.

Kennedy groans jumping down on the bed and taking her clothes off passing Anastasia her bag of shopping motioning for the blonde girl to go first into changing and showing off the new clothes they've spent money on.

Kennedy sighs receiving a text message from Blair asking her to attend the fixer tomorrow night so she can catch up with her close friend.

Kennedy replies to the message quickly before seeing Anastasia walk back into the bedroom from her ensuite bathroom, Kennedy whistles.

"Gosh, that dress is beautiful on you Stas" Kennedy states fanning herself.

Anastasia chuckles before finishing trying on her new clothes and returning back out so Kennedy can also try on her clothes.

Which no surprises were found out due to all of the clothes fitting the brunette and her best friend hyping her up.

Also staying silent to herself growing worried at her best friend's figure noticing that Kennedy hasn't been eating a lot recently.

Anastasia sighs before looking over at the desk in the corner of Kennedy's bedroom seeing her sketch book open on the desk.

"Go on, I know you wanna" Kennedy states motioning towards the opened book on her desk and Anastasia squeals in excitement looking at the designs in the book wide eyed and shocked at gorgeous all of the designs are.

"Are these the ones you showed Mrs Hawthorne?" Anastasia curiously asks seeing Kennedy lying on her bed sideways.

"Yeah and a few others that are in my bag, here" Kennedy explains getting the file out of her bag showing the blonde girl who gapes at the designs once more.

"Vivian was very happy with them" Kennedy smiles happy that her favourite fashion designer loved her designs earlier during her interview with the older mature woman.

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A SHORT TIME AFTER ANASTASIA LEAVES the rental apartment of the Van Der Wooden's.

Kennedy begins sketching in her book listening to some music on phone with her headphones not hearing Serena entering the apartment with their mother after Serena was excused from school due to 'hurting' Blair on the field.

"Can we please talk?" Serena asks standing at her sister's door, Kennedy sighs sitting up on her bed motioning for the blonde to sit beside her.

"Look, K, I understand me sleeping with Nate really hurt you, I didn't mean for it to happen until it did, I also know how much you like him, so please for the sake of our family, forgive me" Serena pleads.

"Serena, I forgive you, I said that the other night, I just don't know if could ever trust you again especially after keeping that you and Nate slept together a year ago, god-we left New York with that secret, that is what hurts, okay? The fact you knew why I needed to escape the city, but all you wanted was to get away from the secret and the betrayal that you slept with your best friends boyfriend and sisters unnecessary crush" Kennedy mutters looking at her twin sister emotionally.

"I regret it, I'm sorry" Serena mumbles, "I know you're S, but please give me some time" Kennedy repeats seeing Serena gulp but nod leaving the brunette's bedroom walking towards her own.

Kennedy settles down for the night knowing tomorrow will be stressful for herself and all of her friends with the get together approaching quite fast.

"Good luck to me" Kennedy whispers before falling asleep in her cozy bed, waking up with a dull ache in the back of her head, seeing the time labeled as 2pm.

Kennedy gasps jumping up from her bed showering and getting ready to leave for to go see her brother before attending Blair's party tonight.

"Hey E, sorry I didn't mean to run late, hey S" Kennedy nods seeing Serena in the corner of the room.

"Hey Kennedy" both of them reply unaware that Chuck followed Serena to the Ostroff Centre and himself and Blair are planning on using it against Serena and a certain someone at the party tonight.

The Van Der Wooden's sit around with Eric's therapist trying to fight for Eric's freedom.

"Kennedy and myself have been in these sessions everyday for the last week but nothing is going to change unless she stops hiding him here and lets him have his life back" Serena states talking for herself and Kennedy before looking at their mother.

"This is not called hiding girls, it's called recovery" Lily replies, "Telling everyone he's staying with Aunt Carol in Miami?" Kennedy asks confused.

"He's not ready" Lily shrugs, "He's not or your not?" Serena wonders tilting her head, "Okay let's take a deep breath, it's good to see honest conversation" the councillor replies.

"What does she know about honesty?" Serena asks pointing at their mother, "Serena-" Lily starts to say only for Kennedy to roll her eyes looking at Eric's uncomfortable figure sitting in the middle.

"But I really think a decision like this includes Eric as well" the councillor suggests, Kennedy nods and raises her hands in a thankful motion.

"You mean I have a say in this? Wow, thanks" Eric replies before looking at his brunette older sister thankfully, "Eric, look of course we're here for you" Lily states.

Kennedy and Serena both grab one of Eric's hand in a comfort motion, "Look if you're ready to leave, you tell us, okay? No matter what mom says" Kennedy explains nodding at her brother seeing Serena also nodding softly.

Eric turns back towards the councillor, "I would really like to get out of here" Eric voices.

Lily sighs and puts her hand in front of her face, Eric turns and looks at her.

"But maybe I'm not ready yet" Eric suggests leaving both Serena and Kennedy confused, Lily drops her hand from her face and immediately relaxes.

Kennedy taps Serena's arm before looking at her brother once again, "Hey, what about for a few hours? You can be mine and Serena's date for the Ivy Week party tonight" Kennedy suggests smiling at her sister and brother.

"Girls, that party is an important event for both of you" Lily says, "Well he'll be around people he knows-it'll be fun, comfortable" Serena shrugs looking at their mother.

"Actually that sounds great" Eric nods accepting Kennedy and Serena's suggestions.

"Well there we go, compromise, that wasn't so hard was it?" the councillor shrugs smiling at the two girls and Eric nodding at the decision and both Kennedy and Serena smile happy they get to get their brother out of this place even if it's for the next few hours.

"You know what, I have to go help them set up for tonight at the school, it's my job as both parent committee chair and responsible mother" Lily states standing up and leaving the room.

Serena, Kennedy and Eric all smile at one another in success, "It'll be great, okay?" Serena states softly as Kennedy nods.

"I'll see you later okay? I love you, E" Kennedy states leaving the room to go and do some more designs in the fresh air outside.

Kennedy smiles with her headphones in her ears sketching away in Central Park unaware of Nate approaching her from the side.

Nate taps on the table scaring the living daylights out of the Van Der Wooden girl, "Oh my god" Kennedy shrieks pulling the headphones from her ears looking up at the chuckling boy.

"Oh, hey Nate" Kennedy smiles packing up her stuff from the table seeing the time, "You okay?" Nate asks tilting his head while Kennedy notices how handsome he looks.

"Yeah, just got to get to the school, you know for the get together" Kennedy mumbles seeing Nate nod, "Me too, I'll walk you" Nate smiles.

"Okay" Kennedy nods smiling at the boy as the two do them walk towards the school to begin the night.

Kennedy's smile widens seeing her brother stepping out of the car with her mother and Serena, "Eric" Kennedy shrieks bringing him in for an embrace.

"Hey K" Eric chuckles hugging his older sister before looking at his mother and then Nate standing behind them smiling waiting for the brunette.

"I'll meet you guys inside, come on, Nate" Kennedy motions for the entrance walking alongside the Archibald boy laughing together.

Kennedy gasps seeing Vivian standing beside the food table, "Viv, hello" Kennedy says shocking the woman.

"Oh my gosh, Kennedy, hello again" Vivian smiles bringing the girl in for a hug, "I didn't realise you'd be coming to this party?" Kennedy questions.

"Oh I'm only stepping in for a few minutes, my husband is here somewhere" Vivian explains seeing Kennedy's cheerful face.

"Oh that makes sense, well Viv, it was good seeing you again" Kennedy smiles leaving the woman beside the food table going to stand beside her brother who looks at her grateful for her interrupting their mothers rant once again.

"You doing okay, Eric?" Kennedy asks seeing the zoned out look on the blonde boys face.

"Yeah just overwhelmed with mom's instructions" Eric mutters earning a gentle chuckle from Kennedy who nods seeing Jenny walking up behind them.

"Hey Jen" Kennedy waves leaving the two teenagers together understanding the need to be around someone their own age for a while.

Kennedy stands inside at the drink's table seeing Dan standing beside her, before noticing Nate muttering something to himself before smiling brightly at the presence of Kennedy.

"Kens" Nate smiles before pouring the drinks for himself and the guy he's trying to impress.

Although Kennedy frowns seeing right through him knowing that Dartmouth College.

Kennedy gently runs her fingers along his hand in a comforting way before smiling at him seeing Serena walking up to them.

"You wanna go to Yale then?" Dan asks looking at Serena confused.

"No, Brown, it's just this thing with Blair" Serena explains while Kennedy zones out of the conversation discussing something with Nate before both of them walk back towards the table for the drinks.

Serena notices the Archibald boy and her sister standing beside her, "Hey" Serena smiles.

Nate avoids Serena's gaze and sighs, as Kennedy smiles softly at her sister.

"Wait, you're seriously not going to talk to me? Like literally not speak?" Serena wonders knowing Blair has said things to her boyfriend.

Nate sighs again and then turns towards Serena awkwardly smiling, "Hey" Nate nods turning around before smiling normally at Kennedy who looks uncomfortable with this whole situation.

"Oh, much better" Serena mutters looking at Kennedy's look shrugging, "Thanks guys and Kennedy" Serena states turning and walking away from the three of them hurt.

Dan then looks at Nate and Kennedy, "So what's he like?" Dan wonders motioning to the man Nate was previously talking to outside.

"Like a Dartmouth English lit professor that I have nothing in common with" Nate explains.

Dan nods and looks upset; "I guess I could tell him how I'm an Archibald" Nate mutters.

All three standing together smile at the boys remark, "You should mention Dr. Seuss, Theo Giselle was his real name, he went to Dartmouth, Hall says he got the idea for "The Petting Zoo" from the Lorax" Dan explains trying to help the male out only leaving him confused with frown.

"The what?" Nate asks, "Umm, you know what never mind, just mention how his prostyle is influenced by early Faulkner and you'll be alright, ah, or not" Dan states still noticing the look of confusion on Nate's face and Kennedy's amused smirk.

"I was actually going to get some fresh air, how about you take these over to him?" Nate suggests handing the two glasses over to Dan before smiling at Kennedy beside him.

"Alright, yeah I guess he can read my post essay for "Petting Zoo"" Dan states walking outside towards the professor handing him the glasses leaving Nate inside looking at him with a look of triumph, before turning towards the exit, Kennedy is shoved away from Nate.

"Where do you think you're going?" Howie asks his son holding onto him roughly, "Home" Nate snarls looking at his father.

"I don't think so, now you get back out there and finish what you started" Howie demands looking over at Kennedy motioning for her to walk away.

Kennedy folds her lips and nods walking away, "You mean you started, I don't want to go to Dartmouth, there I said it, now back off and don't touch her like that ever again" Nate states angrily before walking out of the building leaving his father behind.

Lily and Kennedy stand outside together before Eric and Serena come to stand beside them also.

"Can I please have everyone's attention?" Blair shouts stepping up onto the stage gaining everyone's attention.

"Welcome again to the Constance Billard-St Jude's Ivy mixer, I'm Blair Waldorf, chair of the community outreach committee" Blair states as everyone begins clapping.

"Every year our schools choose to support one local institution that we feel benefits our community, this year our schools have chosen to honour the Ostroff Centre" Blair happily shouts smirking at Serena.

Kennedy and Serena stop talking to those around them and clapping, they start to realise what Blair is doing.

Kennedy looks beside her noticing Eric and Jenny looking upset, then Kennedy looks to her side seeing her mother's shocked look.

Serena walks over to Erik and Kennedy and begins comforts him alongside Kennedy standing extra close to her family.

"This year's choice is a very personal one because the centre has helped one of our own" Blair explains smiling.

Kennedy looks at the girl in disgust, "What's going on here?" Lily questions shocked, receiving shakes of heads from all three teenagers.

"It's because of their excellent programme which aids so many young addicts and alcoholics, that two students here with us today are clean and sober, at least for now, can I please have Kennedy and Serena Van Der Woodsen join me on stage?" Blair asks smirking at the shocked face of Kennedy and Serena.

Kennedy's face drops to pure rage, as everyone around them looks at them in shock, all except Chuck who is smirking at the two twins.

Kennedy steps closer to her emotional sister grabbing her hand gently, "Tell me this isn't happening" Lily demands.

Eric looks at his two sisters who are growing emotional and about to start crying before facing the front angry, "It's not" Eric denies going to walk up to the stage Blair is currently is smirking.

"No, you're not going up there, you're going to stand right here, okay?" Kennedy states looking at their brother nodding at him.

"Whatever you're both doing, think about who's standing in this room right now" Lily states.

Serena and Kennedy look at their mother shaking their heads not caring about their future at the moment before both of them turn towards the stage going to meet Blair.

"Don't try to deny it, Chuck saw you both" Blair shrugs amused, "You can talk S, I don't think I can" Kennedy mumbles trying to stop herself from throwing up on the spot.

Serena nods grabbing into Kennedy's hand once more, "Hi, I'm Serena Van Der Woodsen and this is my twin sister Kennedy, we just wanna thank our friend Blair Waldorf for recognising the Ostroff Centre and all of the good things that they do" Serena takes pointing her at Blair.

Kennedy looks over seeing Chuck smirking in the corner before noticing Kennedy's extremely dark eyes looking at him, "Thanks Blair" Kennedy states starting to clap along with Serena.

Blair shrugs before clapping with the rest of the crowd, Eric looks at the stage with sympathy knowing he puts his two sisters into the mess.

"In the Ostroff Centre, one of the main things that we learn is forgiveness" Serena starts to say.

Dan looks at his sister in confusion and Jenny explains to Dan that it's neither Kennedy or Serena in rehab, it's their brother, and that he can't repeat that to anyone.

Serena looks into the crowd strongly while holding onto Kennedy's hand tightly.

"In order to move forward for our future, we must forgive those who have wronged us in the past" Serena explains turning her head in Blair's direction and Blair nods her head at Serena's speech.

"And we ourselves must ask for forgiveness from those whom we've wronged" Kennedy joins in looking directly over at Blair now seeing the girl become uncomfortable.

"Without this forgiveness, innocent people get hurt" Kennedy lists on being pushed out of the way and Kennedy grunts annoyed with all of the pushing today, first Howie, Nate's father and now Blair herself.

"Thank you Kennedy and Serena, thank you, thank you" Blair states beginning to applause for the two girls once again, before pushing the two girls out of the audience's view.

Kennedy grunts, "Get your fucking hands off me Blair" Kennedy mutters looking directly at the brunette girl on the stage with fire in her eyes.

"Honesty may the best policy in some zip codes but not in this one and not this week cos "I Was a Teenage Drug Addict" is not exactly a winning college essay"

Serena and Kennedy both continue watching their old friend on the stage before Kennedy looks at her sister.

"I now now why I was invited to this get together, because she wanted to destroy my life along with yours" Kennedy states furiously before stomping off into another part of the school.

Not leaving any seconds for Serena to reply, before Lily drags Kennedy back into the room with Serena seeing her stomping outside.

"Why is Blair outing you both for a drug problem that you both don't have?" Lily wonders, "You girls don't, do you?" Lily asks, "Mom" Kennedy mutters turning around to the woman.

"Well, it's not like we have some free open relationship" Lily shrugs, "And that's our fault" Serena snaps enraged.

"Look, what's happened to Eric has put a huge strain on our family but we are still a family" Lily explains looking at her two daughters, "Why do you think we did what we just did?" Serena asks tearfully.

Lily looks at Kennedy and Serena sadly before nodding, "Will you excuse Kennedy and I? We're gonna go end this with Blair, now" Serena states seeing Kennedy nodding at her before following after Serena into the main area where Blair is currently smiling at one of the professors.

"Blair, what the hell was that?" Kennedy asks pissed off interrupting the girls conversation with the Yale rep, "Will you excuse us please?" Blair politely asks the male.

"Sure" the man says nodding while Blair, Serena and Kennedy walk somewhere more private, "So we good now? We square?" Serena asks.

"No, because nothing I do can ever be as bad as what you did to me and you Kennedy-liking my boyfriend, that's just unfair" Blair mutters.

Kennedy looks at the brunette shocked, "Blair, I would never do that to you, yes I might like Nate, but fucking hell, him and I have been best friends for years, I'm not gonna come in-between yours and his relationship, I would fucking never" Kennedy explains tearfully.

"Kennedy-you don't get it, he likes you, not me, you" Blair shouts shocking the brunette once more before Kennedy starts chuckling.

"I'm sorry, how is that my fault?" Kennedy shrugs, "Because you take everything and everyone from me, you took Nate and Serena away from me" Blair screams.

Serena steps in-between the two teenagers who are almost in a cat fight, "Look, I'm asking you please, I'll stop if you will" Serena explains on the verge of tears.

"You're just saying that because you lost and you're gonna keep losing, now if you'll excuse me, unlike you two, I have a future to get back to" Blair smirks before an echoing smack is heard coming from the brunette's cheek.

"I didn't take Nate from you, I didn't take Serena from you, she's my twin sister, and I was your friend, not anymore, screw you bitch" Kennedy mutters pushing past the stunned Waldorf girl.

"You know that saying 'if you play with fire, you will get burned, so don't tempt yourself with things/people that will get you in more trouble than you can get out of' well look out B, the wicked witch of the upper east side is back and knowing K, she won't back down from a fight"

Kennedy pushes past people politely leaving the school and the stupid party behind seeing Serena following her.

Kennedy stops nodding at her sister and motioning for her to follow her.

Serena smiles softly seeing Kennedy's soft touch and the two sisters walk back to the apartment together sharing laughs about what went down tonight with Blair and the smack Kennedy gave her.

Eric quickly asks and states to Lily that his fine and that he needs to do something before they leave, excusing himself over to Blair and taking her somewhere a bit more quiet and private.

"Kennedy and Serena are not patients at the Ostroff Centre" Eric states turning to face the brunette who upset his sisters earlier.

"Eric, you've always been a sweet kid and I understand you trying to protect your sisters" Blair tilts her head, "I am" Eric firmly replies.

"I've never even seen you take a drink" Blair shrugs, "I'm not an alcoholic, I did this" Eric states pulling up his sleeve to show Blair a large scar on his wrist.

Blair's face falls as she looks at the scar and realises what happened, "And today Kennedy and Serena protected me" Eric explains, Blair can't look Eric in the eye and seems to be lost for words.

"Eric, I-I didn't" Blair replies tearfully, "See that coming, well that must be a shock for someone who thinks she knows everything" Eric mutters walking past the brunette on the verge of tears.

Eric nods at his mom that he's ready to leave now, Lily nods and smiles and the mother and son walk out of the exit.

"Another bomb lands in Blair's lap, will she use it as ammunition or will she finally surrender and put down her arms?"

Kennedy bites onto her pencil anxiously before seeing an email from Vivian Hawthorne on her laptop.

"Don't worry about that little misdemeanour at the get together Kennedy, you're still in and I'm super interested in seeing future designs, hope to see and hear from you soon" the email reads and Kennedy screams in excitement seeing Serena rushing into the room looking at her wide eyed.

Kennedy smiles and shows her twin sister the email as Serena gasps happy for the brunette, "I'm still in" Kennedy whispers in disbelief jumping up and down on her floor and bed.

Seeing her mother chuckling at her two daughters amused by their fun, "I'm still in Mom" Kennedy explains and Lily gasps also excited for her daughter joining in on the jumping and smiles.

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THE NEXT MORNING Kennedy goes for run in Central Park not expecting to find Howie, Nate and the professor of Dartmouth at the ending of the trail.

"Kens" Nate states seeing the brunette girl coming to a stop at the end of the trail smiling at him, "Natey" Kennedy chuckles using the nickname she made for him when they were like ten years old.

Nate smiles before looking at his father knowingly, "Listen Kennedy, I'm sorry for shoving you yesterday, that wasn't very fair on me to do" Howie explains to the brunette who nods.

"It's alright, thank you" Kennedy nods seeing Howie nod at her before tapping his son on his back and running off leaving the two teenagers alone.

"Oh, so he still isn't listening huh?" Kennedy asks leaning against the seat near them before spotting a nearby cheap store for water.

Kennedy nods and points towards the store seeing Nate smiles and begin walk beside her.

"Yeah, still think it was a mistake for me to not want to go to Dartmouth" Nate mumbles seeing the brunettes bright smile buying a cold water and sipping on it.

"I didn't tell you, I'm in for my dream fashion school by the way" Kennedy explains.

Nate gasps lifting the brunette in the air smiling at her, "Congratulations, princess" Nate smirks using his nickname for the girl.

"That's an old one" Kennedy laughs as the two of them sit on a nearby bench catching up like best friends do.

Unaware of the apology Blair is currently giving Serena at the water fountain.

Kennedy chuckles as Nate carries her on his back towards her apartment building soaked from the downpour of rain that hit out of nowhere.

"Spotted in Central Park: Two white flags waving, could an Upper East Side peace accord be far off? So what will it be? Truce or consequences? We all know one nation can't have two queens, what happens next? Only time will tell.

Also spotted soaked and full of giggles, Princess and Prince Charming laughing amongst each other in the downpour of the rain leading into the Palace Hotel - xoxo Gossip Girl"

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TO BE CONTINUED...

𝖊𝖑𝖘 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖐𝖘 ⛧
sorry for the delay with this chapter
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