【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘁𝘄𝗼, this is us
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 - 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁.
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THE MORNING AFTER THE party the news of Serenas' return has made the rounds. While the rest of the city died down, Gossip Girl stayed awake.

Everyone in the city tries to go back to their normal routine as the weekend ends, school comes back and jobs are needed to be done.

"Wake up, your dreams won't come true in your sleep." B reminds me as she shakes me awake. Groaning I turn around, "Five more minutes." I mumble.

Suddenly the warmth of my covers leaving, I groan, "Blair!" I whine out leading my head up, "Valerie!" she whines back.

Sitting up, I huff. Taking my phone off the nightstand. Not being able to stop a smile from forming on at the good morning text from a certain brunette boy, "What's that smile about?" B questions as she hangs my outfit up for the day, "Nothing." I shrug standing up.

Taking my pyjamas off I put on her choice, "So... it's not Tommy." she trails off. When I don't reply, she raises a brow, "Right?"

"Right." I lie. I know it's wrong to lie to your best friend. As well as nearly impossible but I also know she would freak out and scream her lungs out if I were to I say that it was indeed him.

"Why don't you go downstairs? I will meet you there in a minute?" I suggest. Glancing over me she nods, "Yeah." she breathes out.

Taking a deep breath I finish my routine in the order B taught me. Arriving downstairs Blair was holding the elevator as well as my bag, "Dorota packed your lunch and a snack for on the way. Let's go before we are late." she urges, "I'm five minutes early." I remind, taking my bag from her.

"Meaning you're twenty-five minutes late. Be early. The early bird gets the worm."

"That's only a good expression when you are the bird." I remind her, "Don't be a worm then." she tells me as the doors close.

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"Not bad work." B hums repressing her amazement as she looks over the young Brooklynites' work, "And here's yours, as promised." she says holding out an invite for Jenny.

"Hey, here you guys are. I looked all over the dining hall for the two of you." a familiar blond starts as she walks up the steps.

Seeing the unfamiliar face, she sticks her hand out, "Oh, hey, I'm Serena." she introduces herself, "I know—" Humphrey starts, "I mean. Hey, I'm Jenny." she corrects herself.

Pulling her hand away she nods. Taking an invite out of the box, "So.." S trails off, "When's the party?" she asks looking over the invite. As everyone stays silent I clear my throat, "Saturday." I inform Serena, "And you're kinda not invited." B adds.

"Since until twelve hours ago, everyone thought you were at boarding school." Blair explains her reasoning. Which is one big fat lie, as the real reason was the fact that she just disappeared to boarding. Not that we didn't know when she'd come back.

Pouting she doesn't look sincere, "Now we're full, and Jenny used up all the invites." she shrugs, "Uh, actually—" Jenny starts, "You can go now." Blair cuts off as I smile sadly, "Sorry." I mouth as B tilts her head.

Whereas Serena shakes hers, "I got a lot of stuff to do anyway." she waves off.

"Well, we should get going then." B announces, "Unless you want us to wait for you?" she asks, "Looks like you got a lot of yoghurt left." she notes sassily.

Making Serena smile fauxly, "No, go ahead." as they continue to descent down the stairs I stop by the blond, "I'm actually sorry, S." I apologize. Nodding she smiles gently, showing it was fine. Moving away from her I catch up with the girls, "Blair, Val, think we could meet tonight?" Serena asks suddenly.

Turning around B glances at me, "I'd love to, but I'm doing something with Nate tonight." she denies turning to the blond.

"The Palace, eight o'clock." S demands, "Nate will wait." she adds.

Looking at Blair I nod for her to say yes. Taking a deep breath she does, "I could probably do a half an hour." she tells Serena.

"Thanks for making the time." S says, "You're our best friend." Blair tilts.

Neither of their words sounding sincere. Walking away from the scene I read over the latest blast, "There is nothing Gossip Girl likes more than a good catfight. And this could be a classic." I read in an annoyed voice. Mocking the blast, "You really hate Gossip Girl, huh?" Isabel asks, "She's just such a bitch."

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Pulling away from his hold I take my phone from the coffee table, "Hey?" I ask, not having checked the caller ID, "Hey, V, you think you could meet me at Bendels?" the voice of a familiar blond questions.

"Uhh..." I trail off, looking back at Tom whom shakes his head, "Just for an hour though." Serena tries, "I am kinda in the middle of something, but we'll see each other tonight, right?"

"Right." she confirms. As the silence fell I bite my lip, "I have to go but see you then." I tell her, "See you then." she hums. Hanging up I let my lip go, "Are you okay?" Tom asks me, "I wanted her back but now it just feels like too much time has passed."

"Well, you are seeing her tonight, right?"

Letting mine trace his fingers, I nod, "Then talk it out, see how it goes. Maybe it will change your whole perspective." he offers, "Thomas Bass a great advisor and friend. Who would have thought?" I question amused, "Well, now you do." he tells me.

Tucking the loose curl behind my ear, "And that's all that matters." he says softly.

Staring into his big hazel-green eyes, I can feel him lean closer. Gently letting our noses touch. Tilting our heads, his lips grace mine, "Can you tell Nate that happiness is not on the menu for us." a voice starts.

Clearing our throats we move apart, "And tapping Blair Waldorfs' ass is." Chuck continues. Making me raise a brow, "You do not tap your girlfriends' ass. You make love to her." I tell him.

"Who in the world ever called it that?" Chuck asks me, "The kind of man that should be having sex." I retort. Continuing the conversation, I rub the sides of my face, "I'm convinced my brain cells are dying from all the testosterone in this room." I speak up.

Seeing B her text I sigh, "I'm going down." I announce. Leaning over to pick up my heels. Getting cheers from the oldest Bass, "The stairs." I add. Making him groan, "You're no fun."

Rolling my eyes I stand up, "Good luck." Tom tells me, "I'll be fine. I'm talking to my best friend. Not heading to my execution." I remind him, "Practice makes perfect." he retorts. Rolling my eyes amused, I kiss his cheek moving away. Reaching out he takes my hand in his, "Call me?" he asks softly his gaze solely focused on the girl standing in front of him.

The remaining boys see the look on his face, "Okay." I nod. Letting my lip go, "I- I should go." I stutter. Nodding in agreement he lets my hand go. Leaving the room I take a deep breath. Shaking my head, I focus back on the conversation that is about to be had right now. Not one that should be had — maybe — in the far future.

"So, how's your mom doing with the divorce and everything?" Serena asks as we're all seated by the bar. Me — at their request in the middle — for old times sake, "Great." B hums, "So... dad left her for another man. She lost fifteen pounds, got an eye lift." she informs our blond friend.

Holding up her glass by her lips, "It been good for her." she hums, "I'm really sorry." Serena apologizes, "To the both of you." she says shifting her gaze to me, "For leaving without saying goodbye." S continues to apologize.

Or at least attempts too, "Yeah, I could tell. Because you didn't call or write the entire time this was happening." Blair nods sarcastically, "B—" I whisper, "No, she's right. boarding school is like-" S starts, "I don't even know why you went to boarding school, to begin with."

"Do you know how it felt calling your house when you didn't show up at school and having your mom say, 'Serena didn't tell you, that she moved to Connecticut?'" B continues, "Or to see how heartbroken V was when she found out. Me being the one to break the news when you didn't pick up any of my calls?"

Hearing the words I look down at my mimosa, "I- I had to go. I needed to get away from everything." Serena tries to explain, "You just have to trust me." she continues to add, "How can I trust you when I feel like I don't even know you?" Blair questions right back.

"I... I get it." S nods, "I saw you at school with Katie and Is, I don't want to take any of that away from you." S continues, most likely not realising how that sounds, "Because it's just yours to take if you want it." B hums raising her brow, "No, that- that's not what I mean." Serena denies.

Taking a deep breath she closes her eyes, "I missed you." she confesses, "The both of you." she corrects placing her hand on mine, "And I just want things to go back to the way they used to be." she confesses, "Walking to school together, dancing on tables at Bungalow, night swimming at your mom's country house." she says naming a few things she missed in her time away.

"You are like my sisters." she continues, "With families like ours. We need each other." she reminds us. Turning my head to Blair she looks back. Smiling softly I raise a brow. Making her chuckle softly, "Well..." B trails off, "You missed some classic Eleanor Waldorf meltdowns." she tells Serena.

Causing me to fully smile for the first time this evening. As B lets Serena in. Even if it's just a bit, "If it wasn't such a tragedy it would've been funny." she tells her, "It actually was." I hum taking a sip. Where B nods at, "It was." she sighs out.

Making all of us laugh, "Well, I wish I could have been there." S tells us, "You're now." Blair nods, "That's all that matters." I add as my Godsister stands up, "I have to meet Nate. I kinda have something special planned." B informs Serena.

"Well, I don't want to keep you." S nods, "Give me all the details when you get home." I remind her, "I will." she squeaks.

Pulling me into a hug, Serena joins, "I love you guys." the blond in our mids sighs out, "I love you too."