【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻, burn to a crisp
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 - 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀.
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AND FROM ONE TYRANNY to the other, "B, I want to choose my own outfit." I groan. Humming she nudges me to do so. Trying on various options she is pleasantly surprised, "You got better." she nods.

"Getting dressed by you over the years, I've actually developed taste." I tell her proudly.

Arriving at the venue of the party, astonishment takes over my sense by the sheer beauty the room turned in to, "My God, Katie. Your brother's place looks incredible." B praises.

"I know, right? Let's check it out." Serena agrees, pulling us with her.

Having made our rounds, we sit down for food. Trying to eat with chopsticks, I almost pock my eyes out.

Making B laugh as she helps me, "So... where is Nate?" S asks immediately stopping B's laughter, "Uhm, I'm sure he will be here soon." she tells the blond, "Okay, I will just use my hands."

"We definitely need to eat more sushi." B tells me. Nodding, I close my eyes at the taste, "Definitely." I agree with my mouth full. As Serena continues to ask about Nate, I turn it around, "What about Dan?" I ask the blond.

"He said he'd come but I haven't talked to him since this morning." she shrugs, "Well, you better check on him." I tell her.

Causing B to nod eagerly, "Make sure that the best friend hasn't whisked him away for some friendly activity." she teases.

"Oh, shut up." Serena rolls her eyes, "Oh, there are Tom and Chuck. I bet they know where Nate is." she says looking behind us, "I think Nate probably snuck in when we were dancing." Blair says taking my arm while I continue eating.

Whining at her action, she continues to pull. Taking the plate I walk with her, "No judgment." I say before she can say anything. Stuffing the rolls in, I continue to mush on the goods, "Stop eating." she tells me, "It's a California roll." I remind her, "Your weakness, I know." B rolls her eyes, "I need more food and find Campbell." I announce finishing the plate.

Sighing she lets me go. Walking around the party I try to find him. Only to find someone else, "Hey." I say to the brunette leaning on the balcony. Glancing at me he turns his head to the view again, "So... you are ignoring me now?" I question.

Turning his eyes to me he nods, "Hey." Tom greets, "Much better." I hum sarcastically.

"Considering you slept with my brother and then wanted to talk to him alone—" he starts, "What? He said that?" I ask him.

Shrugging, he doesn't look at me, "He implied it." he clarifies, "If I did why was I crying that much?" I ask him confused.

"A first time can do all kinds of things to your body. You could have burst into tears." he explains, "So much?" I question, furrowing my brows. As he sighs, I shake my head, "I— We didn't." I deny.

Leaning next to him. Not noticing his eye gaze shift, "He tried to kiss me, and it was awkward, uncomfortable. And..." I trail off, "Just those two really. Nothing sexy or steamy about it." I say rubbing my lips against each other.

Hearing him blow out a breath of air, I shift my gaze to him, "How are you feeling?" I ask him, "Relieved." he tells me. Yet before I could ask why I get spun around. Soon having a pair of lips on mine. Pulling away I glance back at Tom.

Whom just looks away, "Who's this?" my date asks, "This is Tom. Tom this is Campbell, my date." I introduce the two. Nodding the young Bass looks over the boy, "And I'm leaving." he says, actually leaving.

Moving from the balcony back to the main room — living room, I suppose — the part is on full swing. Parting from my date for a moment, Dan and his best friend arrive, "Val, Blair, this is Dan's friend Vanessa." Serena starts to introduce us.

"Wow, you didn't mention they were so nice. Now I get it." Vanessa whispers to her best friend. As B pulls me, "I am eating." I tell her. Pulling my arm away I bring my mouth closer, "Meet the girlfriend." she says softly.

Looking up I wave awkwardly, "Nice to meet you." I smile. Now that Blair has less of a hold on me I put the roll in my mouth. When they walk B and I keep looking at the girl, "Oh, sweetie, you did not say she looked like that." Blair tells our blond friend.

"She's so pretty." I add in a whisper, "This is such a problem." my roommate says.

Moving on from Vanessa, I wait with Blair for Nate his call. Yet as Chuck comes I smile softly at my best friend, "I will give you two a minute." I whisper leaving.

Being morally grey is not very uncommon on the Upper East Side, most of the time there is no right or wrong. There is a time for all us, it's up to you what you're willing to do for it.

How far are you willing to go? Who you use, who you hurt? So, it came to no surprise as the spawn of — maybe — the most influential businessman on this island; reminds the hard-shelled sweet girl, that the Archibalds' are no different.

Yet knowing the options, doesn't mean you have to assume the worst. Which she won't believe. She believes in him, and their love. So much so that she takes on a bet. A bet she might lose.

"Happy birthday, dear Blair." the entire room sings in semi-unisons for the newly turned seventeen-year-old, as I hold her cake up, "Blair, blow out your candles." S calls. Placing it down I smile at the girl, "Make a wish Blair." S nudges.

"It already didn't come true." she denies walking off. Glancing at Serena, I swallow, "I will go." I say pushing between the crowd.

Finding the girl surprisingly quickly, "I know I don't have fawn hair or brought shoulders, but..." I trail off, walking up the balcony. Shifting her eyes to mine her lips part. Only to have a blast gain her attention, seeing the text of the anonymous bully I sigh.

Taking my arm Blair pulls us back into the party, "He isn't cheating. We broke up, okay? He was gonna get back together with me. But only so my mom would help his dad." B snaps, successfully silencing the hushed whispers.

"You satisfied?" she questions walking off again, "Blair—" I start, "Blair!" I call again following my best friend.

Seeing the care of the young girl it warms multiple cold hearts. Feeling someone hold my arm I glance back, "Give her some time." Campbell advises me. Ripping my arm out of his hold.

My brows furrow together harshly, "Don't tell me what to do." I snap, pulling my arm out of his grip.

"We ended it." B begins, her voice breaking as she does, "Part of me thought if I just kept trying and didn't say it out loud it wouldn't be true." she cries softly. Pulling her into a hug, I rub her back, "Baby." I whisper softly, "It was my birthday wish for us to get back together." B sniffs.

"Now I think it's really over." she adds, "I'm so, so, so sorry, B." I frown, "That asshole." I curse. Making her chuckle softly. Pulling away from the hug, I look up at her, "You never say ass, it's funny when you do." she tells me.

Smiling softly at the girl I wipe her tears away, "I'm happy to see you smile." I tell Blair. Frowning again, she nods, "Is it okay if I just want to be alone for a second? I- I really want to be alone right now." she tells me, walking into the closes room and closing its door.

Taking a deep breath, I take a seat in the room over. Hearing the door open, I glance over, "I'm sorry I told you how to handle your friend." he apologizes.

Shaking my head I wave my hand, "It's fine. I shouldn't have snapped at you." I say, "Just, Blair, is not only my friend. She is everything to me. We have been through so much; she's family." I tell him.

As he takes a seat next to me, I take his hands in mine, "I'm sorry. I've been all over the place since... I just feel like we haven't talked, or at least I haven't given you a clear answer since the masquerade. I guess, I'm just trying to say that I'm really sorry."

"I'm not."

Looking up at the boy, — a little confused — he slowly cups my face, softly pressing his lips against mine, "I like you, Val. And I want to get to know you." he whispers against my lips.

"I do, too."