【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆, god is a woman
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗻 - 𝗵𝗶, 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆.
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IT'S THAT TIME OF year again when the mere act of descending a staircase means you're a woman.

That's right, it's debutante season.

"I'm actually glad I'm going with Prince Theodore instead of Nate." Blair starts, "The further we get from the breakup, the more self-involved I see he was." she nods, "Always so brooding, so tortured." I hum, "A girl wants Romeo, not Hamlet." B agrees.

"Romeo died." Serena reminds us, "Yeah, but he died for something exciting." I retort. Causing B to nod as she points at me, "And I want my debutante ball to be something to die for." Blair tells us.

Making both of us chuckle, "All I get with Nate is some rose in the back of a town car. But with the prince, I get a security detail, and a high-speed chase to Pierre after it's over." B rants.

"Ohh, I can see you on the cover of Hello already." Serena smiles, "Try New York Times." I tease.

Smiling at my best friends I clap my hands together, "You and Campbell are going together, right?" S asks me. Nodding I turn to the blond, "He hasn't formally asked yet, but he did ask which colour I'm wearing." I tell her, "Which is?" she trails off.

"Navy blue." Blair and I say in unison, "That colour makes her pop. Well, yellow does more. But this is a gala. We are going blue, and silver details." B tells Serena. Sighing out I think about my outfit, "I'm in love with the dress. And the shoes." I squeak happily.

"Is your mom mad that you're not being presented?" I ask Serena, changing the subject. Turning to her, she squeezes her face, "Well, she doesn't really have a leg to stand on since I find out she used to be my boyfriends' father's biggest fan." she trails off.

"Yeah." I wince, "Ew, it sounds so gross when you say it out loud." she cringes. Arriving at the dance studio, "Silly me actually that you wanted to go." B hums, "I'm here with you two, aren't I?" S tries.

"Yes." I nod, "Only because you're meeting your grandmother here." B adds. Rolling her eyes she turns us to the door, "Blah, Blah, Blah." she laughs.

Walking in we soon start rehearsals. Switching dancers, I smile awkwardly at Nate, "So... how have you been?" I ask as he twirls me around, "Same old, same old." he hums.

Nodding I smack my lips together, I'm happy about the partner change.

Smiling at Campbell, someone else rolls his eyes. As we continue to talk I nod, "Cotillion shows a woman the good graces that they should always have in their arsenal." I tell him, "Or so I have been told." I tease.

Making a smile appear on his face, "Well, I love your grace." he tells me. Nudging our noses together, I giggle softly as he dips my back.

Yet all his kind gestures were thrown out with the window by a single sentence; I'm not into labels.

"This is not really lunch but I'm not complaining." Tom says kissing down my neck, "I know." I whisper out. Biting my lip to not let the moan slip, "Miss Blair, Mister Nate for you!" Dorota's voice calls out.

Standing up we walk to my door to listen in to their conversation. Holding my hips he leans more on to me, causing the door to squeak open. Glancing we see Chuck standing by Blair's door. Staying quiet we continue to listen, quickly closing the door when she goes up again.

"What's the pin?" Thomas asks falling on my bed.

Thinking about explaining the object I remember my box. Taking the gold heart out I show it at the boy, "It has a V. Blair has a B. She sowed it on to Nate his sweater so he would always have her heart on his sleeve." I explain to him.

"Didn't you use to have yours on your sleeve?" he asks me. Remember the heart, "Yeah, it means being open to ones feelings and emotions. When I got older that faded. It felt more like a lie on my sleeve." I shrug.

Furrowing his brows he easily catches the sad expression, "How so?" he asks, "I have liked the same guy my entire life." I begin.

Glancing at him I look away again, "But recently this other guy has been clogging up my mind." I continue, "It's like where first my thoughts were. Is just a sea of him, and it's weird and annoying. Yet I can't break it." I sigh out.

"Like?" he questions, "I'm talking dreams about him." I say standing up from my bed. Placing the heart back I puff my cheeks, "Steamy ones?" he asks again. Causing me to nod, "You can't imagine." I trail off.

Humming he takes a step behind me, "Where does he put his hands?" he asks softly in my ear. Biting my lip I just enjoy the way he glides his fingers over my collarbone, "What does he call you?" he whispers between kisses.

Closing my eyes I know this is exactly the way these dreams away start, "Val!" a voice snaps. Gasping I sit up. Looking around I see my room along with Blair seated in front of me snapping her fingers, "Stop having your weird dreams and get dressed." she tells me.

Nodding I take deep breaths, "Who stars in them anyway?" she questions intrigued at how bothered I am by them, "No one." I deny shaking my head. Taking my phone I was looking for a distraction, and like faith handed it to me.

A Gossip Girl sends out a blast informing everyone about Serena's decisions to make it to Cotillion after all. Getting a text from Campbell I make my way over down the street for his fitting. Yet, during it I continue to text the one boy I should not be thinking about.

Smiling at my phone the youngest Smiths clears his throat. Glancing up he shows me his suit, "What you think?" he asks doing a spin. Nodding I smile softly, "You look amazing." I voice. Taking his tie he shows me the teal colour, that is nowhere near my dress colour.

Walking through the shops we actually have a lot of fun trying to find a matching tie. To be completely honest I didn't think I would have as much fun with him as I did. Making our way to the apartment, the party was already on full swing. Running up the stairs I put my stuff there before going down.

Standing in the kitchen I try to relax before going into the crowd of judgy socialites, "What are your feeling about me being Serena's escort?" a voice asks.

"I'm fine." I hum not turning to glance at him, "Yeah?" Carter questions. Nodding I set my glass down. Turning to him, "I got one myself. Besides you really hit bottom when you are a family favourite." I hum with a faux smile.

Smirking at me he moves closer as I pull his hair, "I remember you liking to play rough." he says amused. Rolling my eyes I glance back at him, "I remember your fanny packet. Baby, I need to know myself, before I can know someone else." I mock.

Shrugging his eyes soften, "It was a phase." he says, "It was an ugly one." I retort. Hearing a set of footsteps I let go of him. Looking up I see the not into labels guy, "Hey." I smile.

Glaring at Carter, Campbell pulls me into him, "This is Campbell. Campbell this is Carter." I introduce the two.

Ending this brief introduction I'm seated next to Blair and Carter as CeCe continues to praise the young Baizen, "Carter, it's such a pleasure to have you back with us." she says again.

"True gentleman are a rare breed." CeCe hums glancing not so discreetly at Dan Humphrey, "Well, we still haven't found one today." I smile. Causing S and Dan to snore, "So, it's true that you're back." Blair says moving on from my comment.

"Back? Where were you?" Dan asks confused, "Oh, where wasn't he?" Katie hums, starting a rant about how amazing Carter is. Shrugging he sets his cup of tea down. Which with his record could be vodka. Who knows?

"I'm just grateful my parents gave me a second chance." he says. Looking up at him our eyes lock, "I was hoping someone else will too." he ends, "Well, you know what they say about hope." I say taking a sip, "It breeds internal misery." I end also finishing my tea.

Setting it down I glance at CeCe, "I'm going to find my escort, Campbell Smiths. A true gentleman." I announce standing up.

While I try to find my date. Nate continues to rant about his ex, "Like the books said she is just not that into you." Chuck sighs, "Man, I have to find out if she's seeing someone." Nate denies, "I made out with Valerie." Tom blurts out.

Gaining the boys' attention immediately, "Wait, when?" they ask.

"Yesterday. We kissed, and I liked it- a lot." he confesses, "But then she talked about this guy she liked. Really really liked. As in sex dreams liked, and I'm pretty sure that not me." he continues.

Furrowing his brows Chuck looks at his younger brother, "How would you know?" Nate asks, "She wouldn't tell me that she is having sex dreams about me." he denies. Causing the remaining two boys to hum, "It's killing me." he sighs.

Turning to Nate he shakes his head, "Please, distract me." he tells the young Archibald.

Whom asks a favour from the older Bass.

Seeing Carter in our home I roll my eyes, walking up the stairs without giving him a second glance, "He is perfectly bachelor and boyfriend material. Someone you could think about losing your virginity too." B tells me.

Looking at her through the mirror I smile, "I know." I squeak. Smiling she kisses my cheek, "I will see you there, right?" she asks to make sure. Nodding I squeeze her hand, "See you on the steps, B." I confirm.

Texting a certain blond for help she came over right away. As we continue to talk love comes up as she helps me close my dress, "Why are you asking?" I ask her confused.

"I saw you with Thomas, I just assumed." she trails off, "Oh, we are not together." I deny. Making her brows furrow, "Then with who are you going to Cotillion?" Jenny questions curiously.

"Campbell." I say putting on some rings, "Campbell?" she asks me.

Making me realize she doesn't know everyone. So, he would be an unknown figure to her, "Campbell Smiths. He's a senior." I elaborate. Humming she nods, "We have been dating, kind of." I explain, "It's complicated." I sigh.

"Tell me about it." she nods, making me chuckle softly.

Arriving at the Palace, Campbell pulls me to the side for a quick chat. Which was only quick for him.

"Just calm down, I will go look for her." Serena reassures as B is panicking for the girl still not having arrived at the steps like she said she would. The starting time slowly creeping up.

"No, I'm coming with you." Blair denies. Holding their dresses, they decent down the stairs trying to spot the beautiful curls of the girl.

Informing their friends of not knowing her whereabouts.

Sitting on the floor I wipe away the tears that keep falling as I ignore all my phone calls, "Val?" a familiar voice asks. Glancing up he can see my tear-stained cheeks. Sitting next to me he wipes the tears away, "What's wrong?" Tom asks me softly.

"He just wanted me to make his ex jealous. Now that she is, he dumped me." I sniff. Sighing he pulls me into his arms, "Well, that means you are like super hot. Otherwise, it wouldn't have worked." he tells me.

Causing a small chuckle to fall from my lips. Lifting my chin up he kisses my head, "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and ready to become a woman." he smiles. Nodding he helps me up, taking care of me. Walking back to the stairs he wants to leave.

Holding his arm he stops, "Thank you." I thank again, "That's what friends are for, right?" he shrugs, "Right." I nod.

Letting go I make my way up the stairs. To be pulled in to a tight hug by Blair. Whom notices immediately that my make up has recently been touched up. Seeing the look I shake my head, "I will explain later." I whisper. Nodding she takes my hand, "Hello and welcome to the annual Dispensary Cotillion and Debutante ball." the announcer welcomes.

Making us all clap, "Katia Farkas, daughter of Jonathan and Rose Farkas." she starts to introduce. As Katie walks down the stairs, I bite my lip down, "Valerie Lolita Tesfaye. Daughter of Isak Tesfaye." she says introducing me.

"Escorted by Campbell Smiths. She hopes to major in Business Ethics, and continue her family legacy in business." the announcer tells the rest.

Willing to walk down alone a hand is held out in front of me. Glancing up Tom smiles softly. Taking his hand we walk down. Standing there I look up. As it's now Blair's turn, "Blair Cornelia Waldorf. Daughter of Harold and Elenore Waldorf, escorted by Nathaniel Archibald." she introduces.

Taking Nate his hand B smiles at the group, "Plans to be a member of Yale's class of two-thousand thirteen, she will continue to summer in South Hampton and volunteer her time to Children Charities." the announcer continues.

Applauding I smile brightly at Blair walking down. As Tom has his hand on my waist, "Does she do that?" he asks me softly, "Nope." I deny.

Making him chuckle softly, "It's all about representation. Show the world what you want them to see." I shrug. Humming I look at my best friend, as the young Bass glances at the girl next to him, "Which is?"

"Someone strong, I suppose." I say glancing at him.

Opening my arms B hugs me tightly the second she can. Looking up it's Serena's turn, "Miss Van der Woodsen hopes to bed as many billionaires as she can before settling down to..."

The words that leave the announcer's lips cause me to snore. Before feeling bad, yet S seems happy about it.

Moving to the dance floor I remind him that he doesn't have to, "I want to." he tells me softly. Nodding we continue to dance. Spinning me around my back hits his chest. Making me gasp at the feeling of his hands over me.

Closing my eyes I bite down my lip. As we continue to do the learned steps. Turning back we bow, before doing the partner switch.

Now being in Carter his hold. Rolling my eyes at his amused look I step on his toe, "If you wanted to play rough all you have to do is ask." he continues to smirk. While on the other side of the dance floor someone disliked me dancing with Carter maybe even more than me, "He just told her what he's going to do to her later." Chuck says fuelling the anger.

Causing the younger Bass to immediately let go of Serena, to walk over to Carter. Punching him in the face. At the sudden action my eyes widen, "Tom, what are you doing?" I ask shocked.

Only to be pulled away as parents jump in on what happened, "That's my girlfriend." he tells Carter. Hearing B gasp I glance at her. Following her sight, I see the rip in my dress, "It's fine." I wave off.

"No, it was custom made." she denies, "B." I try. Holding her shoulder I take deep breaths with her, "We are going to step out, okay?" I tell her.

Nodding she let me guide her, "Jenny, we need you." S says as we see the amateur designer, "I have to go, I have my mothers thing." she denies as kindly as possible. Shaking my head I hold my hand out, "Go, we will be fine." I reassure.

As B pulls my arm down she stares down the small blond, "Do this thing for V, and all forgiven." Blair tells the young Humphrey. Looking between us she nods. Helping me with my dress in a small amount of time.

Smiling happily I hug her to me, "Thank you so much." I thank. Pulling away I turn her around, "No quickly go to your mom's thing."

Nodding she leaves quickly. As I walk around the hotel in hopes of finding a brunette boy. Finding him seated on a chair I see him hold his head. Deciding to get him ice first I ask a glass of full of it from the bar.

Getting it handed, I move to the boy. Placing it against his head, "You are getting a lot of bruises theses days." I chuckle, taking a seat on the side of the chair. Humming he nods, "So... I'm your girlfriend, huh?" I ask him softly.

Causing a flush to immediately be visible on his cheeks, "I know that's not what you signed up for." he sighs. Nodding I smile softly at the boy, "Maybe it's better if we take it slow. We kinda starter hot and heavy in the summer." I start, "Slowing it down, so we don't burn out." I suggest.

"Does that mean we are... friends?" he questions, "I guess." I nod. Leaning closer I press a small kiss to his lips, "We could be friends who do this from time to time?" I offer.

Smiling he nods holding me closer to him. Kissing me softly, "I like that." he whispers against my lips.

Hearing the soft voice of James Bay he stands up, "Want to have this dance with me?" he asks holding his hand out. Taking his hand I can't help but smile, "I would love too." I tell him. Lifting me up from the chair rest we dance. It started with one song but ended up to be the whole night.

Seeing as they were cleaning up the dance, he offered me a ride home. Well, he didn't take no for an answer so it was more a requirement. In the back of the limo, I hold his face. As we pulled away, "Let's just forget what I said for tonight..." I tell him biting my lip.

Nodding we kiss more deeply. Placed on his lap I unbutton his blouse. To be stopped by him, "Val, I'm willing to wait. I also think you need to rethink this." Tom whispers softly.

Holding his face in between my hands I stare back at his beautiful hazel-green orbs, "I want to give it to you." I tell him, "Don't you want to?" I question.

Smiling softly at me he tucks a piece of my hair away, "So badly." he informs me, "But I also know that the beginning of this night you were crying over someone else." he continues, "I don't want you to rush the decision." he tells me.

Nodding at his words. He presses a sweet kiss to my forehead as the car stops, "Now, let's get you to your door." he says. Getting off his lap he opens the door for me. Pressing for the elevator I turn to him, "Thank you for tonight." I thank, "And for being a great guy." I add.

Nodding he stuffs his hands in his pockets, "No need to thank me." he waves off.

The bell off the lift clings. Announcing its arrival, "And I'd love to have your virginity someday but not today." he tells me. Nodding I step back into the lift. As the doors close, it leaves two teenagers smiling bashfully.

It's often said that no matter the truth, people see what they want to see. Some people might take a step back and find out they were looking at the same big picture all along.

Some people might see that their lies have almost caught up to them. Some people may see what was there all along.

And then there are those other people, the ones who run as far as they can so they don't have to look at themselves.