Spotted: Tension rising faster than the steam from Dan Humphrey’s coffee. Gossip Girl here, and it looks like Manhattan’s elite aren’t the only ones nursing a hangover from last night. Things are about to get very, very interesting.
---
The sun slices through the sleek floor-to-ceiling windows of The Palace. I’m already dressed—cream silk blouse, high-waisted tweed skirt, red Louboutin pumps that scream queen even on a Sunday morning. I descend the steps into the brunch lounge like I own the place. Because right now? I kind of do.
Chuck is waiting, casually perched on a velvet booth with that same insufferably smug smile. I slide in beside him, ignoring the stares of Upper East Siders trying not to stare too hard.
“Didn’t expect you to actually show,” he says, sipping his mimosa.
“I never miss an opportunity to watch a scandal unfold over eggs Benedict.”
He chuckles, fingers lazily drumming the table. “And here I thought you came to see me.”
I arch a brow. “Don’t flatter yourself, Bass… but I won’t deny the view’s decent.”
Across the room, Serena arrives. She’s radiant, naturally. Golden hair, designer trench, and that air of effortless importance that makes heads swivel. Including Nate’s.
Of course, he’s seated right next to me with his parents, trying to act casual but failing miserably. His eyes are glued to her like they haven’t seen each other in years instead of just last night.
Old Blair would have burned with jealousy. But me? I sip my coffee and lean a little closer to Chuck. Just enough for Nate to notice.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” Chuck murmurs in my ear.
“I came to win.”
---
Serena and Dan
From my vantage point, I see Dan walk in—awkward, clearly out of place in his thrift store blazer and endearing sincerity. Serena spots him immediately. The way her face lights up, you'd think he hung the stars.
There’s something refreshing about Dan. He's not jaded, not fake. And honestly? I’m rooting for them.
Maybe if I rewrite my story, she gets a fresh one too.
---
The Confrontation
The brunch buzz dims when Eleanor Waldorf makes her grand entrance, eyes already scanning for her perfect daughter. I brace myself.
“Blair, darling, you look… polished,” she says, which in Eleanor-speak means “finally doing something right.”
I smile tightly. “Nice to see you, Mother.”
She air-kisses me then turns her scrutiny on Chuck, who smirks like he’s just been invited to dinner.
“I hope you’re behaving,” she tells him.
“I’m never not,” he replies, lifting his glass.
---
Nate’s Mistake
When Nate finally speaks to me, it’s clumsy, apologetic. “Blair, I wanted to talk about last night. About Serena—”
I hold up a hand. “Nate, you don’t owe me an explanation. We both know where your heart is.”
He looks stunned. “You’re not mad?”
“Disappointed maybe. But not mad. You can’t force a connection that’s already broken.”
His silence says it all. I stand, smoothing my skirt. “We’ll always have memories. But I’m not going to be your second choice.”
And with that, I leave him speechless and head back to Chuck.
---
A New Alliance
We leave brunch early, slipping into his sleek black limo like it's our own private sanctuary.
“Impressive performance,” Chuck says, studying me.
“That wasn’t a performance.”
He laughs softly. “You’ve changed, Waldorf.”
“Correction: I’ve evolved.”
Chuck raises a brow. “So, what now?”
I meet his gaze with a smirk. “Now? We shake things up.”
---
Spotted: Queen B no more? More like Queen Reborn. And this time, her crown’s made of fire. Will Manhattan burn? Only time will tell. Stay tuned. XOXO, Gossip Girl.
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Reborn as Blair Waldorf
RomanceAfter an unexpected accident, a modern-day college student wakes up to find herself reborn as Blair Waldorf, the Queen Bee of the Upper East Side. Armed with future knowledge of Gossip Girl, she must navigate Manhattan's elite while rewriting Blair'...
