A/N: Hi, this is my first fanfic, and so of course it's on Gossip Girl, my favourite show at the moment! This is based after episode 1x13, however there will be some differences to the UES in this story, due to the fact it's an UES that's never seen Blair Waldorf until this day!
I hope you enjoy, please read and review :)
Category: Gossip Girl
Couple: Chuck/Blair (mainly)
Rating: T (possible M-rated chapters later)
Summary: Blair returns to the UES after spending a semester in France, ready to face the rumours - but while on the plane, she wakes up to find herself in a new word where Blair Waldorf has never lived in the UES. She must work to get her old life back, winning back her old friends, loves and even enemies - because this time, Blair knows not to make the same mistakes, and who she really wants to be with.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the GG characters - but I wish Chuck Bass was all mine ;)
Blair leant back against the luxurious leather and sent a quick 'thank you' to God for allowing her to afford first class. Her apprehensions about flying meant that any chance to doze off and be subconscious for most of the journey was happily taken. Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, she attempted to relax and reach that state of peace. However, one face refused to keep out of her mind.
Chuck Bass.
He'd destroyed her immaculate reputation with one text, and yet he couldn't leave it at that, oh no. After his comparison of her to a horse of all creatures, Blair's blood had been boiling at the thought of that smug, smirking, scarf-wearing Basshole. A small voice was telling her that it wasn't just anger causing her heart rate to increase at the image of his face, which had been haunting her over the two months she'd spent in France. Unsurprisingly, that voice was ignored and banished to the furtherst corners of her mind. Trying again to become completely relaxed, Chuck returned, his eyes mocking her attempts to forget him.
"Argh!" Blair's moan of frustration caused her mother to look up at her, disapproval etched on her face.
"What, Blair? Shouldn't you be sleeping? You don't want to return to New York with bags under your eyes, especially after all the scandal that's sure to be there!" said Eleanor, her tone icy. She hadn't been pleased when Harold suggested she fly over and take Blair back herself, so that Blair wouldn't have to face the trip alone.
"Yes, mother."
Blair's thoughts were following a very different track. Oh I'm sorry mother, did my breakdown cause you any unnecessary stress? I promise I'll never let my complete social destruction cause you any scandal again. Heaven forbid things turn a little bit difficult for you when your daughter is contemplating a permanent move from the UES! Turning her face from the sight of Eleanor's dissatisfaction, she once again attempted to sleep. This time, she was successful.
"Blair, come on, get up! We're here! New York at last."
"Yes, mother."
Stretching, Blair slowly stood and bent to collect her belongings. She reached for her phone, quickly scrolling down her contact list to find Serena's number so that she could announce her arrival, hopefully before Gossip Girl did. Renee, Sandrine, Simone...Wait, where's Serena? Blair froze as she released she didn't know any Sandrines or Simones. Shaking her head quickly, she decided to just text Iz or Kati and ask for Serena's number - she must have just deleted it accidentally.
"Blair, hurry up!"
Picking her Marc Jacobs bag up and slinging it over her shoulder, she pushed her oversized, black sunglasses down over her eyes as she left the plane, following her mother into the airport, refusing to risk an unflattering picture on Gossip Girl. Once she was sure she couldn't be criticised for sending a text, she searched her contacts.
No Kati.
No Iz.
No Nate.
...No Chuck.
Blair felt panic rising up in her throat, threatening to burst out in a shrill scream. Trailing after Eleanor into the cab, she bit her lip, wondering what on earth had happened to her phone. Not only did she not have her friends' numbers, there were streams of names she couldn't recognise! She inhaled deeply, and for the first time that day, her mother looked at her with sympathy.
"Look Blair, I know it's difficult moving countries again, but you've always wanted to live in New York! That French school was good, but you'll love Constance, I went as a girl and it's just lovely."
Always wanted to...That suggested that she hadn't before...Blair's thoughts were a mess, and she could only nod blankly at her mother.
"You'll meet some new friends, and I've bought a beautiful penthouse for us. Did you know that the Van der Woodsens live on the UES as well? And the Archibalds! I've heard the Basses reside there too, but you won't want to mix with them. New money," Eleanor shot a significant look to her daughter at that, her disapproval clear.
"Don't worry mum, I'm sure I'll settle in quickly-"
"Mother, Blair. 'Mum' is so very sloppy."
That ended their mother-daughter moment. Blair's head was reeling, but she decided against causing a fuss. She would just go to sleep tonight, wake up tomorrow morning and everything would be back to normal...Her stress at returning to New York had clearly caused her to have this very real nightmare, one which would end soon enough. Smiling with the relief of having found a suitable explanation, Blair climbed out of the cab and looked up at her new home.
Well, old home. The penthouse was the exact same one she'd been living in since she was born, and knowing that enabled her to feel reassured. Maybe lasting the rest of the day wouldn't be too much of a strain after all.
That night, as she lay in bed after hours of unpacking and moving in furniture, Blair wondered whether this new life would have been better than returning to her old one. After all, she could start afresh, no mistaken night with Na- with Chuck, no Jenny over-throwing her... Oh well, thought Blair, nothing I can do. Tomorrow I'll be back to normal. Which is what I want. It is. No doubt.
Wrong Waldorf.
*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*
Crashing her hand down on her alarm clock, Blair opened her eyes to find herself in her bed. This surprised her, as she had assumed that after waking up from the dream, she'd have been back on the plane, but this meant less travel time so she simply shrugged and draped a silk, cream kimono over her black, lacy negligee. Instinctively, she picked up her phone, to find only one new message. Opening it caused her to scream loudly.
Morning Upper East Siders!
Quite a bit of gossip I have for you this morning.
Spotted: one gorgeous brunette alighting at JFK, with enough bags for us to assume she's staying for a while. Watch out S, looks like you have a new contender to the throne. Boys, don't all fight over this one - at least not until I've found out a little more. Wouldn't want to jump head-first into a scandal now, would you? Can't wait for her first day of school tomorrow!
You know you love me,
XOXO
Gossip Girl
Blair glanced at the picture, and had to admit she looked pretty damn awesome in her tailored Louis Vuitton summer dress. The brightly coloured floral print complimented her summer tan perfectly, and she was pleased that she'd made a good first impression.
First impression? What am I thinking? I LIVE here, I RULE the UES! But as adamant as the words sounded in her mind, she couldn't stop that small voice from bursting through and whispering softly in her ear. Not anymore B, not anymore.
Blair's eyes narrowed. Facing the mirror, she put on her best smirk and flicked a curl back into place. Remembering her thoughts late last night, Blair realised that maybe this was a good thing! She may not be Queen B at this very moment, but she would be. She'd get it all back. And this time, she wouldn't make the same mistakes as before. Hey brown eyes flashed as she set out the plans for her take over of Constance, writing them down in her private journal.
1) Get Back Serena, Chuck and Nate
2) Get Jenny on her good side
3) Bring the current queen's reign crashing down
4) Look fabulous while doing it
Satisfied with her list, Blair turned to her wardrobe, preparing to find the perfect outfit to start her new scheme, but her mind was distracted. In a split-second decision, she crossed the room, picked up the diary and added a quick 'number five' to her plan.
5) Win Chuck Bass back
Now I'm good to go, she thought, blushing slightly as she returned to her place in front of her racks of clothes. Let Operation Queen B begin.
TBC...
Hope you enjoyed!
Madeleine x