Chapter Seven: Twice Upon a Yesterday.

It was 8:15pm and Blair was making sure that everything was in order wishing to look perfectly plain and comfortable. Something had changed in her that she had not been expecting and much else from Daniel Humphrey of all people. She had dressed down into a pair of comfortable blue satin fitted pants, a black and white striped fitted jacket with a ruffled pink short sleeved shirt underneath matched with baby pink stilettos. As she admired her own reflection she had yet to think on the consequences f the day and just the fact that soon she would be whisked away to a fantasy dinner. She would do her best to pretend it was a casual dinner but her excitement would be killed by the sight of Serena lingering in the door frame of their adjoined bathroom.

"If you have something to say speak up or forever hold your peace."Blair would say in her annoyance before taking a couple steps back from the mirror to look over her shoulder toward Serena.

"I heard that you and Dan were very rude to Ben today. Funny he thinks that you two are planning against him. This isn't another of you and Dan's match up's to run out the competition out of town is it?" Serena would ask coldly as she'd cross her long thin arms in front of her chest for now trying to sort out Blair's intentions.

"Listen to reason Serena if you won't at least he will. You know as long as he is around you both are going to ignore any thoughts of truth just promise me you'll think about it. And no Dan and I aren't entertaining any ideas of world domination over someone like Ben…just we are considering your needs even if you won't see them for yourself."

"Dan and I? We? What's come over the both of you. Not that I'm unhappy to see you getting along its just weird to see you both doing it of your own volition."Serena would cross her arms over her chest gently.

"Only words Serena don't change the subject. I just want you to be happy and you to really need to consider if he's worth putting a strain on the relationships you already have. Just don't make it about your school girl fantasies with your boarding school professor, I want you to really be falling for him for something other than a crush-"

"Please B. You're my friend and my sister but you do not to be my protector. "a sigh presses against her lips as she takes a couple steps away Blair and makes her way for the door where Ben was outside waiting for Serena.

"I'm sorry S, its just in my nature to take care of those I care for." Blair would turn his eyes back over

Ben would be waiting patiently his bright blue eyes looking from Serena and then toward Blair for now. He considered lately that with everything going on he could use to give her some sort of advice and help her figure out what she's speaking about. For now he'd be pushing forward his eyes glancing between the two," Serena will you let me alone with Blair for a moment."

"Play nice please." Serena would give that cute smile between Blair and Ben in hopes that the two would at least speak kindly but it was more that she was worried about Blair.

Once Serena has gone there would be a resounding sigh catching across Blair's lips in the hopes that whatever Ben had to say that it wouldn't be too dull. Gently she'd stand on her tip toes waiting for the sound of Ben slowly making his way into the door frame of a one Blair Waldorf. Taking it as a great imposition on his part she'd make her way forward toward her vanity picking up her clutch and her phone.

"What do I owe the honor? I thought that with Serena gone we could speak frankly and after all I don't wish you have a bad impression of me "Ben would speak up with a smile trying his best to be kind to Blair even though she had given him every opportunity to be less then gentlemen like toward her.

"I thought after Dan and I had put you through the ringer that you would be off back to Connecticut or at least that you and Serena had spoken up. "a sigh parts through her ruby painted lips as she'd make her way for the door slowly.

"That's just it…Serena and I will have the time to speak on such things but in the meantime don't you think Dan and you should stop ignoring talking as well?" Ben would stand his ground in front of the door for now trying to consider her reaction.

Blair couldn't help but feel caught off guard but she purses her lips and waves off his words not wishing to speak on it any further. It also brought her great annoyance that she might be found out by a common criminal and it frustrated her so. Letting out a heavy sigh she'd bring about that perfect smile in the hopes he couldn't see through her.

"I don't know what you're talking about Dan and I are just friends. "said in the hopes that he wouldn't be able to consider the possibility that she would entertain such ideas in her head.

"Well for your sake and Serena's I hope that is true. I just wouldn't wish for anyone to be hurt. You are after all Serena's best friend and Dan…Well don't try and fool yourself for too long denial is a harsh poison." Ben would give her a nod before turning to hear the sound of Serena's voice calling him from down the corridor.

For now here she stands dumbfounded and frustrated at what might be the best words to say or think for that matter even feel. All she knows that if she is to be outed its by Ben Donovan of all people that brings a sickening feeling to her stomach and she wishes that she could say something else. For now what can she do but wish to call cry something else to come out. No she has to be brave and try to push any singular thoughts about Daniel aside from her mind. So slowly she takes her seat at the vanity table texting Dan in turn.

Text from Blair," Can't make it got rushed with a Column for don't fret I should really be spending my time working…that's what really matters. I'll speak with you later-W." It's a lie but she's a coward for even thinking that she wouldn't have to prove anything to him after all Dan wouldn't know she's in a lie…not for several hours maybe a day or two if she is lucky.

Reply from Dan,"What's changed?-H." The text would come straight like a knife into her heart and she can't even consider what to say in return.

Reply from Blair,"Just leave it better eat before your fries get cold. We're just two different people.-W." Promptly from her last text would be followed by shut off leaving Blair staring at her own reflection almost in frustration and tears.

Tears not at all for primarily for Daniel Humphrey but the fact that her own proper nature over took her need for happiness. It was Blair's own great pride that would take her over wishing her to do what is proper and good then really following her heart. She may spread the usual sonnets about love and the tasks required for one to be in love but really her proper breeding many times over took her. She always wished to do what everyone else thought right for her and she herself was still lost in what she wanted. It gave her the greatest dilemma because love itself was problematic and she had never promised Dan anything so there would be no hard feelings. She didn't know how wrong she was because Dan was unlike any other man she met he was a true gentlemen and he wouldn't let go without a fight.

One Kiss would be ignored but two? No it could never be changed for after all this simply wouldn't do. Poor B loneliness was the one thing that Humphrey wished to cure and he would be doing that with the small moments with Blair if only she would let him. Careful B even if Serena's kisses would send a man into a dream world yours are bitter and sweet leaving a man yearning for a second taste. Seems you roped yourself into a mess if only you would learn to fall off that high white horse of yours.~ xoxo

~Till Next Time Readers~

The End