elena archibald

[archibaldgoldenboy]

this was awkward. where were the shitty when you needed them, right? nate could get them past this, though. it's not like they had to dissect their entire fucked up archibald family tree at this party.

"i'm pretty good, thanks. just pretending this is my birthday party, you know how much i love inflatable flamingos and fistfights," he joked. "that was a joke. juliette invited me so... me and serena are here for a little while. how have you been? back from shooting on location?"

[itselenaarchibald]

if the ground could open up and swallow her whole right now, that would be great thanks. she remembered it was his birthday and he had to deal with all of this.

"happy birthday by the way..." she said awkwardly. "oh yeah, can't forget the inflatable flamingos and fistfights theme you went for every birthday party" she added, joking along with him. their reunion wasn't perfect but it was going better than she expected. "how is serena? i've not seen her since budapest" she asked "i've been okay. yeah, some campaigns have relocated to new york so i'm back for the foreseeable"

[agnesandrews]

"he's running away with it, there's really no competition" it was none of her business but damn was howard archibald trying to make it everyones business. "ugh, that's so good. i'm going to use that the night time i get a lecture from them"

[itselenaarchibald]

"really steamrolling his way into the asshole hall of frame" it was all she heard about since she landed back in new york. as soon as the name archibald was clocked she was going to hear about people's thoughts and prayers on the subject "you'll be talking your way out of all sorts of trouble in no time"

[gigi-sparks]

"no less than you deserve, babe. did you see the birthday boy yet?"

[itselenaarchibald]

"i haven't...maybe that's a good thing. i don't know if i'm one of the people he'll want to see"

[thezekelopez]

"Well, if you want to get used to partying again, then you are in the right place and with the right people." Zeke smiled as he looked around. "You know I always have fun. I am drinking, and all my favorite people are around."

[itselenaarchibald]

"i'm used to partying, just the more european ways these days. i'll need to settle back into the american party vibe" she smiled, taking a sip of her drink "how much fun? have we been dramatic?"

[bethlevesque]

beth gave her a smile right back. "i'm sure someone will update you regardless." huh, she had a point there. "that's... true. i never thought about it like that. she's filling a need, i guess."

[itselenaarchibald]

"if someone doesn't i'm sure gossip girl will" she shrugged, word spread around here life wildfire. if people put the energy they put into gossiping towards something good then they could change organisations and causes overnight. "it's a classic demand and supply scenario"

[originalcuddlyporcupine]

"i can't, you're too beautiful! i'll have to talk about it forever," she giggled. "oh, psh. fine, fine... we can be hotties together. pre-med and super model, they should make a tv show about us."

[itselenaarchibald]

"only if i can talk about how beautiful you all forever" she grinned "i'd watch that. we'd be a great tv show. we've got enough drama going on in our lives for at least six seasons and a movie, right?"

[vanessa-films]

"hi," she laughed as elena pulled her into a hug. "well, it's a welcome surprise then. does that mean you'll be sticking around for a while? i've been great, thank you. i- yeah, you remember that? i am still doing my photography wherever and whenever i can between work and classes. how have you been? i saw your last instagram posts, you looked stunning."

[itselenaarchibald]

she smiled in their hug, giving her an extra squeeze. "you're right, i'll be sticking around for a while at least. i'll try to catch up with family, i've got some bridges to rebuild" she admitted "course i remember that, you were so talented back then. i assume you've only gotten better since the last time i saw your work. i've been good, out living life and working. if i'm being honest, new york wasn't on the cards for me to return home but the job opportunities were great and i get a chance to see you and the others again"

[thezekelopez]

Zeke grinned, holding up the shot. He swallowed it with ease, he had already had enough shots at this point, the burn was gone. "Cheers to you being back. How are you enjoying the party so far?"

[itselenaarchibald]

"it's been fun. nice to catch up with friends and to get here in time for the party. it'll take some getting used to since i've been away but if i'm going to dive fully back in to the upper east side then i'm glad it was juliette's party. how's your experience been?"

[walker-on-sunshine]

"i, uh, wouldn't count that out just yet-," jesse coughed, waiting for the seismic burn in his throat to pass. "hey, it's great to see you though, lena! when did you get back to the city?"

[itselenaarchibald]

she laughed and went to the fridge to grab him a bottle of water and held it out for him in case he needed it "it's good to see you too. i got back last week. i've been unpacking and then juliette gave me the heads up about tonight. how've you been?"

[juliettevanderbilt]

"You know the Upper East Side, things are always shifting. New friends, hookups, enemies." Juliette shrugged. "Oh, like who?"

[itselenaarchibald]

"always something shiny and new going on around here. i've yet to decide if i've missed that or not yet." elena shrugged her shoulders "just in general. there's a lot of mixing that i wasn't sure would happen. but then again, i've been away for a while. everything changes over night these days. i will say i was shocked to see roni ravenwood around given the history of you two."

[archibaldgoldenboy]

Nate had heard through the party grapevine that Elena was here, back from her latest campaign. They hadn't spoken properly in a long time. Definitely not since his dad's fucked up performance at the Winter Ball. Even without seeing Howard Archibald in the flesh, he was still ruining his life so perfectly. He didn't want to bother Elena, but they'd accidentally locked eyes now. Nate held his hand up, waving awkwardly.

"Hey, Lena." @itselenaarchibald

[itselenaarchibald]

she had been dreading seeing him again. she knew she should have reached out, kept in touch, done something. but the archibald name was radioactive and if she wanted to save any career she had, elena had to distance herself. this wasn't about turning her back on family, this was self preservation.

don't look. don't look. don't look...shit.

elena waved awkwardly back, not sure what else to do "hey nate...how are you?"

[agnesandrews]

"oh yeah, your uncle has been a whale of a time recently. i almost feel sorry for nate" she was still highly suspicious of nate. something about him was off. not sure what but she didn't like it "i must cause amber, lili and her team several panic attacks, but i'm having a good time so... life would be boring if i behaved."

[itselenaarchibald]

"i've heard, he's really going hard for asshole of the year award" her poor cousin. nate and anne must be going through it right now. "you're keeping them on their toes, you're testing their reaction times...oh agnes, never change"

[originalcuddlyporcupine]

"easiest job ever, elena. i mean... seriously. no wonder you get paid for-," she waved a hand at her so beautiful face- "all of this."

[itselenaarchibald]

"shut up, you could get paid for all of you. you'd have me out of a job in no time"

[bethlevesque]

"Uhm, if it makes you feel better, even when I'm here I feel like I miss everything." Beth shrugged easily. "A lot does happen all the time." Maybe too much.

[itselenaarchibald]

"that is oddly comforting, thanks beth" she smiled "too much happens around here to keep up with, why do you think gossip girl's business is booming"

[thezekelopez]

"This is why you can't disappear for too long." Zeke held up two shots, offering one to Elene. "Welcome back, shots?"

[itselenaarchibald]

"i'm starting to think you might be right" she smiled and nodded, taking the shot "what a welcome home to receive. cheers" she said holding the little shot glass up before throwing the drink back and shaking her head when she swallowed the alcohol.

[juliettevanderbilt]

"You did miss a lot. But don't worry, one thing that will never change is my kick-ass parties.

[itselenaarchibald]

"some things never change then. what's been going on around here because i'm seeing some duos i would not have placed as friends or whatever they are"

[vanessa-films]

vanessa had been perfectly content to watch a movie tonight with criminally greasy pizza but... here she was. dan could hardly be left to fend for himself, right? and she figured it could be fun. maybe. probably not with every passing minute but then she saw--- "elena? i- hey. hi. i didn't know you were going to be here."

[itselenaarchibald]

"vanessa, hi!" she beamed, giving her a hug "in all honesty, i didn't either. i have jobs lined up back in the city and juliette let me know about the party. how have you been? are you still doing your photography?"