The Storyteller

[gigi-sparks]

Georgina huffed a laugh at his answer. Classic Humphrey. She rolled her eyes at his question, taking another long drag of her stupid cigarette instead of answering. She hated everything right now and it was taking every last scrap of her newfound self-control to not completely implode or worse, explode. That was how other people got hurt. How enlightened was she, right? She needed a healthy unhealthy vice... "This party fucking sucks, Humphrey."

With that, she stamped out the last of her cigarette and turned her attention to him instead. The look she gave him spelled trouble with a capital 'T'. "Is that your only bad habit?"

[novelist-dan]

Dan wasn't sure who had actually enjoyed this party, whatever the idea behind it was had been lost by now. Something was off with Georgina, he knew that, but he honestly didn't have it in him to try to figure it out. Maybe if he was a little more sober, he would be a better friend to her. "I picked that up. I hoped it was better for you than me."

He looked at her, narrowing his eyes at the question. "I have plenty, why are you looking to misbehave?" He hadn't meant it to come out that way. But there was definitely a flirty edge to it.

[gigi-sparks]

Georgina was not coping very well with the fallout from Gossip Girl's blasts. This whole party had been one big fucking mistake, right? She shouldn't even be here. She was supposed to be being good, or whatever. Avoiding temptation. All this time and effort rebuilding her reputation and she was knocked down by one beautiful, sad, boy... She was catastrophising, of course. This shit would blow over tomorrow and she would be fine.

But it wasn't tomorrow yet and she could hardly wait to get the hell out of the Hamptons. She was outside now, indulging in yet another vice she had long since given up. It didn't count, she told herself. Everything is fine. She jumped a little when she heard someone else, letting out a little laugh when she saw him. Fucking hell. "You should wear a bell, Humphrey." @novelist-dan

[novelist-dan]

Dan had found his way outside after partying for a while. He had wanted to forget about whatever was happening with Vanessa. That conversation just kept playing over and over again, he wished he had said something else. But it was too late now, he had done something wrong. Something he still couldn't figure out.

He had gone outside to smoke. He could see the party dying more and more, no one seemed to be in the mood to keep this going. He huffed out a laugh at Georgina. "I don't know if a bell goes with too many of my outfits. Having a good time?"

[vanessa-films]

'This or me?'. Vanessa's stomach flipped at the question and her heart was squeezing in her chest. She knew she wasn't being fair but she couldn't help it. Maybe if she could think clearer, she would be able to laugh this off. If she wasn't so upset about her secrets being spilled... If she wasn't so disappointed now that it had been Chuck, when she wanted it to be Dan. Vanessa couldn't explain herself and god, she didn't want to. As soon as she could get out of here, she was planning on falling deeply back into denial. Dan was her best friend, and she couldn't stand the thought of losing him. She just needed to get away from tonight, right? Everything would be fine tomorrow. She was planning on telling him that. She would say 'this', and promise to call him tomorrow. She would say sorry for being so weird and they'd move past it. They'd move on.

Instead, when she opened her mouth, she whispered, "I don't know." @bethlevesque

[bethlevesque]

She had never believed Mercury's retrograde or anything of that sort but there had to be something in the air to explain what the- excuse her French, fuck, was going on at the moment. Between everything already going on and now Gossip Girl dropping even more news, she wasn't sure what was going on or where to go first. Feet came slowly to a stop as she heard voice's. Her attention stopped but even from a distance she could feel the awkward tension. Her eyes narrowed trying to pick out if it was people she knew well or just another blow up she should awkwardly avoid. "Vanessa," she called, her face full of worry. "I've been looking all over for you," A lie but clearly someone needed to interrupt and she liked Vanessa, similar interests and similar dislikes. She had skimmed over her friends name in GG's blast, and could only assume her awkward conversation has something to do. "Sorry to interrupt you guys," She approached, linking her arm with Vanessa. "We should go though. Now."

[novelist-dan]

Dan's stomach dropped when Vanessa couldn't give him a clear answer, many things had changed since he had become close to this group of people. It's not like most of them were his friends, he was friendly with a few, but most of his friends were not actually in this group. He didn't want this to cost him his friendship with Vanessa, she had been his best friend for almost their entire lives. He was going to say something to Vanessa. He just needed to think of what he could say. Suddenly Beth appeared, and she wanted Vanessa to leave. He wasn't going to stop them, he needed something to distract him from all of this. "Yeah, you guys should get home safe." He glanced at Vanessa, feeling his heart squeeze. Taking off in the opposite direction.

@vanessa-films

[novelist-dan]

6. What’s their style like?

[ottawacentaurshq]

heated rivalry gif meme

↳  [5/6] outfits

[vanessa-films]

This wasn't how Vanessa had wanted this party (this ridiculous party) to go tonight. She hated feeling like her hand was being forced. And as Dan looked back at her, perfectly oblivious, she realised that she wasn't quite as fine as she'd pretended to be. She might have wanted Dan to see her - some day, right? like down the line, in some perfect movie moment - but she couldn't ask for it. Couldn't admit to it. Couldn't explain herself now as he helplessly tried to make it better without knowing what 'it' was. "Don't," she whispered.

"I know you are," she said, looking up at him with regret. Vanessa didn't want to hurt him, she'd only ever wanted him to be happy. It just felt like she'd reached a tipping without meaning to, the Gossip Girl blast that last unwanted push. "I just... I have tried, Dan. I've really tried. You fell in love with Serena, I got that. And you took Nate in when he didn't have anyone else, I know. But I can't- I can't do this anymore. I need a break from this."

[novelist-dan]

Dan was a little confused, he understood getting rattled by one of Gossip Girl's blasts. He had been subject to his fair share of blasts back in the day. Until tonight, it had been a while since he was at the center of one. He didn't understand why he had even been brought up in the post tonight. He cared that she hooked up with Chuck, but he didn't care enough to give her shit about it. He felt like he didn't have the right to say it. She could do anything she wanted.

Dan looked down at her, he was too drunk right now. Usually he was better at reading Vanessa, at least he hoped that he was. He felt himself getting more and more disappointed. Vanessa needed to get away from him? He didn't understand what he had done wrong exactly. But he wouldn't push her if that was what she wanted. "This or me?"

[sophsun1]

#me and my anxiety

The Office – 4.05: Launch Party

[novelist-dan]

@archibaldgoldenboy

[vanessa-films]

Vanessa wanted to laugh as he flashed her that ridiculous grin but she just couldn't. She was happy living in denial. Hadn't she done a great job of it? Hadn't she done everything she could to support and embrace Dan's then-new life? Serena, Nate. All of it.

"It's not about that," she said without meaning to. "I- I am judging me. I shouldn't even be here, Dan. I mean, seriously. Look around... I don't belong here." 'And neither do you' sat on the tip of her tongue but she wasn't sure if she believed that. Vanessa looked anywhere but at him, crossing her arms. If the ground could open up and swallow her, she'd more than appreciate it.

[novelist-dan]

Dan wanted to make it better. She knew that Gossip Girl didn't pull any punches. And she had thrown a pretty heavy one at Vanessa tonight. "Okay?" He stared at her as she talked.

"Hey, hey." He reached out to touch her, but stopped because she felt uncomfortable. He didn't want to make her feel any worse. "You don't need to feel like that, you belong anywhere you want to be, Vanessa. People here are your friends, too. I am your friend. Best friend." He understood what she meant. Everything with this group was so different from their actual lives.

[itssvdw]

"it doesn't help that he can be stubborn when he wants to be." she wouldn't blame him for being stubborn. given everything going on she knew his stress levels would be through the roof. "ouch. way to cut a girl" she joked. serena could understand his feelings about it, they were intense as a group. rich kids with high standards and constant demands, what could go wrong? "i'm sure there's people who do. i was no angel before getting my life together" getting herself together was the best thing she had ever done. it was a revelation. thinking back on it now she couldn't believe how she used to spiral. "never poor" she smiled, shaking her head "you've always been rich in everything you've been kind enough to offer. i think that makes you the richest of us all"

[novelist-dan]

"Who can't be?" Dan knew he could be more than stubborn when it came down to it. He didn't blame Nate for being a little difficult at times. He had been through so much over the last few years. He had never fit in with most of Serena's friends or the people he had gone to high school with. He had made peace with that a long time ago. "No, but you have always been a good person. Everyone makes mistakes." He knew Serena had changed, but he had never judged her for her past. No one was perfect. "You are always too nice to me, thank you."

[walker-on-sunshine]

"Oh, c'mon... That's not true. I mean, I know Blair's never been your biggest fan but that doesn't mean you have a bad reputation. I, for one, think you're cool," Jesse grinned, giving him a playful nudge. He let out a laugh at Dan's logic, nodding along as they landed at the bar. "Well, I don't know if I can argue with that. Drinking to Juliette's credit card it is."

[novelist-dan]

"Blair is not the only one who feels that way, just the only one who can say it. A little more respectable than some of the looks I get. Thank you, it might be the only time someone has actually called me cool non-sarcastically." Dan nudged Jesse back as they walked over to the bar. He sat next to Jesse. "To Juliette's endless credit." He grabbed a bottle from behind the bar along with two glasses.

[novelist-dan]

Fuck Nate

[vanessa-films]

Could this night get any worse? Vanessa would have kept going if she could but there was Dan. Solid, sarcastic and standing by to... to... Okay, no. Gossip Girl wasn't right. Vanessa didn't want anyone to know what had happened with Chuck, it was a major lapse in judgement and it would never happen again. She didn't want anyone to know, that just so happened to include Dan. But as she looked up at him, she realised her heart had dropped into her shoes. She didn't want to know if he cared because Gossip Girl was right - it would be worse if he didn't. Vanessa didn't want to think about what that meant. She wanted to run.

"Yeah, one more casualty. Why not?" she was looking anywhere but at him now. "I'm sure someone here would just pay to cover up the evidence anyway."

[novelist-dan]

Dan wasn't angry with Vanessa. He felt weird that he had to find out about her life on Gossip Girl. He got why she might not want to tell him, he wasn't exactly Chuck's biggest fan, and he was judgmental. They both knew it, but he wouldn't judge her. At least not too harshly.

"Wow, just a body. Harsh." Dan joked, he grinned at her. "You don't have to run. No one here can judge you."

[gigi-sparks]

"Aw, thanks, Humphrey. You should write that down as a possible dedication, I totally approve. Oh, sure. Gossip Girl has stirred up some pretty wild rumours in her time... TBH, I was lowkey rooting for you and Nate to hook up. I mean, the whole 'prince and the pauper' angle and you were roommates? Classic. You couldn't write it! I mean, you could, but you know what I mean." Georgina rolled her eyes at him but it really was sweet to hear. It hadn't exactly been easy trying to change and her reputation still proceeded her. A little belief went a long way. She let out a loud laugh at his sarcasm, shaking her head. "Okay, maybe you wouldn't exactly make headlines."

[novelist-dan]

"It will go right in my journal. I have a few ideas for a dedication to you. Most are positive now. Nate and I? I mean, it's not like I am opposed to some guy-on-guy stuff. But among his friends, I'm behind Chuck and Zeke in terms of potential. I mean, I have seen Zeke drool over him. Add it to my next batch of fanfiction." Dan had seen Georgina before, the person he was with now was like night and day. He nodded his head. "I am so good with that. I have had my fill of Gossip Girl. I have a feeling she isn't done with me because of the birthday stuff. I was a very willing participant."

[itssvdw]

"if nate wants to disappear, he will. he's done it before." serena thought over the question, not sure about the answer "i really don't know. i'd like to think he would tell me if there was something bothering him but he has to do that when he's ready." trying to force a reason out of him might only make him shut down further "is it the upper east side if your social calendar isn't full. some people around here would attend the opening of an envelope if it got them some pr" some people were desperate for visibility. serena smiled back at him, knowing him well enough that he did strive to try and make everything perfect. "i could never hate you, you know that. i could say it's a miracle you don't hate me" wild serena had certainly had her moments over the years, but she was consistently met with a grace from dan that she never deserved. "for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health..."

[novelist-dan]

Dan nodded his head. He hoped Nate wouldn't do that again, but she was right. "Yeah, can't make him talk about it. It's hard to open up when you aren't sure how you feel." He got it, sometimes your head was your worst enemy. "I guess not, I can't say I miss that part of hanging out with that group." He laughed at her, he knew a couple of people like that. He didn't understand that, he barely liked the fun parties. "And neither could I. I mean, who could hate you?" There had been times he had been frustrated by Serena, but nothing she had ever done would make him hate her. "I'm the poorer in this deal, right?" He teased with a smile.

[b-laircwaldorf]

"Vanessa is certainly a choice..." Blair muttered the words to herself as she read the blast about Chuck and Vanessa for the fourth time. His actions had no affect on her; absolutely none. Chuck could do whatever and whoever he liked, but why did her friends keep insisting on slumming it with the Brooklynites?

@tfrstarters

[novelist-dan]

Dan had been looking for anyone he actually enjoyed hanging out with, he had seen the blast. It was weird that Vanessa hadn't told him, but he wasn't sure how to feel. "Weird, I was thinking the same thing about Chuck." He didn't like the way she had said Vanessa's name. So a dig back was needed.

[vanessa-films]

Vanessa couldn't believe this was happening. She had been so careful to never divulge her entirely misguided mistake with Chuck Bass, no one knew. She thought no one knew. How the hell did 'Gossip Girl' know? Whatever, that wasn't the point. She didn't want to be stuck at this party but she definitely didn't want to face Dan, not now. Not that it mattered! So, she'd done the next best thing and pushed her way through a sudden crowd of whispers and into Juliette Vanderbilt's nth house. After the third turn trying to find the bathroom or a coat closet, or anywhere that wasn't occupied, she could have screamed. Rich people and their endless number of fucking rooms.

Turning the next corner, she almost bumped right into them. "Shit- Sorry, I didn't... I'm just trying to get out of here." @tfrstarters

[novelist-dan]

Dan didn't often read Gossip Girl, but when his name got mentioned, he found out. He had gotten a couple of messages from people about it. He wanted to find Vanessa, just to talk to her. He was lost in this house, he had managed to find his way to a library and a room full of paintings. Rich people.

He was walking towards the hot tub, hoping to find her, when Vanessa collided with him. "Hey, hey. Slow down." He looked down at her. "Trying to take me out on your way out?"

[novelist-dan]

Is this a joke?