𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝐸𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉

Days had passed and Talia was still coup'd up in the guest bedroom of Chuck and Blair's far from small apartment. She had been out of school the whole week and hadn't seen any of her friends since before the whole club scene with her father.

A knock came from the guest bedroom door. Talia got off the bed to open it. "Hey, it's just me. I came to talk" Blair softly greeted walking in with two cups of tea on a small serving tray. Talia walked back to the bed, sitting on it. Blair sat down next to her, handing a cup to her.

"Look, I get it. This has been a lot. Chuck and I are both understanding of you not wanting to go to school and needing time but I think it would be good for you to leave the apartment. Even if it's just for fresh air and for a few hours" Blair suggested.

"I do have plans for tonight. Julien was hosting a dead mom party, don't ask..." Talia began to explain looking at Blair who was about to ask a question. "-but it turned into a birthday party for her half sister. Princess Nokia will be there" Talia continued to explained. She got off the bed and headed to the closet which wasn't filled with many clothes, the few things she had left during the early days of quarantine.

"You know, Waldorf designs might just be able to help you. Come with me" Blair exclaimed all happy, acting as the teenager she once was. It reminded her of her days with Serena by her side. The two walked down the hall to the master bedroom, turning to the left was a massive walk in closet just for Blair. She scurried into the closet shuffling around some clothes on the hangers, looking for something specific.

"Ah, this is perfect for tonight" Blair muttered pulling it out of the closet.

"Blair it's beautiful, I can't wear this. It hasn't even dropped yet"

"That's what makes it special. I have a new line coming in a few months. I'm looking to create a more youthful and fun line. Just looking for a fitness designer to complete it" Blair explained.

"Thank you" Talia said grabbing Blair in a hug. Blair wasn't expecting it, however, hugged her back, enjoying seeing her happy.

"Go, get ready" Blair sweetly ushered out of the bedroom and to the one she was staying in.

A few hours later Chuck's driver dropped her off in front of Webster Hall. She closed the door as the car peeled away and looked at the sign, Happy Birthday Zoya it read.

Talia slightly confused as to why Julien was once again best friends with her sister walked up to the bouncer.

"Talia Bass" she said. The woman looked at the sheet. "Max Wolfe" a voice said behind her, slurring his words.

"I'm sorry Mr. Wolfe you aren't on the list. Miss Bass" the woman said with her hand out and the bouncer undoing the rope.

"One moment please" Talia said pushing Max away from the entrance. "Are you drunk? Or high?" Talia asked. Max grabbed a tin mint can out of his pocket, opening the lid.

"You want? Zany? Molly? I think have a pill form of space coke" Max offered shuffling his finger around the pill container.

"Max, put that away. What happened to you?" Talia asked all concerned.

"Don't play dumb Talia. Aki, Audrey, maybe Obie or Julien must have told you" Max slurred.

"Max, I haven't been in school this whole week, which it seems like you haven't either"

Suddenly Mr. Capparos came out of nowhere, gripping Max on the shoulder, "let's go" he quietly muttered. Talia looked at him confused.

"Max are you-?" Talia began to ask but was cut off by Rafa.

"We are leaving. Let's go Max" he sternly commanded, knocking the pills all over the sidewalk.

"That's like triple your salary scattered on the ground. Two second rule?" Max asked about to pick them back up but Rafa roughly pulled on his collar, dragging him away.

"Max, what happened?" Talia asked, sprinting towards the two, grabbing his shirt when she was in reach.

"You aren't the only one with daddy issues" Max muttered.

"I'll take you home" Talia offered. She began to pull a drunk Max towards a taxi.

"Please Miss Bass" Rafa began but Talia ignored him, pushing Max into the cab first before giving him one last look and getting in herself.

"Max, please. Tell me what happened?" Talia begged after giving the driver the address.

"My father, Roy, was on scruff. I had ak set up a fake account of Rafa and confronted my father about it. My dad and father aren't talking now" Max explained, the tears beginning to pool in his eyes.

"Max, I'm so sorry" Talia genuinely expressed.

"You should have been here" Max quietly muttered trying to wipe his tears.

"What?" Talia asked unsure if she had heard him correctly.

"You should have been here for me. Like a true friend. Instead you ran off" Max continued he was becoming angry.

"Here" the driver said, his hand reaching out for money. Talia only having hundreds handed him one and exited following after Max.

"Max, wait. You're not the only one with dad issues. My dad isn't really my dad. My real dad apparently is dead" Talia shouted at Max who was still walking away. "Damn it Max! I have a brother! I have a fucking brother who's been my supposed cousin. My dad supposed dad is my uncle. Do you understand how fucked up my life is right now"

"Who cares" Max shouted back. The two were having a full blown fight in front of his apartment.

"Who cares? Fuck you Max Wolfe. It's always pity me. What about my feelings Max, what about me?" Talia asked all mad, hot tears steaming down her face. She reached her hand out for a cab.

As it pulled up she opened the door, stopping before getting in. "At least you have two loving dads. The one I loved just abandoned me and the other is dad. Consider yourself lucky" Talia calmly said before getting inside. She headed back to Chuck and Blair's not really in the partying mode anymore.