𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝒩𝒾𝓃𝑒

An extremely hungover Talia walked up the steps of Constance for the first time in a full week. She clung tightly to the coffee she had in hand, her head hung low with her shades tightly against her face.

"Talia?" Julien called out from the table the group was seated at. It was a different table and Zoya seemed to be clicking well with the group. It was then she noticed Max talking to them. Talia not wanting to even look at him a second longer rushed into the school by herself.

She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her when a body collided with her. The precious coffee she had picked up was now all over Mr. Capparos.

"Mr. Capparos, I'm so sorry" she said unapologetic. Her tone was flat and fake sounding.

"Miss Bass, pleasure to have you back. Unfortunately I have so bad news to deliver. You missed two mandatory literature tests, resulting in an automatic failure" Rafa said with a smile handing her the empty pages, plastered with F's.

"Mr. Capparos, is there anyway to make these ups?" Talia asked all flabbergasted. A crooked, evil smile slowly appeared on his face.

"I need your father or mother's signature by tomorrow for a retake" he sinisterly said. He then leaned over whispering "Max told me everything" before pulling away. He walked towards the teacher lounge to clean himself up. Talia was fuming. She took the papers in hand and stormed out of the school, walking straight over to Max ignoring the others.

"Mark my words Max Wolfe. Your life is about to be a living hell, worse than you can imagine" Talia threatened before leaving the school yard. Her friends sat around the table stunned at what had taken place, questioning Max about the details. Not wanting to get into it, he too left to head into school.

Talia walked a few blocks and an ave over to her original dwelling.

"Welcome back Miss Bass" the doorman happily greeted. Talia still hungover and not in the mood to be nice weakly smiled, heading straight for the elevator.

As she rode the elevator a notification from gossip girl caught her attention. She opened the post to find a picture of her yelling at Max in the courtyard. She quickly closed out the phone and placed it in silent as the door opened.

She walked into the place she had called home since she was little only to now be horrified of it.

"Jack?" She called out. Her voice lured him out of his office, a woman wearing nothing but his button up excused herself to the kitchen.

"Uncle Jack to you" Jack corrected her. Talia fuming walked closer to him.

"I want to be switched out of Constance. I want a fresh start. I want to go live with mom" Talia demanded. Jack smiled, "No can do" he responded.

"What? You're the only person who can sign off on this. Please, I don't want to be here anymore" Talia cried.

"Not my wishes. Your mother's" Jack said before turning back around towards the kitchen to occupy his guest. The elevator rung open and Talia turned around to find Chuck and his lawyer walking in.

"Talia? Why aren't you at school?" Chuck asked looking at the young girl concerned. It was evident she was upset.

"She's come for a wish, to move to live with her mother. I said no" Jack explained. "What is my nephew and his lawyer doing here? It's nice seeing brother and sister united by the way" Jack cunningly commented.

"Talia, why don't you go pack some of your things and we can head back to the apartment" Chuck kindly suggested. Talia sniffling, walked up the stairs to her room where she was to pack some of her belongings. "I'm here for a paternity test"

"Don't even need that. I have her real birth certificate right here. Bart's name and signature" Jack said handing him the paper out of an envelope in a safe. Chuck looked at the piece of paper before handing it to his lawyer.

"I'm serving guardianship papers then" Chuck said handing him a manila envelope. Jack laughed as he took it.

"I'd sign this in a heartbeat. Good luck with her mother. Why do you want that kid so bad?" Jack asked pulling the papers out and signing it. It broke Chuck's heart to see his uncle was just as heartless as his own father.

"Cause I know what it's like to be used and not loved" Chuck coldly commented. He took the envelope with the signed papers back just as Talia came down with a suitcase in hand. Chuck took the suitcase and ushered her to the elevator. Inside Chuck and his lawyer remained quiet.

They walked out of the building and headed to his town car while the lawyer headed the other way.

"I heard what he said" Talia revealed to Chuck.

"He's heartless. Always has been always will be. Blair and I were going to talk to you at dinner but seeing as we ran into each other it's best if we talk about it now. Blair and I would love for you to live with us. If you, however, want to live with her mother we complete understand" Chuck began. Talia reached over grabbing him in a hug. It was nice being wanted for once.

"I'd love to stay in New York. Is it possible, to um go look at other schools. I'm not really enjoying myself at Constance anymore" Talia asked. Chuck looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"I'll make some calls for a couple of tours. No promises" Chuck said. Talia sat back in the car, for once she felt relieved, like her old self.