𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝒯𝑒𝓃

Spotted: Talia Bass breaking Constance tradition, touring Spence this morning with the one and only Chuck Bass. Sources tell me Talia Bass has been "living" at the Waldorf/Bass residence for over a week now. Is Talia Bass finding secrets?

Talia rolled her eyes at the post and placed her phone in silent mode as she walked around the main floor, looking around.

"Talia Bass?" Two voices said in unison. Talia turned around to find Bianca and Pippa, two of Julien's enemies. They would be her own enemies but Talia was never a contender for the posh spotlight. Her family name was soiled with drugs, booze and horrible secrets. So Julien has taken that role.

"Ladies" Talia meanly greeted as she was about to walk away, her back faced to them as a gun slide on the floor, stopping a few inches next to her feet. People screamed in horror while Talia just stood frozen in fear.

A teacher rushed to Talia's aid, bringing her to the opposite of the building where she had met Chuck and the President of Spence where they had been talking.

"Talia?" Chuck questioned not aware of what had just taken place.

"Sir, a gun was brought to school" the teacher whispered. Chuck wide eyed, takes Talia out of the school and into his private car.

"Are you okay?" Chuck asked. In that moment Talia realized she was worrying about her friends, not being able to say goodbye to them. It meant she needed to not push the rest of them away, even if she was still mad at Max.

———

Later that night Talia dressed for a night at Dumbo Hall stepped into the elevator. She knew her friends would be there and she knew she needed to make up with them. She anxiously stepped out of the elevator to see them in their typical spot. She had taken some liquid courage a few minutes before arriving here and it was finally beginning to settle in. Her nerves being replaced with a drunken state.

"Things are finally getting back to normal around here" Audrey expressed at Talia walked up behind her. Julien sipping on her martini looked at her.

"Talia, are you okay?" Julien asked all concerned. Talia stepped a few feet to the side, to look at everyone.

"I'm fine" Talia muttered.

"What were you doing at Spence? You know Julien's enemies go there" Monet asked quite harshly, everyone looked at her curiously for the answer.

"It's a long story"

"A long story we have time for. What was the blowup with Max too?" Audrey asked.

Talia took a seat next to Audrey as Julien passed her a martini. One gulp Talia downed it and everyone looked around concerned.

"I can't talk about it here. If gossip girl gets a hold of this Tabloids all around the country will be plastering this front page. Besides I'm here to make up and get drunk not be sad" Talia explained grabbing another martini off the table and slipping the whole contents down her throat.

"T maybe you should-" Audrey began but Talia cut her off.

"Should what?" Talia asked sounding irritated.

"Just slow down. The alcohol isn't going anywhere" Aki said coming to Audrey's rescue. She smiled at him and placed a gentle hand on his leg thanking him.

"I just had the roughest week of my life. Alcohol is the only thing getting me through it"

"T just tell us what happened. We can leave here if you want" Julien suggested. "Maybe head to my place to talk?"

Monet and Luna scoffed at the idea, any minute not in public was a wasted minute.

"Seriously, I'm fine. I'd rather not talk about my fucked up life. I was standing there in Spence this morning with a gun literally inches from my shoes and all I could think of was you guys" Talia slurred grabbing them in a fake group hug. They all awkwardly looked at each other.

"So why were you at Spence?" Obie asked.

"I thought I needed to get away, so the suffering would stop"

"Talia, is this about?"

"Don't bring him up" Talia mouthed as she sipped her fourth martini.

"Him?" Audrey asked all excited and confused. She looked at Julien with a raised eyebrow. "Who's him?"

"Look I love you guys but I'm heading home now. I just wanted to give you guys a hug" Talia whispered stumbling over to each one of them and giving them a messy hug. She stumbled away, grabbing the half full martini glass on her trek to the elevator.

"I'll go make sure she's okay" Aki offered rushing after her into the elevator.

"Aki, you're leaving too?" Talia asked. Aki smiled at her.

"I know about why you are feeling this way. Max told me" Aki whispered. Talia's smile dropped to a frown.

"Great. He's just telling the whole world my secret as this point. Even told Rafa who was threatening me for knowing about their little secret relationship"

"Rafa and Max?" Aki questioned. He had his suspicions but couldn't confirm it until now.

"Max blamed me for his dad issues. Called me a horrible friend for dealing with mine" Talia revealed. "I didn't ask for my dad to really be my uncle"

The elevator opened and Talia stepped out, stumbling towards the door. Chuck and Blair looking concerned noticed Talia. Aki helped her over to the two.

"Talia, let's go" Blair whispered, clutching her arm towards the town car waiting for them.

"Thank you-"

"Akeno"

"Thank you Akeno" Chuck said before following Blair and Talia to the car. Aki stood outside on the sidewalk confused as to the conversation she had just had with him. He was talking about Max and her hooking up during quarantine.