𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝐸𝓁𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃

Talia shamefully walked up the stairs of Constance sporting yet another hangover.

"T, good morning" Audrey said giving her a hug as she sat down.

"Morning" Talia said planting her face into her arms. "Tell me I didn't embarrass myself last night" Talia asked as he picked her head up.

"No, why?" Julien asked trying to be the good friend she prided herself on being.

"Chuck and Blair reeled into me all night about excessive partying. Which I find ironic, considering the things they did at my age. Plus I may or may not have drunkenly called my mom who is now convinced I'm on a full bender of drugs and alcohol"

"Are you?" Obie asked getting looks from everyone.

"No, not currently" Talia revealed. "Guys really I'm fine. So Halloween costumes?"

"Shall I suggest an icon, a New York legend Lucille Ball?" Monet suggested for her. Talia clapped her hands together pleased with the selection.

"Great Luna you are in charge of making the costume!" Talia said. Luna and Monet smiled at each other, feeling for once accomplished and worthy.

———

The weekend came and Talia dressed as Lucille Ball walked up to the front to meet Julien and Zoya.

"You guys look amazing" Talia greeted cheerfully.

"You think? I hope we beat Pippa and Bianca once and for all" Julien said. Talia gave them a wave goodbye as she walked inside. She flashed a few photos for the event before making her way to the bar. She watched as people walked by, a man in a mask with no shirt bumping into her. She could only assume it was on purpose. She followed the man to see he was with Max which meant it was none other then Rafa. She scoffed at him before turning her attention back to her drink.

A good half hour passed and there she sat on a stool, still at the bar, playing with the olives in her empty glass. She knew she couldn't over do it. Not here and not now. Chuck and Blair would be more than pissed and their chances of gaining guardianship would be manipulated by Jack none the less.

"Another martini please" she asked, pushing her empty glass to the bartender. As he grabbed the glass agreeing Aki came over "No martini after all" he said gripping her hand and pulling her towards the dance floor.

"You two need to make up" Aki said to Talia and Max as the three awkwardly stood their.

"Instead of following my dick appointments around town why don't you get your own or is it against her rules" Max said looking to Audrey. Talia was confused as to where this anger was coming from.

"I'm not here to apologize because I'm not sorry" Talia said giving Max a mean look.

"Rafa isn't good for you. He threatened Talia"

"How did you know that?" Talia asked.

"Threatened? Are you sure you aren't confusing authority? He is a teacher Miss Bass" Max whispered trying to get her all mad.

"I was leaving Constance because of this. Thanks Ak, but I think I just made up my mind" Talia said. Max dropped his grin looking Akeno confused.

"Leaving?" He questioned reaching out to stop her. Before his hand could grab hers Talia's body fell to the floor, laying there unconscious.

She slowly awoken a few hours later in the hospital. Machines beeping a loud irritating noise. "Turn it off" Talia mumbled, stirring in the bed. It was then she felt the cord connected to her arm.

"What happened?"

"You were drugged" Jack said giving his daughter a small smile, his hand pushing the hair out of her face. She looked at him confused pulling her face away from him. "Don't be like that Talia. Dad is here"

"You're not my-" she began to mutter before her friends came into her room. She pushed herself up slowly in the bed as they filed in. Everyone but Max who was pacing in the waiting room.

"I'll leave you kids alone for a few minutes" Jack said giving them all a smile before exiting the room. She looked around confused, gripping her head as if she was in a dream.

"T, we've been so worried about you" Audrey said gripping her hand.

"Who did this?" Obie asked.

"I bet Pippa and Bianca" Luna commented.

"It was Mr. Capparos" Aki muttered.

"Ak, you can't blame a teacher when you don't have proof" Audrey said.

"I think Aki is right. He bumped into me at the bar. We haven't been friendly lately to say the least" Talia explained. "Where's Max?" Talia asked. Everyone looked around.

"He didn't think he was welcomed. He's pacing in the waiting room" Aki said. Talia motioned for someone to go get him. Akeno left the room bringing Max back with him.

"Hey" Max said awkwardly.

"Hi. Look here on out.  No secrets, no lies and no more partying" Talia swore. The group giving her a big hug, all crowding into the hospital bed.

They slowly began to leave, one by one heading home. Max was the last one left.

"I'm sorry" he blurted out. Talia smiled at him as he sat down on the edge of her bed. Her hand reaching out touching his cheek.

"Look, I'm sorry too. I should have called checked up on everyone. Instead I shut out the world" Talia said. Max leaned in giving Talia a kiss on the lips as a voice cleared their throat.

"Sorry" Max muttered to Chuck who was standing in the doorway. "Night"

"Good night" Talia whispered as he left the room. Chuck placed flowers down on the nightstand before sitting on the chair across from the bed. Before he could even mutter a word security was called in.

"He's unauthorized" Jack demanded to the security guards. Chuck not wanting issues stood up from the chair and followed them out. Talia was left stunned on what had happened.