𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 // 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵

𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎

"I told Max to meet us here at noon" Talia said pacing around in her floor length gala dress. Every few steps she looked back up at the clock and then to the front door.

"We are going to be late if we don't leave in a few minutes" Blair called out, hinting for Chuck to hurry up. "He always takes longer" Blair mumbled. Chuck came downstairs with Henry and himself looking gala ready.

"Okay. Let's go. Lily doesn't like me being late" Chuck said. He checked over his appearance once more before ushering everyone to the elevator.

"He can meet us" Blair whispered. Talia pulled out her phone texting Max for the tenth time in a twenty minute span. This time instructing him to meet at the Van Der Woodsen residence. The four walked out of the building into the limo which had been waiting for them along with a few daring paparazzi, who had been waiting in the cold.

"I'm sure he'll come and if doesn't I bet he has a good reason. Maybe the Van Der Woodsen Christmas Gala was too much too soon" Blair suggested as the limo pulled away. "Maybe the paparazzi scare him? It's been calm until now for you"

Talia practically laughed. "My friends love the limelight and have been doting over this gala for days. Julien wouldn't even let me wear brand new shoes a month old. Instead I had to go out and buy new heels"

"Well your friends seem... nice. Honestly this party seems like a fun grand ole time to outsiders. It's just a party to brag about your year in hopes of outdoing everyone else" Chuck said as he straightened out his bow tie.

"Chuck, that is not that case. We get together with our friends and family and celebrate. Plus the catering Lily gets every year is delicious. Just enjoy yourself" Blair said. The limo stopped out front and cameras were already flashing from every angle. Talia stepped last, following after Chuck and Blair who held Henry's hand.

"Miss Bass, any comment on your father's whereabouts?" Reporters asked. Talia placed her hand over her face and swiftly walked past them into the building where the security guards were blocking unwelcome guest from entering. The four slipped into the elevator to the top. As they stepped out, people were already gathering. The penthouse was decked out in elegant decorations and a live orchestra played acoustic Christmas music.

"Charles! Welcome and Henry you look so cute" Lily beamed. She picked up Henry who was smiling. "Blair, Serena is around here somewhere" Lily said pointing to a general area. Blair excused herself running off to see her best friend. "Talia, am I correct? I was so thrilled to hear Charles had done the right thing and stepped up to take guardianship" Lily said, making Talia mad that people saw her as a pity case. She was far from that, Chuck was her sibling after all and was raised in a wealthy home. She wasn't any different than the rest of them.

Talia, trying to hide her emotions, not wanting the disappointment to show on her face, weakly smiled "Thank you, for inviting me".

"We'll enjoy yourselves" Lily said before walking away to greet others. Chuck ushered Talia to follow him as he searched for Blair. Henry had already ran off to play with the other children in attendance.

"Oh S, this is Talia, Chuck's sister" Blair introduced. Talia smiled, extending her hand out for a shake.

"Wow. You're in Constance right?"

"Yes" Talia answered.

"It's co-ed now" Blair said. Talia couldn't tell if she was pleased or disgusted by that. The two continued to rattle on about things Talia was far from interested in. She walked over to an empty table, sipping on the flute of champagne that had been passed around. She tried to be strong and not check her phone but her weakness took over. She placed the half empty flute down on the table and opened her clutch, pulling out her phone. Nothing. Absolutely no response from Max, not even an apology. Talia was more mad at herself for trusting him than mad at Max for ditching her on one of the most important nights of her life.

She sat lonely at the table looking out at all the happy, cheerful people. "Hey, you know this is a party right?" A voice said sitting down next to her. "Nate Archi-"

"Nate Archibald. I know" Talia kindly said.

"It's rough, loosing everything" he said sipping on his glass of whiskey. Talia looked at him confused. "My dad bankrupted us when I was in high school. We lost everything. I get it"

"It's not even that. I think I just hate change. Even if it's for the better" Talia revealed.

"I promise you. It gets better. Chuck and Blair would have never done anything like this in high school. I think Bart's death really changed them for the good"

"What did happen. That night?" Talia asked. Nate smiled at her before getting up from the table. She was now all alone again, and left with more question than answers.

"Talia, will you dance with me?" Henry kindly asked walking up to Talia.

"Thank you Henry" Talia said, giving him her hand and following the boy to the dance floor.