Fool Me Twice

Blair Waldorf, the Gracious Host

The band was playing some generic music and people were spilling into the ballroom as the hour struck 10. It was still early and half the guest list was yet to arrive. The chandelier shone a yellow light that gave a mysterious look to the entire affair. If a stranger took a look at the picture that these Upper East Side royalties painted, they would laugh if they were told it was a high school reunion.

Dan pulled at his tie, feeling suffocated. He had just taken a step into the ballroom which felt like stepping into an alternative world, one in which he had been a visitor once upon a time. Now it was as alien as ever.

"I thought this was what you wanted, you look like you're being led to Execution." Nate said who had come over with two glasses of champagne.

Dan almost snatched his glass and took a huge gulp.

"I did not want it this way." he said, shaking his head.

Nate smirked. "What did you expect when you involved Blair?"

Dan hadn't involved her had he? Oh but if there was any part of all this he could take of this circus, it was the ring master.

"Let's just hope it ends today." Nate continued.

Dan shared his hope. It would be good for everyone involved if this quest ended tonight. It was safe to say that his life had been turned upside down ever since he decided to move back to New York. One way or another he vowed to get answers tonight, to both the Gossip Girl equation and his entangled affair with you know who.

A microphone came alive at the centre and his eyes found her. Blair was dressed in a blood red gown that shimmered down her body looking like it was alive. Her hair was all over her shoulders rolling down in waves almost reaching her waist. She had no jewelry on apart from the diamond-ruby tiara that she wore woven with her hair. She looked ethereal. Dan stopped taking in the world around him as his vision was dominated by only Blair. All thoughts and all feelings in him were being aligned towards that woman at the center who might as well have been the queen addressing her subjects.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming." She spoke with a smile.

Dan was pretty sure he was looking like a starstruck boy who had just spotted their favorite pop star and he didn't care. Blair deserved reverence and people gaping at her.

"Thank you for coming tonight. Constance and St. Jude's has been a huge part of our lives and we may no longer be young, but we're important."

There was laughter around and Blair grinned.

"Let's celebrate the last decade and who we've become. Take a stroll down memory lane but don't forget to make new ones tonight. The real festivities will begin at midnight and I will say do hold your breath."

She gave a cue to the band and a song Dan didn't recognize started playing. Encouraged by the music some people took to the dance floor and in a blink of an eye Blair was no longer on the stage.

"That was nice." Nate said "And not at all like Blair."

"Hmm."

"I bet the only person who knows the entire plan for tonight is Blair."

"I guess."

"Oh for god's sake, she is standing near the reception, speaking to someone."

"What?" Dan asked, surprised.

Nate rolled his eyes. "Blair. The person you're straining your neck to look for."

"I wasn't searching for her."

"Sure. Just go man."

"I..." Dan didn't know what to say.

Did everyone know about his feelings for Blair? He took another sip from his champagne flute to hide his nerves. Of course he was looking for her, his eyes were expert in finding her in a crowd and absorbing all that she was. Yet, he didn't have the courage to go after her, like Nate so casually suggested. What would he say? And no matter how available Blair Waldorf was, the fact was that he always felt a gulf between them, irrespective of how hopeful he felt.