serendipity | aki menzies

close to you

"If you asked me to, I'd give you everything..."

The wind howled around me, a nippy cold piercing even my warmest winter jacket. Which happened to be a velvet Prada piece, gifted to me recently by dad. "Could've saved a few thousands for these results." I grumbled, pulling my arms around myself to shield from the cold.

Thanksgiving break was now over, and New York's temperatures had nosedived even further leading into December. While I was away Gossip Girl was busy wreaking havoc and deepening the divides in our already frail friend group.

There had been riots, breakups, and more secrets than I could count leaked. Obie was no longer on speaking terms with Zoya, meanwhile there was still an unspoken tension between him and Julien. Max and Audrey continued to dance around each other, his now ended relationship with Rafa was a sore topic for us.  The teacher getting exposed, rightfully so, and leaving his position. 

The only people acting even remotely regular were Monet and Luna. The duo usually left out of the reign of terror.  Monet was somehow scarier than Gossip Girl, her calculated ways had only one end goal. Whether it was through Julian or her own means, she would be at the top of the food chain no matter who she betrayed. However, the tiny brown-skinned beauty was warming up to me.

One chilly afternoon, while sipping hot cocoa in a quaint cafe, Monet let slip a vulnerability that surprised me. Behind her steely exterior lay insecurities and fears about her future, about maintaining her grip on the social hierarchy that seemed so fragile yet all-consuming. Proving herself to her mother was at the top of her concerns. It was a rare moment of honesty that hinted at a complexity beneath the facade of cold calculation.

Meanwhile, Luna remained a steadfast companion, offering me glimpses into her world of fashion and beauty, a welcome respite from the whirlwind of drama that defined our daily lives. Her calm demeanor was a balm to my frazzled nerves, a reminder that amidst all the chaos, there were moments of serenity and genuine connection to be found.

As the winter holidays approached, I couldn't help but wonder what the new year would bring for our turbulent friend group. The secrets and tensions simmered beneath the surface, ready to boil over at any moment, while friendships and alliances shifted like sand in the wind. In this world where appearances were everything, I found myself navigating a delicate balance between loyalty and self-preservation, hoping to emerge unscathed from the storm that was Gossip Girl's playground.

The grand entrance of Constance Billard greeted me with a blast of heated air, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. I adjusted my scarf and scanned the bustling hallway for familiar faces amidst the throng of students. Suddenly, a voice cut through the noise.

"Serene!" Aki's voice rang out, drawing my attention. I turned to see my boyfriend striding towards me, a warm smile lighting up his features. His hands were tucked into the pockets of his designer coat, a casual elegance that contrasted with the drama swirling around them.

"Hey, you made it," Aki said, reaching me and leaning in to kiss my cheek. I felt a rush of relief and affection at his presence. Aki had always been my rock in the tumultuous sea of Gossip Girl's machinations, a steady anchor amidst the storm.

"Yeah, barely," I replied with a small smile, grateful for his steady presence. As we walked together towards our lockers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of security with him by my side.

"How was your morning?" Aki asked, his tone soft and concerned. He genuinely cared about her well-being, a rare quality in their circle where appearances often trumped true connection.

"Same old, same old," I sighed, glancing around at the whispers and sidelong glances directed our way. "But you wouldn't believe the latest rumors."

Aki chuckled softly, a sound that reassured Serenity more than words could express. "I try not to," he replied, amusement dancing in his eyes. "But I'm here for you, no matter what."