Manhattan's Elite

Chapter 17

Good Morning Upper East Siders,

We didn't get the White Christmas we were hoping for this year, but it certainly was a bloody one. Princess Mady was seen storming off from the Van Der Woodsen palace followed by a sad, beaten Lonely Boy. Didn't they tell you to never mess with a Bass?

Gossip Girl xoxo

Mady's Pov:

I laid quietly in my bedroom, flicking at the tassels on my pillows as I fought back tears of frustration. I was too hard on Dan, I thought to myself. He was only defending himself, and also myself. I felt someone's presence at the door as I slowly got up, turning to see Dan himself, bruised and tearstained cheeks. He quickly went to my side, kneeling beside me on the bed.

"Mady. I fucked up. Big time," he said quietly.  "I know I should have been civilized. It's just, everything he said was true. I have nothing to give to you. You could easily have a man with a dynasty ahead of him. Me? I have nothing," he spoke softly. I frowned, cupping his cheek gently.

"Dan, you have so much to offer, you don't realize the true potential you truly have," I spoke, "I don't want a man with money, I want a man who's going to love me. I want a man who's driven, who has ambitions," I said, pecking his forehead gently. "You are so much more than enough, You're Dan Humphrey," I looked into his eyes intently. "And I love you."

His eyes widened slightly, "Whoa. We erm- we've never said that to each other before," he said, with a soft chuckle.

"Well I do, I do love you," I said with a weak smile, running my fingers through his hair as he smiled back.

"Thank you," he said softly as my eyes softened. "I don't know what to say," he said.

"You could say it back," I said a bit nervously.

"Well I mean, I want to," he started as my heart ached. "Can I be honest?" he said shakily.

I frowned, "What is it?" I said quietly.

"I mean, I do love you. But it's just- God I thought Serena and I would-" I quickly got up, pushing past him, laughing lightly.

"Don't. Don't finish please," I said shaking my head. I was just there to waste time until Serena realized he wanted him back. I went to the door, opening it. "Go," I said softly.

"Mady don't do this. I do love you," he said quickly going over to me, cupping my face as I fought back tears.

"No Dan, you love the idea of being with me. Well, being with someone. You're just waiting on Serena, and I'm not gonna let you dump me for her. I'm doing this to you before you do it to me," I said, turning my face away as he let out a soft sob.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just thought I would end up with Serena. But I got you. Madison I love you!" he said wrapping his arms around me as I cried softly.

"You entered this relationship thinking that one day Serena would take you back, that's what you're basically saying, right?" I said looking at him, as he nodded, gripping onto my waist as he fell onto his knees.

"You have to believe me Madison, I fell in love with you, every unique piece of you please," he sobbed into my stomach. "I can't lose you too," he begged as I shook my head, crying.

"Dan, it's not fair to me! You just wanted someone to fill your void until Serena came around," I said shakily pulling back from him. "I don't know why you and Chuck hate each other. You're the same slimy, lonely person underneath it all," I spoke coldly as Dan's features hardened, slowly getting up, looking over me intently.

He harshly dried his tears, "Well you should've learned your lesson the first time, right?" he said bitterly, slamming the door as I kicked it harshly behind him, screaming out in misery before going back to my bed, crying into my pillow.

Sure enough I was right, a couple weeks later, Gossip Girl had caught them leaving the same hotel together in the same clothes they came in with. I was devastated. I rarely went out anymore unless it was for school or for any Waldorf Fashion Events. I was done with all these Upper East Siders.

I sat in Math 120 class, finishing up my exam when I heard a couple of phones beep off. I glanced at my Apple Watch seeing it was a Gossip Girl update. I huffed, ignoring it and finishing my exam. I grabbed it,handing it to the professor before quickly heading out of the classroom, running straight into someone.

"Shit," he muttered quickly picking up his textbooks. "I should have taken that bag in the bookstore am I right?" he said looking up at me, my mind blanking for a second as I forced a small smile on my lips.

"Yeah, well you learn from your mistakes," I said quickly walking past him, dialing for a ride. Ugh, why are boys so stupid? Hello, doors open, people walk out. I rolled my eyes at myself, I needed to calm down. I finally got to the car, huffing heavily as I tossed my backpack in before entering myself. I grabbed my phone, checking my messages finding one from my mother.

Mommy Dearest: Madison, please remember to be at the Empire  this evening at 7 pm for the Waldorf fashion show. I want this to be a family event so actually having my family there would be helpful.

I rolled my eyes, smiling weakly to myself.

Me: Okay mom. Heading home to get ready as we speak. Or text????

I arrived home shortly, only to depart soon after. I had chosen a simple white dress with matching white heels, tossing my hair up in a simple ponytail and you guessed it; finished the look with a simple makeup look. After I had gotten ready, I quickly made my way to the fashion show, taking the back exit to meet my mother.

I quietly made my way past the crowds, hearing whispering as I turned to see the gang themselves with my mother. I frowned, completely ignoring them as my mother smiled widely at me. "Mady darling, finally you made it, Blair had the amazing idea of having you take over for her on the runway. Finally all my Waldorf girls have been on the runway!" she said before my protest. I huffed, getting redirected to the wardrobe. I was placed in this beautiful lace dress. I walked past the group, noticing a guilty expression on Chuck's face.  I furrowed my brows, about to question him but I was quickly pushed onstage. As I made myself down the runway, I posed for the dozens of photographers on the side of runway, keeping a serious face as I made my way towards the center. Suddenly, the lights went out. I panicked for a second but one bright spotlight shined on me. Everyone gasped before bursting into laughter. The dress was completely transparent. I screamed, quickly running backstage to see Blair right behind the light controls. I frowned, Chuck quickly going up to me.

"Mady, please! Wait, I'm sorry," I quickly ran out, harshly drying my tears as I left the building. This was it, I was no longer going to be bullied by my so-called friends, the Upper East Side was toxic. I wanted nothing to do with this anymore.