You have the overwhelming urge to bite your fingernails, but it would ruin your manicure for the first day of school. Instead, you tap your nails on your iPhone screen. You are early for assembly.
Andrea approaches you. "Hey, Lauren?"
[You look behind you, still not entirely sure she's talking to you.]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["Yeah, you." She's standing awfully close to you, as if you've been friends for a long time. "I hear you spent some time with my brother at your internship this summer. He had some nice things to say about you. What do you think about that?"
A respectful distance behind her, Queen Andrea's two "handmaidens" Whitney and Rachel exchange whispers as they look you up and down.
["It was cool to get to know him."]<a1|
["Depends what you mean by 'nice things.'"]<a2|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[]"Well, yeah, of course it was. //Everyone// wants to get to know him. Even good girls like you."
You assume she is insulting you. Then again, maybe she's just not used to giving genuine compliments and doesn't know how.
Before you can manage a response, you are distracted by the sound of cell phones buzzing all across the assembly hall. You, Whitney, Rachel, Andrea, and everyone else in sight pull out your phones.
You have a text from a number you don't recognize.
It says: "Hello, Upper East Siders. Miss me? I’ve missed you. XOXO" with a link to gossipgirl.com.
"Oh my God," Andrea breathes out, staring at her own phone. "Did you just get...?"
[[Tap the link.|GG blast]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[]"Don't be so defensive," she says with a smile. "Everyone knows you're such a good girl. Why should he have anything bad to say?"
You assume she is insulting you. Then again, maybe she's just not used to giving genuine compliments and doesn't know how.
Before you can manage a response, you are distracted by the sound of cell phones buzzing all across the assembly hall. You, Whitney, Rachel, Andrea, and everyone else in sight pull out your phones.
You have a text from an unknown number.
It says: "Hello, Upper East Siders. Miss me? I’ve missed you. XOXO" with a link to gossipgirl.com.
"Oh my God," Andrea breathes out, staring at her own phone. "Did you just get...?"
[[Tap the link.|GG blast]]]78 unread messages
Page 1
<b>From: [email protected]
[[Message preview: Gossip Girl was just an outsider trying to...|Gossipgirlhunter@gmail]]
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Thank god you're back. Whitney got soo slopp...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Natalie is always flirting with Mr. Monroe after cl...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Delete your account. No one wants you messing with...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Add my pic of K to the Spotted map? ❤️📸
From: [email protected]
[[Message preview: Why would Michael be interested in Lauren? I know for a fact...|stjude email]]
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Jason has already been to rehab twice but he still... </b>
(set: $stjudeviewed to false)
(set: $gmailviewed to false)From: [email protected]
Gossip Girl was just an outsider trying to get in where they don't belong. Not this time.
Whoever you are, your days of social relevance are numbered.
(set: $gmailviewed to true)
(if: $stjudeviewed is false)[[[Back to inbox|Inbox minus gmail]]]
(if: $stjudeviewed is true)[[[Back to inbox|Inbox all read]]]From: [email protected]
Why would Michael be interested in Lauren? I know for a fact he had a rotation all summer. It was Valerie, Emily, Kelsey, Hannah, AND some french girl. The man is a legend.
(set: $stjudeviewed to true)
(if: $gmailviewed is false)[[[Back to inbox|Inbox minus stjude]]]
(if: $gmailviewed is true)[[[Back to inbox|Inbox all read]]]77 unread messages
Page 1
<b>From: [email protected]
[[Message preview: Gossip Girl was just an outsider trying to...|Gossipgirlhunter@gmail]]
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Thank god you're back. Natalie got soo slopp...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Natalie is always flirting with Mr. Monroe after cl...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Delete your account. No one wants you messing with...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Add my pic of K to the Spotted map? ❤️📸</b>
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Why would Michael be interested in Lauren? I know for a fact he...
<b>From: [email protected]
Message preview: Jason has already been to rehab twice but he still... </b>You hear your name as you are walking towards the elevator. "Hey, Lauren!"
"Nate!" Despite how close your family is with the Archibalds, you've only ever met him in person a few times before. He still looks the same. ["What are you doing here?" you ask mindlessly.]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["Last time I checked I still own the place. How did you like your internship?"
["It was amazing! I... don't think I ever properly thanked you."]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["Don't mention it. Happy to help the Sinclairs."
"Right." You move to walk away, remembering your mom's dinner plans and feeling slightly awkward. ["I'm sorry, I should really run."]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["Hey, uh—" he stops you. "This is weird but, I heard. About the Gossip Girl blast."
["You did?"]<b4|]
(click: ?b4)["It's the sort of thing I'd hear about. And I saw she mentioned you. Are you OK?"
["I'm great. Why wouldn’t I be?"]<a1|
["I'm fine."]<a2|
["I don’t like the attention."]<a3|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2, ?a3)[]"Maybe it seems alright now, but if this new Gossip Girl is taking any cues from the original... Look, my friends and I, we may have moved on from all that, but I still remember what it was like to be under Gossip Girl’s thumb. A lot of people I cared about got hurt. My family got hurt. I know we haven't had much time to get to know each other but if you ever need someone to talk to, just give me a call. And if you want, we can track her down for you. We've done it before."
Of course. It was what really put //The Spectator// on the map: unmasking Gossip Girl. And Nate had made it happen.
["Thanks, Nate. I really appreciate it. Things seem to be OK for now."]<b5|]
(click: ?b5)["Sure, yeah, I didn't mean to pry." Is he saying that because he can tell you're uncomfortable? "Take it easy, Lauren."
You bite your nail as he walks away. [[Your manicure is ruined.|End scene]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1, ?a3)[]"Okay." He looks less than entirely convinced. "Look, I'll just say...my friends and I, we may have moved on from all that, but I still remember what it was like to be under Gossip Girl’s thumb. A lot of people I cared about got hurt. My family got hurt. I know we haven't had much time to get to know each other but if you ever need someone to talk to, just give me a call. And if you want, we can track her down for you. We've done it before."
Of course. It was what really put //The Spectator// on the map: unmasking Gossip Girl. And Nate had made it happen.
["Thanks, Nate. I really appreciate it. Things seem to be OK for now."]<b6|]
(click: ?b6)["Sure, yeah, I didn't mean to pry." Is he saying that because he can tell you're uncomfortable? "Take it easy, Lauren."
You bite your nail as he walks away. [[Your manicure is ruined.|End scene]]]
(click: ?a3)[(replace: ?a1, ?a2)[]"I totally get that." You're not sure if you should believe him. "Look, I'll just say...my friends and I, we may have moved on from all that, but I still remember what it was like to be under Gossip Girl’s thumb. A lot of people I cared about got hurt. My family got hurt. I know we haven't had much time to get to know each other but if you ever need someone to talk to, just give me a call. And if you want, we can track her down for you. We've done it before."
Of course. It was what really put //The Spectator// on the map: unmasking Gossip Girl. And Nate had made it happen.
["Thanks, Nate. I really appreciate it. Things seem to be OK for now."]<b7|]
(click: ?b7)["Sure, yeah, I didn't mean to pry." Is he saying that because he can tell you're uncomfortable? "Take it easy, Lauren."
You bite your nail as he walks away. [[Your manicure is ruined.|End scene]]]After assembly, Andrea links your arm with hers as you walk to class. (set: $chooseK to false)(set: $chooseA to false)(set: $chooseL to false)(set: $blamegg to false)
You take the shortcut through the courtyard, and there's Kim, perched on a table. She's wearing a long colorblock coat over her school uniform and large designer sunglasses. Somehow, she makes them look better rather than the other way around. She doesn't see you and Andrea approaching because she's busy looking not-too-posed for a couple of social pages photographers on the other side of the school gate.
["Maybe I should go," you say.]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["Oh, no you don't." Andrea grips your arm to keep you from slipping away. She's stronger than you expected. She places you both in between Kim and the photographers. Andrea arranges her stance in such a way that everyone can clearly see her purse, which happens to be a J by Waldorf.
"Hey, girl," Kim says.
"Is it true? You've been talking with Waldorf Designs?"
Kim starts. "Um, I missed you, too," she says sarcastically. "Japan was great, how was your summer? And, uh--what's //she// doing here?"
"We're not talking about Lauren, we're talking about Gossip Girl."
"First of all, I am still crazy jetlagged so I barely even know what's going on right now. Also maybe a little hungover. Also, //Gossip Girl//? Of all the crazy, random things, suddenly we're dealing with Gossip Girl?"
[Out of the corner of your eye, you notice a crowd has started to gather.]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["Focus, K. Were you even going to tell me?"
"Tell--I didn't know there was anything to tell! It's a modeling gig. I'm a model. You're not. I never thought they'd consider you."
"Well, they are. And," Andrea lowers her voice slightly. "I //need// this. You can get any sponsorship you want, but this could give me the exposure I need for my music."
"So, you're saying just give it to you? It's not really up to me, A. If they want to advertise with a model and not an unknown singer, they're going to pick me."
"Why are you being like this? You've always said J by Waldorf was basic. So you're fine damaging your little cool girl image just to mess with me?"
"It's really not about you. Modeling is going to be my career."
"And my career is less important? I'd be perfect for J by Waldorf and you just can't admit it."
"You know what? Jenny Humphrey //always// likes my Instagram posts. She picked me herself."
Andrea takes a beat, but quickly switches gears, turning back to you. "What do you think?"
["What?" you ask.]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["Sure, yeah, why not?" Kim says. You can only guess she is rolling her eyes behind her glasses. "Let's ask some random people what they think."
["Andrea is the best match for the brand."]<a1|
["Kim is the better model."]<a2|
["What about me?"]<a3|
["Gossip Girl is playing you."]<a4|]
(click: ?a1)[(set: $chooseA to true)(replace: ?a2, ?a3, ?a4)[]"See? L understands how things work."
"Sucking up to the Queen," Kim sighs. "How revolutionary."
"I think you'll see things my way after the Senior dinner on Friday. Don't you know who's giving the Alumna speech this year?"
Kim says nothing. The unspoken answer hangs in the air like a curse. [[Blair Waldorf.|A asks for help]]]
(click: ?a2)[(set: $chooseK to true)(replace: ?a1, ?a3, ?a4)[]"Exactly," Kim says after a moment of shocked silence. "Lauren gets it."
Andrea takes a step back towards her hovering handmaidens and collects herself. "Fine," she says calmly. "We'll just have to see what happens after the Senior dinner on Friday. Don't you know who's giving the Alumna speech this year?"
Kim says nothing. The unspoken answer hangs in the air like a curse. [[Blair Waldorf.|K asks for help]]]
(click: ?a3)[(set: $chooseL to true)(replace: ?a1, ?a2, ?a4)[]"You're so funny, L," Kim says with a straight face.
"No... you're serious," Andrea says. She looks at you more closely now, evaluating. "Well, you'd never get it. But //maybe// Gossip Girl is right about you."
"//Maybe,//" you echo.
Andrea takes a step back towards her hovering minions, looking resolved. "We'll just have to see what happens after the Senior dinner on Friday. Don't you know who's giving the Alumna speech this year?"
The unspoken answer hangs in the air like a curse. [[Blair Waldorf.|A help modified]]]
(click: ?a4)[(set: $blamegg to true)(replace: ?a1, ?a2, ?a3)[]"Excuse me?" Andrea says.
"You guys are friends, aren't you?" you say. "This is just Gossip Girl creating drama and pitting you against each other."
"Who cares?" Andrea says. "Gossip Girl didn't make anything up. Everything she said was true."
"No, Lauren is right." Kim removes her sunglasses. "Gossip Girl gets off on fucking people over. And she's probably an irrelevant loser doing this for some selfish reason. She doesn't care what happens to us. Are you really going to try to take this from me to please some anonymous bitch?"
"You only say that because you think it's yours to be taken," Andrea retorts. "We'll just have to see what happens after the Senior dinner on Friday. Don't you know who's giving the Alumna speech this year?"
Kim says nothing. The unspoken answer hangs in the air like a curse.[[Blair Waldorf.|A help modified]]]Andrea stops you at your locker at the end of the day. For once, her handmaidens are nowhere around.
"Look," she says, "you're not used to how this all works, so I'm going to forgive you for not openly supporting me in front of K and give you the opportunity to get back on my good side."
["I'm listening."]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["Whatever Kim thinks is going on between her and Jenny, it won't matter after I talk to Blair in person. I'm //very// persuasive."
["So what's the problem?"]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["No problem, just insurance. All I want you to do is make sure Jenny won't be anywhere near the dinner."
["And how am I supposed to do that?"]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["I'm sure you'll figure it out. I know your family is well-connected."
//You remember// The Spectator. //She's right, you might be able to help her.//
["Actually, there is something I could try."]<a1|
["If I think of anything, I'll let you know."]<a2|
(if: $chooseL is true)["I still think I could get the gig for myself."]<a3|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[](replace: ?a3)[]"You're the best, L." She blows you a kiss and floats away.
[[You shut your locker and leave school.|K help modified]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[](replace: ?a3)[]"You're the best, L." She blows you a kiss and floats away.
[[You shut your locker and leave school.|K help modified]]]
(click: ?a3)[(replace: ?a2)[](replace: ?a1)[]Andrea's posture stiffens. "I know what it takes to win this game, so let me give you some advice for free. If you try to play, you'll only embarrass yourself. When I inevitably get what I want, you want to be the one who helped, not who stood against me. Not to mention what my brother will think of you after I talk to him."
[[She marches off before you can respond.|K help modified]]]
77 unread messages
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From: [email protected]
Message preview: Gossip Girl was just an outsider trying to...
<b>From: [email protected]
Message preview: Thank god you're back. Whitney got soo slopp...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Natalie is always flirting with Mr. Monroe after cl...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Delete your account. No one wants you messing with...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Add my pic of K to the Spotted map? ❤️📸
From: [email protected]
[[Message preview: Why would Michael go out with Lauren? I know for a fact he...|stjude email]]
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Jason has already been to rehab twice but he still... </b>76 unread messages
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From: [email protected]
Message preview: Gossip Girl was just an outsider trying to...
<b>From: [email protected]
Message preview: Thank god you're back. Natalie got soo slopp...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Emily is always flirting with Mr. Monroe after cl...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Delete your account. No one wants you messing with...
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Add my pic of K to the Spotted map? ❤️📸</b>
From: [email protected]
Message preview: Why would Michael go out with Lauren? I know for a fact he...
<b>From: [email protected]
Message preview: Jason has already been to rehab twice but he still... </b>
//Nothing too concerning yet. You'll have to check the rest later. It's getting late.//
[[//Go to// The Spectator.|Talk to boss]]Once safely in your bedroom with the door shut, you drop your bag to the floor, unlock your desk drawer, and [remove the laptop.]<b1|
(click: ?b1)[You wake it up with [fingerprint ID.]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)[You open the [email client.]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)[User: [email protected]
Password: [[(enter the password)|Inbox untouched]]]Kim stops you at your locker at the end of the day.
"Hey, Lauren. Kind of crazy today, right? Andrea can be so dramatic sometimes. I mean, I'm glad you're on my side. But we shouldn't have dragged you into it. That was kind of uncool."
["If I didn't want to answer, I wouldn't have," you say.]<b1|
(click: ?b1)[Kim smiles. "You're clever, aren't you, L?"
[You smile back.]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["Since you're already involved, there is one more thing. Andrea... kind of has a point about Blair. She idolizes Blair, and Blair would //love// that. If they get the chance to meet at the Senior dinner, Andrea could totally charm her and get what she wants. That //can't// happen."
["What do you expect me to do about it?"]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["What I really need is for Blair to miss the dinner. Maybe even to get Jenny to replace her as the guest of honor."
["There's no way they'd revoke Blair's invitation."]<b4|]
(click: ?b4)["No... but Blair's not Queen of Constance anymore. She's Queen of New York. If something more important came up..." Kim trails off. "The Sinclairs aren't nobodies. Maybe you could call a guy?"
//You remember// The Spectator. //She's right, you might be able to make it happen.//
["Actually, there is something I could try."]<a1|
["If I think of anything, I'll let you know."]<a2|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[]"Thank you //so much,// L." Kim dons her sunglasses and struts off down the hallway.
You have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough time to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[]"Thank you //so much,// L." Kim dons her sunglasses and struts off down the hallway.
You have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough time to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]Andrea stops you at your locker at the end of the day. For once, her handmaidens are nowhere around.
"L! Glad I caught you. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Kim."
["What is it?"]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["Usually she's pretty chill but...I think she might try to outplay me for this gig. I mean, she knows the Senior dinner is my one chance to convince Blair it should be me. And I'm //very// convincing."
["So what's the problem?"]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["She's been all over Jenny Humphrey's social media since this morning. It's such a desperate move. But I admit, Jenny //does// love her. And if Kim is desperate, she'll try to keep me from meeting Blair on Friday."
["But how would she do that?"]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["I don't know yet, but I have to be prepared. We have to make sure Blair can still come... and that Jenny won't be anywhere near the dinner. You'll help me, right? I know your family is well-connected."
//You remember// The Spectator. //She's right, you might be able to help her.//
["Actually, there is something I could try."]<a1|
["If I think of anything, I'll let you know."]<a2|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace:?a2)[]"You're the best, L." She blows you a kiss and floats away.
You have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough time to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace:?a1)[]"You're the best, L." She blows you a kiss and floats away.
You have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough time to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]Hello, Upper East Siders.
Miss me? I’ve missed you.
A and K's coexistence at the top of the social ladder may have been relatively peaceful til now, but no one is immune to the pressures of senior year. With K’s Instagram follow count nearing 100k and A releasing her demo track, word on the street is they’ve both been in talks to be the new face of J by Waldorf. Is this the beginning of a frenemy war? And who will win the day?
A’s not the only Baldwin to have had a busy summer. It seems her twin brother M was up to his usual antics, going from party to party and girl to girl. But M was also spotted getting close to Lauren Sinclair while both were interning at //The Spectator//. Could it be the start of something new? Careful, L. A boy like M will drag you out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
That's all for now, but I'm just getting started. Care to help out an old friend, New York? 🤳🏼 [email protected]
You know you love me.
XOXO,
[[Gossip Girl|blast aftermath]] 💋"Oh my God," Andrea repeats. "Oh my God."
"I don't understand," you say. "Gossip Girl hasn't been active for years. [Is this really her?"]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["It's her original website," Andrea says. "Someone must have..." she trails off, then breaks out in a grin. "Don't you get it? Gossip Girl is back and she's talking about //me.//" Andrea's eyes narrow slightly as she looks up from her phone. "And...//you.//"
["Oh my God," is all you can say.]<b2|] (click: ?b2)[You take a look around you. The assembly hall hums with whispers. [Everyone is looking at you and Andrea.]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["Where on earth is Kim? This is the best thing that's ever happened," Andrea says in a low voice.
["It's... incredible."]<a1|
["What are you talking about? Gossip Girl would ruin your life if it got her more clicks."]<a2|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[]The moment is broken by the first bell. Groups disperse as girls take their seats. Andrea grabs your arm, leading you to the front row, where you sit down together.
"You know, you would look so pretty in some diamond earrings. Something small and sweet."
Whitney and Rachel gasp audibly from the row behind you. Since Jennifer had moved to Paris with her family over the summer, Andrea was looking for a replacement follower. Diamond studs from her father's jewelry boutique are part of the uniform.
The headmistress strides into the hall and takes her place at the podium.
By the time assembly is over, you already have [[68 new friend requests on Snapchat and 166 Instagram notifications.|A & K]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[]"Don't be ridiculous, L. Everyone she used to write about is even more rich and famous thanks to her."
The moment is broken by the first bell. Groups disperse as girls take their seats. Andrea grabs your arm, leading you to the front row, where you sit down together.
"You know, you would look so pretty in some diamond earrings. Something small and sweet."
Whitney and Rachel gasp audibly from the row behind you. Since Jennifer had moved to Paris with her family over the summer, Andrea was looking for a replacement lackey. Diamond studs from her father's jewelry boutique are part of the uniform.
The headmistress strides into the hall and takes her place at the podium.
By the time assembly is over, you already have [[68 new friend requests on Snapchat and 166 Instagram notifications.|A & K]]](set: $blairphoto to false)(set: $jennyphoto to false)(set: $blairjennyphoto to false)Ms. Wilson, your supervisor during your internship at //The Spectator//, seems genuinely happy to see you.
"Lauren! Couldn't stay away I see?"
["Of course not."]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["You want to talk? I have a minute."
"I was actually wondering about what kind of coverage //The Spectator// is doing for the new J by Waldorf collection? [It's all anyone at school is talking about."]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["Our fashion editor is on top of it, Lauren."
["Can I ask what the plan is?"]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["Why? Are you interested in the fashion pages now?"
["I want to learn as much about publishing as I can."]<a2|]
(click: ?a2)[Ms. Wilson smiles approvingly. "Well, we interviewed Blair Waldorf and Jenny Humphrey for an article, and will be using some of the new collection in an editorial shoot."
"Could I come in and observe the shoot? I promise not to get in the way. [It's not during school, is it?"]<b4|]
(click: ?b4)["It should be going on all Friday afternoon. You'd miss the beginning, but you'd get to see a lot if you came after school."
//Except the Senior dinner is that night.//
["I'll check my schedule. I'd love to be there."]<b5|]
(click: ?b5)[A moment of silence passes.
"Was there anything else, Lauren?"
//
[Suggest Blair be part of the photoshoot.]<a4|
[Suggest Jenny be part of the photoshoot.]<a5|
(if: $blamegg is true or $chooseL is true)[Suggest both Blair and Jenny be part of the photoshoot.]<a6|//]
(click: ?a4)[(set: $blairphoto to true)(replace: ?a5, ?a6)[]"Well... I had this idea. Blair is such an icon. No one at Constance now even went to school with her but they still idolize her. I think it would really make an impression if Blair was in the spread along with her collection."
"Of course we'd love to feature Blair, but she's a very busy woman. I can't give her less than a week's notice for a photoshoot."
"She just has an event at Constance on Friday. She's supposed to give a speech on her career to the seniors. [But I think if she knew you wanted to photograph her, she'd totally accept."]<b6|]
(click: ?b6)["I'm not sure I can ask Blair Waldorf to cancel plans at her alma mater."
You take a deep breath. "If I were Blair," you say carefully, "I'd want to talk to Constance students in order to promote my fashion line to the emerging It girls. But that could still happen if a //different// Constance alumna went instead, one who was just as involved in the line and just as respected as a past Queen. Then that might make me feel free to do something... [a bit more impressive.]<b7|]
(click: ?b7)[Ms. Wilson raises an eyebrow knowingly. "That's a very interesting thought, Lauren," she says. "I always knew you were a strategic thinker. Well, I suppose I'll be in touch soon about Friday."
"Thank you, Ms. Wilson." [[You excuse yourself from her office.|Run into Nate]]]
(click: ?a5)[(set: $jennyphoto to true)(replace: ?a4)[](replace: ?a6)[]"Well... I had this idea. Jenny used to model professionally, right? I think it would really make an impression if she was in the spread along with her collection."
"That's a fantastic idea, Lauren. It's a little short notice, though."
"If I were up and coming like Jenny, it wouldn't bother me. It's an opportunity to make good exposure even better. [Nothing would keep me away."]<b8|]
(click: ?b8)["It's a very interesting thought," Ms. Wilson says. "I always knew you were a strategic thinker. Well, I suppose I'll be in touch soon about Friday."
"Thank you, Ms. Wilson." [[You excuse yourself from her office.|Run into Nate]]]
(click: ?a6)[(set: $blairjennyphoto to true)(replace: ?a4)[](replace: ?a5)[]"Well... I had this idea. Blair is such an icon. No one at Constance now even went to school with her but they still idolize her. Plus, Jenny Humphrey used to model professionally. I think it would really make an impression if they were both in the spread together with their collection."
"Of course we'd love to feature them, but we're talking about two very busy women. I can't give them less than a week's notice for a photoshoot."
"Jenny is still up-and-coming, I bet she'd jump at the opportunity. And Blair just has an event at Constance on Friday. She's supposed to give a speech on her career to the seniors. [But I think if she knew you wanted to photograph her, she'd totally accept."]<b9|]
(click: ?b9)["I'm not sure I can ask Blair Waldorf to cancel plans at her alma mater."
You take a deep breath. ["Ms. Wilson, when did you graduate from Constance?"]<b10|]
(click: ?b10)[She answers hesitantly, curiously: "1999."
"If I were Blair," you say carefully, "I'd want to talk to Constance students in order to promote my fashion line to the emerging It girls. But that could still happen if a //different// Constance alumna went instead, say, one who works for an influential magazine, who might promise to wear her company's clothes and mention an upcoming fashion feature? Then that might make me feel free to do something... a bit more impressive. Not to mention I've learned so much from you, Ms. Wilson, [you'd make a perfect speaker."]<b11|]
(click: ?b11)[For a moment, you worry the flattery might have been a little too much. Ms. Wilson raises an eyebrow knowingly. "That's a very interesting thought, Lauren," she says. "I always knew you were a strategic thinker. Well, I suppose I'll be in touch soon about Friday."
"Thank you, Ms. Wilson." [[You excuse yourself from her office.|Run into Nate]]]//That's a Secret I'll Never Tell//
a Gossip Girl story
by Sydney Rubin
[[Background on the Gossip Girl series|Read this first if you know nothing about Gossip Girl]]
[[Start|Intro]] Your mom peers out of the doorway of her study when she hears you come in.
"Darling, how was school?"
[Say little.]<a1|
[Tell her.]<a2|
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[]"Fine."
You've barely gotten the syllable out before she launches into her speech. "Sweetheart, before I forget. I've picked out the perfect dress for the Alumnae dinner on Friday, a new Proenza Schouler, very classy. It's already in your closet. You know it's not so easy to find a flattering cut for those broad shoulders," she drags her finger across her iPad as she chatters, "and so many of the styles this season are really too risqué, but after //hours// of searching I finally found something suitable. Do try it on before Friday and make sure you can still squeeze into a small. I was thinking it would look darling with your Ferragamos and mother's Cartier bracelet. Which, incidently, I haven't seen you wear in ages, I sincerely hope you haven't misplaced it."
"No," you say.
"Well, that's a relief. Don't forget we have dinner reservations with the Blumenfelds tonight--you should go with the floral Ralph Lauren. Oh and one last thing, you aren't spending time with that Murphy girl at school, are you? Her father is involved in some scandal and is probably going to get disbarred, I really shouldn't say any more about it but best steer clear of all that honey."
You don't think your mom has noticed that you are already halfway up the stairs. It occurs to you that the "Murphy girl" must be Rachel Murphy, Andrea's follower.
[[Go to your room.|Log in]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[]"It was kind of shocking--"
"Sweetheart, before I forget," she interrupts, "I've picked out the perfect dress for the Alumnae dinner on Friday, a new Proenza Schouler, very classy. It's already in your closet. You know it's not so easy to find a flattering cut for those broad shoulders," she drags her finger across her iPad as she chatters, "and so many of the styles this season are really too risqué, but after //hours// of searching I finally found something suitable. Do try it on before Friday and make sure you can still squeeze into a small. I was thinking it would look darling with your Ferragamos and mother's Cartier bracelet. Which, incidently, I haven't seen you wear in ages, I sincerely hope you haven't misplaced it."
"No," you say.
"Well, that's a relief. Don't forget we have dinner reservations with the Blumenfelds tonight--you should go with the floral Ralph Lauren. Oh and one last thing, you aren't spending time with that Murphy girl at school, are you? Her father is involved in some scandal and is probably going to get disbarred, I really shouldn't say any more about it but best steer clear of all that honey."
You don't think your mom has noticed that you are already halfway up the stairs. It occurs to you that the "Murphy girl" must be Rachel Murphy, Andrea's follower.
[[Go to your room.|Log in]]]It's Friday afternoon. School had been buzzing all day.
(if: $blairphoto is true)[No one, it seems, knows why Blair Waldorf had cancelled her appearance only a few days before the dinner. Once they announced that Jenny Humphrey would be taking her place, though, talk of Blair was largely displaced.](if: $jennyphoto is true)[Blair is still a legend, and her impending appearance was all anyone could talk about.](if: $blairjennyphoto is true)[No one, it seems, knows why Blair Waldorf had cancelled her appearance only a few days before the dinner, and why she had been replaced by someone with essentially no name recognition. It helped a little that this new speaker worked for Nate Archibald's magazine, but not by very much when they'd been expecting a Waldorf.]
The dress your mother chose for you still hangs in its garment bag in your closet. You haven't even looked at it.
Instead, you change out of your school uniform and into
[a trendy beaded minidress.]<a1|
[a sharp, feminine tailored suit.]<a2|
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[]You unlock your phone to order an Uber Black. These stilettos were decidedly //not// made for walking.
You'll arrive right on time for (if: $blairphoto is true)[Jenny Humphrey's speech](if: $blairjennyphoto is true)[Ms. Wilson's speech](if: $jennyphoto is true)[Blair Waldorf's speech] at the Senior dinner, or just past fashionably late to the Spectator shoot (if: $blairphoto is true)[with Blair Waldorf](if: $jennyphoto is true)[with Jenny Humphrey](if: $blairjennyphoto is true)[with Blair Waldorf and Jenny Humphrey].
//Destination?//
[Senior Dinner]<a3|
[The Spectator photoshoot]<a4|]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[]ou unlock your phone to order an Uber Black. These stilettos were decidedly //not// made for walking.
You'll arrive right on time for (if: $blairphoto is true)[Ms. Wilson's speech](if: $blairjennyphoto is true)[Ms. Wilson's speech](if: $jennyphoto is true)[Blair Waldorf's speech] at the Senior dinner, or just past fashionably late to the Spectator shoot (if: $blairphoto is true)[with Blair Waldorf](if: $jennyphoto is true)[with Jenny Humphrey](if: $blairjennyphoto is true)[with Blair Waldorf and Jenny Humphrey].
//Destination?//
[Senior Dinner]<a3|
[The Spectator photoshoot]<a4|]
(click: ?a3)[(replace: ?a4)[]You start to compose the post in your head. //"On the Upper East Side, socializing is a Spectator sport. There are those who watch and those who play, and we hear L isn't content to just watch anymore. Welcome to the big leagues. XOXO."//] (click: ?a4)[(replace: ?a3)[]You start to compose the post in your head. //"On the Upper East Side, socializing is a Spectator sport. There are those who watch and those who play, and we hear L isn't content to just watch anymore. Welcome to the big leagues. XOXO."//]
You're barely out of the school gate when you feel someone grab your shoulder.
"Hey, hold on." It's Kim. "What were you talking with Andrea about?"
["You know," you wave your hand. "Gossip Girl."]<b1|
(click: ?b1)["Andrea can be so dramatic sometimes, right? I honestly try not to get caught up in it. But I can't just let her do whatever she wants either, you know? I don't step in on her Queendom, so she shouldn't try to step in on mine."
["Sure, I guess."]<b2|]
(click: ?b2)["She's trying to manipulate you, you know."
["I know."]<a4|
["In a weird way, I think she's trying to be nice."]<a5|
["And you're not?"]<a6|]
(click: ?a4)[(replace: ?a5)[](replace: ?a6)[]"Look, let's talk straight up. You don't want to pick a side over the ad campaign. I also highly doubt you're suddenly interested in being the Queen's little errand girl, or that you'd try to overthrow her with only a year of high school left. So what else could you possibly want? Attention. Well, that's something I know how to get, even better than A, and clearly a lot better than you. So maybe I'll help you out, but you have to do something for me first."
["And what would that be?"]<b3|]
(click: ?a5)[(replace: ?a4)[](replace: ?a6)[]"Look, let's talk straight up. You don't want to pick a side over the ad campaign. I also highly doubt you're suddenly interested in being the Queen's little errand girl, or that you'd try to overthrow her with only a year of high school left. So what else could you possibly want? Attention. Well, that's something I know how to get, even better than A, and clearly a lot better than you. So maybe I'll help you out, but you have to do something for me first."
["And what would that be?"]<b3|]
(click: ?a6)[(replace: ?a5)[](replace: ?a4)[]"Look, let's talk straight up. You don't want to pick a side over the ad campaign. I also highly doubt you're suddenly interested in being the Queen's little errand girl, or that you'd try to overthrow her with only a year of high school left. So what else could you possibly want? Attention. Well, that's something I know how to get, even better than A, and clearly a lot better than you. So maybe I'll help you out, but you have to do something for me first."
["And what would that be?"]<b3|]
(click: ?b3)["Just make sure Blair doesn't come to the Senior dinner."
You roll your eyes. ["Oh, is that all?"]<b4|]
(click: ?b4)[Kim shrugs. "The Sinclairs aren't nobodies. Maybe you can call a guy."
["I might be able to pull it off."]<a1|
["If I think of something, I'll let you know."]<a2|
(if: $chooseL is true)["I still think I can get the campaign myself."]<a3|]
(click: ?a1)[(replace: ?a2)[](replace: ?a3)[]"Good luck, then. You'll need it." Kim dons her sunglasses and strides down the sidewalk.
You check the time on your phone. You have 214 notifications from Instagram and 62 from Snapchat. You also have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]
(click: ?a2)[(replace: ?a1)[](replace: ?a3)[]"Good luck, then. You'll need it." Kim dons her sunglasses and strides down the sidewalk.
You check the time on your phone. You have 214 notifications from Instagram and 62 from Snapchat. You also have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]
(click: ?a3)[(replace: ?a2)[](replace: ?a1)[]"Good luck, then. You'll need it." Kim dons her sunglasses and strides down the sidewalk.
You check the time on your phone. You have 214 notifications from Instagram and 62 from Snapchat. You also have a little bit of time before //The Spectator// offices close. Enough to stop back at home for something even [[more important.|At home]]]At Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude’s School for Boys, sibling high schools for the ultra rich and privileged on the Upper East Side, a website run by the anonymous Gossip Girl broadcasts secrets and scandals via news “blasts” to students’ cell phones. Her tagline is “your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite.” Gossip Girl is most interested in interfering in the lives of students at the very top of the social hierarchy, keeping tabs on everything they do and exposing their machinations as they try to manipulate and out-maneuver one another over romance, fame, and influence. Most of Gossip Girl’s information is submitted by students as tips. Gossip Girl was active in 2007-2012 (following the students of interest into college), after which she exposed her identity and “retired.” In the TV series, it is implied that a new student took on the role of Gossip Girl in late 2017.
Characters to know:
Blair Waldorf: Previously Queen of Constance. Currently running a fashion empire.
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_YZ2IVvQ1cY/T3iSO_nEZqI/AAAAAAAADA4/grmkDbVGcrw/s1600/leighton_meester_as_blair_wald.jpg" alt="blair" style="width:px ; height:400px ;">
Jenny Humphrey: Succeeded Blair as Queen, but her reign was controversial, partly because she did not come from an Upper East Side socialite family. Currently a fashion designer.
<img src="http://www.carolinedaily.com/11603-3002.jpg?20120609" alt="jenny" style="width:px ; height:400px ;">
Nate Archibald: From a famous political family. Currently owns //The Spectator// news magazine.
<img src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/gossip-girl-xx/images/0/0e/Nate_Archibald.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/350?cb=20160721135805" alt="nate" style="width:px ; height:400px ;">
[[Go back|Title screen]]