Starting Over: rewrite

Inheritance

"Impressive." One of the women compliments me. Dorota ad I share a look of happiness. "However, for better or worse, we are known by the company we keep." Another woman sighs. "Tell me, was that Serena van der Wooden that came in earlier?"

"Yes. She's an old friend." I lie.

"I see her quite a bit on page six." Another comments.

"And quite a bit of her." The first comments. They all laugh at the expense of Serena.

"Well, when I said she was an old friend, it was...habit." I continue to lie. How far am I willing to go? "I don't... can't approve of how she lives her life."

"Hmm'."

"Mm'." They agree with my statement.

"And her mother married Bart Bass." They are laughing even harder now. "The man was all new money and models."

"And his daughter." They whistle. "She is a piece of work."

"Sham of a model and now..."

"Teen pregnancy." They shake their heads in disapproval.

"That baby is going to end up just like her mother. An easy woman with no morals." I am gripping my teacup so hard now.

"If you ask me, that car hitting him was a mercy killing." They are laughing again.

"I hear Bass Jr is a piece of work too."

"You wouldn't have anything to do with either of them, would you, Blair?" They ask me.

"Well, I..."

"Blair, the answer is no." The first woman scolds me.

"Yes. I mean, no." I frantically say. I look at all of the women and then lock eyes with Dorota. "I have to go." I announce. I stand up and stare them down. "Those pieces of work are the best people you could ever know. And that baby is the most loved and cherished child you will ever meet. Ella Bass is an amazing mother, and she would put you all to shame. And Serena and her mother are wonderful, kind people."

"Blair, do you know what you're doing?" They stop me.

"I thought I was leaving high school behind. I guess you never do. Dorota will get your coats." I smirk as I know I won and kept my dignity.

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Ella's POV

"Hey." I knocked on Chuck's door. It makes me happy seeing him acting like my brother again. "Blair told me what happened last night."

"You know I love balcony's." He jokes.

"Did you have enough alone time?"

"Not nearly enough, but being home feels right."

"Were you going to jump?" I ask, fearing the answer.

"Ella..."

"I need to know if you were going to leave me and...I just need to know." I beg him, and he sees how upset I really am. "I just lost Bart and...I can't lose you too."

"E..." I bring my brother in for a hug and cry on his shoulder.

"I love you too much to...please don't leave me. If you need time, then take it, but please don't leave me." I beg him. He hugs me back tighter.

"I would never leave you." He whispers to me.

"That's not how it looked."

"Hey." Chuck holds my face in his hands, making me look straight into his eyes. "You have always been there for me even when I didn't deserve it. You are my favorite person and...I am sorry if I have put you through more heartache. I love you, Ellie, and I don't want to hurt you anymore."