【 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ━━ 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 】

𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲, swimming or drowning
𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲 - 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀.
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ON THE UPPER EAST Side it's easy to think that the world is exactly as it appears. Refined, elegant, imposing. But sometimes, all it takes is a little key to open the door to the wild side. That door was the school's pool. The various of teens screaming, having fun. Mixed with the chlorine smell was not what I had planned. But it could have been worse.

As I was seated on the side of the pool. The older Bass was torturing my best friend. Not to forget to mention his cravings of getting every taboo in the book, having only one left.

Seeing Thomas, I stand up. Making my way to him as we hadn't really talked since he got back. Well, more since he left the gift. Standing in front of him, there was nothing more Valerie wanted to do than kiss him. To see if their connection was real. If it's always there. Not just when the mood is right. So, she leaned in closer, he did too.

Before he leans back, "Wow, you have a boyfriend." Tom speaks up, breaking the spell. Causing my brows to furrow, "What? I don't." I deny, "Yeah, he's tall. Brown hair-" he starts, trying to jog my mind.

"I think I would know what my boyfriend looks like." I remind him. Looking over my features, confusion is written over his face, "The guy in your room."

"Will? We are just friends."

"So, you don't have a boyfriend?" he questions. Where I shake my head, "Shouldn't I be trying to kiss him if I did?" I ask the boy, "Can I ask who he is?" Tom asks carefully.

Nodding I take a deep breath, "I work at a hardware store in Brooklyn. He lives down the street. We met when I had my interview." I say quickly, "Then I help him at school as he barely knows anyone. We met up for lunch once. After that, we did every time I worked. But we are just friends." I continue.

"Okay." he nods, "Okay?" I ask. His expression not telling me anything, "Okay." he nods, leaning closer.

"He needs help!" S screams. Making me look up, seeing Nate pull the Collins boy out of the water. Taking the first step, the others quickly follow, "What are you going to do? Do you know real CPR? If you push it-"

"Just shut up, and let me think." I snap back at Kati her overbearing panic. Pushing her away, I take a deep breath. Holding on to Andrew's face, "Pinch nose, chin up, mouth open." I instruct myself, doing as I said.

Gasping a mouth full of air, I puff it in. Pressing on his chest, "Not too high up or he will choke." I mumble, "Repeat." I say, doing the same. Nose, chin, mouth, repeat.

Coughing up the water, I lay him on the side. Stroking his hair, "You saved me?" he questions, "It was nothing." I deny, helping him sit up. As the Collins boy continuously takes deep breaths, I try to remain calm.

While the rest is running. Laying him down because if his headache. We hear the sirens, "You need to go." he tells me. Where I shake my head at, "Go, please." he pleads. Shifting my gaze to where I placed my bag. I now see everything is gone, "Wait, my-" I start.

"Stuff? Got it." Tommy tells me. Holding his hand out for me. Glancing at the boy on the floor, I take a deep breath before taking his hand.

As we quickly make our way out of our school. Having Tom's jacket on helps against the cold, yet it's still vivid. As I do have wet hair and a bikini on. Not to mention the wails of the squad cars are still sounding loudly, while the lights nearer. Thinking quickly I push him against the wall. Pressing my lips against his, soon getting lost in the moment.

Slowly pull away, he leans closer. Letting our noses touch, "Why- why did you do that?" Tom stutters. A rare thing for him to do. But explainable do to that I offered him my virginity on a silver plate, and just told him I'm single.

Surprisingly that isn't the most shocking thing. Especially with the events of only moments ago, "Wet teens running? Suspicious. Teens making out against a wall? It's New York City." I explain.

Where he nods at, "Right." he agrees. Clearing my throat I take a step back, "I will walk you home." he offers. Nodding at it, he wraps an arm around me. Continuing the contently silent walk home.

As soon as we do, he wants to leave again. Holding his arm I shake my head, "No, just stay. You can take a shower, I think I still have some of your stuff here." I offer.

Where he nods too. Not wanting to leave yet either. You know what they say; good things come to those who wait. They definitely deserve something fucking great.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, breaking the silence. Licking my lips, I think for the right answer, "He could have died." I breathe out. Tears starting to blur my vision, "Someone could have died tonight." I sniff.

"And you saved him."

"I didn't. Besides, I snapped at Kati." I shake my head.

My eyes still fixated on the ceiling. His thumb wiping my cheek. Closing my eyes I immediately relax into his touch, "She deserved it. She was breathing loud and annoying. Which no one needed." Tom says, justifying my actions.

"Still..." I trail off.

"Then apologize tomorrow - which I think you shouldn't - but you can." he reassures. Nodding at his words. He pulls me closer, "For now, all you have to worry your head about is that you have to hide me in the morning from Dorota." he tells me.

Causing me to chuckle softly, "She knows you slept over during the summer." I remind him, "Does she also know you offered me your virginity?"

Immediately making a heat rush to my cheeks, "No." I whisper, "Is that a cash-in for whenever I want, or...?" Tom question.

Actually earning a laugh. Making the young Bass smile, "See... that's what I was going for." rolling my eyes I turn on my side. Pulling his arms around me. Moving closer to the boy as I do, "Now shut up and cuddle with me." I tell him.

"Bossy, I like it." Tom teases. Smiling softly, I shake my head. Closing my eyes as he pulls me against him.

The next morning I hear a groan in my ear. Rubbing my face, I blink several times. Seeing Blair with a raised brow, "We didn't." I deny, "Then what is this?" she waves over the scene, "Him bringing me home, and calming me down. Someone could have died last night. That makes an impact on people." I explain to the overprotective Waldorf.

"Because of the cell phone left behind, we have plenty of evidence as to who was at the party. Lucky for you Andrew Collins is going to be fine." the St. Billard principal starts. The pictures showing all of whom are currently seated in this room, "Unlucky for you, we need to hold someone responsible." he continues.

"Miss Queller?"

The woman stands up, "Hello. I'm Miss Queller, the new headmistress at Constance." she says introducing herself. Immediately making my heart drop. As I don't want her to remember me by breaking into school, "It's unfortunate that we meet under these circumstances." she continues.

"But I look forward to getting to know. Each and every one of you."

"I have already talked to your parents. At least the ones I could reach. And look forward to reading your personal essays." Miss Queller informs us, "Ten thousand words describing how you came on school property after hours, using alcohol and drugs. Where a fellow student almost died."

Closing my eyes I take a deep breath. Knowing that even being there was a bad idea, "In other words what the Hell is wrong with you?"

Looking around the room her expression doesn't change, "Which of you is Valerie Tesfaye?" she questions. Making multiple eyes shift to me. Not wanting to raise my hand, B pulls it up, "I... I'm Valerie." I say nervously.

"You have been excused for this assignment." she informs me. At her words my brows furrow, "May I ask why?"

"Andrew informed us in his state that you have reanimated him. Made sure he could breathe before he told you to run."

Where I nod at, "That act, and you not being cleary on the pictures gives you a free pass. You may be excused." she tells me. Glancing at B she squeezes my hand, "You can go, see you after." she whispers.

Nodding I squeeze back, moving out the room. Tom his fingers gracing mine as I move out the room. As our new headmistress continues her speech, I take a deep breath. Taking drastic manners she looks over the teens. Informing them of the consequences.

If no one stands up, every single person in that room gets expelled.

"What did she say?" I ask B as soon as she walks out. Shaking her head, she takes my hand in hers. Staying quiet until we make our way to the stairs, "So we all know how this works?"

"Look, no one talks. No gets into trouble." Chuck continues.

Which I highly doubt is true, "Who did break in, anyway?" Nate asks, "I guess we don't have to worry about Nate cracking under pressure." C resorts, instead of answer the question.

"So, we all agree?" B questions slowly. Where all nod too, "Agreed." S nods. While her boy-toy, Dan, looks confused, "Look, Blair, I know you have your sight set on Yale. But this skull and bones stuff is a bit much, don't you think?" he questions.

"Maybe, but it works.." she hums, "Every time." I add. Taking my hand we and the girls walk up. As the boys' descent down the stairs.

Glancing back my eyed connect with a soft set of hazel orbs. As he winks, I quickly look away, a heat rushing to my cheeks.