𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙀𝙍.

@bluereynolds​

The applause in the room had just died down after his father’s speech and Thomas finished his champagne glass just as the last clap was heard. He set the glass down on a passing try, giving the waiter a thankful smile before he decided to head to the bar again. The room was filled with both strangers and faces far too familiar; even when an event was described as intimate and invite-only, there were still people there Thomas had no idea about. 

He was on his way towards the bar when he saw a face that started off as just familiar enough but then became something that held so many memories. Of course, said memories were high school ones and perhaps outdated, but still precious nonetheless. 

Thomas cleared his throat and made his way towards Blue; she was so different and yet she looked the same. Thank God she didn’t have a group of people around her, flocking towards her warmth like he once had. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.” Good job, Thomas. 

Blue wasn’t stupid, she’d been fully aware of what she was getting into when she RSVP’ed to the event organized by Thomas’ father. She hadn’t seen her ex in almost ten years, but the thought of seeing him actually wasn’t enough to keep her away. On the contrary, she was kind of curious to see him after all this time. She kept tabs on him over the years, but she mostly got professional updates and that wasn’t exactly what she wanted to know about.

As soon as she got there, she found herself drawn to the open bar. She knew she’d need to be at least slightly tipsy to get through an event like this one. She was on her second glass of champagne when she heard his voice behind her, a smile slowly making its way on her face. Turning to face him, she gave him a quick once-over before her gaze settled on his features. He was even more handsome than before if that was even possible. “What can I say? I saw your last name on the invite and just couldn’t stay away,” she said playfully, clutching her flute with both hands. “It’s been a while.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes at the ‘charming’ comment. All of her friends seemed to get sucked into the glittering trap of the Upper East Side’s charms – first Jenny, then Dan, then Blue, then herself. “It’s… weird. To be back,” she admitted. “I thought I’d feel different and the city would be the same, but–” Vanessa interrupted herself, forcing out her best impersonation of a laugh. “God, I need to get out of here. Are you busy? I haven’t even seen your new office yet, not in person.”

“Oh, don’t give me that look. I get enough of them from Jacob. I know what I’m supposed to thing, the Upper East Side is terrible, yadi yadi yada, but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do to get ahead,” she said with a nonchalant shrug, not ashamed in the slightest. “We’ll get you settled right in and then it’ll be just like old times. Except better because old times weren’t always that great for you, were there?” Blue nodded, looping her arm through her friend’s elbow and pulling her towards her office building. “You’re going to die. Corner office, huge windows, assistant. I even have a treadmill in there.”

“I think a lot of young impressionable women still buy Vanity Fair and it’d be great if they’d actually give them some useful information instead of bullshit, that’s all” Jacob said with the shrug of his shoulders and leaving it at that. He’d scrolled through the website once or twice if only to see what Blue was spending all her effort on. He could blame her if it was a passion project but it was very obvious to him that Blue liked fitting in with people she was far better than in his opinion. That bothered him. “Not interested in taking you out at all. Besides, I only gave you that bracelet that one time because the pawn shop wouldn’t take it” Half-true. So perhaps he’d given her a bracelet and a jacket and a pair of earrings so far, but that was it and he didn’t want it to become a habit. “Yeah sure, I’m the perfect instagram boyfriend –– Sabrina’s got me trained on all the angles and filters” he said with a heavy sigh, “Starts at nine am so hope you get enough beauty sleep tonight. And no, this ain’t a date. If I took you on a date, you’d know it” he added with a charming grin before taking another sip from his coffee. In high school he wanted to take her out, unfortunately when she moved it sort of ruined those plans. These days he was content to keep up their friendship despite the fact that he’d always have a sweet spot for her. 

“They do get useful information, Jake. It’s a fashion magazine. There are other publications for politics. The New Yorker is a huge one. Maybe you should be the one working there and changing things. It’s your passion, not mine,” she pointed out, even though he’d heard all this from her a million times before. It sure as hell would be a career more worthy of him. “Oh, come on, you’ve wanted to take me out since high school. Timing’s just never been on our side. I was dating Thomas and now you’re dating Samara.” She knew very well that wasn’t her actual name, but she could be slightly petty when she wanted. “I don’t think I need to tell you to come to me again if the pawnshop won’t take her shit again, right?” It felt so unlike him to be an ‘Instagram boyfriend’ and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Part of her felt like it meant he must like Sabrina a lot to put up with shit he had no interest in, but how much could he really like her if he was willing to steal from her? He was nothing if not a walking contradiction. “Please, I doubt you would give me the date I deserve. What exactly is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?” 

“Well, no, because that title is a little too on the nose…” Jacob grumbled with a huff. He knew Blue would never be so bold as to sacrifice her newfound career for something as silly as morals. It wasn’t like those morals paid the bills or gave her the respect of others. Unfortunately, Jacob would always be so quick to give up everything for his beliefs which probably explained his current career despite all his education. Taking a sip of his coffee, Jacob didn’t even try to hide the annoyed look across his face when Blue asked him for clothes. He gave her one thing a few months ago (and maybe another thing a month before that) and suddenly she was always on him for shiny new things. Maybe he warranted it or maybe he just liked being able to give her things, he wasn’t quite sure at this point. “Nope” he stated simply. “I think you and I just have different concepts of fun” He said with the shrug of his shoulders as if that explained it all, “In fact, I plan on having a lot of fun tomorrow if you’re interested?” he raised his brow before continuing, “Women’s march is tomorrow. You’re a woman and you have legs so sounds right up your alley” he added with a smirk. “Yeah I get it, I’m really pretty but talk too much about shit you don’t care about, what’s new.”

“I wasn’t aware subtlety was your thing. That title would definitely get me in trouble, though. You realize who buys Vanity Fair in the first place, right? The people I said I would eat,” she pointed out, even though she knew he was smart enough to figure that out on his own. That was the thing with Jacob—he was way too smart for his own good. The way she saw it, he let his brain get in the way of opportunities. He had no business being a bouncer, but that was none of her business. It was hard to miss the annoyance in his features when she mentioned the clothes, but it didn’t bother her at all. He had access to something she wanted and that was as far as her thought process went. “Come on, Jacob. You know I’m extra grateful when you get me stuff. I might even agree to let you take me out one day.” It wouldn’t be much of a sacrifice in all honesty, not that she could tell him that while he had a girlfriend. The flirtation between the two of them always felt a little bit like a missed opportunity, like their timing was always terribly off. “I think you and I have exactly the same idea of fun and that’s kind of the problem.” Blue sighed as if his idea was the worst thing she’d ever heard, not willing to admit she wanted to go already. “And they’re great legs at that. Fine, we can go together. I hope you’re good at taking pictures because I’ll need a few for my Instagram,” she added as an afterthought, going back to the shallow facade she tried to project. “Is this your idea of a date, by the way?”

Vanessa only turned fully when the cigarette was snatched out of her grasp. She didn’t even have time to muster her default anger reaction at her personal space being invaded by the time she recognized Blue. “God, Blue, I’m sorry,” Vanessa apologized, shaking her head, glancing at her friend. “I meant to call when I landed, but then I just came straight here and…” She exhaled in a deep sigh, returning her attention forward. “This place is hardly a palace.” She punctuated her contempt with another drag, eyes fixed on the penthouse windows. “It use to be something, but now,” she exhaled, “it’s a monument to banality.”

She saw anger flash in Vanessa’s eyes, but it dissipated as quickly as it appeared. She wasn’t truly offended that her friend hadn’t reached out yet, she understood that coming back to town must’ve been quite overwhelming without having to worry about reconnecting with old friends. “I’m not actually upset, stop apologizing,” she said, waving her apology away. “I don’t know, it’s kind of charming, no? Also, that much space is worth a lot in Manhattan.” Blue looked at her friend, trying to figure out the expression on her face. “You don’t look to excited to be back.”

Taking a sip from his coffee, Jacob had to admit that it was nice to not be on his feet right now. Perhaps working late and odd hours were beginning to get to him, however, he refused to stick to a normal nine to five job like everyone else he graduated from college with. Given the fact that his spare time was spent at protests or helping people make some damn good fake papers, selling out and working for the man wasn’t an option. “You should reconsider saving Manhattan, Vanity Fair has a lot of young followers and they’re the future” he said just to be annoying as a grin reappeared across his face, “But hope you get that promotion. Maybe then you can actually afford the shit you wear” Or maybe he wouldn’t have to gift her with a Chanel bag every once in awhile, either way. At her next comment, Jacob nearly spat out his coffee, “Never” He replied with the shake of his head. “I’m not really interested in any of that. Would it kill you to just let me have fun?” While his relationship was turning into something more serious when you consider how long he and Sabrina had been together, Jacob still considered it a light hearted and fun relationship that he just happened to not be sick of yet, that’s all. “So massive apartment, decent job, are those the only boxes on your list when dating?” He asked with the raise of his brow.

Blue rolled her eyes when he lectured her once again. It was something she’d heard from him many times and her reaction was almost always the same. It’s not that his convictions didn’t resonate with her, but growing up the way she had turned her selfish. She had bills to pay, her parent’s and hers. She couldn’t afford to lose a job that paid well. “What do you suggest I do? Post an article titled ‘Eat the Rich’? They’d fire me on the spot,” she pointed out as she always did when he brought this shit up. “What can I say? I live the life I wish I was living. Speaking of clothes, you got anything new for me?” Her smile turned charming and she leaned forward a bit, her knuckles grazing his hand. She wasn’t above flirting to get his girlfriend’s fancy clothes. Truthfully, no matter how useful his relationship with her was, she’d be lying if she said there was the tiniest part of her that was jealous whenever he brought her up. “It would kill me actually, especially when I’m not also having fun.” No one in hell was she admitting that what she really wanted was for him to have fun with her. “I wouldn’t hate it if he looked a lot like you. Just less cynical and political.”

Vanessa took a drag of her cigarette – a bad habit she’d picked up in Andorra – and squinted up at the nondescript building in front of her. Even before prohibition, it had been a bar. A decade ago (was it really a decade?), it had been a bar she’d tried and failed to save with none other than Chuck Bass. And now, luxury condos. Of course. Everything eventually became a luxury condo in New York City, didn’t it?

“You don’t live here do you?” Vanessa called behind her, realizing she was standing directly in front of the entrance. She took once last look at where the building met the sky before turning her head. “I don’t mean to block your way,” she added, taking a step aside.

Blue couldn’t help to chuckle as she looked up the building. She could only wish she lived in such a nice building. Snatching Vanessa’s cigarette out of her hand, she took a drag before handing it back to her. “Come on, you know me better than that. You know I can’t afford to live in a fucking palace,” she said with a scoff, looking up at the building. “Is that how you great an old friend?”

“The website?” Jacob repeated with a scoff as he shook his head. He’d never understand why Blue wanted to play pretend with all the socialites, granted her job probably made that easy, but it seemed like so much useless work. “You know you could be putting so many better things on that website” He had plenty of ideas that he had talked her ear off about before but they were all far too political to ever get air. “I ain’t trying to get dates” And he wasn’t, since unlike a lot of other men in the city, Jacob was content with one woman in his life without complicating things. “Maybe dumped by you, not by her, though” As annoyed as Blue could get about his girlfriend, Jacob didn’t see any harm in it. Despite how long they had been dating, it was just something fun and truth be told it was nice to have someone there to go to after a long day. “Yeh, sure, on me. Feel free to get anything off the menu, too” He said half-sarcastically since he certainly wasn’t taking her anywhere special. “Sill me” He added before slowly stepping away from her with a smug look across his face. He figured he’d get back to work before someone called him on it. 

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

Shortly after their talk, Jacob said bye to the other guys working with him that night and headed out of the bar after returning his walkie. Being free for the rest of the night felt nice even though it was already so late. Seeing Blue waiting for him, he gave her a nod as he walked over, “Alright so what’s new with you?” He asked, heading down the street. It was a short walk to one of his favorite mo and pop shop so they got there in no time. Giving a wave to the owner who let them in, Jacob took a seat on a stool at the front and asked for a coffee and kabob plate, his usual. 

“Yeah, the website. Spare me the judgmental glare, Jake. I’m not going to save Manhattan with the Vanity Fair website,” she said with a roll of her eyes, having heard his little speeches one too many times already. It’s not that she didn’t agree with him, it was that she kept choosing herself first over political statements and stunts. “Yeah, like what again? You do know what Vanity Fair’s demographic is, right? I doubt they’d be interested in the Bronx’s small businesses.” She chuckled at his quick denial. “Then what are you trying to get out of Tinder? Because only one thing comes to mind and it isn’t much better than dates.” She rolled her eyes again as he gushed (or that’s how she saw it) about his dumb girlfriend. This was always a sore spot for her. She’d been flirting with Jacob since high school and had always felt weirdly territorial when it came to him. Him dating a rich girl gave him access to a great closet which suited some of her needs, but another part of her mostly just resented the girl. “It’s not my fault she doesn’t respect herself like I do.” She ignored him as he went back to work, leaning against the wall and scrolling through her notifications while waiting for him.

She sighed dramatically when he joined her again, as if she was deeply annoyed to have waited so long. “What’s new with me, let’s see… Well, I’m aiming for a promotion soon and I’ve been on a date with this guy from work. Technically. He works for another magazine. You should’ve seen his apartment, it was massive.” His dick? Not so much. She followed his lead, sliding in the booth and ordering some food and a diet Coke. “What about you? When’s the wedding?”

“I don’t know, doubt my boss really cares all that much” To be fair, Jacob didn’t work for any specific place, he usually went through an agency so he didn’t care about bad mouthing the places he worked on any particular night. “Yeah, where do you think I met her” he said with a small laugh, not even sure if he was joking or not anymore. Reaching into his phone, Jacob took a quick glance at his messages and took note that he had none from Sabrina. “I just like seeing my options, no harm in that” He said with the shrug of his shoulders before sliding his phone back into his front pocket, “You always want something from me and sorry to disappoint but I ain’t got anythin’ tonight. But, I do get off in twenty if you wanna grab a bite. I mean you got all dolled up, might as well go somewhere with this knockout, right?” He added, referring to himself and trying not to look so smug about it. 

“He or she should. I’m still looking for a place to recommend this month on the website,” she said, although she knew it wouldn’t make a difference in the world to Jacob of all people. Blue threw her head back, laughing at the thought of a socialite looking for love on Tinder of all places. Didn’t these people stick to other rich kids in their circle? “With a face like yours, you’d think you could get a date without some lame app.” The brunette shook her head in mock disapprovement, as if she felt even slightly bad about him not being completely committed to his rich girlfriend. “I think she would disagree. In fact, that’s the kind of statement that could get you dumped.” He wasn’t wrong there, she did expect a lot from him. She was used to him giving in to her every whims. “Damn and here I was hoping for a new purse. I guess I’ll just have to settle for dinner. On you, right?” She looked down at her dress which was, admittedly, way over the top but perfect for this kind of place. “We both know who’s the real knockout here.”

Staring at Blue with the same blank expression as he did with everyone else who tried to get him to change his mind about letting them inside, Jacob tried his best not to let his features fall into a smile despite the fact that the corner of his mouth was already betraying him. “How about both” He said, crossing his arms over his chest as if that had been his final decision, however, it never was when it came to Blue. “Yeah, see, I could do that but I think you’re better off elsewhere” Why Blue wanted to hang around the rich kids in stupid bars like this one was beyond him, but he had to admit the visits were nice even if they just playfully bickered each time. It kept the job interesting to say the least. “Tinder’s got very qualified people, I mean I’m on there and look at me, I’m a knock out, solid 10” He said with a cocky grin as he tried not to laugh at how ridiculous that statement was. The truth was he wasn’t really on any dating apps anymore since technically he had a girlfriend. “I don’t know, how about you be honest, is this just a ploy to see how much you can get out of me?” He mimicked her words with the raise of his brow.

Blue kept her eyes focused on his, not buying the intimidating bouncer look for a second. She knew him too well, was too close to him for it to actually work on her. She could tell he was already fighting a smile, meaning she’d already won. “Elsewhere like? That’s awfully vague. Also, what would you boss say about you talking about his club this way?” Truthfully, she didn’t care about the club or the people in it that much, but she did care for what they represented, what they could get her. When she looked at them she saw money, connections and expensive clothes. A place like this was like hunting grounds for her. “Tinder? Don’t you have a girlfriend?” She asked him with a laugh, making it clear what she thought of his relationship. She was everything he resented. How long could it possibly last? “If you truly were a knockout, you wouldn’t need Tinder, Jakey.” She tried not to let it show how little she cared about getting in the club on that particular night and how much she was enjoying his company and the banter. “Now, what makes you say I want to get anything from you?”

OUTSIDE OF THE PENROSE BAR w/ @bluereynolds​

Another bustling night on the upper east side meant you could find Jacob out front of one of the popular bars. Clubbing and excessive drinking wasn’t really his idea of fun, however, he needed the job to pay the bills and given the fact that on a really good night he’d have the pleasure of kicking out an especially privileged asshole, he’d say it was well worth it. “We’re at capacity, sorry” Jacob said to the disappointed party-goers outside who were now backing out of the very long line. As they left, another group seemed to come up. Instead of shooing them away like the others, Jacob had to sigh despite the faint smile that made an appearance on his features, “Can’t get you in tonight, Blue” He said, even though the look on his face said he was already beginning to crack. After all, they were friends who went way back, bending the rules was something he always caved into when it came to her. “Besides, it’s a week night, don’t you got work tomorrow? Unless you’re meetin’ a Tinder date here because I gotta tell you, all the guys I’ve let in tonight aren’t in your league.”

Getting in clubs wasn’t exactly hard for Blue—she was a good looking girl, had nice clothes and connections. Somehow, though, she always ended up at the Penrose, the one place who always ended up at capacity during peak party hour. The place was pretty cool, but not nearly cool enough for her to wait outside in line like a loser. Still, she found herself walking up to the entrance and right to the guy she’d expected to see standing right there, right then. The guy who definitely had nothing to do with her showing up at this overhyped club. “Can’t or won’t? Last time I checked, you were in charge of the door, so you could just look away for a minute while I sneak in. You know, if you wanted,” she said with an innocent smile, leaning against the wall next to the door and effectively cutting the line. “What are you, my mother? Yes, I work tomorrow. I can still pull off an all-nighter without , I promise.” He had to know she wouldn’t take no for an answer or at least that getting in wasn’t all that important to her. “Well, duh. I doubt I’d find anyone that qualifies on Tinder of all places. Be honest, is this just a ploy to keep me outside with you?”