Gossip Girl: Prêt-à-Poor A

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Previously on Gossip Girl:
While You Were Sleeping
"I was stunned. My mind was reeling. OMG. Chris???? And Mark???? And Arlan???? WTF. I was gripping the wine glass in my hand so hard it almost broke."

When K Met J
"...I was surprised when I saw him. Wow, he is cute. Hmmmm... make that really cute. I found myself drawn to Jim and his stories."

Click here to meet the cast.



It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Seems Dickens knew something about life on the Upper East Side. Where the only thing you can count on is that what goes around... comes around.

Sunday night

"I can't believe it," Arlan confronted me. He had discovered what happened the night before and was upset.

"What do you mean?" I replied. "You, of all people, should know how the game works. I mean, you slept with Chris remember?"

"It's not the same. I can't believe you're comparing that to this," A rebutted.



This just in: We hear there's a cold war brewing between our favorite girls. Wonder what or who lit the fuse.






48 hours earlier

My friends and I were excited to see each other and catch up after weeks of being apart. We had decided to spend our summers separately and we were eager to hear each other's adventures.

Carlo went traipsing all over the Great Wall of China.

Vackie and Arlan tested their resolves on Temptation Island.

Edward lazed by the white sand beaches of Amanpulo.

And I went on an Eat Pray Love pilgrimage in India.

Friday night

It was my friend's despedida party and I invited Arlan and Jim along. Jim was someone I went out with a couple of years ago and we decided to see each other and catch up.

Jim and Arlan, apparently, were a huge hit with the guests at the party.

"Guapo siya (He's hot)," Gary told me, motioning to Jim. "Are you guys dating?"

"No… I mean, we did… before," I said. I looked at Jim and realized Gary was right. Jim looked especially good tonight. His shirt showed off his lean body and tight muscles. Sometimes, when you're so used to seeing someone, you forget how beautiful they are.

"Eh si Arlan? (What about Arlan?)"

"Oh, we're best friends," I answered. "We went out before but that was ages ago."

"Mahilig ka talaga sa guapo (You really have a thing for goodlooking guys)," Gary said. "Tingnan mo (Look), everyone's crowded around them."

After we got tipsy, we hit the club to meet with our other friends. The crowd was raucous… and wild. When the club closed, we continued partying at my friend's place. We ended at two in the afternoon, the next day.

Saturday night

"What time is it?" Vackie groaned. We had just woken up and the sky outside was dark.

I checked my phone. My head was still throbbing, and my tummy was churning with hunger.

"It's past midnight. Come on, let's fix up and get something to eat before we go out."



"Where's Arlan?" Leo cried out for the forty seventh time that night.

Leo was the latest of a long series of men who had fallen for the charms of my friend. Arlan, apparently ditched him (and us) that night, and he was upset.

"Alam mo ba (Do you know) this is the second time he did this to me," Leo said. "The last time, he made me wait for him at the metro station for an hour!!"

"Come on… relax," Carlo said. "Just try to enjoy the night. He probably fell asleep."

"Do you know I was supposed to visit my mom this weekend? I didn't go because of him!" Leo said, continuing his rant.

"Hay naku Leo… mag move on ka na (You'd better move on)," V told him.

"Ayoko. Gagawin ko ang lahat. (I don't want to. I'll do everything to win him.)"

Oh well, I thought to myself. Another one bites the dust. Sigh. Ang pasaway talaga nitong si Arlan. He ditched the guy and left us to deal with him.

Leo was so upset he didn't notice the tons of gazes men were throwing at him. Three of my friends had asked to be introduced to him. He was tall, with beautiful eyes and thick eyebrows. He was clearly a looker.

When dawn arrived, I accompanied him to get a cab to bring him home. Ten minutes later, I was surprised to see Leo back and approaching us.

"I don't want to go home yet. Gaganti ako (I want revenge)," he said. "May cute ba diyan? Kunin natin. (Is there anyone cute? Let's get him.)"

"Leo… relax, come on. You're drunk and tired," I said. "You should go home. It's morning already."

"Ayoko! (I don't want to!)" He was adamant. "Gusto kong gumanti! (I want to get even!)"

V and I looked at each other and looked back at Leo.

"Well… if you really want to get even, then why look for someone else?" V said. "Don't you know… the best revenge is for you to sleep with his friend."

"Or... friends," I said.

And he did.

Sunday night

"I can't believe it," Arlan confronted me. He had discovered what happened the night before and was upset.

"What do you mean?" I replied. "You, of all people, should know how the game works. I mean, you slept with Chris remember?"

"It's not the same. I can't believe you're comparing that to this," A rebutted.

"How is it different? Look Arlan, the world doesn't work that way. The same rules apply to you too."

Spotted: A learning that when it comes to life's bitterest pills, the hardest to swallow is a taste of your own medicine.

Hours later

Arlan took out his phone and dialled a number. After a few rings, the person picked up.

"Hey Jim, kamusta (how are you)? Listen, I was wondering... do you want to go out sometime?"




Oh girls, you tried to play dirty at the dance. But you should know, nobody puts A in the corner. Gossip Girl's hardly a war buff, but I did cram for a quiz or two on the French Revolution. Heads up, ladies. Looks like a cannonball's coming your way.

But before everything falls apart, let me show you a glimpse of what life was like during the good old times. For it will surely be missed.

Every summer, vacationers traverse the globe in search of new sights and experiences. But when it comes to a scandal, I'll take Manila every time.

Welcome home, Upper East Siders. You know you missed me.

XOXO

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Gossip Girl: The Age of Dissonance

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Some people think that when the party ends, the night is over. But I've learned that it's when the music stops and the light comes out that the real trouble begins.



"Nagpatulong kasi ako kay Vackie na makilala si surgeon (I asked Vackie to help me get to know the surgeon)," Edward told me. "Tapos, nagulat na lang ako na gino na niya. (I was surprised when he suddenly made a move)"

"OMG! Talaga? (Really?) What happened?" I said.

"Ayun, sila na ang nag-usap. Ano ba yan? (It ended up with both of them talking. WTF,)" he said.

"Hindi ka niya pinakilala? (He didn't introduce you?)"

"Hindi. Kasi habang kausap niya si surgeon, kinausap naman ako ng friend ni surgeon na tinetext ako ngayon. (Nope. While he was talking to surgeon, surgeon's friend started chatting with me and now we're texting.) Kaya lesson learned."



Oh Edward, haven't you heard of the old adage? All is fair in love and war, and this, ladies, is war.



"Honeyyyyyy… gusto ko talaga si surgeon, (I really like surgeon)" V told me.

"Talaga? Bakit? (Really? Why?)"

"We clicked. Ang happy ng usap namin, (We really had a great time)" he said. "There was this time I asked him: 'I'm going to ask you a really crazy question.' Then before I could even ask it, he said: 'Yes.'"

"Oh my. Marunong siya. He knows how to play the game. Bakit hindi mo kinuha ang number niya? (Why didn't you get his number?"

"I guess in my head I was thinking ... lalaki siya ni Edward. (he is Edward's guy.) Sigh."

"So what now?"

"I guess I'll have to talk to Edward."

"It's really tough. Una-unahan talaga eh. (It's all about who saw him first). So next time, don't be surprised to see me go all around the room the moment we enter the party. Then, I'll point to all the guys I like and tell all of you, 'Gusto ko siya! Siya! Siya!' ('I want him! Him! Him!')"

We both burst out laughing.

"That's not fair! Hahaha. Paano naman kami? (What about the rest of us?)" V said. "But honey, I really ... really like surgeon."


Better lock it down with the surgeon, Edward. Clock is ticking.



The problem with the game is when there are too many players. Getting fame was easy, but not everyone can be equally famous. Some stars will always burn brighter than the others.

Being single can be fun and exciting, but being single with other single, good looking friends can be a recipe for a disaster. Especially if you go out together. Especially if you go to the same places. Especially if you like the same kind of guys. After all, how many cute guys can there be in one room?

What if you and a friend happen to like the same guy and you meet him the same night? Does the person who saw him first gets to declare "He's Mine!!" How do you deal these kinds of issues? Who gives in? What if you really really like him? Do you negotiate? Are there rules that should be followed?

Because if there aren't any rules, then it may be game over between friends.



They say one is the loneliest number, but sometimes only the lonely can play. So thank you all for playing… each other, that is.
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