sheets and each other?s bodies like they had been made for one another。 Serena couldn?t believe
how fortable she felt with Nate?how fortable she?d always been with him。 She never;
ever wanted to get out of bed。 Couldn?t they just stay wrapped in each other?s arms forever;
ordering Chinese takeout every few hours and feeding each other greasy spareribs?
Nothing says romance like pork…fried rice!
She buried her nose in his ear and he pulled her close; wrapping the sheet around their naked;
sweaty bodies。 Serena reached up; twining her arms around Nate?s neck。
The minute his lips had touched hers and their clothes had fallen away; Serena knew she?d been
right all along?she really loved him。 She felt like she was going to burst with it; and had been
holding the words in for so long that all she wanted to do now was repeat them over and over
again。
?Serena?? Nate asked; rolling on his side and propping his head up on one hand。
?Yes; Natie?? She rolled him back over and placed her head on his chest; snuggling under his
armpit。 She loved the sound of her name when he said it。
?I have something to tell you。? He traced his fingertips along her bare shoulders。 It felt electric。
Serena sat up; pulling the sheet with her to cover her smooth skin; her blond hair falling over her
bare back。 ?What?? She whispered; trying to stay calm。
?I didn?t get my diploma;? he said quietly。 He grabbed her kilted teddy bear from the corner of
her all…white canopy bed and hugged it。 ?I?m not going to Yale next year?I?m going to have to
stay here in New York and repeat senior year。? Serena opened her eyes wide with surprise。 Not
going to Yale? Did Blair know? She looked at her teddy; as if he might convey some answers; and
pulled the covers up higher around her torso; shrugging off the thought of Blair; because with it
would e guilt; masses and masses of guilt。
?I wish I could just take off。? Nate pulled a faded green T…shirt over his head; his voice muffled
inside the soft cotton。 ?Just sail away and never e back。? His head popped through the cloth;
and he pulled the material over his tanned chest。
He ran his hands through his hair and flopped back down next to her。 Her eyes were so brilliantly;
deeply blue that it was hard for him to imagine ever looking anywhere else。 He looked at her
tanned; lightly freckled face; and he knew that he?d never forget the way she looked right now?her
cheeks flushed pink; her long body wrapped up in white sheets?as long as he lived。
If Blair finds out; that might not be for long。
?What are you going to do?? Serena asked; pushing her hair from her face。
?Stay here; I guess;? Nate answered dejectedly。 ?It?s not like I?ve got much of a choice。? Serena
stroked his hand; wishing she could kiss him and make this all better。 The late…afternoon sunlight