cashmere sweaters。 Was it just her; or was Serena acting a little jumpy? She wondered if Nate had
told Serena about not graduating and not going to Yale and otherwise ruining Blair?s life。 ?You
sure?? She pushed。
?Not since; um; we did the slide…show stuff that day you caught us。? Serena laughed awkwardly
and turned to rifle through the colorful Missoni knit dresses behind her。
Blair squinted distrustfully at the back of Serena?s blond head; trying to read her possibly evil;
maybe lying; definitely…in…love with Nate thoughts。 ?Well; you missed Vanessa Abrams getting
one hot makeover yesterday。 You should really keep your phone on;? she finally said to her
back。 ?I?m going back to look at the Prada dresses。? Serena followed Blair; trying to match her
quick steps。 ?Vanessa got a makeover? How e?? Serena asked; grateful for the opportunity to
change the subject。 She stopped on the opposite side of the rack from Blair and started flipping
through the chocolate… and mocha…colored Prada bubble dresses Blair had already passed over。
?Her sister?s getting married this weekend。? Blair lifted her eyes from the white silk Prada dress
she was fingering。 ?And; you know?sometimes people just need a change。? Serena bent down and
tried to make eye contact through a gap in the dresses。 There was something else she was feeling
guilty about not telling Blair。 ?Speaking of changes?there?s something I need to tell you;? she said
quietly。
Blair pushed her hair off her shoulders and straightened the straps of her white Nation tank
top。 ?I already know about Nate;? she snapped。 ?You don?t have to hide it from me。? ?Youdo ??
Serena gripped a plush hanger with both hands。Blair knew about her and Nate?
?Of course I do。? Blair squinted; irritated that Serena would think for a second that Nate would
not tellher ; his girlfriend。 ?I cannot fucking believe he?s not going to Yale。 Repeating senior year。
He?s totally retarded;? she spat。
?Oh。? Serena looked at Blair; her navy blue eyes wide。 That was a close call。 ?Oh! I mean
that?s 。 。 。 that is awful。 But that?s not what I was going to say。 。 。 。? Her voice trailed off; her heart
thumping hard against her rib cage。
Blair pulled a Lauren Moffatt houndstooth…print tunic over her head and looked at her reflection
in the mirror。 Serena stood behind her; standing almost a full head taller and looking nervous。 She
twirled a long blond lock around her finger。 Blair wondered if Serena was finally going to confess
to her about her love letter to Nate。 Well; it was about time。 Then Blair could forgive her and they
could go off to Yale; best friends forever; and put all this behind them。 Even if Nate had to stay in
the city; at least she?d have Serena?and at least Serena would be far; far away from him。 Blair took
a deep breath and prepared herself to try and forgive her best friend。
?What is it then?? She moved on to the Diane von Furstenberg dresses Serena was practically