glad she and Blair were friends。 As different as they were; they?d accepted their differences and
painted each other?s toenails。 And wasn?t that what true friendship was about? Vanessa nearly
gagged at her own sentimentality; but it was all true; so fuck it。
Dan stared up at a large photograph of Serena at the Raves show; suddenly noticing himself up
on stage in the background; sweat dripping from his black T…shirt; his hair flying as he jumped into
the air; mike cord wrapped around one skinny arm。 He laughed at his own idiotic antics and
squeezed Vanessa?s fingers for reassurance。 Vanessa had been with him through every bizarre
moment over the last year?from back when he was just a nerdy guy scribbling in a shabby
notebook all the time; to a published poet in theNew Yorker ; to an almost rock star。
Almost。 Except for the whole puking…on…stage part。 And now; on the verge of a road trip out West
that would lead him God knew where; she was still here?and still holding his hand。
You love my lady lumps。 Check it out!
The screen flicked to an ad for Serena?s Tears。 Serena stood in Central Park in a skimpy yellow
dress; one lone tear glistening on her smooth; perfect cheek。 Next came a shot of Blair; starring in
her fourth…grade production ofAnnie ; an enormous grin on her face。 She?d refused to wear a wig
and had chosen brown pigtails instead; calling it artistic license。
Next Nate recognized a photo he?d taken of Blair sun…bathing on his roof; one eye closed in an
adorable wink。 Then there was a picture of Serena on the set ofBreakfast at
Fred?s; wearing an enormous wide…brimmed black Bailey Winter hat; a triple strand of creamy
white pearls around her throat; blowing the camera a kiss。 And finally came a photo of Blair?s and
Serena?s faces pressed together; beaming at the camera; the frame so tight that there was nothing
else in the picture but their two gorgeous faces。
Nate ran his fingers through his hair。 The only thing missing from the photo of Blair and
Serena?s smiling faces was his own face wedged between them。 He?d always been there; in
between them?ing between them。
Nate watched as Serena got up from her seat and hurried across the room to Blair?s table。 The
two girls stood in front of one another for a moment and then Serena opened her arms; pulling
Blair in for a hug and resting her shining blond head on Blair?s shoulder。 Blair turned her head to
the side; and Nate could see the tears streaking her face; even in the dim light of the darkened
room。
As he watched the two girls he loved holding each other and crying; a smile crept across his face。
It slowly grew and grew and the rest of his face brightened。 He pushed through the glass doors of
the Met just as the lights went up and slipped out into the warm August night; running down the
stone steps。 They were the same steps he?d sat on with Blair and Serena a million times; their