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e　she’d　been　trying　to　get　away　from　had　decided　to　follow　her　here？　She　glanced　out　the　window；　where　snowflakes　were　picking　up　in　speed　and　intensity。　Fan…fucking…tastic。

“What’s　wrong？”　Chuck　gently　rested　his　hand　on　her　arm。

“Nothing！”　Blair　snapped。　“I　need　some　coffee。”

And　a　personality　makeover？

Serena　bed　her　long　blond　hair　back　and　pulled　on　a　black　Marc　Jacobs　sweater　that　had　been　Blair’s　in　high　school。　She　gently　closed　the　door　to　the　guest　room；　where　Dan　was　still　sleeping；　and　headed　toward　the　stairs。　She’d　tossed　and　turned　all　night；　sure　she　could　hear　giggles　ing　from　Nate’s　bedroom。

“Giles　and　I　slept　right　through　the　storm！　We　didn’t　realize　the　power　had　gone　out　until　we　woke　up　to　find　all　the　lights　in　the　house　on。　I　hope　you　slept　okay。　You　look　a　little　tired；　Bear。”　Serena　stiffened　when　she　heard　Harold　Waldorf’s　pleasant；　lawyerly　voice　drift　up　the　stairs。

“I　didn’t　sleep　very　well；”　Blair　grumbled。

“I　can　always　change　room　arrangements　when　your　friends　leave；　so　you　can　get　your　beauty　sleep；”　Harold　offered。

“They’re　not　my　friends；”　Blair　muttered。　“I　don’t　know　why　they’re　here。　I　thought　it　would　be　a　relaxing　holiday　with　just　the　family；　and　I　have　to　read　Ulysses；　and　I　can’t　do　anything　when　I’m　so　stressed　out。　Look；　Daddy；　do　you　think　I’m　breaking　out？”

“Morning！”　Serena　said　loudly　as　she　clattered　down　the　stairs。

“Serena；”　Harold　boomed　jovially。　“Coffee？”

“Yes　please。”　A　bowl　of　fresh　pumpkin　spelt　scones；　courtesy　of　Giles；　sat　on　the　counter。　Serena　took　one；　plunging　her　thumb　into　the　flaky　pastry。

“Hi；”　Blair　said　icily。

“Hi；”　Serena　responded；　taking　a　buttery　bite。　“I　like　your　bracelets。”

“Thanks。　My　boyfriend　gave　them　to　me；”　Blair　said　pointedly。　“Speaking　of；　where’s　yours？”　And　when　are　you　all　leaving？　she　wanted　to　add。

“He’s　still　sleeping。”　An　awkward　silence　fell　over　the　kitchen　as　Serena　tried　to　search　for　clues　about　whether　or　not　Blair　and　Nate　had　been　together　last　night。　It　was　hard　to　tell。　Blair　seemed　edgy　and　bad…tempered；　but　that　didn’t　mean　anything。　She　was　often　edgy　and　bad…tempered。

“How　are　your　parents？”　Harold　asked　politely；　breaking　the　silence　as　he　settled　on　a　chair　opposite　Serena。

“They’re　great。　Right　now；　they’re　in　St。　Barts　for　New　Year’s。　My　brother；　Erik；　is　getting　married　next　year；　so　they’ve　been　really　busy　with　plans。”　Serena　nodded　happily。　Erik　had　met　his　fiancée　when　he　went　to　Australia　for　his　junior　year　abroad；　and　they’d　been　inseparable　since。　The　only　downside　to　the　wedding　was　the　floor…length　lilac　taffeta　dress　she’d　be　obligated　to　wear　as　a　bridesmaid。

Blair　resisted　the　urge　to　roll　her　eyes。　Who　cared？　And　why　was　Serena　up　so　early？　Had　she　sneaked　back　into　Nate’s　room？

“What　time　are　you　leaving？”　Blair　asked　rudely。

Serena　felt　like　she’d　been　slapped。　Apparently；　their　truce　had　ended。

And　the　cold　war　is　back　on。

“Blair！”　Harold　chided。　“The　snow　is　still　ing　down。　It’s　New　Year’s　Eve　Day。　You　kids　are　free　to　stay　as　long　as　you　like；”　he　said；　glancing　out　the　window。

Serena　followed　his　gaze。　The　flurries　from　earlier　this　morning　were　now　large；　swirling　flakes。　She　and　Dan　were　supposed　to　be　back　in　New　York　this　evening　for　Rufus’s　infamous　New　Year’s　Eve　flambé　party；　but　now　it　looked　like　they　would　be　forced　to　stay　another　night。　She　was　as　trapped　as　the　animals　at　the　Central　Park　Zoo。

And　about　to　fall　prey　to　a　lioness。

heartbreak　hotel

Vanessa　woke　up　with　a　start　on　New　Year’s　Eve　Day。　She　turned　over　and　stretched；　realizing　that　she　was　alone　in　bed。　Since　he’d　gotten　back；　her　and　Hollis’s　sleep　schedules　had　been　so　off；　it　felt　as　though　they　were　roommates　rather　than　a　couple　sharing　a　bed。

She　got　out　of　bed　and　sleepily　padded　down　the　winding　staircase　into　the　living　room。　She　sniffed　the　air；　surprised　not　to　smell　any　muffins　baking　or　eggs　frying。　Hollis　loved　cooking　breakfast；　and　Vanessa　had　gotten　used　to　waking　up　to　a　feast。　She　smiled　happily　at　Hollis；　sitting　shirtless　at　the　counter　in　a　pair　of　flannel　pajama　pants　and　the　same　type　of　thick；　woolly　socks　he’d　given　to　Vanessa。

“Happy　New　Year！　Glidilegt　Nytt　Ar。　Isn’t　that　how　you　say　it　in　Icelandic？”　She’d　looked　up　the　pronunciation　on　the　Internet；　sure　that　the　phone　was　the　only　way　they’d　municate　on　the　holiday。　She　skipped　down　the　stairs　and　plunked　down　on　the　chair　opposite　him。　But　Hollis　was　busy　squinting　down　at　his　iPhone。

Finally；　he　looked　up；　his　gaze　icy。　“How’s　Dan？”

A　shiver　of　fear　ran　up　her　spine。　Hollis　was　reading　the　texts　on　her　phone。　“Dan　and　I　were　texting　last　night。　While　you　were　out；”　she　said　coldly。　She　wasn’t　going　to　be　made　to　feel　guilty　when　she　hadn’t　done　anything。

“Just　texting？　‘Depends　who　I’m　meeting　on　the　roof？’”　he　said　in　a　mocking　tone。　“No　wonder　you　didn’t　e　out　with　my　friends。　You　wanted　to　go　meet　up　with　Dan。”

“What？　No！”　Vanessa　screeched；　her　voice　echoing　in　her　ears。　This　was　ridiculous。　Nothing　could　be　further　from　the　truth。　Last　night　she’d　eaten　half　a　tub　of　Ciao　Bella　on　the　couch　with　her　feet　under　Norma。　Which　was　pretty　much　how　she　spent　all　her　time　these　days。　For　the　last　year；　she’d　been　stupidly　devoted　to　Hollis。　She’d　put　her　whole　life　on　hold　for　him。

“What　else　am　I　supposed　to　think？”　Hollis　asked　in　exasperation。　Norma　emitted　a　low…pitched　whine　from　the　floor；　as　if　to　say　she　didn’t　want　any　part　of　this。　“You　didn’t　want　to　go　out　last　night；　you　didn’t　even　try　to　be　friendly　with　the　Streetscape　people—it’s　like　you　don’t　even　care…。”　Hollis　shook　his　head　ruefully。　“Long　distance　sucks；　I　know　that。　But　it　wasn’t　like　I　was　in　Iceland　for　fun。　I　was　working。　You　of　all　people　should　appreciate　that。”

Vanessa　blinked　back　angry　tears。　Outside；　the　city　was　blanketed　in　snow；　quiet　and　cold。　“You’ve　been　with　the　film　people　all　the　time；　then　you　just　e　home　and　expect　me　to　be　your　personal　assistant；”　she　retorted。　“I　didn’t　want　to　go　out　because　I　was　fucking　exhausted　from　picking　up　after　you。”

“Really？　Really；　Vanessa？”　Hollis　snorted。　“Guess　you　weren’t　too　tired　to　text　Dan　all　night。　How　e　you　never　texted　me　like　that？”　The　hurt　was　evident　in　his　voice。

Vanessa　shook　her　head。　At　one　point　in　her　life；　Dan　had　meant　more　to　her　than　anyone　ever　had。　He’d　been　her　best　friend；　her　confidant；　the　only　person　in　the　world　who　knew　her　better　than　she　knew　herself。　Even　though　they　hadn’t　spoken　for　two　years；　she　knew　he　still　understood　her。

But　it　seemed　too　impossible　to　try　to　explain　her　relationship　with　Dan。　To　explain　any　part　of　what　she　was　feeling　right　now。　It　was　as　if　she　and　Hollis　had　lost　their　ability　to　municate　a　long　time　ago　but　were　only　just　now　realizing　it。

She　gazed　at　his　balled…up　socks　under　the　coffee　table；　which　he　never　put　in　the　hamper。　Hurt　and　anger　and　confusion　bubbled　up　inside　of　her。　Suddenly；　she　felt　exhausted。　“Look；　this　isn’t　working；”　Vanessa　found　herself　saying；　her　voice　breaking。　“But　I　want　you　to　know　I　wasn’t　cheating。”

“I’m　going　to　go；”　Hollis　said。　He　stood　and　headed　up　the　spiral　stairs　to　their　sleeping　loft。　“Spend　a　few　days　away。　Clear　my　head。”

“No；　it’s　your　apartment。　Don’t　be　ridiculous。　I　just　need　a　few　minutes　to　pack。”

Upstairs；　she　threw　her　things　into　a　huge　army　green　duffel。　She　had　nowhere　to　go。　Ruby　and　Piotr’s　extended　family　were　having　a　New　Year’s　Eve　goat　roast　that　she　didn’t　want　to　crash。　There　was　too　much　snow　on　the　ground　to　get　a　bus　to　Vermont　to　her　parents’。　She　suddenly　found　herself　thinking　of　the　Upper　West　Side　and　Rufus’s　flambé。

Maybe　there　was　someplace　she　could　go；　after　all。

a　lot　can　go　wrong　in　the　cold　light　of　day

Jenny　felt　like　she　was　about　to　explode　from　the　secret　of　what　had　happened　last　night。　She　didn’t　want　to　sit　too　close　to　Nate；　in　case　anyone　might　suspect　anything；　so　she’d　watched　Two　for　the　Road　and　My　Fair　Lady　sitting　on　an　unfortable　leather　ottoman。　Now；　the　sun　was　beginning　to　set；　Blair　was　about　to　put　in　Breakfast　at　Tiffany’s；　and　Jenny　wasn’t　sure　if　she　could　stand　watching　another　romantic　movie　in　the　dark。

“Want　to　play　a　game？”　she　asked；　kneeling　down　before　the　glass…fronted　cabinet　of　games　in　the　corner　of　the　den。　The　snow　had　let　up；　and　she　wondered　if　they’d　all　head　back　to　New　York。　She　hoped　they’d　stay　just　one　more　night；　even　if　it　was　New　Year’s　Eve　and　she　was　supposed　to　go　to　a　party　in　the　city　with　Tinsley；　one　of　her　friends　from　Waverly。　But　she　didn’t　want　to　go　to　a　party。　All　she　wanted　to　do　was　sneak　back　up　to　Nate’s　attic　bedroom　again。

“Let　me　see。”　Serena　stood　behind　Jenny；　peering　at　the　games。　“Oooh；　Clue！　Remember　how　your　nanny　taught　us　to　play　this　and　you　were　terrified　Colonel　Mustard　was　ing　to　get　you？”　she　called　over　to　Nate。　He　smiled　slightly。

Serena　set　up　the　board。　“Can　I　be　Miss　Scarlet？”　she　asked。

“I　don’t　see　why　not。　You　always　get　what　you　want；”　Blair　said　under　her　breath　from　the　corner。　She　was　so　over　this　snowbound　adventure。　All　she　wanted　was　a　quiet　New　Year’s　Eve　with　her　boyfriend；　where　they　toasted　their　calm；　peaceful　lives；　and　planned　their　Gstaad　skiing　vacation。　Was　that　too　much　to　ask？

“Who　do　you　want　to　be？”　Jenny　asked　Blair　as　she　took　the　Mrs。　Peacock　piece。

“I　don’t　care；”　Blair　said　tersely。　Everyone　was　acting　strangely　today。　Serena　and　Dan　were　barely　talking；　Jenny　seemed　jumpier　than　usual；　Nate　was　spacey　and　quiet；　and　Chuck　was　trying　to　make　everyone　get　along。　Harold　and　Giles　had　wisely　spent　most　of　the　day　playing　outside　with　the　twins；　as　if　they　sensed　drama　on　the　horizon　and　wanted　no　part　of　it。　“I’ll　be　Mrs。　White；”　she　said　finally；　sneaking　a　glance　at　her　white　gold　Rolex。　Four　o’clock。　Too　early　to　lie　and　say　she　was　going　to　bed；　even　if　it　was　practically　dark　outside。　They　began　halfheartedly　playing。

Serena　rolled　the　dice。　“Six。　Right　behind　Blair；”　she　noted　as　she　moved　her　game　piece。　Maybe　she　and　Dan　could　get　on　the　road　after　this　game；　and　take　their　chances　with　the　snow。

“Of　course　you’re　following　me；”　Blair　muttered。　Just　like　Serena　had　followed　her　to　Yale。　Just　like　Serena　had　followed　her　to　Newport。　She　imagined　them　in　their　fifties；　Blair　having　to　move　from　home　to　home　to　keep　away　from　Serena。

“A　little　self…centered；　Mrs。　White？”　Serena　asked。　Her　tone　was　light；　but　she　was　deadly　serious。　What　was　Blair’s　problem？

Blair　glared　at　Serena。　“I　suspect　Miss　van　der　Woodsen；　outside　Nate’s　room；　with　a　really　slutty　candlestick；”　Blair　hissed。

Serena　gasped。　“You　were　there　too。　Don’t　try　to　act　all　innocent。”

“What？”　Jenny　chirped；　backing　away　from　the　game　board。　What　did　they　mean；　outside　Nate’s　room？

“Sorry；　Dan；　but　you　should　know　Serena　was　trying　to　sneak　into　Nate’s　room　last　night。”　Blair　stood　up　abruptly。

Serena　felt　anger　slice　through　her　stomach。　It　was　so　typical　of　Blair　to　blame　everything　on　her。　“Let’s　go；　Dan。”　Serena　pulled　at　his　arm。　“I　need　to　talk　to　you。”

Dan　climbed　to　his　feet　uneasily。　He　felt　like　he　was　about　to　throw　up。　So　Serena　had　tried　to　hook　up　with　Nate　last　night。　She　hadn’t　even　denied　it。

“Blair？”　Chuck　asked　from　the　corner。　“Are　you　okay？”

“I’ll　be　fine　once　Serena　gets　out　of　here；”　Blair　snapped。

“Christ；　not　again。”　Nate　angrily　kicked　the　table　leg。　Why　did　this　always　happen？　Every　time　he　came　into　contact　with　Serena　and　Blair　there　was　a　giant　blowout。　He　suddenly　remembered　learning　about　catalyst　reactions　in　his　high　school　chemistry　class。　One　random　chemical　could　change　everything　between　two　otherwise　normal　chemicals。　It　all　made　sense。　He　was　a　fucking　catalyst。

Um；　you　think？

He　walked　out　of　the　living　room；　leaving　everyone　staring　after　him。　He　couldn’t　stay　in　the　house　with　Blair。　He　couldn’t　drive　back　to　New　York　with　Serena。　But　he　had　an　idea。　His　dad　kept　the　Charlotte　docked　in　Newport；　and　it　wasn’t　snowing　that　hard。

Nate　ran　up　to　the　attic；　grabbed　his