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ic　summer　in　the　south　of　France；　which　seemed　to　ease　the　pain　of　separation。　Then　there　are　couples　like　N　and　J；　who　can’t　even　seem　to　be　apart　for　a　few　hours。　They’re　often　seen　kissing　outside　the　library…　and　Brown　dining　hall　the　Ratty…　and　in　the　middle　of　the　green。　Get　a　room！

your　e…mail

q：　Dear　Gossip　Girl；

I’m　the　owner　of　a　collection　of　blogs。　e　work　with　me　and　I’ll　make　you　a　star。

—Nick

a：　Dear　Nick；

While　I　don’t　know　what　my　future　holds；　I　intend　to　remain　an　independent　operation。

—GG

q：　Dear　Gossip　Girl；

Okay；　here　it　is：　I　have　loved　you　since　your　first　post。　I’m　graduating；　I　guess　you’re　graduating；　and　all　I　want　for　Christmas　is　you。　I　just　received　my　fat　signing　bonus　with　a　certain　hedge　fund；　and　I　want　to　fly　you　down　to　St。　Barts　for　the　holidays。　e　with　me　and　let’s　toast　the　rest　of　our　lives。

—Rich

a：　Dear　Rich；

While　I’m　flattered　to　hear　you’re　a　longtime　devotee；　there’s　no　way　I’m　spending　this　holiday　anywhere　other　than　the　Upper　East　Side。　And　while　the　affections　of　some　ordinary　girls　may　be　for　sale；　I’m　no　ordinary　girl。

—GG

stress　case

As　we　all　bustle　about　trying　to　figure　out　our　futures；　I’m　experiencing　déjà　vu。　Didn’t　we　do　this　once　already？　It’s　senior　year　stress　all　over　again—except　this　time；　we’re　not　applying　to　college；　we’re　applying　to　life。　My　advice　is　the　same　as　I　gave　four　years　ago：　Sometimes；　you　just　need　to　pour　the　pinot；　turn　on　some　tunes；　and　chill　out。　After　all；　don’t　we　have　the　rest　of　our　lives　to　worry？

You　know　you　love　me；

gossip　girl

old　rivalries；　new　real　estate

Blair　stood　on　the　terrace　of　her　mother　and　stepfather’s　new　Central　Park　West　penthouse　and　took　a　drag　of　her　Merit　Ultra　Light。　In　the　past　year；　she’d　almost　given　up　smoking；　but　something　about　her　mother’s　dinner　parties　always　made　her　want　to　break　the　rules。

The　new　penthouse　was　on　the　top　floor　of　a　sprawling　French　Renaissance　and　German　Gothic　sandstone　building　that；　on　Seventy…second　and　Central　Park　West；　lay　almost　exactly　across　the　park　from　the　Fifth　Avenue　building　Blair　had　grown　up　in。　It　may　as　well　have　been　in　a　whole　other　country。　They　were　here　because　Cyrus　was　creating　a　huge　development　on　the　west　side；　but　Blair　had　a　feeling　that　Eleanor　had　also　pushed　for　the　move　because　she　missed　her　old　stomping　grounds。　Blair　didn’t　blame　her。　The　few　times　she’d　been　out　to　LA；　she’d　hated　it。　The　clothes　were　gaudy；　the　hair　and　boobs　fake；　and　you　had　to　drive　everywhere。　Even　the　sun　felt　too　accosting　and　bright。

Blair　had　finally　gotten　used　to　Eleanor　and　Cyrus　living　in　LA；　though；　and　now　that　she　was　planning　to　move　to　New　York　after　graduation；　she　wasn’t　sure　she　wanted　them　in　the　same　time　zone；　much　less　the　same　city。　The　only　good　thing　about　the　move　was　that　she　could　see　her　sister；　Yale；　more　often。　Yale　might　even　grow　up　relatively　normal　if　they　spent　enough　time　together。

Or　not。　Normal　is　highly　overrated。

Blair　shivered　and　hugged　her　arms　around　her　chest。　It　was　surprisingly　warm　for　December；　but　she　was　only　wearing　a　silky　black　and　tan　Chloé　halter　sheath。　She　wasn’t　quite　ready　to　go　back　inside；　where　Eleanor　and　Cyrus　were　hosting　a　holiday　party　for　all　the　Upper　East　Side　couples　they’d　been　friends　with　for　years；　including　the　van　der　Woodsens；　the　Coateses；　and　the　Basses。　Chuck　was　still　in　England；　due　back　on　Christmas；　so　Blair　had　to　fend　for　herself。　It　was　times　like　these　a　long…distance　relationship　was　hard。　At　Yale；　she　kept　busy　with　classes　and　the　college　friends　she’d　made；　but　in　New　York　she　hated　being　all　alone。

Blair　gazed　down　at　streetlight…lined　paths　that　zigzagged　through　the　dark　expanse　of　Central　Park　greenery。　It　just　felt　so　wrong　to　be　looking　at　the　park　from　this　angle。

The　terrace　door　slid　open　and　her　stepbrother；　Aaron　Rose；　stepped　outside；　carrying　Yale　on　his　hip　and　a　glass　of　champagne　in　one　hand。　Aaron　was　a　senior　at　Harvard；　insisted　on　wearing　his　hair　in　little　brown　dreadlocks；　and　had　spent　all　of　last　year　on　a　study…abroad　program　in　Burkina　Faso。　Now；　starry…eyed　at　the　notion　of　making　a　difference　in　third…world　countries；　he　was　in　the　process　of　applying　to　the　Peace　Corps　to　an　even　more　remote　third…world　country。

“Hey　sis！”　Aaron　said　cheerfully；　taking　a　large　swig　of　champagne　as　he　set　Yale　down。　Yale　had　large　blue　eyes；　dark　brown　hair　tied　back　with　a　dark　red　ribbon；　and　wore　a　green　velvet　Bonpoint　party　dress。　Blair　grinned。　She　was　fucking　adorable。

The　second　ing　of　Blair　Waldorf？

“Let’s　go　inside—it’s　cold！”　she　said；　holding　her　hand　out　to　her　baby　sister。　Blair　wasn’t　exactly　the　maternal　type；　but　the　almost…four…year…old　was　impossible　to　resist。

“No！”　Yale　stomped　her　foot　indignantly。　“I　don’t　like　anyone　in　there；”　she　whined　as　she　intertwined　her　sticky　fingers　in　Blair’s　manicured　ones。　Aaron　burst　out　laughing。

Blair　picked　up　Yale；　inhaling　the　scent　of　her　baby　shampoo。　“Don’t　worry；　Yaley；　I　don’t　like　anyone　either。”

Together；　Blair　and　Yale　swept　through　the　sliding　door　of　the　terrace　and　into　the　expansive　living　room。　Eleanor　hadn’t　begun　decorating　yet；　so　the　entire　room　was　empty　save　for　a　large　Douglas　fir　that　skimmed　the　vaulted　cathedral　ceiling。　In　a　way；　the　room　looked　more　impressive　without　furniture。　The　white　moldings　of　the　ceiling　contrasted　with　the　dark　oak　of　the　window　ledges；　and　the　art　deco　chandelier　cast　a　romantic　glow　against　the　cherrywood　floors。

“Blair；　darling！”　Misty　Bass　caught　Blair’s　elbow。　She　was　an　imperious…looking　woman　with　a　crisp　blond　bob　who　never　left　the　house　without　first　putting　on　a　large　amount　of　jewelry。

“You　know；　darling；　seeing　you　with　your　adorable　baby　sister　makes　me　imagine　you　as　a　mother；”　Misty　said；　leaning　in　close。　Blair　practically　recoiled　from　the　scent　of　her　spicy　perfume。　“I　know　both　your　mom　and　I　would　love　grandchildren！　After　the　wedding；　of　course；”　she　added　sternly。

Blair　smiled　tightly。　Who　said　anything　about　marriage？　She　and　Chuck　had　been　dating　for　over　a　year；　and　they’d　spent　the　entire　summer　at　her　dad’s　South　of　France　vineyard；　but　they’d　been　separated　by　the　Atlantic　Ocean　for　the　past　three　months。　Besides；　what　was　this；　1952？　She　was　going　to　get　a　job　after　graduation；　not　an　entryway　ring。

“Blair！”　Yale　whispered　urgently；　tugging　on　Blair’s　hand。　“I　have　to　pee。”

“Looks　like　you　need　to　attend　to　the　little　one！”　Misty　reached　out　to　ruffle　Yale’s　hair。

“Ow！”　Yale　yelped　loudly。

“Oh。”　Misty　drew　her　hand　back　and　pursed　her　lips　as　if　she’d　sucked　on　a　lemon。　“I’m　sorry；　little　dear。”

“Nice　to　see　you！”　Blair　called　over　her　shoulder　as　she　ran　Yale　toward　the　nursery。　“Good　job；”　she　whispered　in　Yale’s　ear　as　she　brushed　past　guests。　“I　owe　you　a　pony。”

Sounds　like　she’ll　make　a　fine　mother。

Once　Yale　was　safely　deposited　in　the　arms　of　her　nanny；　Bridget；　Blair　reentered　the　party；　determined　to　avoid　Misty　for　the　rest　of　the　night。　She　scanned　the　room　to　see　if　any　of　her　old　friends　had　tagged　along　with　their　parents。　Last　she’d　heard；　Nate　was　attending　Brown　and　shacking　up　with　Jenny　Humphrey。　She　saw　Serena　on　campus　often　enough；　usually　talking　on　her　cell　or　walking　quickly　across　the　quad；　latte　in　hand。　She’d　never　said　hello。　She’d　almost　gotten　to　the　point　where　Serena　could　be　anyone　on　campus—like　Emily；　an　annoying　red…haired　girl　in　Blair’s　Shakespeare　class　who　read　each　line　as　if　she　were　a　member　of　the　Royal　National　Theater。　Serena　was　just　a　vaguely　familiar；　vaguely　annoying　face　who　had　nothing　to　do　with　Blair’s　real　life。

“Blair；　darling！　Over　here！”　Her　mother’s　unmistakable　voice　floated　over　the　string　quartet　playing　holiday　music　in　the　corner。　At　the　entryway；　Eleanor　Waldorf　waved　frantically；　her　Cartier　tennis　bracelets　jangling　on　her　wrist。　She　wore　a　silver；　cleavage…baring　dress　that　might　have　been　acceptable　for　a　party　at　a　producer’s　house　in　the　Hollywood　Hills　but　was　pletely　inappropriate　for　New　York；　even　if　it　was　on　the　Upper　West　Side。　“Look　who’s　here；”　Eleanor　crowed。　Blair’s　eyes　flicked　to　her　mother’s　side　and　landed　on　Serena。

Serena；　wearing　a　tight　red　Catherine　Malandrino　dress；　squeezed　Eleanor　around　the　waist　as　if　they　were　long…lost　bosom　buddies。　Her　hair　was　impossibly　long　and　shiny；　her　skin　glowing　and　tanned；　as　if　she’d　just　returned　from　a　sun…drenched　Maldives　vacation。

Blair　set　her　mouth　in　a　firm　line　and　marched　over　to　them。

“My　two　favorite　girls！”　Eleanor　said　fondly；　pathetically　unaware　anything　was　amiss　between　them。　“I　was　just　telling　Serena　how　terrific　it　is　that　you　two　have　had　each　other　all　these　years。　I　felt　good　moving　to　California　knowing　Serena　was　in　New　York　for　you　to　e　home　to。”　Eleanor　rested　her　hand　on　Blair’s　shoulder。

Blair　hadn’t　told　her　mom　she　and　Serena　hadn’t　even　spoken　this　past　year；　how　every　time　they　saw　each　other　they　managed　to　have　an　enormous　fight；　how　Serena　was　like　some　bloodsucking　leech；　desperate　to　take　everything　of　Blair’s　and　literally　ruin　her　life。

“I　feel　the　same　way；　Eleanor；”　Serena　said　sweetly；　knowing　it　was　what　Blair’s　mom　wanted　to　hear。　“I　like　knowing　Blair’s　at　Yale；　even　though　I　hardly　see　her。　She’s　so　busy　with　pre…law　and　everything。”　In　truth；　she　didn’t　know　if　Blair　even　was　a　political　science　major　with　a　concentration　in　pre…law　anymore。　She　sometimes　saw　Blair　around　campus；　striding　across　the　lawn　with　a　group　of　girls　or　her　advisor。　Blair　always　looked　so　confident　and　capable　and　in　control；　like　a　picture　torn　out　of　a　Yale　catalog。

Meanwhile；　Yale　still　felt　like　a　holding　place　for　Serena。　While　she　knew　a　lot　of　people；　she　hadn’t　made　any　real　friends；　especially　since　she　spent　every　weekend　with　Dan　in　the　city。　It　felt　like　she　spent　Monday　through　Thursday　waiting　for　the　weekends　and　her　real　life　to　begin。

“What　are　you　majoring　in；　dear？’　Eleanor　asked；　plucking　a　mini　quiche　off　a　passing　tray。　“Do　you　have　any　idea　what　you’ll　be　doing　after　college？”

“I　don’t　know。　I　thought　I　had　a　few　more　semesters　of　undergrad；　but　it　turns　out　I　don’t。”　Serena　shook　her　head。　There　was　a　silver　lining　to　missing　Dan　and　having　no　social　life：　It　had　forced　Serena　to　keep　herself　busy；　signing　up　for　back…to…back　lectures　and　seminars。　Her　advisor　had　called　her　in　for　a　meeting　on　the　last　day　of　finals。　Serena　had　been　nervous；　sure　she’d　failed　a　philosophy　exam　or　accidentally　forgotten　to　turn　in　a　French　paper。　Instead；　she　found　out　that　because　she’d　amassed　so　many　credits　from　her　regular　classes　and　classes　at　the　New　School　while　she　was　in　New　York；　she’d　be　able　to　graduate　in　spring　without　having　majored　in　anything。　Serena　bit　her　lip　and　shrugged。　“I’m　graduating　in　May；　so　I　have　to　figure　it　out。”

What？　Blair　wanted　to　throw　her　champagne　glass　on　the　floor。　“How？”　she　spat。　Serena　had　started　college　a　full　two　years　after　Blair；　and　hadn’t　even　taken　as　many　AP　classes　as　she　had　back　in　high　school。　In　fact—Blair　racked　her　brain—had　Serena　even　taken　any？

Who　needs　APs　when　you’ve　got　charm？

“I　took　a　bunch　of　New　School　classes　the　year　before　I　started；　and　I’ve　been　taking　a　lot　of　credits。　I　didn’t　know；　though。”　Serena　shrugged　blithely。　“Dan　got　into　grad　school　for　poetry　at　Iowa；　so　I　might　go　there。”　She　hadn’t　mentioned　it　to　Dan；　but　really；　it　didn’t　seem　like　such　a　bad　option。　Wasn’t　Iowa　City　supposed　to　be　really　quaint？　And　what　else　would　she　do？

Um；　get　a　life？

Good　riddance；　Blair　wanted　to　scream。　Serena　could　go　off　to　Iowa　and　live　on　a　farm　and　milk　cows；　or　whatever　people　did　there。

“That　sounds　amazing。　You　should　definitely　go　there；”　Blair　said；　so　sweetly　that　no　one　but　her　nearest；　dearest；　and　greatest　enemies　would　hear　the　threatening　subtext。

“How　marvelous　to　be　dating　an　artist。　That’s　how　Cyrus　is。　Always　seeing　the　world　a　different　way；”　Eleanor　mused；　gazing　adoringly　at　her　tubby；　bald；　red…faced；　gold　cuff　bracelet–…wearing　husband。　He’d　gotten　fatter　in　the　four　years　sinc