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　silver　lighting　fixtures。　Now；　it　was　decorated　in　shades　of　pewter　and　lavender；　the　walls　painted　a　soft　dove　color。　An　antique　silver　mirror　hung　over　the　fireplace；　and　there　were　fresh…cut　flowers　on　the　long　walnut　dining　room　table。

“To　us；”　Chuck　said　simply；　handing　Blair　a　glass　of　champagne。　“Wele　home；　Blair…Bear。”　Besides　her　dad；　Chuck　was　the　only　person　who　ever　called　her　Blair…Bear。

“Why…　what…”　Blair　trailed　off。　The　apartment　was　beautiful；　but　what　did　it　mean？　Did　he　mean　he　wanted　her　to　move　in　with　him？　She’d　never　really　thought　about　where　she’d　live　when　she　moved　to　the　city　after　college；　but　she’d　always　assumed　it　would　be　on　the　Upper　East　Side。

“Since　we’ll　both　be　back　in　the　city　for　good　once　we　graduate；　our　apartment　should　feel　more　like　our　home。　If　there’s　anything　you　don’t　like；　the　decorator　will　work　with　you。　This　is　just　the　beginning。　I　can’t　wait　for　us　to　live　together。”　Chuck　cupped　her　chin　and　kissed　her。

Blair　pulled　away。　“It’s　very　nice；”　she　said　faintly；　glancing　around　the　living　room。　She　tried　to　imagine　sitting　at　the　head　of　the　table；　hosting　dinner　parties。　Setting　up　Fresh　Direct　deliveries　and　carefully　placing　perishables　in　the　Sub…Zero　refrigerator　in　the　sunny　south…facing　kitchen。　Taking　showers　together　in　the　morning　and　then　picking　out　clothes　in　the　side…by…side　closets　in　the　bedroom。

It　was　the　life　Blair　had　always　wanted…　but　did　she　really　want　it　so　soon？　It　was　one　thing　to　live　together　for　a　few　months　in　Oxford；　but　another　to　live　together　for　the　foreseeable　future。　Did　this　mean　they　were　engaged？　Suddenly；　her　mind　flashed　back　to　the　conversation　with　Chuck’s　mom。　Everything　was　moving　too　quickly。　“I　think　I　need　to　sit　down；”　Blair　choked；　settling　on　a　lavender…upholstered　wingback　chair。

Chuck　held　out　a　champagne　flute　and　perched　on　the　chair　arm。　“Here　you　go。　Merry　Christmas；”　he　said；　brushing　his　lips　against　her　cheek。

“Merry　Christmas！”　Blair　parroted；　clinking　her　champagne　flute　a　little　too　forcefully　against　Chuck’s。

Would　she　have　rather　he　kept　on　the　blindfold？

the　trouble　with　fairy　tales　is　that　they　always　end

On　the　day　after　Christmas；　Jenny　stood　outside　her　apartment　building；　stamping　her　tiny　feet　on　the　sidewalk　to　keep　warm。　She　wore　knee…high　boots　and　her　favorite　red　wool　coat。　Her　dark　brown　hair　was　loose　around　her　shoulders；　and　even　though　her　ears　were　freezing；　there　was　no　way　in　hell　she’d　risk　hat…head。

Nate　was　going　to　pick　her　up　any　second　to　see　The　Nutcracker；　and　she　didn’t　want　to　bring　him　upstairs　and　subject　him　to　her　dad。　Rufus　meant　well；　but　he　could　be　overprotective；　and　didn’t　entirely　approve　of　Nate。　Rufus　remembered　all　too　well　how　hysterical　Jenny　had　been　when　they’d　broken　up　her　freshman　year　of　high　school；　and　no　amount　of　explaining　would　convince　him　that　Nate　was　different　now。

A　town　car　glided　down　the　street　and　came　to　a　stop　in　front　of　her　building。　Nate　rolled　down　the　back　window；　and　Jenny’s　heart　thudded　against　her　chest。　Most　of　the　time　Nate　was　just　Nate；　the　boyfriend　whom　she　woke　up　to　every　morning　and　who　became　grumpy　if　he　didn’t　eat　breakfast。　But　at　times　like　these；　Jenny　was　reminded　of　the　dreamy；　gorgeous；　almost　unapproachable　boy　she’d　first　fallen　in　love　with　when　she　was　only　fifteen。

“Hi。”　Nate　smiled　his　adorable；　lopsided　grin　as　the　chauffeur　rushed　around　the　door　to　let　Jenny　in。　She　scooted　onto　the　leather　seat　beside　Nate。

“Meow！”　Jenny　nuzzled　her　nose　into　his　neck　and　breathed　in　his　delicious　boy　scent。

The　town　car　turned　down　Broadway；　where　the　sidewalks　were　crowded　with　people　ducking　in　and　out　of　the　stores　still　decorated　for　Christmas。

“I’m　excited！”　Jenny　said；　intertwining　her　fingers　with　his。　She　and　Nate　had　seen　The　Nutcracker　four　years　ago　when　she　was　a　freshman；　and　she’d　loved　it。　Back　then　she’d　been　too　amazed　by　the　fact　that　Nate　was　sitting　next　to　her　and　holding　her　hand　to　pay　any　attention　to　the　performance。　Then　they’d　made　out　in　Central　Park　and　then…　well；　she　wasn’t　going　to　think　about　what　happened　next：　Vanessa　Abrams　had　unwittingly　filmed　them　goofing　around　in　the　snow；　including　Nate　playfully　pulling　down　Jenny’s　pants。　The　footage　of　Jenny’s　bare　butt　wound　up　on　the　Internet。　Jenny　smoothed　her　DVF　dress　down　on　her　lap；　as　if　to　remind　herself　to　keep　her　clothing　in　place。

For　now；　anyway。

“Me　too；”　Nate　said　as　the　car　lurched　between　stoplights。　He’d　seen　The　Nutcracker　every　year　since　he　was　born—usually　with　Blair—so　he　was　kind　of　over　it　by　now；　but　Jenny’s　enthusiasm　was　contagious。

The　car　pulled　up　in　front　of　the　sprawling　Lincoln　Center　plex　of　glass…and…iron…wrapped　concrete　buildings。　Jenny　smiled　happily。　“’Bye！”　she　yelled　to　the　driver。

Nate　held　her　hand　as　he　led　her　to　the　New　York　State　Theater　building。　Jenny　felt　like　she　was　in　a　fairy　tale。　She　imagined　them　in　ten　years：　Jenny　would　be　a　freelance　graphic　artist　and　Nate　would　be　a　high…powered　lawyer。　Every　year；　the　day　after　Christmas；　they’d　bring　their　two　kids　to　The　Nutcracker。

Nate　led　them　to　orchestra　seats。　A　set　of　blond　toddler　triplets　sat　next　to　Jenny　on　one　side；　and　on　Nate’s　other　side　were　four　elderly　ladies　with　grayish…blond　bouffants　lacquered　two　inches　above　their　Botoxed　foreheads。　They　were　practically　screaming　as　they　bragged　to　each　other　about　their　grandkids。　Jenny　frowned。　This　wasn’t　what　she’d　imagined。　Maybe　it　would　get　better　once　the　show　began？

The　lights　dimmed　and　one　of　the　toddlers　next　to　her　started　shrieking。　Jenny　tried　not　to　be　frustrated；　but　this　was　supposed　to　be　their　big　night　out　in　New　York；　and　suddenly　it　didn’t　feel　romantic　or　magical　at　all。　It　felt　like　a　field　trip　gone　wrong。

Nate　leaned　back　in　the　plush　velvet　chair。　He’d　been　baked　every　other　time　he　saw　The　Nutcracker。　Maybe　it　would　be　really　cool　sober。

Or　maybe　not。

Nate　smiled　as　the　giant　tree　grew　out　of　the　slick　black　stage　of　the　New　York　State　Theatre。　That　used　to　be　Blair’s　favorite　scene。　After　that；　she’d　get　antsy　and　they’d　usually　skip　the　second　act　to　drink　cappuccinos　in　the　lobby　and　spy　on　the　couples　walking　around　the　promenade　below。

Nate　closed　his　eyes；　imagining　what　it　would　be　like　if　Blair　was　here。　She’d　looked　terrific　at　her　mom’s　dinner　party。　And　so　had　Serena。　It　had　been　unnerving；　the　way　they’d　kept　giggling　whenever　they　glanced　toward　him　and　Jenny。　And　then　they’d　excused　themselves　to　the　terrace　and　when　they　finally　reentered；　they　smiled　sneakily　at　him。　He　knew　them　too　well　and　was　pretty　sure　they’d　been　talking　about　him。　And　no　matter　how　much　he　loved　Jenny；　he　wanted　to　know　what　they’d　been　saying。

Nate　realized　everyone　around　him　was　clapping。　Was　the　first　act　over　already？　He　clapped　politely。　“Want　a　cappuccino？”　he　asked　Jenny。　Suddenly；　he　didn’t　really　feel　like　being　there。

“Sure。”　Jenny　shrugged；　looking　so　innocent　and　sweet　that　Nate　felt　a　weird　lump　in　his　throat　like　he　was　going　to　cry。

Imagine　if　he　was　stoned…。

“So；　what　did　you　think　of　the　show？”　Jenny　asked　later。　They　were　in　the　library　of　Nate’s　town　house；　sitting　side　by　side　on　the　tan　calfskin　couch；　drinking　merlot　out　of　Riedel　glasses。　A　sailboat　documentary　played　on　the　flat　screen　in　front　of　them。　Nate　had　been　quiet　for　the　rest　of　the　show；　even　during　the　romantic　end　when　Clara　and　the　prince　are　finally　together；　happily　ever　after。

“Nate？”　Jenny　asked　again；　realizing　he　was　sound　asleep；　his　head　flopped　against　his　shoulder。　Jenny　sighed　in　frustration。　This　was　not　how　she’d　expected　the　evening　to　play　out。　She’d　been　hoping　they　would　e　back　and　sit　in　front　of　the　fire；　not　the　flat　screen；　and　that　they’d　be　drinking　wine　and　whispering　sweet　nothings　to　each　other；　not　asking　each　other　questions　like　they　were　strangers。

Jenny　bounced　up　and　down　on　the　couch；　hoping　he’d　wake　up。　It　wasn’t　even　eleven　yet；　and　she　was　still　all　dressed　up。　If　she　wasn’t　going　to　get　undressed　by　her　boyfriend；　she　didn’t　want　the　outfit　to　go　to　waste。　Suddenly　she　realized　that　tonight　was　Tyler’s　party；　the　one　he’d　e…mailed　her　about。　It　would　be　fun　to　just　go　out　and　dance　and　not　feel　like　she　was　part　of　an　old　married　couple。

Jenny　debated　waking　Nate　up；　but　he　looked　so　cute　and　peaceful　lying　there　that　she　felt　it　was　better　to　just　leave　him　be。　She　grabbed　a　tartan　Asprey　throw　from　a　corner　club　chair　and　carefully　tucked　it　around　him；　then　took　her　purse　and　tiptoed　into　the　living　room；　thankful　that　Nate’s　parents　were　on　vacation　and　she　had　the　town　house　to　herself。

She　pulled　out　her　phone　from　her　knockoff　Louis　Vuitton　purse；　perched　on　a　white　love　seat　by　the　window；　and　called　her　old　friend　Elise　Wells。　They’d　kept　in　touch　a　bit　while　Jenny　was　at　Waverly　and　Elise　was　at　Constance；　and　Jenny　knew　she’d　be　home　on　break　from　Stanford。

“Jenny？”　Elise　squealed；　answering　the　phone　on　the　second　ring。　“Are　you　in　New　York？”

“Yes；　I　am！”　Jenny　said　brightly；　then　cut　to　the　chase。　“Want　to　go　to　a　party？”

On　the　other　end　of　the　line；　Jenny　could　sense　Elise　hesitating。　“Is　your　boyfriend　ing？”　she　asked　finally。

“Nope；　just　me。　Sorry　it’s　short　notice。　Remember　Blair　Waldorf？　Her　brother；　Tyler；　invited　me　to　a　club　where　he’s　DJ’ing　tonight。　It’s　somewhere　downtown；”　Jenny　said；　trying　to　remember　the　name　of　the　club。　Something　that　reminded　her　of　coffee。　“At　Filter？”　That　sounded　right。

“Wait；　Tyler　Rose；　as　in　the　DJ　TyRo？”　Elise　sounded　excited。

“Yeah！”　Jenny　said　in　surprise。　Elise　had　heard　of　him？

“Pick　me　up　in　ten　minutes；”　Elise　manded。

Outside；　Jenny　looked　at　the　rows　of　green…awninged　buildings　on　Fifth　Avenue。　Most　of　the　lights　in　the　windows　were　out；　and　she　felt　a　shiver　of　excitement　course　through　her　body。　She　hadn’t　had　a　wild　and　crazy　night　in　forever。　She　hadn’t　realized　until　now　how　much　she　missed　the　feeling　of　an　anything…can…happen　adventure。　She　hailed　a　cab　and　directed　it　to　Elise’s　building　several　blocks　away。

A　figure　brushed　out　of　a　door。　It　was　Elise；　looking　taller；　blonder；　and　skinnier　than　Jenny　remembered。　She　wore　a　cleavage…baring　Alice＋Olivia　purple　tank　top　and　a　tight　black　Marc　by　Marc　Jacobs　skirt　without　a　coat。

“Hey！”　Elise　exclaimed；　bursting　into　the　cab　and　hugging　Jenny。

“Hi！”　Jenny　grinned　excitedly。　She’d　missed　her　old　friend。　“Um；　we’re　going　to　Filter？　On　Fourteenth　and　Tenth；”　Jenny　told　the　cabbie　through　the　Plexiglas　partition。

“I　brought　some　stuff　to　get　the　party　started。”　Elise　grinned　mischievously　as　she　passed　her　a　bottle　of　Diet　Coke。　Jenny　took　a　swig；　coughing　when　she　realized　it　was　saturated　with　vodka。

“Thanks！”　she　grinned；　taking　another；　more　careful；　sip。

Some　things　never　change。

The　cab　pulled　up　to　a　one…story　black　building。　A　red　velvet　rope　held　back　a　line　that　snaked　its　way　down　the　block；　and　a　beefy　bouncer　stood　with　his　arms　crossed；　blocking　the　ominous…looking　steel　door　entrance。

Jenny　boldly　marched　up　to　the　bouncer；　ready　to　tell　him　she　was　on　the　list。　But　she　didn’t　have　to。　He　just　grinned；　showing　his　gold…capped　teeth；　and　waved　them　in；　clearly　finding　the　two　overeager　girls　to　be　a　wele　change　from　the　bored…looking　hipsters　who　made　up　the　rest　of　the　line。

“Nice；　Humphrey！”　Elise　said；　clearly　impressed。　She　made　her　way　to　the　bar　while　Jenny　picked　through　the　crowded　club。　It　was　dark　and　dingy；　and　girls　with　asymmetrical　haircuts　and　short　mod　dresses　were　dancing　with　guys　wearing　skinny　ties　and　vests。　Tyler—it　was　hard　to　think　of　him　as　TyRo—was　playing　a　weird　but　cool　mix　of　Ladytron　and　the　Cure　and　the　Clash。　It　was　the　type　of　music　her　friend　Brett　loved；　but　Jenny　never　really　understood。　She　always　preferred　cheesy　Top　40　music。　Still；　there　was　something　decidedly　cool　about　the　scene。

Elise　tapped　her　on　the　shoulder。　“I　got　you　a　drink。”　She　held　a　vodka　soda　out　to　Jenny。　“I　should　tell　you；　I　have　a　boyfriend　back　at　Stanford；　so　I　have　to　behave　tonight。”

“How　good　is　good？”　Jenny　arched　an　eyebro