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end　back　at　Stanford；　so　I　have　to　behave　tonight。”

“How　good　is　good？”　Jenny　arched　an　eyebrow。

“Dancing　is　okay；　cheek…kissing　is　fine；　number　exchange　is　fine　because　who　knows；　but　no　lip…kissing；”　Elise　said；　rattling　off　the　rules　as　if　they　were　officially　sanctioned。

Rules　are　made　to　be　broken。

“Deal！”　Jenny　grinned；　then　goofily　tapped　her　glass　against　Elise’s。

“Jennifer！”　Tyler　greeted　her。　His　black　T…shirt　was　soaked　with　sweat；　but　Jenny　didn’t　mind。　“I’m　glad　you　came。　I　have　a　break　right　now。　Drink？”　he　asked。　Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　he　led　her　through　the　crowd　and　toward　the　bar。　“Two　double　Red　Bull　and　vodkas；”　he　ordered。

The　bartender　was　a　superskinny　girl　with　jet…black　hair　and　tattoos　of　stars　on　her　arms。　“Whatever　you　want；　TyRo；”　she　said　with　a　wink　as　she　passed　the　drinks　to　Tyler。　Condensation　dripped　down　the　sides　of　the　highball　glasses。

“I　need　energy；”　he　explained；　nodding　toward　the　Red　Bulls。

“Totally。”　Jenny　nodded。　Now　that　she　was　here；　she　wanted　to　dance　all　night。

“So；　do　you　like　the　music？　I’m　trying　to　do　this　Brit　pop　indie　rock　thing；　but　I’m　trying　to　give　it　this　sort　of　post…post…punk　New　Wave　shoegazer　edge。”

“It’s　so　cool；”　Jenny　said　honestly。　When　she’d　listened　to　this　kind　of　music　in　her　dorm　room　at　Waverly；　she’d　never　really　gotten　into　it；　but　here　in　the　club；　with　the　bass　thumping　and　so　many　bodies　moving　to　the　beat；　she　could　feel　it　humming　through　her　bones。

“So　do　you　go　out　a　lot？”　Tyler　asked　panionably；　placing　his　elbows　next　to　her。

Jenny　shook　her　head。　She　rarely　left　her　Providence　apartment；　much　less　went　out　to　parties。　If　they　polled　this　club；　she’d　probably　be　the　most　boring　person　here。　She’d　probably　be　the　most　boring　student　in　the　entire　RISD　student　population—including　the　girl　who　made　elaborate　wire　sculptures　of　unicorns。　“I　want　to　go　out　more；”　she　said　finally。

Since　when？

“I　have　parties　every　night　this　week。　You　should　e。　But　first…”　Tyler　possessively　grabbed　her　hand　and　led　her　toward　the　dance　floor。　“Let’s　dance。”

Jenny　grinned　and　nodded　eagerly。　As　Tyler　gripped　her　warm　hand　in　his；　she　felt　a　rush　of　electricity　shoot　through　her　that　she　hadn’t　in　a　while。

Let’s　just　hope　she　remembers　the　rules！

two　girls　in　the　bed　usually　means　trouble

“Shh！　Be　quiet！”　Blair　whispered　sharply　to　Serena。　She　didn’t　want　it　to　be　obvious　to　every　Upper　East　Side　Peeping　Tom　that　they　were　about　to　break　into　the　Archibalds’　ivy…covered　town　house。

Earlier　tonight　she　and　Chuck　had　been　at　home；　drinking　muscadet　and　discussing　couches　when　Serena　called；　asking　if　Blair　wanted　to　grab　a　drink。　The　phone　ringing　was　like　an　alarm。

Alert：　You’re　officially　middle…aged！

One　glass　of　wine　with　Serena　had　bee　two　bottles；　and　the　conversation　had　quickly　evolved　into　an　isn’t　it　weird　we’re　all　grown　up　discussion。　Which　had　turned　into　a　let’s　go　back　to　the　old　days　scheming　session。　Which　was　why　Blair　was　now　standing　outside　Nate’s　town　house；　freezing　her　ass　off　in　her　Antik　Batik　brown　leather　jacket　and　high…waisted　Tahari　sailor　pants。

“What　if　they’re　here？”　Blair　asked；　watching　as　Serena　twisted　the　key　in　the　lock。　In　all　the　years　they’d　both　had　an　extra　set　of　keys　to　Nate’s　apartment；　they’d　never　sneaked　in　together。　“Ew。　What　if　they’re；　like；　doing　it？”

“Gross。　Nate’s　parents　always　go　to　St。　Barts　the　day　after　Christmas　and　stay　until　New　Year’s；”　Serena　said　over　her　shoulder。　“So　they　probably　are。　But　who　cares？　That　will　just　make　it　more　fun。　You　were　the　one　who　said　Jenny　and　Nate　needed　shaking　up；”　Serena　pointed　out　as　she　pushed　the　door　open。　Serena　cocked　her　head　like　a　cocker　spaniel。　“Shhh；”　she　whispered；　as　if　Blair　had　been　the　one　talking。

She　exaggeratedly　tiptoed　up　the　mahogany　staircase。　“I　hear　the　TV　upstairs；”　she　explained。

“You　guys　better　be　decent！”　Blair　called　as　she　pushed　the　door　open　to　the　second…floor　study；　where　they’d　spent　hours　watching　old　movies　when　they　were　younger。

They　found　Nate；　asleep　by　himself；　his　mouth　open　and　a　trail　of　drool　heading　down　his　angular　chin。　A　tartan　throw　was　pulled　over　his　body　and　his　dark　blond　hair　was　all　tangled。　He　looked　adorable。

A　smile　played　on　Serena’s　lips。　“What　do　we　do　now？”　From　her　tone；　it　sounded　as　if　she　knew　exactly　what　she　wanted　to　do。

“The　usual？”　Blair　arched　an　eyebrow。

“I’ll　get　the　supplies；”　Serena　said；　heading　into　the　Archibald　master　suite　as　Blair　raced　up　to　Nate’s　bedroom。　It　was　a　lot　cleaner　than　the　last　time　she’d　seen　it。　The　king…size　bed　was　perfectly　made；　and　there　were　no　piles　of　DVDs　or　notebooks　on　the　floor。　It　reminded　Blair　of　a　hotel。

And　we　all　know　what　good　luck　she　has　in　hotels。

She　climbed　into　the　bed；　pulling　the　green　flannel　sheets　around　her。　She’d　always　hated　flannel；　because　the　material　felt　so　scratchy　pared　to　her　own　Frette　sheets；　but　Nate　had　refused　to　sleep　on　anything　else。　Tonight；　though；　the　sheets　felt　cozy　and　warm　against　her　body。　She　leaned　back　against　the　pillows　contemplatively。　It　was　weird　that　the　last　time　she’d　really　spent　time　here　was　four　years　ago。　In　four　years；　she’d　be　twenty…six。　What　would　that　be　like？

Serena　burst　in；　holding　a　bottle　of　Grey　Goose　in　one　hand；　two　highball　glasses　in　the　other；　and　two　DVDs　between　her　laser　white　front　teeth。　She　scattered　them　on　the　duvet　cover　and　grinned。

“Breakfast　at　Tiffany’s　or　Some　Like　It　Hot？”　Serena　asked；　setting　up　a　makeshift　bar　on　Nate’s　dresser　and　splashing　vodka　in　the　two　glasses。

“Do　you　even　have　to　ask？”　Blair　asked；　wiggling　out　of　her　pants　and　throwing　them　out　from　under　the　covers。　She　sighed　happily。　It　was　like　old　times。

Old　times　without　underpants？

Serena　grinned　and　took　a　large　sip　of　her　drink。　“Obviously；”　Serena　said；　popping　Breakfast　at　Tiffany’s　into　the　DVD　player。　“Here　you　go。”　Serena　offered　a　glass　to　Blair。　Then；　she　unbuttoned　her　own　knee…length　black　Dries　van　Noten　dress　and　pulled　her　black　Wolford　stockings　off。

“So　much　better！”　she　said；　crawling　into　bed　next　to　Blair　in　her　beige　Cosabella　boy　shorts　and　pink　Calvin　Klein　camisole　and　cuddling　up　next　to　Blair　like　an　overgrown　puppy。　Blair　lay　back　against　the　pillow　and　gulped　her　highball；　feeling　giddier　and　more　at　home　than　she　had　in　ages。

Nate　woke　up　with　a　start。　He’d　been　dreaming　that　he　was　sailing　by　himself　in　the　middle　of　a　calm；　blue；　endless　sea；　until　all　of　a　sudden　his　boat　had　been　attacked　by　sharks。　He　glanced　at　the　flat　screen；　currently　playing　Shark　Week　reruns；　before　flicking　it　off。　He　rubbed　his　bleary　eyes。　Where　was　Jenny？　And　what　time　was　it？　He　heard　muffled　voices　ing　from　upstairs。　“Jenny？”　he　called；　his　voice　echoing　in　the　town　house。

“I’m　ing　to　find　you；”　Nate　called；　taking　the　stairs　to　his　bedroom　two　at　a　time。　But　there；　lying　in　a　tangled　heap　as　if　they　belonged　there；　were　Serena　and　Blair。

He　blinked　in　amazement。　They　were　singing　along　to　the　black…and…white　movie　on　his　TV。　Breakfast　at　Tiffany’s。　Of　course。　It　was　a　scene　he’d　walked　in　on　a　million　times　back　in　high　school。　But　this　wasn’t　high　school。　What　were　they　doing　here？　Was　he　still　dreaming？

“‘Moon　River　and’—Natie！”　Serena　squealed；　bounding　off　the　bed　and　rushing　toward　him。　She　was　wearing　only　a　pair　of　underpants　and　a　tank　top　that　didn’t　match。　Nate　blushed。

“Where’s　Jenny？”　Nate　asked　suspiciously；　glancing　between　the　two　of　them。

“We　didn’t　kill　her。”　Blair　snorted。　“My　brother　invited　her　to　a　party　downtown。　She’s　probably　there。”

He　glanced　from　Serena　to　Blair；　not　knowing　what　to　do。　They　looked　like　they’d　been　there　for　a　while。　Wrinkles　from　the　pillowcase　were　indented　into　Blair’s　cheek；　making　her　look　adorably　rumpled　and　reminding　him　of　all　the　sleepovers　they’d　had　over　the　years。　Serena’s　tank　top　strap　had　fallen　off　her　shoulder；　revealing　her　glittery　skin；　surprisingly　tan　for　December。

Nate　gingerly　perched　on　the　edge　of　the　bed；　watching　as　Holly　and　her　boyfriend　wandered　around　Tiffany。　He　must　have　watched　this　movie　a　hundred　times。　What　was　one　more？

“I’m　getting　ice　cream；”　Blair　announced；　stepping　out　of　bed。　Nate　gazed　at　her　as　she　padded　toward　the　door。　She　was　wearing　her　bra　and　underwear　and　every　inch　of　her　looked　amazing。　And　Serena　was　so　long　and　lean　and　leggy　and…

Down　boy！

Blair　came　back　with　a　two…gallon　tub　of　Rocky　Road　that　she’d　unearthed　from　the　back　of　the　freezer　and　three　spoons。　“Natie；　you’ve　got　to　have　a　talk　with　Regina　about　her　ice　cream　selections。　What　happened　to　the　mint　chocolate　chip？”　Blair　settled　back　into　bed；　loving　how　she　could　say　whatever　she　wanted—be　whoever　she　wanted—in　front　of　her　two　oldest　friends。　She　hoped　no　matter　what　happened；　it　could　always　be　that　way。

“Let’s　make　a　promise！”　Serena　said　spontaneously；　as　if　reading　Blair’s　mind。　She　took　a　gigantic　scoop　from　the　carton；　licked　her　spoon；　and　held　it　up。　“No　matter　who　we　marry　or　how　many　kids　we　have；　we’ll　always　have　slumber　parties。”

Blair　clinked　her　spoon　against　Serena’s。　She　took　another　large　scoop　of　ice　cream　and　bit　into　it；　not　caring　about　the　calories　or　the　fact　that　she　was　dripping　all　over　herself　or　that　they　were　acting　like　a　bunch　of　seventh　graders。

“I’m　in；　but　only　if　I　can　hold　the　carton。”　Nate　grabbed　the　ice　cream　and　scooped　out　a　large　spoonful。　He　felt　happier　than　he　had　in　a　long　time。

Next　up：　creative　use　of　whipped　cream？

a　kiss　is　never　just　a　kiss

Vanessa　lay　on　her　bed　in　the　Humphreys’　apartment；　Marx　by　her　side　and　Norma　snoring　contentedly　on　the　floor。　Norma　loved　living　at　the　Humphreys’；　so　at　least　Vanessa　wouldn’t　have　to　worry　about　finding　a　home　for　her　while　she　was　in　Indonesia。　The　dog　actually　begged　for　Rufus’s　soufflés　and　other　kitchen　experiments　gone　wrong。

Unlike　everyone　else　with　a　sense　of　smell。

The　only　sound　in　the　apartment　was　the　annoying…yet…forting　hum　of　the　fluorescent　light　in　the　hallway　that　Rufus　always　meant　to　replace　but　never　got　around　to。　Vanessa　typed　Indonesia　into　Google’s　search　box　and　pressed　enter。　Immediately；　maps；　travel　reviews；　and　NYTimes。　articles　sprung　onto　the　screen。　Nothing　helpful。　Nothing　that　told　her　whether　or　not　she　should　go。　She　heard　the　key　scrape　in　the　lock。　Rufus　was　spending　time　with　his　anarchist　friends；　and　Jenny　was　probably　with　Nate；　so　it　had　to　be　Dan　ing　home。　Vanessa　was　surprised　by　how　eager　she　felt　to　see　him。　She　slid　off　the　bed　and　headed　toward　the　living　room　to　investigate。

“Hey；”　Dan　said　as　he　unwrapped　a　Burberry　scarf　from　his　neck　and　flung　it　on　the　couch。　Serena　had　given　him　the　scarf　as　a　Thanksgiving　present。

Usually；　the　fact　that　he　and　Serena　had　grown　up　in　such　different　worlds　didn’t　matter　to　him。　But　there　were　times—like　when　he　received　a　Thanksgiving　present　that　cost　more　than　a　month　of　working　at　the　circulation　desk　in　Butler　Library；　or　when　she　invited　him　to　stay　at　her　parents’　sprawling　Connecticut　house—that　it　became　apparent　how　fundamentally　different　their　backgrounds　were。

Dan　had　been　thinking　about　this　more　than　ever　recently。　He　hadn’t　seen　Serena　since　before　Christmas；　four　days　ago。　He’d　called　her　tonight　to　invite　her　to　a　movie；　but　she　was　meeting　Blair。　Dan　had　gone　to　Film　Forum　alone；　and　surprised　himself　by　buying　a　ticket　to　the　new　Hollis　Lyons　film。

He’d　thought　about　Vanessa　the　whole　time；　which　made　sense；　since　it　was　her　ex’s　movie。　But　it　was　more　than　that。　He　was　thinking　about　Vanessa　and　her　film　grant；　and　how　excited　she　was　for　her　future。　Serena　wasn’t　like　that。　Serena　was　smart；　but　she　was　never　especially　ambitious。

Vanessa　sauntered　into　the　kitchen。　“Hey；”　she　said　casually。　She　didn’t　want　Dan　to　think　she’d　specifically　e　out　of　her　bedroom　to　see　him。　She　opened　the　refrigerator　and　made　an　elaborate　show　of　pawing　through　its　contents。

“I　don’t　think　there’s　anything　there。　I　haven’t　eaten　yet；　either。　Want　a　pizza？”　Dan　asked。

“Sure。”　Vanessa　shrug