something I need to tell you;? she said

quietly。

Blair pushed her hair off her shoulders and straightened the straps of her white Nation tank

top。 ?I already know about Nate;? she snapped。 ?You don?t have to hide it from me。? ?Youdo ??

Serena gripped a plush hanger with both hands。Blair knew about her and Nate?

?Of course I do。? Blair squinted; irritated that Serena would think for a second that Nate would

not tellher ; his girlfriend。 ?I cannot fucking believe he?s not going to Yale。 Repeating senior year。

He?s totally retarded;? she spat。

?Oh。? Serena looked at Blair; her navy blue eyes wide。 That was a close call。 ?Oh! I mean

that?s 。 。 。 that is awful。 But that?s not what I was going to say。 。 。 。? Her voice trailed off; her heart

thumping hard against her rib cage。

Blair pulled a Lauren Moffatt houndstooth…print tunic over her head and looked at her reflection

in the mirror。 Serena stood behind her; standing almost a full head taller and looking nervous。 She

twirled a long blond lock around her finger。 Blair wondered if Serena was finally going to confess

to her about her love letter to Nate。 Well; it was about time。 Then Blair could forgive her and they

could go off to Yale; best friends forever; and put all this behind them。 Even if Nate had to stay in

the city; at least she?d have Serena?and at least Serena would be far; far away from him。 Blair took