bly corner and hopped up on the
counter； kicking the cupboards below with her size…eight…and…a…half feet。 Pop…Tarts at Nate？s。
She？d been having them there since she was five years old。 And now 。。。 and now 。。。
Serena sighed heavily。 ？Mom and Dad want me to go to boarding school next year；？ she
announced； her enormous； almost navy blue eyes growing huge and glassy as they welled up with
unexpected tears。 Go away to boarding school and leave Nate？ It hurt too much to even think
about。
Nate flinched as if he？d been slapped in the face by an invisible hand。 He grabbed the other
Pop…Tart from out of the packet and hopped up on the counter next to Serena。 ？No way；？ he
responded decisively。 She couldn？t leave。 He wouldn？t allow it。
？They want to travel more；？ Serena explained。 The pink； perfect curve of her lower lip trembled
dangerously。 ？If I？m home； they feel like they need to be home more。 Like I want them around？
Anyway； they？ve arranged for me to meet some of the deans of admissions and stuff。 It？s like I
have no choice。？
Nate scooted over a few inches and put his arm around her。 ？The city is going to suck if you？re
not here；？ he told her earnestly。 ？You can？t go。？
Serena took a deep shuddering breath and rested her pale blond head on his shoulder。 ？I love you；？
she murmured； closing her delicate eyelids。 Their bodies were so close the entire Nate…side of her
hummed。 If she turned her head and tilted her chin just so； she could have easily kissed his warm；
lovely neck。 And she wanted to。 She was actually dying to； because she really did love him； with
all her heart。
She did？ Hello？ Since when？！
Maybe since ballroom…danc