d and swollen； as if from too much
kissing。 She paused and held out her hand； as if to a child。 Then Nate appeared； looking happily
disoriented。 Jenny put her arm around his waist； and he turned and kissed her eagerly on the
mouth； as if her lips were made of chocolate or something。
？Oh！？ Serena exclaimed； as if she？d been pinched。 She blinked her dark blue eyes； trying to
ascertain whether she was truly hurt or just surprised。 It had never felt right； her and Nate being
together。 And it would be better to be single this summer so she could focus on the film。 At least
now she wouldn？t have to bother breaking up with him。 Not that they？d ever really been together。
No； not really。
？Typical；？ Blair scoffed。 She shook a Merit Ultra Light out of her pack and handed it to
Serena。 ？Don？t be mad。 He can？t help himself。？
Serena took the cigarette and propped it between her lips； waiting for Blair to light it for
her。 ？I？m not mad；？ she sighed； feeling relieved。 For once； she and Blair were bonding over Nate
instead of fighting over him。 It was a wele change。 ？So； will you loan me that for the movie？？
She pointed at Blair？s cigarette holder。 ？Although I？ll probably set my ass on fire if I try to use it。
I？m such a klutz。？
Blair loved it when Serena put herself down。 It gave her hope。 ？Of course I will。？
Instinctively the two girls turned as someone careened toward them from across the room。 Nate？s
face was slack； his green eyes were huge； and his body seemed more loose…limbed than usual。 He
came at them with his arms open； grabbed Serena； and pulled her into an even gooier kiss than
he？d just given Jenny。 Serena giggled and pushed him away。