lways turned
everything into a romantic black…and…white movie from the fifties； trying to make her life even
more glamorous than it already was。 As they turned down Fifth； Mookie scampered ahead of them；
tugging on the leash looped loosely around Aaron？s wrist。 ？Hey； chill out； Mook。？
Serena tucked her free hand into Aaron？s black North Face parka pocket。 ？Blair was acting really
weird during peer group； that new thing we？re doing with the freshmen at lunchtime。 After that
she just disappeared。 She didn？t even show up for gym。？
Aaron shrugged and sipped his drink。 ？Maybe she had cramps or something。？
Serena shook her pretty head。 ？I？m worried she？s a little jealous。 You know； ofus 。？
Aaron didn？t say anything。 Over Christmas he？d developed a huge crush on Blair； even though
she was his stepsister。 Being with Serena had made him forget all about it； but it was still odd to
think that Blair might actually jealous ofthem ； when he？d been pining overher all those weeks。
？So； are we going to the Empire State Building？？ Serena asked； stopping at the next corner and
turning to peer back up Fifth Avenue。 A fleet of buses roared by。 ？If we are； we should grab a cab。？
Aaron looked at his watch。 It was ten after four。 ？I was kind of thinking I？d like to stop by my
house to check the mail。？ He grinned bashfully； embarrassed by how nerdy he sounded。 ？Early
acceptance letters were mailed this week。？
Serena？s long…lashed dark blue eyes opened wide。 ？Why didn？t you say so？？ She tossed her
paper cup in a nearby trash can and took off at a run。 ？e on； Mook！？ she shouted as the boxer
bounded happily after her。 ？Let？s go home and see if your smarty…pants dadd