it's alright again {serena

[dan humphrey]

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[serena van der woodsen]

Serena, darling. Wake up, won't you? Serena van der Woodsen rubbed her eyes softly and sat up in her massive bed. Her mother was already hurrying around the room, opening the shades to let in pools of sunlight. Serena managed a little half-smile as her mother walked out of the room. Her mother was always on the move. Always... Serena could hardly keep up with her. Especially since she came back from boarding school. Her mother was set on keeping S busy as possible, and that meant nagging and picking at the girl constantly. The only reason they had moved here was because of Erick. And her, but for seperate reasons. Her mother had gotten tired of the colors in their house, and packed the small family up and moved on out to the Bass's hotel.

Slowly but surely, Serena climbed out of the bed, slipping her feet into her Versache slippers and wrapped her Michael Kors silk robe around her. Even though it was only five, the sun was up. Sweeping her long blonde hair over one shoulder and out of her way, she started going through her suitcases of things, looking for something to wear. She had the basic uniform all figured out, of course. But she couldn't decide between her leather suede Cosabella jacket, or her old gray tweed Marc Jacobs sweater pull over. After a few minutes of debating, she settled on the jacket and tossed it onto the bed. Pulling out a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, she set them down on the bed as well.

After quickly sliding out of her Petit Bateaux silk night slip, she stood in front of the mirror, frowning ever so slgihtly. She'd lost alot of wait since she'd seen everyone at UES, but she still wasn't exactly satisfied. She didn't have an eating disorder or anything, she jsut wished the was a bit thinner. Biting her lip, she sighed, tossed her robe over the mirror so she wouldn't be tempted to look anymore, and picked up her clothes. It only took her a few minutes to dress into her uniform and jacket, so she headed into the bathroom adjoining her master bedroom.

Taking a few minutes to brush her hair out, straighten it, and get it to lie just perfectly, she took a deep breath and exited the room. Brushing past her mother who was fixing a painting that hung in the hall, she quickly walked into the kitchen. Opening the wide fridge, she picked a cup of yogurt and fished a spoon out of the drawers. Peeling of the top and flicking it into the trash, Serena grabbed her faithful cell phone and was out.

It only took her about ten minutes to make the short walk from the hotel to Constance Billard. Quickly she made her way into the building, and slid into her seat in the class just as the bell rang. She had grown used to the ogling stares as various people made the connection that she was the one and only Serena van der Woodsen, specially featured on Gossip Girl. Quite frankly, Gossip Girl was beneath S. She thought it was shallow and fake. She would have loved it a year back, but going away had really changed her. She was a better person now, as much as Blair Waldorf hated.

A couple hours later, S found herself in the courtyard that connected CB and St. Jude's. A gust of wind caught her as she walked out, blowing her hair slightly to the side. Biting her MAC glossed lips in agitation, Serena sat on on an empty bench and quickly pulled out her cell phone as it buzzed. It was a text. From Nate. Shutting her eyes, she tilted her head back and rested it against the brick wall directly behind the bench. Eyes rolled towards the sky, staring at the grey clouds. Nate hadn't stopped trying to reach her since she got here. She knew she couldn't see him though, because she didn't want to hurt Blair again. Ever.[/blockquote][/size]

[dan humphrey]

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[serena van der woodsen]

The morning had held a chain of useless and meaningless events. Everything here was just as played out as she remembered. Chuck still had an ego the size of New York. Nate was still following her like a lovesick puppy. Blair was still angry at her for everything she did. And it wasn't particularly Serena's idea of fun to be followed around in the halls, camera phones clicking. The halls were filled with hushed whispers that either stopped or got louder as she passed. She respected the ones that just got louder. Was disgusted by the ones that shut up as soon as she glanced in their direction. They had no back bones. They were just these nameless faces in her life. They'd never get anywhere.

Serena was in a very judgemental mood, especially when she'd been judged for the past week. Not many people had had an impact on her. None of them wouldn't resort to gossip to save their own pathetic hides from being the next subject of Gossip Girl. No, Serena didn't like being one either. But she had more tolerance for the kids who stuck their necks out to make the headlines of the school. Like Serena. She didn't get where she was by standing around whispering about Blair.

Shutting the phone without even looking away from the sky, she felt it vibrate again in her palm. Letting out a silent sigh, she bent her head down again to look at it. Nate. Again. No, wait. This was one from Chuck. Oh, even better, she thought sarcastically. As much as she was annoyed with Nate at the moment, Chuck pissed her off even more. He had tried to kiss her the first day she returned to New York, and she promptly disagreed. Meaning, she had to shove him off of her and into a rack of kitchen tools to get him away from her. And of course, Gossip Girl picked up on this almost immeadiatly.

As S didn't even bother to read the message, she looked up and blinked. She wasn't expecting to find someone standing right in front of her. Um, hi? Serena said, raising an eye brow ever so slightly. Now she wanted to know how long he'd been there, a smirk crossing over her features as she debated this thought. She was sure it was only a minute, but she was genuinely suprised she hadn't noticed him standing right there. Dan, right? She asked, having no idea where she knew him from. [/blockquote][/size]

[dan humphrey]

[/b] He said. Her answer would probably be along the lines of no. But he had to stop putting himself down, and try to think positive. Maybe she did remember him. He sure could never forget her. Her long blonde hair, and gorgeous smile. Practically every guy in school drooled over her, so Dan didn't have much of a chance. She sure was one in a million.

And now she was back. It still was hard to believe. It was also really hard to believe he hadn't heard until now. The school must have been buzzing about it. He must have been out of it for awhile then, living under a rock. He was also surprised Jenny hadn't mentioned it. Of all people, she probably would have been talking about it, and he actually lived with her. So he really must have been way out it. School work was getting to him.

But back to now. Serena Van Der Woodsen actually remembered him. Yet all he could do was stand there, smiling like an idot, with his hand on the back of his neck. Suddenly he became very aware of that, and brought it back down to his side, waiting for her response.[/blockquote]
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[serena van der woodsen]

Serena hesitated. Where had she seen him from? She just couldn't put her finger on it. She knew his name, so that was a start. But where from? The whole thing was confusing her very greatly. It drove Serena crazy when she saw someone and couldn't put a name to their face. For example. She met up with her old nanny a few days ago, and felt horribely guilty about not being able to recognize her. The woman had been so happy to see her, 'Serena! Oh, it's so good to see you! How's your mom? And Eric?' Serena just stood there, biting her lip. She remembered after standing for a while, she tried the whole 'Hi... You...' And failed miserably. And then felt guilty about it for the rest of the day, since the woman had been like a mother to her.

Yeah, I do. But I don't remember where from. Hmm, maybe if she had sober she might have remembered him. And even then, there was a good chance she wouldn't. She vaugely remembered him saving her somehow, but brushed away the thought. She doubted that he had saved her life. He might have been someone she slept with, but she wasn't going to give him the time of day if he was. She was trying to change. To save both Blair and herself from further hurt feelings and broken hearts.

As the damn phone rang again, she glanced down at it, pressing her thumb against the red button to shut it off. Chuck, Nate, and all the other UES's could go to hell for all she cared. Chuck had been giving her the worst time. He started trying to blackmail her, and it may have worked if Nate hadn't told Blair about their... affair. For a while, they'd just flirted. Then, when Blair was away at her relative's wedding, things got out of hand. S and N went to his country house, and one thing led to antoher. Serena got drunk, and they ended up sleeping together. It would have been fine, if Chuck hadn't seen it happen. [/blockquote][/size]

[dan humphrey]

[/b] He said, shrugging his shoulders slightly. "I mean, why would you remember me right? It's not like we really know each other." He said. Oh god, it was happening again. He put his hand to his forehead, before dropping it back to his side. "I'm sorry, I have this thing, like this nervous tick, where I never stop speaking. Like. Ever." He said, shaking his head. I can't believe I just said that.. He was really embarassing himself now. "You know, maybe I should just leave." He deiceded, pointing back towards the stairs that lead back to the buildings. It wasn't like he had class just yet. It was in an hour, give or take a few minutes. But this could have been worse. He could have spilt that she should remember him because he saved her from getting hit by a car. Or that he hadn't been able to get over her since ninth grade. So he was not in the worst situation, but it diffently wasn't the best either.

Her cell phone went off again, but he didn't see her turn it off, so he figured she was busy with something, or someone else. And he didn't want to be rude, or impose.[/blockquote]
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[serena van der woodsen]

Serena felt very guilty about not knowing him, since he looked as if he just deflated. Serena bit her lip to try to concentrate. Hmm. After a few moments, she figured that he was either from a party last year, a random hook up, or the guy she’d met at Thanksgiving. He couldn’t be from a party recently, he didn’t really look like that kind of type. In fact, Serena would have been surprised if he’d ever been to a real UES house party in years… Or ever.

I’m sorry… She replied, shrugging a shoulder. She couldn’t remember many people she’d seen in a year, since she’d been in Connecticut for almost an entire school year. She knew guys and anyone hated when they started gushing about her, and she could only look at them with a blank stare, genuinely confused about who they were and how they knew so much about her. It had happened a lot in the past few days, as random girls came up to her claiming to have ‘sat next to her in RE last year’.

Serena laughed lightly as he apologized. You don’t have to be nervous, She said, looking up at him again. She studied his face for a few minutes and started putting two and two together. She was pretty sure they’d never hooked up, and was pretty sure he’d never been to a party. Some how, thanksgiving seemed like the most likely story and reason for her to know him. Hmm. She had been drunk, and remembered vaguely someone pushing her out of the way of a car, and then taking her home to her mother’s house so no one would take advantage of her.

Thanksgiving, right? She suggested, looking up at him smiling. That was all that she could remember. She still felt bad about not giving him more about it, but she honestly couldn’t remember. Hey, no, it’s okay. Sit. She said, scooting over to make room for him.
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[dan humphrey]

[/b] He said shaking his head as she said she was sorry. She didn't have to be sorry she didn't remember her. His cheeks flushed lightly. 'You don't have to be nervous.' As if he could help it.

His eyes widened slightly in disbelief. "Yeah." He said as she mentioned Thanksgiving. "So you do remember me?" He said, not able to hide the astonishment in his voice. He let a smile grow over his face, but didn't let it take over. Because then he would look like even more of a babbling idiot and a fool. He shoved his hands in his pockets, and shifted weight on the other foot.

"Sit?" He asked, looking up from his feet. She had moved over, leaving a wide open spot on the bench for him. He started forward to sit, but froze. Should he sit on the far end? No, he would look nervous again. But he couldn't risk sitting right beside her either. Nodding to himself, he sat down in the middle of the space she had left. Equal distance between her and the end of the bench. "Uh, thanks." He said, turning to face her with another Dan Humphrey smile. God she was gorgeous. And here he was, actually sitting beside her![/blockquote]
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[serena van der woodsen]

Yeah, actually. She replied, suprising herself that she did. Most faces she forgot, especially one whom she hadn't met sober. Serena shrugged again and looked at him. Let's see, you saved me from getting hit by a car. Then, instead of taking advantage of me, you drove me home, right? She let a grin cross over her face. As cruel as it may sound, she liked making him uncombforatable. She liked making anyone uncombforatable. Serena wasn't afraid of confrontations like some people were.

You're not like most guys around here. She said, voice soft and quieter than before. She looked up at him as he sat and their eyes met for a moment. S looked away almost instantly, biting her lip. She ran her hand through her long blonde hair and looked down at her shoes. She made him feel nervouse, but he made her feel nervous too. Which was definately something.

[omg im brain dead.]
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[dan humphrey]

[/b] He said, still smiling, though he knew he must look like a fool. He also knew he was probably blushing, something he didn't do to often. He felt a bit of a dork, but what should he have done, push her in front of the car? Leave her there? No, he diffently had made the right choice. He smiled, and put his hands back into his pockets as he sat there.

You're not like most guys around here. She looked away as soon as their eyes met, but so did Dan. "Okay, I'm not to sure how to take that." He told her, giving a small grin. And he wasn't. He knew he wasn't like most of the guys around here, and in his eyes, that was a good thing. But was it to her? Was she saying it as a complement or something bad? Wow he had a lot of questions. He looked at her as she looked at her shoes, almost unable to pull his eyes away. But finally he did, and it was probably best because sooner or later, she would have looked up. Then she would have seen him starting at her. Akward. But most of this had been akward so far.

[thats okay, me too!] [/blockquote]
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[serena van der woodsen]

Mhm. She aggreed, shifting so she was facing him on the bench. But I've been wondering- why did you just take me home? Most guys would've, well... She shrugged a slender shoulder and looked at him curiously. She had really wanted to know for the longest time, and had been very glad it wasn't Chuck who found her isntead of Dan.

No, no, no, it's a compliment. She assured him, smiling slightly. Tucking her hair behind her ears and looking up at the sky again. It's part of why I left. To get away from everything UES. Serena silenced herself to make sure she said nothing more about why she left- who knew it Dan could be trusted to leak it out.
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[dan humphrey]

[/b] He told her, as he looked at her in the eyes, letting her know he was telling the truth. He ran his hand back through his short hair. "I mean, I would never take advantage of anyone." He told her. He hung his head down again, until she spoke once more, then he brought it up to look at her.

"Oh." He said, not sure of how to reply to that. And he could tell it was probably something she didn't want to talk about because she beamce silent. He looked away, shifting his weight where he sat in the akward silence. "So how's life?" He asked her, trying to change the topic. It was a sad attempt, but it was such a Dan thing to say.[/blockquote]
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