It's Been Waiting for You
Serena dropped her bag next to her at Grand Central. She had been gone for a year, and it felt strange to be back in New York. Sure, it was her home, but she had left for a reason, and if it wasn't for Eric, she probably wouldn't have come back. If she said she had missed the city, she would be lying. Still, she looked around, took the bustling station in, and felt herself smiling at the sense of completeness she had. As much as she might not miss New York, it was her home. It has Blair, Chuck, Eric, her mom and Nate. Nate… she thought to herself as she picked her bag up again and slung it over her shoulder, her long blonde hair getting caught under the strap, Nate, my leaving had to hit him the hardest out of everybody. He's going to think I came back here for him, even though I didn't. I can't do that to Blair. She's my best friend…Serena sighed to herself as she walked through the train station to get out onto the street. Pushing the heavy doors open and weaving her way through the crowd, she roughly tugged her hair out from underneath the strap of her bag and looked around for her family's driver.
…..
After a quick stop home to drop off her bag, Serena had her driver take her around the City. She needed to reacquaint herself with this place that she seemed to have a love-hate relationship with. Looking at all the buildings lit up, and the people bustling around, Serena found it easy to remember exactly why she fell in love with the city. But then, looking at all the people that just seemed so alone, she remembered why this city made her feel so small and insignificant. There were so many people, and so much going on that it was easy for someone to get lost in this place, and while she loved it, it also terrified Serena to no end.
….
She asked the driver to stop at Blair's place. Serena didn't know if Blair was even home, but Serena knew that she needed to speak to her best friend as soon as possible. She needed to make Blair understand what happened and why she left without so much as a word, and furthermore, why she never at least called Blair to let her know how she was, Some best friend I am, Serena thought as she scoffed quietly, staring out the car window and taking in all the buildings whizzing past.
…..
After an awful encounter with Blair, Serena decided to head home. She had rushed out of Blair's bedroom in tears, their conversation not going at all like Serena thought. Sure, she knew that Blair would be mad at her for just leaving and not saying anything, but she wasn't expecting the hurt in her best friend's eyes. Suffice to say, their friendship was now over, for now, Serena thought. As she exited the building, she bumped into someone and mumbled a quiet "Sorry," never looking up to see who she walked into.
"It's okay."
Serena paused, and turned around quickly, "Nate," she exclaimed, "How are you?"
Nate shrugged, "Good. Did you just visit Blair?"
Serena nodded, "Yeah, I did. It didn't go so well." She shook her head and turned to see her driver waiting for her, "Look, I have to go. We'll catch up later, okay?" Without giving Nate a chance to respond, Serena rushed into the rear of her car and slammed the door shut. Once safely encased in the dark, she leaned her head back and let out a shaky breath, he was the reason I came home. Not Eric, not my mom, not Blair, certainly not Chuck. Nate, it's always been Nate.
She stared at the bright lights of the skyscrapers and pretended they were stars as she asked her driver if he could just drive around the city for a couple of hours. Sure, the lights were bright, some would say blinding, but this was Serena's home. This was the place she belonged, and she wasn't ever leaving again.