Serena and Dan ran into the loft after getting soaked in the rain. Dan threw Serena a towel. She twisted the ends of her hair, letting all the water slide off. Dan put on the coffee maker and watched Serena. He laughed as she made a face everytime the water would miss the towel and get on the carpet.
"I can't believe we ran four blocks in the rain."
"Oh it was fun."
"Dan I'm dripping."
"So, can't say you never ran with Blair. She'd have cars piled up the block ready to take you."
"True."
"You laughed the entire time."
"Whatever. Just get me one of your shirts to wear, and nothing plaid."
"You just ruled out half my closet."
Dan went through his closet looking for a shirt he knew Serena wouldn't ruin. She was always spilling things or dropping things around the loft. Finally he picked put an older blue button down shirt. As he was taking it off the hanger he saw something. He went up to the bookshelf, and torn books from it.
He stormed out of the room. "Have you seen Cedric?"
"How could I, I was with you."
"Well he's gone."
"It's just a doll."
Dan turned his head furiously.
"Just a doll?"
"Chill out, I'm sure he's around."
"You don't get it. He got me through a lot."
"You're overreacting, you're a teen get over it."
"That's like asking to throw out the one thing or memory that sums up my life."
"Maybe you're dad moved it."
"No, he knows not to."
"Jenny, maybe?"
"I guess, but she'd say something."
"Or maybe he wished it be a real boy!"
"Your mocking me?"
"Just a little. Maybe those little legs just carried him off."
"Get it all out now."
"Maybe he met a hot girl and went out."
"Done?"
"Yes."
"Good now help me look."
Dan tore throughout the entire house. He went in every possible room, every inch and corner. He didn't think it would be that hard to find a doll.
"Why are we looking all over your house."
"Cause it's like a safety net."
"Dan, tell me why."
Dan stared at Serena. He didn't want to seem stupid if she didn't get why. He felt so childish but deep down didn't really care. He finally spoke up.
"Fine. When I was little my parents fought a lot. They gave me Cedric cause I had trouble sleeping. Little did they know it was cause of their fighting. So I would just have him near me and the bad things, wel they didn't seem so bad. I know it's stupid, but broken night lights, talks, and a divorce, he was there. I didn't have a lot of friends besides Vanessa, and sometimes even she wasn't enough. I need someone to just listen."
"Dan, I'm sorry I ragged on you earlier."
"It's fine. I guess this is closure." Dan laughed.
Jenny whipped through the front door with ten shopping bags in hand. She threw them down and put her hair behind her ears.
"It's so hot out."
"Jenny, have you seen.."
"There's a sale on every corner. It's a mad house."
"That's nice but...."
"Oh Jenny, how was it?"
"Put the girl talk on hold. Have you seen Cedric?"
"Yes."
Dan moved his arms around. "Where?"
"Well you see for my school project we have to make a diarama and be creative. So I was in charge of costumes. Cedric was the perfect size. He's in the chest in my closet."
"Why didn't you ask or put him back."
"Cause it wasn't a big deal."
"You're right it's not. Just put him back when you're done."
Dan walked away and went into his room. He sulked on the bed for acting like a child in front of his girlfriend. Serena pushed Dan's legs so she could sit on the bed.
"So I talked to Cedric."
"Mocking again."
"No, I apologized for being rude. We've warmed up to each other."
"Does he think you're worthy?"
"Very worthy. I even told him that I'd find him a girlfriend, so we can double date."
"He'll love that."
Serena grabbed Dan's hand and laid her head on his chest. They just sat there the whole night, talking and laughing.
