First FanFic!

Somewhat AU. Serena went to boarding school for a VERY different reason. What will happen when she comes back?

I do not own the characters or anything associated with Gossip Girl or The CW

It's Always Been You - Chapter 1

Hey Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here... and I have the biggest news ever. One of my many sources sends us this: Spotted at Grand Central, Serena van der Woodsen. Was it only a year ago our It-Girl mysteriously disappeared for 'boarding school'? And just as suddenly she's back. Wonder what BFF Blair Waldorf thinks?

Meanwhile…a party at the Waldorf Residence

Blair opens up her phone to reveal a text message reading "Serena's back." She sighs, closes her phone and appears to be deep in thought before leaving her phone and walking out of the room.

"Excuse me, Captain. Can I borrow Nate for a second?" ask Blair politely.

"Absolutely, you two go have fun now," replies Howard Archibald eager to get back to his conversation.

The pair begins to leave the room when they are stopped by Chuck Bass along with Kati and Isabel, "Blair, Nate, there you guys are…"

On the opposite side of the room, Serena comes in through the door and is immediately spotted by Eleanor Waldorf, "Oh my, well isn't it Serena van der Woodsen," she exclaims grabbing the attention of everyone at the party. "Blair, come here. Blair, Serena is here."

Serena visibly stiffened as Blair smiled and made her way to her. True, she had missed the brunette terribly and it had nearly killed her to leave, but she didn't expect such a warm welcome from her "bestie" after the nature of their last meeting.

Serena sat in front of her mirror, "Blair, there's something I need to tell you. I've realized that I…ugh, I can't do this..." she said practicing what she knew she needed to say in order to calm her nerves. "How am I supposed to tell my best friend that I am in love with her?"

"Blair, I realize that I have had these feeling…no, that sounds stupid."

Serena didn't hear her door open and didn't realize that the person she wanted to talk to was leaning on her door frame watching her intently.

"Okay. Serena you can do this." Large exhale. "There's something I need to tell you, Blair…"

"Yeah, S, what is it?" Blair asks interrupting her friend and scaring her senseless at the same time. She walks over and sits on Serena's bed gesturing for Serena to come join her. "Sorry to scare you, but I was bored and Nate is off with Chuck so I thought I would come see you. So what is it that you need to tell me?"

Serena gulps audibly, stands up and starts to pace in front of the bed where the object of her affection is sitting, looking at her expectantly. "Blair, there's something I figured out about myself. I can't believe that I didn't see it before, but I…I'm in love with…"

Blair, upon hearing the word "love", immediately jumps to her feet and interrupts Serena, "Aw. S, why didn't you tell me sooner? Who is it? Please tell me it isn't Chuck."

Serena sighs, grabs Blair by the hands and leads her to the bed where they both sit. "No, B, it isn't Chuck. It's someone who has always been there for me. Someone who has been there for me through everything."

"What? Who are you talking about? I'm your best friend I'm pretty sure I would know who this other person is…"

Serena, frustrated, grabs Blair shoulders to try and keep her from interrupting, "Blair, I'm talking about you. There is no one else, only you," she finally says as she leans forward and captures Blair's lips.

Blair, shocked, pushes Serena away, "Serena, I don't know what to say. I'm with Nate."

"I'm with Nate. That's all you have to say? I'm with Nate," Serena says barely above a whisper.

"I'm sorry, but what did you expect me to say, S? And since when are you gay? Maybe this is all just a phase?" Blair questions.

Serena stares at her with watery eyes, "A phase? You are all that I think about Blair. I know how I feel. I love you."

"Serena, don't say that. This is just a phase. A momentary lapse—probably caused because you haven't been on a date in a while."

"Blair, you don't get it. I'm in love with you. I always have been. It's not a phase or a momentary lapse. I'm completely in love with you," Serena says, tears streaming down her face.

Blair wiped the tears from Serena's cheek, "S, we're besties. You can't be in love with me." Her phone rings. "It's Nate. I've got to go."

"Blair, please. You must feel it too. We're more than just friends, you know that. Please, just tell me there's a chance," Serena chokes out—still fighting her emotions as tears continue to fall.

Blair's phone continues to ring. "I've got to go. I'm sorry, but I don't feel the same," Blair says sadly as she heads out the door.

"Serena, welcome home," Blair says as she pulls her into a tight hug. She starts to say something else, but Serena is bombarded with other greetings and questions.

Chuck seems to be the only one who has the courage to ask, "So why did you wander off to boarding school anyway? And why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Ah, Chuck. I don't know. I just had to get away for a while. I needed to clear my head, but it's good to be back," Serena says glancing at Blair who knows that she must have rehearsed her excuse on the way to the party. "Excuse me, but I'm a little thirsty. I think I'll go get a drink," she says as she makes her way from the small crowd desperate to get the attention away from her.

Blair also excuses herself and follows Serena to the bar. She notices that her friend seems relieved as she sits down at a stool and asks the server for a drink. She has been wondering what she would say at this moment since she found out that Serena had left for boarding school. Letting out a sigh, she gathers her courage and walks over to the bar stool, "Serena."

The blonde turns around, acknowledging the fact that Blair just called her name, but trying to look everywhere except where the brunette is standing, "Ah, Blair. Want me to order you something?"

"Serena, we need to talk. Can we go somewhere more private?" she asks, eager to get Serena alone and ask her questions that have been plaguing her mind for months.

"Actually, I need to go see Eric for a while. But I'll see at school, okay?" Serena asks, but it seems to Blair to be a statement more than a question.

"Okay."

Serena van der Woodsen spotted leaving the Waldorf's party uncharacteristically early—especially after her prolonged absence. Is there tension between S and B because of Serena's trip to boarding school? And what caused S to leave in the first place? Gossip Girl wants to know, so you know I'll be watching. You know you love me…Gossip Girl.