She was the picture of perfection in her mother's eyes, a darling daughter and a straight A' student. In the eyes of her best friend she seemed lonely and afraid, and all Rachel wanted to do was be there for her.

Chapter One

Rachel knocked on the door of Serena's apartment, looking at her worn purple Converse she waited for an answer.

A few minutes later, Eric sauntered towards the door opening it he grimaced at the tall red head in front of him. "Well if it isn't the phony red head from down the block" Eric said, smirking as he looked Rachel up and down quickly.

Rachel rolled her eyes, and shrugged it off making it seem as though she was unaffected by Eric's many hurtful insults. Now scowling she glared at the scrawny blonde boy responding, "Hello to you too. Where's your sister?"

Without answering he pointed towards Serena's room.

Rachel walked into the apartment turning around she smiled at Eric. "Thanks squirt"

Eric grabbed his jacket from the back of the dining chair, zipping it up he made his way towards the door. "Whatever bimbo" he muttered under his breath.

Rachel ignored the comment, slowly walking towards Serena's room she knocked on the door.

"Come in" Serena was lying on the floor, resting her feet on her bed showing off her freshly polished toenails that were coated in bright red nail polish.

Rachel pushed the door open, and blankly stared at Serena who was still on the floor. "Your brother's obnoxious"

"It kinda runs in the family" Serena said nonchalantly. "Why'd you stop by?"

Rachel tugged at her denim mini lightly before kneeling down on the floor next to Serena. "I was worried about you... the other night at the party you got pretty drunk"

Serena took her feet off the bed and rolled over sitting up to face Rachel. "So I had a few drinks, big deal"

Rachel bit her lower lip as she looked around Serena's room. "You need to be more careful"

"Thanks mom" Serena said sarcastically.

Rachel grimaced and furiously picked up her handbag off the floor and placed a hand on the doorknob. "Well I'm sorry I even care" she yelled angrily before slamming the door, and storming out of Serena's apartment in a huff.

Serena sat back against the bed post and angrily crossed her arms over her chest as she glared at the door. "Goodbye to you too"