I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful reviews and I would also like to Thank Moonprincess568 for all her help and wonderful insight with this chapter. Thank you so much.

Now i hope all of you enjoy the new chapter. Please read and review. Thank you =]

Serena looked out of the window of her Jeep. She was happy to finally be returning home. Though, she had to admit she did fall in love with New York City. It was so amazing with all the lights, sounds, smells, and the people. She let out a sigh. She was kind of disappointed that she was returning to her hometown of Windsor, Connecticut. Not only did New York City capture a special place in her heart, but so did Boston. She smiled to herself and reminisced about her time spent in New York. By far, it had been the most magical summer she ever had.

A large sign off the side of the highway caught her eye, which broke her train of thought. It said: 35 miles to Windsor. Serena shivered in excitement because she got to see her parents, her girls, and Andrew again. But most of all, she trembled with happiness with the thought of seeing Darien after four months of being away. She caught a glimpse of herself in the passenger mirror. Yes, she certainly wasn't a tomboy anymore. She has changed and she would never dream to admit that she loved it. Her mother was right. She did have a new sense of confidence and for the first time in her life; she felt like a woman. The bliss of it all made her giggle in anticipation.

"What are you laughing at over there?" Mina's voice chimed into Serena's ear.

Serena turned to Mina, who was in the driver's seat. Her huge, black Chanel sunglasses covered most of her face, which made her look like a bug and covering her beauty. Serena replied, "Oh, you know… Just thinking about what everyone is going to say. I mean, I did leave a plank board and not all in any kind of style."

Mina laughed and commented, "Yeah! Now, you have boobs, hips, and an ass!" Mina began to giggle as she nodded. It turned out that the birth control was good more than just cramps and contraception. It certainly altered Serena's appearance as well. There was no denying now that she had filled out. Serena mentally calculated how much money she spent on buying new bras. She had gone from a small B cup to a decent C cup. Before she had done a good job of covering her petite figure, but now there was no way of concealing it. It was something that she wasn't quite upset about.

"You know, I must say Serena…" Mina spoke again as her eyes focused on the road.

"Yeah?" She responded.

She cracked a big smiled and squealed, "People are going to shit when they see you! I mean, look at you! You're hot!"

Serena laughed. She wouldn't quit put it that way. Mature, yes. Developed, yes. Hot....eh not really. It was hard to consider yourself hot when the guy you have sexual fantasies about has a girlfriend that who is five-nine with long-ass legs and a figure of a super model. Whereas she only stood five-four and her new body looked better, but she still couldn't compete with Beryl. Well, not in Serena's mind.

"I still don't know how you convinced your mom and dad to let you live here this year, Mina. Or why you even want to?" Serena questioned, "I mean, I thought you loved your boarding school?" Serena turned her direction towards Mina. Until now, she had never asked what prompted Mina to return back to Windsor with her.

Mina glanced over at Serena and smiled. She responded, "Oh, come on! Like I'm going to let all my hard work," she pointed at Serena, "Fade away? Hell no! I've spent four months getting you to look this good! And no way am I going to let you screw it up by choosing the wrong outfit to wear with make up that doesn't match!" Mina teased and poked Serena.

Serena stuck her tongue out at Mina. "Come on, Mina. I can dress myself now, you know…" she said while rolling her eyes and continued, "What's the real reason? I mean, I never asked back in Boston because...well I was just too excited to even think about it. But now that we are almost home, I'm curious." Serena adjusted herself, so she was facing Mina completely while waiting for her answer.

Mina sighed and locked her eyes on the road. "Honestly, Sere… I never really loved my school. And with the new baby in the house, there's just no room for me. Well, I shouldn't say that because there is room. Anyways, I guess there is just no place for me. I mean, all I have ever really known are summers with my parents. And from what you saw, you know me and my step-dad don't exactly have a great relationship. And it's not like we could even work on one, not with the baby there. They are both so wrapped up in Diana and their new lives as a family. I feel like I just don't fit in," Mina said and added with a half smile, "And Serena, you're my best friend. The last four months that I spent with you and listening to your stories about your friend made me realize that is I want to have that. I want to have a life where I fit in and matter."

Serena starred at Mina in shock. She desperately wanted to tell her that Mina's parents did love her and that she did have place with them. But if there was one thing Serena knew about Mina, it was to never make her change her mind or convince her of something else. Serena knew that one day Mina would realize that her parents loved her and held a special place in their hearts for her. She was just going to have to figure it out on her own. So instead, Serena placed her hand on Mina's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "You fit in with me, Mina. And you do matter." Serena and Mina exchanged a smile and a comforting laugh.

Serena turned to look back out the window again, but her purse began to vibrate. It beeped twice, which indicated that she had a text message. Serena quickly pulled out her iPhone. She slid her thumb to unlock the screen and she saw that she received a message from Darien. It read: 'Can't wait to see ya, Buns! I picked up a copy of your schedule and we have three classes together! SCORE! I dropped it off at your house. See ya tomorrow'. Okay, so it was more like biblical script than a text but it still brought a wide smile to her face. Her smile wiped of her face and she suddenly gasped.

"Shit, Mina! We start school tomorrow!" Serena yelled and began hyperventilating, "Damn it! We don't have school supplies! No notebooks, paper, pens. Nothing! There is no way we can get all that stuff tonight before tomorrow!"

Mina put her hand on Serena's arm. "Calm down, Sere. Your mom is like super woman. I'm sure she took care of all that stuff for us," Mina stated calmly, "Plus, it's senior year! There is absolutely no way that anything can go wrong. It's like forbidden. It's a rule." Mina laughed which caused Serena to relax and to nod in agreement. Mina was correct on both accounts. Her mom would have all of the supplies they needed and this year was going to be unlike any school year had been before.

Please Review. And again thank you Moonprincess568