A/N: Sorry it's been awhile between updates! I have been away and was struggling with this chapter. Thanks for being so patient and adding your kind reviews! Hopefully you'll continue to enjoy the story! X

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Chapter 4: Hate Every Beautiful Day

Nate

Passing the waitress my menu, I took the opportunity to watch Serena as she fidgeted anxiously, her blue eyes skittish as she avoided looking straight back at me. She was as breathtaking as ever. Her blonde hair messily scooped up, a light blush spreading over her cheeks as the warmth of the cafe hit us. She was so carefree, so unlike the rest of us; not giving a damn about appearances or gossip, her rebellion against what everything living on the Upper East Side stood for.

This was the first time since she'd been back that I had been able to sit there and really just take her in. The last time I had been this close to her, in her hotel room, I had been so stressed about finding my dad's drugs, so scared that my life was falling apart that I had almost forgotten the effect she had on me. With her, given time, all else just seemed to fade away. I guess you could say it was gift. No one could spend time with her without falling under her spell; mesmerised, consumed even, by her heart and the tenderness she brought with every word, look, touch.

An uncomfortable silence filled the air between us as she continued to avoid my gaze. I wondered if it was always going to be like this between us, I wondered if maybe I should just give up right now. Tapping my fingers on the table I searched my brain for an icebreaker, something, anything to bring me hope that my quest wasn't a lost cause. I needed to know that spark was still there.

As always, Serena delivered.

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Serena

Feeling awkward and counting down the minutes till the meal was over and I could make my escape, I was suddenly overcome by a fit of hysterics. It was the tapping that triggered it, the continuous offbeat rhythm. Biting my lower lip I looked down trying to hold in the laughter that threatened to overwhelm me but it was hopeless and soon I couldn't control myself.

Taken aback, I saw the confusion and perhaps even slight fear passing across Nate's face as he looked around checking to see if anyone else was watching my outburst.

"Are you alright?" He asked slowly, touching my hand gently.

Gasping for air I struggled to get any coherent words out, "Drums... "

Back when we were kids, Nate had gone through the drummer boy stage. Yes, the bad ass, kick ass, spiked hair phase. However, he soon came to realise a slight glitch in his grand plans of rock and roll glory. This being that there was no one less bad ass, less rock material and with less rhythm in their soul than Nathanial Archibald. As popular as he was, no one and I mean no one, wanted to jam with him because he just could not keep a beat!

"Hey," he began defensively, "I wasn't that bad... it's not an easy instrument to play and..."

Finally meeting his eyes, I shook my head before he finally raised both hands in mock surrender.

"Alright, I give up. Let's just call a truce and agree that I was a misunderstood artist. The world just wasn't ready for me!"

Rolling my eyes, the giggles continued and soon Nate was laughing with me. It felt good. It felt like the old times. I felt like everything was going to be okay.

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Blair

Buried amidst my thoughts I strode a few steps ahead of Chuck, not wanting people to notice us together. I mean, what would they think? Everybody knew to steer clear of Chuck Bass. A surefire way of killing one's standing in the Upper East Side was to hook up with him; it was a clear sign of bad taste and desperation and neither of these had ever been used to describe Blair Waldorf, and if I had my way, never would be.

"What's the hurry sweetheart?" he purred reaching out for my hand.

Swiftly pulling it away, my mind went into overdrive. I had to make a clean break from him but at the same time I couldn't help but remember his kisses, those hands all over my body. As much as I hated him there was no denying that he knew how to please me. He took my mind away from Nate, I had never felt as sexy with Nate. Nate had never wanted me the way Chuck did. But it wasn't Chuck's body against mine that I craved. Nate would be mine again if it was the last thing I did. We were made for each other, nothing could come between destiny, and our stars had been aligned from the moment we laid eyes on each other.

"Look Chuck, we get our caffeine fix and then you have to leave me alone," I hissed curtly at him, "This is not a permanent pairing. You catch me when I'm vulnerable, that's it. There's nothing there. So kill those butterflies and move on. Nate and I aren't done yet."

Squealing as he grabbed me and took hold of my face to meet his gaze, I tried to pull away but he held me firmly, leaning in and murmuring, "Stop living in your dream world Blair, you think Nate will want you now? Your innocence is no longer there for him to own. There's nothing else he wants from you. You have to be kidding if you think he's going to come crawling back to you."

Furious I opened my mouth to respond but he quickly covered mine with his. Pulling away, he turned my head to the cafe window beside us as I recovered from our kiss, before strutting away smugly, "You and Nate are more than over queen Bee."

Frozen, I watched my worst nightmare unfolding before me. Knees touching, there sat Serena and Nate, talking, laughing, sharing a meal, looking so comfortable in their gestures, their looks, the way I had always hoped Nate and I looked to outsiders; the world's greatest and most beautiful couple.

My heart ached from their happiness and I couldn't stand it any longer. How could they do this to me? When did I become the odd one out in our wonderful trio? How did I end up with the scum of the Upper East Side; a Bass?

Spinning round, I ran away tears filling my eyes. I had to get home. No way was I going to let my guard down in public. Anger and adrenalin surged through me as I jumped into the nearest cab.

Waldorf's did not get pushed aside so easily, we always won. We seeked only revenge, not sympathy.