I didn't have time to read over this so I apologize in advance for all the typos! Also, I've gotten a few emails from readers to want to know who -G is. I'm sorry but I'm not giving it away! Sorry! Hope you enjoy this xoxo

...

Blair hated therapy sessions but now that Serena was gone and she didn't feel like talking to Nate or Chuck, she needed someone to confide in.

She sat upright and stared at Dr. Lee. "Do you want to talk about Chuck?"

"He betrayed me. That's all there is to know."

She nodded and smiled politely. "Alright."

Blair looked down at her lap. "Do you have any idea what a burden it is to love someone unconditionally?" She waited for her therapist to say something but she just looked at her. "It's annoying, actually. Serena, Nate, and Chuck…I love them unconditionally. And I think they do too but that's what bothers me. Chuck says he loves me but he turns around and cheats on me. Who does that! And Serena…she leaves me when I need her the most. And Nate…he can never be on my side."

"Have you thought about forgiving Chuck?"

"Are you saying I should?"

"No. I am not saying you shouldn't. I'm asking if it's crossed your mind."

Blair rolled her eyes. What a stupid question. "Of course it has. I don't see him begging me to take him back. He's not much for showing affection. I hate that. I just want him to show he cares. Even if he did beg…he doesn't deserve me. But I can't completely cut him out of my life so I'm doomed to never get over him. Trust me I wish I could."

"You want to cut him out of your life?"

"I guess not. I can't even imagine. We've all been through so much together."

"Your friends seem pretty important to you."

Blair nodded. "I miss them. I miss how we used to be. They're not just my friends. They're a part of me. I miss Serena. She should be the one listening to all this, not you, no offense."

"None taken. Maybe you should give her a call."

"It's not the same. Besides, I'm so mad at her."

"You guys fought before she left?"

"I asked her to stay but she wouldn't. I need her more than Erik does. He's tougher than I am…"

"You're mad because she left? That's perfectly normal –"

Blair looked at the clock. "Time's up."

Serena clung on to her phone when she heard Nate's voice on the other line. It was just his voicemail but it was better than nothing. "Hi Nate. It's Serena…again. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Call me back whenever. Bye." She hung up and frowned.

Erik poked his head into the room. "Hey. How about we go down to the beach and get some ice cream? I love California weather."

Serena gave him a small smile. "Maybe later, Erik. I don't really feel like it."

"Come on! Our whole school hangs out by the pier. We need to make some friends….please?" He gave her a pout.

Serena's smile widened and she rolled off her bed. It was Thanksgiving and she missed haaving pie at the Waldorfs. "Alright, alright. We can go."

She was slipping on her shoes when she heard her phone ring. She snatched it off the bed when she realized who was calling. "Nate, hi."

"Hey Serena."

"Hey Nate!" He was silent. "I've called you a few times. Did you get my messages?"

Nate was quiet for a couple seconds. "I've been thinking about this a lot and I'm just gonna say it. You know that we're always gonna be friends but I need to move on, for good."

Serena did not expect that at all. She wasn't sure what to respond.

Nate grasped the phone tightly. "I just can't keep doing this anymore. Goodbye Serena."

Serena felt the tears sting her eyes and she opened her mouth to say something only to shut it when he heard the dial tone. She put the phone back on the bed and ignored Erik's concerned looks. Serena wished she could love him but she wasn't even sure she was capable of loving someone, she was too damaged. She thought about how much she cared for Nate, maybe that's what love was.

"Serena?" Erik wrapped her arms around his sister.

Serena realized she was sobbing and she tried to command herself to stop but her chest felt like a million elephants had stepped on it.

Erik stroked the blonde's hair. "It's gonna be okay."

Nate felt the vodka burn down his throat. He set his shot glass back down with a hard clank and heard the rest of his friends to the same. He'd gone out with his friends all week, it was the same thing every night. They'd go to a bar, take shots, buy girls drinks and sometimes he'd bring the girls back home.

Nate smiled as his friends talked about the best touchdown of the week. Nate saw a cute brunette at the bar. He stood up. "I'm gonna get a drink."

He walked over to the bar and stood next to her. "Can I buy you a drink?"

The girl shrugged. "I don't see why not."

He ordered a beer and grabbed another cosmopolitan for the brunette. She took it and mouthed a thank you before turning around.

Nate frowned after her. "You're supposed to talk to a guy after he buys you a drink."

She turned around and smirked on him. "Is that how it works with other girls? Here, you can have it back."

Nate shook his head at her outstretched arm. "That's not what I meant. What's your name?"

"Thanks for the drink." She turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Nate grabbed his drink and headed back to his friends. They all gave him amused looks because they'd just witnessed him being rejected. He shrugged at them. "There's a first time for everything."

Nate followed his friends out of the bar. He walked over to the car waiting for him and saw the girl from the bar, waiting on a cab. He walked over to her. "Where are you headed? I'll give you a ride."

She looked at him. "How do I know you're not a serial killer or something?"

He laughed. "I guess you don't. But it's emptying out so I'll wait for your cab to get here."

"Well, aren't you a gentleman?"

He shrugged. "I try to be."

"Can I ask you something and you won't be offended?" She waited for him to nod. "Are you being polite just so you can get into my pants or is it out of genuine concern?"

"Well, don't you have me all figured out? I guess both. I mean, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, not just you, I'd be worried for anybody. But you're pretty hot so I wouldn't mind getting you to come home with me."

She smiled at him. "There's my cab. I'm Jessica, by the way."

He walked with her and opened the cab door for her. "I'm Nate."

She reached for his phone and punched her number in. "Have a good night."

"I refuse to speak to Chuck. I hang out with Nate every now and then. But he's always with that girl. He met her at a bar! I mean, obviously he doesn't get the point of a one night stand!"

Serena frowned into the phone. "What girl?"

Blair was quiet for a few seconds. "I shouldn't have said anything. I was just venting. I didn't mean to be insensitive."

"What has Nate told you about her?"

Blair shrugged even though Serena couldn't see her. "I don't know, random stuff. He just thinks she's really cool. I'm not even sure if they're officially dating. He seems happy, S."

"How long has he known her?"

"A couple of weeks."

Serena felt like she was punched in the stomach. "Wow. That was fast."

Blair sometimes felt like slapping Serena. "Don't expect me to pity you. How many times have you screwed him over?"

"I know, Blair. Okay? I'm a horrible person. Nate is amazing. He deserves better. I know. Okay? But that doesn't mean I don't have any feelings. I'm not just some cold-hearted bitch."

"Could have fooled me." Blair regretted it as soon as she said it. "I'm sorry, S. I didn't mean that. I'm just upset. I miss you."

"I know. I miss you too. I should go. You're in lunch and I'm barely getting to school."

"Oh, right. Time difference. Talk to you later, S."

"Later, B."

"By the way, none of us have gotten any text messages. Have you?"

"No. Thank God."

Blair let out a sigh of relief. "Good to hear. Have fun at school."

….

Serena jumped into the driver's seat of her Range Rover, she'd finally gotten her license after a couple of months. She was waiting for Erik to climb in when she heard her phone chime, She snatched her phone out of her bag instantly and read a text message that said: Time for you to go back! xoxo

Serena frowned and looked out of the window. It was the first text she'd received in months and she hated it. Erik climbed in the front seat and handed her a package. "This came for you."

Serena threw it on the backseat without opening it. Whatever it was, she didn't want Erik to know about it.

Erik fuzzed with the radio the whole drive to school. He shot Serena worried glanced every now and then. "You're prettier than she is."

Serena gave him a confused look even though she was sure what he meant. "Huh?"

"I saw the pictures on Gossip Girl."

Serena parked the car carefully. "Go ahead. I'll catch up with you."

She waited for Erik to walk away before snatching the box on the back seat. She tore it open and dialed Blair's phone number.

"Hey S! What time is it there? Are you still in school?"

"I am but I had to call cause I wanted you to be the first to know."

"First to know what?"

"That you don't have to miss me anymore. I'm coming home."