Chapter 12: One has to leave

"Serena, come on," Dan said as he and Serena were back in Serena's hotel room, "It may not have turned out well, but it wasn't your fault, you know that."

"Don't you get it, Dan?" She said, "I can't be here anymore. Life doesn't work like this anymore. I've left this, and now I came back, and look what happened—"

"This could still be fixed,"

She took a deep breath, "I'm leaving."

"Serena,"

"I wasn't really meant to stay in the first place," She said.

"What about us?"

"Dan,"

"I love you."

"You know I love you, too," She said, "But I don't belong here anymore. You know that."

"Serena, don't do this."

She bit her lip and took a deep breath, "Dan, even if I want to stay, I can't. I just can't. There's nothing in here for me anymore."

"Even me?"

"Let's face it. Things have changed, and yes, we may have had a thing...and I love you, but maybe we rushed it all. Dan, we don't know each other anymore. I have a life, in Paris. and that's where I should be. I'm leaving tomorrow."

"I'll bring you to the airport."

"Don't," She said, "Don't make things any harder."

"Serena, just stay. We can make things work, and—"

"I can't," She said, "I love you, Dan, but I'm sorry."

"Don't be unfair."

"I'm not."

Dan took a deep breath.

"Dan, just go. Please. I need to be alone."

"I can't change your mind, can I?"

Serena didn't answer.

Dan shook his head, "I'm sorry," He just muttered, "I love you."

"Dan,"

"Okay. Sorry," He said, gave her one last look, and left.