Author's Note: Hello everyone! I'm back on FanFiction with yet another plot bunny. I've recently fallen in love with all the insane drama that is Gossip Girl and I figured what better way to get back into writing than with a Gossip Girl fanfic. Plus, with everything going on in the world lately, I felt that a story might make for a great escape. So, without further ado really, I'd like to get with the story, so thank you for giving my story and OC a shot and reading my author's note! I hope you enjoy my story!

All rights to Gossip Girl belong to the writer and TV show producers. I claim to own nothing other than any plots that you don't recognize and my OCs.

Hey Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here back with the summer 'dets. Sadly, there aren't too many. Golden Boy has been off in the Hamptons with his family all summer without a touch of juicy drama, but what would one expect from the Archibald's perfect son after all? As for B, she sure has been keeping busy, and yet there isn't much to share. For once Queen B isn't the cause of any drama or scandal. Surprise surprise. And little Miss Coldwell, I'm afraid we've got nothing on you. Off playing academic all summer, Little Lion. How were all those College tours and SAT prep classes? Meet any cute college boys? I'm sure you didn't, with your nose buried in a book the whole time. Where has our scandalous little lion gone this summer? Did daddy dearest finally catch on?

And yet, I digress... I have the biggest news ever. One of my many sources—melanie91—sends us this... spotted at Grand Central, bags in hand—Serena Van der Woodsen. Was it only a year ago our "it" girl mysteriously disappeared for "boarding school?" And just as suddenly, she's back. Don't believe me? See for yourselves. Lucky for us, melanie91 sent proof. Thanks for the photo, Mel.

Leonora Elizabeth Coldwell, daughter of Gordon Coldwell and Veronica Rhodes- formally Coldwell. Known to many people as Leile, the most cliché childhood nickname that somehow stuck, and close friend to Blair Waldorf, or as close as a friend as you can be without being Serena... well formerly Serena.

"Leile, earth to Coldwell."

"What, sorry?" Blue eyes snapped up from the phone screen, meeting with brown. Leonora's best friend, Imogen was sitting, one arm draped over the arm of the chair, feet and legs across the other side.

"Let me guess, Gossip Girl?" Imogen asked, sitting up to peek over at the girl's phone. Brown orbs scanned over the text and accompanying photo. "Little Lion, that's you?"

Leonora chuckled, closing the phone and setting it to the side. "Yeah, it is, sadly. But you've got my attention now, Immy."

Imogen rolled her eyes, holding out her hand. "Clever nickname, but phone now, please. This is the last day before school- before I have to head home."

Blue eyes rolled up to the ceiling, plopping the phone into the outstretched hand of her best friend. "Sorry sorry. As I said, you've got my full attention. Now, how shall we spend your last day in the States, Im?"

"Oh trust me, I've got a few ideas..."

"Leile come on, we're gonna be late... Leo, come on!" Banging on the door caused it to swing open, revealing an ash blonde standing in the doorway, a half-smirk gracing her features.

"Chill Jassy, I'm ready," Leonora's blue eyes meet with her brother's matching ones. Blue eyes complimented by a matchingly blue dress—uniform for the Waldorf's End of Summer party after all.

"I hate when you call me that," Jassy -Jasper—groaned, stepping back to allow the girl to pass, noting the lack of glasses on her face. She seemed to always ditch them for parties, or around Blair for that matter.

"Ah, my apologies mister Jasper Coldwell sir."

"I hate you."

One quick limo ride later, and the Coldwell siblings had arrived at the Waldorf abode, and right as the party was just beginning to kick up.

"Blair, if you're going to wear one of my designs at least tell me first so we can get it properly fitted."

Leonora could hear Eleanor Waldorf speaking to her one and only daughter about her choice of attire for the night. Or should she say criticizing? Something mildly more interesting than the conversation in front of her. Colleges, Ivy Leagues to be more specific. The only thing good enough for the children of the Upper East Side after all.

"So, Nate, you started thinking about college?"

Leonora's eyes shifted to the man speaking before back to her brother's the look on her face practically begging for him to get them out of the situation at hand, however the eighteen-year-old only shrugged with a smirk of his own.

"Well, actually, I'm a Dartmouth man." Ah yes, the parental opinion. No way to escape it when you live north of 59th street.

"Yes, dad's always spoken very highly of Dartmouth, but I'd like to check out West. You know, maybe U.S.C. or U.C.L.A-" Nate was very obviously going to say more, however, he was cut off by his ever so loving father.

"His mother wouldn't hear of it. Dartmouth is far enough away for her." Yup, an effective end to the conversation.

"Yes, well, Dartmouth is my first choice." Right idea there, Nate. Always best to back down... parents only want what's best for their kids after all, right?

"What about you, Jasper, Leonora?"

Said blonde's eyes once again snapped to the man at the sound of his voice. Her ache to escape this boring conversation would have to wait.

Leonora was the first to speak, taking in a deep breath and exhaling very slowly. "Dad and Grandfather both went to Princeton, and Phineas is there now. He's hoping Jasper and I will go there as well."

"Leile toured almost every Ivy League this summer. A few others too. We're both keeping our options open, although Princeton is definitely tops. Dad wouldn't have anything less." Jasper smiled. Charming as always.

"Excuse me, Captain. Nate, can I borrow you?"

"Uh sure—will you excuse me for a second?" Nate looked around at the group of socialite adults with the sparing teenager mixed in.

Blair smiled at the group, her eyes landing on Jasper and Seraphina. "Lelie, so glad you could make it! Stop by my room later, would you? We've got so much to talk about."

Well, that's Blair Waldorf for you.

A buzz was beginning to go around the party. Serena was here, not just in New York, but here at the Waldorf party of all places. And Leo was one of the first people to come face to face with her.

"Serena?" Blue eyes held an obvious confusion as they scanned over the blonde who was obviously back from her stint at boarding school.

Serena turned around, a smile forming as she noticed the slightly younger girl before her. "Leile, it's so good to see you!" The smile on the girl's face was genuine as she brought Leonora in for a hug, the brown of her leather jacket clashing with the blue of the much more formal dress that the latter was wearing. "How have you been?"

"Oh, you know, same ol'. College tours across the country all summer." Leo rolled her eyes, obviously not happy with how her summer had gone and yet just as obviously unwilling to express it.

Serena smiled knowingly before catching a glimpse of someone in the crowd. "Tell me all about it over coffee sometime?"

"You got it."

And then Serena was gone, hugging a brunette who could only be the one and only Blair Waldorf.

Leo moved to lean against one of the walls, growing tired of the party already. She was fiddling with the hem of her dress when Blair walked back over, missing one blonde best friend.

"School? So I guess she's back for good," Blair stated, a very noticeably forced smile on her face. She was trying too hard to look relaxed.

"Didn't you know she was coming?" Leonora turned at the unexpected voice, having not noticed the two girls standing behind her until now. Where did they come from anyways?

"Of course I did. I just... wanted it to be a surprise." She didn't know.

Word is that S bailed on B's party in under 90 seconds and didn't even have one limoncello. But she found the time to be seen chatting it up with our very own Little Lion. What were they talking about, 'ey? Has our bad girl really gone good? Or is it all just part of the act? Why'd she leave? Why'd she return? Send me all the 'dets. And who am I? That's one secret I'll never tell... the only one.

XOXO,

Gossip Girl