Hey guys! Sorry this second chapter took so long... I've been super busy with school and friends and the like but here you go. I'll do my best to get the next chapter up quicker. As always, the more you review the quicker I write and more inspired I get. hehe

BTW, Claire and Amy are my own characters the rest are ll property of GG and The CW (unfortunately).

Her eyelids flutter open and she is momentarily blinded by the sunlight invading her room. For a moment, she forgets where she is- wondering where the mosquito net and 100 degree temperatures went missing. As she gets out of bed the cool air from the air conditioner hits her, as well as the sweet scent of roses. It is unfamiliar enough to make her stomach churn with homesickness.

Her mother had left a note on her door, letting her know that she stepped out and would be back in a couple of hours. She revelled in the silence around her. It reminded her of the year past, when the only thing glowing was the sunrise and she waited for the world to begin.

She was in the kitchen, making toast, when the doorbell rang. She sighed and went to answer it, wondering if her mother's couple of hours had already past. She wrapped her silk dressing robe around her, and opened the door. Her jaw dropped but no words came to mind. A wretched incoherence she had not expected at 25.

"Well, are you going to let me in?" Blair asked, chin slightly lifted and Serena knew she was hurt.

She stepped aside to let the brunette it, attempting to form together a sentence. She had not expected-nor prepared for – this. "I – What are you doing here?"

"Hi Blair. Nice to see you, Blair. I missed you, Blair. Or have those words lost their meaning after so long?" Blair asked, before continuing into the living room. And in her own house, Serena found herself following her.

"No, I meant - How did you know I was here?"

"Lily called me. She thought you might need some friends." Blair looked at her accusingly, it should have been she who made that call, they both knew.

"I'm sorry. I was going to call you. Once I got used to being...here again."

"I'm sure it's different there." Blair still can't bring herself to name the place that stole her friend from her.

"Different...Its- Blair, it's amazing!" Serena sat down next to her on the white leather couch – the kind made not to be sat on.

"You'll have to tell me about it." It was spoken more softly, and she turned to see a glimmer of nostalgia in her friend's eyes. It was gone as quickly as it came, as she thrust a white card into her lap. "After we talk about this."

Serena didn't have to look down to see what it was. She already knew. The force pulling her back, kicking and screaming, was doing the same to Blair.

He was late, as he often was these days. It seemed that the more ordered his life was supposed to be, the more messed up he became. He was looking forward to the day all this planning was over. When they could just get on with their life – a happily ever after. Finally.

His shirt was half buttoned when he answered the door. He sighed, out of frustration.

"Coming. Sorry, you're going to have to wait – What are you doing here?"

Chuck was leaning against the doorframe, his signature smirk crossing his face.

"I see you're happy to see me, Nathaniel." He stood up straighter, obviously wanting to be let in.

"Uh, no. Sorry man. I just – I was expecting Claire."

Nate turned around and continued back to his bedroom, his best friend following him.

"I told you not to invite her." Chuck snarled after a moment.

He turned around suddenly, his blue eyes opened wide, but still avoiding looking into Chuck's eyes.

""What's the big deal? She's fine with it. I talked to her."

Chuck raised an eyebrow, and his voice. "The big deal is Blair Waldorf. If she was fine with it, then why did she freak out when she got the invitation? I told you it was a bad idea" he snarled.

Nate's mouth formed an 'o' of understanding, and quickly covered up his red face by turning around to check his reflection in the mirror. Of course Chuck would be talking about Blair, that's all he ever talked about. He wondered how long his best friend would continue playing his game. And how long he would continue playing his own.

"Blair. Yeah... I couldn't not invite her. We're friends -"

Chuck's sigh stopped him from finishing his sentence, and Chuck took the opportunity, "You need to get over her!" Nate turned to stare at his friend's outburst, "You aren't friends. Stop pretending nothing has changed and start moving on."

Nate clenched his fist at his side, using his willpower to keep it there, "I am moving on! I'm getting married in two weeks!"

"Well I should hope so." A voice came from behind them. Both men turned to see a tall blonde standing in the doorway.

Nate glared a Chuck for a split second before turning to his fiancée, a bright smile on his face which was only half forged. He rushed over to give her a quick kiss.

"Hey. Sorry, Chuck was just leaving. And I'm all set." He said quickly, not allowing her a word in edgewise. Just In case.

Claire gave him a quizzing glance before smiling politely to Chuck and asking him if he needed a ride anywhere.

"Thank you, Claire, but no. As Nathaniel said, I was just leaving. Have fun." Chuck smirked and left the room without giving Nate a second glance.

Nate, however, watched his best friend back as he left the apartment, thankful that Chuck was only talking about Blair.

Dan knocked on the door patiently, and smiled politely when Amy opened it.

"Dan. Hey, how are you?" his sister's roommate asked, smiling just a little too widely.

"Uh, good, thanks. Is Jenny here? She wasn't answering -" He motioned to his phone.

Amy grabbed his arm, and pulled him inside. "Yeah, she's in her room. Been in there all day. Maybe you can talk her into having some fun with me. Or maybe you're interested yourself?" She winked. He had gotten used to Amy's extreme friendliness over the past year. But he still felt weird when she tried to flirt with him every time he came over. He smiled a thanks and made his way to his sister's bedroom.

"Let me know if I get you anything!" She called after him.

She lay on her bed, gripping a tattered photograph. She was still coming to grips with the fact. Although she wasn't sure how she was just supposed to forget a whole part of her life, like he was asking her to do.

It was even harder to pretend she was excited about everything. To fulfil everyone's expectations of her. Not that it was something she wasn't used to.

A knock on her door startled her and she shoved the photo under her pillow. She smiled weakly when Dan popped his head in, asking to come in.

"Sure. What's up?" She sat up on her bed and put on a bright, fresh face.

"You weren't answering your phone." He had the concerned older brother thing going on.

"Oh. It must've died." She said and moved to get it off her desk. "Yeah, see?" she showed him the black screen.

"Oh. Amy said you've been hanging out here a lot lately. You wanna go out, spend some time with your big brother?" he grinned at her and she raised an eyebrow at the innocent suggestion.

She pretended to mull it over, but looked back at him and nodded, "Sure, let me just get changed. Go hang out with Amy for a minute."

He grimaced and she laughed. "Go on, you've gotta stop being lonely boy some day." She said in a sing-song voice.

He made a worse face and left the room, muttering something about sisters.

Jenny quickly pulled on a summer dress and stuffed some things into a purse. Before leaving her room, she turned on her phone being welcomed back with one unread message.

She sighed loudly as she threw it into her bag. He sure was making it hard for her to pretend.

I hope you enjoy this second installment! Be on the look out for chapter!!