Um.... so I'm kinda back... it's inexcusable so I'm not even going to try. And I can't even promise to update again soon due to exams coming up... but yeah.

Hope you like it. Although you'll probably have to reread the whole thing to remember whats going on.

Sorry!

Words did not come easily, and he was a fool if he ever thought otherwise. But the second he heard her voice, calling out his name, no less, he was pulled like a magnet. He moved towards her, pushing through the crowd as though it was his mission in life to get back to her.

"Serena." He was breathless, but he had to make sure.

She smiled, widely, more so than he would have expected but quickly looked down. Too much too soon, maybe? He wasn't sure. He didn't know what to think. But she reached up to brush a hand through her long blonde hair. It hadn't changed.

"It's really you." He said, lowering his voice slightly to mask the disbelief. But he was unable to hide a grin forming.

She looked up at him. "It's really you." She laughed and memories of their time together flew through his mind. The laugh had stayed the same.

On the surface, she looked the same. Her hair was still long and blonde. She still towered over him. She was still the goddess of beauty she was in high school. But yet, he could tell she wasn't just Serena Van der Woodsen anymore. He wasn't sure whether it was that obvious or if he just still remembered her way too well. But he could sense it, feel it.

She was tanner, and not the kind you pay for, either. The faint mark of a tan line was visible on her shoulder. Her once pale cheeks were spotted with tiny freckles. Her nails were short, unpainted.

And before he reminded himself that people actually look different after 7 years, he noticed she was standing up straighter. She had tucked her hair behind her ears. She blinked more, as if trying to get used to the new scenery.

He shook his head, telling himself he didn't know her anymore. Reminding himself that she could have changed a hundred times since he saw her last.

Everyone had been congratulating him on the beautiful ceremony, the beautiful reception, the beautiful bride. He was such a lucky guy. They would have beautiful children. The word made him want to scream. Nothing here was beautiful. Claire hadn't left his side, and already he was feeling suffocated by his own mistake.

No, he didn't want to call it that. It wasn't a mistake. It was a choice. His choice. He closed his eyes and dragged in a deep breath.

"You okay, honey?" a soft hand touched his back and looked at Claire. She was radiant, a natural beauty. She looked amazing, always would. It made it worse.

He nodded, "Yeah. I think the champagne's getting to me a little." He took her hand and squeezed it before pointing to the door, "Maybe I'll go out for a second?"

She smiled, "Of course. Be sure to have some water." She leaned up to kiss him, but he turned slightly so she got his cheek. He had to get out of here.

Claire was nothing short of amazing, from the very moment he had met her. She was charming, kind, intelligent. She was perfect, which was precisely why he proposed. He was sure that she would make him happy for the rest of her life. But that was not the reason he couldn't breathe right now. He really needed to get out of here.

He took long quick steps, dodging huddles of over-dressed guests. He wasn't looking where he was going until he walked into one.

"Oh, God, sorry!" he muttered, hoping he hadn't spilt a drink. Women go crazy if their dresses are ruined, and he really didn't have the patience to be polite.

"Oh it's fine."

His head shot up, and he caught the eye of his victim. He couldn't say anything. Really, what was there to say?

She knew, "Congratulations," she smiled widely and stuck a hand out for him to shake.

The formality felt strange with her, and his eyes couldn't let go of her huge blue ones. He didn't miss the hint of something in her voice.

"Thanks."

They stood there for a moment, as he lost more and more air to the sheer awkwardness of the moment.

"Sorry, I have to -" he trailed of and gestured to the door. She nodded and he practically ran off, leaving her standing there with unnoticed regret on her face.

All he could think about was getting out of that room, fresh air, and ways to run away from those bambi eyes he knew would forever haunt him.

"Jenny!"

The excitement in his voice made her spin around with a grin on her face.

"E!" He grimaced at his old nickname, but gladly took the hug he offered.

"Oh my God, where have you been?! I haven't seen you in forever!" She couldn't stop talking, this familiar face bringing her back to a home she didn't want to leave.

He laughed, "Oh, around..." he said, turning his hands in circles. They both paused for a moment, before he took her hand and pulled her to a quieter area, near a large potted palm tree.

He hugged her, "I've missed you." He had a look of relief on his face, one she could only place because she knew she was wearing the same one.

"Me too." She admitted, a sad smile on her lips. "But you've been happy?"

He nods, "Yeah... It's been okay. I'm still living at home though, wish I could move out."

"I have-" She starts excitedly, before toning down a notch, "Near NYU, with a friend. You should come visit."

It obvious he likes the invitation, she can see it in his eyes. "So, NYU... What is Jenny Humphrey doing with her life?"

"Fashion design," she can't but let a giggle slip. Even she couldn't understand it, after everything she went though. But she loves it. And the way she's been going, it loves her.

He grins at her, as if this fact alone made his day, "You always were amazing."

She looks around at all the fancy guests, trying to be older and better than they were, she wished for a second she could be 16 again.

So she grabbed his hand and pulled him down onto the floor, where she sat herself cross-legged. He stared at her for a second, because, of course, you don't sit on the floor if you're a Van der Woodsen and wearing an Armani suit.

But then he smiled and made himself more comfortable next to her.

"You're at Columbia, right?" she asks, playing with her hands.

He nods, ""Med School."

"Wow." She mouths, before actually saying, "that's so you. You'll be amazing."

He laughs, "I hope so."

He asks her about NYU and she starts talking and wishes she weren't at a wedding, but at home in her pyjamas and Ugg boots. On the couch sharing ice cream. She had missed him, so so much.

She finally found Bart, after an hour of searching. She was being impatient, and only one person could make her that way. She loved it and she hated it.

"Bart, there you are." She says and fusses over his bow tie for a second. "Listen, you know that friend I told you about... She really wants to catch up, so I'm going to go now, in a taxi. And you take the kids home in the Limo afterwards."

"Sounds like you've planned everything." He answered gruffly. She would've sworn she was breaking his heart, if he had any heart to break.

"I haven't seen her in a long time." She smiled and kissed his cheek before turning around.

"Lily." She said and she stopped, "Where did you say you knew her from?"

"High-school." She says, the lie slipping off her tongue like there was nothing wrong.

He raised an eyebrow, "You said college before."

Shit. "Both, actually. We were very close." She forced a smile and walked away. He had no idea how close. But that wasn't for him to know. All she could think about was getting out of there.

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