AN: I'm loving these reviews! You guys are seriously awesome and I can't wait to keep updating this. A lot of this is just rambling, so it's kind of a miracle you all like it. I suppose this can partly be rated M-ish because of the references in it? Anyway, keep reviewing!
It wasn't long before the dinner came to a close. Serena's parents were the first to leave, Lily and William waving quick goodbyes as they left following dessert. Then shortly after was Eric, who she didn't unfortunately get to talk to personally, as the blonde had hidden herself in the group of people she called her best friends.
When Nate said goodbye, Serena felt somewhat empty. She wasn't sure how long it'd be before she'd see him again. She yearned to see the boy who captured her heart all those years ago once again; his face something that never left her mind. But how long did it take her to realise these feelings? She'd been with him before, and she thought as that relationship ended, so did her feelings for him. It was now obvious that she was wrong. She'd only kept them hidden; hidden from not just everyone, but from herself. It had taken so long for these feelings to resurface, only needing to see his face to feel something other than the numbness that consumed her on a daily basis. It was somewhat hard to admit it to herself. She still had feelings for Nate. They were considered the golden couple for a reason. They were meant to be together. Or that's what she at least thought. It's what she hoped for now that she knew trying to fix her and Dan's relationship was futile. He'd gone too far, and she'd simply had enough. It was how things were; she was done trying.
Chuck and Blair stuck around for a while, Blair glancing between Serena and Dan, eyes narrowing and her stare colder as she focused on lonely boy. Noticing Blair's acts, Serena shot her a glance, Blair getting the message that she should stop. But that didn't stop her from doing so. It wasn't until Chuck laid a delicate hand on her shoulder that she calmed down, forgetting about the things he'd done to Serena, trying to ignore the fact he hurt her just for the moment.
When Vanessa left, Serena could see Dan going back to his grumpy self, him already walking over to the alcohol cabinet, offering Chuck a drink, "I'm good," he said in reply, hardly wanting to encourage Humphrey to drink. And besides, he couldn't imagine himself sitting down and having a drink with Dan Humphrey of all people. He'd rather be with his family and true friends.
"...and what about Serena?" She could hear Blair ask from the kitchen, Serena placing herself on the couch with an exaggerated sigh, "Well, we can't let her be alone so it looks as if she'll have to stay with us."
Right. She'd forgotten about Dan's business trip, which she suspected to be a little out of the norm. He'd never been sent away before, not for simple things like meetings and conferences. But she'd gotten to the point where she didn't care. A few days away would feel like a weight off her shoulders, and she would enjoy the peace. Blair had it all sorted out. Serena would join the Bass family for a few days, and hopefully stay a little longer, even when Dan would return.
"It's about time you've come to pay us a visit," Chuck sat down next to her, a glass of whiskey in his hand. It was obvious he'd taken Dan up on his offer, but had no intentions on staying for a chat with the man, "We've all missed you, I have to admit."
"Well I'm glad I'm wanted somewhere," Serena commented, sighing as her eyes darted towards her husband, before glancing back to Chuck, "It'll be fun, anyway. It gives me the chance to spoil my nephew," she perked up with a playful shrug.
"I think we better get going," Blair came in the room, Henry following close behind his mother, "This one's getting tired. I'll see you tomorrow, Serena?" S just nodded, walking over to give her friends a quick hug.
Within minutes, they were gone. The apartment seemed empty; she seemed empty as she fiddled with her drained coffee mug, Dan slouched on the couch, an emotionless lump with the television in the background. Forever. That was the word that went through her mind when she used to think of her and Dan. Dan and Serena- together forever. She couldn't of been more wrong.
"I, uhh, probably won't get to see you in the morning," Serena looked up to see the lump had move. Dan was standing there, his hair messy, leaning over the table, his eyes meeting hers, "It's an early start, and I don't imagine you'll be up at five to see me," She just sat there, her eyes locked on his, face expressionless.
"Yeah, I'll be asleep," She stood up, kissing him on the cheek before making her way to her bedroom. The bed was unmade, the blankets all on Dan's side. She sighed as she pulled them over to her, laying on her back, able to hear the busy streets of New York outside her window. It wasn't long before she drifted off.
The Sheppard Wedding was when everything changed. It was years and years ago, but the thought of it raced through her mind. She was only a child then, fifteen years old yet not at all innocent. Flashbacks of the day haunted her dreams. Walking across the bar, a bottle of champagne in hand. Nate's smiling face. None of them considering the fact that he was practically married to Blair. But they went along with it anyway.
Blair loved Nate. Nate loved Blair. That's how it was. But of course Serena was willing to defy the simple law of love and faithfulness. And with a few glasses of alcohol intoxicating the both of them, everything seemed so easy, so simple. And things just happened. Things that changed everything for the both of them.
Suddenly, the scene changed for Serena. Her dreams reflecting to the White Party at The Hampton's, Serena's lips on Nate's for that brief moment.
Then she was being fed a strawberry, whipped cream towering over it. Again, his lips were pressed to hers.
When she woke up, Serena glanced to the clock. 4 am. Dan was next to her, laying on his stomach, his breathing heavy and loud. All she could think was that she couldn't wait to get out of there.