Serena crossed the bridge into Williamsburg. She walked into the nearest cafe she could find, a little shop full of books with tiny tables where a few college students sat typing away at their laptops. It was nice to be in a place where no one read Gossip Girl or knew who she was.

She dropped her bag at the only free table and walked over to the bookshelves while her coffee was ready. She made eye-contact with a cute guy in all-black and quickly looked away. "Small chai with soymilk!"

She walked over to grab her drink when another hand snatched it from in front of her. The guy smiled at her. "Sorry. I got the same thing. But here you go."

Serena smiled back at him. "Oh, that's okay. I can wait for mine."

He shook his head. "Take it. I insist." Serena took the drink from him. "I'm Chase, by the way."

Serena spent the rest of the day going to record stores and listening to bands she'd never heard of. She checked her phone and saw 2 missed calls from Nate.

"Everything okay?"

Serena nodded. "I should get going. Today was a lot of fun."

He smiled. "I had fun too. You should call me sometime. We can do this again."

Serena nodded and put his number in her phone. He leaned over and she backed away. "Here's my cab. Bye, Chase."

…

Nate smiled at Serena when she walked in the door. "Hey."

Serena felt guilty instantly. "What are you doing here?"

"Haven't heard from you all day. I called."

"I was busy."

Nate nodded. "I'm so sorry about everything. I just want you to be happy. I wanted to protect you. That's why I lied."

"Repeatedly."

He looked down. "I thought it was the right thing to do….Serena…are you listening?"

Serena snapped out of her daydream. "Huh? I'm just tired. I want to go to bed."

Nate let out a frustrated sigh. "Alright. Have a good night."

…

Serena woke up to 5 missed called and 2 messages from Blair. They were both asking if she'd been on Gossip Girl yet.

Serena rolled out of bed and lazily checked her computer. When she saw the picture she felt relief then a small twinge of anger. Still, she was more relieved than anything, she'd convinced herself she was a psychopath but now she felt…jealous…and a little angry. She looked at the picture of Nate and the brunette for another second before closing her laptop.

She thought about calling Blair but turned her phone off instead. She pulled on some clothes and left her room.

After grabbing an iced coffee she walked into class a couple minutes late. She decided to turn her phone on again. Not one missed call from Nate. She went from class to class to office hours during lunch and back to her classes. She walked out of her last class, planning to go straight home, when a hand snatched her and pulled her away from the crowd.

Blair looked at her. "Are you okay?"

Serena nodded. "I'm fine."

Serena got in a cab and went straight to Nate's place. She rang the doorbell and walked straight into his room.

Nate had just put his backpack down when he turned to see her in the doorway.

Serena looked at him. "I see you've been kissing other girls."

"She kissed me. I swear. But there were people there and they pulled out their phones and…I should have told you but you've been upset lately."

"I know I've been pushing you away lately. But there are just some things I needed to deal with."

"I know." He took a step towards her. "Are we gonna be okay?"

Serena shrugged. "Should I be worried…about this girl?"

Nate shook his head. "No."

Serena nodded and looked at him shyly. "I love you. So much."

Nate walked over to her and hugged her tightly. "I love you so much baby."

…

Serena woke up and smiled at Nate's warm body next to hers. She pulled on her close quietly and left him a note saying she'd be back later.

Serena hailed the first cab and practiced what she was going to say over and over again. When the car stopped, she handed the driver a bill and hopped out of the car, walking straight into the big building in front of her.

She walked over to the concierge, a guy in his mid twenties, perfect. She put on her best smile and walked over to him. "Hey, could you help me with something?"

The guy was taken aback . "Sure."

She read his nametag. "My boyfriend is staying at this hotel. I wanted to surprise him by going up to his room so I was wondering if you'd make me a key…?"

He cleared his throat. "I'm not really supposed to…"

"Please? It'll be our little secret…" She winked at him.

Serena swiped the keycard and smiled when the light turned green. She opened the door silently and closed it behind her carefully.

Serena walked into the bedroom just as Damien Dalgaard walked out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. He jumped a little at the site of her. "How the hell did you…What are you doing here?"

She looked at him. "Get dressed. We need to talk."

…

Serena took a cab back to Nate's. She walked in his bedroom to find him freshly showered and pulling a shirt over his head. "You were gone when I woke up."

She heard a small dose of resentment in his voice. She was glad that it bothered him to wake up to her gone. "I'm here now."

He walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him. "Where'd you go?"

Serena knew it was a casual question but he panicked for a second before responding. "Lily wanted me to check in. Hey…you know what I want. I want you to fuck me."

Nate was surprised by that last sentence. He couldn't help but laugh. "Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?"

Serena suddenly felt awkward. It was supposed to be hot. She thought all boys liked dirty talk. She felt her face get red. "I…"

Nate pressed his lips against hers firmly. She responded instantly, and his lips parted and invited her in.

Suddenly, he pushed her against the wall and with one quick notion ripped her shirt over her head.

Serena looked pleasantly surprised. With a swipe of his arm he slid everything on his dresser to the floor, picked Serena up and sat her up there. She unbuckled his belt and tore off his pants as he pulled pants down. His hands were shaking with such excitement and he flustered with her bra for a few seconds before finally snapping it off.

Serena shivered at the feeling of Nate's fingers on her warm back. He picked her up and tossed her on his bed. He carefully positioned himself on top of her and kissed her deeply. Serena pulled his boxers down and let out a loud moan as he entered her.

He rocked slowly and then faster until she moaned and he felt her body spasm and then relax. He felt his muscles tighten up and he finished and kissed her forehead.

He rolled off her gently and pulled the sheet over both of them. Serena gave him a quick kiss and cuddled against him softly.

There was a loud knock and the door opened suddenly.

Nate shielded Serena's body with his. "Chuck! Get out!"

Chuck frowned at them. "Why? I waited until you were done."

Serena shot him a dirty look. "You're such a creep!"

Chuck rolled his eyes. "Get dressed. I'm bursting back in here in exactly one minute."

Nate looked annoyed but jumped out of bed and pulled his clothes back on. He tossed Serena's clothes to her and he did the same.

Chuck knocked and then opened the door again. He looked at Serena. "Why were you at Damien Dalgaard's hotel room this morning?"