One thing I love about NS is how much history they have, but isn't shown. I'm still a bit down following the S3 finale, but I'll keep my hopes up by speculating a bit about what happened in the time before Gossip Girl.
#2: Geography Lessons
No high-school teenager wants to be stuck in summer school during the summer. But, at least Serena and Nate are going through it together...because it makes all the difference.
//
"Miss van der Woodsen?"
"...Serena van der Woodsen?"
"Serena!"
The clipped voice of her Geography teacher couldn't grab her attention, but a stiff kick to back of her ankles finally snapped Serena out of her daze. She turned around to see Nate behind her, his face a mixture of worry and concern as he gestured to Ms. Corrigan, their geography teacher. Serena couldn't help but sigh tiredly as she slowly turned around, unsurprised to see her prim teacher glaring ominously at her.
"Miss van der Woodsen – we are here in class to study the geography of this world and not some daydream world you have dozed off into."
There were a few repressed laughs (no one would ever openly mock the Queen of Constance), but they all faded into icy silence as Ms. Corrigan pulled out a sinister-looking black notebook from her desk. "This is the third week of class, Miss van der Woodsen, and I expect better in the weeks to come. In this respect, I'm going to expect you to stay awake...in detention after class today."
Serena mentally groaned but only nodded lightly in tired defeat. Ms. Corrigan was famous for being a stickler, and Serena knew the best way would be just to bear her punishment. She already felt sick being stuck in this class during the summer, and she didn't know how she would bear another hour of being stuck in class with the icy Ms. Corrigan, reciting countries and statistics. Here was another summer day that was ruined. She couldn't help but silently mourn her lost summer.
As the class turned once more to the topic at hand, Serena felt a slight nudge of her shoulder. She didn't dare turn around, but she knew the symbol she and Nate shared, and cautiously put a hand behind her. A thin slip of paper was quickly stuffed into her palm.
Sorry S. Want me to get stuck in detention with you?
Serena couldn't help but grin at Nate's thoughtfulness. He was the only saving grace of this awful summer, to share in this misery of being stuck in geography class when everyone else seemed to be having the times of their lives. He passed her notes that made her laugh and he kicked her when she was falling asleep – normally he woke her up before Ms. Corrigan caught her. Still, he couldn't be blamed at all that Serena was too tired to pay attention in class and she didn't want him to have to suffer in detention as well.
She hurried scribbled on a slip of paper, Thanks, but I'll be okay. Besides, Blair has a dance class she wanted you to attend with her today...remember? She carefully dropped it onto the floor behind her, and she could hear Nate's chair shift as he scrambled for the note.
Serena tried to focus, but felt her mind drifting off again. The sun was shining outside and New York City was so beautiful in the summer. She wanted to go and get ice cream with Blair, or sit home and watch TV with Eric. She just wanted to do anything but be stuck in the dry classroom. Still, she realized should have thought of that before she flunked her geography class during the fall semester. She had spent more time going to parties than actually studying, and now Serena regretted it with every fiber of her being.
There was a sudden clash behind her, and Serena turned around to see that Nate had fallen out of his chair, his face crossed with tired confusion. Ms. Corrigan was instantly beside him, her voice already painfully tight. "Mr. Archibald? Were you so absolutely riveted by this class that you fell asleep?"
Nate replied with a sheepish smile to which Ms. Corrigan once again whipped out her infamous black book and wrote down his name. "You can keep Miss van der Woodsen company in detention them. You both obviously need the extra stimulation."
As Ms. Corrigan walked by, Serena gave Nate a "what-was-that?" look as he only grinned back and mouthed "I hate dancing." Serena giggled and turned around, feeling undeniably better that at least Nate would be there to pass detention with.
//
It was five by the time they got out of detention, and Serena felt like she was going to collapse. Ms. Corrigan had them create tables comparing the populations, GDP and development indices of 30 different countries.
"I'm so tired, I think I'll fall asleep in class again tomorrow," Serena sighed. "It's a vicious cycle."
"Why are you so tired S?" Nate asked, pausing slightly before questioning "...you didn't party last night, did you?"
"No," Serena replied quickly, feeling suddenly a little ashamed of her reckless behavior. "I just can't stand to be in the classroom. Looking out the window and seeing the summer...I just can't help but drift off."
"Dreaming of other places?"
"My...my mom is in Greece right now, and Eric is getting ready to go to camp again. I guess I kinda just want to have some fun and take my thoughts off things."
Nate smiled, "want to come an grab some food with me then? I told Blair I had an extended detention so I could miss the entirety of the dance class."
Serena laughed, then nodded. "I'm starving. Let's get something to eat." Nate smiled and wrapped a friendly arm around her shoulder, as they went to enjoy this little reprieve in their summer of geography class and detention.
The evening proved to be the perfect summer experience that Serena wanted, just walking around the Upper East Side, feeling young and on top of the world. She and Nate had everything, and just spending time with him felt perfect. They had been friends forever, and it felt natural to just laugh and walk around Manhattan acting as if they had the world in their hands.
"Dream summer destination?" Nate asked as he dug into a cup of ice cream. The two of them had found themselves sitting in Central Park as they enjoyed an evening dessert and each others company.
"Hmm..." Serena thought as she tapped her spoon against her lips. "I don't know. But somewhere warm, with lots of sun."
"The sun agrees with you," Nate agreed. "...Blair hates it, she never goes out without SPF 1000 or something." Serena laughed, because ever since they were tiny, Blair was a stickler for flawless skin.
"You know Blair, you knew what you were getting into," Serena teased. "So...what are you doing in summer school then? You can't be avoiding formal dance classes all the time."
"I didn't take the class last semester, so I have to pick it up this summer. I don't mind it that much – I need something to do this summer, with Chuck gone and all."
"Where did he run off to?"
"I don't know how he got out of summer school," Nate said with a sigh, "but I'm pretty sure he's off jet-setting somewhere. You know Chuck."
Serena laughed, "I'm sure he's terrorizing some other city."
"I know, but I kinda miss him. My parents are in Europe, and I mean besides for breakfast with my grandfather and some weekends with Trip and the family...this summer's been kinda quiet."
Serena gave him a knowing smile. "Hey Nate? This summer kinda sucks. But I...I just wanted to say I'm glad that you're in this class with me. Even though I feel like I'm being imprisoned, it's good to know someone on the inside."
Nate smiled, a little shyly. "I'm glad too, S. You're like the best part of this summer."
"You know it," Serena teased. "You know what? If this summer is going to suck, let's just do the best that we can with it."
"Get into detention everyday?" Nate laughed.
"Not a good idea," Serena laughed. "Unless you want to be stuck in summer school for the rest of our lives. But you know...we always spend summer together, and we always have fun. So we have a little obstacle in our way...who gives out weekly quizzes and is always happy to throw students in detention, but...it's us. We're Serena and Nate, and we always have awesome summers."
"You're right," Nate smiled and cheekily stole a bit of ice cream out of Serena's cup. "We do have the best summers."
"So, are you in? To making this the best summer ever?" Serena raised her ice cream cup.
"Let's do it," Nate said as he clinked cups with her. They both laughed at each other, feeling as if the summer was looking better already.
//
"Mr. Archibald?"
"...Nate Archibald?"
"Nate!"
Nate snapped awake to see Serena's concerned face...then looking past her to see Ms. Corrigan's livid expression.
"Yes, ma'am!" he instantly replied.
"Tell me young man, what is the time difference between here and Tokyo?"
"Uh..." Nate asked, puzzled at the nature of the question. How was he supposed to know what time it was in Tokyo?
"You should know, as you certainly seem to be sleeping on that schedule," Ms. Corrigan sniped icily. Out came the shudder-inducing black book again. "I'll see you in detention Mr. Archibald, where you shall be firmly reminded that you are in New York, taking my geography class."
Nate sighed, and rubbed his eyes. He was exhausted because he had spent the last night staying up late to "study" with Serena. They had begun with good intentions, and had done some homework before they got distracted playing video games and creating messes in the kitchen. They had entirely lost track of time and fell asleep way too late to be properly awake for class the next morning. It had been a great evening, but Nate was exhausted in class. He had been determined to keep an eye out for Serena – to kick her if she fell asleep again, but he was surprised to find it was him who fell asleep...and had been thrown in detention.
"So can anyone tell us why the study of ocean patterns and currents has been so difficult to study in the Arctic...?" Ms. Corrigan was asking.
Serena raised her hand. "Because no one cares?"
There was some light laughter, before it was quickly silenced by Ms. Corrigan's steely glare. "Frankly Miss van der Woodsen, I'm sick of your utter lack of respect for this class. I'll see you in detention...once again. Maybe more drills will inspire you to care more."
As Ms. Corrigan turned back to the board, Serena turned around and gave Nate a knowing wink. He couldn't help but laugh.
//
By the end of the summer, they had amassed 8 detentions each, strangely all on the same days. After a few weeks, they had gotten into a schedule of getting coffee with each other before class, and studying immediately after class, so that they fell asleep in class less and pulled up their marks. ...It was also a great way to spend more time with each other.
Neither wanted to admit it, but there was an easy friendship between the two of them. Nate had Blair, and Serena had half of the boys on the Upper East Side chasing after her, but they felt completely at ease with each other. They made each other laugh, and they were comfortable to share in each others company. Occasionally, both found each themselves silently wondering if things could ever become anymore, but neither gave the feeling much thought.
School ended and both of them passed Geography with surprisingly good marks given Ms. Corrigan's utter disdain for the two. Still, they continued to spend their summer mornings getting coffee together and pass their evenings playing video games and watching movies.
It wasn't the greatest summer they would spend together, like they had pledged all those days ago...but it was definitely an amazing summer. It was the summer they were both in a bad situation and both worked together to make it better. It was the summer they realized that despite what was happening in their lives, they would always be counted on to be great friends .
In the future, they couldn't really remember anything they had learned in that summer Geography class. Still, it was the summer they learned the fact that through it all, they would always be there for each other.
//
Thanks for the feedback on the previous chapter. Next chapter: even younger NS.