Serena jumped at the chance to party with models. She couldn't stand the idea of being locked up in her hotel all night. She had done a couple of other jobs with Sam and they became fast friends. Sam was tall and thin with brilliant green eyes and long brown hair. She flashed Serena a perfect smile. "Hey!" The girls hugged and Serena hopped in Sam's car.
"We're going to this guy Damien's house. He throws the best parties. Hands down. How's the east coast?"
Serena shrugged. "It's home. I love it there. You need to come visit, girl."
Sam smiled. "I have a couple of shoots there next week. Maybe I can stay with you?"
"Of course! I'm a block from Central Park."
"Perf."
Sam introduced Serena to Damien and they all walked to a room upstairs. Before she knew it Sam and Damien were doing lines off his dresser. Serena remembered the last time she did coke. It was years ago, and it wasn't pretty. She never wanted to go down that rode again.
Sam handed her a rolled up bill. "Your turn."
Serena shook her head. "I'm fine."
Damien turned to her. "Are you sure? I bought the best quality."
Serena gave him a small smile. "Fine. One."
Serena felt the room spinning. Sam looked at her and leaned forward to Damien. "I told you Serena knew how to party!"
…
"Sorry I'm late!" Serena met up with Chuck, Blair, and Nate for lunch.
Nate smiled at Serena. She wore sunglasses, her hair in a messy bun, jeans and a tank top. She took her sunglasses off to reveal a makeup-less face. He was still amazed at how beautiful she was.
She studied the menu carefully. "I have to be at the airport in a couple of hours."
Blair frowned. "Where are you going?"
"My friend is coming. I thought I'd meet her there personally."
Nate felt flashes going off behind the restaurant's glass doors. There were a few photographers, waiting anxiously for Serena. "Are you used to that?"
She shrugged. "They're not that bad. I just nod at them and jump in my car, usually."
As soon as they got out of the restaurant the three of them were swarmed. Serena's bodyguard formed a space between them and the photographers. Blair and Chuck smiled at Serena.
Nate hugged Serena last. "Drinks tonight? Bring your friend to meet us." Serena nodded and smiled at him. "I will."
…
Nate sat in his grandfather's study. He had been there too much lately. They talked about every single detail. How he would announce his candidacy, what his platform would be. They were in the middle of choosing the tie he would wear for his first press conference. Nate thought he was going to vomit. He stood up suddenly; all the voices in the room fell silent. "No."
"Fine. You'll wear this one." His grandfather held up a tie.
"Can I speak to you outside?"
William looked confused but nodded and followed him out of the room.
Nate looked at the floor. "I don't want to run for Congress."
"Excuse me?"
"That's what Tripp is for. Why do you need me?"
"Tripp has proven to be incompetent."
"I can't give do this, grandfather. I won't sacrifice my life."
"Nathaniel. We have talked about this for years. We have everything lined up. You can't turn your back on your family."
"I'm not turning my back on you. I would do anything for you. Anything else. I just can't go down this path. Please understand…"
"We will talk tomorrow." He looked down at his watch. "Go home."
…
Serena was just getting home when she heard her phone ring.
"Hello Serena. I need your help." Serena was shocked when she first heard his voice.
"Hi Mr. Vanderbilt. What can I do for you?"
"I think the nerves got to him. Nate suddenly decided not to run for office."
"I'm sorry but I don't see what that has to do with me."
"You're the only one who can convince him to do so. I am asking for your help."
William wasn't the sort of person you'd say no to. She chose her words carefully. "You overestimate my influence. But I will try to talk to him."
"Good enough. Have a good night."
Serena turned to Sam. "So what do you wanna do? Have you heard of Collin Pierce? He's the new Gap model. He's having a big party tonight. Everyone's gonna be there. And you're totally his type."
Sam smiled at her. "Sounds good. Let me just change."
Serena changed as well and was ready to leave when Sam called her into the bathroom. Sam had lines ready on her bathroom counter. "I left a few for you."
…
Nate called Serena's cell a few times and there was no answer. "She said she'd come."
Blair crossed her arms. "Nate, she's not coming. Now go get me a martini. Dry."
Chuck followed Nate to the bar. "What are you having?"
"I'll just have a beer. And can I get a dry martini. Also, a scotch for my friend."
He turned to Chuck. "Should I call her again? Maybe her friend got lost or something?"
"Serena personally picked her up at the airport."
"Maybe her luggage got lost or something."
"Maybe Serena just forgot. Or her friend is tired and she forgot to call and tell us she wasn't coming. It's not a big deal."
"I know it's not. I was just saying." He grabbed the drinks. "Let's have some fun."
…
Serena woke up to the delicious smell of pancakes in the kitchen. Sam used the pan to flip the pancake over. "You're a pro."
"You don't cook, do you?"
Serena shook her head. "Not really."
She helped Sam set the table and sat while Sam put pancakes on both plates.
Serena got up. "I'm so tired. I'll make coffee."
"I have something that works better." She held up a small bag full of white powder. "I do a few right before work. It really helps."
Serena shook her head. "I'm fine. Thanks."
"Come on. It'll be fun."
…
Serena had been busy lately. She was fortunate to have a lot of designers that wanted to hire her. And when she wasn't working she was out partying. She looked at herself in the mirror. "I have this under control." She had been avoiding Nate, Chuck, and Blair. She didn't want them to think she'd gone back to her old ways.
She cut up a few lines and lined them up perfectly on her coffee table. She had just taken her last line when she heard her name.
Chuck was standing over her. "Serena. What are you doing?"
Serena stood up quickly. "Nothing. What the hell are you doing here?"
"I knocked. Don't tell me you're doing this again. Serena…"
Serena rolled her eyes. "Don't. I don't want to hear it. I have it under control."
"It's 9 in the morning."
"Chuck, you're the least indicated person to try to lecture me."
"Fine. Do whatever the hell you want. I came to invite you to breakfast but I changed my mind."
"I'm not hungry anyway."
"Yeah. I wonder why that is."
"Don't tell Nate or Blair. Okay? It's not like I do it every day. It's my first time in years. Just thought I'd try it."
"Fine. Whatever." He closed the door hard behind him.
...
Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews. I decided to add more drama! Let me know what you think.