“I didn’t sleep very well；” Blair grumbled。
“I can always change room arrangements when your friends leave； so you can get your beauty sleep；” Harold offered。
“They’re not my friends；” Blair muttered。 “I don’t know why they’re here。 I thought it would be a relaxing holiday with just the family； and I have to read Ulysses； and I can’t do anything when I’m so stressed out。 Look； Daddy； do you think I’m breaking out？”
“Morning！” Serena said loudly as she clattered down the stairs。
“Serena；” Harold boomed jovially。 “Coffee？”
“Yes please。” A bowl of fresh pumpkin spelt scones； courtesy of Giles； sat on the counter。 Serena took one； plunging her thumb into the flaky pastry。
“Hi；” Blair said icily。
“Hi；” Serena responded； taking a buttery bite。 “I like your bracelets。”
“Thanks。 My boyfriend gave them to me；” Blair said pointedly。 “Speaking of； where’s yours？” And when are you all leaving？ she wanted to add。
“He’s still sleeping。” An awkward silence fell over the kitchen as Serena tried to search for clues about whether or not Blair and Nate had been together last night。 It was hard to tell。 Blair seemed edgy and bad…tempered； but that didn’t mean anything。 She was often edgy and bad…tempered。
“How are your parents？” Harold asked politely； breaking the silence as he settled on a chair opposite Serena。
“They’re great。 Right now； they’re in St。 Barts for New Year’s。 My brother； Erik； is getting married next year； so they’ve been really busy with plans。” Serena nodded happily。 Erik had met his fiancée when he went to Australia for his junior year abroad； and they’d been inseparable since。 The only downside to the wedding was the floor…length lilac taffeta dress she’d be obligated to wear as a bridesma