k with most of his English assignments for a year。
“Just kidding；” Chuck laughed。 “Didn’t I give you an autographed picture one time in exchange？ God； I was a douche。” Chuck shook his head。
Blair shifted back in her chair。 All this talk about their high school escapades had made her feel restless and antsy。 There were now half a dozen empty champagne and wine bottles on the table。 Outside； an almost…full moon reflected on the still falling snow； making the whole world look magical。 She didn’t want to sit across from Nate anymore or watch Jenny gaze at him with puppylike adoration or remember any of the reasons why Chuck was a freak in high school。 She needed to get outside and do something。
Or someone？
“Let’s go sledding；” Blair announced； already scraping her chair across the cherrywood floors。
“Yay！” Serena yelled； clambering to her feet。
Dan cringed。 He hated snow in his socks or in the wrists of his jacket and the feel of icy snow on his skin。 He hated trudging through the cold only to ride a piece of plastic down a hill。 Why walk up just to slide down？ But more than anything； he was scared。 When he was ten； he’d gone sledding with Zeke； his former best friend with unfortunate wide hips； and they’d crashed into a three…hundred…pound man； who toppled on top of them。 Dan had lain there on his back with the wind knocked out of him； thinking he was destined to die under the fat man’s girth。 He hadn’t gotten on a sled since。
“Let’s go！” Serena needled； grabbing Dan’s hand and trying to drag him to his feet。 Blair； Chuck； Nate； and Jenny were already in the mudroom； searching through old mittens and hats for things to wear。
Dan shook his head。 “I can’t。”
“Why not？” Serena’s eyes narrowed。 What was Dan’s proble