Serena took a deep breath。 At first she wanted to tell Blair everything： that she’d been burned by Nate； that she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Dan Humphrey for two days； and that； most important； she was going to Yale。 But she didn’t know where to begin。
“Vodka soda？” the server said； plunking a tumbler on top of a pink star…shaped coaster。 “And what would your friend like？”
“Nothing。” Blair impatiently waved the server away with her hand。 “You came to tell me something？” Blair asked pointedly； as if she were conducting a job interview with someone who had absolutely no shot in hell of getting the position。
“Look； I know you’re mad at me。 I’m sorry。 I hate how we fight。 It’s so pointless。 And I wanted you to know—I’m ing to Yale next fall；” Serena blurted。 “We’ll be at the same school again—without Mrs。 McLean watching us！” she joked； hoping Blair would laugh； remembering their Talbots pantsuit–loving former headmistress。 Blair just raised her eyebrow and sighed。
The sound track at the bar suddenly changed to a cheesy pop song； reminding Serena of how much fun the two of them used to have； back when they would dance around her bedroom until they collapsed in a tired heap on top of each other。 Back before Nate came between them。 Serena managed a watery smile。 “Can’t we be friends？” she asked finally。
Blair stared into Serena’s large blue eyes； which looked so innocent and pleading。 They’d had so many fights； followed by so many teary makeup sessions。 For a moment； Blair wanted to throw her arms around Serena and tell her everything would be okay； that they would always be friends。 But that wasn’t exactly true。 Everything wasn’t okay。 Serena had stolen Nate； had cost her Pete； and now wanted to e to Yale—and who knew what