he worked hard and used his hands and did some honest; challenging labor and got to know
himself and prepared for his career at Yale。 Captain Archibald and even Coach Michaels were
determined that Nate head off to Yale a different man; a new man; able to handle responsibility。
And now; suddenly; Nate felt like he alreadywas that new guy。
That was fast。
Something Dan had said really stuck with him: his life was right here; waiting for him; inside this
shitty; overcrowded apartment。 The girl he was meant to be with was right here; and the only
honorable thing to do was to break the news to the girl hewasn?t meant to be with。
But he couldn?t find Tawny?s familiar golden mane any…where: the place was that packed。 Nate
pushed his way across the dance floor; ignoring the beckoning wave of some short; overly tanned
weirdo who was wearing sunglasses even though they were inside。 There was no time for small
talk: he was a man on a mission。
Nate slipped into the tiny sliver of a kitchen and hopped up onto the countertop。 From that
vantage; he surveyed the apartment; looking for Tawny。 The apartment was pletely packed。
There were faces he recognized?Isabel and Kati huddled in a corner; whispering to each other as
usual; that pale; grim…looking bald girl was talking to some little kids?but for the most part; the
room was crowded with strangers
Then there she was: her distinct blond hair was unmistak…able。 It was full and wavy and fell over
her tan freckled shoulders; one of which was bare where her peach…colored top had slipped off。
Nate had to admit it was pretty sexy。 He saw that she was grinding with Chuck Bass; who?d
unzipped his mint…green shirt and was gyrating bare…chested to a dance remix of that Ciara song。
Ew。
Nate felt a tug on the leg of his Trovata khakis and looked down to see Serena smiling up at him。
?Whatcha looking for?? she asked; hoisting herself up onto the countertop beside him。
?Hey;? Nate said; helping her up。 He was grateful for the pany of an old friend。
Serena scanned the room and looked in the direction in which Nate was staring intently; watching
the almost…obscene display of Chuck and Tawny dancing。
?You know;? Serena whispered into Nate?s ear。 Her breath was sweet and tickled him pleasantly。
It was a nice; familiar sensation。 ?You don?t have anything to worry about。 Chuck Bass is just a
horny; harmless jerk…off; and we love him for it。?
?I?m not worried;? Nate told her。 ?It?s not like that。?
?It?s not?? asked Serena。 She knew Nate; and she definitely knew better than to believe him
when it came to girls。 He basically always got it wrong。
She?s an actress; remember? She onlyplays stupid。
?I thought it was; but I was wrong;? Nate admitted。 ?Hey; where are they going?? Tawny had
taken Chuck by the hand and the two slipped behind a nearby door。
?That?s the bathroom;? Serena observed。
Double ew。
?Whatever。? Nate shrugged。 He?d passed the point in his life where he was interested in girls