gossip girl 12 终结- 第10部分

“Look　who　I　found！”　Blair　announced；　feeling　a　slight　thrill　of　pleasure　at　the　look　of　shocked　surprise　on　Serena’s　face。

“Natie？”　Serena　said　weakly；　letting　her　arms　fall　slack　against　her　body　as　she　leaned　against　the　doorframe　for　support。　How　was　Nate　here？　How　were　he　and　Blair　here；　together？　Blair’s　hair　was　damp　and　tousled　around　her　small；　pretty　face。　Nate’s　expression　was　dazed　and　happy；　like　he　was　in　a　dream　he　didn’t　want　to　wake　up　from。

Suddenly；　everything　came　horribly　together。　Blair　and　Nate　were　here　with　each　other　because　they’d　been　with　each　other。　Blair　had　spent　the　night　at　Nate’s。　No　wonder　she　was　in　such　a　good　mood。

Serena　sighed；　trying　to　will　her　bad　feelings　away。　This　fall　she’d　tagged　along　to　a　yoga　class　with　Alysia；　where　the　instructor　told　them　to　think　of　their　minds　as　an　endless　blue　sky；　and　any　negative　thoughts　as　little　rain　clouds　that　would　eventually　go　away。　She　would　not　let　her　rain　clouds　ruin　her　reunion　with　her　two　best　friends。　“Blair；　I　am　so　sorry　about　last　night！”

“Oh；　it　doesn’t　matter。”　Blair　shrugged；　as　if　she　hadn’t　been　cursing　out　Serena　for　the　entire　night　prior　to　meeting　Nate。

Nate　licked　his　lips　nervously　as　he　glanced　between　Serena　and　Blair。　Serena　had　that　sexy；　just…rolled…out…of…bed　look。　Blair　wore　jeans　and　an　old　navy　blue　Ralph　Lauren　sweater　of　his。　He　loved　the　way　his　sweater　hung　off　Blair’s　frame；　reminding　him　of　how　small　she　was　pared　to　him。　They　were　both　beautiful。　But　Blair　was　his　girl。

For　now；　at　least。

“It’s　great　to　see　you；　Serena；”　Nate　said　awkwardly；　offering　his　adorable；　lopsided　smile。　Serena　felt　her　stomach　twist　in　jealousy。　Let　it　go。　She　imagined　her　angry　storm　cloud　thoughts　disappearing　to　reveal　a　blue　sky。

“I　don’t　know　about　you　guys；　but　I’m　starving。　Let’s　go　out！”　she　announced　brightly；　sounding　like　an　overcaffeinated　camp　counselor。

Or　a　jealous　best　friend？

The　cab　pulled　up　to　Serendipity　on　Sixtieth　and　Third；　which　was　equally　famous　for　its　retro…kitschy　Tiffany　glass　lampshade　decor　as　it　was　for　its　high…calorie　desserts。　Once　they　were　seated；　Serena　glanced　down　at　the　cracked　hexagonal　floor　tiles　so　she　wouldn’t　have　to　watch　Blair　and　Nate　gazing　adoringly　at　each　other。　She　didn’t　get　it。　Didn’t　Blair　have　a　boyfriend？　And　wasn’t　Nate　supposed　to　be　off　sailing　the　world　still？

“So；　Nate；　where　the　hell　have　you　been？”　she　asked。　She　poked　the　ice　cubes　in　her　water　glass　down　with　her　straw　as　if　she　were　trying　to　drown　them。

“All　over。”　Nate　shrugged　unfortably。　He’d　been　everywhere；　from　sailing　around　Latin　America　to　exploring　the　Pacific　Northwest；　but　he　didn’t　know　where　to　start。　Besides；　no　matter　where　he　was；　he’d　been　thinking　about　both　of　them。　But　he　couldn’t　say　that　to　Serena　in　front　of　Blair。　Serena’s　navy　blue　eyes　gleamed；　and　she　looked　like　she　wanted　him　to　talk　for　hours。　But　he　didn’t　know　what　else　to　say。　“We　sailed　without　a　navigation　system。　It　was　really　cool；”　he　added　vaguely。

The　waiter；　a　chipper　man　who　had　way　too　much　energy　for　New　Year’s　Day　morning；　approached　the　table。　“Happy　New　Year！”　he　practically　shouted；　causing　droplets　of　spit　to　rain　on　the　table。　“Now；　where　are　you　folks　from？”

“I’ll　have　the　eggs　Benedict　and　coffee　and　he’ll　have　scrambled　eggs　and　bacon　that’s　just　a　little　crispy；”　Blair　said；　ignoring　the　waiter’s　inane　question。　How　embarrassing　to　be　taken　as　tourists。　Then　again；　this　was　a　tourist　trap。　Sure；　they　used　to　e　here　all　the　time　when　they　were　little　and　split　a　frozen　hot　chocolate　while　their　nannies　gossiped　over　coffee。　But　that　was　years　ago。　Didn’t　Serena　realize　they　weren’t　kids　anymore？

Serena　smiled　tightly。　“I’ll　have　coffee。　And　toast；”　she　said；　brushing　away　the　menu。　She　didn’t　have　much　of　an　appetite。

“You’re　not　eating？　That’s　no　fun！”　Blair　wrinkled　her　nose。　“She’ll　have　chocolate　chip　pancakes。　With　extra　whipped　cream；”　she　announced。

“Sure　thing；　captain！”　The　waiter　dorkily　saluted　her。　Blair　rolled　her　eyes。

“So　are　you　back　for　good？”　Serena　asked；　turning　to　Nate。　He　looked　gaunt　and　more　careworn　than　she　remembered。　She　wanted　to　call　the　waiter　back　and　order　extra　pancakes　and　sausages　and　eggs　for　Nate；　then　feed　them　to　him　until　he　regained　his　strength。

Nate　shrugged。　“Maybe　I’ll　borrow　the　Charlotte　and　do　some　sailing；”　he　said。　The　boat　was　docked　in　Newport；　Rhode　Island；　for　the　winter。　He　hadn’t　really　thought　about　what　he　was　going　to　do　with　the　rest　of　his　life。　Chips　was　still　in　Florida；　and　Nate　doubted　he　was　going　to　set　sail　again　anytime　soon。　And　now　that　he　knew　Blair　didn’t　hate　him；　he　didn’t　really　want　to　go　anywhere。　“I　could　train　for　the　America’s　Cup；”　he　added。　That　would　be　pretty　cool。　He　could　sail　up　and　down　the　East　Coast　during　the　week；　see　Blair　on　the　weekends；　and　maybe　catch　up　with　Serena　for　coffee　on　Monday　mornings。　It　would　be　perfect。

Blair’s　eyes　lit　up　as　if　she’d　just　had　the　best　idea　in　the　world。　It　was　a　look　Serena　recognized　all　too　well。

Uh…oh。

“e　to　Yale！”　Blair　cried。　“They　have　a　sailing　team。”

“Could　I　do　that？”　Nate　wondered。　For　the　past　four　months；　he’d　barely　read　a　book。　Hell；　he’d　barely　even　spoken　to　anyone　except　Chips。　Even　here；　it　had　felt　too　overwhelming　to　order　breakfast；　he　was　thankful　Blair　had　stepped　in。　There　were　too　many　choices；　too　many　decisions　in　the　real　world。　He　felt　like　he　needed　a　remedial　course　in　life　before　he　started　at　an　Ivy　League　university。

“Of　course。”　Blair　patted　him　on　the　knee。　“You　only　just　deferred。　You　could　start　spring　semester。　I　can　e…mail　my　advisor　and　ask　him　to　help　you　pick　classes。　He’s　the　best；”　Blair　said；　busily　creating　a　mental　list　of　all　the　things　she　had　to　do。　First；　she’d　have　to　head　to　New　Haven　to　find　an　adorable　town　house　she　and　Nate　could　rent。　Then；　they’d　go　shopping　at　ABC　Carpet　&　Home　to　decorate。　She’d　have　to　help　him　pick　the　right　classes　and　she’d　have　to　talk　to　Petra；　a　nice　but　way…too…sporty　girl　from　her　econ　class；　to　see　if　she　knew　any　of　the　sailing　guys…。

“How’s　the　movie　biz？”　Nate　asked　Serena；　interrupting　Blair’s　reverie。　Blair　felt　a　wave　of　annoyance　ripple　through　her。　Who　cared？　After　all；　they　were　talking　about　Nate’s　future。

“It’s　fine。　It’s　a　lot　of　sitting　around　and　waiting　for　something　to　happen　or　running　from　place　to　place；　meeting　people　you’re　never　going　to　see　again。　I　kind　of　wish　I　could　just　lie　in　the　grass　somewhere　and　read　books；”　Serena　mused。

“College　isn’t　really　about　lying　around　and　reading　books；”　Blair　scoffed；　placing　her　hand　territorially　on　Nate’s　thigh。

“I　know。”　Serena　sighed。　“I　just　miss　the　way　it　used　to　be；　sometimes。”

“I　don’t；”　Blair　said　as　the　waiter　set　their　plates　of　food　in　front　of　them。　“I　feel　like　our　real　lives　have　started。　Don’t　you　agree？”　She　turned　sharply　toward　Nate　and　snatched　a　slice　of　bacon　from　his　plate。

Suddenly；　Serena　couldn’t　stand　it　anymore。　If　she　had　to　watch　them　be　couply　with　each　other；　she　at　least　needed　a　drink。

She　cocked　her　head　and　gestured　to　the　waiter。　“A　round　of　mimosas？　We’re　celebrating！”　she　announced。　All　she　had　to　do　was　pretend　she　was　in　a　movie；　and　she’d　be　able　to　make　it　through　the　rest　of　breakfast。

And　would　that　movie　be　called　The　Flat　Tire　on　the　Perpetual　Third　Wheel？

who　says　you　can’t　go　home？

“Daniel…san！”　Can　you　get　more　rocks　for　the　fire　pit？”　Rufus　asked；　poking　his　head　out　of　a　lopsided　canvas…and…log　structure　that　served　as　a　sweat　lodge。　Dan　had　spent　the　last　few　days　in　an　upstate　New　York　campsite　with　Rufus　and　his　motley　group　of　friends：　Mika；　Herbert；　and　Ron。　Ron　preferred　to　be　called　Running　Rainbow；　and　when　he　wasn’t　serving　as　a　barista　at　Starbucks；　he　taught　tai　chi　for　free　in　Central　Park。　Mika　and　Herbert　were　tall；　skinny；　bald　members　of　a　folk…rock　band　that　played　open…mic　nights　around　the　city。　Rufus　had　met　all　three　of　them　at　a　seminar　at　the　Ninety…second　Street　Y　called　Bringing　the　Age　of　Aquarius　into　the　Age　of　the　Internet。

Rufus　emerged　from　the　sweat　lodge　wearing　a　blue…and…yellow　striped　towel　around　his　waist　and　white　Crocs。　He　didn’t　seem　the　least　bit　cold；　despite　the　fact　that　the　temperature　hovered　near　freezing。　Dan　was　shivering　in　a　Patagonia　parka　he’d　inadvertently　stolen　from　his　Evergreen　roommate。

“Okay；”　Dan　mumbled。　They’d　only　been　in　the　woods　for　two　nights；　but　it　felt　like　a　lifetime；　especially　since　he　didn’t　even　get　cell　service。　He’d　wanted　to　call　Vanessa　at　midnight　on　New　Year’s　Eve；　but　no　matter　how　far　away　he　walked　from　the　campsite；　he　couldn’t　get　reception。

Dan　sighed　and　grabbed　a　large　moss…covered　rock；　groaning　as　he　picked　it　up。

“Here。”　He　dropped　the　rock　next　to　Rufus’s　Crocs。　Inside；　Herbert　and　Mika　were　banging　on　bongo　drums。

“Thanks；”　Herbert　called。　“I　think　we’re　ready　to　begin　the　ceremony。”　He　poked　his　head　out　of　the　structure　like　a　puppy　in　an　extra…large　doghouse。　“And　Dan；　since　you’re　the　youngest；　you　can　be　the　dog　soldier；”　he　announced。

“Excuse　me？”　Dog　soldier？

“You　need　to　protect　the　door　while　we　chant　away　our　demons；”　Herbert　explained。　“We　have　extra　animal　skins　if　you　get　cold。”

Dan　did　a　double　take。　Was　this　guy　serious？　Protect　the　door？　Not　only　was　it　broad　daylight；　but　the　wooded　area　they　were　staying　in　was　right　next　to　a　farmhouse。　What　he’d　thought　had　been　a　rushing　river　when　they’d　gotten　to　the　site　after　dark　on　New　Year’s　had　actually　been　the　whooshing　of　cars　across　a　highway。　But　it　was　no　use　arguing。　Herbert　had　already　retreated　back　into　the　sweat　lodge　with　his　bongo　drum。

Dan　sighed　and　sat　on　a　log　outside　the　lodge。　Fuck；　he　was　cold。　He　wondered　what　Vanessa　was　doing。　Knowing　she　was　in　New　York　while　he　was　here　was　almost　too　much　to　bear。

Sounds　like　he’s　the　negative　spirit。

He　pulled　a　pen　and　a　crumpled　receipt　from　the　pocket　of　his　jacket。　Maybe　he　should　focus　on　writing。　Maybe　suffering　would　be　good　for　him—he　wasn’t　going　to　suffer　at　all　once　he　and　Vanessa　were　living　together。　Smoothing　out　the　paper　on　his　thigh；　he　began　to　write。

Sweat；　skin　heat；　cold；　wet　sweet。

It　was　no　use。　The　poem　sounded　like　the　beginning　of　an　erotic　version　of　The　Cat　in　the　Hat。　There　was　no　way　he　could　do　this　for　two　more　days。　Besides；　sitting　outside　and　guarding　against　evil　spirits　didn’t　really　equate　to　bonding　time　with　his　dad。　That　was　it。　He　was　going　home。

“Dad？”　Dan　whispered　hesitantly　through　the　canvas…flapped　door　of　the　lean…to。

“What？”　Rufus’s　wiry　hair　was　slick　with　sweat　and　his　face　was　bright　red　as　he　swayed　back　and　forth　in　front　of　the　central　fire。

“I　don’t　think　this　is　working　for　me；”　Dan　said　carefully。　“I　need　to　see　Vanessa。”

Rufus　shook　his　grizzly　head　sadly　and　stood　up。　Dan　cringed。　His　dad　was　only　wearing　a　tiny　purple　Speedo　that　sagged　in　the　ass。　“Are　you　sure？”　he　asked；　clapping　Dan　on　the　shoulder。　“Because　if　you　want　me　to　take　over　dog　soldier　duty　so　you　can　sweat　it　out；　that’d　be