gossip girl 12 终结- 第5部分

Dan　blinked　and　his　breath　caught　in　his　throat。　So　many　times　he’d　imagined　her：　his　perpetually　black…garbed　muse。　But　now　she　was　here；　framed　by　the　entryway。　Her　hair　had　grown　into　a　sleek　black　pixie　cut　and　she　wore　a　red　coat　and　black　jeans。　Her　cheeks　were　red　from　the　cold；　contrasting　beautifully　against　her　alabaster　skin。

“Surprise！”　Vanessa　cried；　tossing　her　army　green　duffel　bag　on　the　floor。　It　was　so　familiar；　and　yet　so　strange；　to　see　Dan　sitting　on　the　couch；　frowning　down　at　a　notebook。　It　was　as　if　she’d　taken　a　time　machine　back　four　months　to　last　summer。

She　threw　her　arms　around　Dan　and　kissed　him　hungrily。　“Mmm；　you　feel　good；”　Vanessa　murmured。　She　ran　her　hands　all　over　his　thin　white　Hanes　T…shirt。　She　could　feel　his　heart　thumping　in　his　chest。

“How　are　you　here？”　Dan　croaked。　It　was　hard　to　believe　this　was　real；　and　not　some　post…traumatic　stress　hallucination　left　over　from　Evergreen。

“I　missed　you。”　Vanessa　shrugged。　She’d　left　Vermont　this　morning；　after　she　realized　that　a　week　with　her　hippie…parents　was　more　than　enough　time。　Besides；　she　wanted　to　surprise　Dan。　He’d　always　seemed　so　down　on　their　Skypes。

“I　missed　you　too。”　Dan　kissed　Vanessa　again。　He　didn’t　like　their　lips　being　apart。　“I　have　so　much　to　tell　you；”　he　breathed。　He’d　meant　to　tell　Vanessa　about　Columbia　over　a　glass　of　red　wine　or　at　least　after　he’d　taken　a　shower　and　brushed　his　teeth。　But　he　couldn’t　handle　the　thought　of　waiting　another　minute。

“I　have　so　much　to　tell　you　too！”　Vanessa　said　eagerly。　There　was　so　much　he　needed　to　get　caught　up　on　in　her　life。　She　couldn’t　wait　to　bring　him　to　Bushwick　and　go　to　one　of　the　all…night　parties　that　her　sophomore　friends　Brianna　and　Kara　held　on　the　first　Sunday　of　every　month。　She　couldn’t　wait　to　show　him　some　of　the　films　she’d　made。　She　couldn’t　wait　to　spend　all　day　at　the　International　Film　Center；　making　out　and　watching　movies。

Dan　stood　up。　“Follow　me。”　He　led　the　way　toward　his　bedroom。

“Is　it　a　present？”　Vanessa　asked　as　she　trailed　down　the　hallway　after　him。　She　hoped　not。　They’d　decided　not　to　give　presents　to　each　other　this　holiday　and　instead　put　the　money　toward　an　emergency　plane　ticket　fund　so　Dan　could　e　visit　when　the　distance　was　feeling　unbearable。

“Nope。”　Dan　grabbed　the　acceptance　letter　off　his　desk　and　thrust　it　toward　her；　buzzing　with　anticipation。　He’d　memorized　every　word。

Vanessa　scanned　the　document　while　Dan　watched。　He　noticed　a　sparkly　barrette　sweeping　a　lock　of　hair　behind　her　left　ear。　Vanessa　never　used　to　wear　jewelry。

She　also　never　used　to　have　hair。

Finally；　Vanessa　looked　up；　a　faint　smile　playing　on　her　full　red　lips。　“Does　this　mean　you’re　not　going　back　to　Evergreen？”

Dan　nodded　happily　as　he　closed　up　the　space　between　them　and　pressed　her　back　against　the　doorframe。　“I　hated　Evergreen。　All　I　could　do　was　think　about　you；　and　about　us。　I　couldn’t　write　without　you。　I　need　you；”　he　said。　How　did　long…distance　relationships　ever　work？　He　could　hardly　stand　to　be　in　a　different　room　than　Vanessa。

“I　know；”　Vanessa　murmured。　Dan’s　breath　was　hot　against　her　cheek。　Had　Dan　really　spent　every　waking　moment　at　Evergreen　just　thinking　about　her　and　wanting　to　e　home？　She　knew　he　hated　it　there；　but　hadn’t　he　even　tried　to　like　his　classes？　To　make　friends？

“So；　I　was　thinking　we　could　live　here　until　we　find　a　place。　We　could　get　a　studio　downtown。　It　wouldn’t　be　that　expensive；”　Dan　mused；　running　his　fingers　through　Vanessa’s　short　hair。　It　was　silky　and　unfamiliar；　but　Dan　instantly　loved　it；　just　like　he　loved　every　part　of　her。

Vanessa　nodded；　trying　to　imagine　living　with　Dan。　They’d　tried　a　few　times　last　year　for　short　periods　of　time；　but　it　had　never　really　worked。　One　of　them　would　always　get　moody　or　jealous。　But　maybe　now　that　they　were　in　college；　it　would　be　different？　

“And　we　can　arrange　our　schedules　together。　There’s　this　one　class　at　Columbia　called　The　Poetry　of　Film　that　I　was　thinking　of　taking。　Maybe　you　could　take　it　as　a　visiting　student？　Or　maybe　you　could　transfer。”　His　hand　grazed　the　hem　of　her　black　long…sleeve　thermal　top。

“Transfer？”　Vanessa　pulled　back　slightly。　“But　I　like　NYU。”　She　loved　her　classes；　and　most　of　the　people　she’d　met。　The　film　students　tended　to　stick　together；　going　from　screenings　to　happy　hours　to　late…night　onion　ring　runs　at　Tick　Tock　Diner　in　a　herd。　In　high　school；　Vanessa　would　have　thought　that　type　of　behavior　was　ridiculously　lame。　But　having　a　big　group　of　friends　was　actually　fun。

What　was　she　getting　so　worked　up　about？　Dan　was　her　boyfriend；　and　he　was　moving　back　to　the　city。　Of　course　he　just　wanted　to　spend　more　time　with　her。　And　of　course　that　was　what　she　wanted　too。　“e　here。”　She　smiled　and　reached　toward　Dan；　pulling　him　in　for　a　kiss。　His　lips　tasted　reassuringly　familiar；　like　Crest　and　Folgers。

Just　then；　her　cell　vibrated　from　her　back　pocket。　She　pulled　out　the　phone　and　frowned。

“What？”　Dan　asked　impatiently。

Vanessa　scanned　the　display。　NEW　YEAR’S　PARTY　AT　MY　CASA。　210　AVE　B。　HOPE　TO　SEE　YOU　THERE—HOLLIS。　Hollis　was　her　TA　for　her　Intro　to　Film　class。　He　was　only　twenty…five　but　he’d　already　screened　a　few　of　his　films　at　the　Tribeca　Film　Festival。　One　of　them　had　even　been　picked　up　by　an　indie　film　pany。　He　was　intense；　but　approachable　and　funny；　and　would　be　the　first　to　tell　you　if　your　film　sucked。　In　fact；　he’d　given　her　first　assignment　a　C＋　because　he　thought　it　was　too　perfectly　executed。　This　has　technical　precision；　but　not　heart。　Do　you　want　to　make　credit　card　mercials　or　films？　he’d　asked。　It　should　have　been　obnoxious；　but　she　respected　his　honesty。

“My　friend　is　having　a　New　Year’s　Eve　party　downtown　tomorrow　night…。”　Vanessa　tried　to　picture　Dan　interacting　with　some　of　her　new　friends；　like　Matt　and　Chip；　the　gay　couple　who　made　extremely　explicit　XX…rated　films。　Dan　could　sometimes　be　a　little…　antisocial。

“My　dad　wanted　me　to　go　on　some　retreat　thing；”　Dan　told　her；　disappointed。　“I　just　told　him　I’d　e。”

“I　understand；”　Vanessa　said；　pleased　that　she　could　go　to　Hollis’s　party　without　worrying　about　Dan。　“I　don’t　want　you　to　disappoint　your　dad。　Besides；　we　have　plenty　of　time　now。”

Dan　melted　all　over　again。　It　was　so　cute　that　Vanessa　was　concerned　about　his　dad。　He　took　her　hand　and　interlaced　his　fingers　with　hers。

“You’re　right；”　he　murmured；　drawing　her　close。　“I’ll　be　back　in　a　few　days。”　It　would　mean　a　lot　to　his　dad　to　spend　some　father…son　time　together。　Especially　since　he　and　Vanessa　would　be　moving　in　together　soon。　He　couldn’t　wait。

Because　nothing　says　forever　like　a　cramped　studio　apartment。

wele　back

Blair　heaved　a　sigh　of　relief　as　she　hauled　her　Louis　Vuitton　duffel　to　the　curb　outside　La　Guardia　on　New　Year’s　Eve　day。　Just　a　few　hours　ago；　she’d　said　goodbye　to　Pete　at　Logan　Airport　before　hopping　a　muter　plane　to　New　York。

“Where　to？”　The　cab　driver　gazed　at　her　through　the　Plexiglas　partition。

“Nine　ninety…four　Fifth　Avenue。”　Blair　rattled　off　Serena’s　address　as　if　it　were　her　own　and　leaned　back　against　the　cab’s　black　pleather　seats。　The　past　few　days　at　the　Carlsons’　had　been　torture。　After　the　“no　ring；　no　bring”　announcement；　the　cozy　atmosphere　had　felt　decidedly　claustrophobic。　Now　she　was　actually　looking　forward　to　spending　New　Year’s　in　the　city　and　seeing　Serena　again。　She　rummaged　through　her　thyme　green　Lanvin　weekender　bag　for　her　iPhone。

“I’m　ing　over！”　Blair　announced　as　soon　as　Serena　picked　up。　The　cab　hit　a　traffic　snarl　right　before　the　Queensboro　Bridge。　Instantly；　the　cars　around　them　started　honking。

“You’re　in　New　York？”　Serena　squealed。　“Oh　my　God；　I　can’t　wait　to　see　you！”　Her　excited；　crackly　voice　filled　the　cab。

“See　you　soon！”　Blair　clicked　off。　The　familiar　skyline　came　into　her　vision；　and　a　smile　curled　across　Blair’s　lips。　She　was　back。

The　cab　navigated　its　way　into　Manhattan　and　weaved　across　the　east　side。　On　Fifth　Avenue；　it　stopped　in　front　of　a　familiar；　green…awninged　building　across　from　the　Met。　A　familiar　blond　figure　stood　outside；　two　coffees　in　hand。

Blair　rolled　down　the　window　of　the　cab　and　sucked　in　her　breath。　Of　course；　she’d　seen　photos　of　Serena　in　all　the　weekly　gossip　magazines　she　pretended　not　to　read；　but　Serena　in　person　took　her　breath　away。　She　wore　a　tattered　pair　of　J　Brand　boyfriend　jeans　and　a　fuzzy　white　cashmere　sweater。　Her　thick　blond　hair　was　loose　around　her　shoulders　and　her　makeup…free　face　was　flawless。

Serena　yanked　the　cab　door　open　and　tackled　Blair　in　a　bear　hug。　“I’ve　missed　you！”　She　hugged　her　tightly。　Serena　had　gotten　a　Cartier　watch　from　her　parents　for　Christmas　and　a　Burberry　ski　parka　from　Erik；　but　this　was　all　she　really　wanted：　her　best　friend　home　for　the　holidays。

“Me　too；”　Blair　replied　honestly。　The　cabbie　removed　her　bags　from　the　trunk　and　set　them　on　the　sidewalk。　Instantly；　Roland；　Serena’s　ancient　doorman；　took　the　bags　and　brought　them　inside。

Once　they　were　alone；　Serena　stared　dumbly　at　her　friend。　She　couldn’t　believe　Blair　was　right　in　front　of　her。　She　looked　older；　somehow。　Her　hair　was　longer　than　it　had　been　last　summer；　her　small　face　more　angular。　But　she　was　grinning　widely　in　a　way　that　reminded　Serena　of　how　she’d　looked　as　a　little　kid。

“I　bought　you　coffee。”　Serena　proffered　a　white　Dean　&　Deluca　cup。

Blair　took　a　sip　and　smiled　as　the　skim　latte　with　two　Splendas　slid　down　her　throat。　That　was　the　great　thing　about　old　friends。　They　knew　you；　right　down　to　how　you　took　your　coffee。

“Can　we　sit　on　the　steps　for　a　little　bit？”　Blair　asked　almost　shyly；　gazing　at　the　Corinthian　columns　of　the　Met　across　the　street。　Back　in　high　school；　they　spent　hours　on　the　steps；　gossiping　and　pouring　their　hearts　out　to　one　another。　The　steps　were　the　center　of　their　universe。　Blair　had　even　had　her　going…away　party　inside　the　famous　museum。　It　felt　right　that　they　begin　their　reunion　there；　instead　of　in　Serena’s　apartment。

“I　was　hoping　you’d　say　that。”　Serena　grinned；　already　crossing　the　street。

They　settled　midway　down　the　steps。　It　was　surprisingly　warm　for　December；　and　the　museum　entrance　was　crowded　with　people。　Blair　spotted　two　girls　huddled　over　coffee　a　few　steps　below　them；　and　for　a　moment；　thought　it　might　be　Kati　and　Isabel。　But　when　the　blonde　turned；　Blair　realized　she　was　only　about　fourteen。　She　reminded　herself　that　everyone　had　changed　in　the　past　few　months。

Some　more　than　others。

Serena　rummaged　through　her　oversize　See　by　Chloé　bag　and　pulled　out　a　pack　of　Gauloises。　She　handed　one　to　Blair。

“So　tell　me　everything；”　Serena　began；　lighting　both　their　cigarettes。　“Starting　with　how　and　why　you’re　here。”

“So…”　Blair　heaved　a　deep　breath。　After　the　horrendous　few　days　she’d　had；　grinning　stupidly　as　she　played　board　games　with　Pete’s　family　and　pretending　everything　was　okay；　she　couldn’t　wait　to　finally　unload　the　truth。　“I　was　at　my　boyfriend；　Pete’s；　house　in　Vermont　for　Christmas。”　Blair　nervously　twirled　her　ruby　ring　around　her　finger。　“We　were　staying　there　just　for　the　holiday；　before　taking　off　for　Cos