𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐓，𝗇𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖺𝗋𝖼𝗁𝗂𝖻𝖺𝗅𝖽

𝖾𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝖾𝖾𝗇

𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐘, 𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐘, 𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐑 East Siders. Welcome to the first day of senior year and the onset of a new social dynasty. The big question is, with Serena single and on top of the world right now will Constance become the house of van der Woodsen?

I laughed loudly at my mom's words, "I can't believe you got Bart to wear flip-flops. I can't even picture that." I cringed as my mother told me stories of her vacation.

"It was so cute. Every time we'd go for a walk I'd catch him staring down at his feet." She giggled, and my sister and I laughed with her.

Serena smiled happily, "Mom, it all sounds so romantic."

"Are we expecting more people?" Eric asked, glancing around at the empty seats at the table.

"Well, it is your first day of school and I was trying to be motherly," Lily told the boy.

I pouted, "Mom, I can't believe you didn't wake me up when you got home."

Serena nodded, "I feel cheated."

"Last time you said you felt violated," Chuck spoke up from behind me, "Welcome home-"

The older girl cut him off, "Say, Mom, and I will kill you." She said, pointing a fork in his direction.

The boy rolled his eyes, "Decaf Serena. I was going to say, Mrs Bass."

"Thank you, Charles," Lily smirked, "Bart had to fly to Beijing on business but he sends his best."

Chuck nodded, "As he has done since kindergarten."

I smiled out of sympathy for the boy but he chose to ignore me.

"Okay, so we were talking romantic getaway, walking on the beach. We need details," Serena gushed before turning to me, "Oh, my God. Mom. Nate told Nova he loved her."

"What?" Lily yelled in surprise, "That's amazing."

My sister smiled, "Yes, how about us girls stay home, get lunch together and talk about it?"

"Stay home?" My mom frowned, "It's your first day of school."

"Serena and Dan broke up." My stepbrother informed me, "Tragic."

Lily sent my older sister an apologetic look as the two boys left the room to leave for school.

Lily sighed in defeat, "So, you broke up. I didn't even know you two were back together."

"Are you okay, S?" I asked, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly.

She shook her head, "No. But I will be. I hope. I don't know. Having to see him every day is gonna be really hard."

I sighed, "I'm so sorry, S. That's one of the things I was grateful for when Cade and I broke up. He left the country. Every day gets easier. It'll be fine, S."