I LOVE YOU,I'M SORRY; N.A

01. New Beginnings in the Big Apple

Astrid Rosewood had always felt like an outsider in the opulent world of the Upper East Side, even though she was born into a family with money. London had been her home, but after a scandal that turned her life upside down, her parents decided it was time for a fresh start. They packed up, moving her and her younger sister, Katerina, across the Atlantic to the glittering heights of New York City.

Stepping out of her limo on the corner of 5th Avenue, Astrid gazed up at the towering buildings. The Big Apple. It was intimidating and thrilling, like walking into the unknown. But if there was one thing Astrid Rosewood knew, it was how to blend in with the best of them, no matter how uneasy she felt inside.

The Rosewoods were quickly swept into Manhattan's elite circles. Astrid found herself at a glamorous charity gala the night after their arrival, dressed in a sleek, black dress that clung to her curves. She walked through the sea of expensive gowns and tailored suits, keeping her cool exterior while inside, the uncertainty of this new chapter was palpable.

That's when she saw him. Nate Archibald.

With his boyish charm and casual elegance, Nate stood out even among Manhattan's most eligible bachelors. His smile was disarming, but there was a mystery behind his blue eyes that piqued Astrid's interest.

"Nate Archibald," he said smoothly as he approached her, extending a hand.

"Astrid Rosewood," she replied, placing her hand in his. "New in town?"

"You could say that," she smirked. "And you? What's your story?"

Nate chuckled. "Oh, it's complicated. But maybe I can tell you over a drink."

Their chemistry was immediate, easy—like they had known each other far longer than a few exchanged words at a gala. As the night went on, Nate was more than just a charming face; he was attentive, thoughtful, and seemed to understand that Astrid wasn't just some pretty heiress looking to join the ranks of New York's elite. She was different.

But there was something about him too, something Astrid couldn't quite place.

The night stretched on, and as the music slowed, Astrid found herself catching Nate's eye across the room, a small smile on her lips.

Meanwhile, Katerina, Astrid's younger sister, had begun to carve out her own niche at the party. Still too young to be interested in most of the party's shenanigans, Katerina's curiosity drew her to one of the darker corners of the room, where an unmistakably brooding figure nursed a glass of whiskey.

Chuck Bass.

He caught Katerina's gaze, his eyes flickering with the kind of intensity that made even the most confident people look away. But not Katerina. She wasn't like her sister, Astrid, with her sophisticated charm. Katerina was bold, fearless, and entirely uninterested in blending in. She walked over to him, her head held high, refusing to be intimidated.

"Is staring your idea of a good time?" Katerina asked with a teasing smile, her British accent lilting.

Chuck raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Depends on what I'm staring at," he responded, voice low and smooth.

Katerina slid into the seat beside him, ordering herself a drink. "I've heard of you, Chuck Bass. The brooding bad boy with too much money and not enough conscience."

Chuck smirked. "And I've heard of you, Katerina Rosewood. The rebellious little sister always getting into trouble."

"Sounds like you and I have a lot in common," Katerina shot back.

"Maybe," Chuck replied, his eyes locking on hers. "Or maybe we're trouble waiting to happen."

---

As the night drew to a close, Astrid and Nate found themselves wandering through Central Park, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

"I have to admit," Nate said, glancing over at her, "you're not what I expected."

"Good," Astrid replied softly, her gaze shifting to the skyline. "I'm not here to meet expectations. I'm here to start fresh."

"And I think you might be just what I need to do the same," Nate said, leaning closer to her.

As the pair walked through the park, lost in conversation, Katerina and Chuck were caught in their own whirlwind of chemistry back at the gala, their banter charged with tension and curiosity.

It seemed that the Rosewood sisters had both found more than they expected in New York—whether they were ready for it or not.

---

And just like that, Astrid and Katerina's fresh start in the Big Apple was about to get a whole lot more complicated. After all, in the world of the Upper East Side, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. And as Gossip Girl would say: You know you love me. XOXO.

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