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Christmas shopping was exactly what I needed to take my mind off Nate and his new fling. They'd been spotted together more times than necessary, I mean honestly- why was gossip girl l so interested in them and their doings anyway. If I lost my head every time a new girl stepped into New York, I'd never be sane again.

But still, shopping for the Christmas tree had always been a tradition me and Blair loved, and Serena whenever she decided to join us, this year was one of the years when the three of us went browsing.

"Okay, look over there. That one's the biggest." Serena pointed at the tree that mountained above the rest.

"Yeah but it's not thick enough. The branches are all thin and scrawny...like Dan." I stuck out at Serena, knowing this would wind her up.

"You're not funny." She blanched. "What about that one?" She asked pointing to the thickest tree there was.

"That's too thick with not enough height, it looks like it overdosed on the bulbuls last year." Blair scrunched her nose up and down nodded in agreement.

"Okay. Now I remember why I don't come Christmas tree shopping with you guys anymore. It's either, 'that's too thick.' Or 'that's not thick enough.' Or 'that's too green' or 'that's not green enough.'" Serena rolled her eyes. "It's like being friends with two fussy children sometimes."

During Serena's rant that I didn't really listen to, I noticed a tree that was as tall as it was thick and was grand enough to look amazing in our front room. I could see it now, with the big red bow on top and the fake snow covering the leaves. It'd look beautiful. "I want that one!" I pointed to the tree in mind and Blair clocked on. We shared a look of approval before bursting out into a fast walk over to it, wanting to get there before anyone else did.

"Aha! It's ours!" I touched the tree just as another did, our fingertips connecting and a spark running through so intense I had to snatch my hand away. I glanced up, confused by the reaction and locked eyes with the baby blue irises I was so accustomed to. "Nate. What are you doing here?"

"Getting a tree." Nate said just as I saw his mum, grandad and presumably the girl on the phone with him.

"Oh." My jaw set as I looked the girl over. "And who are you?" I asked the girl, one eyebrow raising.

"Hi! I'm Raina." The blonde smiled.

"What she means is what are you doing here?" Blair asked, tapping away at her phone, clearly trying to gather intel.

"Oh I'm just down for Christmas. Thought I'd come visit nate in New York." She said with a perky smile, too perky for my liking. "And were going Christmas tree shopping. Isn't this tree gorgeous."

"Not for you it's not, this is our tree." I spoke firmly, my eyes narrowing.

"And what if we claim it first?" Nate raised his eyebrow at me and I turned to Blair.

"Quick! Run and get someone, I'll guard the tree." My jaw set firm. "This is my tree I saw it first and you can't have it." I was speaking more to Raina and I wasn't just talking about the tree.

"Are you really gonna cause a scene?" Nate asked, rolling his eyes.

"Yes." I said bluntly as Blair ran to get help.

"Why is it just you three anyway? Shouldn't Carter be here?" Nate scrunched his nose up when he said Carter's name, looking disgusted.

"Why do you care?" I asked. "Besides, why would he be here?"

"I don't care. And because he's your boyfriend." Nate looked at me as though I had lost the plot.

"What? Wait- didn't you hear we-" Blair came running back with the worker before I could finish my sentence.

"You know what, it's not worth it for a tree. Come on guys let's go." Nate led his family and Raina away.

"It was nice to meet your." Raina said, as perky as ever as she walked away.

"I don't like her." I frowned, watching as they walked.

"You just don't like her because Nate doesn't like her, come on let's get the tree and leave so I can at least be only ten minutes late for mine and Dan's date." Serena hurried us along.

***

By the time we had gotten the tree put up and decorated, it was dark outside. But it looked beautiful. We'd gone with a red and gold theme with a big red bow on top. It looked amazing if I said so myself, decorated by myself, Blair and Dorota as tradition would have it. It wouldn't be the same if other people joined in, I think the world would end if my mother ever offered to help decorate it. Perhaps daddy would have in the past, but not now. He wasn't even coming home for Christmas day. It was just me, mom and Blair plus the billion house guests that me and my sister neither wanted or needed. But it was silly not to get excited anyway, after all it was Christmas. And Christmas often brought joy and happiness, plus I couldn't wait to see what we had gotten this year.

I made two hot cocoa's and walked to Blair's room with both of them in my hands. I kicked open her door and set one down beside her. "Here you go. Fancy watching some Christmas films? How about Santa Claus the Movie or Home Alone? I just need something to get me properly in the holiday spirit."

Blair smiled and pulled out her dvd of the Grinch. "How about this? I just love watching little Cindy Lou singing Where are you Christmas?"

I nodded and got into Blair's bed, pressing my mug against my lips. "I love it too." I took a sip of my hot cocoa and looked at her. "So what have you got Chuck for Christmas?" I asked.

"What? I haven't gotten Chuck anything. Why would I get him a Christmas present?" She feigned innocence.

"Oh come on, I know you got him something. I'll tell you what I was planning to give to Nate before all the drama." I bargained, knowing Blair's curiosity would make her cave.

"Okay fine. I got him this." She pulled out a box from under her bed and passed it to me.

"Oh my God! Blair gross!" I pulled out the red santa's wife lingerie set that was obviously meant for Blair to wear.

"What? You asked! Now your turn." I bit my lip and pulled the present from my pocket, the one I carried around with me everywhere. "Your pin?" She asked. "But that means so much to you."

"I know, and he meant a lot to me too. It was that and a rolex." I laughed while shrugging my shoulders.

"You should still give it to him. You mean more to him than that blonde, I can tell you that now. You two are meant to be." Blair wrapped her arms around me. For all her bad traits, Blair was there for me when I needed her to be. And she was honest and true, I never doubted being able to count on her.

"And so are you and Chuck. Look, how about we make a pact? I'll give Nate his presents, if you tell Chuck how you feel and just allow yourself to be with him?" I held up my hot cocoa in form of a shake.

"Okay, I'm in. Christmas Day we'll both stop hiding behind our walls and face whatever consequences come of it together. I love you A." She clinked her hot cocoa with mine.

"I love you too B."