There's plenty of upside to being the spawn of the fabulously wealthy, but the downside super successful parents except nothing less from their offspring and when it comes to college that means the Ivy's. It's more than just getting into college; it's setting a course for the rest of your life and for these who aren't legacies, the pressures are no less. When parents have sacrificed for their children's future, what kid would want to let them down?"

I am dressing in a tight collared white shirt and a sleeveless grey sweater with my tie. I put on my grey boots and a light layer of makeup. Serena nervously bursts in my room. She looks at my outfit with a frown, "I was going to wear that."

I grab my bag, "Sorry, but considering its mine..."

Serena sighs, "Please, Rosie, I am going to be late for Brown."

I shrug my shoulders with a smirk, "Consider this my revenge for sleeping with Nate."

I leave the apartment, grabbing an eclair for breakfast. Although Serena didn't know why I left, she was still wrong for what she did. Usually I would never be this mean, but she messed with Nate the one guy she knew I liked. 

►|◄

I make it to the college mixer assembly and find Blair at the front. The choir is currently singing Glamourous by Fergie. I wave at her, and she points to a spot next to her, making Isabel move. I sit down next to her and look up at the Headmistress.

She begins her speech, "Thank you, ladies. Good morning students. I ask all of you to show a little sympathy for our junior class. They are almost through with Ivy week. As is our long-standing tradition, the Constance Billard girls will be in charge of Friday night's mixer and St. Jude's boys will provide the ushers for the visiting representatives", she smiles at her students, "For those of dreaming of attending an Ivy League school this mixer is the most important event of your life. At tomorrow night's mixer, Blair Waldorf will announce the charity her community outreach committee will honor this year." 

Everyone claps for Blair and the fantastic outreach program she is heading.

"Have you seen Serena?" Kati asks me, I shrug.

"I wonder where she is," I smirk.

"Know what I wonder? How we're supposed to hear anything about Yale with all this talk about Serena", Blair snaps. She is very serious about Yale; her dad has been grooming her for the school for years.

Everyone got up to leave, and I realized that the assemble has ended. We all left with the crowd discussing the mixer. Once we exit the door, we run into Serena who looks like she just got here.

"Aww too bad you missed the assembly. Not that it matters, Brown doesn't offer degrees in slut.", Blair coos with her wicked smile. Blair and her minions leave while I stay behind.

"Thanks for having my back," Serena says with sarcasm.

I smile before pulling her into a side hug, "You deserved it. But don't worry, I forgive you, and I am here by your side to help you with Blair and Brown."

Serena nods, knowing that she deserved what she got, "As long as we are cool...I can't believe I missed Brown."

I smile at her, "Don't worry. I remembered everything they said about the Brown rep. I will tell you as I walk you to p.e."

►|◄

I walk out of school; I wanted to go to Balthazar for lunch. I was about to hail a taxi when I saw Nate sitting in the courtyard with a frown. I sit down next to him. He looks up; I can see in his eyes that something is bothering him.

"What's up?", I ask, rubbing my lips into a smile.

He looks at me before turning his head up to the clouds, "Do you ever feel like your whole life is planned out for you just because of your family?"

I look at him amused, "My name is Lady Ambrosia Victoria Mary-Anne Caroline Windsor, daughter of Lord Nicholas Charles Edward Jonathan Windsor. I am 39th in line to the throne of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Realms and have been groomed for such since birth."

Nate smiles, nodding his head, probably forgetting that Serena and I are only half sisters. Many people do since we are so close and I hardly leave our mom. Although she can be unbearable, I would hate to live away from her.

"That doesn't annoy you? That whether you choose to or not you may have to rule a country", Nate continues. 

I never hated being a member of the House of Windsor; it is all I have ever known. The responsibility of being a possible heir to the throne has been with me since birth. 

I rub Nate's arm, worried, "Did you not get the usher position you wanted?"

Nate puts his head in his hand, "No. I got a position, my father wanted."

I knew Nate's father was overbearing but making him go to his college is crazy. College is about freedom and making your own choices. How can Nate do that if he doesn't even pick his college, "I'm sorry."

He shakes his head, "It's fine. I just feel bad for Dan; he seemed upset. He mentioned me reading some book called The Zoo."

I laugh, "The Petting Zoo?"

He nods his head, embarrassed. Nate would be eaten alive by the book, no doubt. I tried to get him to read Cather in the Rye, and he nearly had his own phycological breakdown.  I smile before getting up and putting my hand out for his. He looks up at it confused. I roll my eyes before grabbing his hands and pulling him up, "Come on. I am going to take you to the book store and buy you the Petting Zoo."

►|◄

Nate and I spent the entire lunch at this awesome bookshop cafe. Nate kept procrastinating from reading the book, so we just sat there enjoying each others company. That was what I missed about Nate; we didn't have to do anything to enjoy our time together.

Now, I am at the Ostroff Center, having another one of our daily therapy sessions to make Eric feel more comfortable. Pretty much to make sure the family dynamic is good. They are useless because it never changes the fact that Eric can't leave.

"I've been in these sessions every day for the last week, but nothing is going to change unless she stops hiding him here and lets him have his life back," Serena argues, annoyed.

"This is not called hiding Serena; it's called recovery," mom repeats for what feels like the hundreth time. It has become a mantra for her.

"Telling everyone he's staying with Aunt Carol in Miami?", Serena exhasperates.

"He's not ready," mom defends.

I look at her pointedly, "He's not, or you're not?"

Our therapist, Mrs. Huyt, enters the conversation trying to stop a dispute, "Okay, let's take a deep breath. It's good to see honest conversation."

Serena rolls her eyes, "What does she know about honesty?"

"Serena," mom interjects.

"But I really think a decision like this includes Eric as well," Mrs. Huyt continues looking at Eric who hasn't spoken yet.

"You mean I have a say in this? ", Eric says with sarcastic joy, "Wow, thanks."

"Eric, of course, we're here for you," mom says offended that she would even be thought of as not hearing his side.

I nod my head, gently touching his arm, "Hey, we are here for you, and if you're ready to leave, you tell us, okay? No matter what mom says."

Eric looks at Mrs. Huyt, "I would really like to get out of here," he looks at mom to see how she feels. Mom is anything but happy and Eric notices, "But maybe I'm not ready yet."

Mom drops her hand, with a knowing look.

Serena jumps having an idea, "Hey, what about for a few hours? You can be my date to the Ivy Week party tonight."

"Serena, that party is an important event for you," mom scolds.

"Well, he'll be around people he knows. It'll be fun, comfortable", I soothe, "And if it makes you feel better, he can be with me. I don't want to go to an Ivy anyway."

Eric nods looking at me happily, "Actually, that sounds great."

Mrs. Huyt smiles, leaning back in her chair, "Well there we go, compromise. That wasn't so hard was it?"

"You know what I have to go," mom says annoyed before grabbing her purse and stomping out of the room, "I have to help them set up for tonight at the school. It's my job as both parent committee chair and responsible mother."

Serena is practically jumping out of her chair looking at Eric, " It'll be great, okay?"

►|◄

I am getting dressed for the mixer. Although I am two years younger than the rest of the group, tutoring at Buckingham Palace allowed me to skip a year. I wrap my hair with a Chanel scarf before calling out for Serena, who was late again.

I walk out of my room, smiling at Eric who is fixing his tie. I walk up to him and tie it correctly, "Are you ready?"

Serena walks in with a smile, putting on her shoes. Eric turns to look at her before responding to me, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Mom joins us, and we all get into the town car. Mom spends the entire ride telling Eric that he can go back to Ostroff at 'any time.' The car stops, and we all get out. Mom is still speaking once the car pulls off, "If you get at all anxious sweetie if you feel light-headed or panicky."

"I'll be fine mom. All I have to do is be normal", Eric tells her, the irony heavy in his voice.

Mom rolls her eyes before walking ahead. Eric murmurs, "Or at least act normal."

Serena nudges him with a smile, "Works for mom."

We all laugh. Once we enter, I am immersed by classical music, ivy league representatives, and power-hungry juniors fighting for a guarantee at their dream school.

Serena looks around, "Do you see the Yale rep?"

"I thought you wanted to go to Brown and Blair wanted to go to Yale?", mom says confused.

I frown, knowing that my best friends are fighting again, but this time I can't make them see eye to eye. Not like I used to. Things have changed, and I don't think that me taking them shopping is going to resolve their problems.

"Yeah, I know," Serena says before finding Blair and walking away.

Eric and I continue to follow mom. She is stopped by Bart Bass, Chuck's dad, "Lilly! Hello."

"Oh Bart, hello. How are you? My mother smiles and grabs my hand so we can say hello. I grabbed Eric's hand, so he is forced to come with us, "Hey, Mr. Bass."

He smiles at the both of us, "So Eric...how is Miami?"

Eric looks nervous, "I was good thanks...Go Marlins!"

Maybe bringing him here with people he knew wasn't a good idea. We should have tried the movies, not a school banquet. I laugh at my brother's comment, playing it off, before pulling him away, before Bart asks any more comments.

As we walk away, I notice Jenny and pull him towards her, "Jenny! Wait up!"

Jenny turns around to look at us with a smile, "Hey."

I smile, "Hey," I turn around to look at Eric, "I don't think I properly introduced you to Eric."

Jenny shakes her head with a smile, "Yeah, we um met at..."

"Bendels," Eric reminds her. I smile before walking away knowing that they were going to be great friends.

After leaving them, I look around for someone to talk to and find Dan and Serena at the refreshment stand. I walk up to them with a smile, "Hey."

Dan glowers at me, and I look up to see Serena doing the same to him. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

Nate walks up as well. Serena and I both say, "Hey."

I smirk at her, mentally calling 'jinx.' Nate avoids her gaze, and the awkward silence continues. Blair must have told him he couldn't talk to her.

"Wait, you're seriously not gonna talk to me? Like literally not speak?", Serena says annoyed.

Nate looks up at her bored, "Hey."

He immediately avoids his gaze again. 

Serena smiles, "Oh! Much better."

I scoff at his pettiness before moving to leave, "I can't believe you are ignoring Serena for a mistake you both made."

Serena and I both walk to the main area. We look up to see Blair standing on the stage, May I please have everyone's attention?"

I stop, pulling her with me, so I can see what she is up to now. I am officially annoyed with this feud.

Blair smiles, "Welcome again to the Constance Billard/ St. Jude's Ivy week mixer. I'm Blair Waldorf, chair of the community outreach committee. Every year our schools choose to support one local institution that we feel benefits our community. This year our schools have chosen to honor, the Ostroff Centre."

Serena and I rush to find Eric, worried about what she might do. I find him and rush to his side, grabbing his arm, worried we may have to leave. 

"This semester, our choice is a very personal one. Because the center has helped one of our own", Blair continues.

Mom is panicking having her fears confirmed, "What is going on here?"

She is going too far this time. I can't believe her, I mean Eric has always been a good kid, and she knows that. He doesn't deserve this.

"It's because of their excellent program which aids so many young addicts and alcoholics that a student here with us today is clean and sober, at least for now. (loudly) Can I please have Serena Van Der Woodsen join me onstage?"

I turn to Serena who is in a state of shock; I already know her entire world is crumbling. Ivy week was her chance to impress the Brown reps and Blair has ruined that for her. She has also managed to embarrass her in front of the entire community.

Mom looks at Serena ashamed, "Please tell me this isn't happening."

Eric looks furious and moves to walk up, "It's not."

Serena hurridly stops him handing him off to mom who has a firm grip on his left arm, "No, you're not going up there. You're going to stay right here, okay?"

"Whatever you're doing, think about whose standing in this room right now," mom warns while I just stand there not knowing what to do.

Serena walks up and stands next to Blair. I see Blair whisper something in her ear before smirking and giving her a mic. Blair steps off the stage and looks at me with an unapologetic smirk.

"Hi, I'm Serena Van Der Woodsen. I just wanna thank my friend", Serena says with a smile, "Blair Waldorf. For recognizing the Ostroff Centre and all of the good things that they do", everybody can notice her humiliation, "Thanks, Blair."

I can't let Serena ruin her chances with Brown for this. I rush to the stage while everyone is clapping and take the mic from her before she can object. I whisper in her ear, "Tell them I am a patient."

Serena shakes her head, but I continue, "I don't want to go to an Ivy, but this is your only shot."

Serena looks at me hesitantly before smiling at the now confused crowd, "There was a mix-up however...you see I do not go to the Ostroff center. My sister does. Amber-Rose?"

I smile at Serena who hands me the mic and turns to everyone preparing to say the biggest lie of my life, "Hello. I would firstly like to thank my kind sister, who was selfless enough to come up here and take credit for something she is not responsible for because I was scared. Thank you", I look at Serena who is giving me a worried look. I continue, "At the center, one of the main things that we learn is forgiveness. I've learned about how to move forward with our future, we must forgive those who have wronged us in the past", I notice Serena running out with tears in her eyes and mom following her, " Because without this forgiveness, innocent people get hurt."

A guilty Blair interrupts me, not liking what I have to say, "Thank you, Amber-Rose!", She moves me off the stage, "Thank you! Thank you! And now can I please have Dr. Ostroff join me onstage?"

Once I am completely off stage, I quickly leave the event dodging people. The entire time I hear people gossiping about me.

"I can't believe that!"

"I knew she could never be that innocent?"

"I got high with her once."

"I bet she's a slut too!"

I finally find an empty classroom and run inside. Once I am in, I fall to the ground trying to catch my breath from the minor panic attack I am having. I hear the door open, but I don't look up.

I feel someone sit down next to me. I smell expensive cologne and mint and immediately know it is Nate. He doesn't speak; he just grabs my hand in his. Slowly I move my head on his shoulder until I am eventually bawling on him.

He smooths my hair soothingly whispering, "It's fine. Colleges are still going to love you. Standford won't even know."

He repeats that until all my tears have stopped and I look up at him, "It-I di-I didn..."

He pulls me back into his arms nodding his head in understanding, "I know."

Who knew Princess A could take a hit? 

Honesty may be the best policy in some zip codes but not in this one and not this week. Cause "I was a teenage drug addict" is not exactly a winning college essay.

It is heavily raining, and Serena and I are sitting, under a secluded shelter at Central Park. Any time one of us is feeling bad we come out here with coffees. The rain is making me a bit happier since it is calming my nerves. We are both reading our books; I am reading Sundays at Tiffany's.

On a positive note, Brown was impressed by both Serena's selflessness and my "recovery" and have guaranteed us a spot of we keep our grades up. And Dan is giving Serena a second chance.

We hear heels clinking and look up to see Blair, "Whenever something's bothering you, I can always find you here."

Serena fold her arms together before standing in front of me, "You here for another catfight?"

I glare at her. She went too far. 

She shakes her head before pulling out an envelope. I frown at it, "What's that?"

Blair frowns at it, "A letter. I wrote it to you when you were away."

Blair looks down, "I never sent it."

She looks down and begins to read the letter, "Dear Serena/Amber, my world is falling apart, and you're the only one who would understand. My father left my mother for a 31-year-old model; a male model. I feel like screaming because I don't have anyone to talk to. You're gone. My dad's gone. Nate's acting weird. Where are you? Why don't you call? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? Are you supposed to be my best friend? I miss you so much. (sighs) Love, Blair."

I feel tears watering my eyes knowing that Blair did send that letter to me, but I never read it. I just told them to send it back along with any other letters from her. I look down, ashamed and not feeling mad anymore.

Serena begins to cry, "Why didn't you send it? I could've..."

Blair looks like she is already crying when she scoffs, "You would of what! (chokes up) You knew Serena, and you didn't even call."

I looked at her with tears streaming down my cheeks, "We didn't know, what to say to you. Or how to be your friend after what we did. I'm so sorry."

Blair folds the letter, "Eric told me what happened; I guess your family's been going through a hard time too. I am sorry."

Spotted in Central Park. Three white flags waving. Could an Upper East Side peace accord be far off? So, what will it be? Truce or consequences? We all know one nation can't have three queens. What happens next? Only time will tell. XOXO, Gossip Girl.