Serena and I are lounging on Blair's bed, talking about the upcoming masquerade ball. I am so excited to go, I love masquerade balls. So here we are having a sleepover so we can prep for the lavish event. We are going to get mani-pedis and massages.

Serena was kicking her legs in the air playing with Blair'ssheets, "So, Kati mentioned something about a custom-made corset, and I hear there are wigs involved?"

"It's a masquerade, you have to conceal your identity, but I do have something special planned for Nate tonight," Blair smiles excited about the entire thing. 

I try to conceal my hurt, wiggling my eyebrows in curiosity. Although I told Nate that I was not interested in a relationship I still can't help but be hurt that he is dating someone else. I suppose that I should move on but I just can't help but feel like I am saving myself for something that is never going to happen.

"It's a game. It's a scavenger hunt. Nate starts the night with a clue, which leads him to the lady-in-waiting, who gives him a clue to the next lady."

"You have ladies now?" Serena looks so confused.

Blair ignores that comment and continues, "If he finds me before midnight when the masks come off, he can claim his prize."

"And what's that?" I ask, not having the slightest clue.

Serena and Blair both laugh at me causing my cheeks to redden. Blair smirks, "Poor innocent A. I just figured that after everything that's happened, or hasn't happened I should find some way to make it special."

I immediately shut my mouth in realization. I don't know why I am so shocked. Nate is in a relationship with Blair and of course, they would eventually have intercourse...

"Well, that's really romantic Blair", Serena smiles feeling guilty, "Look, um if you don't want me to come tonight, I totally understand. I could just..."

Blair jumps up into a sitting position, "What? No, I want you to come. In fact, I was hoping you two would be of my ladies. I need both of my best friends there tonight to make everything special."

"Are you sure you want me to?" Serena asks hesitantly.

"Absolutely, tonight is all about starting over. I trust you and him."

Well if tonight is all about starting over then I will help Blair. And I will bring a date!

"Well, then we will be honored to serve you, my queen." Serena goofily bows causing us to laugh. 

"Well, besides, you're bringing Dan, right?" Blair adds. I look at her expectantly.

"I know him, a masked ball? Dan would never want to go to something that pretentious, where he has to wear a mask and a tux?"

"Sis, he likes you. He would wear a tux and a mask and one of my mother's dresses if it meant that he could go out with you. Come on", I tell her whole-heartedly.

"What, are you worried that he already has a date? I mean, he is Dan Humphrey." I hit Blair lightly for her mean comment.

"Shut up. I don't know. I guess a masked ball is better than a regular party because then all those kids from school that he hates, he won't even recognize them", Serena reasons before Blair and I both push her off the bed and hand her the phone.

Serena calls him and hesitantly greets him. Blair and I roll our eyes in annoyance before encouraging her to go on. She smiles before asking him if he was busy. The conversation gets awkward after Jenny interrupts to do Blair's bidding and Serena finally hangs up.

She throws her phone on the bed, "I think I need a date."

I frown, knowing that it is better to give her some time to grasp everything herself before asking what's wrong, "Well, it looks like we will both be shopping for guys."

They both look at me proud and excited that I am finally mentioning dating boys. I mean I have had crushes before and gone on dates but I have never had a boyfriend. Nate was my first kiss and we all know how that went. Ever since I haven't really been interested in dating.

►|◄

I am currently at home with Serena, we are on our computers doing different things when our mom walks in.

"Do you think that Eleanor Waldorf will find this night in Tangiers enough?", she asks holding up a beautiful black dress which honestly looks more my style than hers.

Serena shrugs, "Maybe if you brought a goat. You know, Eleanor always goes all out."

I laugh at her, nodding in agreement hoping mom takes her advice. I look at the dress more closely, "Is that mine?!"

Mom ignores my question, "Speaking of going all out."

Serena looks back at her ruffled yellow dress with a rhinestone belt and a black fur shrug, "Yeah, I know tell me about it. I don't think the Waldorf women ever met a theme they didn't just love."

Serena holds her mask up to her face laughing. Mom turns to me with a smile, "Well, what did Blair get you?"

I smile, "It's a Dior magical garden gown. It is peach with black fishnet lace on top. The dress is also cur out in the front so you can see me legs and my mask is just like Serena's but black."

She widens her eyes in admiration. She looks at Serena wanting to talk more, "You going with Dan?"

I look down trying to tell her not to press the subject but Serena tells her, "Um no, Dan has plans, actually."

"Doing what?", mom asks not noticing my hints.

Serena glowers, "The question is with whom?"

Mom's eyes widen before she collects herself, "Oh, I didn't realize. Well, frankly I am relieved. You know at your age; you should be playing the field."

"What about at your age?", I ask her noticing her special 'I have a crush' lipstick, "You got a hot date tonight?"

Mom blushes before looking away, "What? No, please. Who would I be dating?"

Our laptop's bling, I look at mine and notice a text from a ChaDwickJ3. I open it and try to look at his photo.

Mom reminds us of her presence, "You know what? I'm gonna go try this on and see if I can find a goat."

We chuckle at her comment and watch her leave before turning back to our computers. I read his text.

ChaDwickJ3: Hi. Amber-Rose? Blair gave me your address.

I smile knowing that Blair wouldn't set me up with a jerk.

Roses_R_Amber: Yeah. Hi. Who's this?

ChaDwickJ3: Joshua Chadwick III.

I immediately move to another tab and google his name. His myspace profile pops up and I read all his information. I notice that he attends Dalton and a junior. 

We continue chatting for about an hour before I decide to invite him to the ball tonight. He is actually pretty cool. His family moved to China when he was 10 for trade and he learned all about their culture and language. He also volunteered with the Peace Corps. since his grandmother is in charge of the entire thing. 

Why is it that friends of Serena Van der Woodsen have a search for her suitor? Have fables fallen so out of fashion that the princesses have to do everything themselves? Call us old school, but sometimes the fairy-tale ending requires the knight to get off his ass and saddle up his steed.

I was in the middle of getting ready for the ball when I hear a knocking on the door. I yell for Serena to answer it but remember that she left to go get tampons. Apparently, she forgot that her period was starting today. I groan and grab a silk robe to cover myself before running to answer the door. I crack it open and see Nate waiting on the other side.

"Nate? Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were, um, shouldn't you be getting ready?", I smile before opening the door more to let him in. He smiles, his eyes giving me a quick once over before stopping. I follow his line of sight and notice that my robe was not completely shut and Nate could see my lacy bustier. I quickly close it and tightly tie it to be sure it won't open.

Nate looks back up at me blinking a few times before responding, "I'm sorry to bother you. It's, um, do you have a minute?"

I nod and walk over to the couch, patting the spot next to me. Nate gratefully sits down next to me. I fold my legs underneath my butt before turning to give him my full attention.

He doesn't say anything and I begin to grow worried, "Nate, is everything okay?"

He grabs my hand and begins playing with my fingers before he begins to tell me how he found drugs hidden in his dad's bookcase. 

I try to think about something to tell him to reason what he found, "Maybe it's old. You know, left over from the '90s or something, from some night at limelight or the tunnel?"

Nate shakes his head, "It's not old, and it makes total sense. I think he's having some money problems."

"Well, have you asked him about it?"

"Yeah", Nate nods, still playing with my fingers, "I have, I just wish he would be honest with me. It's like he and my mom they made some secret pact to act like robots."

I frown using my other hand to massage his shoulder hoping to relive some of the tension he is having, "Yeah, well, I don't think that pact is so secret. I think all of our parents signed it."

"But I'm not a little kid anymore. He doesn't have to shut me out", Nate grunts.

"If you're still worried I would try and talk to your dad again. And this time make sure he really hears you."

"Thanks", he smiles.

"No problem", I laugh before noticing the time, "I better get ready, for my date."

I move my hand out of Nate's and get off the couch. Nate, however, doesn't move, "Date?"

I nod, "Blair hooked me up with an old friend of hers."

Nate looks furious and is about to say something when Serena walks in yelling about how they didn't have her size. She notices Nate and immediately corrects herself saying she needed a pair of shoes.

I laugh before looking at Nate, "I am so sorry but I really need to get ready. Can you walk yourself out?"

Nate nods in a weird trance. We both knew that we were going to start dating people. Hell, he has been dating Blair this entire time. I am surprised that he didn't go to Blair to talk. I mean she is planning this entire thing and he couldn't even go to talk to her about his family.

On the Upper East Side, appearances are often deceiving. From friends to hair color, there's always more than meets the eye.

I am currently at the ball and I am honestly miserable. Joshua, the guy Blair set me up with, is a total prick. apparently, he knew Blair from some summer camp when they were younger. I am assuming that he changed over the years. The entire night I have had to watch him flirt with other girls the entire night. Plus, he refuses to dance so I have been forced to sit at a table with him while other girls fight for his attention.

I saw Blair and she told me that Nate still hasn't found her. I try to comfort her knowing that she doesn't know what Nate is going through. 

I feel a girl shove me out of my chair since I was apparently too close to Joshua. I rill my eyes and walk away, fed up with him. He doesn't even seem to care and begins to flirt with the bimbo who pushed me.

I decide to move to the dancefloor and see if I can find someone to dance with. The night is almost over and I will not leave without at least one dance.

I am almost ready to give up when a handsome masked man walks up to me, "May I have this dance, ma rose?"

I smirk at him noticing a heavy French accent, feeling more confident than usual, "Oui."

He smiles before grabbing my hands and bringing us to the center of the dance floor. The Valentine's Tango begins to play and we immediately begin to move our body's to the sensual beat.

As our legs intricately move to the beat my mysterious suitor whispers in my ear, "Are you familiar with the French language, ma rose?"

He dips me and I lift my leg to hook itself on his so I can swing myself up without his help, "Je le sais aussi bien que je connais le tango" (I know it as well as I know the tango)

He smiles and we continue our dance allowing our bodies to move in an expert pattern that could only be achieved with years of lessons and experience. We don't need words to express what we are feeling, the dance says it all. My legs fluidly move to tease him while my arms and eyes do not move an inch. Everyone is now watching us in awe but I ignore them. I am only with him right now. Once the music ends, we are both pressed against one and other and our breaths are mingling.

I am about to ask for his name but I notice Serena running out of the event. I sigh knowing that I should go run after her, "I have to go."

He frowns, "But I don't even know your name."

I pull away from him making my way to Serena and shouting, "I'm sorry but I really need to go."

I run past everyone as I try to make my way to Serena, I notice a suitless Chuck but continue on my way. I finally catch up to her. I am about to yell her name when I notice Dan talking to her.

I smile, happy that my sister is finally with someone who treats her right and loves her. I run back to the event to find my mystery man but am disappointed when I see the building is empty.