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[turnthebadinme]

There had never been a shortage of magazines on the bookshelf when Serena checked it. Real books, even good ones, cropped up, too, but magazines had been plentiful from the start. It was kind of silly, she guessed, reading up on fashions she couldn't follow and people she hadn't seen in ages, but somehow all the spun fantasy of things like Vogue

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[learnwhatsreal]

"Hey, what are all those?" Jenny asked, having come into the rec room for the sole purpose of doing what it looked like Serena had already beaten her to. She was pretty sure she'd all but exhausted the supply of decent magazines that the island was likely to give her in her entire lifetime, but that wasn't going to stop her from looking for more. Even when they were old, it was a good way to pass the time, and besides, looking at old fashions was undeniably hilarious. Approaching, she glanced at the cover of one, then her eyes widened considerably when she saw the date. "Oh my god, are these new?"

[learnwhatsreal]

"I know, right?" Jenny agreed, a little incredulous, eyebrows raised. No matter how different they looked, though, New York always had been and always would be home. As far as she could see, this place didn't come close, and probably never would. "It's crazy."

[turnthebadinme]

"We're keeping busy," Serena said with a little laugh. There was hardly anything to do with Jenny anywhere she'd seen, so it was a misleading statement, really, but she'd had no shortage of paparazzi shots of herself to analyze and agonize over. "More than we can say for here."

[learnwhatsreal]

"It's the difference between finding excitement, and excitement finding you," Jenny said in agreement, nodding. The change in pace, especially after the reminder of what life in New York was like, seemed almost jarring at times. That was one thing she was up in the air as to whether she liked or not.

[turnthebadinme]

Serena grinned, appreciative, and nodded vigorously. "Yes, exactly," she said, "that's really it. I guess that's a good thing, though, right? Getting to pick your excitement." Life had often chosen for her very differently than she would have for herself, after all.

[learnwhatsreal]

"That is, when this place isn't doing it for us." It was the nature of the island itself, though, and not any social hierarchy that determined these things, making her point still valid. One thing Jenny definitely didn't miss was some of the drama that had come along with going to school on the Upper East Side, and all that had required of her. "But it is good, definitely."

[turnthebadinme]

"School's coming up soon," Serena said. She'd been doing her best lately to try and not think of the fact that she was supposed to be at Brown right this minute, out of the city and meeting new people, but it wasn't possible to avoid it completely. "Blair and I are talking about a dance for it."

[learnwhatsreal]

"Really?" Jenny asked, leaning forward, obviously interested. The whole island school thing really wasn't for her -- she'd considered taking a class or two, mostly just to pass time -- but a dance was something she could definitely get behind, especially given how successful previous events had been, both here and back home. "What are your ideas for it? Anything?"

[turnthebadinme]

Serena pursed her lips, then shrugged. "You didn't hear it from me," she said lightly, "because our last theme kind of went up in smoke, but we were thinking Casablanca." It had been Blair's idea, of course, and Serena had seen no reason to say no when it was a good theme.

[learnwhatsreal]

It was clear just from the look on Jenny's face how wholeheartedly she approved of that idea. She wouldn't have expected anything less from Serena and Blair, of course, but it seemed perfect -- classy, distinctive, not overdone, and sure to be a whole lot of fun. Not to mention, she had a bit of a weakness for period clothes. "Oh, that'll be so fantastic," she said, sounding almost dreamy. "I can't wait."

[turnthebadinme]

"And now you have enough of a head start to make sure you make yourself something truly stunning," Serena trilled merrily, waving her hands in the air. "It'll be a lot of fun for everyone. We all deserve a celebration." If she could only get Blair to compromise, it would be perfect. They simply didn't need a ballroom for this.

[learnwhatsreal]

"We really, really do," Jenny agreed, practically hanging on Serena's every word. She liked to tell herself that she was past the phase of practically worshiping the Upper East Side girls, but there was no denying that there was a good deal of admiration there. "And you know if either of you need help with clothes, too, I'd be happy to."

[turnthebadinme]

"Oh, I'd never say no to one of your designs." While Serena had a dress in her wardrobe that would have perfectly suited the evening, she'd already worn it for Blair's birthday last year (and there was yet another party to plan). Besides, even without a couture culture in which to live, Serena knew clothes -- had lived and breathed the difference an outfit could make, even on those days when she hardly paid any attention to what she threw on in the morning. Jenny had true talent and she would have been a fool not to take advantage.

[learnwhatsreal]

Jenny beamed at that, knowing full well what a compliment it was coming from someone like Serena van der Woodsen. It wasn't that she had a lack of confidence -- she knew she was talented, had known that for some time know -- but a little reassurance never hurt, especially from someone who was so clearly knowledgeable in that area. "Then just say the word," she said brightly. "I can start sketching a couple things out."

[turnthebadinme]

"Awesome," Serena said brightly, clapping her hands together. "If you have time when you're done with your own, I'd love it. I trust your judgment for how to make me look good." Laughing, she fluffed her hair with one hand, shrugging one shoulder higher.

[learnwhatsreal]

"Oh, I'll have plenty of time, I'm sure," Jenny assured her, nodding. If she wanted these outfits to look authentic, it was going to take a while, but they had nothing but time around here, and a while to go still until the dance would be happening. "I'll be able to put together something good."