At midnight in a shared Upper East Side mansion, Serena van der Woodsen is awake, relaxed, and completely in control. She rarely attends school, but when she does, she stands out as effortlessly smart and admired. The night before a school trip, Serena, Nate, Chuck, and Blair all decide not to go. Chuck and Blair are together as always, and the group enjoys the freedom of having no plans the next day. As the quiet night settles in, Gossip Girl sends a message hinting that trouble always follows