第21部分(第4/7 頁)

needed　when　she　saw　it。　She　picked　out　a　black　and　white　dress　by　Alexander　Wang　that　was　hanging　by　itself　on　a　silver　rack　in　the　center　of　the　sparsely　filled　floor。　It　looked　like　something　Edie　Sedgwick　might　have　worn　to　a　fabulous　Factory　party。

“May　I　help　you；　miss？”　A　saleswoman　came　up　to　her　eagerly；　her　Prada　pumps　clacking　against　the　floor。　Her　name　tag　read　DANIELLE。

“Thanks。”　Blair　offered　a　small　smile　as　she　plucked　the　dress　from　the　rack。　The　tag　sewn　into　the　thick　wool　said　eight；　far　too　large　for　Blair’s　size…two　frame。　“I　need　this　in　a　two。”

Danielle’s　friendly　smile　turned　into　a　frown。　“I’m　sorry；　it’s　the　only　size　we　have　left。　It　does　run　small　though。　Would　you　like　to　try　it？”

Blair　narrowed　her　eyes。　Was　Danielle　calling　her　fat？

“No；”　Blair　snapped　angrily。　Suddenly　her　eye　caught　sight　of　the　same　dress；　hanging　next　to　a　corner　dressing　area。　“There　it　is！”　Blair　announced　gleefully；　charging　toward　the　dress。

Danielle　followed　on　her　heels。　“Someone　else　is　trying　that　on。　I’ll　be　sure　to　find　you　if　she　doesn’t　take　it。”

“But　she’s　obviously　done　with　it；”　Blair　protested；　already　pulling　the　size…two　dress　off　the　hanger。　“Now；　where　can　I　try　this　on？”　She　used　the　same　voice　she　had　last　semester　when　protesting　the　B　she’d　received　on　a　paper　in　Persuasion　in　Politics。　Professor　Balmer　had　changed　it　to　an　A…；　simply　because　of　the　passionate　way　she’d　argued　her　point。

Danielle　wrung　her　hands　nervously。　“Miss；　I’d　be　happy　to　call　in　the　dress；　but—”

“Blair？”　came　a　voice　from　behind　the　heavy　black　dressing　room　curtain。　Out　stepped　Serena　van　der　Woodsen；　clad　in　a　flesh…colored　scoop　back　Catherine　Malandrino　knit　dress　that　made　her　look　naked。　What　the　fuck？