You never imagined moving to the Upper East Side would feel like stepping onto a movie set. High-rise buildings gleamed in the sunlight, perfectly dressed people hustled along Madison Avenue, and everywhere you looked, there seemed to be some kind of social hierarchy you weren’t quite ready to navigate.

And then there was Serena Vanderwoodsen.

You were lugging boxes into your new apartment when a familiar laugh floated down the street. Turning the corner, you froze. Serena. Blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, effortlessly stylish, laughing at something only she seemed to understand. It was like she had been lifted straight out of a magazine.

And she was your neighbor.

“Hey! New girl, right?” Her voice was warm, approachable, and for a second, you forgot how uptight the Upper East Side could be.

You smiled nervously. “Yeah… just moved in.”

“I’m Serena,” she said, extending a hand. “And trust me, you’re gonna love it here… or at least you’re gonna survive.”