Carter Baizen

St. Jude's graduate, rival of Nate and Chuck. It is mentioned that he turned his back on his parents and so was left without a trust fund and was forced to take matters into his own hands by shaping his own future, something that Nate desperately wants. Nate idolizes him at first until Carter tries to extort money from Nate. He becomes Serena's escort to the cotillion but is punched by Nate after Chuck manipulates Nate into thinking that Carter is pursuing Blair. CeCe (Serena's grandmother) calls Carter a week before the cotillion and then reveals this to Serena, whose opinion of her grandmother changes. Carter resurfaces in New York with the mysterious Elle but ends up being involved with Blair. He soon leaves New York as Serena and Chuck intervene. In the second season finale, Carter returns to New York to tell Serena that he has found her father. During the premiere of season three, it is discovered that he and Serena spent their summer in Europe in pursuit of her father. In light of Serena's failure to capture her father's attention, Carter reveals his feelings to Serena and they share a kiss.