Dance Academy - Heart To Heart

Chapter 3

Christian

There it was. What he had been waiting for since he had left her in the dressing room. Why he had sat so long on the steps after walking out of the theater. When he had heard her calling his name, begging him to wait, he knew he had made the right decision. Even though he had met her with a less than cheerful reply, he was relieved that she had chased after him. It gave him hope that she still loved him, still wanted to be with him. It comforted him to think that there was still a chance to make things right.

The look on her face and the urgency in her voice as she poured her heart out, filled him with an excitement he hadn't felt in a long time. Before he could stop himself, his lips were on hers. He slowly lowered his hands from her face and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He missed this. Holding her, kissing her like he needed her to breathe. Feeling the softness of her skin against his, a growing warmth spreading quickly through his body. He could feel her heart beating against his chest and it made his heart race faster. It was exhilarating! He didn't want it to end. He wished he could freeze time and stay in this moment with her forever! Not to sound cheesy, but it was true. When he was with her, everything seemed to fall into place. He knew where he belonged, he knew where he wanted to be.

What a jerk had had been! He had ruined it all, hurt Tara so much, wasted so much time when he could have been with her! Why had he gotten so angry? Why had he let such a small and insignificant thing get in the way of his happiness? How did he think being away from her would have been better? That Kat could have filled the huge hole she had left behind? Looking back, he knew now that he had never felt that way about Kat. Sure he had loved her, still did, but not like this. Never like this. He had wanted to because he knew how much Kat had loved him. But the truth was he had used her, latched on quickly, thinking that being with her would instantly fix everything. That it would somehow help him forget his feelings for Tara.

Reluctantly, he pulled back, ending their kiss. He watched her as she slowly opened her eyes, and looked up at him, her stare filled with the love that he had hoped she still felt for him. It gave him a sense of acceptance, contentment. Like no matter what, he wasn't alone, which was all he had ever wanted. They stood there in silence. Not the awkward silence that had plagued them for most of the year, but a silence that meant something more. Something special. Like they didn't have to say anything because they knew exactly what the other was thinking.

"What was that for?" She asked shyly after a few moments.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you not want me to kiss you? Could've fooled me." He smirked. She had never been a good liar. She wanted to kiss him as much as he wanted to kiss her. It was so obvious. The only reason he had waited so long in the first place was because he wanted her to say it. Three words that would change everything. But in the end, she didn't need to. He just knew.

"Christian! Don't be mean!" She scolded, fighting to keep a straight face. She tried to break free from his grasp, but he held her tight, unwilling to let her go.

"Where do you think you're going, Training Bra?" He teased, a wide smile spreading across his face. Her cheeks reddened yet again but she seemed resigned to letting him hold her. As if she had a choice. She was strong, but he was stronger. This was the first time in a long time that they had been this close and he wasn't going to waste it. He wasn't going to let her escape so easily.

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned in again, anticipating the warmth of her kiss sending shivers down his spine. His lips were just brushing against hers when she pulled back.

"Christian, wait. We need to talk about this."

"Haven't we done enough talking? I thought this was what you wanted Tara!" He couldn't help feeling annoyed. Hadn't he waited long enough? She made him believe she still loved him, still wanted to be with him! He had kissed her for crying out loud! And she had kissed him back! What else was there to talk about? This was crazy! How he could be angry with her and want to kiss her at the same time? It didn't make any sense! Only she could make him feel so happy one minute and so irritated the next.