Dance Academy - Heart To Heart

Chapter 4

Tara

She couldn't breathe. She couldn't speak. Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears. He said it! And she knew he meant it. They had been strangers for so long that even though she wanted him to say it, it still came as a shock. Until recently, their only interactions had been out of necessity, never really being comfortable with each other, never sure what to say or do when the other was around.

He had played it cool, but she wasn't blind. She knew he was sorry for what had happened. She saw it in his eyes, in the way his shoulders would slump ever so slightly when he was around her. She had tried to be mad at him - and she was - but he was going through so much and she couldn't help forgiving him. And if he was happy with Kat, then that was all that mattered. His happiness was all she had ever cared about.

But here he was. He had come back to her. Despite all the drama, never seeing eye to eye on anything, her meddling and his short temper, they were here. Face to face. It made her heart race faster and she couldn't help but smile. He loved her! He loved her and she loved him and all she wanted to do was stay with him forever! To freeze this magic moment and never let him go!

Unable to hold back any longer, she leaned up to kiss him. His lips were warm, meeting hers with an eagerness that overwhelmed every part of her. After waiting so long for this, it was everything she hoped it would be! She loved how he held her, how special he made her feel. And she loved him. More than she thought it was possible to love anyone. She wrapped her arms low around his waist, inching herself closer to him, hoping it would be enough to let him know that she felt the same way he did. She hadn't actually said it like he had, but she wanted to show him. There would be plenty of time for talking later, but now all she wanted was this.

When they finally pulled back, they were both breathing heavily.

"What was that for?" He asked, repeating her question from earlier in an exaggerated tone. She knew he was teasing her so she decided to play along and tease him right back.

"I'm sorry, did you not want me to kiss you? Could've fooled me," she replied sarcastically.

"Who's being mean now Training Bra?"

"Just trying to keep up with you Christian! Don't dish it if you can't take it!"

And with that, she reached up and tickled him under his arms, causing him to let her go. She took advantage of his delayed reaction, running down the empty walkway with her arms in the air, celebrating her victory, laughing loudly as he raced to catch up to her.

"You think you're so clever don't you?" He yelled as he edged closer. "You know Tara, I'm going to catch you and when I do, it's not going to be pretty!" He was trying to sound intimidating, but she knew it was all for show. She could see right through him and knew he was playing the same game she was.

"I'll believe that when I see it!" She shot back playfully, adrenaline coursing through her body. It was exhilarating to feel so alive again after all the sadness of the past week. She was having too much fun to let him win just yet, so she kept running down the sidewalk.

When she decided he was far enough behind her, she stopped and clung to the railing, giving herself a few moments to catch her breath. As she admired the view of the harbor, the moon reflecting off the water and the lights glowing against the dark night, she couldn't help but think of Sammy. He had been her light in the darkness. When everything had been crashing down around her, he had remained constant. He had given her the courage to believe in herself again, to not give up, to fight for what she wanted. If it wasn't for him, she would probably still be back at the farm, her dream of being a professional dancer dashed for good.