This is the continuation of the story Dance With Me and takes place a year later. I am already done with all the chapters except the last one and will post a new chapter each week. (Or sooner if I get some good comments!) Not like I am begging but PLEASE!

Chapter 1

One year had gone by since Beth had been to Kellerman's. She had grown up last summer and fallen in love with the love of her life, Trent. After she had said goodbye to Trent and headed back home she had auditioned for the Academy and got one of their coveted spots. She spent most of her time in the studio working on her pas de deux with her partner Parker.

Now she was heading back to where it all began to spend a long summer getting to know Trent all over again. Beth pulled her car to a stop in front of her Uncle Bill's cabin and got out to stretch her muscles; which had fallen asleep on the long drive up. She would have ridden with her Uncle but there was a chance that she would be heading back home early to finish up her vacation at school. Her teachers had pointed out that every minute not spent in the studio would mean one of her classmates would get ahead of her in training. All the students at the Academy were hoping for a spot in their company as soon as they were finished with their schooling and Beth was no exception. Her dad's studio would be there when she was done having a long fruitful career.

"Is that you, sweet pea," she heard her Uncle call out.

Her Uncle Bill walked up to her and gave her one of his famous bear hugs. She had definitely missed the times they used to spend together but this school year had kept her busy. There were few days she wasn't in class or scheduling extra time in one of the practice studios. Her feet were a testament to how hard she had been pushing herself. Her feet had bruises and cuts all over them from her pointe shoes.

"You look tired. I think you have been pushing yourself too hard."

"That's what my grandparents keep telling me but I'm years behind some of the people in my class. Mr. Kennedy told me that they only took me in because of my potential. If it wasn't for my dad they probably wouldn't have even considered it."

"You have made tons of progress this year. Maybe you should give yourself a break."

"I know I have. The truth is I'm pretty much up to where I need to be but my partnering needs some work," she took a calming breath while rolling her shoulders. Beth took in the surroundings happy to be back at Kellerman's. The wind that blew held a certain familiarity and the smell reminded her of days past. She could see herself lying beside the lake in Trent and her secluded spot. Yes, she could say she was ecstatic to be back.

"Well, now you can take the summer and relax. You know there is a saying about all work and no play." Her Uncle put his arm around he shoulders leading her into his cabin.

"I wish I could afford to take the summer off but most of the other students are still at school rehearsing their pieces for the fall showcase."

"Fall? Isn't it a little early," he asked sitting in one of the armchairs.

"Not when you are fighting for your position. There are only so many spots open in the company and we all want them."

"You need to be careful, Beth. You hurt that leg again you won't have to worry about a spot in the company."

She knew exactly what he meant. After the accident and the minor injury she had sustained in the school year she couldn't afford to over extend herself. It was a miracle that she could even dance let alone perform with one of the most prestigious dance schools in the country. "I will be careful."

"That's my girl. So, how are Penny and the studio?"

"Good. Penny sends her love and she warned me that you would tell me to take it easy."

Uncle Bill shrugged," what can I say? I love you and I don't want to see anything happen to you."

"I also taught a few classes this year. It was nice."

"I knew you could do it," he gave her another hug.

Beth glanced at the clock on the wall and realized that it was getting late. There would be a staff meeting before she could get to her bunk so she might as well head down to the dining room. "I guess I should go find my other half," she commented.

"Which one," he asked.

"The one I'm less happy to see." Beth gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before heading back out to her car. This summer was going to be filled with hard work and she might as well face it now.

The dining room was set up much like it had the previous year except the minor changes they had to make to the wall color and tablecloths. At the front of the room she could see Todd dressed to the nines like he always was. It would seem that Todd was in the wrong business. If he had an ounce of debonair in him he would have made a great James Bond. Except the fact that he was one of the most boring people she had ever met.

Then she saw him. Trent was lined up against the wall as one of the department heads standing next to Maurine who handled the lifeguards. He didn't notice her at first and she took the opportunity to admire him from afar. Was it her imagination or was he more handsome then he had been the previous summer?

"Beth over here," she heard someone call out.

Turning to the sound she found the bane of her existence seated in the center of the room. "Hello, Parker." She tried her best to get along with him but it wasn't the easiest thing to do. They always seemed to drive each other crazy. Sitting down on his left she peered back up to Trent who must have heard the commotion because he was staring right at her with the biggest smile on his face.

She smiled back wanting to run to him and throw her arms around his neck but knowing that Todd needed to get through his dissertation of the rules before she could. "Welcome to another great summer at Kellerman's," Todd opened. "I am glad to see some old faces and the new ones."

At this rate she figured she would never get out of the meeting but after forty-five minutes Todd finally finished his speech with another reminder that there was no fraternization between the staff and guests.

"If you haven't got your bunk assignment yet they are posted just outside the door. Thank you."

Trent stood talking to Maurine after the meeting and Beth sidled up and put her arms around him.

"I'll talk to you later," Maurine smiled at Trent and left them alone.

Trent turned and pulled her into his arms. "I missed you," he said before placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"I thought you don't do staff meetings," she teased.

"Well, I heard that this beautiful woman was going to be at it so I made an exception."

"I hope I'm not intruding," she heard Parker say from behind her. Beth grimaced and turned to the intruder. "That is my partner you are kissing on." Parker would be known as a heartthrob to many girls but not to her. He had been assigned with her at the Academy to be dance partners and had driven her nuts ever since. He was tall with black hair and green eyes that always seemed to portray an inner arrogance that turned her off.

"You must be Parker. I'm Trent. Beth has told me all about you," Trent extended his hand and they shook. "What are you doing all the way up here?"

"We were encouraged to spend the summer together. Our teachers tell us we have no chemistry," Beth commented. "But I don't see who could have chemistry with this one."

"Hey, I'm not the one who has a stick up my butt."

"Maybe I wouldn't have a stick up my butt if I thought I could trust you," she leaned closer to him feeling her anger building up.

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know maybe I'm upset because you dropped me on a lift because you were too busy checking out Missy."

"Are we back to that," he rolled his eyes. "I have apologized a million times."

"You could try meaning it for once."

"I don't know how you put up with her, dude," Parker turned to Trent. "She is the biggest pain I have ever met."

"Ditto," Beth glared at him.

"Whoa," Trent pulled Beth back against him to keep them from killing each other. "It's a little early in the summer to be throwing insults."

"It looks like you have all met," Todd spoke up stepping over to the three of them. His smile was out of place and he was oblivious to the tension in the room. "Trent I would like you to meet your new dance team." Todd stood between Beth and Parker and put his hands on their shoulders. He seemed proud of his handy work. Two students from a dance school must have been the catch of the summer for him.

"Excuse me," Trent's eyebrows rose on his forehead. He was clearly unhappy to find out that Beth and Parker were his new employees. "Is there something you forgot to tell me, Beth?"

"Um, I may have forgot to mention that Parker and I will be working for you."

"I thought that this year you could have them dance in the final show. It would give Lexie and you more time to take on personal lessons which means more money for you," Todd added.

"Great, more time with the ice queen," Parker threw out.

If looks could kill Parker would be dead where he stood. She had had enough of him. There were few days when she could get along with him and he was trying her patience. Todd stood there for a few minutes and then walked off to bother someone else.

"I don't know why you needed to follow me here," Beth said.

"You're the one who didn't want to stay at school. We could have just seen each other a few hours of the day but no. You had to come to this summer retreat to see your boyfriend."

"I hate to break up this love fest but I've got things to do," Trent interrupted. "Since you are both on my team I expect you to show each other respect around the guests. I don't need any trouble. Also, I think it would be a good idea if you both got a lot of rest tonight because tomorrow you are going to be very busy. The first day is filled with teaser classes. All the guests come out to see what each class is about and I think you each should teach one."

"Fine, I'll see you guys later," Parker said before walking off.

Beth folded herself back into Trent's arms feeling drained from the ride and her current argument with Parker. She wasn't entirely sure she could make it having to spend so much time with him. Beth had never liked confrontation but the man just made her blood boil.

"So, I drove for hours to see you and you're going to send me to bed?"

"Yup, and by the looks of you, you could use it."

He had no idea how right he was. This school year had taken a toll on her body and mind. She knew that her body wouldn't hold up as well as everyone else but it would be nice to not go to bed feeling like a Mack truck hit her. Beth leaned her head against his shoulder and let her eyelids close. She was safe with him.

They walked outside the dining hall and found Beth's bunk assignment and she felt her energy fade a little more just knowing she had to unpack. As if Trent had read her mind he picked her up and started towards her cabin.