Chapter 1

Tara's POV

I awoke to the sound of my best friend Kat singing in the shower, very loudly. I was about to put my headphones in and try to muffle the noise of her belting the words to 'Radioactive', when I remembered what day it was.

"Today is the day!", I screamed to my empty room. I heard my parents laughing at me from downstairs and smiled to myself. I am going to miss them much. Third year is going to be three whole semesters long! Three whole semesters without them. Of course I'll have vacations, and telephones but after today nothing is going to be the same. Even if I get into the company I will be very busy well even more busy than before, with rehearsals and meetings and-

"Are you seriously still in bed kitten?" Kat interrupted my thoughts

"I was just thinking"

"Aww T", she came and sat on the edge of my bed. "You aren't worried are you?"

"Not worried", I said, looking at her, "Just uncertain of what this year will bring"

"I know what you mean" Kat said looking up at the celling fan suddenly. When I realize she was trying not to cry, I moved closer and wrapped my arm around her rather large shoulders.

"You're thinking of Sammy.." My question came out as a statement, because I knew she was.

"How are we going to do this without him?" Kat asked teary eyed.

"We'll have to figure it out" I soothed not even bothering to try and stop the tears streaming down my own cheeks. I don't know how long we sat there, crying together. My thoughts drifted to last year and the talk I had with Christian, I told him that I wanted to stay with Ben for a while, which was only half true I decided. Ben is great and he makes me feel like I'm special, but then again he made me feel that way even when we were just friends...what does that mean? Though I haven't figured it out I would like the chance to. Is that too much to ask?

"But you love Christian" a small voice in my head said. I did love Christian, but he broke my heart, more than once! And Ben hasn't done anything wrong! He is caring, cute, protective, and-

"-and you don't love him" the voice said. I let out a long sigh. How do I know that I won't grow to love him? He's a great guy! But is that really enough?

"Tara Banana, Kat!" Mr. Webster called from the kitchen, dragging Tara away from her deep thoughts. "Come down and let's enjoy our last breakfast as a family for the year!"

"Leave it to my dad to make a simple activity such as breakfast so dramatic" I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well we better get down there" Kat chuckled " I'd hate to keep him waiting. And with that they got ready and headed down the stairs for breakfast.

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Mallory's POV

"Carl, why can't we just ask someone where the residence is?" I asked impatiently.

"Because we don't have to! Its right around the corner" Carl, my best friend stated in his self obsessed manner. I smiled to myself. I am going to miss him so much this year! I got transferred to the National Academy of Dance in Australia, from my dance academy in New York. Though I am quite incredible with my dancing (well at least that's what Ms. Raine, the apparent principle of the academy, said.) it was never what I wanted to do with my life. But since my mom was injured onstage like ten years ago ending her dancing career for good, and my sister got pregnant at age 17, my mom decided that I was going to live the rest of her dream life for her. Sure it's not an ideal situation for me, but when it comes right down to it when my mom is happy, so is the rest of the world. So here I am trailing around the academy behind Carl, who seemed to have no idea where he was going.

"Carl?" I asked in my calmest voice I could squeak out.

"Hmm?" Was his dry answer. I rolled my eyes and stuck my arm out to stop him in his steps so I could face him.

"You are going to have me lost in the men's locker room by the end of the day if we don't ask for directions!" I said in a forceful tone. After looking at me and then at his "map" of the academy, he finally answered.

"Fine but you're asking!" He said turning his back towards me.

"Have an irrational fear of Aussies do we now?" I teased. Rewarded with the soothing sound of his laughter, I spun around a little too quickly, causing my arms to smash into a muscular set of abs. And the next thing I knew, both me and the mysterious person the abs belonged to, fell to the ground. Making everyone in the room stop and stare. After they all offered their concerns and help, they went back to talking and minding their own business. For which I was grateful because the face attached to the torso I collided with, was just as perfect as the abs.

"I am so sorry I've been known to be pretty clumsy!" Muscle boy laughed, helping me to my feet. As I settled I took a better look at him, he had a full head of dark brown hair, gorgeous brown eyes and a goofy smile that almost made my knees give away again. Carl noticed what was going on and snapped me out of my daze.

"Mally! It's rude to stare, no matter how cute the guy is" he teased with his all knowing smirk on his lips.

"I-I'm not staring!" I spat, perhaps a bit too loud. "I was just in shock!" Carl saw right through me, he snorted and rolled his eyes.

"It's it's ok..." The nameless angel paused waiting for her to tell him her name.

"Oh! Mallory! I'm Mallory. Mallory Preiste." I sputtered out as smoothly as I could.

"Well it's nice to meet you Mallory Preiste" he smirked as he extended his hand for me to shake " I'm Ben. Benjamin Tickle"

"Hi Ben" was all I could manage to get from my mouth. And we stood there in awkward silence until Carl cleared his throat obviously wanting me to introduce him.

"Oh gosh how rude of me! Ben this is my best friend/chaperone/terrible navigator, Carl" I said, happy that it all came out relatively smooth.

"Good to meet you Carl" Ben said as he shook Carl's outstretched hand. "You guys students?"

"She is, I'm just here to make sure she gets here safely" Carl stated.

"Right. Chaperone!" Ben said with a chuckle. Turning to me he asked "So what year?"

"Third" I choked, still looking at his beautiful features.

"Ah snap! Me too!" He nearly hopped with excitement, "hey, are you the exchange student from New York?"

"That's me!" I sighed trying to sound more confident.

"That's so cool!" He held his hand up for me to high five.

"Look you guys I'd hate to break up your little budding romance, but I do have a flight to catch so Ben could you please send us in the direction of the residence?" Carl shouted impatiently.

"Actually I can do better!" Be turned on his heel and headed out the door.

"C'mon I'll show you!" He called from over his shoulder and we followed him outside. I tried not to watch him as he walked in front of us but it was hard. Carl must have noted my staring because he poked me hard in the ribs, and wriggled his eyebrows. I just laughed, pushed him out of my way and tried to catch up with Ben.

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Christian's POV

"Hey mate can we take a break?" I called after Shawn who was jogging right passed the spot where Sammy had...I didn't want to think about that. But Ollie was looking very upset as they passed so I wanted to help.

"Aw come on man we just started!" Shawn said trying to keep his blood moving by doing jumping jacks.

"I think this is a good place to rest" I said giving Shawn a look I hope he caught on to.

"Ooooh o-ok yeah good idea mate" he agreed, obviously getting that this spot is kinda a good stop by the flowers that Ollie stocked every few weeks. We all sat there just thinking. Ollie was probably thinking of Sammy, Shawn...who knows? But my thoughts tracked to Tara, as they often did. He thought about what he would say when he first saw her this week. And if she would be happy to see him. I am going to be so happy to see her. Wait is she still with Ben? He hadn't talked to Ben very much because he spent the holiday with his family in Melbourne. And he and Tara texted back and forth a little, but it's not exactly a subject that you can just bring up. But they couldn't have lasted this long. Could they? I sure hope not! This I my final year here at the academy and I am determined to make it perfect. And I can't do that is Tara has the hots for my best friend!

"Hey we should get going" Ollie tapped my shoulder, "see who's shown up already." We all agreed and jogged our way back to the academy.

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Grace's POV

Of course this was going to happen eventually! I told myself after Abigail left my room. She had just shown up out of the blue and started yelling at her. She confronted me about Tara, and how she couldn't believe I could ever show my face after what I did to her. I know what I did was bad, but I really love it here. And there is nothing that I want to do more than make it right with all of them. Lucy says that I was at my best when I was friends with everyone, but for some unknown reason I had to mess that up! Why do I always do that? I wondered in the comfort of my dorm. Why can't I just let things be while they're good?

"Because you're a jerk" I said out loud I wasn't always was I? Have I always had this need to be the only one who's having fun?
Suddenly the door swung open and I heard laughter. I quickly shot my head up to see who it was.

"Grace?"

"Ben!" I jumped from my bed wanting nothing more than to just hug him. But I couldn't he probably hates me just as much as everyone else.

"What are you doing here Grace?" He asked nervously "shouldn't you be in London or something?"

"I-I won the Prix de Fonteyn" I stuttered trying to pick my words carefully "I chose to do my third year here...with you guys."

After that he just looked at me, shocked. Just as I was about to say more a small voice sounded from behind the door.

"23B" the faceless voice read my dorm number "this is me!" And it was then when I could see the face the voice belonged to. She was really pretty, she had long brown hair, and round green eyes. Her perfectly shaped mouth twisted into a smile. Which made me smile for the first time in a while.

"Hey I'm Mallory, and I think I'm your new roommate!" She said cheerfully

"Hi! I'm Grace" I shook her outstretched hand. Still smiling.

"So any particular reason you look like you've seen a ghost?" Mallory asked turning to Ben who still stood there awkwardly wringing his hands.

"Um I-I better uh go get my...stuff like u-unpacked" with that Ben ran out the door nearly running into another guy who had been standing behind them the whole time.

"He with you?" I asked, pointing towards the nameless guy behind Mallory.

"Oh sorry yes that's my friend Carl" she explained pulling him into the room. "He had to accompany me to Australia"

"Nice to meet ya" Carl said examining me. "Speaking of which I have to make sure I don't miss my flight." He looked at his watch and then at a suddenly teary eyed Mallory.

"You gunna be ok?" He asked, arms out to pull her into a big bear hug

"I wish you didn't have to go!" Mallory sobbed. This was obviously a sore spot for her.

"You're going to be just fine!" He tried his best to sooth her. "You are already making friends!"

"You're right" she said while wiping the tears that escaped. "And if I need anything I always have uncle Zach"

"Exactly! You are anything but alone" the both grinned and he kissed her cheek."see you when I come to visit!" He winked and with that he turned to leave.

"You two seem...close." I want sure what to say so it came out sort of like a question.

"Yeah he's like my brother" she sniffed. "So does Ben have an ax to grind with you, or what?" She said trying to change the subject.

"Yeah him and the rest of the school." I muttered

"What?" Mallory asked leaning in closer.

"Hmm? Oh never mind" I said grinning again at her cute smile. "I've kinda turned the bottom bunk into my own personal pig sty so you better take the top."

"Sounds good." She paused " you know, I'm sure whatever went down between you and the rest if the school, won't be permanent."

I watched as she unpacked her things. She appeared really nice, and confident. It seems that she and I could be friends. Which was just what I needed right now and from the looks of it, she did to.

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