**Here's the first chapter! This actually starts off the story in present time. The prologue was just some foreshadowing I thought I should include. I'm trying to be as accurate as possible with the television show, so make sure you watch those first. If you have any requests, complaints, questions, or criticism, let me know. Enjoy!**

Chapter 1: THE PROMISE

"I'll be back, I promise. For a third year."

Nine little words took my breath away. I memorized and analyzed what he said everyday, knowing he would never break his promise. If he had promised this to anyone else, it would have been insignificant, an assurance that he was coming back just to learn and earn a career in dance. For me however, his promise was meaningful, imperative, and evocative. It indicated that he still loved me, and he always did. But did I still love him?

Kat and I had gone home to the farm for the summer and we had a blast. Kat had been quite taken with our little chicks. However, Joey (the baby kangaroo) didn't like Kat as much as he did Christian. I went outside and started to feed little Joey his milk. I started to sing absentmindedly to him my favorite verse:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres".

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Just as I finished, the screen door slammed startling me.

"T! You should see your face!What did you think I was going to do to you?" Kat asked giggling.

I looked down and saw I had crushed Joey to me in a protective position. He jumped out of my lap very unhappy. Joey turned around and hopped off kicking up dust angrily. Kat started to snicker and I joined in until we had a full-fledged laughter fit. When we finished we had tears in our eyes and were on the ground exhausted.

" I came out here to tell you that Ethan arrived back so I'm going to meet him at the airport," Kat explained dusting off her shorts.

" I can't believe he's already back," I said, " It feels like we just left the academy!"

"I know! We'll be back to classes in a week! Yay! I get to go see Miss Raine again!" Kat said sarcastically, " I'm all packed up and I've called a taxi. It'll be here in about two hours."

"We could've driven you to the airport! You didn't need to call a taxi! Isn't that expensive?"

"Nah, Mum and Dad are paying and personally, I'm a little scared of your dad's driving ability. Remember the time he ran into the telephone pole, or the time he crashed into a ditch?"

"I get what your saying, I don't blame you. I remember the time he took out Miss. Bailey's mailbox six times in one week and had to fix it everyday." We both laughed remembering.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go spend our last two hours having fun in the sun! To the lake!" Kat yelled.

"Kat, aren't you forgetting something?"

"No what?"she asked confused. I gestured to our nice outfits.

"To the bedroom to change!," Kat screamed running inside the house. I just smiled and ran after her yelling,"Don't forget the sunscreen!"

When the taxi arrived, we piled her bags into the trunk and had a tearful goodbye filled with hugs and witty comments. I watched as the taxi went through the open gate. Kat waved to me from the back seat until I became a speck in the landscape. I sighed and walked to the barn all alone. I hopped onto one of the ATV's and drove to my favorite spot on the whole farm. I needed some time to think sort myself out alone.

I parked on a grassy hillside and walked down the bank. I rested my head my knees with a perfect view of my secret pond few knew of. I watched the sunset as wistful tears ran down my cheeks. I have never brought anyone, save one special person to this spot, not even Kat. This spot was our secret getaway. We had danced together and laughed together. We shared many memories, hopes, dreams, and fears. It's where I fell in love over and over again. I spent almost all of my summer with him down here last year. Christian and I were like the breeze, carefree and happy. We had no obligations, distractions, or responsibilities.

It was then that I knew I was still in love with him. I always was and always will be. It doesn't mean I have to be with him, but I want to. I realized Ben was to me what I hoped Kat was to Christian. A friend who was always there and always made everything simple and happy, but I know love is so much 's about the work put into the relationship and the feelings you have for one another. It's about the other half of you. You should always be there for them, to listen, to communicate, to care, to give advice, to make them happy, to help them through pain or obstacles, to hope for, to dream for, to believe in, to trust in, to depend on, and most of all to love. I know for sure my true, other half is Christian and I think he always will be. I need Christian and I hope he truly needs me. We all make mistakes or wrong choices. We were diluted to separate for other people, because once your in love, the love NEVER goes away.

**How did I do for my complete first chapter? This was interesting to write, but I promise there will be more action to come. I wanted to start out with what Tara is feeling. Next chapter will be posted soon!**