Carmine found love songs to be his best outlet for overcoming his fear of professing his love for Caroline.

Where it began, I can't begin to knowing
But then I know it's growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along

Every class, Carmine learned everything he could about Caroline based on her behavior to get to know her likes and dislikes. He knew that he favorite flower was lilies, her favorite dance was ballet, and her favorite food was chocolate covered nuts.

Hands, touching hands
Reaching out, touching me, touching you

Any time they danced in class together, they were so effortless and flawless together, like it was meant to be.

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I

Look at the night and it don't seem so lonely
We filled it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you

One, touching one
Reaching out, touching me, touching you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh no, no

Carmine continued to learn every love song he could, and practiced singing them so passionately so he could pick one to serenade Caroline with.

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline
I believe they never could
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good

"Man, you really got the hots for Caroline, don't you?" said Sanjay, startling Caroline as he'd been practicing his guitar.

"Uh... what makes you say that?" said Carmine, blushing.

"You literally were just singing Sweet Caroline over and over again." Sanjay said. "Come on, Romeo. Why haven't you asked her out already?"

"Um... have you ever tried asking a perfect angel out on a date?" Carmine asked as if his friend were crazy.

"Carmine. I get it. Caroline is your dream girl. I'm no expert on romance, but I think she likes you too."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Have you seen the way she looks at you when we pass by her in the hall? And what about when you stood up to Derek Hall? She was the first girl to help you after he broke your glasses."

That was true. Caroline was obviously a very caring person. And she was very smart and courageous to reject a player like Derek and stand up to him herself. Those were just some of the qualities that Carmine liked about her.

Caroline was beautiful, talented, intelligent, and very well organized.

Part of what made the school a challenging experience was that you never took the same classes two weeks in a row. While for his first week, Carmine had Band 101, Vocal Performance, Performer's Anatomy, Prima Vista 101, Ballet 1, and Musical Theatre, the second week he had an entirely different set of classes. Choreography, Social Dance, Musical Composition, Costumes for Dance, Sound Design, and Music History.

As far as Carmine could tell, Caroline was especially great at anything that had to do with dance and choreography. She was very organized, focused, and most of all, passionate in every aspect of dance. In the dance classes they took together, he saw that she was a naturally excellent dancer.

Caroline could salsa, tango, waltz, merengue, and she'd mentioned to him that she also knew a bit of tap and jazz, but she was especially great at ballet.

"Caroline is an unbelievably amazing woman." said Carmine.

"Yup. If I were into her, I'd say she's a keeper." Sanjay said. "You should ask her to the big dance coming up. It'd be a great chance to have a real dance with her that isn't class-related."

"I don't know..." said Carmine.

"Come on, Carmine. You like Caroline, she likes you. And you dance flawlessly together. You're a great match."

"How would I even ask her?"

"Most guys ask with flowers. But, you should try something creative."

Sanjay started to play a beat on his drums as he continued to speak.

"March to your own beat. That's my motto. Speak to Caroline your own way. Find what makes you feel most confident."

A couple weeks later, Caroline looked at a poster for the school's upcoming winter dance.

"The big dance is a week away." Lulu said. "Anybody ask you yet?"

"At least twenty different guys." Caroline said. "Too many of them a bunch of snotty rich kids or guys who think they're big shots. How about you?"

"Erlo asked me just this morning." said Lulu. "And I said yes."

"Congratulations." said Caroline. "I'm still waiting to see if Carmine will ask me. But... I haven't seen him lately."

Caroline soon went to her locker and found a note.

Come to the Band hall at lunch. Signed, your secret admirer.

Caroline recognized the handwriting from the letters she'd gotten previously. She had her suspicions of who her secret admirer was, but this was the moment she would find out for sure who he was.

So, Caroline went to the band hall. The room was empty... except for Sanjay.

"Sanjay? You're my secret admirer?" said Caroline.

Sanjay smiled and shook his head and said, "Nope. But I can show you who is."

Sanjay dimmed the lights a little, and a spotlight shined on a hooded figure sitting and playing a guitar, their hood concealing their face. And they began to sing a song.

It's been said and done
Every beautiful thought's been already sung
And I guess right now, here's another one
So your melody will play on and on, with the best of 'em
You are beautiful, like a dream come alive, incredible
A centerfold miracle, lyrical
You saved my life again
And I want you to know, baby

Caroline took a seat and listened as this mystery figure with a golden voice serenaded her with a beautiful song.

… I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat (oh)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (oh
I, I love you like a love song, baby (oh)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (oh)
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

… Constantly, girl you played through my mind like a symphony
There's no way to describe what you do to me
You just do to me, what you do
And it feels like I've been rescued
I've been set free, I am hypnotized by your destiny
You are magical, lyrical, beautiful
You are, and I want you to know, baby

… I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat (oh)
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, I love you, like a love song)
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat

And that was when the figure tossed his head back and dropped his hood, revealing the singer underneath to be none other than Carmine Jinn. Carmine looked at Caroline's eyes as he passionately sang the next verse.

… No one compares
You stand alone, to every record I own
Music to my heart that's what you are
A song that goes on and on

… I, I love you like a love song, baby
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, I love you)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (like a love song, like a love song)
And I keep hitting repeat-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, love song, baby)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, love song, baby)
I, I love you like a love song, baby (I love you, I love you)
Like a love song

And Carmine approached Caroline with a single red rose he conjured with his magic.

"Caroline. Sweet, sweet Caroline. It's time you knew. Ever since I met you, I couldn't stop thinking about you. You're the most beautiful, the most talented, the most amazing girl I could ever hope to meet." said Carmine. "I admire you, and I never would've imagined I'd be worthy to know a goddess like you. And it would be the greatest honor if you would allow me to be your date to the dance."

Caroline couldn't believe this was happening now. Carmine was such a sweet boy. He was shy, but what he lacked in putting himself out there, he made up for it in releasing his feelings through music in the comfort of his room or in front of a good friend he knew wouldn't laugh at him.

Caroline could see Carmine was clearly a great performer. He just needed help putting himself out there. As far as she could tell, Carmine never volunteered to go first when students were as to present themselves in front of the class. But whenever they danced together, Carmine would dance flawlessly, and he wouldn't hesitate to step up whenever he saw she was watching him. It was kind of cute; as far as Caroline knew, he seemed to do better because he was trying to impress her, or at least get her attention. And he certainly had it now.

"I'd love to go to the dance with you... secret admirer." Caroline said, accepting the flower.

Caroline fluttered her lashes at Carmine, making him blush really hard. He smiled at her and leaned a little closer. So did Caroline. But just as Carmine began to pucker his lips, someone was calling his name. Caroline stopped too.

"Oh... my mom's calling me." said Carmine, sounding disappointed.

Even after Ms. Susy adopted him, Carmine kept his last name for a number of reasons. One, because it was his father's surname as well as his grandmother's married name. He wanted to keep that part of his birth family with him forever. But, he also kept his last name so other kids wouldn't immediately find out that his mother was a teacher at the school and accuse him of getting special treatment.

"Ms. Lamura is a great teacher." Caroline said. "I'll bet she's a good mom too."

"Oh, she is. But I don't get special treatment."

"I believe you. She's friends with my mom. Next thing I know, I'm auditioning for school here. My parents plan to send me to the True Pointe Academy after graduation to become a famous ballerina."

"Is that... what you wanna be someday?"

"I do love ballet." Caroline said. "I've wanted to dance since I was a little girl. But I never met a partner who I really connected with."

"Carmine." called Susy again.

"I'd better run." Carmine said. "Can't wait to see you at the big dance."

Caroline blew Carmine a kiss as he left. Carmine blushed again, and jumped for joy after her left the room. He cartwheeled across the hall in happiness.

"There you are, Carmine." said Susy when she found her son. "Where have you been?"

"Scoring a date to the winter dance with the girl of my dreams." Carmine smiled.

"Oh, congratulations, Dear." Susy said, giving him a kiss. "She's a lucky girl, indeed."

Featured songs:

1. "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond

2. "Love You Like a Love Song" by Selena Gomez