DISCLAIMER: Nope still not mine.
SUMMARY: Tara's had her first real kiss with Tommy. Will she actually wear the new outfit to school in the morning?
Tara got up a little earlier than usual the next morning. She actually did something different with her hair. Instead of the usual braid, she swept it up into a classic twist. It wasn't tight but it couldn't exactly be called messy either. Slipping into the new clothes that her brother had brought over the day before, she couldn't help but wonder what Tommy's reaction would be to the outfit.
'He's going to hate it and make fun of you for trying to catch his eye. No man will ever look twice at you,' her mother's voice taunted her as she looked into the mirror.
"You're wrong, mom. Tommy really likes me. He wouldn't have kissed me like that if he didn't." Tara pressed a hand to her lips where she swore she could still feel Tommy's kiss as if he was still there.
Kim had driven the guys to school since she was supposed to take Jason's SUV in for new brakes this morning. Of course, she also wanted to see if Tara would wear the new outfit and what Tommy's reaction was going to be.
She giggled she made her way to Tommy's classroom with the guys. She had told them that she'd sit with them for a little while so that she didn't go home and fall asleep, missing the appointment.
Kira and Connor were outside the school when Tara walked up. "Wow, Tara! You look great!" Kira said as her new friend walked up.
"Yeah!" Connor chimed in. "Dr. O's gonna flip when he sees you!"
"Th-Th-Thanks. I really h-h-hope so."
"If he doesn't, he needs his head examined," Connor blurted out. Tara ducked her head as a blush swiftly covered her cheeks.
"Do you want us to walk up with you?" Kira asked, stepping closer to Tara. The young woman nodded without looking up. Kira pulled her around and hooked her chin. "Hold your head up, Tara. You're beautiful and, if people stare, that's why. No other reason."
Tara bit down on her lower lip and smiled, nodding.
"Tara, if we can talk Dr. O into it, do you want to go with us to the Cyberspace this afternoon?"
"Sure, C-C-Connor. If T-T-Tommy goes, I'll go." Connor smiled and offered his arm for her to take while Kira walked on the other side of her.
Tara walked into the classroom to see Jason and Kim leaning on Tommy's desk while he sat behind it. Kim smiled at her and Jason simply nodded with a smile on his face.
Tommy's reaction was priceless though. He did a double take and then jumped to his feet. As he approached Tara, Connor and Kira stepped back. "Wow!" was all he could manage.
The shirt fit her perfectly, accentuating the paleness of her skin. The skirt came down to her ankles. She wore strappy silver sandals on her delicate feet.
Tommy was speechless and she knew it. She smiled at him as he reached a hand up and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He smiled down at her. "You look fantastic. I don't know if I'll be able to teach today. I won't be able to take my eyes off you."
Tara blushed. Connor decided it was time to give her a break. "Dr. O, Kira and I want to know if you, Jason and Kim want to go to the Cyberspace today after school."
"I don't know, Connor." He was still looking at Tara.
"I'll go if you go, Tommy," she said softly. He smiled and nodded.
"I'll go then. Meet you there at about three?"
"See you then. Don't have too much fun." Connor left the room with Kira right behind him. Jason and Kim left shortly after that, leaving Tara and Tommy staring at each other.
The final bell rang and students flooded the hallway. Tommy waited in the classroom with Tara until the crowd thinned out a little bit. Bashfully, Tara stood next to Tommy. "Would you like to ride with me? That way you can show me where it is."
He took her hand. "I'd like that. Shall we?"
She nodded and he escorted her out of the room and down to the parking lot.
Walking into the local teen hangout, Tara clung tightly to Tommy's hand. It was really crowded and she wasn't sure if she could handle this. "We can leave anytime if you're not comfortable here, Tara." She felt a rush of strength just knowing that he was willing to walk away if she didn't want to stay.
"I can do this, Tommy. But thank you."
"Tara, Tommy, over here," Kim hollered from a table up by the stage. Tommy chuckled as he noticed that his ex was standing on a chair.
They headed over and joined their friends at the table. Tommy allowed Tara to choose a seat before he sat down right next to her. Hayley appeared at Tommy's side without any warning. "What can we get you guys today?"
Jason sighed. "How about a little peace and quiet?"
"I wish. It's been like this since about five minutes after school let out." Hayley sighed. "And you would be Jason's little sister, TaraLynn. What would you like?"
"A s-s-strawberry banana s-s-smoothie please."
"The usual for the rest of you?" Everyone else nodded. Hayley smiled and turned away.
"Who was that?" Tara asked. She still hadn't let go of Tommy's hand.
"That was Hayley. She owns and runs this place. She's one of my friends from college."
"She's pretty." Tara bowed her head.
Tommy hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face so that she looked at him. "You are beautiful. Don't ever sell yourself short."
Neither one had seen Hayley come up behind Tommy. "Besides, Tommy's more like my brother than anything. The thought of dating him, not my cup of tea. No offense, Tommy."
Tommy laughed. "None taken, Hayley. None taken."
Tara blushed as Tommy glanced over at her and squeezed her hand. She smiled back at him and giggled as she squeezed his hand back.
Kim walked over to the jukebox and found a song that she'd always liked. She'd written it herself a few years ago and had recorded it on her album. Calling it up, she walked back to the table. "Dance with me, Jason?"
He took her hand and the two of them went up to the stage. Tommy stood up and held out a hand for Tara. "Would you like to dance with me?"
Bashfully, Tara smiled, nodded and took his hand. They joined their friends on the stage and smiled as Kira and Connor joined them.
The words of the song rang so true for Tara. She closed her eyes though and just enjoyed being held in Tommy's strong arms with her head against his chest.
Momma can you help me please?
My hero just stabbed me
With a knife that I did lend
'Oh momma who's my friend
Tell me, tell me where do you go when all the diamonds have run dry
Tell me, tell me how do you feel after bittersweet goodbye's
I had almost found my face
I was almost me
But my pride couldn't swallow what I ate
Boy I hope you're happy
Tell me, tell me where do you go when all the diamonds have run dry
Tell me, tell me how do you feel after bittersweet goodbye's
How do you feel when all the diamonds have run dry?
How do you feel after bittersweet goodbye's?
Today I found my face
Floating in a puddle of grace
A porcelain doll with cracks to mend
Oh momma I found a friend
As the song faded away, Tommy looked over at Kim and smiled. "That's one of my favorites from the album too." The six walked back to their table. "Did you write that one for Tara?"
"I did. She reminded me so much of how fragile trust and faith are that I had to write the song. And it describes her so well." Kim smiled at the young woman. "I'm so glad I have such wonderful inspiration."
"What about your own experience, Kim? I can't believe that nothing came out of your own life." Tommy was amazed. He would have figured that most of her inspiration had come from her own life.
"I get more inspiration from those around me than from myself. Of course, I decided that I wasn't going to tour anymore. And so the label agreed that I could be just a songwriter if that's what made me happy."
"Does it?" Tara asked. She wanted to know that her friend was happy and that she had no regrets.
"It does. I have so much more time for my friends and that's something that I really treasure."
Jason wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close as Tara sat smiling at Tommy and holding his hand. He was happy; he had Kim and Tommy had Tara. It looked like everyone had someone now.
"That little tramp. My pretty girl has to be taught a lesson." The figure in the shadows slipped away from the window of the Cyberspace without anyone noticing him.
A/N: Yes. I found the words to Puddle of Grace by Amy Jo Johnson. I thought it was a perfect song for Tara. Let me know what you think.