The first installment of Now & Forever.
It's a week before her freshman year when Lauren Conners is thinking, for what feels like the billionth time, of breaking up with her boyfriend of the past couple of years. In a seeming answer to her fervent prayers for guidance she looks up into the hypnotic eyes of the quiet little Washington town's exotic, dark, and alluring new addition.
The two fall immediately for one another when their eyes meet. But Lauren can't be sure - is this love at first sight? An answer from God to her prayer for guidance? Or is this simply lust as she wrestles with newborn passions and desires for the beautiful creature that has entered her life?
The relationship is fraught with other issues on top of the poor young ballerina's internal and spiritual uncertainty: the two attend the best school in the area, a private school, Immaculate Conception, a Catholic school Lauren has attended since she was in sixth grade and where she has a reputation as a pious, studious, bright, Good Girl. So ... what's the problem here? Oh, her newfound love (or is it lust?) is a girl.