Author's Notes:
ZOMG! I found the orginal version of Secret Love! 
I had tried re-writing it a few months ago, and I might still do that, but in the meantime, enjoy the orginal version of Secret Love. Secret Love
Secret Love-part 1
....Karen and Rick walked to the Goddess Spring together. Rick tried to hold her hand but Karen quickly pretended to brush away a fly. Her heart pounded. The moment she dreaded was approaching but what could she do?
"Karen...I...I..."Rick stammered. His face was flushed beat red. Rick fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a blue feather and looked at Karen hopefully.
What other choice do I have?Karen thought. Wordlessly she took the feather from Rick's hands.Rick assumed she was too happy to speak and that her eyes glittered with tears of joy.
That night Karen sobbed herself to sleep. "How can I marry Rick? I don't love him! But the one I really want is--!" Karen burst into tears again.
Secret Love-part 2-
Word of Karen and Rick's engagement spread quickly. As soon as Manna learned the news she began visting everyone in Mineral Town. By noon she had told nearly everyone and happily hurried to the town square to gossip with Anna and Sasha. Then as she passed the church, Manna realized she had not told Carter.Carter was, as always, standing at the pulpit. He smiled cheerfully at Manna.
"Have you heard?! Rick proposed to Karen! Isn't that great!" Manna exclaimed.
"Oh...yes, that is good news,"Carter murmured.
"Well," he added with a sunny smile, "I'd better go prepare snacks for May and Stu." And he went into the backrooms of the church. It wasn't until she'd left the church that Manna remembered that it was Monday and May and Stu weren't visting the church today.
In the church confession booth Carter slumped against the all. He'd known that Karen would get married someday and that that someone would likely be Rick...Carter remembered a day three years before. He had been walking near the goddess pond when he heard someone singing. Such a pure, sweet voice! Carter had crept closer. The singer was Karen. She was singing an old folk-song about a woman whose lover is untrue to her. Carter had heard the song many times before but Karen's angelic voice infused the old song with a depth he had never heard. He hid until the song was over. By then he had fallen in love with Karen. It was for that reason that he organized the Fall Music Festival, all for Karen. But in all this time he had never told her how he felt...and now it was too late.
Secret Love-part 3....
Nearly every man in Mineral Town turned out for Rick's bachelor party. Only Carter and Barley did not attend. Barley wasn't feeling well, and Carter said it would be inappropiate for a priest to go to the party. Really though, he just couldn't face the idea of seeing Rick so happy about his up-coming wedding.
As Ann, the only woamn there, served drinks the
phone rang. Doug answered it and a moment later, he called "Rick, it's for you!"
"Hello,"Rick said, his voice slightly slurred.
"Rick? I heard you're marrying Karen. Is that true?"
"...Yes, the wedding is in two days."
"Rick, what about me? I thought you loved me!!"
"You know we can't be together," Rick said sadly. "I'm marying Karen, please try and be happy for me." And Rick hung up the phone.
Secret Love-part 4
....Karen thought that her wedding day would be gray and gloomy, but it was a sunshiney happy day. It was sort of annoying that the weather didn't match her mood. In fact it just depressed her even more.
Sasha helped Karen dress. As she admired her lovely daughter, Sasha's heart broke. Even though Karen had not said a word, Sasha knew that Karen did not want to marry Rick. But when Sasha had tried to talk to Karen about it, Karen insisted that she was perfectly, and that she was just mervous. But Sasha knew it was more than pre-wedding jitters.
Everyone in Mineral Town turned out for the big day. To most of the villagers it was a joyous occasion. But for four villagers it was a horrble day. Karen and Rick,each secretly in love with another person, Carter secretly in love with Karen. And only Sasha suspected her daughter's sadness.
Carter began the ceremony. His voice did not betray his hidden feelings. "If there is anyone here who objects to this union between Karen and Rick speak now or forever hold your peace." he read.
"I object!" Said a loud voice from the rear of the church.
Everyone swiveled around to see. The speaker was Kai.
Secret Love-part 5
....Everyone watched as Kai hurried up the aisle if the church. A few started to whisper among themselves. Kai reached the front and took Rick by the hand. Several of the assembled guests gasped out loud.
"Rick, how can you do this to me?!" Kai yelled.
"How can you marry Karen when you are in love with me!!"
Everyone's mouths dropped open. The church grew very moisy as everyone began asking questions. Manna stood up and said,"But, Kai aren't you in love with Popuri?"
"The truth is I've been in love with Rick ever since I first met," Kai replied. More gasps and Popuri began to cry.
"You cad! Why were you dating Popuri, if you loved Rick?!"Zack bellowed.
"I...I just wanted Rick to notice me," Kai said. "So, I thought 'if I date his sister, then he'll have to notice me'"
"But you always fight!" Manna cried.
"Lover's quarrels," Rick smiled. he looked at Kai fondly, and took his hand.Then he looked at Karen."I'm sorry, Karen, but I can't marry you, after all."
To everyone's surprise Karen smiled. "it's okay, Rick. I want you to be happy." Then Karen gathered up the hem of her dress and left the church.
Secret Love: The Conclusion....
As she walked to the goddess spring Karen was certain that she would sry. Strangely enough, she did not. She was relieved more than anything.
She sank down on the grass and listened to the gurgling spring. She began to sing softly and then the tears started. Just a slow trickle, but it she felt much better. Crying does that.
I have to tell him how I feel,she thought, Even if he turns me down...it has to be better than this. I can't believe I almost married Rick! She began to laugh a little, and this was how Carter found her, sitting on the bank, lauging and crying, still in her white wedding dress.
"Karen..."he said softly,"...are you okay?"
Startled Karen jumped and turned. She wiped her eyes. "Y-yeah, I-i'm okay," she stammered.
This is it, now or never....
"Karen-" Carter began.
"Carter-" Karen said at the same moment. They laughed nervously. Karen took a deep breath. "I'm glad I didn't marry Rick." she said. "I don't love him...I-I love someone else...."
Carter looked down. He could not meet Karen's eyes. "You have to tell this person how you feel. It's hard, I know, but if you don't you might lose them forever." And he thought: what am i saying! i'll lose her! i-
"I love you, Carter," Karen said. Carter jerked his head up and stared. Now Karen was the one staring at the ground. "I...I know you can't feel the same way, but I truly do love you. You're so kind and good..."Karen began to cry.
"Don't cry!" Carter exclaimed. "Karen...I...I love you too! I thought..." he trailed off.
"You do? You mean it?"
"I really do."
Karen threw herself into Carter's arms. She was crying, but now they were tears of joy.
the end
Wow...Kai and Rick? Wow...
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