Crush Alert Read Free Page A

skull.
    “Where’s the nurse’s office?” the boy asked.
    “I…I’m okay,” Chelsea managed to stammer. Her head felt like it was going to split in two, but she held steady. There was no way she’d let this boy escort her to the nurse. That would be beyond humiliating.
    Jennifer held a couple of thumbtacks out to Charlotte. “Make yourself useful and put these somewhere?” Then she turned to the new boy. “Can I help you?”
    “Well, I was looking for the newspaper meeting….” He glanced at Chelsea again, with that same look of concern. Chelsea, meanwhile, wished she could crawl back under the bulletin board.
    Jennifer smiled widely. “You’re in the right place! I’m the editor in chief and I’m always looking for fresh perspectives on my newspaper staff. Do you have experience?”
    “Sure, I covered everything at my old school. Sports, drama, art—you name it….” He looked at Chelsea again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    “I’m Chelsea,” she stammered. What an idiot! He didn’teven ask my name. And why can’t I stop nodding? I feel like a bobblehead.
    “Cool name,” the boy said. “I’m Trevor.”
    “Well, Trevor,” Jennifer interrupted smoothly and opened the door to the office. “Why don’t you sit in on our meeting and we’ll find a job for you?”
    Trevor gestured for Chelsea to go in first. Charlotte gave her a reassuring smile as she entered the room with Nick, who’d just come running down the hallway with a couple of other seventh graders.
    Soon, the whole newspaper staff was assembled in the room, chattering and laughing about the bulletin board and the dance. Long writing desks with computers for the reporters lined the room. Nick and Charlotte sat together at one; Chelsea sat next to them, watching Trevor talk to Jennifer.
    Finally, Jennifer rapped her desk with a pencil, surveying the room. Charlotte squelched her annoyance at Jennifer’s prima donna air. This is just practice for when I have to deal with a real editor , she reminded herself.
    “Okay, everyone, I’d like to introduce you to a new student who may be joining our staff—Trevor Miller, from Santa Monica, California. Now, everyone come up with at least three ideas for this month’s issue. Think love and romance , people!”
    There was a flutter of activity as students pulled out notepads and pencils so they could begin the process of brainstorming possible news topics. Chelsea couldn’t write. Her head throbbed, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off Trevor. He was just…so cool. How could he becomfortable in a room full of strangers? Where did he get that confidence? She fought to pay attention to the meeting, but it was basically impossible.
    Jennifer rapped her pencil again. “Earth to Chelsea! Give me one idea.”
    Chelsea stared at her blank paper.
    “Look,” Nick said, coming to her rescue. “I’m tired of doing the same old stories. I want to write something really newsworthy.”
    “Give us an example, Mr. Montoya.”
    Nick leaned forward. “Something real. Like an article about the unhealthy food the cafeteria dishes out each day.”
    “What’s that got to do with love?” a kid at the other end of the table teased.
    “Unless you’re in looooove with French fries!” the student next to him called out.
    “That’s not a bad idea, actually,” Jennifer responded. “But let’s make it more general. Something about what the students at Abigail Adams love. We need a title….”
    Chelsea wasn’t listening. She couldn’t concentrate. Trevor was twirling his beach blond hair around one finger, and he looked so focused. His shirt was pale yellow, the color of sunshine, and it seemed like sunlight sparkled in the air all around him.
    “Love is in the air!” Chelsea blurted, then put one hand over her mouth. Was that out loud?
    “Perfect.” Jennifer stood up. “Nick, you write the article. Chelsea, take the pictures. Talk to people at school; get short interviews about what they