Crush Alert Read Free Page B

love. Could be afavorite pet, class, person, outfit—whatever. You can even do favorite foods, if you want. Get some shots of couples, too. It will go along great with a story about the Valentine’s Day Dance. Charlotte, you’ll cover that event.”
    Charlotte didn’t want to write about the dance. She didn’t even want to think about the dance! Whenever she did, Nick’s face floated into her mind and her stomach filled with butterflies. But when she tried to raise her hand to tell Jennifer she would like to work together with Nick and Chelsea on their article, her elbow hit a big bowl of barbecue potato chips one of the eighth graders had brought to share.
    It must be something in the air or klutziness is catching today , an embarrassed Charlotte thought as she watched bright orange crumbs scatter all over her notes and Nick’s white shirt. He’d taken the brunt of the disaster. Charlotte bowed her head into one hand so she wouldn’t have to look at a barbecue-chip-covered Nick.
    “I always wanted an orange shirt,” Nick whispered as he brushed chip dust off his clothing. Charlotte peered nervously through her fingers. But good-natured Nick was just sweeping chips back into the bowl and smiling.
    Jennifer threw up her hands. “What is it with everyone today? You guys need to get it together and stop acting like you’re still in grade school. Why don’t you all just e-mail me any new ideas from home. I’ll post the assignments by the door tomorrow.”
    “On what? The bulletin board’s busted!” shouted the French fry–loving troublemaker.
    “That’s your assignment, Adam. Fix it!”
    With that, Jennifer dragged Trevor over to her computer.
    She’s probably going to tie him down with enough assignments for the rest of his life, thought an annoyed Chelsea.
    “I’ll walk you home,” Nick said to Charlotte as she got up to leave with Isabel. “I want to ask you something.”
    “Wait!” a frantic Chelsea grabbed Nick’s arm. She’d just noticed how Trevor’s blond hair curled adorably around the nape of his neck. I’ve got to stall until Jennifer’s done talking to him! “Nick, we’ve got to plan out our article.”
    “I’ll meet you outside in a few,” Charlotte promised as Isabel led her out the door.
    “Chelsea, can’t the article wait for later?” Nick sounded exasperated.
    Chelsea bit her lip. “Sorry, I mean, I’m just nervous about the whole approach to this thing.”
    “All you have to do is take pictures!” Nick leaned out the door where Charlotte had disappeared. “You’re great at taking pictures.”
    “Just a minute,” she stalled. “I know, but what pictures? Do we want candid or staged? Should we set them up like yearbook stills, or are you going to interview for captions?” Chelsea knew she was rambling, but she couldn’t help it. If only she could take a picture of Trevor right now! Chelsea framed the shot in her head. He was leaning on Jennifer’s desk with his beautiful hair shading his eyes. The light was a little low, but if she adjusted the lens filters…
    “Chelsea? We can figure this all out tomorrow orsomething. I’ve got to go.” Nick looked down the hall again.
    “No! Wait. Ummm…let’s practice. What do you love?” Chelsea pretended to hold up a camera, but knew just as soon as she asked that this was the wrong question. Nick’s cheeks got all red and he seemed to be perspiring way too much for February.
    CHAPTER 3
The Crush Trap
    A s the wind gusted, an anxious Maeve stood by the front steps of the school waiting for Avery. Maybe the soccer game would be cancelled and the group could head off to Montoya’s for hot chocolate.
    Maeve warmed herself with that hopeful thought. But as she looked around, she noticed that all the snow had melted into chilly mud puddles and the sun was shining stronger than ever. That was probably enough for the boys (and Avery) to head out to the soccer field.
    Maeve couldn’t imagine why anyone would choose to run