Disaster Strikes

by Tonya Ramagos

Serena is hiding a secret but when her sister Adrienne accidentally lets the secret slip in front of the 'school gossip', Erica, the catastrophes are sure to begin. But Erica has other things in mind than simply spreading rumors of Serena's secret. Tryouts for the high school dance team are coming up and Erica will do anything to be chosen for the team--even blackmail. Can Serena stop Erica from ruining her reputation without jeopardizing her own place on the dance team?

Young Adult, Romance, Humor

ISBN 1-59431-110-2

Also available in RTF and HTML formats.

Chapter 1

Swansonville High School was the biggest rivalry of West Haven High. When the schools played one another in any sport it was the game of the year.

"You're right about that," Blair agreed with a nod. She squinted her blue-green eyes as she remembered the painful defeat their school's football team had suffered against Morgan Heights the previous Friday. "After the way our team played last week they need to be as focused as they can get."

"I can't believe we got our butts kicked so badly," Adrienne sighed, shaking her head. "Gavin was so devastated." Gavin Malone was the full back of the West Haven Panthers and Adrienne's good looking muscle bound boyfriend.

"Chris Helmsely is the one who should have been devastated," Erica snorted, not trying to hide the sarcasm in her voice. "He's the quarterback and he played like klutz last Friday. I don't know what his problem is lately but he needs to straighten up somehow. He's become a complete fumble fingers on the field."

"I can't imagine what's going on with him," Blair shrugged, leaning back in her seat. "He use to be the best football player around!"

"Has Gavin mentioned anything to you Adrienne?" Erica prodded, tugging at the neckline of her peach nylon shirt.

"Not really," Adrienne shook her head. "I don't think he has a clue what Chris's problem is either. Of course Chris and Gavin aren't really the best of friends either. They talk at practice but that's about it."

"I bet I know what he needs," Mitch declared, raising one finger for emphasis. He flashed the girls a quirky crooked grin.

"And just what is that Dr. Cortez?" Adrienne joked. Mitch was a tall and lanky boy but she had always thought that his facial expressions and sense of humor made him so cute. Of course nothing could make her give up her gorgeous boyfriend of nearly two years but hey, she was taken not dead! There was no law against looking.

"He needs a girlfriend!" Mitch exclaimed as if he had the ultimate solution to Chris Helmsely's problems.

"A girlfriend," Blair chuckled, shaking her head in amazement. "You're so silly Mitch. I will admit that us girls are wonderful but we can't solve every guy's problems."

"And just how do you know that's not what he needs?" Mitch interrogated seriously. "You would be surprised how much happier a big sports jock is when he has a woman to love by his side. Jocks spend all their time putting on the 'macho act' for everyone but when they have a girlfriend they can let their teddy bear side show. Besides, Chris is the most eligible bachelor at West Haven High."

"Maybe you do have a point," Blair surrendered.

"Boy, Serena would love this conversation," Adrienne chuckled, thinking of her older sister. "She would do anything to be the girl Chris Helmsely loves."

"Serena has a crush on Chris Helmsely!" Erica shrieked, a mischievous look instantly covering her round aquamarine eyes.

Adrienne's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Instantly she knew she had made a fatal mistake. Her sister Serena did have a crush on Chris Helmsely. She had possessed a colossal crush on him for as long as Adrienne could remember. But no one knew about it. No one, that is, except Adrienne and she had sworn too never tell a sole. She hadn't even told Blair and Blair was her best friend! Now Erica Stone knew and soon so would the entire student body of West Haven High.

"I can't believe it," Erica continued to muse. "I didn't think she had time to worry about guys."

"I-I just realized something," Adrienne stammered, jumping up for her seat at the booth. "I forgot something in my locker. I've got to go get it before they close the halls." Without waiting for another word from her friends, she bolted through the diner and out the door. The rain had finally diminished to a mere drizzle.

Adrienne was halfway across the parking lot of Max's Diner when Blair caught up with her. "Why did you rush out like that?" Blair demanded, nearly out of breath.

"I have to get to Serena," Adrienne informed, not slowing down as she proceeded to the school across the street. "I have to tell her what I just did before she finds out from someone else."

"What are you talking about?" Blair asked with a confused expression.

"You didn't know that Serena has a crush on Chris right?"

"No, that took me by surprise," Blair admitted as they reached the front double glass doors of the school building. "You mean it's true?"

"Of course it's true!" Adrienne exclaimed in devastation, stopping just inside the school. "She's had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. Even you didn't know and the reason you didn't know is because she swore me to secrecy. I wasn't supposed to tell a soul. Not even you! But now Erica Stone knows."