Maria Slater hurried into Sweet Valley High just about 10 minutes before the bell rang Monday morning. She was terribly late, and that was because she had been Ms. Zombie this morning still thinking of Ken.

Then, after she got her books for her first period, English, she crashed into a tall guy.

Maria closed her eyes as she picked up her books. God, please don't let this be Ken. I'm not ready to talk with him yet. She prayed.

"You dropped this."

Maria looked up and looked into the deep eyes of… Todd Wilkins.

Whew! Maria let out her breath. "Hi, Todd. How's it going with you and Alyssa?" she grinned.

"Good, good." Todd half-lied. From Alyssa's side, all was good. But from his side of view…his thoughts weren't really the purest of all.

Maria let her grin grow a bit bigger. "Well, see ya, Todd."

Todd waved and walked away from Maria as he lost himself in memories of Eliza- No, not Elizabeth, Alyssa! Alyssa Martin, your new girlfriend!!! Todd tried to convince himself. But it was no use. He knew what was happening. It had happened to him SO many times in the past. Once again, he had succumbed to Elizabeth Wakefield's charms.

Todd stopped walking in the middle of the hallway and slapped his forehead. "How could I be in love with Elizabeth-again?" he murmured incredulously.

Conner Mcdermott walked through the halls, mumbling a soft "excuse me" when necessary.

Then he crashed into Elizabeth. "Conner," she said.

Suddenly Tia popped up. "Hey, guys. What's up?" then her grin faded as she saw Conner's tight features.

"What's wrong?"

Conner took several deep breaths. Tia didn't know about the mom thing. OK. Better.

"Nothing." He said.

Tia gave him a yeah-right-I-know-you-too-well look.

"Nothing." He insisted.

"Conner…" Tia warned.

"Fine," Conner spat, finally losing his patience.

"You really want to know? Well, listen to this, Tia. My mother is a drunk-again. My sister is heartbroken about it. And she even has some bruises as a reminder. And frankly, I do not want to talk about it."

Tia stepped back, as if she was slapped. "Conner, you never told me this." She whispered.

Elizabeth looked at both of them, perplexed. Tia and Conner haven't fought like that…ever. "Guys, I…"

"Tia, I never WANTED to tell you! I just prayed that someday my mother would stop it, okay? Satisfied?" Conner hissed. Then he stopped. Why was he so angry with Tia? She had never done anything wrong to her. He was her friend, and Conner was taking out all his anger at Tia, one the most loyal friends he had ever had.

Then, as if out of thin air, Andy Marsden showed up. He raised one skeptical eyebrow as he watched Tia and Conner staring each other down.

"What's happening?" Andy mouthed to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth didn't even notice Andy. In fact, no one did. Then suddenly, Tia's lip quivered, and she looked away, giving Conner a sad, frustrated look. Then what Tia said next shot an arrow into Conner's heart.

"Conner," Tia said in a low, controlled voice, "Ever since we met, I have always, ALWAYS tried to be a good friend. I've always wanted to help you with your problems, but how could I? You never told me anything. And if YOU even think for a second that I betrayed you for not knowing what was up with your mother, then you have a LOT to learn about friendship." With that, Tia spun around and walked away.

Andy gave Conner a confused look and hurried after Tia.

Elizabeth stared at Conner, wanting him to explain why he had exploded at Tia. Conner looked down.

"Conner, I know this wasn't the best time for Tia to ask what was happening, but…" Elizabeth placed her hand on Conner's shoulder.

Conner, still looking at the floor, mumbled, "I-I can't, okay Liz? I can't. Now if you don't mind, I have to go." Then he shrugged off Elizabeth's hand and left her standing in the hallway.

As Jessica Wakefield walked around SVH that day, all she could think about was Will Simmons, lying in the hospital, breathing into an oxygen mask.

Why did it have to happen to Will? She found herself asking. He's such a nice- Then her thoughts were cut short when she heard Will's teammates talking.

"Man, I'm so glad Will is coming back next next week already."

"Yeah. They even say in a matter of months he'll be back on the field again."

Oh my God! Will is OK! He's going to be fine! Jessica wanted to scream, but then she clamped a hand over her mouth. Why did she care so much? Then it hit her. She, Jessica Wakefield, was falling for Will Simmons. Oh God. I'm going to barf. Jessica closed her eyes.

Tia ran out the school building and into the field, Andy rushing right behind her.

"Tia! Tee! What happened?" Andy cried. Tia wiped her eyes and put on a brave front.

"Andy, did Conner tell you anything that I should know about his mom?" Tia asked.

"No. Why?" Andy replied.

"Well, he was real mad at me-maybe for not knowing what was up with their mom. See, Andy, I don't think Conner told you, but Conner's mother is a drunk." Tia told Andy.

Jessica rushed to the girl's CR and took deep breaths. In love with Will Simmons. How could she do this to Jeremy? Jeremy, the boy who stuck by her even when everyone called her a slut. Jeremy, who can make her smile by just being there. And whom had she fallen in love with in his place?

Will.

The guy who dumped her to stay with a back stabber. But then Jessica realized that Jeremy still had a special place in her heart. This is worse! Jessica thought frantically. I'm in love with both of them! And she knew that she was heading for a big breakout-or breakup.