Nothing But Drama / by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

.

Despite all her mother's warnings about her bad-rep boyfriend Keith, 15-year-old Camille still insists on seeing him--in secret. But nothing's hidden when Keith is suddenly arrested by police and Camille is suspected of harboring him (unknowingly) as a felon. Now she's forced to give up her Tuesday nights for group counseling at a local church. Court ordered restrictions and told-you-so's might seem like hardships, but nothing can compare to what Angel, another Tuesday-nighter, has on her plate. Pregnant at 16, Angel's been virtually abandoned by everyone; her boyfriend long gone and currently on the outs with her irate grandmother, she's not only without mutual support, she might soon be without a place to live.

The other group members--Jasmine & Alexis--may not look like they have any real problems but it doesn't take long for everyone to realize that just the opposite is true. Chippy Jasmine has some serious attitude and self-control issues, exhibited when her aggression gets on more than a few nerves and almost incites a brawl at the first meeting. Delicate Alexis may be from uptown (and have the clothes to advertise it), but her erstwhile family and self-image crisis have her reeling on the inside. After getting acquainted with each other in less than classy fashion, the foursome--with help from their stern but patient counselor Mrs. Rachel--steadily start to work through their problems together, slowly forging bonds that will stand up against anything.