The Islanders by Katherine Applegate

you tell a guy no—no to anything—the first brilliant theory they come up with is that you’re gay. It never, ever occurs to the guy that maybe he’s just a toad.”
    â€œNot every guy is a toad,” Aisha said. “But Nina always says no. Has she ever had a relationship that lasted more than one date? Has she ever mentioned being interested in a guy?”
    â€œLook, Nina’s just Nina, all right?” Zoey said hotly. “She has the right to be however she wants.”
    â€œShe’s not gay,” Claire said. “So you two can rest easy. I think there is a guy she’s interested in.”
    Claire was gratified by the way both Zoey and Aisha stared at her, jaws open.
    â€œWho?” Aisha asked.
    â€œShe would have told me,” Zoey said.
    Claire smiled. “Look, I’ve told you all I can without indulging in gossip. You wouldn’t want me to gossip about my own sister behind her back, would you?”
    â€œWhy doesn’t she go out with this guy, then?” Aisha asked.
    Claire shrugged. “It’s all one-way. I don’t think he even knows she’s alive.”
    â€œPoor Nina,” Zoey said thoughtfully.
    â€œOh, well,” Claire said lightly. “I guess unrequited love happens to everyone sooner or later.” She turned on the water and began splashing her face. “Even to girls with perfect bodies and that whole air-of-mystery thing.”
    â€œOf course she heard us talking about her; she was toying with us,” Aisha grumbled. “You think air of mystery is just a phrase that happened to pop into her mind? Now she thinks I think she’s arrogant.”
    â€œShe thinks I think she’s very smart and has a perfect body. She’ll think I’m jealous of her,” Zoey complained.
    They emerged from the gym, and Aisha glanced at herwatch. “We have time to kill. You want to go downtown?”
    â€œWe could get my folks’ real car and drive out to the mall,” Zoey suggested.
    â€œDo you have the keys?”
    â€œSure. I can take the car anytime, as long as I’m sure my parents are staying on the island. I’ll give my mom a quick call, then we hit the garage and get in a couple hours of shoppage.”
    Fifteen minutes later they were on the road toward the mall. “Do you think Claire was telling the truth about Nina?” Aisha asked. She didn’t want to press the issue too much because she knew Zoey was sensitive about it.
    â€œWho knows with Claire?” Zoey said.
    â€œNina would have told you if she was hot for some guy,” Aisha said.
    â€œNina can’t keep secrets,” Zoey agreed. “But by the same token, she could never keep secret about being gay if she were. Personally, I think Nina’s just . . . original.”
    Aisha nodded, unconvinced, as they cruised the mall parking lot.
    â€œIs that a space?” Zoey asked.
    â€œNo, handicapped.”
    â€œHow about—”
    â€œMotorcycle.”
    â€œThere,” Zoey said, quickly pulling into an open space.“Hey, isn’t that Christopher?”
    Aisha followed the direction Zoey was pointing. Just visible through several parked cars was Christopher, passing out of sight. Aisha opened the door quickly and stood up, ready to yell to him. But then she stopped herself.
    Zoey climbed out, too. “There he is,” she said, “see?”
    â€œYes, I see,” Aisha said. She met Zoey’s puzzled stare. “I also see that girl he’s following.” She had a blond ponytail that fell straight down her back to the middle of a behind that hung half out of a pair of Daisy Dukes.
    â€œThey’re just walking in the same direction,” Zoey said.
    â€œAnd now?” Christopher had drawn even with the girl and was smiling. The girl smiled back and said something that made Christopher laugh.
    â€œNow he’s just saying hi,” Zoey said.
    â€œUh-huh. Come