The Islanders by Katherine Applegate Read Free Book Online Page B

sorry I didn’t think of it or I would have been the thirteenth.”
    â€œLucas . . .”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m not the only one on that list.”
    â€œWell, sure, there are other aspiring homecoming queens.”
    â€œAnd kings.”
    â€œNow, I’m sorry, but those guys are dorks,” Lucas said. “It’s one thing for a girl. But a guy? Homecoming king? Why not just tattoo dork on your forehead and get it over with?”
    â€œThere are five guys on the list,” Zoey said.
    â€œFive poor dumb—”
    â€œYou’re number three,” Zoey said in a rush.
    Lucas stared at her strangely. “No, I’m not.”
    â€œYes, you are.”
    â€œHomecoming king. Me.”
    Zoey nodded.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’m going to kill Aisha. She did this. She was the one talking about what a great idea it would be. Where is she?” He spun around and searched the crowd.
    â€œIt took a dozen votes,” Zoey pointed out.
    â€œTwelve people said to themselves, Gee, I know, I’ll nominate Lucas Cabral. He’d love it. Oh, yeah, Lucas has always wanted to be crowned King of the Dweebs, Lord of Losers.”
    â€œIt’s supposed to be an honor,” Zoey told him.
    â€œNot for me ,” Lucas cried. “I’m not one of them. I’m one of the outsiders, the rebels, the misfits. God, don’t these people understand anything? You know what my old cellmates would say if they found out I was running for homecoming king? This is the kind of thing people like Jake do.”
    â€œHe’s on the list, too,” Zoey said. “And why is it okay for me to do it, and that’s cool, but it’s totally different if it’s you?”
    Lucas looked confused. “Why is it different?” he repeated, playing for time.
    â€œThat’s right, why is it different?”
    â€œUm, because you’re a girl?” he asked tentatively.
    â€œHa!” She pointed an accusing finger at him.
    â€œWrong answer. Um, look, I’m me and you’re you. You are the type of person who should be homecoming queen. I’m the kind of person who should be homecoming barbarian.”
    The bell rang shrilly, blanking out the murmur of background noise. When it stopped, a collective groan went up from hundreds of mouths.
    â€œI have to get to class,” Zoey said frostily.
    â€œAre you mad at me? You are, aren’t you?”
    â€œI’m not mad. I’m just a little hurt.”
    â€œOh, that’s worse,” Lucas said.
    â€œI’ll try to get over it.”
    Lucas grabbed her hand as she started to walk away and pulled her to him. He tried to kiss her, but she was feeling resentful.
    â€œWhy should I kiss you?” she asked.
    He shrugged. “Because you like it?”
    Zoey gave him a dirty look. Then she kissed him lightly on the lips. “I’m still a little hurt,” she said.
    â€œYeah, but I feel better!” he yelled after her.
    â€œGo, Warriors, go, go. Go, Warriors, go!” Zoey shouted.
    â€œGo, Warriors, go, go. Go, Warriors, go!” Aisha said a little less enthusiastically.
    â€œBlah blahblah, blah blah. Blah blahblah, blah,” Nina said.
    Claire read a book.
    â€œI knew he was going to do this,” Zoey fumed. She half stood in the bleachers and searched the densely packed rows ofkids. The pep rally was well under way in the big, aging, and somewhat aromatic gym, and Lucas was nowhere to be seen. “He’s bailed, the coward. He’s hoping they’ll get him for skipping last period and make him ineligible.”
    â€œI wish I’d thought of skipping this whole thing,” Nina said glumly. “Here we go again.”
    â€œWe’ll hit ’em again, we’ll hit ’em again, we’ll hit ’em one more time!” Zoey and Aisha cried on cue.
    â€œWe’ll castrate them using blunt knives,” Nina cried,