The Islanders by Katherine Applegate

causing several people nearby to turn and glare. “We’ll gouge out their eyes and swallow them like oysters!”
    Claire glanced up from her book, gave her sister a pained look, and shook her head slightly.
    â€œBeat Camden, beat Camden, beat Camden,” the chant began, becoming rhythmic and mesmerizing.
    Nina jumped up, clenching her fists. “I vow total destruction on everyone from Camden. Kill the Camdenites! Slaughter them like pigs! They are the epitome of evil and must be wiped from the face of the earth! Forget football; we’ll bomb the bastards! We’ll make slaves of their children and whores of their women! Their men will be turned into beasts of burden!”
    â€œHi, Nina. That is you, isn’t it?”
    Zoey turned and saw her brother four rows back, looking amusedly in Nina’s general direction. Nina seemed to blush.
    â€œHi, Benjamin!” Nina yelled up to him.
    â€œI don’t think you’re taking this very seriously,” Benjamin said in mock disapproval.
    â€œI’m just trying to get into the whole fascist-barbarian-fundamentalist school-spirit thing,” Nina explained.
    A swell of noise blocked out Benjamin’s next response. Zoey pulled Nina back down to her seat.
    â€œAm I embarrassing you, Mom?” Nina asked Zoey.
    â€œNo, but they’re getting to the nominations now,” Zoey said, checking once more for any sign of Lucas. She bit her lip in vexation. The jerk. Didn’t it occur to him that at least a dozen people had shown some affection for him by voting for him? Didn’t it occur to him that this was the student body’s way of acknowledging that he wasn’t the criminal creep they had thought he was?
    â€œLucas thinks I set this whole thing up, doesn’t he?” Aisha asked.
    â€œHe’ll get over it,” Zoey grumbled.
    â€œMake sure you tell him I didn’t,” Aisha said.
    â€œI’ll tell him, if I ever talk to the weasel again,” Zoey said.
    â€œAh, true love,” Nina remarked.
    â€œWith my luck Jake will win for king and I’ll win for queen and then—” Zoey bit off the rest of her complaint as she saw Claire’s head come up suddenly.
    â€œOoh, that got her attention,” Nina said gleefully. “The king and queen do have to dance, right? Slow dance? And isn’t there a big ceremonial kiss?”
    â€œThere is no ceremonial kiss,” Claire said.
    â€œReally?” Nina professed shock. “Then I guess the part where the royal couple retire to the couch in the teachers’ lounge and try to make a little prince or princess . . . I guess that’s not true, either.”
    Claire made her cool, superior smile. “The king and queen have an officially platonic relationship. You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Nina? No kissing, no romance?”
    Zoey and Aisha both swiveled their heads toward Nina, waiting for her next shot, but it didn’t come. Instead Nina just made a face.
    That was mean of Claire , Zoey thought. Nina’s feelings had really been hurt. Although Nina had certainly been asking for it.
    Nina yanked open her purse, pulled out a cigarette, and stuck it defiantly in the corner of her mouth.
    â€œAs you know, next week will be homecoming.” Mr. Hardcastle had stepped up to the microphone. Cheers greeted his announcement. “And that means we have to choose a homecoming king and queen to officiate.”
    â€œMr. Hardcastle for queen!” a voice yelled out.
    â€œGood one,” Nina said approvingly. “Wish I’d thought of it.”
    â€œWe have a list of five candidates for each position . . .”
    â€œHe’s not here,” Zoey said. “He’s not going to show up.”
    â€œAs I read off the names, will the individuals please come down so we can all get a look at you . . .”
    â€œDon’t trip,” Aisha whispered. “It makes a bad