Read Online The Islanders by Katherine Applegate - Free Book Online Page A

guy like Benjamin doing with my sister?”
    â€œI don’t know about Benjamin being such a nice guy,” Aisha said. “No offense, Zoey. I don’t mean he’s not nice, just that he’s . . . he’s got an edge to him.”
    â€œOf course he does,” Nina said before Zoey could answer. “I mean, cut the guy some slack. He’s dealing with being blind, which makes you feel weak and vulnerable. So naturally he reacts by keeping his distance from people.”
    â€œI think it’s all you island people,” Aisha said. “You all grew up here together, you’re stuck together, so you all get kind of protective of your space.”
    â€œWe do not,” Nina said. “Hey!” she yelled at Aisha. “Don’t touch that stick. That’s my stick. It’s much closer to me.”
    â€œVery funny,” Aisha said with a smile.
    â€œKeep an eye out for ticks,” Zoey said.
    â€œOh, Zoey!” Nina whined. “Did you have to say the word ticks?” She began examining her bare legs.
    â€œTicks,” Zoey repeated.
    â€œBats,” Nina countered.
    â€œToo early for bats,” Zoey said confidently.
    â€œIt will be dark soon,” Nina said. “That’s when the bats come out with their leathery wings and their sharp little teeth.”
    â€œWell, at least we haven’t seen any snakes yet,” Zoey said gleefully, enjoying the crestfallen look on Aisha’s face.
    â€œYeah, they’re worse than bats and ticks put together,” Nina agreed solemnly.
    â€œDon’t start with me,” Aisha warned.
    â€œPsssss!”
    Aisha jumped, looking down at the ground where Nina was pointing. Then she shook her head. “Oh, you’re very funny, Nina.”
    â€œI think we have enough wood,” Zoey said.
    â€œSnakes and ticks and bats, oh my!” Nina said.
    â€œLet’s just get our wood and follow the yellow brick road back to the beach,” Aisha said to Zoey. “See if we can get your boyfriend off her sister.”
    â€œIt’s a dangerous world,” Nina said in a low, trembling voice. “Bats and snakes and ticks . . . and Claire!”
    The bonfire burned noisily, sending up Fourth of July fireworks in showers of sparks, cooling as they fell to earth before they could reach the dark, overhanging trees.
    Clouds had moved in, concealing the stars but letting through the bright diffuse glow of the full moon. Away from the circle of the fire the air had grown brisk, but sitting with her back against Jake’s chest, his thick, muscular arms wrapped around her, Zoey was warm. Her toes were close to the fire, and from time to time she had to pull them away to cool off.
    Claire and Benjamin were on the opposite side of the fire, visible only in flashes between the flames, sometimes kissing, other times just holding hands. It was odd, always had been, for Zoey to see her brother being romantic. Benjamin, of course, could not see her, or even know that she could see him. It was one of the compensating advantages of being blind, she supposed—you could pretend to have a level of privacy, even when there wasn’t any.
    Nina and Aisha were down by the water, outlined as shadows against the glittering surface of the pond, having a deep philosophical discussion of some sort as they studiously avoided looking at the two couples.
    â€œNina needs a boyfriend,” Zoey said to Jake.
    â€œNina needs a personality first,” Jake said.
    â€œA guy would be very, very lucky to get her.”
    â€œAisha’s the one who needs a boyfriend,” Jake said. “I can’t believe that new guy Christopher hasn’t asked her out yet.”
    â€œMaybe he isn’t attracted to her.”
    Jake made a dismissive noise. “She’s got a nice bod, pretty face.”
    Zoey twisted around to look at him. “She can read and write, too.”
    â€œYou know what I meant,”