Miranda isn’t sure if she is transgendered or a lesbian. When Cal, a gay boy her age comes to stay next door for the summer, they become close. Even though they are opposites, they are both outsiders, and their friendship blossoms over the summer. Could there be romance despite their differences?<br><br>Then twins Ada and Van move into the neighborhood, and Miranda finds herself torn between them. She can’t decide who she’s more attracted to -- Ada, who may be lesbian, or Van, who is transgendered. Will she find love with one of them instead?

A Rare and Beautiful Thing

My mouth—I had no idea this was going to happen but suddenly I said, “Are you gonna get hormones and grow breasts?” Well, that was that. His eyes filled up with tears. His breathing changed to short little gasps like he was going cry. His chin trembled and that was it for me. I didn’t care if he had boobs on his butt or dicks growing in his armpits. Whatever inside him was showing up so fearfully on the outside, his emotions, his thoughts, his caring, his needing, it tore my heart open, and while there was still Cal in there, a gaping hole had opened up that Cal could not fill. Cal didn’t fit in this part. Ada didn’t fit. Nobody fit, except this person here beside me. Van.


Chapter 6