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

Annabelle wasn’t exactly the brightest orchid in the bouquet, but she knew how to have fun. When she nodded and showed us the empty flask, we all started watching the kids grabbing for the punch, and tasting it. They all made funny faces, and smacked their lips, praising the old recipe the home ec teacher used year after year, which probably surprised the hell out of her when she found out.


The kids were either going back for more or spitting it out and never going back again. We had such a good time, until the chaperones figured out who spiked the punch and we were asked to leave. We hadn’t even danced together yet. I dragged Van out onto the floor and lost ourselves from sight, and we swayed there together, laughing. Ada came by in Annabelle’s arms. The music ended all too soon, however, and the chaperones found us.


Chapter 7