The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak Read Online Free PDF Page A

serious. The way he does math in his head, you ought to get him to try out for Stupid Human Tricks.”
    Yes, there’s nothing I’d like better than to see my brother paraded around like some kind of genius freak. He gets enough of that already .
    As if on cue, Clayton has joined us. His cute little smile is back. I almost return it, but then realize, much to my disgust, that he’s grinning at Zak.
    â€œHey, Duke.”
    â€œHey, C-Dawg. Nice play on that physics question.”
    Clayton’s grin widens. And . . . good grief, he’s blushing. Actually blushing.
    Zak fans his strange cards out on the desk in front of him. “You got a few minutes? Wanna play a round ofMazes and Monsters?”
    â€œSure! Um, I’ve never . . .”
    â€œReal easy. The goal is—”
    Okay, it’s time to nip this in the bud. “Clayton, get back up there.” I point to the front of the room. My brother immediately stands.
    â€œHang on,” interrupts Duquette. “This’ll only take like, three minutes.”
    Clayton glances at me, and I shake my head. No distractions, not today. As soon as he’s out of earshot, I sit down next to Zak.
    â€œI appreciate you making an effort to include him . . . ,” I begin.
    Zak shoots me an obnoxiously offended look. “He’s not a baby. I just wanted to play cards. It gets a little boring out here in the studio audience.”
    Poor little baby . “Sorry, Zak. But the rest of us are here to win a tournament. We’ve been working for this all year, and I don’t need you distracting Clayton right now. You two can play when we get to the hotel. But leave us alone during the competition.”
    Zak’s eyebrows squish together until they form a single fuzzy caterpillar on his brow. “Leave you alone? Excuse me, I thought I was part of this team too.”
    I am so not in the mood for his drama. “You sure didn’t act like you wanted to be on this team when we were in the van this morning.”
    Zak’s lips retract into an angry little pucker, which is kind of hilarious. “No, Ana, I didn’t. I’m missing something very important to me right now. And all I’ve done today is sit around with my thumb up my butt. So why the hell am I here?”
    I start to explain how each team is required to have four members, and we needed him along just in case someone got sick. He’s like a spare tire. I’ve captained this team for two years. I’ve worked hard to get us here. Someone like Duquette wouldn’t understand that.
    Before I can think of a way to explain, Mrs. Brinkham rushes over, distractedly digging through her purse.
    â€œAna, did I give you our registration forms or did I leave them in the van?”
    Okay, maybe our team has two weak links.
    â€œYou never gave them to me.”
    Mrs. Brinkham continues to remove wads of old Kleenex and other trash from her bag. “I need to turn those in.” She looks back up at us. “Could you run down to the parking lot and get them? They should be on the dashboard in a purple folder.”
    Duquette just stands there. Perhaps the instructions were too difficult.
    â€œC’mon, Zak,” I prod. “Straight down the stairs. We parked next to the big fountain.” I try to nudge him forward with my palm.
    â€œActually,” interrupts Mrs. Brinkham. “I was talking to you, Ana. Go stretch your legs. Maybe get a snack.”
    Well, maybe our sponsor has forgotten the schedule, but fortunately I haven’t. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Brinkham, but the next round is in”—I check my watch—“six minutes.”
    â€œI know.” She clears her throat. “Take a break. Let’s let Zak have a round.”
    Zak’s face breaks into a stupid grin, which he quickly swallows when he looks at me.
    â€œMrs. Brinkham,” I begin, trying to sound calm. “If we win this round, we’re