The Outsider Read Online Free PDF

“It’s not Valenti, it’s Liz,” he told Isabel and Michael.
    Isabel slumped against the wall and closed her eyes. Max felt a pang of worry — he’d never seen his little sister so hysterical before. But he didn’t have time to deal with her now. He had to concentrate on Liz.
    He swung open the door before Liz rang the bell. She jumped in surprise but quickly recovered. She stared him straight in the eye. “You said you’d explain everything later. It’s later.” Liz crossed her arms and kept looking at him. Obviously she wasn’t leaving until she’d gotten an explanation.
    Max sighed. He knew Isabel and Michael were probably ready to assassinate him, but what else could he do? Liz must be more freaked out than all of them — she’d almost died.
    â€œCome in,” he told her, ignoring Isabel’s groan. “Let’s go into my room. Michael and Isabel were about to . . . watch a video.”
    Michael and Isabel didn’t say anything to back Max up. They didn’t say anything at all. They just stared at Liz. If they could, they would be shooting death rays out of their eyes right now, he thought. Lucky for Liz, that was one power they didn’t have.
    Max led the way into his room and closed the door.
    â€œUh, sit down. Do you want something to drink or anything?” Max grabbed an armful of dirty clothes off the floor and hurled them into his closet. “We have soda, and juice, and these power drink things Isabel likes, and probably some other stuff.”
    â€œNo, I’m okay” Liz sat down on the bed.
    Max started to sit next to her, then changed his mind and leaned against his dresser. He’d fantasized about having Liz Ortecho in his bedroom, playing out every possible variation. But he’d never imagined a situation like this.
    â€œSo,” Liz said. She fiddled with the braided silver bracelet on her wrist.
    â€œSo, ” Max repeated.
    Liz’s aura had grown lighter. But it hadn’t returned to its usual warm, rich amber. It was a sickly yellow. What is it going to look like after I tell her the truth about me? he thought. Is Isabel right — will Liz see me as some repulsive mutant creature?
    If she did, who cared about the rest? Who cared if he was captured and experimented on? Nothing could be worse than Liz looking at him and seeing something hideous, something to be feared.
    Max knew he had to say something soon but didn’t know how to begin.
    Liz twisted her bracelet around and around. Man, she’s got to be nervous enough without me standing here staring at her, Max thought.
    â€œSo, um how are you feeling?” he asked.
    How are you feeling. What a dorky thing to say, he thought.
    â€œI’m still sort of shaky, I guess,” Liz answered. “That’s normal, right? I probably have all this adrenaline racing around in my body with nothing to do. Like I drank too much coffee — ”
    â€œYeah,” Max said. I When I was a kid, I almost got hit by a car. My heart didn’t quit pounding for, like, an hour. I was riding my bike. I don’t know how old I was, but I was still the age where clipping playing cards to the spokes was considered cool, so — ”
    â€œMax, let’s just stop. We’re both totally babbling,” Liz interrupted. She took a deep breath, then continued. “I lied to everyone just like you asked me to. But I need to know what really happened.”
    â€œOkay. You’re right. No more babbling. No babbling allowed from here out. No — ”
    â€œMax!”
    â€œOkay, okay But before I start — there’s no chance I could get you to believe that ketchup bottle story, is there?” he asked.
    Liz gave a short laugh. “I don’t think so.” She pulled her shirt out of her jeans.
    What was she doing? Max’s mouth went dry. He struggled to keep his expression neutral.
    Liz slowly slid up the