Free MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) by Linda Pohring, Anne Dewberry Page A

Zaylyn was talking about, but it sounded as though she was accepting his quest for prolonging Oddily’s life as a reality. In a strange way, this gave him hope.
    It doesn’t matter though. Zaylyn continued. I’ll get to Oddily before you do unless, of course, you stop resisting me.
    Maxim began to dig his fingers into Zaylyn’s arms as a surge of rage came over him; but, Zaylyn disappeared in a whirlwind of flickering light.
    Maxim was stunned. Zaylyn’s hasty departure appeared to be different from what he had witnessed inside the control room the night before. How many ways were there to disappear?

 
     
     
     
     
    12
     
    When lunch period finally began, Oddily had shrugged off the near kissing incident and was munching on cafeteria food along with Nexa.
    “Thank you for buying my lunch.” Oddily spoke between mouthfuls. “I love this meatloaf. Do you want me to share some with you?”
    “No thanks. I’ll stick with my fruit salad.”
    Oddily continued to eat while watching Starla and her friends at their reserved table. Observing them was a habit she couldn’t seem to break even after all that had happened.
    Then she glanced around the table where she and Nexa sat, realizing that she was surrounded by her new friends. She was sandwiched in between Pepper and Carrie, and Nexa sat across from her. Oddily grinned when it dawned on her that her lonely school days were becoming a thing of the past.
    “Give it back, dumb-ass!”
    Oddily’s head perked up towards Starla’s table again. Only this time Kip was there, stealing Starla’s lunch from her.
    “Oh my God,” Carrie began to laugh. “What’s up with that guy?”
    “I guess Starla is his new victim.” Oddily mumbled, her attention returning to her friends.
    “As I always say—payback is a bitch!” Pepper smiled broadly while giving Oddily the once over. “Damn girl, I know I keep saying this, but I really do love your new look.”
    “Thank you.” Oddily accepted the compliment, this time without blushing.
    “You kind of remind me of the model, Lily Cole…only shorter. What do you think Carrie?”
    “Yeah, you’re right. She has the same heart shaped face and large eyes. Even her mouth is similar.”
    “Who knows?” Oddily sighed. “Maybe she’s a relative of mine and I’ll never know.”
    “That would be awesome!” Carrie’s face lit up at the thought.
    “That reminds me,” Pepper spoke up. “Carrie and I are going shopping after school. Do you guys want to come with us?”
    Oddily became excited and turned to Nexa. “What do you think—should we go?”
    Nexa’s attention had been split between listening in on Maxim’s thoughts, and the conversation that was going on between Oddily and the others. It appeared that Maxim had the Zaylyn situation under control which meant the danger surrounding Oddily had been resolved. “No, you go ahead without me? I already made plans to be somewhere else.”
    Oddily turned to the girls and grinned. “Where should I meet you guys?”
    “I’m driving,” Pepper spoke up, “so meet us at my car.”
    * * * * * *
    After school, Oddily hopped into the back seat of Pepper’s black SUV and buckled up. She remembered their crazy trip to the carnival, driving with the windows down and music blaring. This trip was to be no different.
    Oddily began to sing along with the girls, but stopped when she noticed Pepper pass by the shopping center. She leaned forward and tapped her on the shoulder. “I thought we were going to shop at the Village.”
    “Girlfriend, I’ve got somewhere better—the Grand Opening of a new shopping mall in the next town.”
    Oddily leaned back and stared out the window wondering what to do. She had told Nexa that she would be shopping at the Village for awhile and to relay the message to Maxim. Nexa said she would have Maxim meet her there around six o’clock in the parking lot.
    Oddily leaned forward again and this time tapped Carrie on the shoulder and shared her