Switched by Amanda Hocking Read Free Book Online

constantly hungry. It had been a struggle just to feed me. When I was a baby, I wouldn’t even drink breast milk. Which only added more fuel to the idea that I wasn’t my mother’s child.
    Maggie had turned to walk into the kitchen, but I called after her. “Hey, Mags. Thanks for everything. Like… making me food and stuff.”
    “Yeah?” Maggie looked surprised and smiled. “No problem.”
    Matt came downstairs a minute later, deeply confused by the fact that both Maggie and I were up before him. We ate breakfast together for the first time in years, and Maggie was overly happy thanks to my small compliment. I was subdued, but I managed to play it off as something resembling happiness.
    I don’t know if they were my real family or not. There were so many signs pointing to the contrary. But they had raised me and stood by me the way no one else had. Even my own mother had failed me, but not Matt or Maggie. They were unfailing in their love for me, and most of the time, they had gotten next to nothing in return.
    But maybe that last part was the proof. They only gave, and I only took. 
     
    4. Changeling
     
    The weekend was turbulent. I kept expecting Finn to appear at my window again, but he didn’t, and I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. I wanted to talk to him, but I was terrified. Terrified that he might be lying, and terrified that he might be telling the truth.
     I kept looking for clues in everything. Like, Matt is pretty short and so am I, so he must be my brother. Then a minute later, he would say he prefers winter to summer, and I hate winter, so he must not be my brother.
    These weren’t clues one way or another, and deep down I knew that. My whole life had been one giant question, and I had gotten desperate for answers.
    There was also that burning unanswered question about what exactly Finn had wanted with me. Sometimes, he treated me like I was nothing more than an irritant. Then there were other times, when he looked at me and took my breath away.
    I hoped that school would bring some kind of resolution to all of this. When I got up Monday morning, I took extra care to look nice, but I tried to pretend like it wasn’t for any particular reason. That it wasn’t because this was the first time I’d see Finn since he had come into my room, and that I still wanted to talk to him. I still wanted to impress him.
    When the first period bell rang and Finn still hadn’t taken his place a few rows behind me, a knot started growing in my stomach. I looked around for him all day, half expecting him to be lurking around some corner. He never was, though.
    I barely paid attention to anything all day in school, and I felt incredibly defeated when I walked to Matt’s car. I had expected to gain something today, but in the end, I was left with even more questions.
     Matt noticed my surly demeanor and tried to ask about it, but I just shrugged him off. He had been growing increasingly concerned since I had come home from the dance, but I had been unable to put his mind at ease.
    I already felt the sting of Finn’s absence. Why hadn’t I gone with him? I was more attracted to him than I had ever been to anyone, and I don’t mean just physically. In general, people didn’t interest me, but he did.
    He promised me a life where I fit in, where I was special, and maybe most importantly, a life with him. Why was I staying here?
    Because I wasn’t convinced yet that I was evil. I wasn’t ready to give up on the good I had worked so hard for in my life.
    I knew of one person that had always seen through my façade and knew exactly what I was. She’d be able to tell me if I had any good in me, or if I should just give in, give up and run off with Finn. 
    “Hey, Matt?” I stared down at my hands. “Are you busy this afternoon?”
    “I don’t think so…” Matt answered tentatively as he turned on the block towards our house. “Why? What’s on your mind?”
    “I was thinking… I’d like to go visit