Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page A

supposed to let you out of my sight, so no can do.”
    “You’ve already failed then, haven’t you?” I shot back. “Might as well quit while you’re ahead.”
    He frowned. “I think we got off on the wrong foot.”
    “Clearly.”
    “What can I do to make things up to you?” he asked.
    “Find Dr. Smitherson.”
    He sighed. “What can I do besides that?”
    I was ready to blow. “The man was integral in me getting admitted here on short notice and I’d like to personally thank him. I’d hate to put you out since you’re already stuck babysitting me and all, but if you’d please check, I’d really appreciate it.”
    I couldn’t read whether his face told of anger or amusement. He pursed his lips in thought, holding my gaze for a time with his stupid mesmerizing eyes. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
    “Thank you!”
    Leaving, he added with a smile, “But don’t go anywhere. We both know you have a propensity for getting lost.”

Chapter 5
    Cock Fight
    I waited alone as the line continued to creep forward. I wondered what was taking so long. Forty-three people were in front of me, meaning if each person took only one minute to register, I’d be in line for another forty-three minutes.
    My stomach groaned in protest. Hungry and tired, I was not in the mood to wait anymore. As well, the room had grown chilly as the two heavy doors of the mouth were still propped open and most of the body-heat-providing students had registered and left. I clutched myself tighter.
    “Want my jacket?”
    I turned. An extremely gorgeous guy with shaggy blonde hair stood in the line next to me. He held out a black zip-up hoodie.
    After embarrassing myself earlier by my presumptuousness, I looked around to make sure it was me the Abercrombie model look-alike was talking to before awkwardly replying, “No, but thanks.” I again found myself regretting my lack of knowledge concerning teenage protocol.
    “We’re bound to be here a while and you’re shivering like a leaf.” He smiled, flashing perfectly straight, white teeth. “Please. I insist.”
    Are all Brightman guys gorgeous? First, Grumpy Pants Jerko Bazerko and now Abercrombie Guy? A quick glance around proved this theory false. I had simply been blessed by the gorgeous guy gods.
    “Now you’re running the risk of hurting my feelings.” Something about his eyes made me feel perfectly at ease. Or maybe it was his voice? Regardless, I was transfixed.
    Realizing I had left him hanging while lost in thought, I quickly shrugged into his hoodie. Though huge on me, it was soft and warm. “Thanks,” I smiled, instantly feeling better.
    “Your welcome—” He cocked his head to the side and waited.
    “Sophie Cohen,” I answered. Before I could think better of it, I again found myself extending my hand. I was about to slip it into my pocket when Abercrombie Guy grabbed it.
    “Hagen Dibrom,” he replied, shaking my hand. “It’s a pleasure.”
    “You too, Hagen.” He held my gaze for longer than was comfortable, but I couldn’t manage to look away. My cheeks grew hot. “How long have you been attending Brightman?” I nervously asked and he released me.
    “I’m new. My family just moved here. I’ll be a senior this year.”
    “Wow. Spending your senior year at a new school must be a bummer.”
    “Well, it was,” he said, running his fingers through his hair in true gorgeous guy form. “But things are starting to look up.” He shot me an unmistakable look.
    I fidgeted, regretting my lack of social grace. Dad was right about yet another thing: only associating with him, his work buddies, and his grubby master’s students had done me a disservice. I made a mental note to Google “Flirting for Dummies” as soon as I found time alone with an Internet connection.
    “Well, take it from me: I’ve moved a lot growing up, and I still haven’t mastered starting a new school or making new friends. All the schools — and all the people in them — are