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

coming here.”
    “When was that?” he asked, seeming sincerely interested.
    “Yesterday afternoon,” I replied.
    “What?” Everett stopped. “He didn’t tell you until yesterday?” He seemed shocked.
    “Nope,” I answered, wondering why he cared.
    “Wow! I’m sorry about that.” He continued walking at a slower pace. “Want to get something to eat?”
    I frowned, questioning his intentions. Was he flirting again or just being nice to the dorky girl? Unable to read him, I lied, “No, I’m fine.”
    “But, you just said—”
    “I’m fine,” I insisted.
    “You should eat something,” he chided. “I know how you get when your blood sugar drops and we wouldn’t want you to implode or anything. Your little outburst earlier was pretty nasty,” he teased.
    “What?” It was my turn to stop. I was notoriously grouchy when my blood sugar dropped. My Dad — even his coworkers — knew it. But how did Everett know that?
    “I was joking,” he said.
    “No, what was that you said about blood sugar?”
    He gave me a strange look. “I know how women get when they don’t eat.” Not buying it, I frowned at him in silence. He shrugged. “My mom gets grouchy, so I figured all girls do.”
    “Whatever,” I said, letting it go. Though I didn’t know where I was going, I walked ahead of him. “How much longer until we get to Dr. Smitherson’s office?”
    “Oh, he’s busy.”
    I stopped again. “Then where are you taking me? And why did you imply that he was waiting for us?”
    “Did you not notice what a creeper that Hagen guy was? I needed to get you out of there.”
    I threw my hands in the air. “This is getting out of hand. I am tired and I’m hungry and I just want to be shown to my room. I don’t want to wait in long lines in freezing cold rooms or chase you through a maze of hallways. Show me where I can wait for Dr. Smitherson and you can be on your way.”
    “I was just trying to help. You don’t have to be such a brat.”
    “A brat!?!” I gaped. “Well, you’re not exactly the shining star of the welcoming committee. You’re nice one second and rude the next. I’m seriously over your mood swings.”
    Everett laughed. “Shining star?” He laughed harder. “—of the welcoming committee?” I glared at him. “That’s the best you can do?” Realizing he wasn’t helping things, he abruptly stopped. “Chill! You look like your head’s going to pop off.”
    “Don’t tell me to chill!” I growled.
    “I’m just giving you a hard time, Sophie. It’s been a long day for both of us.” I crossed my arms and looked away. “I’m sorry, okay. For everything. I’ve had a lot on my mind today, but it’s no excuse for my moodiness or rudeness.” I looked at him and was surprised to find sincerity in his eyes. “This evening didn’t turn out like either of us anticipated. Dr. Smitherson has your dorm key but won’t be available for a good hour, so let’s make the best of it.”
    “Fine,” I relented. “I forgive you and I’m sorry too.”
    “You’re fine, Sophie. I know it’s just your blood sugar talking.”
    I jokingly shot him a dirty look and he laughed, making me slightly melt.
    “Sophie Cohen, would you please do me the honor of joining me for dinner?”
    I studied Everett, mystified by how we’d gone from bickering to him formally asking me to dinner, and much more, how I didn’t mind the idea in the least. Grumpy Pants was growing on me.
    “I’d love to.”
    Everett smiled and his green eyes flashed. “Me too.”

Chapter 6
    Coincidence
    I again followed Everett through a maze of hallways, but with the prospect of dinner now in my future — with a very cute boy, no less — I didn’t mind anymore. Instead, I used the time to study Everett and try to figure him out.
    At first glance, he was blatantly attractive. From his tousled, preppy-boy hair to his piercing eyes and full lips, he was perfectly handsome. But there was something more than his exquisite