Hunters of Chaos Read Online Free

didn’t want to let her down. “Wow!” I said, faking enthusiasm. “That’s . . .” Don’t say cool. Don’t say cool. “. . . awesome.” I sighed. I’d have to step up my vocabulary game for sure.
    But the principal just smiled wider, seeming happy that I understood what an honor it was to be placed in this hall. We entered the circle and took the second path to our right, then walked up to the cozy-looking dorm building. After we passed through the heavy oak doors, I was even more surprised. Outside may have been all old-world charm and history, but inside—well, it looked like a West Elm showroom. The furniture was sleek and modern, with the occasional sparkly pillow thrown just so in the corner of an armchair. A flat-screen TV was mounted above a small fireplace, and a huge black-and-white photograph of Frida Kahlo took up half the wall behind the couch. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from screaming, Cool! I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting, but it wasn’t this.
    Principal Ferris seemed to note the surprise on my face. “Quite nice, isn’t it? We renovated it recently, at the request of some of the girls, actually. History is important to us here at Temple Academy, but we saw no reason not to make the common areas a bit more modern.”
    â€œGood call,” I said. “It’s . . . exquisite.” There you go. I mentally patted myself on the back.
    â€œAll the girls have access to this space,” she continued, gesturing for me to follow her up a short flight of stairs. “Each dorm has what we call a dorm mother. Yours will be Mrs. O’Grady, who is a dear woman. She’ll be around to keep an eye on you ladies.”
    â€œHow many of us are there in this dorm?” I asked.
    â€œIncluding you, there are approximately forty young ladies. But you’ll only have to share a room with one.” At the top of the stairs we came to a hallway with several doors. She knocked on the third one, which bore a small white block with the names NICOLE VAN VOORHIES and ANA CETZAL on it.
    The door swung open and the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in real life stood there, smiling at me. She had shining corn-silk-blond hair that was the stuff of shampoo commercials, straight white teeth, and makeup so flawless she looked like she belonged on a red carpet. I have to room with her? I thought miserably. It would be like a potato farmer rooming with Marilyn Monroe, and guess which one of us was the potato farmer?
    â€œIs this my roommate?” she squealed.
    Principal Ferris laughed. “Yes, I told you she would be arriving today. Nicole, I’d like you to meet Ana. I expect you to make her feel right at home.”
    â€œNaturellement!” Nicole cried, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the room. She gave me a quick hug. “Oh, God, totally! I’m so glad you’re finally here. I’ve had this room to myself for two whole weeks already. Privacy is nice, but after a while . . . bo-ring. Am I right?”
    I didn’t know what to say. Up until this moment I’d always had my own room. I’d had friends over sometimes, but between music, books, and my thoughts, I’d never been bored when hanging out alone. Should I have been?
    â€œTotally,” I agreed, nodding hard.
    â€œWait till you see how big our closet is,” she said. “Come on, I’ll show you.” She reached behind me, grabbed the handle of my small suitcase, and rolled it away.
    I looked back at Principal Ferris, who gave Nicole the same head shake and smile Aunt Teppy usually gave me. “Well,” she said, “I can see I’m leaving you in capable hands. There’s a welcome packet in your desk with more information for you. And Nicole can fill you in on anything else. But feel free to find me if you need anything. Okay, Ana?”
    I nodded. “Okay. Thank