10 A CHILLING SECRET

CHAPTER 10 A CHILLING SECRET Alexander squirmed in his seat the rest of the afternoon. Then he rode the elevator to the coldest floor of the old hospital: the sub-basement. He came to a door that said HEATING AND COOLING ROOM, with a sign tacked underneath: PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It swung open.

"Uh— hello?" Alexander said. He could see his breath. "Ms. Vanderpants?" She wasn't there. But there was a note. Mr. Bopp. Please wait. I will return. -Principal Vanderpants Alexander looked around. Low-hanging pipes crisscrossed overhead, branching out from a huge machine in the corner. The machine was shaking, humming, and covered in frost. The air conditioner, thought Alexander. Then he blinked. Something purple and shiny like a sheet of wrapping paper was rattling around inside the machine.

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Alexander squatted down and pulled open a grate. The purple shiny thing blew out and drifted down into his hands. Hmmm, thought Alexander. This looks like he gave it a sniff—a giant onion peel! His eyes watered. This is what was making everyone cry! I was right! Something else caught his eye: a small dial on the machine.

The air conditioner wasn't broken after all! thought Alexander. Someone had set the dial to DOUBLE ANTARCTICA! He turned the dial to COZY. The enormous machine shuddered, and went silent. "Hello, Alexander." Alexander jumped and hit his head on a pipe. "Um, hello, Ms. Vanderpants," he said, jamming the onion peel into his pocket. She stared at Alexander. Her clothes were stained with blueberry splotches. Alexander cleared his throat. "I'm, uh, sorry about hitting you with that pie."

"Actually," said Ms. Vanderpants, "I should apologize to you for getting in your way." Alexander wondered if he had bonked his head too hard. "That's why I called you here," she continued. "I'm pleased to know you chose a healthy lunch over pie. And so I've made you Head Student Chef at the Chili Supper tomorrow." Alexander's eyes widened. "But I can't cook!" "Mr. Hoarsely will help," said Ms. Vanderpants. She began flipping through papers. "You may leave." Alexander headed out the door, hoping Ms. Vanderpants couldn't hear the crinkly onion peel in his pocket.