Rising Star (Cross Ups, Book 3) by Sylv Chiang

Author:Sylv Chiang
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Annick Press
Published: 2019-07-16T17:44:16+00:00

Chapter 15

“Me and Gabe are gonna get some food. Wanna come?” Leandros says when the gathering ends.

“Sure.” I speak before thinking. I have to meet my dad and Josh. Jaden V reminds me there’s still a lot of time and it’s no big deal if we eat before. “I’ll get Cali.”

“Let’s keep it just us guys,” Gabe says. “Girls suck the fun out of everything.”

I consider, then decide Jaden V is cool and hangs with girls.

“I can’t ditch Cali,” I say.

Leandros’s eyebrows go up. “Are you guys a thing?”

Why does everyone always think that? “It’s not like that. She’s my best friend.”

“Friends with a girl? How does that even work?” Gabe says.

“He’s only twelve. Remember?” Leandros says.

The comment stings, but I know these guys think Jaden V is cool. They asked me to come along, after all.

I head over to where Cali and Hena are talking. Well, really it’s only Hena talking. I have to wait forever for a pause in the chatter. I talk fast. “We’re getting food. Wanna come?”

Even though I’m clearly looking at Cali, Hena says, “Sure. I’m starving. I can literally eat all the time, how about you? My favorite food is pizza. I hope they have pizza. It’s, like, the healthiest fast food, especially if you get lots of vegetables on it. Am I right? I like tomatoes and peppers but I don’t like mushrooms. Did you know they’re a fungus? Gross, right? But a lot of people still count them as vegetables . . .”

The five of us head down the long hall, following signs to the food court. Hena talks and talks. Gabe sighs and puts his earbuds in. So does Leandros. I pull mine out of my backpack and do the same. We roll our eyes at each other. Cali looks over and catches us.

The food court reminds me of the cantina scene from Star Wars, except the atmosphere is a lot friendlier. Creatures from all different worlds sit at tables chowing down next to regular humanoids.

Leandros heads to the burger place and we all follow.

When I pop out my earbuds I hear, “Aw, no pizza? I guess I’ll get a burger too then. Hey, Jaden, when do you want to do our interview? Or would you rather stream a match together before you leave?”

“Um . . .”

“What are you talking about?” Gabe asks.

“Jaden’s coming on my Twitch channel. I’m gonna help him get his video from T3 to explode,” she explains.

“More like get your own channel to explode,” Leandros grumbles. “Jaden, she’s using you. I guarantee you’d be better off streaming some Cross Ups Five with me. I’ll help you set up a better Twitch channel. Show you how to get more views.”

“My videos get, like, three thousand views,” Hena says.

“Three thousand?” Leandros laughs. Gabe joins in and they’re loud, like they think she’s so stupid. That’s way more views than I’ve ever had, but Jaden V laughs along. Cali glares at me.

“That’s nothing. You can’t make money off that,” Gabe says.

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