Too High For The Net

11| Deep Conversations & Seven Foot Cake

When Xiao said he's having some people over just to hang out, I didn't think he meant it as one of his big parties that have been the subject of many conversations in the hallways.

And I just never got the VIP ticket.

The way the upperclassmen describe it was as if his parties were only for those with celebrity status or something, like, you needed a specific blood type in order to be able to go.

I heard some guys from Camber would crash.

"Sometimes I am just appalled by the fact that you're seventeen living independently already," I mumble, crossing my arms. "You have your own house."

Xiao mimics my posture and grins smugly. "I know. I'm that amazing."

I roll my eyes. "Oh brother."

Hugo appears next to me with two cups in his hands. He hands me one with the strawberry soda. "You watching our game tomorrow?"

"Of course," I take a sip and swallow, fighting the urge to cough. I hate highly carbonated drinks. "I wouldn't miss it."

He laughs a little, his lips curling to show off a bright grin. "You don't like sodas, huh?"

"Hate 'em," I cough.

He takes the cup away. "It's all right. At least I know you really are related to Xiao."

I turn to my cousin. "You don't like sodas too?"

"Hate 'em," Xiao shakes his head before waving at some dude and leaving Hugo and me.

Hugo laughs as he watches his friend depart from us. A couple seconds later, he turns his head to me. "You know, Xiao has this awesome rooftop that no one—besides us 'popular boys', as you call it—could gain access to. Wanna check it out?"

"On a scale from one to ten—ten being jaw-dropping and one being lifeless—how awesome is this rooftop?" I ask him.

He gives it some time before answering, "A solid eight. But it's a great place to just catch your breath."

"Okay," I nod, "lead the way."

I follow him through the back door that leads to a spiral metal staircase with glass surrounding it like a protective wall. At first, I didn't believe that it's an actual off-limits zone until I saw a tall silver gate with a keypad on the handle. Hugo punches in the code, and it automatically opens.

This whole scenario is giving a very strong ominous affect.

Trailing behind Hugo, I walk up the stairs. The steps have this LED strip on the edges, illuminating the entire staircase with a blue glow. Once we got to the top, my jaw drops a little.

I expected a dull rooftop with, like, a couch or something. But no, it looked like a perfect place for a casual date night. The railings that line the edge of the roof are wrapped with fairy lights. A couple bean bags here and there—and a mini fridge?!

"No. Way," I whisper.

Hugo snickers. "I know right? Xiao is...something."

"Something," I nod, appalled. "Do you guys always hang out here?"

"Yeah," he drops himself on one of the bean bag chairs, "when it's not a hundred degrees out."

I join him, sitting on a bean bag chair and hugging a soft plushie that somehow has an embroidery of Xiao's full name. "I feel very special to have access to this. Well, for tonight anyway."

"Who said there's a time limit?" Hugo asks, lifting his cup for a sip.

I laugh. "At least I know one of you likes my company."