Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“Yeah,” Bradley replied with his usual gentle smile.
“Cameron, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” Xander snapped, furious at how blatantly Cameron treated him and Bradley differently.
Cameron turned her head and frowned at him. “What’s wrong with you?”
Xander glared at her. “You’re all smiles with Bradley, but you freeze me out. Why?”
Cameron replied, “Because I feel like it.”
Xander stiffened his neck and asked, “You’ve got a problem with me, don’t you?”
Cameron said, “Took you long enough to notice.”
She thought, ‘How dare he act so arrogant now? He secretly took photos of the sketches I was looking at and sent them to Milena-and I didn’t even hold him accountable.
‘And now he’s getting mad at me? If those sketches he sent had been mine, it would’ve been a total disaster.
Xander asked, “What did I ever do to you?!”
Cameron shot back, “I just don’t like you, okay?”
Xander was livid. “You don’t like me? Fine! I’ll leave! You can have the whole room to yourselves.” He grabbed his phone and stormed out of the dormitory, slamming the door behind him.
The two of them had a full-blown argument. Bradley, who’d just walked in, didn’t even get a chance to say a word. Cameron climbed into her bed with an impassive face.
Bradley tried to comfort her. “Don’t take it personally. Xander’s like a kid-his mood changes constantly.”
“I won’t,” Cameron said. Her gaze drifted across the room to the bed that had been made up but remained empty since day one. Curious, she asked, “That student hasn’t shown up for class at all. Is he taking the SATS with us?”
“You mean Austin?” Bradley replied. “Austin’s just not attending classes at school. His family must have hired him a tutor, so he won’t fall behind. His grades are pretty good.”
Bradley’s grades were solid-he ranked in the top ten in his grade. Austin was right up there with him. Xander, who was in the sports program, lagged a bit behind academically. But Cameron had terrible grades.
Cameron nodded. She was curious, but not particularly interested.
Xander had expected that after he stormed out like that, at least one of them would call him, asking him to come back. But no one did. It was as if they couldn’t wait for him to move out.
He couldn’t help but curse them silently. And since no one called him back, he wasn’t going to return on his own-that would’ve been humiliating. So instead, he went straight to his aunt’s staff dorm and stayed there.
****
At 10 a.m. the next day, during a break between classes, Cameron was once again summoned to the office by their head teacher, Brody.
She’d been having a sinking feeling all morning Graham,” she greeted politely.
Successfully unlocked! that feeling only grew more intense. “Mr.
Elijah was also in the office, helping the math teacher organize the test papers from the day before.
Brody looked at Cameron without saying anything.
Cameron was confused.
Brody opened his mouth a few times, but couldn’t seem to get any words out.
“Eventually, Cameron asked, “Mr. Graham, is something wrong?”
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Brody let out a heavy sigh. “Cameron, I’m sorry. I’m just an employee here. There’s nothing I can do I’m sorry fouliet protect you I’ll be resigning after the SATS” His voice was filled with gia
His student hadn’t done anything wrong, but was facing expulsion. He felt utterly tom up
Cameron was shocked and asked, “You’ll resign? Why would you do that? Her main concern was that Brody was leaving Langford Academy offers some of the best benefits around People would do anything to land a job there. Even the retirement package is incredibly generous. Brody was in his early forties Leaving now would be such a waste
Brody said, “I don’t agree with the school’s teaching philosophy anymore I think it’s time for a change”
Cameron frowned, wondering. Is that so? He’s been working here for over ten years, and suddenly he doesn’t agree with the school’s teaching philosophy?
While she was thinking about it, the math teacher, Josh, said, “Cameron, try talking him out of it. He’s only resigning because of what happened to you.
“He did his best to fight for you. But the Chapman family brought in the higher ups. They demanded the school expel you. We’re just teachers. What power do we have?”
“Expel me? The Chapman family?” Cameron keenly caught the key words.
Brody nodded. “I’m sorry, Cameron. This is official-you need to go to the Academic Office to process your withdrawal.” Cameron frowned. Now she realized that Zach’s false cheating accusation two days ago was meant to get her expelled And when that didn’t work, the Chapman family pressured the school directly.
Cameron was silent for a while, then nodded, and said, “Alright. I’ll withdraw. But Mr. Graham, please don’t resign. You’re the best teacher I’ve ever had.”
“Cameron…” Elijah said with a frown.
Cameron shrugged. “It’s fine. I only got into Langford Academy because of the Chapman family. Now I’m leaving because of them. I’ve got nothing to complain about.”
“Cameron…” Josh said hesitantly, “You must’ve had a falling-out with the Chapman family, right? Why not try apologizing? If they change their minds, maybe you won’t have to leave.”
Cameron shook her head and replied, “Thanks, Mr. Grant. I know what I’m doing.”
She turned to Brody, bowed slightly, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Graham. Please don’t worry about me. If they had the power to kick me out, I’ll find a way to come back.”
Brody sighed again, thinking, ‘Come back? How could that even be possible?
After saying that, Cameron turned and left the office.
Elijah put down the test papers and chased after her. “Cameron, are you seriously going to withdraw?”
“I have no choice. I’m no match for the powerful Chapman family, Cameron replied.
Elijah frowned, thinking, ‘The SATs are just around the corner. Where will she go if she drops out now? What will happen to her future?’
Cameron went back to the classroom, took her textbooks, and returned to her dorm.
Elijah stood there for a long time before messaging Xander and Bradley. [Cameron’s being forced to withdraw-she offended the Chapman family, and they’ve pressured the school into making it happen. Can you guys help him somehow?] Bradley replied: [Withdraw? The Chapman family is incredibly overbearing. They’re practically lawless.]
Xander: [LOL. That little brat never likes me. Now someone else doesn’t like him either? Good! Let him leave. I’ll be happy then.]
Elijah: [Xander, seriously? This isn’t the time to gloat. Do you actually want her gone?]
Xander replied: [Yeah, I do want him gone. What, you can’t bear to see him leave now?) Elijah texted (Cameron didn’t do anything wrong
Xander: [Didn’t he offend the Chapman family? And that’s not a mistake? Yeah, right]
Elijah (You’re unbelievable]
Xander: I’m unbelievable? Weren’t you the one who wanted him gone the most in the beginning? Now you’re suddenly playing the good guy?)
Bradley texted. (Cut it out, both of you. Where is Cameron now?]
Elijah: [Probably heading back to the dorm to pack up ]
Bradley (I’m heading back there now]
Elijah: [Me too]
Xander (You two are so anxious. It has nothing to do with me.]
Bradley and Elijah stopped replying in the temporary chat group and went back to the dormitory.
Xander, despite saying it had nothing to do with him, went straight to his aunt’s office with a grave expression
“Aunt Tiana,” he called out before rushing in without even bothering to knock. Ignoring other teachers, he questioned. “Why is the school expelling Cameron?!”
Tiana pursed her lips slightly, a bit annoyed. She waved her hand, signaling the other teachers to leave. But instead of answering Xander’s question, she sat down in her chair.
“Aunt Tiana, say something! Why is the school expelling Cameron? Is it really because of the Chapman family?” Xander leaned forward, hands on the desk, looking anxious.
Tiana slowly took a sip of her coffee. “You already know the answer. Why are you asking me?”
Xander looked annoyed. “What did the Chapman family do-make a huge donation? Fine, I’ll tell my dad to donate toor Tiana was stunned. “Your dad must be grateful to have such a generous son.”
Xander rushed over and grabbed her arm. “Aunt Tiana, please help Cameron. He didn’t do anything wrong. How can the school just kick him out like this? You guys are too snobbish.”
Tiana smacked his arm lightly. “You little brat. It’s okay to say that to me, but if I ever hear you saying this to someone else, I’ll teach you a lesson.”
Xander kept shaking her arm. “Aunt Tiana, please. You have to help Cameron.”
Usually, when Xander acted like this, Tiana would give in. But there was no room for negotiation on this.
“This order came directly from the principal,” Tiana said, shaking her head. “There’s nothing I can do.”
