Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Brody’s voice came through, soft and calm. “Cameron, where are you right now?”
Cameron paused for a few seconds. “I’m at home.”
Brody said. “The school’s changed its decision. You’re welcome to come back. Can you make it to class this afternoon?”
“This afternoon? Cameron echoed
*Yes, this afternoon. Can you make it in time for the first period?”
Cameron frowned slightly. Brody was pausing between each sentence as if someone were standing beside him. His voice sounded a little distant, like he was on speakerphone.
She declined. “No, Mr. Graham. I have something to take care of today. I won’t be able to come in.”
You’ve got something to do? What could be more important than school right now? Cameron, the SATS are right around the comer- know, Cameron cut him off. “But Mr. Graham, I was kicked out for no reason. I’m not just going to crawl back in like nothing happened. I’m heading to Horizon Academy this afternoon. I think they’ll be happy to have me.”
William, who had been hovering next to the phone, stiffened. He immediately started gesturing at Brody, clearly alarmed. He looked like he was about to snatch the phone and speak himself.
No way, Cameron’s one of the top students. I can’t just stand by and watch her transfer to Horizon Academy. That’d kill me, he thought
William could easily meet Cameron’s demands, but his pride got in the way. He was the principal of Langford Academy, and the idea of being pushed around by someone who had only just turned eighteen was hard to stomach.
So, he had planned to have Brody call and simply order her back to school. But clearly, Cameron was not having it. Brody tried again. “Cameron, the SATS are coming up fast. Changing schools now would just complicate everything.” 1 don’t want to change schools either,” Cameron replied. “But Mr. Drake refused to let me return.”
Brody and Williamn both fell silent.
Why is she being so stubborn? William thought, frustrated. ‘Looks like we’ll need to break that attitude down a bit more.’ William waved his hand toward Brody. Taking the cue, Brody said, “Cameron, think it over. You’re welcome to come back anytime you want.”
“Mr. Graham,” Cameron said calmly, “please tell Mr. Drake he’s got two days left. After that, the offer’s off the table. Goodbye.” Then she hung up.
William stared at the now-silent phone. “She hung up?”
Brody nodded. “She did.”
William’s face darkened. He had not expected to be backed into a corner by Cameron.
Brody spoke up. “Mr. Drake, with all due respect, expelling Cameron because of the Chapman family really was unfair. Her conditions aren’t unreasonable.”
“So you’re saying,” William said coldly, “I should give in to her demands?”
Brody nodded firmly. “Yes, I think you should.”
William stayed quiet for a while, deep in thought. Then he finally gave a nod. “Fine. For your sake, I’ll agree to her ridiculous demand. Let her know. If she shows up at school by ten tomorrow morning, she’ll get everything she asked for.”
What William needed was a way to defend dignity. As the principal, he could not let it seem like he had been manip by a teenager
But still, nothing mattered more than keeping the top student at Langford. Letting Cameron return was the safest move. Brody’s expression eased. “Thank you, Mr. Drake.”
When Brody called again, Cameron was having in the hotel’s cooand floor restaurant. He relayed William’s message. Cameron thanked him politely, though her face Successfully unlocked! on had expected as much. If William had truly wanted to say no, he would have done it already.
After lunch, Cameron headed straight to Viremont Global Law Firm, the most prestigious legal office in town. It was time to settle things once and for all with the Wallace family.
Since she had the time today, she figured she might as well get it over with. The moment she stepped out of the cab, she spotted a Mercedes parked in the ground-level lot. It looked familiar.
“Cameron?” A warm, slightly surprised voice called out to her.
She looked up and immediately saw the man standing near the law firm’s entrance.
He was dressed in a deep charcoal suit, a crisp white shirt buttoned all the way up. His collar was neat, not a wrinkle in sight. A gentle smile played on his lips as he gazed at her.
Cameron blinked in surprise. “Bradley?”
No wonder that car had caught her eye. She had seen it before. She just did not expect it to be his.
Bradley nodded and walked over. “What brings you here?”
“I needed to consult with someone at the firm,” Cameron replied. “What about you? Shouldn’t you be in class right now?”
She gestured to his suit.
He put on a suit and exuded an air of maturity all over. With his gold-rimmed glasses on, he just had an inexplicable charm.
‘Brad is so gentle, so charming, she thought to herself.
“I’m helping out at the firm,” Bradley said. “I came by during my lunch break to check in.”
Cameron looked a little surprised. “You’re helping out here?”
Bradley was still in high school, after all. But then she remembered he had always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. It made perfect sense.
“Yeah,” he said with a small nod. “Cameron, what are you looking to consult about? Maybe I can help.”
Cameron shook her head. “No, it’s fine. You should head back to school. Don’t you have class soon?”
They were roommates. She really did not want Bradley to know something this personal. Especially when it was not exactly the kind of thing one wanted to share openly.
Bradley picked up on her refusal right away. He gave a nod, but still offered, “Most of the lawyers are out at this hour. You might have to wait a bit.”
“How long?” Cameron asked.
“Hard to say,” he admitted.
Cameron froze for a moment.
‘So I might not even get to talk to someone today. And I have to head back to school tomorrow. How long is this going to drag out?’ she wondered.
Bradley offered gently, “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
Cameron said nothing.
“Come on,” Bradley said softly. “Let’s go inside. I’ll get you a glass of water.”
She sat down on a leather sofa, holding a paper cup in her hands. She did not speak, and Bradley did not pressure her.
After a long pause, she finally said, “Brad, I have a friend. She wants to cut ties with her parents. She asked me some here and see if someone could help draft a legal document.”
Her fingers tightened around the cup. For some reason, it felt humiliating. Like she was peeling back a layer of self she had worked hard to keep hidden.
Bradley, always with that gentle smile, gave a slight nod. “Is your friend an adult?”
“She is,” Cameron replied.
“Was she adopted, or is she biologically related to them?” he asked.
“Biological,” Cameron answered.
She looked into Bradley’s calm, deep eyes. The
Bradley leaned back slightly. “That’s going to be kid nd something about it helped her relax a little. Successfully unlocked!
Cameron stayed quiet. Of course, she knew it would be difficult. That was exactly why she came to the firm for help.
Bradley explained, “If it were an adoptive relationship and both sides agreed the bond had broken down, it would be legally possible to sever ties.
“But with biological parents, things get a lot more complicated. Under the law, there’s no real concept of terminating a blood relationship. That said, if one party has caused significant harm, the other party can sue and request restrictions on their behavior.”
Cameron nodded slowly. “So Brad, could you help draft the document?”
“Is your friend in a hurry?” Bradley asked.
Cameron nodded. “Very much so.” She wanted it handled as quickly as possible.
Bradley looked at her closely, something sharp flashing in his eyes. “Cameron, this friend you’re talking about? Is it actually you?”
Cameron froze.
“I’m sorry,” Bradley added gently. “That was pretty blunt of me.”
Cameron let out a quiet sigh. Now that it was out, there was no point in pretending anymore. Surprisingly, it did not feel as humiliating as she had imagined.
She gave a small nod. “Yeah. It’s me.”
The moment she admitted it, Bradley’s chest tightened unexpectedly. ‘Severing ties with her parents? But she just turned eighteen. What kind of life has she lived to bring her to this point?’ he thought.
Bradley came from a close-knit, loving family. It was hard for him to picture the kind of pain Cameron must have endured.
“I’ll help you,” he said softly.
“Wait here,” he added, rising to his feet. “I’ll start drafting the paperwork.”
