Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“You’re incredible! Absolutely incredible!” Xander was practically dancing with joy.
Back at school, when Cameron had pulled this move on him, Xander had been frustrated and angry. But now that it was being used against their opponents, it felt fantastic.
“Get off me,” Cameron muttered, prying Xander’s arms away with a frown.
“Fine, no hugging,” Xander laughed, backing off.
Just as everyone was celebrating, Cyrus signaled for a time-out.
The referee blew the whistle. Everyone turned to look as Cyrus pointed at Cameron, his face cold. “That’s a foul. The basket doesn’t count.”
Cameron’s expression didn’t change at all. It was Xander and the other three teammates who immediately got fired up.
“Who’s fouling what now?” Xander rolled up his non-existent sleeves, ready to throw down.
Cameron held him back.
“Foul! That was a foul!” The Horizon Academy players pointed at Cameron. “You can’t shoot from the backcourt. Don’t you know the rules?”
“What half-court shot rule? Where’s that written? I don’t see it anywhere. Show me the proof!” Xander was furious.
Cyrus kept his face blank. “Xander, are you just being a sore loser? This is basic basketball. You’re telling me you don’t know that?”
Xander stood his ground. “I don’t know any such rule. Show me the proof.”
Cyrus smirked and exchanged a look with the referee before turning back to Xander. “Fine, keep arguing. Let’s see what the ref says.”
“Foul. That shot doesn’t count,” the referee said coldly.
The Horizon Academy students started chanting. “Why doesn’t it count? On what grounds? Have you Horizon people no shame?”
The Langford Academy students also fired back.
Langford was down by 12 points. If Cameron’s shot counted, they’d only be down by nine, giving them a real chance at a comeback. If not, they were in serious trouble.
“You’re the ones with no shame. Langford has no shame!” the Horizon students shouted.
The referee blew his whistle twice, hard, finally geting the phang Justes he was about to speak, Cameron casually cut in. “Whatever. If it doesn’t count, it doesn’t count. Successfully unlocked!
A few seconds of complete silence followed Cameron’s words.
Xender stared at Cameron in shock, practically boiling with anger. “Why are you being so damn reasonable all of a sudden?” He couldn’t believe it. Cameron never gave him that kind of slack.
Cameron just shrugged, cool as ice. “It’s just one basket. No big deal.”
Xander was speechless. Actually, he was furious.
But Cameron had already spoken, and he couldn’t argue with her decision. The referee declared the shot invalid.
Cyrus stared at Cameron in disbelief. He’d gotten what he wanted-the shot didn’t count-but he couldn’t bring himself to feel happy about it.
Cameron’s casual attitude felt like a slap across his face. Here he was, making such a big deal about a three-pointer, pressuring the referee with his glares, while Cameron just shrugged it off like it didn’t matter.
It made him look petty in comparison. Cyrus shot Cameron a cold look.
“Woohoo! The Horizon Academy students cheered.
“Ugh” A collective sigh went through the Langford Academy crowd.
Charles wiped his glasses. “Now that was impressive.”
William smiled, “Mr. Barkley, the best part is still coming.”
Charles didn’t know what to say to that.
Back on the court, Cameron’s three-pointer had been voided. The gap between the teams remained at 12 points.
The game continued, and Xander finally understood why Cameron had been so chill about losing those points. For the next stretch-right up until the final minute-Horizon Academy barely touched the ball.
Three players kept Horizon’s five-player team locked down while Cameron and Xander worked together like a well-oiled machine, scoring point after point.
“Three points!” the Langford students shouted cheerfully.
“Three more!”
“Another three!”
“Two points!”
“Three again!”
“They did it! They’ve taken the lead!”
Langford Academy had pulled ahead by two points. Their students jumped to their feet, clapping and shouting wildly,” Cameron! Xander!”
The Horizon Academy crowd looked absolutely miserable, and Cyrus’ team wasn’t doing much better.
Pride went before a fall, though. While Xander and his teammates were celebrating, Cyrus seized his chance in the final minute. He snatched the ball and dribbled lightning-fast to just outside the three-point line. He jumped, taking the shot.
If this went in, Horizon would win by one point.
Xander and the others snapped back to reality and tried to block him, but it was too late. The ball was already in the air.
The smiles froze on the faces of the Langford Academy students. Even William’s eyes went wide.
Charles yanked off his glasses and rubbed his eyes several times, desperate to see more clearly.
The Horizon Academy students clenched their fists in anticipation. ‘Come on, make it in. Please make it in, they thought.
But at the crucial moment, a figure leaped into the air and swatted Cyrus’ shot away before it could reach the basket.
The ball bounced against the floor several times before rolling away, nowhere near the hoop.
Cyrus stood there in complete shock. Cameron had blocked his shot. And there wasn’t a single foul.
If Cameron had fouled him, he would’ve at least gotten free throws. But now, game was over. They had lost.
Cyrus, a professional basketball player, had just set to a bunch ode was completely losing it. “Cameron!” Xander dropped to his knees and s Successfully unlocked!
“You’re a legend.”
“Cameron!” The Langford Academy students jumped to their feet, clapping wildly and chanting his name.
Most of the Langford Academy students had seen the videos on the school forum of Cameron destroying Xander on the court.
But watching a video was one thing. Seeing it happen right in front of them was something else entirely. They were thoroughly impressed by Cameron.
William’s face glowed with excitement. “That was incredible. Honestly, that’s the rest thrilling basketball game I’ve ever watched. Talk about a rollercoaster, right, Mr. Barkley?”
Charles didn’t answer. His expression had darkened considerably. The Horizon Academy students looked just as gloomy.
“Damn it. We lost? How did we lose? I’m going to crawl into a hole now. We were up by 12 at halftime one groaned
“It’s all because of that Cameron guy. No wonder they put him in.”
“Can I just say…” a girl whispered, barely audible, “…that Cameront is actually pretty hot.”
Amelia jumped to her feet, clapping wildly for Cameron. ‘How the hell is he this good? she wondered.
Amelia had been fighting their engagement from day one, refusing to even get to know Cameron. Now, she realized she didn’t know him at all. He was incredible.
Skyler sat beside her, equally shocked. ‘Cameron? That sassy is actually that talented? she thought. But unlike the others, she kept her hands still. To her, Cameron didn’t deserve her applause.
Bradley stood up clapping enthusiastically, his eyes shining with admiration behind his glasses. Watching Cameron shine made him feel oddly proud.
Elijah couldn’t stop smiling. Cameron was absolutely amazing-he’d been hiding his talents all this time. For three years, everyone at school had insulted him, saying he wasn’t good enough for Amelia. Now, Elijah thought Cameron might actually be too good for her.
Austin’s eyes crinkled with amusement, a smile spreading across his mixed-race features. ‘So Cameron is one of my kind after all. Interesting. Very interesting, he thought. ‘I’d have to spend more time with Cameron in the future. Birds of a feather, right?’
Milena was left speechless. She was utterly floored. Her face turned every shade of red imaginable.
Milena couldn’t believe her eyes. ‘Cameron-that complete loser-when the hell did she learn to play basketball like that? And how is she so damn good?’ she thought.
Every compliment thrown Cameron’s way felt like nails on a chalkboard to Milena. But what really got under her skin was when Xander said, “Cameron, you’re a legend.”
Milena’s fists clenched. ‘No way, she thought. She needed to corner Cameron and get some answers.
Meanwhile, on the court, Cameron pulled Xander to his feet. “What’s that bullshit about me being a legend?”
