Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
William laughed, “You heard right. Ms. Murphy, your promotion is effective immediately, From now on, you’re the vice principal of Langford Academy.”
“Thank you for this recognition!” Tears of joy welled in Tiana’s eyes. Hanging up, she turned to Cameron and Elijah with gratitude. “Thanks. This triumph belongs to you both.”
Cameron offered a respectful nod. “Congratulations, Ms. Murphy.”
Elijah smiled, “Congratulations.”
Cameron and Elijah left the office. They declined Tiana’s offer for a ride, choosing instead to walk down the moonlit avenue, where the evening breeze carried the faint fragrance of flowers.
Elijah studied Cameron’s profile, his voice full of admiration. “Who could’ve predicted that the ‘academic liability’ from three months ago would become the SAT champion?”
A mischievous smile played on Cameron’s lips. “Apologies for usurping your throne.”
Elijah chuckled, “On your very first day in the dorm, you told me that you’d take my first place. I watched you prove it step by step. Your victory is unquestionable. I yield gladly.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself,” Cameron smiled. “A natural-born genius over here.”
Elijah’s brilliance came effortlessly, and Cameron’s triumph was carved through relentless effort.
They left school together. It was already half past midnight. Cameron wanted a cup of milkshake, but the shops outside were all student oriented, so every stand and snack shop had shut their windows.
They rode their bikes back to Noble Vista.
“Late enough already. Get some rest,” Elijah said as they reached the building where Cameron lived.
Cameron nodded. “You too.”
Just as Elijah turned to leave, Cameron called out from behind him. “Oh, wait.”
Elijah pivoted back, dim light catching the questioning tilt of his head.
Cameron smiled, “I almost forgot to say congratulations. Second in the state. Elijah, it’s really impressive.”
With that score, Elijah could get into any university in the country.
Elijah smiled gently, “Congratulations, champion.”
He thought, ‘Cameron is really something special. He’s brilliant, hardworking, and kind-hearted. Of course, I’d fall for him.’
A yawn overtook Cameron as she waved him off.
The parcel by her doorstep almost went unnoticed. Cameron scooped it up, squinting at the label before carrying it inside.
She opened the box and saw her new ID card. She stared at the word “Female” and traced the embossed letters with her thumb, beaming with pleasure. She had officially begun a new life.
At Murphy Manor, Logan and Gwen dragged Xander to the computer.
“What’s the point?” Xander grumbled, slouching in his chair. “The scores won’t change.”
“Just check,” Gwen coaxed, her voice gentle.
With a sigh, Xander typed his information.
“1120!” Logan’s eyes widened. For Xander, a student-athlete, scoring over 1,000 was impressive. Logan and Gwen had just hoped Xander could make it past the undergraduate cutoff line, but this score could land him to a good university.
“Xan, you did amazing!” Gwen beamed with pride
Logan laughed, “It’s all Cam’s credit. Those tutoring sessions paid off.”
Gwen nodded. “That’s true. We should invite Cam over to properly thank him.”
Xander, who’d been slumped in disinterest, suddenly perked up. “Yeah. All credit to Cameron.”
Gwen ruffled his hair affectionately. “You worked hard too, sweetheart. Xan, invite Cam for dinner tomorrow. We have to express our gratitude.”
Xander shook his head. “Mom, to show respect, you should call Cam yourselves.” Xander know that Cameron wouldn’t come, but his parents’ invitation. would probably carry enough weight.
“Fine,” Gwen chuckled. “I’ll call him tomorrow morning. He must’ve aced his exams.”
Logan grinned, feeling proud. “No doubt. How else could he turn this slacker into a good university student?”
Xander smiled, a hint of pride in his voice. “You guys really like Cameron, huh?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Logan nodded. “That kid is excellent.”
Xander chuckled, “Mom, you have to make sure he comes.”
Gwen patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll get him here.”
The gloom that had clouded Xander’s heart these past days finally lifted.
“Xan,” Logan reminded. “The graduation ceremony is tomorrow. Get some rest.”
Xander smiled, “Alright.”
He thought, ‘I almost forgot about it. I’ll see Cameron tomorrow afternoon. Oh, right, I should ask her about her scores. It isn’t harassment, right?”
Back in his room, he pulled out his phone and sent Cameron a message.
Cameron emerged from her shower to find a WhatsApp message from Xander half an hour ago.
Xander: [SAT scores are out. I got 1120. How about you?]
Cameron: [1588.]
Xander’s response came instantly: [Awesome!]
He had been glued to his phone ever since sending that message, waiting for a reply. He resisted the urge to send her messages because he knew well that doing so would only push her away.
Every passing minute had stretched into eternity as Xander imagined countless results. When her reply finally appeared, the numbers hit him like a physical blow.
Xander’s eyes widened in shock. He thought, ‘1588? The total score is 1600. So she only lost 12 points? Amazing!’
Xander: [You’re the state top scorer, right?]
Cameron: [Yeah.]
Xander: [Congratulations. You did it.]
Cameron: [Thanks. It’s late. Goodnight.]
The abrupt dismissal stung. Xander stared at the screen. He thought, ‘She’s so cold with me now. Why? Is this her way of rejecting me after knowing my feelings for her?’
Still holding his phone, Xander stared at his darkened screen. The earlier euphoria was crumbling into the abyss at this moment.
He didn’t understand what was wrong with him and why Cameron didn’t like him. He gazed out the window at the dark night sky. He let out a low groan and buried his face in the pillow.
In the morning, Cameron woke up to a message from Bradley.
Bradley: [Congratulations, this year’s top scorer.]
William had been absolutely over the moon after learning Cameron’s results. He immediately announced that she was this year’s top scorer.
Bradley saw this news in the morning and sent Cameron a message.
Cameron: [Thanks, Brad. You aced it too?]
Bradley: [Yeah.]
His scores guaranteed admission to his dream university.
Cameron: [I just got the news that I won the three-million-dollar SAT scholarship. I planned to repay you first, but with my startup’s current experises, might not be able to repay you anytime soon.]
Bradley: [Keep it. When The Starry collection launches, profits will dwarf that.]
Cameron: [Thank you, Brad.]
Gratitude warmed her chest. Bradley had negotiated her 70% royalty cut for The Starry design series.
Bradley: [It was nothing. Are you available around lunchtime today? Let’s have dinner and then go to the graduation ceremony together.]
Cameron: [Sure.]
Just as she finished replying to Bradley, the doorbell rang. She set her phone down and went to the door. Through the peephole, she saw an unexpected figure waiting outside.
Standing outside was Austin, flanked by Vincent and four hulking bodyguards.
Cameron raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help thinking, ‘Does he really need this much security?’
