Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Eddie looked back at Cameron again. “Cam, Brad told me you got a perfect SAT score. That’s seriously impressive.”
“Thanks, Eddie. I got lucky.”
“Cam, you are way too modest.”
The conversation flowed nonstop.
Eddie could talk to a brick wall. Bradley only managed to get a few words in here and there.
When they arrived at the hilltop villa, Cameron opened the door and headed straight toward the backyard to find Pearl.
Eddie immediately jumped out after her. “Cam, wait up!”
Bradley shut the car door behind him and watched Eddie run off, frowning slightly. “Maybe inviting him was a mistake.”
After dinner, the three of them sat in the living room, casually chatting.
Bradley turned to Cameron. “Since Eddie’s here, if you’ve got any questions, he might be able to help.”
Eddie smiled and patted his chest proudly. “Cam, tell me anything. Talking people through stuff is kind of my thing.”
Bradley deadpanned, “You might want to stop smiling then. You’re seriously unpleasant to look at when you do.”
Eddie blinked. “Excuse me?”
‘Yep. He’s jealous. No doubt about it. I didn’t even do anything, and he’s already jealous? This is bad;
Cameron glanced at Bradley, confused. “Brad, are you in a bad mood today?”
Bradley blinked.
‘Am I? I am not, not really!
But the second he saw Eddie flashing that ridiculous smile at Cameron, something in him just… soured.
He smiled faintly and shook his head. “No, I’m in a great mood.”
“You sure? You sound kind of mad every time you talk to Eddie.”
Bradley blinked.
Eddie arched a brow.
‘See? Even Cam’s picking up on it.’
Bradley cleared his throat. “You’re overthinking it. That’s just how we always talk to each other.”
Eddie squinted at him. ‘Since when?’
They absolutely did not talk like that. But Eddie let it slide.
He toned down the grin and asked seriously, “Cam, if there’s anything bothering you, you can talk to me. I’m serious-I know what I’m doing.”
Cameron fell silent.
She understood why Bradley had brought Eddie here. He meant well.
And truthfully, Cameron wasn’t completely clueless about psychology either.
But even doctors couldn’t treat themselves.
She paused for a while and then shook her head. “Eddie, I don’t think I need that right now.”
Eddie looked over at Bradley.
Bradley gave a slight shake of his head.
Eddie smiled. “Cam, if you’re Brad’s friend, you’re my friend too. If anything comes up, just hit me up. You’ve got my number.”
Cameron nodded. “Thanks, Eddie. I won’t be shy.”
In the end, she didn’t say anything more.
Some things were just too private-too personal to share, even with someone studying psych….
Meanwhile, Austin was sitting on a bench along Cameron’s usual route home.
He waited and waited. By midnight, still no sign of her.
Vincent finally broke the silence. “Sir… is it possible Mr. Wallace already went home? Maybe he took the parking garage?”
Austin shook his head. “He doesn’t drive.”
Vincent hesitated. “But… what if someone else gave him a ride?”
Austin’s chest tightened. ‘She left with someone else? Who?”
He knew Cameron had been working a summer job with Elijah.
Without hesitating further, Austin pulled out his phone. After a few seconds of deliberation, he called Elijah.
Elijah, half-asleep, answered groggily. “Hello?”
“Sorry to bother you this late, Eli,” Austin said gently. His tone was apologetic, though his expression remained unreadable. “I’ve been trying to reach Cam. Did you two leave work together tonight? Head home at the same time?”
“Cameron?” Elijah woke up a little more. “No, I went home. He said he wasn’t going back to Noble Vista tonight.”
Austin paused. “He’s not? Why not?”
‘Is he avoiding me? No way. It was just one message to Xander. And it wasn’t even a lie.’
“I don’t know,” Elijah said plainly.
When he got no response on the other end, Elijah closed his eyes again. “You need anything else? I’m going back to sleep.”
Austin came back to himself. “No, that’s it
He ended the call.
Sorry again, Eli. Get some rest.”
Then he just sat there, on that cold bench, brow furrowed, shoulders slightly hunched in the night.
‘Cameron is really ignoring me. He’s actually ignoring me. How could he? He’s my Cam. He’s the most important person I have in this world. If he shuts me out… what the hell am I supposed to do?’
Vincent stood quietly behind him, sensing the shift in Austin’s mood. He didn’t speak.
Austin didn’t move either.
He remained seated, still and silent, like he’d turned to stone.
It wasn’t until 3 AM that Vincent finally broke the silence.
“Sir, it’s past three. Maybe we should head home, get some rest. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow.”
Austin finally turned his head. “Vincent.”
“I’m here,” Vincent replied respectfully, eyes calm and steady.
“Find out where Cameron’s working,” Austin said softly. “Buy the company.”
Vincent gave a nod. “Yes, sir.”
The next morning, sunlight spilled golden over Silvermoss Castle.
As Cameron opened her bedroom door, a pair of soft paws immediately latched onto her leg.
“Rrruff…”
“Morning, Pearl.” Cameron said, rubbing the top of his head.
Pearl nuzzled against her shin affectionately.
She chuckled and gave him another pat. “Good boy.”
When she headed downstairs, Eddie was already lounging in the living room.
“Morning, Cam,” he called.
