Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“This one… and this one… You know what, just wrap them all up.”
Jacqueline decided to buy all the nice dresses so Cameron could try them on at home later.
BUZI
Meanwhile, outside the fitting room, Levi, Gavin, and Lance were practically lined up, waiting for Cameron to emerge. It had only been a few minutes, but to them, it felt like forever.
When Cameron finally opened the door and stepped out, all three of their eyes were glued to her.
Cameron stepped out in the white spaghetti-strap dress. The fabric hugged her slim figure just right, and her smooth skin glowed under the soft lighting. Her delicate features, framed by short hair, made her look like a porcelain doll come to life.
The mix of her tomboyish haircut with the elegance of the long dress created a striking contrast-soft and cool, graceful but effortless.
Even Gavin, who usually had the emotional range of a brick wall, blinked in disbelief.
For a moment, Gavin was at a loss for words. He had no idea how to describe Cameron, who was standing before him, all because she was too stunning.
She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and her hair was still cropped short. She was even wearing the store’s slippers. And yet, she looked unreal-like she belonged on a magazine cover.
The moment she appeared, the whole room seemed to light up.
Lance was floored. When Cameron presented herself as a guy, he was already unusually handsome-short, maybe, but still a head-turner. But in a dress, she looked like she’d stepped straight out of a fairytale.
Lance’s jaw literally dropped open into a full “O”.
Levi was just as blown away as the others, but seeing Cameron in a dress, Levi felt more heartache than amazement.
He thought, ‘How could such a beautiful girl have been forced to pretend to be a boy for 18 years? In this day and age, how hard must that have been for her?’
Levi was so angry that he wanted to tear Martin and Heidi apart for being so heartless to his daughter. The next moment, he teared up from the pain he felt for Cameron.
Cameron, seeing their silence drag on, lifted the hem of the dress slightly and asked with a raised brow, “Well?”
Levi walked over and ruffled her hair. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. You look amazing in a dress.”
“Thanks, Dad. Guess I have you and Mom’s good genes to thank for that.” Cameron smiled.
Lance finally snapped out of it. “You’re gorgeous, Cam. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
He still couldn’t believe such a beautiful girl was his little sister, which certainly made him a proud brother.
Cameron grinned. “Thanks, Logan.”
Gavin finally found his voice too and showered her with compliments. “Cam, you’re seriously next-level gorgeous. Like, are you even real? You’re a hundred times prettier than any fairy tale character.”
Cameron blinked and said nothing.
Gavin got the hint. It seemed that Cameron still wouldn’t talk to him, which upset him, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Just then, Jacqueline and Helen came over, drawn by the chatter. They each grabbed one of Cameron’s arms, both looking amazed.
“Cam.” Jacqueline beamed. “You look incredible. Even with your boyish haircut, you’re drop-dead gorgeous.”
Cameron laughed. “Well, I got it from you, Mom.”
Jacqueline’s smile was so wide it practically took over her face.
“Cam, you’re just too pretty. And your figure is amazing. I mean, just look at this waist,” Helen said, giving Cameron’s waist a playful squeeze. “How is it so tiny?”
“What are you doing?” Gavin frowned when he saw Helen’s action. “Don’t just go touching her.”
“Huh?” Helen stared at him, totally baffled by how stern he was.
Gavin had always been the gentle, patient one with Helen.
People outside the family said he had a nasty temper and was scary to deal with, but Helen never believed that and would stand up for him. To her, Gavin was the kindest person she knew.
But right now, Gavin looked serious, stern, even, and it threw Helen off completely.
All she’d done was touch Cameron’s waist. Was that really such a big deal? They were both girls, so it shouldn’t have mattered. But it seemed that Gavin was mad at her for doing that.
Lance was confused. “Gavin, what’s your deal?”
Usually, Gavin doted on Helen the most, so Logan didn’t understand why Gavin was being harsh to her now.
Gavin said, “Cam’s a bit of a clean freak. I was just reminding Helen about that.”
Lance was rendered speechless.
“A clean freak?” Lance raised an eyebrow. “Gavin, I hugged Cam just yesterday, and she didn’t seem to mind. Her so-called ‘clean freak’ thing doesn’t seem that serious.”
Gavin had no words, and he was reminded that everyone in his family got to hug Cameron last night except for him.
That one tiny regret had been eating at Gavin since, and now Lance had to go and rub it in. If looks could kill, Lance would’ve been six feet under by now.
Helen caught the exchange and narrowed her eyes at Gavin, wondering, ‘Was he really reminding me earlier?’
She could clearly feel how much Gavin cared about Cameron now. Gavin used to spoil her the most back then, but it looked like she was about to lose her spot as his favorite.
After all, she was just his cousin, while Cameron was his sister. Honestly, Helen felt a little down, but then again, how Gavin reacted was normal when she thought about it.
Even though Gavin treated her well, she was closer to her own brother, Caleb, too.
She’d probably feel the same if she were in Gavin’s shoes. But understanding where he came from didn’t make it hurt less though.
Cameron had been missing for 18 years, and Helen had always enjoyed Gavin’s affection in Cameron’s place. Now that Cameron was back, it was only fair to give Gavin’s love and attention back to her.
Helen smiled. “Sorry, Cam. I didn’t know you were a bit of a clean freak.”
Cameron didn’t mind. “It’s really not a big deal.”
Jacqueline laughed. “Don’t take it to heart, Helly. Gavin’s just making a fuss over nothing.”
When Cameron went to change out of the dress, Gavin said, “I’ll take care of the bill.”
Levi said, “Of course you will. You’re the one who’s been slacking the most when it comes to my precious daughter.”
Gavin sighed, “Dad, I know I messed up. I’ll make it up to her.” He was already regretting it so much he could barely stand himself.
Gavin signed off on all the purchases while the rest of the family moved on to shoes, jewelry, bags, and accessories.
The mall staff would deliver the mountain of items directly to Yates Manor.
BU
Later, once things had calmed down, Cameron finally had a moment to check her phone. She had gotten two missed calls from David.
She also received a few WhatsApp texts from Austin, Bradley, and Elijah.
Austin: [Do you like it?]
Cameron was baffled by the random question and chose to ignore it. She thought. ‘Do I like it? Like what?’
She’d already decided not to be friends with Austin anymore, but hadn’t gotten around to deleting him from her contacts.
Bradley: [Cameron, yesterday was your first day back with the Yates family. How are you feeling? Are you getting used to it?)
Cameron: [Brad, sorry, I just saw your message. I was out shopping with my family. They’re really nice, and I’m settling in well. Thanks for encouraging me to come back to them.]
Elijah: [Cameron, have you returned to your parents’ place? I went to your place to look for you, but you weren’t there.]
Cameron: [Elijah, I moved back to my parents’ place yesterday. Did you need something?]
After replying to Bradley and Elijah, Cameron finally called David back.
“Mr. Wallace, you finally called me back.” David blurted as soon as the call connected.
Cameron asked, “Mr. Tucker, what’s up?”
David said, “Sc, Austin, the CEO of Fraser Group who tried to buy us out had someone deliver 9,999 red roses to the office this morning for you.”
Cameron was stunned, thinking, ‘Austin sent me red roses? Has he lost his mind? Wait a second. Is this why he sent me the text, asking me if I liked it?”
Cameron had just been completely baffled. Now, she finally got what Austin meant.
Getting no response from Cameron, David asked, “Mr. Wallace, are you still there?”
Cameron replied, “I’m listening.”
