Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
All three of his roommates shot him a look. Then they all shook their heads together. “Classic single guy jealousy.”
They burst out laughing, totally merciless. Xander was the only single guy in their dorm.
He scoffed, “Man, it’s not that I can’t get a girlfriend-I just don’t feel like dating. If I so much as snapped my fingers, half the girls on campus would be lining up for me.”
“Seriously, Xan, you mean to tell me not a single hottie in the whole sports college is good enough for you?” one of his roommates teased.
Xander smirked, “I’ve already got my eye on someone.”
“Bet the girl you like turned you down,” the guy across from him mercilessly mocked.
Xander, hit right where it hurt, grabbed his pillow and hurled it at him.
“Look at him, all worked up now,” the man said.
“Come on, Xan, what kind of girl would actually say no to you?” one of his roommates teased, genuinely curious.
Xander just scowled and kept his mouth shut.
Ever since he’d roped Cameron into meeting up by pretending it was Gwen’s idea, Gwen had refused to help him set up another meeting.
She even told him not to force things. But Xander just couldn’t let it go. Cameron was his first love. Even though she’d turned him down more than once, he still couldn’t give up on her.
Xander had actually made several trips to Stellanford University just to see Cameron.
Cameron didn’t go out of her way to avoid him-she even gave him a little tour of the campus she’d always tell him not to come again.
But like that was going to stop Xander. He just kept showing up anyway. and took him to eat at the cafeteria. But before he left,
He was at Stellanford University almost every week, practically making it his second home. Sometimes he’d go see Cameron
Since he knew she found him annoying, sometimes he’d just keep his distance and watch her from afar. He just didn’t know what to do about Cameron.
‘Am I really that bad? If I was, then why did so many girls like me? So I couldn’t be that bad. Why couldn’t Cameron just be one of them?’ he thought. feeling a little frustrated.
His roommates knew when to quit, so when Xander stopped responding, they dropped the teasing.
One of them even helpfully tossed the pillow Xander had thrown right back to him. Xander yanked the blanket over his head, hiding his face.
‘It’s fine.’ Xander reassured himself.
Even though Cameron hadn’t accepted him, at least she hadn’t said yes to anyone else either. If she ever did, he honestly had no idea how he’d handle it.
Ever since that day on the island when he’d been kicked out, Austin had gone to Stellanford University a few times to see Cameron on the sly. But he didn’t get nearly as lucky as Xander did.
Cameron acted like he didn’t even exist. Austin could only walk away quietly.
He’d go to class if he felt like it, and if he didn’t, he’d just stay at the house he’d bought outside the music school.
Helen had stopped talking to him, too.
Austin felt like his life had suddenly become incredibly dull.
Cameron was the only thing he could hold on to.
Before, it had been his mom. Back then, he thought getting revenge for his mom was enough. Now, that anchor was Cameron.
But Cameron wouldn’t even look his way anymore.
Austin honestly didn’t even know what the point of his life was anymore.
His heart felt unbearably empty. But he was powerless to do anything about it. In the end, Austin ended up going to see Helen.
Helen was already over him; whatever feelings she once had were long gone.
She just gave him a cool glance and said, “What do you want?” Her tone was flat, making it clear she wasn’t interested in talking
Austin stood there quietly, not saying a word.
Girls passing by couldn’t help but glance his way, whispering to their friends, “He’s so handsome.”
Austin paid them no mind. His amber eyes slowly turned to Helen. “Helen, I need your help.”
Helen cut him off, “If you’re here to ask me to help you chase after Cameron, not a chance.”
Austin was speechless. He had come to Helen, obviously because of Cameron.
Cameron had blocked him on alt platforms. Even when he showed up right in front of her, Cameron acted as if he was invisible. He was truly out of options. That was why he had come to Helen.
But before Austin could even open his mouth, Helen had already shot him down. Austin just stood there, staring at Helen, his eyes full of desperation.
Helen felt her scalp tingle under his gaze. She stood up and said, “Austin, you’ve known Cameron longer than I have. You should know what kind of person she is better than I. Do you really think I could help you?”
Austin just stood there, speechless. Seeing his silence, Helen gave Austin another look, shook her head, and walked away.
If Helen wouldn’t help him, he’d figure something out, one way or another.
‘So what if Cameron is holed up on some island?’ he wondered, ‘The Yates family isn’t the only family living there. If Helen wouldn’t help me, I’d just find someone else to get him onto the island. Money talks.’
Before she knew it, three days had flown by. Cameron sat on the beach, letting the sea breeze blow through her hair. Winter on the island was freezing.
Even though Cameron was wrapped up in a thick down jacket and snow boots, the wind kept sneaking in, and her hands and feet were already numb from the cold.
It was freezing, so Cameron decided to head home and warm up. She got to her feet, but her legs were so numb that she suddenly toppled forward onto the sand, completely out of control.
“Watch out.” Austin dashed over and grabbed Cameron’s arm, catching her just in time before she hit the ground.
“Austin?” Cameron stared at him, shocked.
‘Why is Austin here on the island again?’ Cameron couldn’t help but wonder. ‘How did he even get here? Isn’t this place supposed to be closed to outsiders?’
Austin caught her just in time, steadying her. “Cameron, are you okay?” he asked, concern in his voice. He was relieved he’d been quietly following her; otherwise, she really would have taken a tumble.
Cameron furrowed her brows. She leaned on Austin for a moment, waiting until the feeling finally returned to her numb limbs.
She took a step back. “Thanks.”
Austin’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Don’t mention it.”
Cameron frowned. “How did you even get in here?”
Austin just smiled, “I have my ways.”
“How long are you going to keep pestering me?” Cameron’s face darkened.
Austin was speechless.
One moment, Cameron was thanking him; the next, her expression turned cold and distant.
Austin sighed helplessly, “Cameron, I’m not pestering you. I’m pursuing you”
Cameron replied, “No need.”
Austin said, “Cameron, as long as you’re single, I’ll keep chasing you.”
Cameron curled her lips. “Oh, so what you mean is, if I weren’t single,
Austin’s eyes widened in shock. “What are you saying? Do you ho you wouldn’t keep pestering me?” boyfriend? Who is it? Are you with Bradley?”
Cameron was at a loss for words. ‘Why would he think of Brad?’ she thought.
Austin’s face turned ugly as he demanded, “Cameron, why would you pick Bradley over me? We’re the ones who really fit together. We both had rough childhoods, so we actually understand each other. We’re made for each other.”
“Oh, really?” Cameron sneered. “Austin, don’t you get why you lo out?”
Since he insisted on misunderstanding, let him think whatever he wanted. All she wanted was for him to stop bothering her.
“Lost at what?” Austin asked, his face darkening.
Cameron said flatly, “Austin, you’re right. We both had rough childhoods, so looking at you is like staring into a mirror. I don’t want to do that every single day, you get it?”
Austin frowned.
Cameron went on, “I want a guy who grew up in a real family, someone who’s bright and full of positive energy, someone who can actually bring some light into my world. Do you really think you could be that guy?”
Austin was speechless. Sunshine was never a word anyone would use for him. He’d lived his whole life in the shadows-how could he ever be someone like that?
Before the SATs, Austin had seen Bradley’s family-they were so loving and close-knit. That was why Cameron chose Bradley.
