Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
‘Seriously?’ Cameron thought, completely speechless.
Knock, knock, knock…
“Brad, Cam… It’s me, Eric.”
Eric’s voice came through the door.
Cameron glanced toward the door.
She suddenly realized the door wasn’t locked.
If Eric comes in now…
Cameron’s face flushed.
She clutched Bradley’s coat, her breath unsteady. “Brad, Eric’s here. That’s enough…”
Only then did Bradley finally stop.
But he didn’t let go of Cameron right away. He stared at her, unable to hide the longing in his eyes, and called out, “Eric, wait a minute.”
Cameron reached up and hooked her arm around his neck, her voice gentle, “Brad, should we really keep Eric waiting?”
“Cam…” Bradley looked at her without looking away, his voice rough, “Will you marry me?”
‘Seriously?’ Cameron was a little dazed.
This proposal totally blindsided her..
The next moment, Bradley’s words made her cheeks and ears burn.
He murmured, “Cam, I want you…”
Cameron was shocked.
Cameron froze for two seconds, caught in Bradley’s scorching gaze that seemed like it could melt her. She quickly turned her face away, slid her arm off his neck, shoved him aside, and bolted into the bathroom.
Bradley staggered back a couple of steps, steadying himself against the wall, unable to stop a doting smile from spreading across his lips.
He murmured, “I can wait.”
But honestly, with everything he’s got going for him, who would ever believe Bradley’s still a virgin at twenty-seven?
Bradley took a moment to fix his clothes, then finally went to open the door for Eric.
When the door opened, Eric, his salt-and-pepper hair framing his handsome face, gave Bradley a sly, knowing smile. “Brad, you’ve got lipstick smudged on your mouth.”
Bradley just pressed his finger to the corner of his mouth, totally unfazed. “What brings you here, Eric?”
“Guess love really does make people act stupid, huh? Why else would I be here?” Eric strolled into the room. “Where’s Cam?”
Bradley dropped onto the couch. “Bathroom.”
Eric arched an eyebrow. “I’ll wait for her.”
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Cameron gazed at her reflection in the mirror, hardly recognizing the rosy, lovestruck face staring back at her.
Thinking about Bradley’s words, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
She was twenty-six.
Besides, she and Bradley had been together for over half a year now.
There was really no reason for her to be so reserved anymore.
She stared at herself in the mirror a little longer, noticing her lips were still a bit swollen and her cheeks were flushed.
“Brad… Cameron thought, a little helpless.
She splashed some cold water on her lips, but the redness didn’t go away.
‘Oh well, nothing I can do about it,’ she sighed to herself.
Eric was still waiting outside.
After tidying herself up a bit, Cameron opened the door and walked out.
“Hey, Cam!” Eric called out with a big, friendly grin.
“Hey, Eric,” Cameron answered.
She naturally settled down right beside Bradley, leaning in close and looping her arm through his without a second thought
Bradley smiled softly, taking her hand in his and intertwining their fingers.
Seeing how lovey-dovey they were, Eric played dumb and asked, “Cam, what’s up with your lips? Did you have an allergic reaction or something?”
Cameron murmured, “Maybe.”
Bradley’s gaze slowly landed on Eric’s face.
Eric laughed. “Just kidding.”
Bradley said, “Eric, you seriously have zero sense of humor.”
Eric was speechless.
Cameron asked, “Eric, is there something you wanted to talk about?”
Eric straightened up. “Cam, yeah, there’s something important I need to talk to you about.”
Cameron nodded. “Go ahead, Eric.”
Eric stood up and gave Cameron a formal 15-degree bow. “Cameron Yates, I’m here to give you a proper apology – I’m sorry.”
Cameron was startled by Eric’s gesture and quickly stood up to stop him. “Eric, you have nothing to be sorry for. Please, don’t do this.”
But Bradley held Cameron back. “Cam, Eric really does owe you an apology.”
Cameron was confused.
Eric looked up at Cameron. “Cam, this apology has been a long time coming-seven or eight years, in fact. I’m really sorry.”
Cameron sat back down. “Come on, Eric, sit down and tell me – what are you apologizing for?”
–
Eric said, “Cam, even though we barely saw each other a few years back, I still realized that Bradley had a thing for you.
“Back then, you were pretending to be a boy, and I just couldn’t accept the idea of my brother falling for another boy. It seemed so ridiculous to me.
“So, on the night of the SATs, I faked a car accident and asked Brad to come to Fiora to look after me. And while he was there, I tried to set him up with a bunch of pretty girls.”
Cameron was speechless again.
Eric quickly added, “But Brad didn’t even spare them a glance. He was sharp – he immediately saw through what I was trying to do.
“But I didn’t stop there. I actually doubled down and told the rest of the Saunders family about Brad’s feelings for you. They reacted the same way I did
– they wanted Brad to stay away from you.
–
“But Brad didn’t back down. He was willing to turn his back on the family, even cut ties with them completely, just to be with you…”
Hearing those words, Cameron turned to look at Bradley, her eyes full of surprise.
She had never known any of this before.
She never imagined Bradley would actually go against his family for her.
If it were her in his shoes, she probably would have chosen her family.
She’d never turn her back on her family for something as uncertain as love.
Bradley saw how moved Cameron was, and he smiled, “Cam, I barely even remember any of that now.”
Cameron looked at him.
