Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron raised an eyebrow. “I bet lots of people in this school want to hear you play.” She remembered her last visit to the music room-Austin performing on stage with every seat filled below.
“You’re joking,” Austin laughed it off.
Cameron shoved one hand in her pocket. “Can I go now?”
Austin was momentarily speechless. ‘He really just came to hear one song?’ he thought.
“Cam, it’s still early,” Austin said. “How about I play two more songs for you?”
“I’m kind of hungry,” Cameron replied. “I should grab dinner.” And after dinner, it would be time for evening study hall. “How about just one more?” Austin pleaded.
Cameron said nothing, just looked up at the ceiling before leaning back against the piano. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to play another song.
“You’re the best, Cam,” Austin said gratefully.
Cameron didn’t respond.
Austin’s fingers returned to the keys, and music immediately flowed from his fingertips. A song didn’t take long, just four minutes.
When he finished, Cameron opened her eyes and looked at him. Austin watched her expectantly.
“I have a small suggestion,” Cameron said.
Austin looked surprised but maintained his smile. “Go ahead.”
“Your chorus is too flat,” Cameron said. “The melody only reaches note 7 at its highest point with that 3-7-7-7-6-5-3-5-6 progression. It lacks dimension. The way it smoothly descends makes it too predictable. There’s no anticipation or surprise. Maybe try something like this?” the piano.
Cameron reached over with one hand and played norion of naton on the
Successfully unlocked!
Austin stared at her, completely stunned. “Wai
“Just a little,” Cameron replied coolly to Austin’s surprise. She straightened up. “Want to grab dinner at the cafeter?a?”
Austin snapped out of his shock and nodded. “Sure.”
Cameron walked out of the music classroom first, with Austin following behind, his eyes fixed on her back. ‘Just a little? No way that was just a little,’ he thought.
Cameron had listened to his song only once before immediately pointing out its flaws.
Maybe it was true that outsiders saw more clearly than those involved.
Austin had revised this song several times but never thought there was anything wrong with the chorus.
Cameron had hit the nail on the head, and with that one change, the entire song felt more vibrant.
Austin hurried to catch up. “Hey Cam, besides piano, what other instruments do you play?” he asked casually.
“A bit of everything, I guess,” Cameron answered vaguely.
Austin was speechless. ‘Everything?’ he thought. ‘Is she saying she can play all instruments? That’s ridiculous. Wasn’t the Wallace family supposed to be tight on money? Where did Cameron get the funds to learn all these skills?
Though Austin had many more questions, he kept them to himself. He found Cameron increasingly interesting-someone who kept their talents hidden.
‘So, is Cam the same kind of person as me?’ Austin wondered. He liked people of his own kind. A knowing smile spread across his lips.
After dinner, Cameron headed straight back to her class for evening study hall.
Elijah was already at his desk. He nodded slightly when Cameron walked in. In front of him lay a complete set of practice problems.
Elijah could solve all of them. For the few he couldn’t figure out immediately, he’d checked some references and quickly found the correct answers. Since Cameron hated explaining problems to him, he decided not to ask.
Elijah leaned slightly toward Cameron and lowered his voice. “I didn’t expect to run into Brad and them yesterday. Can I treat you to lunch again tomorrow?” He apologized earnestly to Cameron.
“Elijah, don’t worry about it.” Cameron waved him off.
Elijah pointed at his workbook. “I’m really sorry. I had no idea it would cause you trouble.”
“It’s fine.” Cameron shrugged. “You’re way smarter than that idiot Xander anyway. Could be worse.”
It wasn’t until Cameron saw the difference that he appreciated a genuinely smart person.
Elijah was speechless. ‘Was she seriously comparing me to Xander, that academic disaster? Am I really that bad?’ he thought.
“Look, Elijah,” Cameron continued, “if you still feel guilty, just introduce me to your dad when the time comes. That’s all I need.”
Elijah nodded. “Of course. I promised you I would.”
Cameron smiled, “Thanks.”
Elijah opened his mouth to say something else, but the bell rang and Brody walked into the classroom. He had no choice but to let it drop.
*****
A week flew by in the blink of an eye. Soon, it was time for the Langford Academy basketball team to face off against Horizon Academy.
William, who’d been obsessed with beating Horizon Academy, made a grand announcement. “Everyone gets the Let’s all head to the stadium and cheer for our basketball team.”
“Yeah! The principal rocks.” The students were thrilled. They’d all been dying to watch the game anyway. off.
The stadium could hold over 10 thousand peo Successfully unlocked!rizon Academy students sat on opposite sides with the basketball court between them. Both aree come armed panners and chants, the atmosphere electric. “Let’s go, Horizon! Let’s make history!” Horizon Academy’s students shouted.
Cameron and Elijah sat together, watching the basketball court below with calm expressions. Their classmates around them weren’t nearly as composed.
“Oh my god, Xander looks so hot,” one whispered to their friend.
“Xander’s definitely the hottest guy on the court.”
“But the guys on the other team are so tall and muscular. That tallest one must be at least six-foot-three.”
“Who cares about height? Xander is six-foot-two himself. Basketball isn’t just about how tall you are.”
“Exactly, we’re going to win for sure.”
“We’re going to crush them. No doubt.”
The students were fired up, their energy contagious.
Cameron sat with her arms crossed, her gaze drifting lazily to the court.
Xander stood with his teammates in their white-striped uniforms, stretching for warm-ups. His strong, handsome face stood out from the crowd.
It wasn’t just the Langford Academy girls screaming for him. Even girls from Horizon Academy kept stealing glances his way, whispering, “Wow, that guy is hot.”
But when school pride was on the line, even the hottest guys became background noise. The Horizon girls quickly turned their attention back to their own team, chanting their support.
Cameron gave Horizon Academy’s players a bored once-over. They were tall and muscular-built like tanks-but none had Xander’s looks. Their basketball skills, though, remained to be seen.
On the court, Xander was loosening up his muscles.
“Xan, let’s crush them today,” Tyrell said confidently.
Last year’s game had been too close for comfort. Langford had won by just one point. That was why Xander had been pushing Cameron to join the basketball team.
“Count on it.” Xander nodded. He looked up, scanning the Langford section until he spotted Cameron. With a cocky grin, he flashed her a victory sign.
Finally, he spotted her and shot her a victory sign.
“Look! Xander noticed us.”
“We’re definitely winning with him in the team.”
“Go Xander!”
Cameron rolled her eyes.
Cameron rolled her eyes. She knew that arrogant gesture was meant for her. She gave him the barest hint of a smile in return. ‘So childish,’ she thought.
Elijah leaned slightly toward Cameron. She immediately scooted away, her mild germophobia kicking in automatically.
Elijah cleared his throat awkwardly. “Think we’ll win?” he asked quietly.
“I guess.” Cameron nodded.
Elijah raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think they look pretty tough?”
Elijah’s gaze settled on the tallest guy at Horizon Academy. The dude radiated confidence, with an intimidating presence and eyes that seemed to challenge everyone around him.
