Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Austin raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.”
Tyrell laughed. “Well, I’m sure in his mind, Xander already punched Skyler in the face-twice. Still can’t believe she went that far. Could’ve completely destroyed Cam’s reputation.”
Xander glared at Austin. “What about you? What did you do for Cameron?”
Austin smiled. “Cam told us to stay out of it. Said he had his own plan.”
Xander narrowed his eyes and turned to Cameron.
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
Cameron said flatly, “Would you have believed me if I did?”
Xander narrowed his eyes and turned to Cameron.
Across the table, Bradley was quietly skimming the menu. He handed it to Amelia. “Here.”
“Thanks,” she said, her fingers brushing over the spot where his had been. It was still faintly warm.
She pressed her lips together and then circled a few items.
After ordering, she passed the menu to Cameron, who handed it off to Austin.
With everyone’s orders in, conversation flowed easily around the table.
Tyrell leaned in. “Cam, have you figured out what college you want to apply to?”
Cameron replied casually, “Not really.” had no specific goal.
In her last life, she didn’t even live to finish high school.
College wasn’t something she had ever gotten the chance to consider.
What mattered to her now was one thing-acing the SATS.
That perfect score would earn her three million in cash and a house worth just as much.
Amelia said, “With your grades, getting into a good school shouldn’t be a problem.”
Cameron smiled faintly. “I want to aim even higher.”
Amelia looked at her with surprise. “The SATs are right around the corner. You’d better lock in soon.”
Amelia had always been top of the class, second only to Elijah.
With grades like hers, she had her pick of elite schools.
Cameron nodded. “I will. I’m working on it.”
Elijah, knowing the real story, couldn’t help but chuckle.
Cameron played the role of an underachiever so well. All that just to dodge the engagement with Amelia. He really committed.
Xander, unlike Elijah, didn’t hold back. He raised a brow. “Amelia, do you want to guess why Mr. Drake made such a big deal about getting Cameron back into school?”
Amelia blinked. “Why?”
Xander grinned. “Take a guess.”
She stared at him, speechless.
Bradley chimed in, “Cameron’s grades are solid.”
“Wait, what?” Amelia turned to him in disbelief.
‘Solid grades? Isn’t Cameron only starting to improve recently? He used to be at the bottom of the class. Sure, he tested well during admissions, which placed him in the top section-but his performance went downhill after that.”
Still, Amelia kept those thoughts to herself.
Beneath the fondue, a single flame burned quietly, steady and unobtrusive.
Cameron raised her glass of juice. “Thanks for being here, everyone. And especially to Amelia-for what you did. I really appreciate it.”
“Cheers,” everyone said as they raised their glasses.
Amelia clinked her glass against Cameron’s and said, “It was nothing.”
Tyrell grinned playfully. “Amelia, are you in love with Cam or something? Maybe you two should call off the breakup and stay engaged.”
Cameron choked on her drink.
Amelia froze.
She instinctively glanced at Bradley.
He didn’t say a word, but his brows drew together the moment he heard Tyrell’s joke.
Cameron’s expression turned cold. “Don’t say stuff like that.”
Tyrell instantly realized he’d gone too far.
He slapped a hand over his mouth and stammered, “Sorry, Cam. That was out of line.”
Elijah chimed in, “Pretty sure they can manage their own love lives without our help.”
Cameron had gone through hell just to break off that engagement-if someone tried to reverse it now, she’d probably lose her mind.
Xander rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you used to chase after Amelia like a lost puppy? Now that she’s finally doing something nice for you, maybe you should give it another shot.”
Cameron said nothing.
Neither did Amelia.
The air around the table turned stiff in an instant.
Tyrell’s heart sank. He could practically hear alarm bells in his head.
‘Cam looks pissed. I already messed up, and of course Xander has to jump in and make things worse.
Austin cleared his throat loudly, trying to break the tension. “Ahem…”
He wanted to change the subject, but there was no good way to jump in now.
Amelia turned to Xander, her face expressionless. “The engagement was something Cameron and I both agreed to end. I’d appreciate it if you stopped bringing it up.”
They might’ve had a formal arrangement on paper, but in reality, she and Cameron had never even held hands.
To her, there was nothing to drag back up.
Cameron wasn’t even an ex. He was just someone her family had tried to tie her to.
Xander leaned back. “You might not like him, but he still likes you.”
Cameron said nothing.
4+20
Bradley finally spoke, frowning, “Xander, you have an incredible talent for killing the mood. Maybe stay out of other people’s business for once.”
“I’m just telling it like it is,” Xander said with a shrug. “Where’s the harm in that?”
Bradley didn’t respond.
Amelia stood up. “You guys enjoy the meal. I’m done.”
Cameron said nothing.
‘Done? She barely eats anything. Looks more like she’s too pissed to eat!’
Cameron pushed back her chair. “I’ll walk you out.”
“No need,” Amelia replied quickly, clearly trying to keep her distance.
But Cameron followed her anyway.
Elijah stared daggers at Xander. “Happy now?”
“Very,” Xander replied, sipping his juice. “Like I need her to stick around anyway.”
