Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Elijah looked over and said, “It’s still early. Want to jog home? It’ll be a good workout.”
Cameron considered for a second and then nodded. “Sure.”
A faint smile tugged at Elijah’s lips.
They ran along the riverside path, heading toward Noble Vista.
Cameron matched her pace to Elijah’s, running steadily and quietly alongside him.
Elijah glanced at the glimmering water. “The city looks nice at night.”
“Yeah,” Cameron said softly, “it’s beautiful.”
He turned to her. “Have a dream school yet?”
“Not really,” she said.
“What about a major?”
Cameron thought for a moment. “Medicine.”
She figured if she was going to start a pharmaceutical company, she should at least look like she knew what she was doing.
And she did know-technically-but she needed credentials to back it up.
Elijah raised a brow. “Didn’t peg you for the medical type.”
Cameron just gave him a noncommittal smile.
“What about you?” she asked casually.
“I’ll probably double major. Medicine and business,” Elijah replied.
Cameron shot him a curious glance. “You’re good at math. Ever think of doing something in that direction?”
He shook his head. “I’ll need to take over the company eventually.”
She nodded in understanding.
Not everyone born into power got to choose freely.
Elijah added, “Who knows? We might end up at the same university.”
Maybe even the same program. Same dorm.
Cameron laughed. “Maybe.”
She didn’t really care either way.
They kept running, stride for stride, in perfect sync along the quiet waterfront.
As they neared Noble Vista, Elijah slowed a little, falling behind so he could watch Cameron ahead of him.
By the time they reached the entrance, both of them came to a stop, catching their breath.
Elijah lived in a neighboring villa now-he’d moved in that week.
He turned to Cameron and asked, “Can I come by tomorrow to study again?”
“Sure,” she said with a smile.
He gave a lazy wave. “See you then.”
“
Back home, Cameron showered and stepped out of the bathroom, drying her damp hair when her phone lit up.
Austin: [Cam, sorry to bother you, but…would it be okay if I crash at your place tonight?]
Cameron blinked.
‘Why would Austin come to my place?’
She sent a message back while drying her hair one-handed. Cameron: [Why do you need to stay over? What happened?]
Out of everyone in the dorm, she’d spent the least amount of time with Austin.
If something had happened, wouldn’t he go to Bradley or someone he knew better?
She didn’t hear back right away. Just when she thought he might’ve changed his mind, her phone buzzed again.
Austin: [Got kicked out.]
Cameron froze, eyes narrowing at the screen.
Her mind immediately flashed back to the bruise on Austin’s face last weekend-the red mark that looked suspiciously like a slap.
She frowned. Cameron: [Where are you now?]
Half an hour later, Cameron arrived at the city’s busiest plaza.
Even from a distance, she spotted Austin sitting alone at the edge of the fountain.
He wore the school’s gym tee and dark blue sweatpants, his posture calm and still.
The neon lights overhead tinted his blond hair in streaks of green and pink, making his pale skin appear even lighter.
His sharp features and pensive gaze gave him an almost statuesque loneliness-quiet, brooding, older than his years.
A couple of girls had already approached him, but he simply shook his head in silence.
Behind him, jets of water leapt into the air in sync with music pulsing from nearby speakers.
But Austin didn’t seem to notice any of it-his amber eyes fixed on some invisible point far off in the distance.
Cameron walked over, one hand in her pocket, and stopped in front of him.
Austin looked up, and when his eyes landed on Cameron’s androgynously sharp face, a soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “You carne.”
Cameron dropped into the seat beside him. “Want to head back now, or do you need a little more time?”
She didn’t pry.
If Austin had been thrown out of his home, it had to be serious. No need to dig the knife in.
Austin turned to her. “Cam, are you sure it’s okay if I stay at your place?”
Cameron’s gaze flicked over his face, pausing for half a second on a scratch just below his ear. She nodded. “Yeah. It’s fine.”
Austin smiled, a little more relaxed. “Thanks.”
Cameron stood up. “Come on. Let’s ride back.”
They found two bikes at a nearby rack. Cameron unlocked hers through the app and swung a leg over the seat.
Austin stayed frozen in place, looking hesitant.
“What is it?” Cameron asked.
“I can’t pay for it,” Austin admitted, clearly uncomfortable.
Cameron didn’t say anything.
She just gave a short nod and then unlocked the second bike for him.
Cameron understood. Some parents controlled their kids through money.
Martin had done it to her more than once, and Austin’s family probably wasn’t much different.
“Thanks,” Austin said again, more sincerely this time.
“No problem,” Cameron replied.
They pedaled side by side through the evening streets.
On the way back, they stopped by a corner store where Cameron grabbed a set of pajamas, slippers, and toiletries for Auns
Austin took the bag from her, lips curled in a grateful smile. “Thanks, Cam. Seriously.”
