Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
There was a pause before Elijah continued, “Cameron, can I ask where you’ve been these past two days?”
Cameron didn’t respond right away.
Elijah backtracked instantly. “Never mind. If you don’t want to say it, it’s totally fine. I just need to know that you’re safe.”
Cameron said, “Thanks. I am.”
“Alright then. See you tomorrow.” Even in his care, Elijah knew boundaries, never pressing too far.
Cameron hung up.
Bradley had been watching her quietly the entire time. Now that the call was over, he finally spoke. “Cameron, can I ask you something?”
Cameron looked slightly surprised but nodded. “Sure.”
Bradley adjusted his glasses, eyes unreadable behind the lenses. “Why do you call Elijah by his name? And Xander, too. But with Austin, you only ever use
‘Aus’?”
His tone was calm, neither accusing nor overly curious.
Cameron blinked. She hadn’t expected that question at all. In fact, until Bradley brought it up, she had never even noticed the distinction.
Confused, she asked, “Brad, what’s wrong with that?”
Bradley met her gaze. “Don’t you think your way of addressing Austin is overly familiar?”
Cameron thought, ‘Since when is a nickname overly familiar?’
Seeing her confusion, Bradley added, “I assumed you were closer to Eli. After all, you are roommates and desk mates
Cameron shrugged. “We get along fine.”
Bradley took a sip of water, then asked, “What about Austin?”
Cameron didn’t hesitate. “I guess I pity him a little.” Like she had pitied herself in her previous life.
Bradley nodded with a faint smile. “I understood.”
“You’re observant.” Cameron flipped the potato slices on the grill. “I hadn’t even realized it before.”
Bradley raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Cameron enjoyed two peaceful days at the castle, primarily because Xander wasn’t around.
On Sunday afternoon, as they prepared to return to school, Bradley had urgent matters at his law firm. He dropped Cameron off at Noble Vista so she. could grab some clothes.
Xander had already returned to Murphy Manor last night, so their paths didn’t cross.
As Cameron entered Noble Vista, Elijah’s Rolls-Royce idled by the curb, waiting for him.
Elijah, backpack slung over one shoulder, ran into her at the gate. He blinked, as if doubting his eyes. Then he focused. It really was Cameron.
“Cameron.” He hurried forward. “You’re back!”
Cameron hadn’t expected to see Elijah right at the gate. She gave small
Elijah said, “You came back for…”
Hey
Cameron replied, “Just picking up clothes.” Next Friday, she could head straight to the castle to see Pearl.
Elijah smiled, “I’ll wait. We can go back to school together.”
“No need.” Cameron waved it off. “I’ll bike.”
But Elijah insisted. “I’ll wait.”
Cameron ended up riding with Elijah after all. It was her first time in his car.
The butler, seated passenger seat, beamed at her. “Mr. Wallace, what an honor. Mr. Moore speaks of you
Cameron offered a polite smile and nod, not saying much.
The butler, perceptive, didn’t talk anymore.
Elijah retrieved a workbook from his bag. “Cameron, could you look at this problem?” often.”
“Sure.” Occasional tutoring didn’t faze Cameron, unlike the relentless grind of daily drills. She took the book and placed it on her lap, scanning the question. She took the workbook, set it on her lap, and started reading the problem.
She took the workbook, set it on her lap, and started reading the problem.
Elijah leaned in slightly.
Both of them possessed finely sculpted features. Their attention was locked on the page. The setting sun cast a warm glow through the windows, gilding their profiles.
From the rearview mirror, the butler murmured, “Mr. Moore, you and Mr. Wallace
Honestly, the butler rarely saw Elijah sit this close to anyone.
Neither Cameron nor Elijah responded. are both exceptionally favored by nature.”
The butler took out his phone and snapped a photo. It was the very first picture of them together.
Cameron frowned but said nothing.
The Rolls-Royce pulled to a stop in front of Langford Academy. The butler turned around. “We’re here, Mr, Moore.”
Elijah looked out the window. He murmured, “So soon?” It felt like they had just gotten in the car.
Cameron thanked the butler as the door opened.
The butler beamed. “My pleasure, Mr. Wallace.”
Cameron and Elijah got out, and the Rolls-Royce drove off.
Just as they turned toward campus, a voice called out. “Cameron!”
Cameron and Elijah both turned their heads.
A man stood amid the pedestrian flow, his near-six-foot-three frame towering conspicuously. Sunglasses shielded his eyes. One hand tucked casually in his pocket as he stared in their direction.
“An acquaintance?” Elijah murmured, failing to recognize that man.
Cameron tilted her head. “Seems so.” She had met that man only once.
As the stranger approached, Elijah gave a courteous nod. “Well, I’ll leave you two to talk.”
Cameron nodded. “Alright.”
But Elijah didn’t leave. He had never seen this man before and wasn’t sure why he was looking for Cameron. Better to stay, just in case. 77
The tall man walked up to Cameron, then politely took off his sunglasses. “Cameron, I’ve been waiting for you.”
The moment his face was uncovered, Elijah recognized him vaguely. He was sure that he had seen this man before, but he couldn’t recall the man’s name. for a while.
Cameron, however, immediately knew who the man was. Her tone was frosty. “What do you want?”
The man was Cyrus Mendes. Last month, during the basketball match between Langford Academy and Horizon Academy, he was Horizon’s star player, rumored to be a state team member.
Cyrus extended his hand. “Cameron, I think we should reintroduce ourselves.”
Cameron glanced at his outstretched palm but didn’t shake it. “Is that necessary?”
Unfazed, Cyrus withdrew his hand. “I think it is.”
Cameron frowned, “Not to me.” She didn’t have a good impression of Cyrus.
Undeterred, Cyrus continued, “Let me reintroduce myself properly. I’m Cyrus Mendes, 19, a student at Horizon Academy and a member of the state basketball team.”
None of this was news to Cameron. Her impatience sharpened. “Get to the point.”
Cyrus, sensing her disinterest, cut to the point, “After that game, I saw your potential. I want to invite you to try out for the state basketball team.”
Cameron listened with dwindling patience before replying coldly, “Not int?rested.” She turned to leave.
“Cameron, wait!” Cyrus called.
