Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Austin shook his head. “Nah, Cam, I’m not into girls like Amelia either.”
Cameron asked, “Then what kind do you like?”
Austin hesitated. “No idea.”
He realized he’d never really thought about it before.
Growing up, all he ever worried about was staying safe and not getting killed by Samuel or his stepmother. He had time to think about relationships.
Cameron smiled and headed back inside.
Xander stared at her, sounding a little jealous. “What were you guys talking about? You looked so happy.”
Cameron shot him a look. “Why are you so nosy? Does this have anything to do with you?”
Xander muttered, “I was just asking.”
The other three people thought, ‘Normally, Xander would’ve started bickering with Cameron by now, but tonight, he is so meek.
If they hadn’t seen it for themselves, they never would’ve believed it.
It was getting late. Cameron climbed onto her bed, pulled the curtain shut, lay down, and planned to read a bit before going to sleep.
Just then, her phone, sitting by her pillow, vibrated.
Cameron picked it up and saw a message from Bradley. [Cameron, didn’t you say before that you’re not into girls?]
Cameron wondered, ‘Huh? What’s going on? Why is Brad asking almost the same thing Austin did earlier? Did I miss something here?’
Before Cameron could reply, another message from Bradley popped up. [Cameron, I mean no offense. I’m just asking out of curiosity.]
Cameron replied, a bit noncommittally: [I didn’t say that. I just haven’t really thought about it. My mind’s on other things.]
Bradley just wanted to figure out if Cameron actually liked girls or not. He wondered, ‘So… does that mean yes or no? Does Cameron even know what Xander’s thinking?’
For some reason, seeing Xander act so out of character made Bradley feel weirdly unsettled.
Bradley mulled it over for a while before messaging Cameron again! [So, do you like guys?]
Cameron wondered, ‘What’s up with Brad tonight?’
Cameron: [Brad, why are you asking that? Did something happen?]
Bradley: [Just curious.]
Cameron: [Oh.]
Bradley thought, ‘What’s that supposed to mean? Why doesn’t he just answer me?’
Cameron: [Brad, I’m tired. I’m gonna sleep now. Good night.]
Bradley said to himself, ‘He still hasn’t answered my question.’
In the end, Bradley didn’t push any further and just replied: [Good night.]
Cameron didn’t think much of it. She put on her sleep mask and drifted off
Bradley, however, just couldn’t fall asleep. He thought, ‘Why didn’t Cameron answer me? Is he dodging the question on purpose? Does he like girls, or is he into guys?’
Xander couldn’t sleep either he was way too excited.
He wondered, ‘After searching for so long, the person I’ve been looking for is right there beside me. I’m really so lucky. Once the SATs are over…
Elijah couldn’t focus on his studies tonight. He cleared off his desk early.
Without thinking, his eyes drifted over to where Cameron’s bed was as he thought, ‘Does Cameron even know that? What’s going through his head? Didn’t Xander used to chase after Cameron’s sister, Milena? That’s a pretty big change.
What’s going through his head?
Elijah couldn’t make sense of it. Still, he wasn’t about to ask Xander. He didn’t even have to ask. Just by looking at Xander’s reaction, he’d know the answer.
Austin couldn’t sleep either. He lay in bed, and even after lights out in the dorm, he kept glancing over at Cameron.
Austin thought, ‘Xander is so annoying. There’s no way Cam would ever like him, right? Wait, Cam likes girls. Xander doesn’t stand a chance.
Thinking that, Austin finally felt a lot better.
The next day, as usual, Bradley headed out for his morning run at 6 AM.
Cameron was up not long after. But to her surprise, Xander was already awake before her.
Xander looked at Cameron with a big grin. “Hey, morning.”
Cameron yawned, her short hair sticking up in a messy bedhead after a full night’s sleep.
Xander smiled at her. “You’re seriously adorable.”
Cameron’s hand froze in her hair. “What did you just say?”
Xander repeated, “I said you’re adorable.”
Cameron shot him a look. “What’s wrong with you?”
Xander just laughed. “Nothing, I’m perfectly fine.”
Cameron couldn’t be bothered to deal with him and headed straight for the bathroom.
Xander hurried after her, still smiling. “Cameron, I got your water ready, and I even squeezed the toothpaste for you.” As he spoke, he handed her the cup and toothbrush.
Cameron looked at him with a blank face. “Let me guess, you’re trying to butter me up?”
Xander grinned. “Not exactly. I mean, I was kind of a jerk before, right? I just want to make it up to you a little.”
Cameron took the toothbrush and toothpaste. “This is your idea of making it up to me? Seriously? I’ve got hands. I d need your help.”
Xander said, “Then what do you want as compensation? As long as I can do it, anything goes.”
Cameron replied, “There is something you can do.”
Xander looked at her, full of anticipation. “What is it?”
“Stay away from me,” replied Cameron.
Austin and Elijah were already awake, but they both kept quiet. Hearing Cameron still giving Xander the cold shoulder, they finally relaxed.
Elijah got out of bed and headed into the bathroom. “Xander, can you not annoy Cameron first thing in the morning?”
Xander was about to snap back, but then Elijah added, “If Cameron bombs the SAT, are you gonna take responsibility?”
“Don’t jinx it! Cameron’s totally gonna make it,” Xander shot back.
Elijah said, “He will if you stop bugging him.”
Xander glared at Elijah. “What, are you looking for trouble? When did I ever bother Cameron?”
“It’s just concern, right, Xan?” Austin chimed in with a grin.
Austin thought, ‘As long as Cam’s not interested in Xander, Xander’s just wasting his breath.’
Xander clapped his hands. “Exactly, I’m just concerned about Cam.”
“Move.” Cameron finished washing up and pushed past Xander, who was blocking the way.
“Where are you going?” Xander hurried after Cameron.
“To the classroom,” Cameron replied.
“I’ll go with you,” Xander said.
“Go your own way. Why are you following me?” Cameron shot back.
“Come on, we’re headed the same way,” Xander insisted.
Cameron rolled her eyes.
Austin coughed. “Xan, looks like Cam and Eli are actually more on the way. They’re desk mates, after all.”
Xander shot Austin a glare. “If it’s not your turn to talk, then keep quiet.”
