Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Elijah: Okay.]
Cameron: [See you at the cafeteria.]
Cameron carried her tray to a corner table.
The company had around 100 employees, and only a few knew who she was.
It took Elijah a minute to find her. He set his tray down across from hers.
“How was your first day on the job?” she asked. “Still want to come back tomorrow?”
Elijah was about to say he was a bit tired, but when he heard her second question, he held back.
“It was fine,” he said. “Physical work gives my brain a break. Of course I’ll be here tomorrow.”
Cameron smiled, “Sounds like your first day of ‘real work’ went well.”
Elijah smiled slightly, “What about you?”
“I’m good,” she said. “This will be my workplace after I graduate from college. I’ll treat this as pre-adaptation.”
As he ate, Elijah said, “When I take over my family’s hospital, we should work together more.”
Even though Cameron had already partnered with the Moore family, Elijah knew his father’s strict approach meant she probably wouldn’t get a great deat. If he were in charge, he’d help Cameron as much as he could.
Cameron smiled, “I’m looking forward to that day.”
Elijah nodded, thinking, ‘It won’t be long.’
After dinner, they rode shared bikes back together.
Elijah was worn out from the long day and quickly fell behind Cameron.
When she looked back and didn’t see him, Cameron furrowed her brow in confusion. She pulled over to message him, only to spot Elijah cycling toward her.
“Elijah, are you good?” she asked.
“I’m fine. Just didn’t feel like speeding, so I slowed down,” he said.
Noticing the tiredness in his eyes, Cameron suggested, “Wanna walk the rest of the way?”
Elijah agreed easily, “Sure.”
They returned the bikes by the curb and walked back to Noble Vista together.
It was rush hour, with crowds of people hurrying home, but Cameron and Elijah strolled at a leisurely pace.
As the night deepened and neon lights flickered on, they walked side by side on the narrow sidewalk.
To dodge other pedestrians, Elijah shifted closer to Cameron, and their arms brushed. The warm contact made Elijah start slightly.
Cameron didn’t notice and kept moving forward.
Elijah stood still, staring down at his right arm. An odd, unfamiliar feeling welled up inside him-one he couldn’t quite describe
He looked up at Cameron ahead, Even in the throng of people, he could spot Cameron at first glance. There was just something about Cameron that made him stand out.
Cameron had walked a few paces ahead when she realized Elijah was lagging again. She thought, ‘First on the bike, now while walking?” She stopped and called out, “Elijah!”
He snapped back to attention and hurried toward her.
“What’s up?” she asked. “You seem lost in thought.”
Elijah looked up at Cameron. Cameron had beautiful eyes, deep and soulful, and right now they were filled with concern as they studied him.
Elijah only glanced at her before quickly shifting his gaze away. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Cameron! He actually couldn’t meet Cameron’s eyes! Even his heart was pounding wildly for no reason. ‘What’s wrong with me?’ he wondered.
Placing a hand on his chest, Elijah stared at the ground and said, “Cameron, I… I don’t feel good. I think I’m not going back to Noble Vista tonight.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and hurried in the opposite direction of Cameron.
Cameron was thoroughly confused. She thought, ‘What has just come over Elijah? One moment he was fine, and the next he was acting like this?’
Cameron watched Elijah vanish into the night.
She pulled out her phone and messaged him: Elijah, if you’re not feeling well, you should go to the hospital. If you’re still under the weather tomorrow. take the day off-no need to come into the office.]
After sending the message, she scanned a shared bike by the curb and cycled back to Noble Vista,
As soon as she reached her doorstep, Cameron spotted a takeout bag outside..
Cameron was stunned, wondering, ‘Is this Xander again?’
She picked up the bag with a frown-sure enough, it was labeled “Mr. Murphy.”
Speechless, Cameron thought, ‘Is Xander out of his mind? Why keep sending me takeout?’
Milkshakes and cakes were fine once in a while, but eating them daily would pack on the pounds.
Even though Cameron wasn’t someone who gained weight easily, she couldn’t handle this daily splurge.
She carried the takeout inside with a scowl. This time, instead of messaging Xander, she dug in right away. After that long walk, she did need to refuel.
Meanwhile, Xander kept staring at his phone, wondering why Cameron hadn’t reached out. The delivery guy had called to say no one answered, so he’d left the food at the door.
Xander was puzzled. He wondered, ‘I sent it at the same time yesterday, and she was there. Is she not back at Noble Vista tonight? Is she staying at Bradley’s place again?’
Xander’s brows knitted together. He wondered, ‘Why is Cameron so chummy with Bradley anyway? She even transferred money back to me for a 20- dollar meal. How does she split the bills with Bradley, then?’
The more he thought about it, the more upset he got. Finally, he caved and messaged her first: [What’s up?]
Cameron: [Not much.]
Xander: [Where are you?]
Cameron: [In my living room. Why?]
Xander: [You’re at Noble Vista?]
Cameron: [Nope.]
Xander: [But you said you’re in your living room?]
Cameron: [Who said Noble Vista is my only place?]
Xander was stunned. He wondered, ‘Does Cameron have other homes besides Noble Vista?’
Come to think of it, she’d made a killing working for him these past few months. Buying herself another place would be a piece of cake.
Xander: [Then where exactly are you right now?]
Cameron: [I said, at my place.]
Xander: (I know you’re home. I’m asking for the address)]
Cameron: [Not sharing.]
Xander was speechless.
Cameron: (It’s getting late. I’m gonna shower and go to bed. Bye.]
I’m not finished yet! How am I supposed to send her takeout again without knowing her address?’ he thought.
Xander had originally planned to win Cameron over through her stomach, taking things slow and steady. Now the strategy was dead in the water, And that clueless dork-how was he supposed to pursue her?
Back in school, he’d used tutoring as an excuse to hang around her every day. Now, what pretext could he use to see her?
Xander irritably flung his phone onto the couch. “This is so annoying!” he snapped.
After messaging Xander, Cameron didn’t actually go showering.
It was still early. She took her time eating her fruit salad, deciding to let Xander believe she wasn’t at Noble Vista. Maybe that would finally stop him from sending her takeout.
Elijah marched ahead quickly. He could sense Cameron’s eyes on him. That stare he imagined made him unbearably tense, his heart thudding as if it might burst through his chest.
Elijah walked faster and faster, eventually breaking into a fun. He ran until he was gasping for breath, finally stopping to catch his breath.
When he looked up, he was in an unfamiliar area. Sweat poured down his forehead as he turned around Cameron was nowhere in sight yet his heart kept pounding wildly in his chest.
