Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
The moment Austin saw the message, he couldn’t help but frown slightly. He thought, ‘Cam is with Eli now? At Noble Vista? They were desk mates and roommates. Isn’t that enough? Now they’re hanging out after graduation too?’
Cameron: [Yeah.]
Austin: [At Noble Vista?]
Cameron: [Yeah. Aus, Elijah’s waiting for me to start another round. Let’s talk later if there’s nothing important.]
Austin’s grip tightened on his phone. He thought, ‘Nothing important? What does this mean? Since when does Elijah take priority? What changed in the few days I’ve been gone? No! I have to go back immediately.’
Austin: [Sure, Cam. Play then. I’m coming back soon.]
Cameron: [See you.]
Austin: [Bye.]
As Austin looked through these messages, his smile gradually faded away. He glanced over his shoulder slightly. “Vincent!”
“Sir.” Vincent immediately entered the room.
Austin ordered, “Buy me an apartment at Noble Vista. I’ll move in once I return to Zelpah.”
Vincent hesitated for a second. “Noble Vista? The residence area in Viremont?”
Austin nodded. “Exactly. Hurry up.”
“Yes, sir.” Bowing respectfully, Vincent retreated.
Only then did Austin’s expression soften. He thought with a faint smile, I’ll be Cam’s neighbor too.
Austin remembered how hard Samuel had hit him just to try to get into Noble Vista before. He would settle scores with Samuel when he returned.
His fingers drummed against his knee. Austin murmured, “I really miss you, Cam.”
They would see each other again soon. But this time, he wasn’t the timid, obedient Austin anymore.
Austin thought to himself, ‘Is it really just Elijah and Cam at Noble Vista? What about Bradley and Xander?!
His deep-set eyes narrowed slightly. For three years as roommates, he had always thought Bradley wasn’t nearly as kind hearted as he seemed on the surface.
The idea of Elijah staying with Cameron alone left Austin with a bitter feeling. He thought, ‘Time to invite some chaos. Well then, I’ll just get in touch with
Xander instead.’
Austin sent Xander a WhatsApp message: [Xan, you’re at Noble Vista too? Lucky guy. You can still play with Cam and Eli after graduation.]
Xander was already fuming over Tyrell’s failed invitation when the message popped up. At first, it made no sense. He wasn’t gaming with anyone. But then, realization struck like lightning, ‘Wait… Cameron and Elijah are back at Noble Vista? Even playing games together?’
Without replying to Austin, Xander immediately opened the game app. Sure enough, both Cameron and Elijah were online. Spectator mode confirmed it -they were teamed up.
“Damn it!” Xander vaulted off the couch.
Poble Vista right now!’
He thought, ‘What’s Elijah playing at? No way am I letting this slide! have to go to
Grabbing his phone, he stormed out the door.
Austin frowned at his unanswered message. He assumed Xander hadn’t seen it yet and sent another one: [I really envy you guys living together. Seriously, I should buy a place there. Then, we can be neighbors again.]
Xander hadn’t even glanced at his phone. Of course, the message went unanswered.
Austin thought with a frown, ‘I really need to head back home sooner than planned.’
Cameron and Elijah had been gaming all afternoon. Flexing her stiff fingers, she glanced at Elijah. “Last round, then let’s take a break?”
“Sure.” Elijah nodded, only then noticing through the floor-to-ceiling windows that dusk had fallen. Time passed that quickly.
As she tapped her screen, Cameron asked absently, “What do you want for dinner?”
Elijah was surprised, thinking, ‘Is he inviting me to stay?’
He smiled, “Anything’s fine.”
Cameron said, “My freezer has a vegan frozen pizza. Quick and easy.” No need for heavy meals at night-it would just make her gain weight.
Elijah smiled gently, “Sounds good.” The food didn’t matter, only the company.
Too focused on her game, Cameron missed his smile
Cameron had just put the pizza in the oven when the doorbell rang. “Elijah, mind checking who that is?” she called from the kitchen.
“Sure,” Elijah said, getting up. He walked to the door and pulled it open. The next second, he saw Xander, who had an annoyed face.
Elijah was surprised, thinking, ‘Xander? What brings him here?’
Xander’s glare darkened exponentially upon confirming Elijah’s presence. “Why are you here?”
What are you doing here?”
Elijah and Xander asked at the same time.
Xander glared at Elijah. “I’m here to see
Ameron, obviously. Not you.” With that, he shoved past Elijah and stepped inside.
Elijah’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing, simply closing the door behind this uninvited guest. After all, this wasn’t his home to dictate.
Cameron had barely taken a few steps when she spotted Xander. She thought, ‘What’s he doing here?’
Xander shot her a glare. “You invite Elijah over, but not me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Outwardly, he was scolding her, but inwardly, panic churned. He couldn’t help but think, ‘What’s C Does she… like him? No way. What’s there to like about that bookworm? I won’t allow it!
Cameron thinking, being alone with Elijah like this?
Cameron sighed, “I didn’t invite him. His place is being cleaned, so he’s just hanging out here for a bit.”
Elijah frowned, “How did you even know I was here?”
Xander shrugged. “Austin told me.”
Cameron and Elijah were puzzled, wondering why Austin told Xander.
Now that he understood the situation, Xander’s anger evaporated. He rolled his eyes at Elijah and plopped onto the sofa. “So why did you suddenly move back to Noble Vista?”
Elijah crossed his arms. “Do I need your permission?”
Xander huffed, “Well, I’m moving back, too.”
Elijah narrowed his eyes as he thought, ‘Is Xander planning to harass Cam again? Doesn’t he realize how much Cam can’t stand him? Cam only tolerated him before for tutoring money, but that’s over now.’
“You’re moving back?” Cameron frowned. With Xander around, peace would be impossible. Especially after that couple’s restaurant stunt and the expensive dress. She had to keep a distance from him.
Xander smirked. “I bought a place here, so obviously I’m coming. But it’s getting cleaned right now. I’ll just crash here.”
“No!” Cameron and Elijah’s rejections overlapped perfectly.
Elijah studied Xander, suddenly recalling his odd behavior toward Cameron before the SATs. He thought, ‘That was just like me. So chances are… Xander has fallen for Cameron, too.
‘I can keep my feelings to myself. But with Xander’s flamboyant personality, he won’t allow such restraint. No! I can’t leave them alone together.'”
Xander hadn’t expected both of them to shoot him down at the same time. He glared at Elijah. “Who asked you, nerd? Butt out.”
Cameron gave him a deadpan stare. “Do I have the right? The answer is no.”
Xander immediately turned to her. “Why not? If Elijah gets to stay, why can’t I?”
“I’m only here during the day, and I’ll leave soon,” Elijah snorted. “Staying overnight would be inappropriate.”
Xander scoffed, “Since when do you decide what’s appropriate?”
Cameron frowned, “Xander, stop being difficult. The answer’s final.”
“Cam…” Elijah’s gaze darted to the kitchen. “The pizza!”
Cameron spun around and hurried into the kitchen, quickly turning off the oven. However, the pizza was burnt beyond saving. It wasn’t edible anymore.
Xander peered over her shoulder and grimaced. “What is that? Cam, your cooking skills are tragic.”
