Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“No question about it. Even Elijah trailed by 54 points!”
“Old sayings really do hold wisdom. Knowledge literally builds wealth.”
Though Langford Academy’s students came from wealthy families, earning six million dollars through merit commanded respect. Thinking of it, it was indeed something to be proud of.
The chatter spread across classes. “Cameron? That’s Amelia’s ex-fianc?? He’s actually the state champion this year?”
“I bet Amelia is choking on regret.”
“No one expected Cameron to turn out this good, huh?”
“If it were me, I would definitely be kicking myself. But Amelia has options. Maybe she doesn’t even care.”
Seated primly, Amelia absorbed every word. Her nails bit into her palms as she thought, ‘Regret? Yes, I regretted it deeply. Cameron was truly excellent, like a pearl hidden beneath dust, but he had already blocked me.
‘It was my fault. I had hurt him badly before. From now on, I’ll try to make it up to him.'”
Amelia’s gaze flickered toward Class 15 before snapping away.
William bounded onstage, and the murmurs in the auditorium finally died down.
William stood on stage, his face glowing with joy as he gripped the microphone. “I’m honored to represent all teachers in congratulating our graduating seniors on this incredible milestone…”
After his address, he beamed. “Now, let’s give the loudest applause we can for this year’s SATs top scorer-Cameron Wallace. Welcome, Cameron!”
William led the applause, and soon, the entire auditorium burst into thunderous applause as all eyes turned toward Class 15, Senior Year.
Cameron rose gracefully and walked toward the stage, accepting armfuls of flowers from admirers along the aisle. By the time she reached the podium, her arms overflowed with blooms.
“Congratulations!” William beamed, presenting another lavish bouquet.
Cameron smiled, “You too, Mr. Drake.”
Seeing that Cameron was about to be overwhelmed, Tiana kindly took the bouquets from her arms.
“Thank you,” Cameron said politely with a slight n?d.
At the microphone, Cameron said, “I’m honored to be standing here today. And I wouldn’t have gotten this far without the sup
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank Mr. Graham. He’s an amazing teacher. Even when ranked last, he never gave up on me.”
William’s smile froze. He thought, ‘Why is Brody the first person Cameron thanked?’ of many people.
Brody had been smiling until he caught that dagger glare from William. He froze and thought, ‘Why is Mr. Drake glaring at me? Was that my imagination:
Or did I do something wrong? Cameron brought Langford Academy so much glory Shouldn’t Mr. Drake be celebrating?”
The tension dissolved when Cameron added, “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Drake for bringing me back to school?
At that, William smiled again. He thought, ‘Good girl. She remembered who brought her back.
In the audience, Xander watched Cameron with a bright smile. The previous night, Cameron had been so cold to him that he barely slept, feeling terrible the whole time. But the moment he saw Cameron at school today, all his bad moods vanished.
Looking at Cameron with a dopey grin, Xander felt proud as if he was also part of something extraordinary.
Tyrell nudged him with his elbow. “Look at your dopey grin, Xan. Quit eyeing Cam like he’s your girlfriend.”
“Shut it,” Xander chuckled.
He thought, ‘Well, Cam is indeed the girl I like. But that’s a secret. If anyone else found out that Cam was actually a girl, there would be no end to the competition.
‘There were already too many admirers when they thought Cameron was a boy. If the truth goes out… No, I won’t let this happen.
Bradley watched Cameron with a gentle smile and thought, ‘Cameron is really excellent, pride glowing through him. I’m truly proud to have such a friend.’
Austin shared the same thought as Bradley. His lips curved with smug satisfaction as he thought, ‘That’s my Cam-excellent and charming. My taste never falters.’
Elijah sat quietly amidst the cheers, his gaze lingering on Cameron’s radiant figure. A quiet melancholy shadowed his eyes.
He thought, ‘Cam is so brilliant. I can only admire from afar. Who will eventually win his heart? That girl will be incredibly lucky.”
Amelia’s fingers twisted together, her eyes shining with admiration.
A classmate teased, “Amy, your gaze could melt glaciers.”
Amelia straightened her posture. “Nonsense.”
Bradley glanced back at their chat. When Amelia met his gaze, her pulse remained steady, no more fluttering heartbeats like before.
She held his gaze briefly before turning back to the stage, where Cameron still stood.
Bradley quickly shifted his gaze. He thought, ‘She really did take what I said to heart. Good.’
After Cameron’s speech concluded with a nod, she stepped off the stage. The auditorium erupted into thunderous applause once more.
When the ceremony ended, the students got their graduation photos.
Cameron grabbed hers and was just about to leave when a student called out, “Hey, Cameron, can I get a photo with you? This year’s top scorer is my classmate. What an honor!”
“I want it, too.”
“Same here. Me too!”
In the end, Cameron became a human photo prop. Exactly how many pictures she took, she couldn’t even count anymore.
Elijah, Austin, Bradley, and Xander all got individual photos with her.
Finally, Amelia approached, composed and graceful. “Cameron,” she said softly, “would you mind taking a picture with me?”
Cameron studied her hopeful expression. She thought, ‘Why is Amelia looking at me like that? Didn’t I make myself clear last time?’
Cameron suggested, “Amelia, how about we talk for a bit, just the two of us?”
“Sure.” Amelia’s eyes lit up with surprise and hope.
She thought, ‘He still cares! I hurt him deeply back then, but I know he hasn’t changed!
As Cameron led Amelia away, Austin called out, “Cam.”
Bradley and the others watched curiously.
“I’ll be right back,” Cameron assured them before steering Amelia to a secluded corner.
Amelia’s eyes were affectionate in the quiet space between them. “Cameron, I-“
Cameron’s expression remained stern. “Amelia, I thought I made myself clear last time. Just give up.”
Amelia’s smile froze. She thought, ‘He has never been this harsh before. Have I really hurt him that deeply?”
Looking into Cameron’s eyes, Amelia said softly, “I know you’re angry with me. Yell at me or hit me. Just do whatever you need to forgive me.”
Cameron was speechless. She crossed her arms and asked, “Amelia, did you ever pass the Reading and Writing section?”
Amelia blinked, then quickly replied, “Of course I did! I scored fifth in the state.”
“Then how is your comprehension so terrible?” Cameron shook her head…
Amelia thought with a frown, ‘Huh? My comprehension is terrible?’
Cameron cut straight to the point. “Why do you suddenly want to take photos with someone you despised before? Even after I saved you, this goes beyond gratitude. Are you regretting our broken engagement?”
Amelia’s cheeks immediately flushed crimson. She thought, ‘Did I really seem that obvious? Fine. Since Cameron asked like that, there’s no need for me to hide my feelings anymore.’
Amelia met Cameron’s gaze with startling intensity. “Yes, I regret ending our engagement.”
Cameron sighed, “So what do you mean now? You want to pick up where we left off?”
A delicate blush colored Amelia’s cheeks as she nodded. “Yes.”
“Impossible.” Cameron’s tone was firm.
Amelia’s eyes widened, panic creeping in. “Why? I know I hurt you before, but-“
“That’s not it,” Cameron cut in. “I could never love you.”
The words struck like a physical blow. Amelia froze. “What do you mean? But you… You used to…”
“Used to love you?” Cameron asked with a bitter smile. “I’m sorry, Amelia. That was just playing my part in the Wallace family arrangement. The truth is. I never actually liked you.”
