Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Bradley couldn’t help laughing at the look on Cameron’s face. He reached out, almost without thinking, to ruffle Cameron’s hair.
But just before his hand made contact, a firm grip caught his wrist.
“Brad, what are you doing?”
It was Xander.
Bradley blinked.
He stared at Xander’s hand. “Seriously, what’s your problem?”
Xander pulled him back. “Cameron’s got a thing about cleanliness. Don’t touch him.”.
“Cleanliness?” Bradley echoed.
Come to think of it, maybe that was true. But he’d tousled Cameron’s hair before, and Cameron had never really reacted.
Elijah looked straight at her. “Brad, he does.”
Honestly, Elijah wasn’t thrilled about Bradley getting too close either. They were friends, sure, but still, watching Cameron be that close with someone else didn’t sit right.
He’d told himself he’d just watch Cameron quietly, stay out of the way. But it turned out, even that had its limits.
Bradley gave a half-smile and withdrew his hand.
Austin stood to the side, silent, his brows drawn together.
Am I imagining things? Or does it seem like every single one of them is trying to stake a claim on Cam?’
No. Absolutely not.
He wasn’t about to let anyone take Cam away.
Cameron stood up and said, “I’ve got something to take care of. You guys talk.”
Then he bolted.
The four of them stood there, watching him disappear.
Cameron didn’t stop running until she’d put some real distance between herself and the others.
‘That was… weird.’
Back at school, in Room 316, everything had felt easy, natural.
So why did things feel so off now?
She shook her head and decided not to think too hard about it.
That night, William hosted a massive celebration in Cameron’s honor. The crowd included school officials and professors from top universities across the country.
They were already trying to recruit her.
William shielded Cameron throughout, polite everyone down with the excuse that Cameron needed time to consider. No promises were made.
Later, back at home…
Elijah asked, “Cameron, are you sure you want to study pharmacology?”
Cameron nodded. “Of course. I already started a company. You think I’m gonna back out now?”
Elijah smiled. “Good.”
That evening, Cameron sat at her laptop to finalize her applications.
In the end, she chose Stellanford University, the nation’s top school, for pharmacology.
‘If I’m gonna do it, do it right. Go for number one.’
Elijah applied to Viremont Medical University, ranked number one for clinical medicine.
He figured he’d work with Cameron over the summer, and once school started, they’d be in the same city, seeing each other often.
Just thinking about it made him smile at the screen.
Then Cameron’s phone buzzed three times with identical messages.
[Which school did you pick?]
From Bradley, Austin, and Xander.
Cameron: [Stellanford University.]
Bradley: [With your scores, that’s where you belong. I’m applying to Viremont School of Law and Public Affairs. It’s the same city anyway-means we’ll still see each other.]
Austin: [Cam, you’re basically guaranteed to get in. Any advice for me? What major do you think I should go for?]
Xanc utoff..]
Cameron replied to Bradley, Cameron: Hmm. Brad, your scores probably blew right past the requirements for Virement School of Law and P2862 Let’s keep in touch. After all, I still owe you a massive debt.]
She then texted Austin. Cameron: [You’ve always had a creative side. Why not lean into music?)
And then texted Xander. Cameron: [So you’re saying you want to get into Stellanford University too?]
Bradley answered right away. Bradley: It’s getting late. Get some sleep. Good night.]
Cameron replied with a quick good night and closed the chat window, only to spot a new message from Xander.
Xander: [Of course I want to. But wanting something doesn’t mean I can actually pull it off.]
Cameron: [Glad to see you’ve got a realistic grasp of your own limits.]
Xander: [Are you serious right now?!]
Cameron switched back to Austin’s conversation.
Austin: [Music, huh? I guess I’ve got a little talent. Sure, Cam. I’ll go with your suggestion.]
To Austin, music had always just been for fun. His old goal was to bring down the Fraser family, and he’d already done that with ease.
Now, he figured he might as well go wherever life felt good.
Cameron: [No, Austin. That was just a suggestion. You don’t have to take my word for anything. Pick whatever major actually excites you.]
Austin: [Cam, I’m sticking with your pick.]
After a bit more small talk with both Austin and Xander, she got up to wash up and turn in for the night.
The next afternoon, around three, there was a knock on Cameron’s door.
When she opened it, Xander was standing there.
He lifted his chin like he was trying to play it cool. “My parents want you to come over. They sent me to pick you up.”
Cameron leaned against the doorframe. “I can get there on my own.”
Xander stepped right in. “Come on. This is my family showing some respect.”
Since he was already inside, Cameron shut the door behind him. “Fine. Isn’t it a little early, though?”
Xander paused for half a beat.
She wasn’t asking him to leave.
His lips twitched into something dangerously close to a grin.
So maybe she didn’t mind having him around after all.
He settled onto the couch like he belonged there. “We’ll head out at six. That should be perfect.”
Cameron checked the time. It was barely three.
“Want something to drink?”
“Coke,” Xander sald immediately.
“Don’t have any.”
