Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Eddie grumbled, “Seriously? Do you even know what time it is?”
Bradley glanced at his watch. “It’s 7:30 PM. Are you still sleeping, or did you just
Eddie shot back, “What do you mean it’s 7:30 PM? It’s only 6:30 AM here, okay?” to bed?”
He hadn’t even gone to bed until 3 AM. If anyone else called him at this hour, he would’ve cussed them out already.
Bradley asked, “Where are you?”
Eddie froze, thinking, ‘Where am I again.
Oh, right, he wasn’t even in the country. No wonder there was a time difference.
Eddie sprawled out on his bed, rubbing his still-groggy eyes. “I’m in Montelira. I came here as an exchange student.”
“Exchange student?” Bradley sounded surprised. “When did that happen?”
“This semester,” Eddie replied.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Bradley asked.
“Weren’t you off at fitness training?”
Bradley had no words.
Now that he was a bit more awake, Eddie teased, “What, you finished training and the first thing you do is call me? You missed me that much?”
Bradley ignored his narcissistic remark. “Eddie, I want to ask you something, and you have to answer honestly.”
“Go ahead,” Eddie said, picking up on the seriousness in his tone and sitting up.
Bradley asked, “What does it feel like to like someone?”
“Brad, you finally realized you like Cameron?”
Bradley blinked, caught off guard.
“So, are you two finally getting together or what?” Eddie asked, practically buzzing with excitement.
Still, Bradley remained silent.
Bradley frowned. “Eddie, quit joking around.”
“I’m being serious, Brad,” Eddie said..
“You really think Mike Cameron?” Bradley pressed.
“Dude, anyone with half a brain can tell you do.”
Bradley stayed quiet, his mind spinning.
Eddie asked nosily, “But Brad, does Cam like you back?”
“Cameron’s a guy.”
“I know, but if he were a girl, do you really think you’d even have a shot?” That was because Eddie would’ve shot his shot long ago if Cameron were a girl, and a really cute one at that.
Bradley frowned. “Eddie, I dare you to repeat that.”
Eddie was stunned. He didn’t think Bradley would get jealous over jokes like this. However, that meant Bradley didn’t just have a crush on Cameront but he loved her.
Eddie laughed it off, “Come on, Brad. Don’t be so serious. I was just joking around. What did you ask just now? Oh, what does it feel like to like someone?
“Honestly, the simplest way to tell is, do you feel something when you’re near her? Do you?”
“What kind of feeling?” Bradley asked.
Eddie scratched his head. “Seriously, Brad. You’re already an adult. Why are you still pretending to be some innocent kid in front of me?”
Bradley was confused.
Eddie pressed, “So? Do you feel anything?”
Bradley had no words.
Eddie burst out laughing. “Too embarrassed to say it out loud? That’s fine, as long as you know in your heart. Congrats, Brad. Looks like you’re about to stop being single.”
Bradley frowned. “Don’t you think there’s something off about this?”
Eddie frowned back. “Off? If you like someone, you like them. What’s the problem?”
“Cameron’s a guy.”
Eddie shrugged. “So what? Are you worried the family won’t approve of this? You’ve got six brothers, you know. No one’s counting on you to carry on the family line.”
“No,” Bradley cut him off, “Eddie, what I mean is, do I actually just like Cameron, or do I like guys?”
Eddie was stunned for a moment, then after a moment, he grinned at his phone and said, “Brad, I’ve got an idea. Want to try it out?”
At first, Bradley wanted nothing to do with Eddie’s plan. But after thirty minutes of overthinking, he found himself pulling up to the bar Eddie had mentioned.
The place was tucked away, hidden from view.
This bar had one rule, which was only gay men were allowed into the bar.
Bradley sat in his car across the street, watching through the window as men danced under spinning lights, bodies moving to the beat.
Some of them were even getting a little handsy.
Bradley tightened his grip around the steering wheel. After hesitating for ages, he finally pushed open the car door and got out.
He was tall and well-built, with a handsome face framed by his gold-rimmed glasses, looking every bit the refined gentleman.
The moment he reached the entrance, he immediately caught the attention of several men.
He fought down his discomfort, headed straight to the bar, ordered a dozen drinks, and grabbed a seat in the back.
The place was dim, with colored lights spinning overhead and bass thumping in the background.
Bradley had just poured himself a drink when a skinny but decent-looking guy plopped down across from him without even asking.
“Hey there, handsome. Here by yourself?” The guy pretended to tuck some imaginary hair behind his ear.
His move was so flirty that it almost made him look like a girl.
Bradley frowned. “I’m waiting for a friend.”
And just like that, Bradley knew this type wasn’t for him. Cameron didn’t act like this. He was masculine and straightforward, but the guy opposite him wasn’t.
Bradley took a sip of his drink and let his gaze wander. As he glanced toward the dance floor and back, his eyes locked with someone else’s.
The guy had a buzz cut, wore a crisp white shirt, and had a clean, sharp look. He didn’t seem feminine at all, and honestly, if he weren’t in this bar, one’d never guess he was gay.
Bradley’s gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds before he looked away. Still, the man kept his eyes on him before he broke into a smile.
After a moment, he finally walked toward Bradley. He held a glass of wine and sat down gracefully across from Bradley, smiling as he asked, “First time here, sir?”
Bradley gave him a bland look. “How many times have you been here?”
The man chuckled. “You’re pretty funny, you know that? You really don’t fit in here.”
Bradley remained expressionless. “Aren’t you the same?”
The man grinned. “Oh? Am I out of place too?”
Bradley didn’t feel anything for the guy in front of him, but he didn’t send him away either. He just didn’t want anyone else coming over to hit on him.
Most of the people here looked pretty effeminate, and Bradley just couldn’t deal with that.
They made small talk for over an hour. The guy seemed to think they were hitting it off, that maybe Bradley was actually into him. B
But the truth was, Bradley had just been putting up with it the whole time. He really couldn’t stand the vibe here.
“Hey, want to toast together?” The man raised his glass.
“No.” Bradley turned him down..
The man just picked up his drink and sat beside Bradley. “It’s your first time here, but you don’t have to be so stiff. Come on, have a drink?”
