Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron said through gritted teeth, “I said, go away now!”
Austin was a bit helpless that Cameron was so fussy about a small thing, but he had no choice but to try to please her.
Austin still smiled and said, “By the way, do you like the flowers I sent you?”
Cameron said, “So tacky.”
Austin laughed. “I know red roses are tacky, but they represent love. How else can I express my feelings to you if not with red roses?”
Austin’s handsome face was always a magnet for attention.
Cameron’s androgynous style, more dashing than most boys’, was already famous among freshmen.
Elijah’s icy demeanor also drew eyes wherever he went.
The three immediately became the center of attention for passing students.
Gossip was human nature. The girls stood by, nosy looks on their faces, and Lila tugged Amelia and Sienna over to join the spectacle.
Austin smiled brightly at Cameron, waiting for her reply.
Cameron remained expressionless, skipping his question to fire back, “Austin, guess what I’m thinking right now?”
Austin asked, “What are you thinking?”
Cameron said, “I’m thinking I shouldn’t have saved you in the park that day.”
Austin’s smile froze instantly on his face.
It was precisely because Cameron had saved him in the park that he’d developed feelings for her. Looking back now, he realized he’d probably fallen in love with her that very moment.
Yet here she was, saying such a cruel thing. It was as good as wishing he’d died that day.
He just loved her. He didn’t know what he had done wrong.
The onlookers didn’t understand what Cameron was talking about, but Austin and Elijah, who’d been there that day knew exactly what Cameron meant.
Elijah was shocked to learn Cameron was a girl, but he quickly connected the dots. Maybe Xander’s sudden change in the SAT was because Xander had known her secret.
And now Austin knew too. He was confessing his love, but it was clear Cameron didn’t feel the same. ward Cameron b
To Elijah’s relief, a wave of joy washed over him. If he’d just found out she was a girl only to see her become someone else’s girlfriend, he might have collapsed.
Stepping forward, Elijah said, “Austin, Cameron’s made her point clear. You should leave.”
Austin snapped, “It’s none of your fucking business.” He was furious, but he didn’t dare lash out at Cameron, so he turned his anger on Elijah instead.
Elijah said coldly, “Austin, your behavior is harassment. Cameron’s my friend, and if you harass my friend-“
“Friend?” Austin interrupted with a sneer. “Do you really see her as a friend, or are you just lit? me, in love with her?”
Elijah hadn’t expected Austin to ask that. His deepest secret, buried in his heart, had just been exposed, leaving him momentarily speechless.
He’d been so careful, terrified Cameron would find out how he felt. Now she was hearing about his feelings through Austin’s words.
Cameron scoffed, “Austin, do you think everyone’s like you?”
Austin tried again, “Cameron…”
Cameron snapped, “Can you just leave?”
Austin was stunned. The look of disgust on Cameron’s face cut him to the core. He wasn’t that lowly boy anymore, yet the girl he loved had humiliated him in front of everyone.
Leaving was the only way to salvage what dignity he had left. Austin pressed his lips together, amber eyes filled with sorrow, and turned to walk away.
“He looks heartbroken.” A girl sighed.
“Why is such a handsome guy into a tomboy?” another girl muttered.
“Right? I think it’s odd,” several girls chimed in.
Austin was incredibly charming, after all.
“What are you even saying? What tomboy? Cameron’s so cute-what do you know?” Lila retorted with a frown.
Amelia added coldly, “Maybe check your own looks before judging others’ appearance.”
Sienna said, “That’s really mean of you guys.”
Seeing Amelia looked tough to mess with, the girls quickly scattered.
Amelia said, “Let’s go.”
Cameron hated being stared at, so Amelia ushered Sienna and Lila back to their dorm.
Since Austin had gone, there was no more gossip, so the crowd dispersed..
Cameron ordered two cold drinks and led Elijah to the lake to rest.
Elijah glanced at Cameron nervously, wondering if she believed Austin’s words. He feared she’d reject him next after turning down Austin. His palms even started sweating from tension.
“Elijah, what do you really want to say?” Cameron asked, noticing his hesitancy.
Elijah hesitated before speaking, “Cameron, what Austin said about me…” He trailed off, unable to finish the question.
Everything today had been overwhelming-Cameron being a girl, Austin’s failed confession and Austin exposing his feelings in front of her.
Elijah’s mind was a jumble, making it hard to think clearly.
Cameron waved it off, “Elijah, I know Austin was talking nonsense. Don’t take it to heart.”
Elijah looked up at her, a mix of joy and sadness. He was glad she was comforting him but sad she didn’t believe he liked her. After all, he had hidden his crush well.
Taking a sip of her drink, Cameron said, “Elijah, seems today wasn’t a good day for you to come.”
“I didn’t expect Austin to show up either,” he replied.
Cameron frowned. “This isn’t the first time he’s pestered me.” The more he clung, the more she resented it.
Elijah studied her deeply, “When did Austin find out you’re a girl?”
She met his gaze. “Probably some time ago-I can’t remember the exact date.”
Elijah asked, “Cameron, may I ask why you’ve been dressing as a boy?”
Just imagining Cameron pretending to be male for 18 years, even living in a boys’ dorm, made Elijah feel so surreal. What’s more, he’d never suspected a thing. Her cool demeanor and better-than-boy’s physical fitness had thrown him off.
Cameron said calmly, “My adoptive parents wanted to leech off the Chapman family, so they forced me to dress as a boy to marry Amelia.
Elijah was stunned.
TU SU Mon, 16 Jun
Her adoptive parents were beyond ruthless.
He remembered once trying to kick her out of Room 316. Now, looking at her, he felt intense pity and guilt.
“I’m sorry,” he said earnestly.
Confused, Cameron asked, “Why do you apologize to me all of a sudden, Elijah?”
He replied, “Cameron, I had no idea what you’ve endured. I was so rude to you when you first moved into Room 316. I truly am sorry.”
Cameron shook her head indifferently, staring at the waterweeds in the lake. “Elijah, it’s all in the past.”
Elijah apologized again, “Sorry, Cameron.” He knew apologies came late, but his regret was genuine.
Cameron turned to look at him, saw his earnest expression, and nodded. “Okay, I forgive you.”
At her words, Elijah relaxed instantly and even smiled faintly.
The fact that Cameron was a girl proved Elijah was still straight.
Before, he’d even seen a therapist to accept his difference. Now he could embrace his feelings for Cameron calmly, just not as recklessly as Austin.
Staring at her, Elijah asked, “Cameron, can I ask you a question?”
She nodded.
