Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
“Nope,” Cameron said.
She had no desire for fame-just wanted her rightful earnings.
Bradley studied her with a deep gaze.
Feeling his stare, she met his eyes. “Brad, once I get the Starry royalties, I’ll pay you back.”
He softened, smiling. “Take your time.”
She nodded. He’s not in a hurry, but I am. Debt felt like a weight she needed to shed.
At 10 PM, Bradley drove Cameron back to Stellanford University, deliberately slowing down.
“Cameron,” he said suddenly in the dim, music-filled car.
She turned from the window, curious. “Hmm?”
His grip on the wheet tightened slightly. “Do you often go online?”
“Sometimes. Why?” she asked.
“I don’t have much time to scroll through my phone. I saw something confusing and wanted your take,” said Bradley.
Cameron asked, “What is it?”
“Something about love,” Bradley said after clearing his throat.
After a few seconds of silence, she figured he was serious about dating.
Seeing she didn’t reply, he glanced at her. “Can you help me understand a sentence?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure I’ll know, though,” said Cameron.
He cleared his throat. “Someone online said love is like multiplication-if one side is zero, everything is zero.”
Cameron couldn’t see the connection between mathematical laws and love. “Sorry, Brad. I don’t get it either.”
He doubted such a simple metaphor confused her. Was she avoiding the topic? The thought made his grip tense, and his breath quickened. He thought,
‘I have been honest about my feelings. If she can’t accept me… I’ll drag her to hell with me.’
He looked at her. “It’s about the third type of love.”
She genuinely didn’t follow. “Brad, I really don’t understand what you are talking about, but I can tell you’re eager to have a date.”
He didn’t deny it. “Yes.” He thought, ‘And I want to date you.’
She smiled. “Law school girls are amazing. Someone won your heart already?”
Realizing they were talking past each other, he stayed silent.
She added, “We’re friends, so introduce her to me sometime, okay?”
Stung, he hit the brakes sharply. They lurched forward but were caught by seatbelts.
She looked at him. His expression remained calm. “You’re here,” he said.
“Thanks for today. Let’s meet again soon,” Cameron said while unfastening the seat belt.
Just as she could finish, Bradley unbuckled and leaned toward her.
Cameron froze for a split second. Bradle between them. sudden movement caught her off guard. Instinctively, the raised a hand to her chest, creating distance
But Bradley reached past her to push open the car door. “This door has been acting up. I haven’t had time to fix it,” he said casually.
Cameron nodded. For that brief moment when he leaned in, his fresh scent flooded her senses, leaving her mind blank.
Bradley retreated just as quickly, settling back into his seat.
Snapping out of it, Cameron grabbed her bag. “I’m heading in, Brad.”
She had one foot already on the ground when Bradley called her, “Cameron.”
She turned around.
Bradley reached out casually and ruffled her hair. “Goodnight.”
“Night,” Cameron replied with a nod.
After getting out of the car, she glanced at Bradley. He would occasionally ruffle her hair like that. But this time, something felt a bit off. Still, she shook off the thought.
Bradley stayed parked, his gaze locked on her retreating figure until she disappeared. Flexing the hand that had touched her hair, he smiled.
Back in Room 201, Amelia and the others had arrived half a
Fan hour earlier. Lila had been practically vibrating with anticipation.
The second Cameron entered the room, Lila launched herself across the room and hugged her. “So you’re really C? You’re my idol!”
Lila’s grip was suffocating.
“Lila, let go,” Amelia interjected. “Or have you forgotten our resident genius hates being touched?”
Lila immediately released Cameron, mortified. “Sorry, sorry. I just../I can’t believe C is my roommate. I’m freaking out.”
Cameron massaged her temples. “Breathe.”
Lila grinned. “Right. Breathing. Got it.”
Sienna sighed dramatically, “Cameron, you have no idea how people treated me tonight. They actually thought I was you. The attention was insane.”
Cameron nodded. “I saw that.”
“You were there?” Sienna blinked.
Lila gasped. “But we didn’t spot you.”
“I was in the VIP section upstairs,” Cameron replied.
Amelia’s eyes narrowed. “So it was you.”
The curiosity burned. She thought, ‘So… Cameron stayed with Bradley tonight? What exactly is their relationship now?’
Pulling Cameron into the hallway, Amelia pinned her with a stare. “Can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.” Cameron nodded.
“You were with Bradley tonight, right?” Amelia asked.
Cameron nodded.
Amelia pressed further. “Are you two… together?”
Cameron frowned, “Why?”
Amelia asked, “Does he even know you’re a girl yet?”
“He knew.” Cameron had already told Bradley.
“Then what are you?”
“Friends. Need me to play wingman again? Last time was the end.”
That stunt had only worked because Bradley was forgiving, and Cameron still felt guilty at her audacity.
Amelia’s face darkened. “I’m over him.”
Cameron raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you so interested in what’s going on between us?”
The way Amelia bristled almost seemed like… jealousy. Cameron suddenly took a step back. “Amelia, you’re not still into-“
Seeing Cameron’s wary expression, Amelia rolled her eyes. “What the hell are you thinking? You’re so full of yourself.”
Cameron exhaled in relief, then smirked. “Oh, who was it that confessed to me?”
Amelia’s cheeks flushed. “That’s because you were pretending to be a guy.”
“And you didn’t figure it out for 18 years?”
