Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
When he had learned Cameron was a girl, Elijah had been stunned and thrilled. But he had been too nervous to reach out. It took weeks to muster the courage to invent this “shopping advice” excuse.
Still, he never expected her to actually show up wearing a skirt. And she was a million times more beautiful than he had imagined. As the SAT state runner-up, he prided himself on his vocabulary. Yet now, no words could capture her.
They entered the store where the staff admired Elijah’s handsome look. Now, they were even more surprised to see such a gorgeous girl walking beside him.
“Sir, your girlfriend is gorgeous! You two look perfect together,” a clerk praised sincerely.
Standing side by side, their height matched perfectly, and both were incredibly good-looking. They looked like a couple made for each other.
Elijah’s breath hitched. He thought, ‘Perfect? Me and Cameron?’
Cameron smiled, “Sorry, we’re just friends.”
The clerk backtracked hastily. “My mistake. You just look so matched.”/
Elijah glanced at Cameron but stayed silent.
Cameron turned to him. “See anything you liked earlier?”
He shook his head. “Not yet.” His heartbeat had steadied somewhat, but he still couldn’t meet her eyes or even look at her face.
When Cameron dressed as a guy, Elijah had no problem looking at her all day. But now, just the sight of her in this outfit sent his heart into overdrive.
“How old is your sister?” Cameron asked.
Elijah focused intently on the racks of clothes. “Two years younger than me.”
“Sixteen then. What’s her usual style?”
“Style?”
“Cute? Sweet? Tomboy?” Or sexy, though Cameron left that unsaid. Elijah’s sister was too young.
Elijah was puzzled, thinking, ‘Girls’ clothes have that many different styles? So what style is Cameron’s outfit right now?”
His gaze flicked to Cameron’s lean legs and then darted away as his ears reignited.
“Elijah?” She tilted her head when he didn’t answer.
“N-no particular style,” Elijah stammered.
Cameron sighed. She thought, ‘Well, maybe asking a guy to analyze a girl’s fashion style is too much.’
She stepped closer to Elijah. “Show me your sister’s photo.” Usually, facial features could hint at someone’s preferred style.
The moment Cameron approached, Elijah’s heart went into overdrive again. Nervous but unwilling to retreat, he pressed a hand against his chest as if to steady the frantic beating.
“Elijah, you look unwell. Are you okay?” Cameron asked with concern.
“Sir, maybe you should sit down and rest for a while,” the clerk suggested, eyeing Elijah’s flushed face.
Elijah did look unwell. He sank onto the plush sofa, accepting the glass of water the clerk brought. He sipped slowly, trying to calm himself.
“Elijah, give me your hand,” Cameron said.
“What?” Elijah froze.
Without waiting, Cameron took his wrist.
Elijah instinctively tried to pull back, but Cameron held firm. “Stay still.”
Her fingers rested lightly on his pulse point. After a long moment, she met his eyes. “You’re fine physically, but your emotions are all over the place. What’s going on?”
“You… You know medicine?” Elijah was surprised.
Cameron released his wrist. “A little.”
Elijah kept his gaze lowered. He thought, ‘Just a little is enough. Please don’t let her see through me. I’m not ready to confess, not like this.’
Recognizing his reluctance to explain, Cameron tactfully dropped the subject.
After composing himself, Elijah scrolled through his phone and pulled up a photo of his sister, Adeline Moore.
The Moore family did have great genes. Though not yet sixteen, Adeline had blossomed into a radiant beauty, her sweet smile and crescent-moon eyes sparkling with such joy that anyone who saw the picture couldn’t help but smile too.
Cameron was no exception. Returning the phone, she said, “Your sister is adorable. I’ve got a good idea now. Let me pick a few pieces for her.” She swiftly selected several outfits suited to Adeline’s youthful charm.
With the shopping bags in hand, they exited the boutique.
“Elijah, since we’re here, do you want to get your sister some jewelry?” Cameron asked.
Elijah’s nerves had finally settled enough for him to glance at Cameron, only to be struck anew by her profile. Every view of her was perfect.
Elijah’s heart started pounding again, forcing him to look away. “Jewelry? Like what? I’m clueless. Do you have any suggestions?”
He wanted to keep her nearby a little longer. He was already planning to invite her to dinner afterward as thanks.
Cameron said, “At her age, bracelets or necklaces are safe bets. Let’s check the jewelry section downstairs.”
“Sure.” Elijah nodded.
They headed down to the jewelry area on the first floor.
The jewelry store clerk mistook them for a couple because they really looked like a perfect match.
Cameron politely corrected before she pointed to a clover-patterned bracelet. “Could we see this one?”
The clerk eagerly took it. “Miss, try it on. It looks even better worn.”
“Not for me.” Cameron shook her head.
Elijah hesitated. “Adeline’s wrists are as slender as yours. Maybe you could model it?”
Cameron nodded. “Alright, I’ll try it on.”
The clerk carefully fastened the clover bracelet around Cameron’s wrist. Against her flawless skin, the pale green charms seemed to glow, accentuating the delicate skin beneath.
“Stunning,” Elijah blurted out.
“Sir, your boyfriend has excellent taste,” the clerk praised. “It looks absolutely divine on her.”
Cameron rotated her wrist slightly. “Looks good? Get this one for your sister then?”
Elijah stared at her hand, throat tight. “Yeah.”
A selfish part of him wanted to protest when she removed the bracelet. It belonged to her as if it was made for no one else. But she had already taken it off before he could speak.
Pressing his lips together, Elijah followed as Cameron moved to the necklace display.
“Which of these do you think your sister would prefer?” asked..
Elijah scanned the cases blankly. “They all look kind of
“ne.”
“
Cameron chuckled. She thought, ‘Well. Male vision strikes again.’
She selected a simple platinum necklace with understated elegance, and Elijah went to pay for it.
They bought clothes, a necklace, and a bracelet. Elijah cleared his throat. “Cameron, thanks for helping me pick these out. Let me treat you to dinner?”
“Sure.” After hours of shopping, Cameron was hungry.
Bags in hand, they took the elevator down to the underground parking lot.
“Eli?” Bradley stepped into the mall caf? for a late-night coffee. Just as he glanced up, he caught a familiar profile. But before he could call out, Elijah turned away.
What surprised Bradley more was the long-haired girl beside Elijah. Even from behind, her posture radiated grace.
A smirk tugged at Bradley’s lips. He thought, ‘Even Eli is dating now. The boy who used to live solely for equations finally awakened to romance.
‘But why can’t Cameron see what’s right in front of him? I dropped so many hints that day, but he still remained clueless.
Love is like multiplication. If one side is zero, everything ends up as nothing. Forget it. Whether he gets it or not, I’m making my move once I get through this busy period.’
Bradley tightened his grip on the coffee cup. When he looked up again, Elijah and Cameron had already vanished.
