Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
For seven years, his heart had felt empty.
Right now, he felt complete. His heart was filled with the girl beside him. Just driving her home brought him pure joy. He hadn’t felt this happy in seven years-a happiness he couldn’t contain.
Bradley drove while Cameron sat with her eyes closed, face turned toward the window. The car was so quiet that they could hear each other breathing. Over the past seven years, Cameron had spent most of her time in the lab, maybe seeing Elijah and Amelia a few times a year. All her energy went into research.
Right now, she has actually been relaxed for once. Cameron thought she wouldn’t fall asleep, but she did.
Bradley pulled the car to a stop at the dock. He called out tentatively, “Cameron?”
There was no response.
Bradley stared at the car window, where Cameron’s sleeping face was reflected in the glass.
Her features were delicate and beautiful-when she’d been a boy, there had been something soft about her looks, and now as a girl, there was a hint of something strong and spirited. It was a flawless face.
Just watching her reflection in the window made his heart race. This was the girl he’d been searching for all along.
He’d met so many people, but never had a girl made his heart skip a beat after just a few encounters.
Bradley almost wished time would freeze, letting him watch Cameron sleep-even that would be enough to make him feel complete.
But it was already nine at night, and Cameron still had to take the boat back to the island.
By the time she got home, it would be really late.
So Bradley called out again. Cameron still didn’t respond. She was sleeping deeply.
“Cameron, wake up.” Bradley leaned closer to her. He raised his hand, hesitated momentarily, then gently placed his palm on Cameron’s shoulder and gave her a light shake. “Cameron, we’re here.”
Cameron jolted awake and grabbed Bradley’s hand, her fingers tightening instinctively with surprising strength.
“Ugh.” Bradley winced and let out a muffled grunt, his brow furrowing from the pain.
Cameron fully snapped back to reality when she saw who it was and quickly released his hand. “Sorry, Brad. Are you okay?”
Bradley shook his hand out, his face showing helpless resignation. “I’m fine.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know it was you,” Cameron said.
Bradley shook his head slightly. “Didn’t realize you were that strong.”
The pain had been sharp, almost piercing.
“I only used about thirty percent of my strength,” Cameron said.
Bradley fell silent. ‘Am I really that weak?’
Cameron glanced out the window. “We’re at the dock already.”
Bradley nodded. “Yeah, we’ve been here for a bit.”
Cameron unbuckled her seatbelt. “Thanks for driving me back, Brad.”
“My pleasure,” Bradley replied.
Cameron gave a slight nod and pushed open the car door to leave, but Bradley called out to her. “Cameron.”
She turned back. “Yeah?”
“You’re calling me Brad now, so if I keep using your full name, wouldn’t that be too formal? How about I call you Cam?”
Cameron considered this and nodded. “Sure.”
A smile spread across Bradley’s face. “Cam, can I take you out tomorrow night?”
Cameron shook her head. “Toihorrow won’t work.”
“Already have plans or-
“I have plans.” Cameron cut him off. “I’m going to my friend’s mom’s birthday dinner.”
Bradley grinned, “Then can I book the night after?”
“Brad, your law firm is in Steerfall. All this back-and-forth driving must be exhausting.”
Bradley’s smile grew wider. “Cam, so you’re worried about me, aren’t you?”
Cameron gave him a noncommittal answer. “If that’s how you want to see it.”
“Then I’ll take it as you caring about me.”
Cameron just smiled without saying anything.
Bradley watched the beautiful smile on her face and said, “Cam, I can tell you’re not against me pursuing you, right?”
Cameron gripped the car door handle. “Brad, it’s late. I need to go home.”
“Okay.” Bradley nodded, then added, “Oh, Cam, I forgot to mention. I opened a law firm in Viremont too, so you don’t have to worry about me running back and forth between cities.”
Cameron looked surprised. “When?”
“I decided a few days after meeting you. After a month of preparation, it’s almost ready. The office is right across from your company in that building.”
Cameron fell silent. She initially chose that location for her company because it was in the suburbs and had cheap rent.
Seven years later, the area had developed into a bustling district with heavy foot traffic. For Bradley to get a law firm up and running there in just a month must have taken considerable effort.
Bradley waved. “Cam, can we exchange contact information?”
“Sure.” Cameron gave him her phone number, picked up her bag, and walked away.
Bradley watched Cameron board the ferry. Just as the ferry was about to depart, Bradley jumped on board. He bought a ticket from the conductor.
Cameron stood on the second-floor deck, watching every move Bradley made below. ‘What’s he doing? Is his problem acting up again?’
She remained perfectly still on the deck, just watching. She could let the last time slide. But if there was a next time, she and Bradley would be finished.
That was precisely why she hadn’t told him how she felt yet-she needed to see if he was still as obsessive as before..
The sea breeze lifted Cameron’s shoulder-length hair, revealing her cold expression.
But after Bradley boarded, he simply found a seat and sat down. He ordered a drink and just sat there quietly.
With his striking looks and natural charm, young women didn’t take long to approach him, but Bradley turned them all away with polite distance.
Bradley pulled out his phone and sent Cameron a WhatsApp message.
From her spot on the second floor, Cameron had found the perfect vantage point. She could see everything Bradley did, but he couldn’t see her. She
THUZ fixed her eyes on him, ignoring her phone when it buzzed.
Bradley sent her another message. Cameron didn’t respond to that
Bradley just sat there, gripping his phone, waiting for Cameron to reply.
By the time the ferry reached the island, Bradley still hadn’t received any reply from Cameron.
Bradley didn’t get off. He stayed hidden in the crowd, watching Cameron flow down with the other passengers. A slight smile tugged at his lips. At least this way, he’d seen her home safely.
It was getting late, and she was just a helpless girl. He’d been genuinely worried about her.
Seeing Cameron step off the boat, Bradley finally felt at ease.
He took the ferry straight back.
Only after getting off did Cameron see Bradley’s messages.
Bradley: [Cam, it’s Bradley. Can you see my messages?]
Bradley: [Cam, isn’t it cold on the boat tonight? I should have given you the blanket from my trunk. Are you cold? Don’t stand where the wind hits you.]
Cameron turned back toward the ferry, growing smaller on the water. The messages were from over ten minutes ago, when she’d been on the boat looking at Bradley.
She thought to herself, ‘What is Bradley doing? Coming all this way on the ferry, then leaving right away. What’s the point?’
Cameron checked Bradley’s message. In her friend list, she found Bradley’s other number. They were friends now.
Cameron sent him a message. [Brad, I can see you.]
