Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
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Vincent stood respectfully by the rear door, opening it as Austin E he. “Sir,” Vincent greeted.
But Austin’s attention was fixed across the street.
Cameron was surrounded by three or four tall, athletic-looking guys. She looked small in comparison-and like she might be in trouble.
Austin’s gaze lingered for a beat and then turned icy. Without a word, he ducked into the Bentley.
“Drive,” he said coldly.
“Yes, sir,” Vincent replied.
Austin pulled a pill from his bag, popped it into his mouth, and chased it with a gulp of bottled water.
In the rearview mirror, Vincent glanced at him with concern. “Sir, you’re still taking that medication? It’s really damaging your body.”
Austin gave a bitter laugh. “Do I have a choice? If I stop, I won’t make it.”
Vincent fell silent.
Vincent was quiet for a while before he finally spoke again. “Sir, you’ve been staying at school for quite some time now. Won’t Samuel start getting suspicious?”
Austin let out a cold laugh. “Suspicious? Of what? As long as I’m home, he sends people to monitor my condition. If I’m close to dying, trust me-he’ll know before I do,”
Vincent didn’t say a word, but his expression showed clear concern.
Austin caught the look and frowned. “Don’t give me that face. I don’t need your pity.”
Vincent quickly responded, “Of course not, sir. That’s not what I meant.”
Austin’s voice dropped, calm and emotionless. “Don’t worry. This miserable, gut-churning life I’ve been living-hiding under someone else’s roof, terrified all the time-it’s coming to an end.”
“I believe in your plan, sir,” Vincent said sincerely.
Austin turned to look out the window. Across the street, he spotted Cameron, still surrounded by a group of towering guys. His lips twitched faintly.
‘Hopefully, he’ll still be in one piece come Sunday. If not-what a waste.’
Austin turned away, eyes frosty.
Then came the coughing-harsh, sudden, violent-thanks to that pill.
He hacked into a tissue, crimson blooming across the white.
Pale, ghostlike, and breathless-he looked like death warmed over.
But Austin just stared at the bloody tissue, lips curving in a satisfied smirk.
*****
Cameron strolled down the street just outside school, a backpack slung over one shoulder, one hand in her pocket, a Bluetooth earbud tucked into her ear playing something upbeat.
Once she crossed the block, she could grab a cab and head home.
Then, out of nowhere, four guys swarmed her.
“Yo, isn’t this the loser Cameron? The one Amelia dumped?” one of them sneered.
Leading the charge was Tyrell from the basketball team.
Cameron came to a stop, calmly removed her earbud, and gave them all a flat look.
The rest of the group were familiar-also basketball players.
Clearly, they weren’t here to chat.
“Dumped by Amelia and still got the nerve to show your face? Should’ve just offed yourself.”
“Dude probably doesn’t have the guts!”
“Look at him! Pale as a ghost, built like a girl, barely five-night-doesn’t even look like a guy. It’s hilarious!”
They burst into laughter.
Cameron kept her gaze on Tyrell, unfazed. “What do you want?”
Tyrell cracked his knuckles. “Look at you, playing tough. You’ve got some balls thinking you can mess with Xan. Who the hell do you think you are?”
His teammates jumped in right away.
“You made Xan move out of Room 316! Seriously?”
“You think you can take on the Murphy family with your background? You must have a death wish.”
“What, now that you’ve got Mr. Drake on your side, you think you’re untouchable?”
Cameron’s voice cut through their noise like a blade. “So…Xander sent you?”
Tyrell snorted and stepped closer. “Please. Xan couldn’t care less about you. You’re nothing to him. But we couldn’t just stand by and watch you treat him like crap. Someone’s gotta teach you a lesson.”
Cameron shrugged. “Alright. Bring it on.”
Tyrell blinked.
‘Wait, what? Why isn’t he scared? Shouldn’t he be freaking out right now-shaking, begging, offering to bring Xan back to Room 316?’
Tyrell gave one of the guys a look, signaling him to go rough Cameron up a little. The guy rolled his shoulders and stepped forward, eager to throw a punch.
They’d had it with Cameron.
After all, Cameron’d embarrassed Xander. That meant she had to pay the price.
They weren’t about to let that slide.
But just as the guy stepped in, a sharp, cold voice rang out behind them.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
The sudden voice of a girl cut through the tension.
Tyrell and the others turned around to see a girl approaching them, dressed in Langford Academy’s uniform. Her long, sleek hair flowed like silk, and her stunning face was framed with cool detachment
Her legs, long and slender beneath the skirt hem, carried her toward them with unhurried confidence.
The boys, who moments ago looked like they were ready to throw punches, froze blace, clearly captivated.
‘Damn. Amelia was gorgeous. Perfect face. Flawless body. Like the universe decided to flex a little
She stopped in front of them, frowned slightly, and asked, “What exactly are you guys doing?”
“I… We… I mean…” Tyrell stammered, backing up a couple of steps.
Amelia ignored them completely. Her gaze shifted to Cameron, sharp and curious.
“Cameron, why are you just standing there? Weren’t we supposed to grab dinner together?” She arched a brow as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Cameron blinked.
‘She is helping me? That…is unexpected’
Cameron wasn’t the type to turn down a timely rescue.
Of course, she played along.
“Oh. Right, I almost forgot,” she said and then casually walked over to Amelia.
It wasn’t until the two of them got into the white Maserati and drove off that the boys realized what had happened.
“Shit!” Tyrell cursed, jaw tight. “That brat got away!”
Inside the car, Cameron sat quietly by the window, watching the streets rush past in reverse. “Just let me out up ahead,” she said. “Thanks for stepping in.”
She turned to Amelia. “I owe you one.”
Amelia’s voice was calm. “You don’t owe me anything.”
She didn’t ask what happened back there or why Cameron had been surrounded.
