Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Cameron scrolled through website after website. There were plenty of ways to make money, sure, but she was still in high school with a pretty restricted schedule.
While Cameron was clicking through various pages, her phone pinged with a notification. A WhatsApp message popped up.
Xander: [Cameron, it’s Xander. This is my number.]
Cameron had deleted Xander’s number earlier because he was getting on her nerves. She glanced at the message but didn’ t bother replying, just set her phone aside.
Almost immediately, a second message from Xander appeared.
Xander: [Cameron, stop playing dead. I know you saw this. Text me back. I need to talk to you about something important.] “Something important?” Cameron muttered to herself. After thinking it over for a second, she decided to respond: [What is it?]
If whatever Xander had to say wasn’t actually i Successfully unlocked!
Xander: [YES! Finally got you to answer!]
Cameron: [Get to the point.] ys block him again.
Xander: [Hey, smartass, what’s with the attitude? I know you’re some genius prodigy. No wonder Mr. Drake keeps you under his wing]
Cameron: [One more crap and I’m deleting you.]
Xander was left speechless.
Xander: [Cameron, I want you to tutor me.]
Cameron: [Not available.]
‘First Elijah, now him? Did everyone think I was some free tutor? Dream on, Camerag thought with a huff
Xander: [Don’t turn me down! I’ll pay you.]
Cameron paused. ‘He’ll pay? she thought.
After thinking it over, Cameron replied: [Pay me? Just so you know, I don’t come cheap.] Xander shot back with complete confidence: [Money’s the last thing I’m short on.]
Cameron rolled her eyes.
Cameron: [You know I charged Elijah 30 grand for one math problem, right?]
She started typing her next message-that she could offer him a discount if he wanted regular tutoring sessions-but before she could send it, Xander’s reply popped up on her screen.
Xander: [I’ve got cash to burn. I’ll triple it. Elijah paid 30 grand per problem? Let’s make it 100 thousand dollars each. How’s that sound?]
“Pfft-” Cameron was typing and sipping water when Xander’s message popped up on her screen. She choked mid-swallow. Cameron couldn’t believe her eyes. ‘Isn’t he basically a walking ATM?’ she thought. If she’d known it would be this easy. she would’ve shown off her real abilities way sooner.
Before Cameron could even reply, Xander sent another message: [What’s wrong? Not enough for you? How about 150 thousand dollars per problem?]
Cameron was speechless. She finally texted back: [That works.]
Xander: [Great. It’s the weekend, so come over to my place and tutor me.]
Cameron: [Right now?]
Xander: [Yeah, now. I’ll send you the address. Get over here.]
Xander shared his location, quite a drive from downtown.
Cameron glanced at the time-9:30 AM. It was still early.
She got up and headed to her bedroom to change. As Cameron stepped into her walk-in closet, her eyes landed on the small collection of clothes hanging there. Bradley had bought every single piece for her.
Cameron at a loss for words.
She sighed, running her fingers over different clothing options before settling on a long-sleeve T-shirt and light blue jeans. Standing in front of the mirror, she messed with her bangs, pushing them out of her face.
Summer was just around the corner, her absolute least favorite season. With temperatures hitting over a hundred degrees, she’d still have to bind her chest. It was pure torture.
Cameron slung her bag over her shoulder and grabbed a taxi to Murphy Manor. Once she arrived at the ridiculously lavish mansion, she texted Xander: [I’m here.]
Xander replied immediately: [That was quick. I’ll have the housekeeper get you.]
Cameron: [Cool.]
Within minutes, a middle-aged woman in a crisp business suit appeared. “Hello, are you Mr. Wallace?” she asked with that practiced professional smile.
Cameron gave a slight nod.
“Mr. Wallace, please follow me,” the housekeeper said, gesturing toward the entrance.
Cameron trailed behind her into the estate. Murphy Manor was massive, with multiple buildings spread across the grounds, so vast she couldn’t even see where the property ended.
Cameron followed the butler past the fountain, through the garden, and around the outdoor pool. They finally stopped at the edge of the stables.
“Mr. Wallace,” the butler said with a bow, “Mr. Murphy is riding inside. Please go ahead.”
Cameron stared blankly. ‘Riding? What happens to the tutoring session we’re supposed to have? Why the hell is Xander hanging out at the stables instead of in the study?’
Cameron glanced around, taking in the massive equestrian facility that had to be several acres at least.
In the center of it all was Xander, decked out in full riding gear, racing around on a chestnut horse with a flowing mane.
His tall figure sat perfectly straight in the sadde Successfully unlocked! and practiced. He looked like he’d stepped right out of some fancy sportswear ad.
“Xander!” Cameron called out.
Xander turned his head while still on horseback and flashed her a wide grin. With a quick “whoa,” he brought the horse to a stop, then jumped down effortlessly and strode toward Cameron at the entrance.
Cameron stood there in a simple white tee and light jeans, her short hair framing her delicate, striking features, looking every bit like a gorgeous cartoon character come to life.
Xander smirked. “Well, well, look at you. Got all dressed up just to see me?”
Cameron rolled her eyes and gave Xander’s riding outfit a once-over. “That’s rich. You knew I was coming and decided to show off your horse skills to impress me?”
“How’d you know that?” Xander asked.
Cameron just stared at him, speechless.
Xander pointed toward the stable where at least a dozen horses were grazing, “Want to go for a ride?
“I don’t know how,” Cameron replied flatly.
Xander perked up. “I could teach you.”
“Not interested.”
Now it was Xander’s turn to be at a loss for words.
“Look, Xander,” Cameron said, “I’m here to tutor you. Are we doing this or not?”
Xander nodded eagerly. “Yeah, definitely.”
“Where should we go?”
“The study works.”
As Xander led Cameron toward the main house, he couldn’t help but complain, “You’re seriously no fun. I just wanted to ride horses with you.”
“I’m here to make money, not play around,” Cameron said.
Xander rolled his eyes. “Wow, all about the cash, huh?”
Cameron didn’t bother responding. She just kept pace behind him.
Xander walked ahead, his tall, athletic frame cutting an impressive figure. For someone who’d just turned 18, his broad shoulders gave off a surprisingly reassuring vibe.
When they entered the main house living room, Xander’s parents were both there.
“Mom, Dad, this is my roommate Cameron,” Xander announced, gesturing toward the couple sitting on the sofa.
“I’m going upstairs to change, little punk.” Xander tossed over his shoulder to Cameron before heading up the stairs. Cameron was completely lost for words.
“Watch your mouth, Xander! Who taught you to call people little punk?” his mother, Gwen Murphy, scolded, though her voice was full of affection.
She turned to Cameron with a warm smile. “Cam, come sit down. Make yourself at home.”
Cameron didn’t know what to say. She was here for tutoring, not some family visit.
Still, politeness won out. “Hello, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Murphy,” she said as she took a seat.
