Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Logan and Gwen exchanged baffled looks. Their precious son was actually behaving himself around Cameron. That was a first.
*****
After lunch, Cameron and Xander headed back to the study. Gwen brought them snacks and drinks herself, hovering at the doorway.
“Do you two want to take a break?” Gwen asked with a smile. “You’ve been working so hard.”
“We’re good, Mom.” Xander waved her off.
As soon as Gwen closed the door behind her, Xander turned on Cameron. “Why the hell did you turn down my parents’ offer?” he demanded, glaring at her.
Cameron ignored his question and fired back with one of her own. “You’re that desperate to make me your brother?” Xander’s words caught in his throat.
It wasn’t that he desperately wanted it. He just hated being rejected, period. He’d kept his mouth shut in front of his parents to save Cameron some face, but now that they were alone, he wanted answers. Cameron pulled up a test on her laptop and slid it in front of him. “Do this.”
Xander pushed the laptop away. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
“The tutoring session has started, Xander,” Cameron said, tapping her finger on the desk. “I’m charging you whether you cooperate or not.”
Without missing a beat, Xander whipped out his phone and tapped away. Seconds later, Cameron’s phone pinged with a notification.
Before she could even check it, Xander announced smugly, “I just transferred you 300 thousand dollars. That buys me 10 hours. Now you can answer my question, right?”
Cameron stared at him, completely speechless Successfully unlocked!on’t want to,” she finally said, her voice cool.”
Any other questions?”
“Yeah, why not?” Xander pressed.
Cameron’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think everyone’s just dying to latch onto you for the perks, Xander? If that were true, why wouldn’t I have clung to Amelia Chapman instead?”
That shut Xander up. The Chapman family was just as loaded and powerful as the Murphy family
Instead of becoming Logan’s godson, Cameron could be Amelia’s husband if he wanted. Once he and Amelia had a couple of kids, his position would be rock solid.
“If you’re so high and mighty,” Xander snapped, “why are you even here tutoring me for cash?”
Cameron’s of?” eyes flickered with annoyance. “Since when is earning money through honest work something to be ashamed
Xander had no comeback for that one.
When he stayed quiet, Cameron pressed on. “Any other questions? No? Then work through this packet.”
Xander crossed his arms and slouched back in his armchair. “Don’t bother. I don’t know any of it. Just start from scratch.”
“Fine, Cameron sighed. “Saves us both time anyway.”
Xander was left speechless.
Cameron launched into the lesson, but it quickly became obvious that Xander’s knowledge gaps were beyond alarming. With only two months left before the SATS, there was no way to patch this disaster.
After explaining just two problems, Cameron put her pencil down. “Xander, maybe we should just call it quits? No matter how much cramming we do, you’re not going to magically improve.”
Xander caught the disgust in her voice and shot her a death glare. “You little punk, what’s that supposed to mean? I paid you in full.”
“I can refund you.” Cameron shrugged. Just for that one hour this morning would be fine.
“No way.” Xander crossed his arms. “I want you to tutor me.”
Cameron was at a loss for words. “You really want me to tutor you that badly?” she finally asked.
“Obviously,” he replied.
“And you’ll actually listen to what I say?”
Xander’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“If you seriously want to improve your grades, Cameron explained, “I’d need to start with freshman-level concepts. Once we’ re back at school, we’ll be living in the library every moment we’re not in class. Can you handle that?”
Xander frowned, “I’ve got basketball championships week after next. I need every day next week to practice.”
Cameron thought for a moment. “Fine. We’ll start the week after that.”
“Deal.” Xander nodded. ‘It’s just studying, right? If Cameron can do it, so can I; he thought.
Cameron pointed at the computer screen. “Alright, let’s look at question three.”
She started explaining the problems to Xander, but they’d barely gotten through a few when her phone buzzed again. Cameron completely ignored it.
Soon, another WhatsApp notification popped up on her phone. “Take another look at this problem while I answer this,” Cameron said.
“Sure,” Xander muttered, propping his head up with his hand.
As Cameron pulled out her phone, Xander’s eyes immediately darted to her screen. “Hey,” he said casually, “how about we go out for a nice dinner tonight?”
“What kind of dinner?” Cameron asked as she unlocked her phone. She’d barely finished speaking when she saw Bradley’s WhatsApp message.
Bradley: [Free for dinner tonight? I found this amazing fondue place. Wanna check it out?]
Cameron’s fingers hovered over the screen. Just then, Xander piped up, “Whatever you want, I’m down.”
“How about fondue?” Cameron suggested. She quickly replied to Bradley: [Sorry Brad, already made plans with a friend.]
Xander’s eyes lit up. “Just the two of us might be kinda boring. What if we invite your sister too?”
Cameron stared at him blankly. “So you actually want to have dinner with Milena?” she asked, her face expressionless.” Why drag me along as a third wheel?”
“To help break the ice, obviously,” Xander replied.
“I’m busy, Cameron said flatly.
Xander frowned, “Look at that sour face. Do you really hate me that much? What’s wrong with me wanting to be friends with your sister?”
“Not my problem,” Cameron said coldly.
Xander rolled his eyes. “Fine, if you won’t help, I’ll just ask her myself.” He pulled out his phone to message Milena on WhatsApp.
“Are we going to continue this lesson or what?” Cameron asked.
“You’re on your phone too!” Xander shot back.
Cameron was about to put her phone down when a WhatsApp message from Bradley popped up.
Bradley (That’s too bad. Next time then.]
Cameron: [Sorry about that, Brad)
Bradley (Come by my place when you get home tonight.]
Cameron: [What’s up?
Bradley: [You’ll find out when you get here.]
Cameron hesitated for a few seconds before replying: [Sorry Brad, I probably won’t be back to Noble Vista tonight.]
Bradley [Something keeping you busy?]
Cameron: [Got a part-time job tutoring someone.]
Bradley [Alright, just don’t burn yourself out.]
Cameron sent back a simple “OK” emoji.
While Cameron was texting Bradley, Xander was busy messaging Milena, trying to set up dinner for that evening.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, Milena shot him down again.
Xander tossed his phone onto the desk with a frustrated groan. What’s her deal? he thought. ‘She’s super friendly when we chat online, but refuses to grab a simple meal with me!
Cameron ignored Xander’s sour face, putting her phone away and tapping the computer screen. “Let’s continue.”
Xander crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at the screen and silently fuming.
After Cameron finished explaining a problem, she asked, “Did you get that?”
Xander, who’d been completely zoned out, blinked. “Huh? Yeah, got it.”
“Then walk me through the solution, Cameron sneered.
