She's the Campus Prince

Cameron finished talking, expecting at least a flicker of surprise from Bradley. Maybe he'd ask why she'd been pretending to be a guy all this time.

But Bradley didn't say a word.

He just sat there, frowning. He was so lost in his own thoughts, he didn't even hear what Cameron said.

Cameron was slightly surprised, thinking, 'If Brad's so chill about this, does that mean he already knows? Well, Austin and Xander already knew, so one of them probably told him ages ago.

'Guess I was just making a fuss over nothing.'

Since Bradley didn't say anything, Cameron dropped the topic. She kept eating, while Bradley didn't even touch his cutlery again. He just sat there, frowning hard.

Cameron took a few more bites, then put her cutlery down. She was already full.

"Brad, should we head out?" Cameron asked.

Bradley didn't respond.

"Brad?" Cameron called again.

Still, he sat in his seat, unmoving.

"Brad?" she called once more.

"Hm?" Bradley finally snapped out of it. "What is it?"

Cameron asked, "Are you done eating?"

Bradley looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, I'm done."

Cameron nodded back. "I have a class meeting this afternoon, so I need to head back. Let's hang out next time."

Cameron stood up, and Bradley did too, but he grabbed her arm and said, "Cameron."

It was still blazing hot in September. Cameron wore a short-sleeved tee, and Bradley's palm wrapped easily around her wrist.

His touch was warm-hot, even-and it sent a jolt through her skin like a burn.

"What is it?" Cameron asked.

Bradley stared at her for a long moment before he slowly let go. "It's nothing.""

They walked out of the restaurant together. Cameron stepped up to the counter to pay, and Bradley didn't fight for the bill with her this time. He was clearly off somewhere else in his mind.

They walked to the door, and Cameron said, "Brad, I'm heading back now."

She had her license, but the car her parents gave her was a little too flashy for everyday use. She planned to buy something more low-i

Bradley nodded. "Alright, I won't walk you out then."

Cameron nodded back. "I'll just take a shared bike back to campus. It's not that far."

1. on.

And with that, Cameron left. Bradley stood there, watching as her figure disappeared down the street. Even after she was out of sight, he didn't move,

Sun 15 Jun

He stayed like that for ages, until someone accidentally bumped into his shoulder. The person apologized repeatedly, finally snapping him pater fisnoveldrama

daze.

He walked into a nearby convenience store, bought his first ever

pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Back in the driver's seat of his car, he lit one, took a drag and coughed.

The bitter taste hit the back of his throat like fire. He choked and coughed, then pushed his glasses up and tried again,

The smoke curled around his face, softening the sharp lines of his features as it drifted toward the open window.

He was still wondering if he had fallen for Cameron.

Bradley rested his hand with the cigarette out the car window and flicked off the ash.

He laughed mockingly, wondering, 'Am I some freak who likes men, or do I only care about Cameron?'

Bradley stayed in the car, smoked two cigarettes back to back, then stopped. He just sat there in silence until night fell and neon lights lit up the street

outside.

Bradley pulled out his phone and called Eddie. It rang forever before Eddie finally picked up with a groggy voice, "Hello?"

His voice was thick with sleep, like someone who'd just been woken up.

"Took you long enough to answer," Bradley frowned.

Eddie grumbled, "Seriously? Do you even know what time it is?"