“Xan.” Tyrell’s eyes darted nervously toward Cameron before he stumbled through his greeting.
Xander, typically oblivious, didn’t notice anything off about Tyrell’s behavior. “Wait for me at the court. I’ll be there after I park.”
The group gave Cameron another glance before hurrying away. Cameron pretended not to notice them.
After Xander parked in the lot, Cameron hopped off and adjusted her bag. Thank
“Hey, Cam,” Xander called after her retreating figure. “Sure you don’t want to join our basketball team? Tournament’s in two weeks.”
Without turning around, Cameron replied, “Not interested.”
“Whatever.” Xander rolled his eyes and headed in the opposite direction.
Cameron went straight back to Room 316. It was only five o’clock, with evening study hall not starting until seven. She had plenty of time to kill.
As Cameron approached her door, she heard violin music drifting from inside. The melody was beautiful but heavy, as if the musician wasn’t in the best mood.
Cameron unlocked the door and immediately saw the blond boy sitting in a chair, completely absorbed in his playing. The late afternoon sunlight streamed in behind him, creating a halo effect.
Austin was undeniably handsome, and at this moment, he looked almost ethereal.
Hearing Cameron enter, Austin stopped playing. He looked up with a smile. “Cam, you’re back,” he said before breaking into a light cough.
Behind Austin’s smile lurked a hint of surprise when he noticed Cameron had returned without a scratch. Were those guys really no match for him?‘ he thought.
Cameron glanced at Austin and gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. She had barely set down her backpack when Austin spoke up.
“Cam, remember what you promised me last night?” He coughed lightly.
Cameron turned to look at him. “To listen to your new song?”
“Yeah, you remembered, Austin smiled, followed by another cough.
“Is your body so weak that you need to cough after every sentence?” Cameron asked bluntly.
Austin’s eyes took on a desolate look. “I’m a dying man. It doesn’t matter anymore.” He punctuated his statement with a series of dramatic coughs.
Cameron fought the urge to roll her eyes. ‘Fine. Let him play his little game. It’s not my problem. I’ll just pretend I don’t know what he’s doing, she thought.
Austin stood up. “Cam, should we go to the music room now? I can play it for you.”
Since Cameron had nothing better to do, she nodded. “Sure.”
As they walked to the music room, their striking good looks caught the attention of girls passing by.
Austin gave a light cough. “Cam, a lot of girls are looking at you.”
“They’re looking at you, not me,” Cameron replied.
Austin wasn’t just handsome. He was distinctively so. His mixed–race features were immediately recognizable. His unnaturally pale skin gave him a sickly appearance, and something about a gorgeous guy looking so fragile seemed to make girls both swoon and worry over him.
“They really are looking at you, Cam,” Austin smiled. “Everyone calls me the campus heartthrob, but honestly, I think you’re better looking than I am.”
He meant it. Cameron’s features were delicately beautiful in an androgynous way. The only reason she hadn’t been labeled the most attractive on campus probably had to do with her height and ordinary background.
Speaking of background, Austin actually envier‘ Cameron How nice it work! be to live such a normal life. Unlike him, carrying the title of the Ling family’s second si S Successfully unlocked! walking on eggshells. But he had no choice in
the matter.
Cameron merely raised an eyebrow at Austin’s comment. Whether people looked at her or not made no difference to her.
