“Just a little,” Cameron replied coolly to Austin’s surprise. She straightened up. “Want to grab dinner at the cafetería?”
Austin snapped out of his shock and nodded. “Sure.”
Cameron walked out of the music classroom first, with Austin following behind, his eyes fixed on her back. ‘Just a little? No way that was just a little,‘ he thought.
Cameron had listened to his song only once before immediately pointing out its flaws.
Maybe it was true that outsiders saw more clearly than those involved.
Austin had revised this song several times but never thought there was anything wrong with the chorus.
Cameron had hit the nail on the head, and with that one change, the entire song felt more vibrant.
Austin hurried to catch up. “Hey Cam, besides piano, what other instruments do you play?” he asked casually.
“A bit of everything, I guess,” Cameron answered vaguely.
Austin was speechless. ‘Everything?‘ he thought. ‘Is she saying she can play all instruments? That’s ridiculous. Wasn’t the Wallace family supposed to be tight on money? Where did Cameron get the funds to learn all these skills?
Though Austin had many more questions, he kept them to himself. He found Cameron increasingly interesting–someone who kept their talents hidden.
‘So, is Cam the same kind of person as me?‘ Austin wondered. He liked people of his own kind. A knowing smile spread across his lips.
After dinner, Cameron headed straight back to her class for evening study hall.
Elijah was already at his desk. He nodded slightly when Cameron walked in. In front of him lay a complete set of practice problems.
Elijah could solve all of them. For the few he couldn’t figure out immediately, he’d checked some references and quickly found the correct answers. Since Cameron hated explaining problems to him, he decided not to ask.
Elijah leaned slightly toward Cameron and lowered his voice. “I didn’t expect to run into Brad and them yesterday. Can I treat you to lunch again tomorrow?” He apologized earnestly to Cameron.
“Elijah, don’t worry about it.” Cameron waved him off.
Elijah pointed at his workbook. “I’m really sorry. I had no idea it would cause you trouble.”
“It’s fine.” Cameron shrugged. “You’re way smarter than that idiot Xander anyway. Could be worse.”
It wasn’t until Cameron saw the difference that he appreciated a genuinely smart person.
Elijah was speechless. ‘Was she seriously comparing me to Xander, that academic disaster? Am I really that bad?‘ he thought.
“Look, Elijah,” Cameron continued, “if you still feel guilty, just introduce me to your dad when the time comes. That’s all I need.”
Elijah nodded. “Of course. I promised you I would.”
Cameron smiled, “Thanks.”
Elijah opened his mouth to say something else, but the bell rang and Brody walked into the classroom. He had no choice but to let it drop.
*****
A week flew by in the blink of an eye. Soon, it was time for the Langford Academy basketball team to face off against Horizon Academy.
William, who’d been obsessed with beating Horizon Academy, made a grand announcement. “Everyone gets the Let’s all head to the stadium and cheer for our basketball team.”
“Yeah! The principal rocks.” The students were thrilled. They’d all been dying to watch the game anyway.
C
off.
The stadium could hold over 10 thousand peo Successfully unlocked!rizon Academy students sat on opposite sides with the basketball court between them. Both aree come armed panners and chants, the atmosphere electric. “Let’s go, Horizon! Let’s make history!” Horizon Academy’s students shouted.
