apter 273


    The second the lunch bell rang, Xander bolted out of ss 10 and made a


    beeline for ss 15.


    Tyrell trailed close behind.


    "You little punk! Congrats on clearing your name!" Xander pped Cameron on


    the shoulder with a grin.


    Cameron wrinkled her nose and casually brushed off her shirt.


    Nander didn''t take it personally and kept smiling. "Come on, let''s go celebrate. My treat."


    Cameron raised a brow. "Celebrate what?"


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    "You just got dragged through the mud and came out clean. That deserves at least a good meal," Xander said. "Pick a spot. I''m paying."


    They had until 2:50 before the next ss. Plenty of time.


    Tyrell nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Cam-after a storm like that, it''s only right to treat ourselves."


    Xander gave him a light smack on the back of the head. "Could you not butcher idioms? What even was that?"


    Tyrell blinked. "What? I was just making a point."


    Technically, his grades were a notch above Xander''s, weren''t they?


    "Cameron!" Elijah smiled calmly. "If you''re going to celebrate, count me in."


    Xander rolled his eyes. "You''re everywhere."


    Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Isn''t that my line?"


    Xander shot him another dramatic eye-roll but didn''t bother arguing.


    Turning back to Cameron, he asked, "So, what do you wanna eat?"


    Cameron was about to decline when she noticed Bradley approaching them.


    And a few steps behind him, of course, was Austin.


    She couldn''t help but let out a smallugh.


    They were all here for her.


    Yesterday, when the post went viral, everyone had been so worried.


    Now that it had been resolved, maybe it was time to celebrate.


    "Alright," Cameron said, finally giving in.


    "Let''s ask what everyone else wants."


    Tyrell immediately raised his hand. "Cam, I vote fondue!"


    Xander gave him a look. "Who invited you?"


    Cameron turned to Elijah. "What about you?"


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    Elijah shrugged. I''m good with anything"


    He wasn''t picky.


    Bradley stepped up, a faint smile behind his sses. "d to see it''s all behind


    you now, Cameron. Compredom


    Cameron nodded. "Thanks"


    Xander scoffed, "Why are you thanking him? He didn''t lift a finger


    If Tiana hadn''t stopped himst night, he probably would''ve stormed off to


    confront Skyler himmel.


    Cameron gave him a nk stare. "Were you born to argue?"


    Xander paused. "Maybe..."


    Just then, Austin finally arrived, his sharp features lit up with a warm smile. "Congrats, Cam


    "Thanks, Cameron replied.


    She looked around at the small group gathered around her and spoke up. "Thank you all for having my back. Now that everything''s settled, lunch is on me. What are we eating?


    Bradley asked, "What do you want?"


    "I''m easy," Cameron said.


    Xander grinned. "Then fondue it is


    "Sounds good."


    No one objected.


    There was a solid fondue spot right on campus-no need to leave school grounds.


    Everyone began heading toward the restaurant. Everyone except Cameron.


    She stayed put. "Xander," she called, "do you have Amelia''s number?


    He turned back. "Why?"


    "If we''re celebrating, we should invite her too, Cameron said.


    After all, Amelia had yed the biggest role in taking Skyler down.


    Cameron had tracked the source using her hacking skills, but it was Amelia''s recording that made it undeniable.


    She''d drawn the truth out of Skyler and handed it over without hesitation.


    Car