"I''ll have Ms. Murphy handle it," William said quickly.


    Cameron had barely rejoined the group when her phone buzzed again. It was Gwen,


    Gwen''s voice was warm. "Cam, Tonight belongs to your well-earned celebration. Let''s reschedule for tomorrow night, okay? Congrattions again You'' won first ce. We''re very happy that Xan has such an excellent friend."


    "Thank you for understanding," Cameron replied. "I''lle over tomorrow evening."


    Xander practically asked as she hung up, "Cam, you''re noting to my home tonight?"


    Cameron nodded. "William insisted on having a celebration banquet tonight."


    "Oh, I see." Xander''s face lit up again.


    He thought, ''I thought she didn''t want toe. Good thing Mother intervened. She always knows best.


    Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Wait, why was Cameron supposed toe to your home tonight?"


    "Your business?" Xander shot back.


    Elijah snorted.


    Noticing that Bradley and Austin were curious, Cameron exined, "I tutored Xander. He did well this time. As an athlete, he cleared first-tier university thresholds."


    Austin gave a thumbs-up immediately. "Impressive, Xan."


    Xander''s chin lifted triumphantly.


    Bradley adjusted his gold-rimmed sses. "Yeah, it makes sense they wanted to thank Cameron." Dragging someone from academic rock bottom? It was indeed challenging.


    Elijah turned to Cameron. "You and Amelia... settled things?"


    Cameron nodded. "Just a small misunderstanding. It''s cleared up how."


    Xander raised an eyebrow. "Small misunderstanding? I thought she was regretting dumping you."


    "Don''t spread rumors," Cameron chided sternly. A girl''s reputation mattered. What started as nothing could easily get twisted into something else.


    "Hmm," Xander mumbled.


    Austin''s eyes glinted as he observed Xander''s reaction. Xan, you''re obedient to Cam these days."


    Austin thought, ''If this were any other time, Xander would have already started arguing with Cameron. But now, he''s so obedient. This sudden docility... Does he have feelings for Cameron?''


    With this in mind, Austin narrowed his eyes and thought, ''No one can take Cam from me. He is all I have in this world. I''ll fight anyone who tries."


    Xander shrugged, feigning nonchnce. "Am I?" He couldn''t risk pushing Cameron further away. She was already pulling back. used to, he would lose herpletely.


    Xander''s gaze swept over the group. "Don''t you all have ces to be? The graduation ceremony is over."


    Elijah''s voice was calm. "I''m attending the banquet." As the runner-up, his invitation was guaranteed.


    kept acting like he


    Xander rolled his eyes. "Big deal."


    Bradley raised a brow. "What about you? Why aren''t you leaving?"


    Xander opened his mouth but found no retort.


    Austin smiled, "The banquet is hours away. I thought Cam might want to hang out."


    "Cam doesn''t want to hang with you," Xander said tly.


    Elijah added, "Cam probably least wants to be with you."


    Xander shot Elijah a re.


    Elijah didn''t even blink.


    Cameron sighed, rubbing her temples, "How about we all just go home?" The bickering was giving her a headache.