Chapter 40 It Should Be Me
In Class 10 of the senior year, Xander sat slouched in his seat, a tower of books stacked in front of him. Propping up his chin, he racked his brain, trying to figure out how to convince Cameron to join the school basketball team.
Last year, Langford Academy had scraped by in their match against Horizon Academy. This year, Xander wanted a solid win -no close calls.
Cameron had the skills. Xander really wanted her on the team but she didn’t seeme least bit interested.
“Xander, I’ve got great news,” a girl chirped as she bounced over to him, beaming with excitement.
Xander’s chiseled face twisted in confusion. “What news?”
The girl puffed up with pride like she was waiting for a medal. “We reported Cameron to the Academic Office For humiliating you like that? He had it coming.
“Your aunt’s definitely not gonna let him off easy. It’ll be either expulsion or at least suspension. Consider it our way of getting justice for you.”
Xander’s entire face darkened in shock as his eyes locked onto the girl like lasers.
Just as she smiled at him, expecting praise, he slammed his book shut with a loud bang. “Are you out of your damn mind?” The girl froze, flinching hard at his sudden outburst. Her shoulders tensed up, and panic flickered across her face. Did I do something wrong? I just wanted to help him, she thought.
Xander just shot out of his seat and bolted straight for the Student Affairs Office to find Cameron.
After a few strides, Xander spun around and shouted, his voice cold as ice, “All of you better listen up–Cameron’s my buddy now. If you mess with him, you’re messing with me.”
Everyone froze in shock. They thought, ‘What the hell? Cameron humiliated him, and now they’re bros? Unbelievable.”
At the Student Affairs Office, Cameron knocked and stepped inside the director’s office.
Tiana Murphy, the Student Affairs Director, was a poised woman in her forties. She wore a sharp professional suit, her hair sleekly pulled back without a strand out of place. Well–groomed and elegant, she was strikingly attractive.
“Ms. Murphy, you asked to see me?” Cameron said at the door.
“Sit.” Tiana gestured calmly, every move exuding elegance.
Cameron took the seat across from her.
Tiana studied her for a moment and then spoke, “So, you’re Cameron Wallace, the one who humiliated my out–of–control nephew, right?”
The footage of Cameron and Xander’s basketball face–off had made it onto the school forum, where anonymity gave everyone courage.
Some were blown away by Cameron’s skills. But most were gleefully mocking Xander, saying he got smoked by a “soft pretty boy“. Given how arrogant Xander usually was at school, the blowback had been merciless.
Cameron had no idea how to respond.
Tiana gave a slow smile. “Don’t be nervous. I didn’t call you here to punish you.”
Cameron replied coolly, “I’m not nervous.” Then, with a touch of confusion, she asked, “Ms. Murphy, so what exactly did you want to see me about?”
Before Tiana could answer, the door burst open and Xander charged in. “Aunt Tiana.”
“Aunt Tiana,” he called again, rushing over to grab her arm. “If you expel Cameron, I’m dropping out too. If you give him a suspension, then suspend me too. I started it. This has nothing to do with him.”
Both Tiana and Cameron were left momentarily speechless.
Tiana looked at her nephew who had just barged in and deliberately put on a stern face. “Xander, did you even knock before you barged in?”
“Aunt Tiana,” he said, dead serious, “with every Tiana looked like she wanted to rub her temples.
> knock?”
Successfully unlocked!
Xander continued Aunt Tiana, this was all on me. If someone’s getting punished, it should be me. It has nothing to do with him. Don’t listen to the nonsense people are spreading. You’re the kind of Student Affairs Director who’s always fair and just, right?”
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