I heard Cameron is single now. After all this time, he’s finally free.

And I also heard he likes someone from his class.

So that means I have a chance, right?

I start making an effort—small things at first. Sitting near him. Catching his eye. Talking about things I know he likes. And it works.

We start having lunch together, walking to class side by side. It feels natural. Sometimes, I catch him looking at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention, and my heart does this stupid little flip.

But then—nothing.

I drop hints, waiting for him to pick them up. But he doesn’t. Or maybe he doesn’t care enough to.

“I need space.”

The words slip out before I can stop them. I say it with a casual shrug, pretending I don’t care.

What I mean is don’t walk away. Don’t make me regret this.

But he hears only what I say.

“Alright,” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets. “If that’s what you want.”

I watch him turn, my chest tightening. No. That’s not what I want.

But I don’t stop him. I don’t fix it.

And he walks away.

“I hate you.”

It’s childish, but it’s all I can say when I see him talking to someone else like I don’t exist.

What I mean is I need you. More than I should.

Cameron raises an eyebrow. “Really?”

I can’t answer.

He laughs, shakes his head, and moves on.

“Go have fun, babe.”

I say it with a smirk, pushing him toward the group. A test. A challenge. A way of saying, stay here instead.

But he doesn’t see it.

“Yeah, I will,” he says with a grin.

And then he’s gone.

Tonight, no more guessing.

I laugh. I flirt. I pretend I don’t care.

But Cameron notices. His whole body stiffens. He moves.

In seconds, he’s pulling me away from the party.

“What the hell was that?”

I tilt my head. “Thought you didn’t care.”

His grip tightens. “I see everything, baby. You just never say what you mean.”

My breath catches.

“Then read my mind.”

And this time, he finally does.