Page 4 of A Not So Prince Charming

I was sure most of the houses on Fraternity Row were also hosting their own parties tonight, given it was Halloween Weekend on campus and no one wanted to waste that. It felt likeeveryonewas here. Surveying the room again, I looked for my friends, ignoring the pounding bass emanating from the dance floor.

A fist met my shoulder, knocking me slightly off balance. “Hey, man!” He had to shout to be heard over the music.

I grinned, seeing Forest—currently devoid of his dark-haired girlfriend. “Where’s Sutton?” I looked for her, but had no luck in the crowded room.

His eyes seemed to pan right to her. “She found a friend. They’re over in the corner catching up.” Following where he waspointing, I saw the two girls both sitting on the couch, deep in conversation.

Sutton was dressed in a cupid’s costume, her little heart bow forgotten at her side, while Forest had an arrow glued to both sides of his shirt.

We moved towards the entryway, towards a quieter corner of the house.

“You’re completely and absolutelywhipped,” I said, despite finding myself envious of their relationship. They’d been dating since Sophomore Year, though they’d met during orientation.

Forest was the pitcher of our school’s baseball team, while Sutton was in pastry school. I always loved when the two came over and she brought us new desserts to try. Her apple turnovers made my mouth water just thinking about them.

“The love arrow, man.” He gave me his best smirk. “You never know when it’s going to come up and hit you.” Even if I could hear the joking tone in his voice, I couldn’t imagine it. Meeting someone freshman year of college and knowing that she wasit, that she was the one I was going to be with for the rest of my life. Not because I didn’t wantthat. But because it hadn’t happened to me.

I rolled my eyes, scoffing, because it was incredibly cheesy. “Doubtful.” Either way, I couldn’t imagine it.

Sure, I’d dated a string of girls—ones who were all too excited when they found out about my parent’s money. But none of them had lasted. Probably because of the former issue. I didn’t need a girl trying to get into my pants just to secure her MRS degree, either.

Not to mention there was no time for complications when I was trying to get into one of the top law schools in the country. I’d be taking the LSATs this summer, and my rigorous study schedule was already planned. There was no room for failure, not with my entire future on the line in front of me. Not with my parents riding me to make sure I didn’t fuck it all up.

“What, you don’t want a pretty trophy wife to cart aroundwhen you’re a big hotshot lawyer?” A laugh sounded behind me.

I hated how much that sounded like my parents. Not that they said thetrophy wifepart out loud, but… They never let me forget they hadexpectationsfor me. Even though I was in my junior year of college, and that was the furthest thing from my mind. The joys of being theironlyson.

But as much as my parents might have had that expectation, my friends certainly knew I didn’t feel like that.

I rolled my eyes as my dark-haired friend appeared in front of me. “Hey, Erikson. You made it.”

James Erikson—though we usually just called him by his last name—was the quarterback of the football team. He’d donned a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt, brushing his long, black hair back like Danny Zuko fromGrease.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” He grinned, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously. “What, exactly, are you supposed to be?” He looked my costume up as he brought a red cup up to his lips. How he’d snuck in and got a drink before I even saw him never failed to surprise me.

“Come on now.” I looked down at my outfit, the blue ornate jacket and a gold sash that draped over my top. “I’m aPrince.” The crown at the top of my head was supposed to prove that. A silly, last-minute costume, but it worked.

“Oh, is that what you are? Cameron Edwards, our very own campus royalty, dressed as a prince?” James laughed, and I punched his shoulder.

“Shut up,” I muttered, rolling my eyes, rubbing at my knuckles. James was the tallest of our friends, an extra few inches on me, and a lot more bulk on him.

“Seems like someone stolemything,” Adam said, strolling up to join our now-group huddle. He hadn’t even dressed in a costume, just donning a jacket over his button-up and dark denim jeans.

Forest chuckled. “Prince,” he said in greeting.

The last member of our friend group—Adam Prince—finally joined us. He was the heir to the Prince Corporation, a star on campus of his own right. They were a mass manufacturer of goods, owning companies in practically every industry you could think of. He would inherit billions one day. I felt pressure from my parents, but I couldn’t even imagine how it was for him.

“Good to have the gang back together,” Erikson said, slapping Adam on the back.

I looked pointedly at him. “Why are you giving me slack for my outfit when he showed up like this?”

He chuckled. “You’re too easy, man.” Turning to the copper-haired addition to our group, he quirked an eyebrow. “Whereisyour costume, Adam?”

Adam rolled his eyes in response. “Fuck off. You know I hate this stupid holiday.”

I’d met these fools our freshman year, when we were all housed in a quad together. If I wascampus royalty, so were they. Our names were commonly heard around the halls, normally together, and we still spent as much time together as we could, even with all of our busy schedules. Between James and Forest both being on sports teams, and me serving as the current President for my fraternity—Delta Sigma Iota—it seemed like there was less time for us all to hang out anymore.

I was a legacy member, since my dad had also served as president during his time at our school. I’d always known I wanted to take up the mantle, but I’d never imagined how incredibly fulfilling it would be. It was only my first semester in office, but I already felt sad imagining leaving it. About saying goodbye to campus at the end of next year.

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