~NIKLAUS~
"I have a crazy idea," I say, my eyes still on Carter.
Camille glances at me, brows raised.
Carter sits up straighter. "What kind of idea?"
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "What if… you and my sister switched schools?"
Carter blinks. "Wait—what?"
"You've got Texas. She's got Stanford. What if you… traded places? You reject Texas, she rejects Stanford. I'll handle the switch."
Carter's eyes widen, sparkling like the sun just rose in his chest. "You're serious?"
I nod. "Dead serious."
He turns to Camille. "Camille—"
She gasps, staring at me like I just grew horns. "Nils…"
I shrug. "It works out for both of them. Diana gets Texas. You get Stanford. It's a clean swap—nothing dirty or illegal. Just a bit of… encouragement."
I lift the phone back to my ear. "Diana. You still there?"
"Of course!" her voice buzzes, thick with hope.
"I've got someone who's already accepted into Texas. He can drop it. You drop Stanford. I'll do the rest."
