23. SELF-CARE

You know how most sicknesses have a cure? Or a medicine that'll lessen the pain? And there are definitely some sicknesses that don't even have a cure to it. And sometimes, the cure to the sickness isn't a what, but a who.

Could we have stayed here forever if our feelings were true?

Both of their thoughts were cloudy, but nothing was stopping them with the kiss they had longed for from each other in the rain.

Jayce broke off the kiss once she knew that getting farther and deeper into the relationship would have been a dangerous circumstance for her. In her mind, he was nothing but a potential murderer.

"You're right, it's cold," she commented, keeping herself away from a topic Ashton would've discussed.

"I feel a little warmer now," he had a smile on his face, but his hands were already in his pockets.

Jayce awkwardly smiled, "It's nearly exams, I better start cramping stuff up," she directed herself for the door when he spoke again.

"Is this a way to escape because you felt rather uneasy about kissing your rival? It isn't really the first time, president," he gave a sly grin on his wet face as the water started to blur her vision.

She scoffed, "It's also not your first time but your face seems like a tomato,"

"You too, y'know," he raised a brow.

She clenched her jaw in return, Ashton Walker, are you really a bad person? Part of me tells me something else. What have I lured you into? What the hell have I plotted ahead against you?

"I don't understand where this conversation is going," she flustered.

"Neither do I," he replied.

I'm only using her and putting her in danger. Get to your right mind, you darn stupid boy. Ashton had thought about it everyday, but actions spoke louder than words.

"Well then, spare some time tomorrow for your dear vice president here," Ashton stepped up to her, tucking a few strands of hair that were wet against her face, "I have something for you,"

With that, he walked away, a grin upon his face and his hands in his pockets, as the rainwater dripped from his soaking clothes and scarf.

"You still haven't told me about where you went today,"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out," he clicked his tongue, then pursed his lips before continuing, "This is probably not a good time, but is there any update about Eric's case?"

Jayce raised a brow, confused if he was asking about the investigation to have a heads-up for Eric's good, or for his own good.

"Not that I know of," she replied, then gave a sigh, "I know it's hard, but I don't know in detail what every single piece of pain you're feeling right now, but I do know that sooner or later we'll find the killer,"

"What makes you so positive? You're not an optimist in my opinion," he furrowed.

Jayce put her hands in her pockets and went through the doorway, "As far as I'm concerned, this is the biggest case Syville has had in years, or even decades. And my father, and Sanchez, and the police department is investigating with all their best,"

"Well then, let's see how amazing this Detective Dave Brooks is," he gave a thin smile before turning away and walking upstairs.

Jayce's face frowned in confusion, and annoyance. Her thoughts about to murder someone, So, you're dating me because my dad's a police officer? So you get a little entryway to the case. Ashton Walker, are you doing it because you have a private investigation, or so that you can fool the investigation itself?

~~~

"Can we talk, please?" Jasmine pleaded.

Brenda and Jasmine were now under the moonlight, near the entryway of Syville Boarding School, and the forests.

"What more is there to talk about, Jaz?" Brenda asked, groaning.

"About...your confession,"

Brenda opened her mouth but nothing came out.

Jasmine flustered, "I've thought about it, and maybe, you know that I'm the type of person who can fall easily, so, I'm saying that... that-"

"Do you want to give us a try?" Brenda completed the sentence.

"Yes," she pursed her lips.

She snorted in sadness and sarcasm, "I am not dating someone who's past isn't finished," she stated, "And I am not going to be your last resort just because your ex, which I'm guessing, already moved on from you,"

"I'm completely over Jayce. Her words hit hard when we both talked, and I've hurt her, and we don't belong together. She's far happier with Ashton," Jasmine felt like it was a lie she was saying, that Jayce was happier with Ashton.

Brenda gave a scoff, "I've seen the way you look at her," she crossed her arms, "You were never going to get over her,"

She walked past Jasmine.

"It has always been my fault, we both know that. We wouldn't have broken up if it wasn't for me cheating on her," Jasmine looked down at her feet.

"You two quote the song 'Lose You to Love Me' very well, you should know that," Brenda said, "It's the guilt you have to live with the rest of your life then,"

~~~

"Your plan seems to be more of a romance book than a thriller-mystery book," Amber said to her sister.

"Have you ever heard of a con? A hustle?" Jayce replied to her sister.

"And are you really sure Ashton doesn't know that it's a con?" Her words were some sort of threat to making sure her sister was really doing this for Eric.

"Oh he knows, I'm sure. But I hold too great of power for him to step back from this relationship,"

"Power? What power?"

"A key he needs, which I'll never give to him, because I don't trust him at all,"

"Then when are you going to find Eric's murderer?"

"It takes much time and energy, especially when he knows what exact games I play,"

~~~

The next day, Jayce went downstairs earlier than Amber would have. She found Niel in the lounge room, eating eggs.

"Hi," Niel exclaimed, having yolk stuck between his teeth.

"Hi," she replied, "You're here early,"

"Because you're always early,"

"How'd you know?" she asked.

He furrowed, "Because Amber always walks alone to the school building,"

"Oh,"

"By the way," Niel stood up, cleaning his mouth with a napkin, "How about we walk to school together? I also wanna ask about the topics in the exam soon,"

"Yeah sure," Jayce said, "I'll just tell you about the topics, I don't share my notes with anyone,"

"Good for me," he smiled.

"Actually," a boy suddenly put his hand over Jayce's shoulder, "She has somewhere to go today,"

She flinched, looking up to see Ashton, and from the corner of her eye was Jaxon behind him.

Niel flinched, "Oh, Ashton, hi. Where are you taking her?"

"Couple's business stay couple's business," he grinned, then looked at Jayce with a rather sneaky look and she returned with a scowl, "You promised you'd spare time for me today, right, president?"

She barely promised anything, but it was all for more and more fire and trust, "Yes,"

"We'll be back soon," Ashton smiled back at Niel, "You can walk to school with Jaxon there,"

"Right," he had some type of frown on his face.

"Okay, let's go," Ashton took Jayce out of the dorm building and to the parking lot.

"You step in nearly every time I'm with Niel," Jayce said.

"I don't like you near him, he has the eyes of wanting to snatch you from me," Ashton replied, furrowing.

"And you don't want that?" she asked relentlessly.

"Why oh why would I want that? That's the stupidest thing I would ever let happen," he reached into his pocket and took out something that made Jayce widen her eyes.

A car key was taken out as Jayce slithered out of his grasp around her shoulder. He stopped in front of a brand new jeep that looked exactly like the one that caught on fire. He clicked his car key as if he was bragging about his brand new jeep.

Jayce held down her gasp, "You have a new car...?"

"President, I'm rich," he gave a smirk and opened the door for her to enter.

"Right," she dragged her word and went inside the brand new car, still smelling like it came from a factory. And the backseats were still in plastic, "You bought the same jeep,"

"It's the only style that I personally like, and plus, this is the brand new model,"

"Whatever you say," she said, curling her lip.

He took off his school uniform tie and gave it to Jayce.

"And what exactly do you want me to do with this?" she asked, rather furious.

"Cover your eyes," he said.

"Are you planning a murder?"

He laughed, "I am capable of murder, but not to you,"

She grabbed the tie and covered her eyes. His words ringed in her thoughts. Ashton was capable of murder, and she knew that too, and that only made things much more complicated.

"Suspense makes surprise,"

~~~

The ride took quite a while.

"Are you kidnapping me?" she asked, getting impatient.

"Like I said, suspense makes surprise, president," he replied.

She never trusted him, and if there was trust, it was only as a last call. She shut her mouth until the car pulled over.

Ashton went out of the door and opened Jayce's door, taking her out carefully. The sound of autumn leaves that had fallen were light on her shoes.

"Okay, now you can open your blindfold," he said, hands on both her shoulders.

Jayce reached up to the tie and took it off, and was immediately mesmerized with the wooden house in the middle of the woods, that stood like a cabin of warmth and silence. An isolation from the world in the woods was the only thing she could ever ask for.

A smile planted on her face, as her mouth dropped in awe, "So I'm guessing you've brought me here to brag about your house?"

Ashton removed his hands from her shoulders and walked in front of her, shoving a key in front of her face, "Who said it was my house?"

Jayce looked at the keys, then back to his eyes, and then to the keys, and then back to his eyes, "You're saying," she scoffed, "It's mine?"

He answered back in a thin smile, while taking her hand and putting the key on her palm. His head jerked to the door of the house.

Was he really in love, or was he just too good at manipulating?

She gulped as she took the key and walked towards the door, smiling all inside and outside. Putting in the key into the wooden lock, the door opened, and it felt like the coziest thing to ever exist.

A fireplace stood right beside the doorway, along with a couch and an empty bookshelf in front of it. A TV was placed on a table that connected to many storage areas.

On the left, was a rather huge kitchen, with wooden spoons, and forks, and plates and a fridge yet to be filled. A dining room was at the backside of the room, and a chandelier hung from the ceiling enlightening it.

At the left corner of the room was a bathroom, with everything inside of it perfectly fitted, and a bathtub as well.

A staircase stood at the end of the floor, going up to the second floor, where a net hung in between the spaces for a hammock. A door led to the bedroom, which had a queen-sized bed, and a walk-in closet and a bathroom, all warmly stored and made from wood.

Paintings, plants and vases filled the empty spots of the house, perfecting it to an elegant yet cozy home.

"It's beautiful," she commented.

"Ah yes, one more thing," he said behind her, grabbing a stick and shoving the ceiling where a camouflaged trapdoor lay.

She raised a brow as he took down the short ladder and climbed up. He reached the top where the blue sky was, and he lent down his hand to help Jayce up.

Her jaw dropped, for the fifth time at minimum. Two chairs stood with a table on top of the house, terraced by brown railings. A telescope was put on the opposite side, and the green plants put in brown pots were placed evenly on the railings.

"It's small, but I'd knew you'd like it,"

"I love it," she said restlessly.

He gave a small chuckle, "It's yours, so you can do whatever you like,"

"So this was where you were with Jaxon's dad? And yesterday?" she asked.

"Yes, I moved everything you know. I even helped pick the furniture, and some of the wood-carving and I planned the design and everything. For you," he didn't say it bitterly, because it was all true.

This isn't manipulation, it's love.

"My birthday gift to you should be some sort of mansion, shouldn't it?" Jayce teased.

"You don't have to buy me one, just stay by my side," Ashton said softly.

I know it's selfish, but please stay even if you'll learn the truth of this entire relationship.

"Only the future will know," she bitterly replied back.

This isn't love, it's manipulation.

~~~

"It's nearly time for school, we'll go back later," Jayce said, "And, I truly am, thank you for this, Ashton," she smiled.

"There's no need for a thanks, actually," he replied, "And also, I was thinking, for the ball that I've suggested for Christmas,"

"Yeah, what about it?"

This entire relationship will probably end before it even becomes Christmas, he thought.

"Nothing, just saying that we should start planning it," he thinly smiled.

Jayce nodded, "Sure, but for now let's go back to class. It's nearly exams, and I don't want to fail Maths,"

"Failing in your language is getting below 95,"

"You mean 97,"

"Whatever,"

~~~

The two arrived at the school building and stepped down the car, and Ashton saw a familiar car in the parking lot.

Ashton grabbed Jayce's hand and tugged on it, getting her behind him. She flustered.

"That car-" he furrowed at the plate number.

"It's been quite a while, cousin," a voice broke in, "I mean, fake cousin,"

They turned around to the voice, seeing Milton walk in with brand new branded shoes and a watch, and a jacket.

"It's also been quite a while since I've left a scratch on you," her anger boiled whenever she saw him, for all the sane reasons.

She was about to walk on to him, and punched him somewhere, as Ashton held her hand and tugged her back. She flinched.

"State your want and get out of here," Ashton said.

"Is she still that feisty?" Milton asked about Jayce instead.

"Do you want me to send you to the hospital?" he asked.

"Been there done that,"

"Do you want her to send you to the hospital?" he asked, "Wait, let me rephrase that: Do you want her to send you to the graveyard?"

Milton gulped, and pursed his lips, "Fine," he said, "Just a heads-up for both of you that evening there will be some amazing news to be shared,"

"It's opposite day for you," Jayce replied, "So thank you, for the warning you've given us,"

"Does this amazing news have anything to do with us?" Ashton asked.

"Yes, you both started it so you'll both suffer the consequences for it,"

"Started what?" Jayce asked, in a warning tone.

"You'll know," Milton grinned, putting on his sunglasses and walking past Ashton in some type of groovy way, at least that's what Milton thought he walked like.

Jayce glared at him as he walked past the two of them. Sometimes murder was okay. Milton gasped as she punched him in the stomach, hard enough for him to have a bruise as he groaned in pain, sliding down one of the car hoods.

Ashton flinched, but deep down he damn knew he wanted to do the same thing. He gave a small snort before Jayce pulled him to walk with her, and the last words he heard from Milton were just, "YOU BOTH WILL PAY FOR THIS," and silent screams continued.

Ashton responded with a wave gesture from his hand, "I doubt that,"

~~~

Jayce went to sit beside Amber in class, it was some sort of balance she would say. He sat on the opposite side of the classroom with Jaxon, while the twins sat on the other end of the classroom.

"I thought you'd rather sit with your boyfriend," the brown-eyed girl said.

"If I did either way, you'd still be cranky," her twin replied.

"Well that sounds pleasant, doesn't it?" Amber asked.

"It isn't at all," Jayce frowned in return, feeling the keys of the house Ashton had bought her ringing in her pocket.

~~~

During lunchtime, Jayce was in the lockers, while Amber sat with Niel in the cafeteria, back-to-back with Jaxon and Ashton.

Jayce's phone rang as she was cleaning up her locker. Izzie.

"Hey, mom," she hastily said, "What's up with calling all of a sudden?"

"I heard from Dave," the designer said with a strict tone.

"You heard what from dad?" she asked.

In the midst of the call, Ashton had stepped away from the cafeteria to find Jayce, as it was a worry for him to not see her eating at lunch. And he overheard the conversation.

"That there was a murder in Syville and now you're dating the boy who your dad's suspecting to be the killer," Izzie said with a cloudy voice, in between mad and anxious.

"It's all going well," Jayce bitterly said, "I'm dating him to get more proof and plus, it isn't much of a deal,"

"You are playing with fire,"

"You and dad both have the same mouths," she said, "I am not playing with fire. And I just need more proof that he actually did the murder,"

"How?"

"There were several phones bought to blackmail the victim. And Ashton is rich enough to buy them. And he was also in the murder scene when it happened, and he, well he, he's really good at manipulating, and taking people's hearts. I have everything under control, and plus he's using me as well," Jayce said with a heavy heart, "Some part of me also says he didn't do it,"

"Whatever you're doing, stop, or I'm coming home right now," Izzie yelled rather softly.

"Even if you do come home, it wouldn't change a thing. We were never in love, it was all manipulation. One day or another, everything will be uncovered," Jayce said, "Despite his words that make everyone's stomachs flutter and his actions that make everyone in awe, it doesn't change the fact he's a potential murderer,"

"What if he isn't?" she asked back.

"If he isn't the murderer, then someone else from the basketball team is,"

"How do you know?"

"A stalker, that gave me some clue. I wouldn't know who until I investigate more clearly," Jayce said, "But for now, I just need to take his heart and break it,"

"You really are your mother,"

"Excuse me?"

"The daredevil I saw in Nadia when I met her in the rehab once, it's in you,"

"Is that a compliment?"

"Depends on how you take it, but I swear, if you get hurt, if he hurts you, I am coming home,"

"You better check on Amber more. The victim was... her crush, and it's been a hard time for her," Jayce said.

"I will, now I'm busy," Izzie said, "Bye,"

"Bye," she hung up the phone.

Ashton didn't know how to react to what he just heard. Sure, he knew that everything was fake. He knew Jayce wanted something when she agreed to date him, but he never guessed it would've been this far. She did things to the extent of him not being able to understand how her thoughts worked.

He never thought that she was dating him because she thought he was a murderer. He thought it was more of a little game of who's better at making the other happy, but never did he once think that it was about murder.

~~~

"Hey," Jayce went back to the cafeteria where Ashton was already back there, with a smiling face worn on him.

He couldn't do this to Jaxon. Jayce's plans were not for Jaxon to hear. It was for Ashton himself to handle and solve.

"Hey," Ashton replied back, "Hurry up and eat, it's nearly time for the next class,"

"Yeah okay,"

Jayce decided that after school she would come to his dorm and find if there was anything that could possibly lead to a clue that he killed Eric. The game was getting far more toxic and twisted than an investigation was.

~~~

The girl was now on her way to Ashton's dorm, without knowing of the fact that Ashton had known everything about their relationship.

She brought a bag of muffins she had ordered online, and skipped her way to his dorm, with the uneasy act of searching through his things, hoping for some sort of clue. And Ashton didn't know she was going to his dorm, as she meant it as a surprise.

The two boys, Ashton and Jaxon, had just got back from basketball training and were in the kitchen, and the door of the dorm was still wide open.

And maybe it was some sort of coincidence, but it was all uncovered that day.

The two were talking about their magnificent con, to Jayce, as she heard it all in front of the dorm. Standing beside the door right before she went in.

"So you bought her a house?" Jaxon asked him.

"Yes," Ashton replied.

"And in this way, she'll be more invested in the relationship,"

"I've manipulated her too much,"

"Let's not focus on her heart and let's focus on Eric," Jaxon said.

"How can I not focus on her heart when she's the target and the only thing that can keep us close to the investigation?" Ashton asked back.

"We'll need a closer watch of the investigation,"

"Even if we did, we're not really smart enough to crack a case that even the great Detective Dave Brooks can't crack," he replied, "I still can't believe the daughter of Dave Brooks said yes to dating you,"

"We have to start somewhere. We have our information giver, we just need to play detectives now,"

"It's just perfect for such a girl like her to fall for a boy like you. Is she that naive?" Jaxon scoffed, "I thought she was more intelligent than that. I can't wait until this is all over and she gets the look on her face when she finds out that I made you do this. Our plan is magnificent, Ash,"

Jayce pursed her lips, the words ringing in her ears. She knew it was all fake, why was she so shocked about it? She had guessed it earlier, and she had seen it coming. But it still hurts.

She took out her earphones and plugged into her ears so they wouldn't suspect her for thinking she heard their conversation.

Ashton's thoughts clogged, She is smarter than I thought she would be. And she knew she was walking into a lion's den from the beginning, for her own needs.

A knock came on the wide-open door. Jayce stepped into the dorm, earphones plugged.

The two boys cleared up their throats, "Hey," Ashton said, "How long have you been there?"

"I just came," Jayce took off her earphones, making sure both of them saw her earphones, "Were you two talking about something? I didn't hear you, I was listening to the Neighborhood. I can go back later if you have something up,"

"Oh, no," Ashton immediately said, jerking his head to Jaxon to go to his room, "We were just having small talk,"

"Oh," she replied, then looked around the dorm, "This is definitely more of an apartment than a dormitory. A luxury apartment," she chuckled as the two boys gave off a low laugh, "I brought cupcakes," she showed off a lying smile.

"That's nice," Ashton said, "You want a drink? Orange juice?"

"Orange juice would do," Jayce smiled back, "Jaxon, you can eat some,"

"No, it's fine," he said, "I have stuff to do," he walked over to his room.

"Also, Jaxon, one more thing," she broke in, "How's Jasmine doing?"

Ashton furrowed at the question.

"She's great," Jaxon said.

Jayce nodded, "Then that's great," she pursed her lips.

Jaxon walked away to his room and closed the door, leaving the fake couple in the kitchen, eating cupcakes.

"Come on, eat up," she put the cupcakes and took them out on the counter.

"I'm just going to eat some. Amber would want some too, right?" Ashton asked.

"I already bought some for her," she replied, "These were for you," she smiled.

"Thanks," Ashton fakely smiled as well, "These taste good,"

They knew each other's lies, but they didn't know that they knew.

Ashton prepared some orange juice and gave it to Jayce. She was still standing up, while drinking a bit of her orange juice, while Ashton was sitting on the chair, eating the cupcakes.

Their kitchen had a small step before you could go to the counter, and Jayce took that advantage to slip. She purposely tripped on the step, and made the orange juice in her grip fall over Ashton, making him all wet.

"Sorry, oh my-" Jayce gasped as a lie, "Are you okay?"

Ashton laughed it off, wiping the orange off his white shirt, "Question is: are you okay?"

"Yeah," she pursed her lips, "But your clothes-"

"If that step is bothering you, I'll ask someone to take it off. It bothers me sometimes too y'know," he said, looking at the step she tripped on.

"No, it's fine. You just smell like orange juice now," she gritted her teeth.

"It's fine, don't worry. I'll be back in a while," he stood up and went to the bathroom, cleaning off the orange on his shirt and washing his face.

And Jayce, she took it as an opportunity to snoop around the house. There was a door on the end of the dorm that was locked, but it had the name Eric on it, and left it as it is. But beside it, was Ashton's room.

She entered the room, and began to snoop around. It seemed pretty clean for a boy's bedroom, and definitely looked expensive.

She searched through the cabinets and wardrobes, yet found nothing to be suspicious about. But she came across one thing: a vault.

And any vault's use is to store valuable items.

She started putting in different passcodes, from his birthday, to his mother's birthday, to his scores, and any other combination that made sense to her, when someone spoke from behind her.

"What are you finding?"

Jayce flinched, and turned around, seeing Ashton with a towel over his neck. The sound of a door opening was also heard, with Jaxon coming out of his room, maybe because he heard and was curious of what Ashton was saying.

"Um," Jayce said, "I was just having a look around on what expensive crap you have,"

"It's not crap, it's luxury, like you said: a luxury apartment," Ashton snorted, then noticed that she was trying to open the vault behind her. He gulped. Her pen was in there.

Jaxon noticed the vault as well, and definitely guessed that she wanted to open it. Something valuable must be in there, he thought.

Jayce flustered, "Yeah. Anyways, do you want to go running? It's been a while since I did," changing the topic was vital at this point.

"Sure, why not," Ashton nodded, "Just wait outside, I'll change my clothes. I can't run while smelling like orange juice,"

Jayce nodded as she bit her lip and walked out of the room. Ashton went inside the room and closed it.

He went inside the room and closed it. And immediately went to the vault, and put the passcode in. Jayce didn't think well of the passcode, when it easily was her birthday.

The vault opened, and Ashton quickly took the pen and placed it in his pocket. He closed the vault again, putting in an expensive watch instead if anyone wanted to open it.

This time, the pen was only going with him and no one else.

He changed his clothes quickly and went outside, where Jaxon was now in the living room watching TV, and Jayce was cleaning up the mess of orange juice she had.

And now in both the heads of Jayce and Jaxon, was just wanting to figure out what was in that vault.

~~~

The two started running around the school complex, and they were now in front of the office, catching a break and some water.

"Are you tired yet?" Jayce asked, chuckling.

"Not yet," Ashton smiled, gulping down his water.

They were starting to be uncomfortable with each other, and it was difficult to not show.

"OH MY!" a voice broke in from behind, "THANK GOODNESS YOU BOTH ARE HERE!"

Jayce and Ashton looked behind them and saw Principal Harrison, with a red face, and in a panicked atmosphere.

"Princi- Dad, what's wrong?" Ashton's mouth felt rather uneasy with that sentence, and Jayce quite flustered as well, but at least their bond was starting to grow.

But Harrison didn't seem to mind what Ashton called him. He was catching his breath.

"Principal Harrison, what's wrong?" Jayce asked.

"It's about the funding. The Walkers, they-" Harrison said in a short breath before inhaling again.

"They-?"

The principal let out an exasperated breath, "They cut off all the funding for the boarding school,"