28. SELF-RENEWING

Death happens. It happens often. But sometimes, it's fair isn't it? Life was not a choice, but death could be one.

"What do you mean? What do you mean by that?" Dave yelled on the phone.

Jayce gritted her teeth and she ended the call and proceeded to walk towards the ambulance.

Amber went to Ella, comforting her, "Ella, what happened?" she asked in a breath.

Ashton stood by his car, unable to move, but as he saw Jayce walking towards the ambulance, he followed slowly behind her too.

She couldn't form the words, "Who died?" she said with shaking in her voice.

"My wife is dead," a voice broke in from behind her, "She's probably playing a trick on me,"

Jayce turned around, seeing Oliver with a pale face, and with a dull posture. She pursed her lips, "I'm sorry for your loss, Mr Rodriguez,"

"She's not dead though," Oliver denied, "She's just asleep, she was fine this morning, she was okay,"

Denial.

He had lost his wife and son, what more could have happened?

Ashton approached them both, "I'm sorry for your loss, sir,"

"She's not dead," he yelled suddenly, "How do you all not understand that?"

The ambulance put Georgia's body inside, it was all so sudden.

"She's not dead," his voice broke, "Georgia's not dead. She isn't dead, not like Eric,"

Jayce didn't know what to reply to that, "I'm sorry,"

Her eyes went to Ella who was crying in Amber's embrace, still muttering the word 'mom'.

"Sir, we will perform the autopsy by today," one of the medical officers said, "From the evidence we've picked, it is possible she overdosed herself with her antidepressants,"

"She isn't dead!" Oliver yelled, slapping the medical officer's face, "Why the hell do you not understand? She isn't dead! She isn't-" he kept on yelling, feeling the need to kill someone, and Ashton held him back.

"Mr Rodriguez, please stop," he said, "You need to let her go, she's gone now,"

"You killed my son, step away from me!" Oliver yelled at Ashton.

"Mr Rodriguez!" Jayce yelled back, holding him back instead, "Enough. Georgia is gone, you need to let her go. Slapping people isn't going to bring her back,"

"But she isn't-" his eyes were filled with tears, "She was fine," the droplets of tears started falling and he fell down too, down on his knees, "She was fine this morning,"

Jayce knew how it felt like, and Ashton as well. And they both tried to comfort him.

"I'm sorry, Mr Rodriguez," Jayce said, rubbing his back, "You need to stay strong, for yourself, for Ella," she felt bad that she was stalling so much time for her own plot revenge, "Eric will get justice,"

Ashton looked down on his feet, disbelieving everything that happened that day. He was on the verge of another panic attack, but he held it back in, making sure his breaths were stable and fine.

~~~

The word got out to everyone, even Dave, Jasmine and Jaxon. And basically everyone and everyone sent their condolences.

Oliver had said that she was found unconscious in her bedroom, as they were sleeping on separate beds. She was found with a bottle of empty pills of antidepressants beside her, and she drank all of it. According to Ella, they fought everyday, blaming each other on her brother's death.

"Ella," Jayce approached the crying girl, "It seems like your dad needs alone time, and has some things to arrange, how about you stay with us for the night?"

Oliver, who was standing beside Jayce, nodded towards her. He needed time to clear his head.

"Sure," Ella replied.

Amber smiled towards the little girl, as Jayce helped her get into Ashton's jeep.

Ashton, on the other hand, was busy texting Jaxon.

'just text mr rodriguez for your condolences' Ashton said.

'is ella okay?'

You're the one who took her brother away, why are you asking? he had the thought in his head.

'should i go there and say it myself?'

Ashton knew if Jaxon came, he would know that he had been lied to that they were in the wooden house, 'mr rodriguez needs alone time right now, so its best to just say by text or on the funeral by the end of this week'

'r u there rn?' Jaxon asked.

'no, im in the wooden house with jayce, trying to get more info from her. she was shocked when she got the message from ur sister regarding georgia's death'

'i feel bad for them, oliver's lost two people'

Yeah, you killed one of them and made their family apart, he thought.

'yeah, same'

'how did she die?'

'she overdosed on pills, jasmine said'

'oh'

'i gtg, ttyl'

'kk'

Ashton went back to his jeep and helped Jayce with Ella's wheelchair. Amber and Ella were already in the middle seats.

"By the way, I told Jaxon that Jasmine told us about Georgia's death, so tell her that she told us, so our alibis match," he said.

"Yeah okay," she replied, still in shock.

"You're okay right?" he asked.

"Yes," she blinked one time, "It's just so messed up,"

"Her funeral is by the end of this week," he said.

"I'll definitely attend, I also want to visit my mother's grave," she bitterly said.

"I'll schedule the basketball game by tomorrow, so it'll be quicker. Before the end of this week, we need to get proof Jaxon actually did it," Ashton said.

"Thanks," Jayce responded, "I can't believe so much has happened in one day,"

He pursed his lips and nodded, "It's unbelievable to be honest, but I'm glad you trust me for at least a bit," his words made Jayce's heart thump, "Let's go so Ella can rest,"

~~~

Eric and Ashton's house were quite far from each other, but it made sense, his house was the largest and took up a lot of space in the neighborhood.

The house was massive, with a gate that stood in front of it. It had been weeks since Ashton had come to this house. He never went back to it ever since his mom was put in jail, which in fact, he hasn't visited.

It was a house of beige and golden in color, and Ashton went down to unlock the lock, then went back into the jeep and proceeded to drive inside.

They were led to a small road, with the main entrance of the house that was led by a fountain up to a few steps, and a front yard ahead. The plants that were planted were wilting due to not receiving water and 'compliments'.

They went to the right, to get to the basement. Of course, there were other cars, from sports cars to sedans to SUVs.

Ashton parked the jeep near a glass door, with an elevator and staircase inside, including a washing room.

Jayce and Amber helped each other with Ella on her wheelchair, and she and Amber went up to the ground floor with the elevator, as Jayce took her things with Ashton and walked up the staircase.

"Do you want steak burgers?" he asked as they walked up the glass staircase.

Jayce's ears ringed, "Let's get what you like for dinner,"

"I never really knew what I liked since everything was picked and controlled by my mother," he replied, "But I really do like steak burgers,"

"Try asking Ella what she wants, it's up to you all," she gave a small smile, her face was still pale, "I need to smoke,"

Ashton flinched at her sentence as they arrived at the ground floor, which was made of high windows and high ceilings, letting in a lot of light.

He clapped his hand twice and the curtains covered the windows and turned on the lights revealing the living room, with a huge TV, and a fireplace below it.

The floor was wooden, and the walls were cold, bricky and black, with a chandelier hanging from above.

He took off his coat and put it on the couch, then looked at Jayce, "You smoke?"

She put her bag on the couch as well, taking out a packet of cigarettes, "I stopped, actually, a few months ago, but now, I really need one,"

"Massive house you have, Ashton," Amber broke in, and complimented as she walked out of the wheelchair with Ella.

"Thanks," Ashton replied.

"Doesn't compare to our house in Italy," Jayce muttered under her breath.

"Comparing money now, are we, president?" he sneered.

She gave a light scoff at first that turned into a genuine smile. Overall, it was a fake one, trying to lift Ella's mood.

"By the way, thank you," Ella interrupted, her eyes still swollen.

"Welcome," Jayce said, "Also, what do you want to eat for dinner?"

"I'm craving for burgers not gonna lie," she replied.

Ashton's eyes brightened, "Will steak burgers be fine?"

"Yeah,"

Jayce gave a small chuckle at both of them before Ashton continued his sentence again.

"Just use the guest room at the end of the hallway," he pointed to the hallway filled with lights beside the elevator.

Ella nodded and moved her wheelchair to the room destined.

"This all happened because of you two," Amber said as Ella already entered the room.

Jayce furrowed, "Pardon?"

Ashton sighed, knowing this was something she was going to say sooner or later.

"If you both found Eric's killer sooner, this wouldn't have happened. Georgia wouldn't have overdosed," she continued.

The older twin pursed her lips, "Fine, it's my fault, satisfied?" She knew parts of it were her fault.

"I'll be satisfied when you find Eric's killer,"

"Do it yourself, then. If you were in my position, would you have made it?" Jayce asked back.

"Yes, because I'm not slow at anything. You're taking too much time just to find a murderer,"

"We've told you we're trying our best to find what we can. And in the midst of it, vengeance must be plotted as well to reach the maximum satisfaction," Ashton stepped in, "We'll find the murderer, and proof. All you have to do right now is relax,"

"Relax? When you both can't even do your 'plans' right?" Amber scoffed back.

"We don't exactly have a third eye that can see everything that happens in this world, can we? If you were in our place, would you have found what we have accomplished?" Jayce asked back.

"What if someone else dies because of your little 'vengeance to achieve maximum satisfaction'? What if someone else dies because of your selfish little delays and games and crap?" Amber yelled back.

"Then I'll pay for them myself," she stated.

"You should have paid for your mistakes a long time ago," the younger twin warned.

"That is enough, Amber," Ashton tried to keep himself patient, "Go and rest upstairs. Second room on the right,"

"You both can't deny that my words didn't have a point," Amber ended the argument and took her things from Jayce's bag and went upstairs with the stairwell on the other end of the floor.

"In short, she lowkey has a point," Jayce said.

"She's just in panic that's all," Ashton replied.

"That is exactly why I need a cigarette," she looked back at him.

For some reason, they broke up, like hours ago, and now she's in his house. And he apparently loves her?

"Lighter, please?" she asked, breaking off the tension between them.

He took the lighter from his coat and put it up her face, raising his brow, asking her to put the cigarette in her mouth for him to light it up.

"I can smoke in here right?" she asked.

"Yes, you can do as you like but sleep in the same room as me," he teased.

She laughed, inside, but her face just gave a little nod of understanding, then put the cigarette between her lips.

Ashton lightened the lighter, and the flame popped up, and he placed it on the tip of her cigarette.

It started burning, and Jayce inhaled it, and held it in for a while before releasing the smoke from her mouth, "I definitely now understand why I was addicted to this months back," she muttered.

Ashton just gave her a look of confusion, eyes stuck on her lips, as the smoke went to him, and held his breath a bit.

"You want?" she asked, taking the cigarette off her lips and lending it to him.

He hesitated. He never really wanted to smoke. Smoking did kill Mikael, "I'll just make sure this is healthy or not,"

She smirked at first, "Anything addictive isn't healthy,"

He took the cigarette in his hand, and put it in between his lips, then inhaled greatly, and he started coughing.

Jayce laughed lowly, "You're not supposed to inhale much," she replied.

Ashton continued coughing, putting the cigarette away, "Whatever that is, it isn't healthy," he coughed again.

"It's not healthy, but it helps me 'heal' from the real world" she responded, then tried taking the cigarette from his hand, but he lifted it above himself.

"President, making yourself unhealthy isn't 'healing'," he complained.

"You're not my boyfriend anymore, so give me back the cigarette, Vice President," she sneered back.

Then stepped forward, and tried to reach his hand with the cigarette, tip-toeing on her toes a bit, trying to grab the cigarette.

And history repeated itself when they were standing in front of each other, noses touched and breathing heard.

The smell of smoke between them felt so strong, Ashton nearly felt uncomfortable, but in another way, he wanted to take her waist and just kiss her, then and there.

She locked eyes with him, then her eyes hovered to his lips. She could hear his bolting heartbeat, everything so twisted.

Suddenly, he broke eye contact, and dropped the cigarette, stepping on it with his shoe, extinguishing the fire.

She flinched and backed away, "Why the hell are you so concerned if I smoke or not?"

"According to 'common sense', you don't wanna have respiratory problems as you get older don't you?" he asked back.

"If I do? That's not any of your concern?"

"The last thing I want is you getting sick,"

"You've said that too many times," Jayce groaned back, about to take another cigarette from her pack when swiped it from her hand, "Hey!" she yelled.

"Let's escape from reality my way," Ashton replied back.

"How?"

"Music,"

"You don't like playing music,"

"I like listening to music,"

~~~

Before going to where Ashton wanted to go, Jayce went to a bathroom and changed her formal clothes and wiped off her makeup, while Ashton changed into a simple tee and jeans. She wore an oversized sweater and shorts and brushed her hair, which was now getting longer.

After that, the two went to the third floor, and went across the hallway. They seemed massive enough to fit all the people in Syville. But it was very dusty.

"When was the last time you went here?" she asked, getting rid of cobwebs on her shoulder.

"I didn't come back ever since my mother went to jail," he said, bitterness heard in his statement, "I never got to thank you,"

"For?" she asked.

He stopped walking, "You and your dad opened an eye on me,"

"I didn't do an operation on you?" she asked, confused.

He gave a low laugh, "No, you both saved me from the toxic relationship of my mother. She was manipulative enough to guilt-trip me in her grasp,"

Jayce gave a thin smile, "Trust me, that's also what I felt when my mother was sent to prison, but she wasn't manipulative, it was her actions that were wrong,"

"Well, one thing we have in common is our mommy issues," Ashton snorted.

She lifted her palm, "And these,"

She could've said they were partners. But do partners kiss?

~~~

They both arrived at a room that was at the back of the house, and it was more like another house in the house.

"I'm guessing this is your share of the house?" she guessed.

"Bingo,"

The room, with the tall and black walls, had a small platform that led to a bed on the left-side of the room, and a window nook and bookshelves were put across.

There was a room at the end that led to a bathroom and closet, and a room at the other side which was his study room.

A small glass staircase stood beside the bed, and Ashton led the way to the upstairs. He gave his hand to help Jayce, and this level definitely suited him.

Wooden walls and wooden flooring, with a huge fireplace up front and a couch that lied in the middle. There was a balcony that gave off the view of the mountains in Syville, and a chandelier that hung from the ceiling.

"This room describes you well," Jayce commented.

"That's why it's mine," Ashton replied.

He took out his lighter, and she really felt the need to smoke again, but she had an urge to listen to him. He lit the fireplace, and opened the window curtains, letting the evening light in.

He went beside the fireplace and took an acoustic guitar from a stand, and sat at the couch.

Jayce took the initiative to sit beside him. Couples who go through breakups would have awkward tension between them, like what she had with Jasmine, but with Ashton, she never felt the need to be awkward, because nothing had happened between them, or as she thought so.

He plucked the strings on his guitar, making a small tune, then hummed a bit.

"You don't like playing music, Ashton," she teased.

"If this can help you escape from the real world, I'd be happy to play," he replied and cleared his throat before he started playing the intro for 'Strawberries and Cigarettes' by Troye Sivan.

Jayce loved the song, but she never thought Ashton could sing, nor play the guitar. She knew it was a burden on him when he played Clair de Lune in front of the huge audience and she felt bad that she got carried away by her anger and ended the show. But still, the people she yelled at deserved it.

Remember when we first met?

You said 'light my cigarette'

He continued strumming and singing, and for once Jayce felt at ease.

But we couldn't go very far

Jayce smiled at him for a while, head resting on her hand.

So you sat and stared at my lips

And I could already feel your kiss

She continued singing the next verse

Long nights, daydreams

Sugar and smoke rings, I've been a fool

Ashton continued with Strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you

And it was just the two of them. With uncertain relationships, and with no ability to trust one another. But they thought, if there was one moment in this entire mess that they could relax, it was this moment.

Always hoping things would change

But we went right back to your games

Ashton never liked the idea of playing and learning music, it was all his mom's demands. But the only moment he actually enjoyed it was right here and then, having Jayce beside him and singing along with him as the evening started to darken the noon.

Headlights, on me

Racing to 60, I've been a fool

Loving and manipulating each other was what they did best. And this time, they didn't know which was which.

Lighters and candy, I've been a fool

But a part of them definitely thought it was love.

Strawberries and cigarettes always taste like you.

As the song ended, Ashton put down his guitar and Jayce gave a small clap.

"How on earth did you know my favorite song was Strawberries and Cigarettes?" she asked, as he slouched back on the couch.

"I may or may not have closely observed from Spotify's friend activity, that you listen to it on loop," he gave a small smile.

"So you took so much time observing what I listen to everyday but still just copy-pasted randomly from the Internet for a student council paper?" Jayce teased back.

"I was about to search for your favorite book instead but it seems the only books you read are science and knowledge-filled books," Ashton replied.

She gave a smile. They were having a calm conversation with no grudges intended, "But you put books in the wooden house. Are they all science and knowledge-filled books?"

"No, actually," he nervously said, "I couldn't have possibly put science and knowledge-filled books because I wanted the wooden house to be a place of freedom, away from non-fiction stuff,"

"So what books were on the shelf?" she asked, confused.

"Books...like...those books," he pursed his lips and looked down.

She held back a laugh and choked, then started laughing again, "You put those books on the bookshelf?"

"I didn't know what you liked," he justified, "So I thought you liked those books because who doesn't?" he complained.

"And where did you exactly get those book recommendations?" she joked, still wanting to laugh a whole lot that she would end up crying.

"Booktok, and...some I found on Wattpad and printed them out," he replied.

Jayce gave a sarcastic smile, "For someone who I thought doesn't read, whatever you're reading in that orange app sure makes you very knowledgeable,"

Ashton scowled, "Do you not read Wattpad?"

"Oh, I do, I just read other books that are more sad and heartbreaking," she replied, "You read Wattpad for fun, I read it to get myself stabbed,"

"That sounds like a very Jayce-thing to do," he responded, giving off a low chuckle.

"By the way," her face turned into a flat expression, "If I die-"

"Why did we go talking about music to books to death?" he stopped her.

She gave a nervous scoff, "Three people have died since I came here,"

"Their deaths were never your fault," he furrowed.

"The point is, if I die-"

"How on earth are you going to die? We're only going to be facing Jaxon, not a team of bandits," Ashton stopped the statement again.

"Just listen to me, okay?" she interrupted.

"Fine," he sighed.

"If I die, I want you to promise me to continue watering those plants at the wooden house, take care of my sister, my dad, Izzie, your dad and Frankie, get your dream job, live a good life and die when you are destined to die and not when you are willing to die," Jayce said.

"You're making me worried, are you going to do something crazy?" Ashton asked.

"No, it's just I've done a lot of things since I came here. I've done many horrible things to you and a lot of people, and I don't want people suffering because of me again,"

"First of all, your actions were insane and some were unexplainable but understandable. And that was the past and I get that you're impulsive," he replied, trying to stop himself from hugging her as she was going through a whole bunch of crap, "Second of all, why are you asking me to promise you?"

"Because I know you'd never break that promise,"

"Oh, when it comes to you, president, I'd break any promise I've made if it threatens you in any way," Ashton stated.

"I'm being serious," Jayce said, "I have a huge amount of guilt towards you and Amber and my dad and my mom and everyone," she continued, "And I can't continue to live in guilt even when they say it's 'okay', when it's not."

Ashton clenched his jaw, "Why would you think I'd never break a promise you made me do?" he asked.

"Because I know you're God damn in love with me,"

His heart thumped fast enough that Jayce could hear it.

"You've confessed to me more than I can count, and I know you are in fact in love with me. I don't know why and how, but I know that you'd not break that promise," she replied.

"Fine," he stated in some sort of frustration, "I am...in love with you, but-" he said, "You are not making me force a promise that tells me what to do if you die,"

"I'm willing to sacrifice myself if it means that everything will be okay," Jayce said, "And that's all I ask,"

"When people mention death," he started, "It makes me feel guilty because usually, I can see if this person dies or not. But not for you, Jayce. I can't see anything because I've lost my sixth sense," he was about to yell.

"Then if I die, what are you going to do?" she asked.

"I'll die with you," he responded back.

"Then my sacrifice would go to waste,"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm saying, I am willing to sacrifice everything including myself if that means you can be freaking happy," she stated, in a clearly yelling tone.

"Then what is being 'happy' if you die?" he queried.

"I am not your happiness," Jayce argued back immediately.

"You don't decide someone else's happiness," Ashton replied.

"All I want is for you to be happy and free," she said.

"If you can say that, then I will say that too," he replied, "All I want is for you to be happy and free,"

Jayce frowned.

"There will be no deaths," he assured, putting his hand above hers and holding it, "I promise."

It wasn't a promise he could keep, but it was definitely a promise Jayce was willing to break.

"Just for your information," she said, removing his hand from hers, "I am not in love with you,"

"But like you said, president: Actions speak louder than words," he gave her a poker face, as if tempting her, "And for now, we're just working together to catch a killer, nothing more, nothing less."

She didn't know what to reply to that but nod, and stood up, going down away from the room, and ordering steak burgers for dinner.

Jayce and Ashton didn't continue their conversation, although she also wanted to say that the wooden house did not belong to her anymore but only to him. She cared for Ashton, but in her thoughts, it wasn't even close to being in 'love' with him.

But they had agreed to work together in such a satisfying plan for Jayce's revenge towards Niel the following day.

~~~

The night went silent and rather stiff, and they only smiled when Ella was around.

Ella also gave fake smiles, pretending she was okay, when definitely she was not. She lost her brother and mother in a short amount of time.

Georgia died of overdosis, due to the pain and pressure she was feeling from keeping her family together and the flashbacks of her son's death.

And Eric died due to a stupid secret-admirer who was very much psycho and obsessive towards Ashton.

Death is mostly unpredictable, but sacrifices mostly aren't.

Ashton kept Jayce's pen with him, and always put it in his pants' pockets no matter where he went.

Jayce and Amber stayed quiet with one another, and she slept in the guest room beside her. Ashton had told Jayce in a short statement that the basketball game was booked for the next day so they were going to go back to school in the morning.

He had also called Harrison to explain what had happened, excluding the part of Jayce and him fake-dating and only using each other to find a murderer. He sent his condolences for the Rodriguez family and gave words of affirmation to Ashton. And in addition to that, he had also said that he was at the wooden house, in case Jaxon would ask about his whereabouts to Harrison.

Jayce had also told Jasmine about how Ashton found out about Georgia's death from her. Jaz couldn't really believe that her brother could've been a killer, but Jaxon had used her once to take Jayce's information, so it wasn't surprising if he was one. But the two exes, they were in good circumstances now, while Jasmine and Brenda remained as friends, while still having the urge to date each other.

Around noon, the four settled out and dropped Ella by her house, and she got picked up by her grandparents. Oliver still looked in denial and shock, because he knew he hadn't been a good husband as of lately. But he had let Georgia go, and he had been crying to the skies all night, asking why she was taken away from him. He felt guilt most of all, and that was the worst thing to feel.

After dropping Ella, the three went to the school. It almost seemed that the 'moment' Jayce and Ashton had the other day trailed off as now they were entering the lion's den again.

Ashton didn't use the graveyard path again, and instead took the longer path. He wasn't that ready to face his fear and he usually took the longer path. He only took the graveyard path when he was really under pressure from Jayce, but this time, he was feeling excited and calm, although wanting to rip Niel's head open.

"Why are we not taking the graveyard path?" Amber asked.

"Because Ashton doesn't like using that path," Jayce replied, "Also, why are you using my hoodie?"

"All my hoodies are either too small or too large for me, and yours fit perfectly," she said.

"Just wash it after," she replied, "And don't mix it with white clothes, as it's black,"

"Yeah okay, but anyways why are we having a basketball game in the middle of a murder?" she asked.

"Because today could be a day where we can find Eric's murderer," Jayce replied and stepped down the jeep.

"That's what you've been telling me for the past week," she scowled, "Whatever okay? I'm just gonna bring these things to our room,"

"Wait no," the older twin stepped in front of her.

"Why the hell are you blocking my way?"

Because there's a camera in the dorm.

Ashton immediately stepped in, "I can bring your stuff upstairs," he said, "You both can go to the court,"

Jayce pursed her lips, "Thanks," and gave him the key.

"Anytime," he looked rather in sorrow, but all her words from yesterday did make him feel rather dizzy.

Jayce took Amber's hand as they both went to the court.

~~~

The twins chatted lightly along the way.

"Ashton's family's address has been leaked a lot on the Internet, and they're close to bankruptcy," Amber remarked.

"They do deserve it,"

In the middle of walking, they bumped into Niel.

"Jayce!" he exclaimed.

Her face kept a smile as she sweated uncomfortably, "Amber, you can go to the court first," she smiled.

"Yeah, okay," Amber said as she walked past them both with an expressionless face.

"I heard there was a basketball game today so I wanted to give you the notes you asked me to write," Niel smiled, handing in a folder towards her.

"Thanks, Niel," Jayce smiled, "I really appreciate it,"

"Welcome," he said as they both continued to walk, "Where did you go yesterday? I heard that Eric's mom died?"

"I was at Ash's house, the one he bought recently in the woods," she said, lying to keep their alibis constant, "I've sent condolences to their family,"

"I can't believe they've lost two people in such a close amount of time," he sighed, "By the way, where's Ashton?"

"He's at my dorm, he said he wanted to help put my things back there,"

"Oh,"

They arrived at the court and Jayce went to change to her basketball jersey. Niel hadn't checked the camera he had placed since the other day and so he decided to check it.

He rewinded it to the time stamps where he was doing the notes Jayce had asked. And there, he had found it. Proof Jayce and Ashton both knew.

Niel's heart thumped, but immediately after that, everyone was told to assemble at the court.

"Are you coming?" Jayce asked, already in her jersey. She was so excited for this vengeance. Niel knew.

"Yes," he smiled back.

~~~

After placing the things in Jayce's room, Ashton also took the camera from the unicorn and went to his dorm first, to see Jaxon.

But Jaxon, he wasn't in the best mood.

"Hey," Ashton said.

"Hey," Jaxon replied.

The evening before, Jaxon had sent his condolences to Ella and asked what she was doing and if she was okay. Ella had replied that she was at Ashton's house, with Jayce and Amber, taking care of her as her father grieved.

And as easy as that, Jaxon knew something was odd.

And in addition, there was no way Jayce and Ashton could've told Ella to tell a lie. She would get dragged into this.

And Jaxon right now was keeping a straight face, trying not to get angry at Ashton.

Everything was about to fall down.

"How's Ella and Oliver been doing?" Jaxon asked.

"I don't know, good I guess," Ashton replied.

The lie was so clear right there.

"I feel bad, like super bad," he kept his temper down.

"Same," he replied, keeping it low, "I just came by here to make sure you're okay, not in shock and anything,"

"No, I'm fine," he chuckled back.

"Okay, then, I have a game to go to,"

"Why is there a sudden game anyways?" Jaxon asked.

"Jayce wanted it, and I do have to spoil her to keep her invested in the relationship," Ashton replied, "Are you not going to come?"

"No," he replied, "I'm a bit a tired,"

"Oh," he responded, "Okay then, just keep yourself healthy and I'll get going. See you,"

Ashton turned around to the door and started walking and Jaxon approached him, opening the door, then reaching his hand into his coat and taking out his lighter. He knew Ashton well and where he kept his things, but he didn't know that in his pants was Jayce's pen.

Ashton didn't notice his lighter was taken, but his hand was on his pants all the time, making sure the pen was still there.

"See you too," Jaxon exclaimed and closed the door.

He then got ready with his hoodie and sneakers, putting the lighter in his pants' pocket.

"You're hiding so many things from me Ashton," he muttered, "And you will burn for it,"

~~~

The game started, and Niel sat on the middle bench with a beating heart. Ashton voluntarily sat behind Niel, making sure he felt intimidated but they both ignored each other.

Amber sat in the center of the benches, as she was thinking of all the things she could do when they found the killer.

The game was Syville Boarding School vs Freeman High School from across town, and Jayce was astonished that Ashton could call them over overnight for one game of vengeance for her.

Ashton could do anything with the basketball team and its tournaments without having to tell Harrison about it. Because he was the captain.

The ball was thrown, and Brenda took the ball at ease, starting the game.

Jayce and Brenda talked to each other often, and Brenda also had said that Jasmine was now more like a friend to her. She had let Jayce and Jasmine do whatever they wanted, and she didn't want to push Jasmine any further into a relationship that was made of the pure 'getaway'.

Brenda passed the ball to Jayce, and she dribbled it across the court and made a shot on the hoop. Huge shouts and claps were heard from around the court, including those of Ashton's.

Niel clapped rather slowly, knowing there was no good after this game. He had a bad feeling. Jayce wasn't the type of person to not hold grudges.

"Why are you not clapping loud enough?" Ashton asked Niel, yelling at his ear making sure he listened.

"I am, I'm just astonished," Niel replied like a whisper.

Ashton backed away from him and scoffed silently. This was going to be better than killing Niel himself, and Jayce was always correct.

The team continued to score continuous points, with the crowd's cheering, and Ashton's cheering, firing them up.

Jayce kept her focus on the game and on her vengeance coming after this.

But there was something else, from the corner of Amber's eye, she saw someone in a hoodie, someone familiar. Jaxon was standing on the doorway of the court and that didn't seem good. No one else noticed.

The bell rang, and after an hour of playing, the game ended. The noon was now getting darker to a cloudy evening, after all, the game started after the sun came to its highest point.

"The final score is 5 is to 2, making the winner Syville Boarding School!" the MC yelled in excitement as confetti started popping everywhere.

Ashton gave huge cheers and Jayce gave a huge smile, as if he was one of those people who would give compliments so easily.

But her smile turned into a scowl and temptation. With the ball in her hand, she yelled out loud, "I'd also like to thank my best friend, Niel!"

Niel raised his brows, and Jayce threw the ball onto his face, knowing he wouldn't be able to catch it.

There was a silence when the ball hit his face, red and shocked, making his glasses break. The ball went into Ashton's hand, "Also known as a backstabber..." he threw the ball back onto Niel's head that made him crumble down the bench and stagger at the floor.

"Who placed a hidden camera in a gift, which he gave to his own 'friend' to spy and stalk them in their own dorm for his own God damn pleasure," she ended the statement in fury.

Everyone had their phones open and it was all now recorded and there was no way Niel could heal from that humiliation.

Amber's jaw clenched as her sister approached Niel who was on the floor trying to get up. She placed her foot on top of his chest to make him stop moving.

But from the corner of her eye, she saw Jaxon running away from the court, escaping to the back walls of the school, where no CCTV cameras were present.