Troublemaker

21. SELF-DECEPTION

Was there another choice? Certainly the world usually only gives us one or two, and sometimes none. There was no other choice than this chaos made by two high-schoolers who broke all the rules to get what they wanted, lying to each other. Faking themselves so that the other would believe. For their own good.

It wasn't those little kisses you gave as jokes or giggles, it was one of those where you enjoyed it too much that you both were literally lying to each other. And both of them knew.

Ashton definitely knew Jayce wanted something from him, but he was too blinded to know what she did want. All that mattered was that she gave her answer, and he didn't care what she wanted from him as long as she was safe.

Jayce tugged on Ashton's hair a bit before she stepped back for a breath, as they both flustered on what they both had just done. It was just one thing that they both had done, but it looked like a first.

"After long consideration and thought," Jayce said in her breath, nose still touching Ashton's, "I'll date you,"

You're being way too obvious, Jayce thought to herself, Get a grip and try to lie to him better, he knows you're freaking lying, you dumb girl.

"Really?" Ashton started with his puppy eyes, moving a step back, trying to look her in the eyes.

Crap, she thought again, that was the most impulsive and obvious move to take. He freaking knows I'm lying to him, he knows I don't have any freaking feelings, geez I'm gonna die.

"Yeah," she clicked her tongue. She was still unsure of what she did, "This is pretty awkward,"

"Not really," Ashton commented, "But that was one sure hell of a shocking kiss, from someone like you,"

"You're not my first, so don't irritate me like that,"

"Well, surely, my dear president, but I'll make it seem the way that I'd be your first forever,"

Lying to each other was just a normal routine for them. And they knew it too well to be true.

"So, first of all, how does dating work?" Ashton fidgeted with his fingers.

Jayce flinched at his question, "You're asking me how dating works,"

"I'm not your first, while you're my first. I need tips," he frowned.

"Actions speak louder than words," she replied, still feeling uneasy, "So do anything that'll make your partner feel loved in any way,"

"And how do you make them feel loved?"

"Use your love language,"

"Oh, well then," Ashton said, already knowing what's on his mind, "I've gotten the trick,"

"And what's that?"

"That's for me to know," he tipped her chin to look at him, "And for you to be surprised with,"

"Well then," she grinned, "It should be a surprise worth-waiting for,"

"Oh, yes, president, it sure is," he backed away and turned around, walking away.

One was too blind with the other's safety to notice, while one was too wide awake to realize the other's real intentions.

~~~

"So, you both are dating?" Jaxon asked, rather excited.

The two were now in the dormitory, and Ashton was frowning. Sure, he was quite happy with the fact Jayce agreed to date him and now she was under his eye, for him to keep and protect, but he had taken her straight into the lion's den, and was constantly lying to her. But Ashton knew Jayce wanted something as well, but he needed her by his side, he wanted it like nothing else.