The after-concert reception, as Mr. Callaway promised, was indeed in the style of a masquerade ball that was in the gymnasium with everything decorated in the style of "The Phantom of the Opera" with a Venetian twist. And as the music was playing and everyone given various masks at the entrance to add some flair, everyone has having a great time and dancing the night away. Even Oliver and I were soon dancing with our small band of friends. "So how does it feel that you're up for a music scholarship?" my boyfriend teased as we paused to get something to drink.

"Pretty good, given that you're also offered for a scholarship as well," I replied, accepting a cup of punch and waving hello to some of the baseball players. "I didn't know that."

Oliver gave me an apologetic smile. "I wanted to surprise you. But yeah, I'm also considering going to Berman-Dawes Academy of the Arts. Thing is, though, is about my uncle as he's my only family who gave me support when my late parents never did. I don't want to leave him behind."

"You gotta decide what's best for you, Ollie," I reminded him as we made our way through the crowd. "If you want something bad enough, then go after it. We only have one life to live with many opportunities that'll never coming but only once."

"When did you get so wise?"

"Hey, I had a lot to consider after everything that I've been through. And for me considering this scholarship, I might take it so I can put Ryan and Theo in the rearview mirror for good."

Oliver nodded. "Fair enough," he said as we reunited with our families and friends. "Hey, y'all."

"Hey, yourself," Holly greeted us as she took a bite of a tea sandwich. "So, I heard you guys got offered scholarships to the most-prestigious boarding school in Boston. Any chance you guys are heading up there?"

"We gotta meet up with Machado tomorrow," I reminded her. "Or rather, I got to meet up with her during break period while Oliver-"

"I meet with her tomorrow as well during lunch," my boyfriend interrupted.

"You should take it," Aunt Denise commented as she polished off a carrot stick. "This could be the best thing for either of you right now. Pacifica Glades High is a great place for any aspiring artist, but opportunities like this never come around too often."

"That's right," Judge McGillivray (who was also at the concert alongside Jose and Gianna) piped up. To me, "Demario, this could be the biggest chapter of your life that's ready to be written if you accept."

I nodded. "I'll give it some thought," I replied.

"Where's the Kendricks?" Serenity asked, looking around. "I thought I saw them here not too long ago."

I pointed to the direction where the dancing was going on, Jillian looking genuinely comfortable and more at ease as she was dancing with one of the AV kids. "Jillian's over there while her parents are somewhere," I commented before noticing the blonde coming over with a smile on her face. "And how can we help you, Jillian?"

"After everything that we've been through, I feel...right," Jillian hummed. "But the best part of this night? No Ryan or Theo in sight."

"Ain't that the truth," Serenity chirped. "With this place being secured by the cops and all that, I doubt that any one of them might be pulling off something fishy."

"But that doesn't mean that we're safe," I reminded her and everyone else. "Right now, we can't let anything distract us, which means-"

Suddenly, all the lights went out and the music was cut off.

"Hey! Who turned out all of the lights?"

"I can't see!"

"Tracey, Marcus! Where are you?!"

"What the hell is going on around here?!" I heard Oliver say from on my right. "Demario?! Are you okay?"

"Let's get out of here!" Taylor's voice boomed as I felt someone grab my hand as we all got up and began to take our leave.

BANG!

Someone screamed loudly as a gunshot rang in the air.

"Someone's shooting at us!" I heard a female scream as footsteps raced around us.

"Police! Everyone follow the exit signs!" A female officer's voice rang as noises of confusion swirled around us. "Remain calm and head towards the parking lot!"

BANG! BANG!

I felt two sharp pains crash over me before everything became more and more chaotic. "Help," I slurred as my legs began to get weak.

"Oh, God! Demario!" I heard Oliver shout! "Somebody help! My boyfriend...shot!"

"Fuck...call an ambulance...stay with...Demario..."

My vision began to blur as more gunshots rang out before the lights came back on and I was able to see the triumphant look in Ryan Peavey's eyes before he aimed the gun at a petrified Jillian. Him shooting the petrified girl would be the last thing I would see before the darkness greeted me with open arms.

*************

Jillian's POV

"Oh god! Ryan, what the hell?!" I screamed just as policemen were attending to a now-unconscious and bleeding Demario. "You just shot-"

"I know," he sneered with an evil glint in his eye. "And I'll make sure that you get to see him in hell!"

He aimed the gun right at me and pulled the trigger.

And just like that...I made my exit with no regrets.

************

Theo's POV

Kendricks is down.

Bader is down.

And as I put away my gun, I began to walk away from the now-bloody Artem Hillman in search of one vengeful jock. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. My partner in crime jostled out of the gymnasium. "Everything good to go?" I asked.

"All set," he replied cheekily. "By tomorrow, we'll be long gone."

I pecked him on the lips, feeling the euphoric high in my veins. "Let's get the hell out of here," I crowed.

*********

Third-Person POV

Three young lives who were in attendance of Pacifica Glades High School's Fall Concert and Gala were currently in the hands of death. Artem Hillman, Jillian Kendricks, and Demario Bader were shot by Theo Blake and Ryan Peavey- all three victims connected to the shooters' scorned love affairs.

Only one or two of these teens would make it out alive.

END OF ACT TWO

And that's a wrap...for now!

Ladies and germs, this was a chapter that must be written because out of the three victims of the Pacifica Glades Shooting (Artem, Jillian, and Demario)...one or two of them will make it out alive in act three.

And folks, all I can say to you right now is that act three will take a while to work on since I originally intended to stop at sixty chapters. But now, ninety chapters should be enough to wrap up this storyline and finally ensure that Demario gets the ending that he properly deserves. So don't you dare miss out on what's ahead!

Dedication: adijhan and sanmariano.

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