Redwood Diary: Book One

Chapter Twenty-One: The Blame Game

Justin had spoken to Chloe earlier about checking out the photography club; so that's exactly where he was. He was speaking to one of the three heads of the club when he heard a faint ruckus getting louder and louder by the second.

"What's going on?" A member of the club asked as he approached the window.

"Jason!" Chloe called out once more.

"Jason come on." Aiden said to him. "Let's think this through."

Brian and Miley were tailing them.

"Justin!" Jason shouted.

Justin furrowed his eyebrows at the sound of his name being called. Jason knew exactly where to find him.

"What's going on?" Justin asked him as he approached the door where the club was being held.

Everyone in the room was now staring at Jason.

"Come here."

Justin hesitantly got up and walked towards him. Jason grabbed him by his shirt and dragged him outside.

"What the hell?!" Justin yelled, pulling out of his grasp.

"Jason!"

Jason silenced Chloe. "Were you following us yesterday, photographer?"

Justin shook his head. "What--following you? No! Why would I be following you?"

"Miley--your phone."

Miley quickly got her phone out and went into her email where the photo was. She then handed it to Jason. Jason held the phone to Justin.

"Did you take this?"

Justin examined the photo. "No--no I didn't." He then looked at the others. "Is this what this is really about?"

Jason then eyed his camera which was around him. Aiden stepped forward.

"I'm sorry Justin. You can go." Aiden said to him as he gestured him to leave.

Justin glanced at Chloe, who had an apologetic look on her face, before he walked back into the room.

"What were you thinking?!" Chloe stepped up to him; anger laced in her voice.

"We need to get our hands on that camera."

"Jason, enough." Aiden said. "I know you want answers OK? We all do--but this isn't the way to go about doing it."

"We have no proof that this picture--or any of the pictures, were taken by a camera." Miley interjected.

"I just don't trust him."

"We have no reason not to." Aiden replied.

"He just got here, the same time Miley started getting these pictures. Doesn't that seem sketchy to you?" Jason then exhaled in frustration before walking away.

"Jason--" Aiden sighed afterwards.

"What now?" Brian asked.

"I don't know." Aiden responded. "We need to watch our backs. Whoever is working with this guy knows that Jason and I were at his house last night."

"What about the girl?" Miley asked.

Aiden then looked at Chloe. "We'll go to police right now and file a report."

Chloe half-smiled and nodded, and Aiden did the same.

"OK." Miley responded.

They all walked away, but Chloe looked back through the window at Justin, and their eyes made four. She then quickly looked away and followed the others.