What if the gun shot you heard was Audrey/Lexi shooting herself instead of Nathan? After all if he is truly the love of her life, she would put his life over her own .
As for her hair, I like it shorter like Audrey wore but Lexi's hair has grown on me too. Generally I don't like piercings that much either ,but on her it works. I think Lexie is just sexier to me.
Make up does wonders.
In Audrey's history as Lexi, Sarah ect., she has never died.
IF she shot herself, it would pretty much END the show if she died.
Don't see that happening.