Used

As Ian sits in class, he catches himself staring at Avery once again. He knew that Avery had no interest in him though. She never even looked in his direction. He always at least tried talking to her but he never had the courage.

Avery suddenly looked back and noticed Ian’s eyes on her. Ian realized she noticed and his cheeks instantly turned rosey pink. He tried to cover it up with his hand and he looked down quickly avoiding eye contact. Once Avery looked back, she noticed nothing of Ian and only his watch. The watch was shiny and gold. It looked almost as if it costed a fortune. She turned around and a grin snuck upon her face.

Class ended and Avery saw Ian get up and she started following him so she could get his attention before he walked off to his next class. Once she got close enough, she tapped on Ian’s shoulder.

“Hey Ian.”

Ian started nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

“Hey Avery,” Ian said as his voice noticeably shook. He never thought Avery, the girl that is constantly on his mind, would even say a word to him.

“Do you want to go out sometime? Maybe a movie?” Avery said while staring at his watch. Ian was shocked and didn’t say a word.

“I’m guessing that’s a no?” Avery questioned. She knew Ian liked her a lot so she grew confused thinking she had gotten mixed signals.

“Yes! Yes. No. I mean no that is not a no, and yes to going to the movie,” Ian said in an overwhelmed tone. Avery smiled.

“Okay, well text me the kinds of movies you’re into later tonight. My number is 971-5566.”

Avery then walked away and Ian felt as if all the breath was knocked out of him. They both texted that night and agreed they were both into the comedy genre of movies and had made plans to go see it the next day.

Ian received a text from Avery the day of the movie.

"C U @ 7?"

He had a big smile grow on his face and he texted her back.

"Yes. I’ll pick u up if that’s ok."

I have a car.

Once Avery knew that he had a car, she had that same grin on her face as she did when she saw the shiny gold watch that was on his wrist. She continued to text Ian and she realized how much he liked her, and she loved the attention.

————

Ian showed up in a fairly shaped BMW the next day. He combed his hands through his light brown hair a few times and then adjusted the collar on his dress shirt before he walked up to the door. He then started to nervously proceed towards the door. Once he began to knock he noticed his hands shaking and he grew extremely anxious. Before he could start knocking Avery swung open the door. He was in awe of how beautiful Avery looked. Her long, brunette hair fell on her burgundy blouse and it complemented her dark blue eyes. He then told her she looked stunning and then walked her to his car. He opened the passenger side door for her like any gentleman and then they went to the movie theatre.

They started walking towards the ticket booth. As they stood in line Ian pulled out his wallet and began to pull out some money. Avery watched him the whole time and noticed just how much money he had.

“Oh my gosh. I forgot my money at the house. I was just so excited to see you. I feel terrible.” Avery said this in a very “nervous” way.

“Oh. It’s okay. I was going to pay for you anyways,” Ian confidently said. She smiled at him and Ian smiled back. Ian got to the front of the booth and started paying and then Avery’s smile turned into a grin.

They entered the movie theatre. Ian had drinks in one hand and popcorn in the other while Avery held nothing. They sat down and the movie began to play.

“Again, I am so sorry I left my money.”

“Don’t be sorry. I wanted to pay for you.”

Avery grabbed his hand and they smiled at each other. They both jumped once they heard the “20th Century” theme song that appears in almost every movie. They both laughed in embarrassment at how they got startled by the movie. Ian stared at Avery as she was still laughing.

“You know, you have a really beautiful smile,” Ian said in hesitation. She said thank you and then they watched the movie.

As the movie ended, Ian walked Avery back to his car.

“You have such a nice car. I bet it cost a ton of money.”

“Eh, my parents got it for me. They are practically rich but in order for me to keep this car for myself then I have to work for it. Same goes with money from them until I get a job.”

“Oh,” Avery said not knowing what to say.

————

Ian got Avery home safely and then walked her to her door.

“I had an amazing night with you tonight. I hope we can do this again sometime soon,” Ian said.

“Yes of course!” Avery exclaimed. She then jumped in for a hug. Ian was surprised but then he slowly wrapped his arms around her. He didn’t want to let her go. She released herself from the hug and kissed Ian. He was in complete and utter shock by this point. He thought he was in a dream.

“Bye,” Avery softly said and then went into her house before he could say it back. Ian stood on her doorstep for a minute trying to figure out if this was reality or not.

The following day, Ian arrived to school with flowers for Avery. He waited by her locker nervously. He saw her in the distance and adrenaline started pumping through his body. As Avery approached her locker she saw Ian with a bouquet of flowers. She formed the same grin on her face because she was loving the attention and gifts while Ian was actually falling harder for her every day. She then approached Ian and said, “I suppose those flowers are for me?” She said giggling.

“No, they are for myself. I thought I looked pretty today and that I deserved them,” Ian said in a sarcastically sweet tone. She just smiled at him and playfully rolled her eyes. “What? You don't think I look pretty today? Or is it because you think I don't deserve them?” Ian said once again in a sarcastic tone and then they both laughed. “A-Actually I was bringing these flowers today to properly ask you to be my girlfriend...” Ian said shyly and looked down. Avery looked down with her signature grin and said yes. Ian felt like he was on top of the world, like nothing could take his happiness away.

————

Ian was lying in bed listening to music and thinking about Avery.

*Ding Ding* Ian's phone buzzed.

"Hey do you want to hang out tomorrow? Maybe the mall or something?"

Ian replied to Avery right away.

"Yes! I would love 2!" Once again Ian felt embarrassed for not asking Avery first.

"Okay pick me up sometime around noon!"

As Avery sent that she formed her signature grin as if she was plotting something.

————

“Avery, would you like to eat? You have been walking around so much,” Ian asked patiently.

“Yeah, I could use a bite to eat.”

Ian then goes and orders food. As he waited in line, Avery stared at all her bags that are full of makeup, clothes, shoes, and jewelry. She then thinks of how manipulative she can be because she didn't have to buy a single thing, not even the food Ian is waiting in line for.

“Here's your food Avery. I remember you telling me about how much you love pepperoni pizza.” Avery smiles at him and starts eating. Ian was mesmerized by her smile and then looks at the several bags she has. He smiles because he is so happy that he could get Avery everything that makes her happy.

————

Ian was lying in bed thinking about the great day he had with Avery. He thought about all the great things about her and the great memories they have made. Love suddenly surfaces in his head and the blood drains from his body. Love? How could I be in love with her? This all happened way too quick. Ian thought to himself. He realized that all of this felt so right. He looked at his phone and then dialed Avery’s number.

“Hello?” Avery questioned.

“Hey A-Avery, I have something to tell you, but it isn't worth telling you over the phone. Will you meet me by the creek at Little Big Park?”

“Um yeah, I'll be there in ten minutes.”

Avery arrived at the park. She notices Ian and she starts walking towards him, she sees that he's a nervous wreck.

“Ian?”

“Avery! Avery. I know it's too soon and everything, but I have something to tell you.”

“Okay and?”

“Well…” Ian looks down. “I just... I...I've fallen in love with you.” Ian slowly raised his head to look at Avery in fear of her reaction.

“Look Avery. I’m completely in love with you. My heart is yours now. “

Avery just looks at Ian. Thoughts flew through her mind. Well, I got him where I want him. His heart may be mine but so is his money. “Hey let’s go for a ride Ian. Maybe get some ice cream?”

Ian looks up at her, kinda confused.

“Yeah sure let's go,” Ian says in a relieved manner that she didn't run away from him after what he just told her.

“Do you care if I drive?” Avery says in a playful tone.

“Um.. well, it's not exactly the best id-” Avery cuts him off.

“Oh come on. Just one drive won't hurt.” Avery says.

“Um...okay,” Ian says in hesitation.

Avery is going 80 MPH down the freeway and Ian is freaking out. He doesn't want to upset her so he doesn't say anything at first until the miles keep going up.

“Wow, how does your car go so fast so easily? It's like I’m not even trying.”

“Avery you’re going way too fast,” Ian says in a frightened tone.

“Oh loosen up a li-”

*CRASH* Avery ran off the road and hit a tree. Ian looks at her as she has a bloody forehead. Ian is so glad she's okay. He sits in his totaled car and sees that his arm is broken.

As the night went on the cops took them both to the hospital. They got rid of the car and cleaned up the whole scene.

————

Months go by. Avery and Ian are still together and they are back to normal from the wreck. Ian has gone back to the norm, buying Avery everything. Although it has been difficult since he doesn't have a car, he still finds a way just so he can see a smile on her face. Avery has still never purchased a single item for Ian though. He is more than likely too caught up with being in love with Avery that he doesn't notice and doesn't care that he buys her everything and gets nothing.

————

Ian starts to notice Avery become distant. She doesn't talk to him much anymore and never shows affection, except when she wants something. The only time his phone lights up is when Avery found something online that she wants and she wants him to buy it.

Ian walks down the hallway and sees Avery’s attention being taken by another boy in a flirtatious manner. He becomes angry and walks up to her. He gives a death stare to the boy Avery was talking to.

“Well I think I should go,” the boy says and awkwardly walks away. “Yeah I think you should go too,” Ian says as his eyes are on him.

“What is going on?" Ian says as he is trying to stay calm and holding back his anger.

“What's the big deal? I was only talking to him.”

“No, you weren't just 'talking to him,' you were flirting.” Ian looked at her and sees that she just doesn't care so he walks away angry.

————

Ian being upset, he calls Avery and tells her to meet him at the creek near the park at 8. He walks to the creek expecting Avery to already be there thinking that she would care enough to show up on time. 8:30 finally comes and Ian sees Avery walking towards him.

“I bet you weren't here on time because you were with that boy,” Ian says in an envious way. Avery doesn't respond.

“Jeez Avery. You act like you don't even care anymore. You're driving me insane. I can't even think straight anymore.”

“Well, maybe I didn't even care in the first place,” Avery said in a rude manner. Those exact words broke his heart. He never thought that they would even come out of her mouth.

“Once the accident happened you told me you loved me. On the way to the hospital, you said you loved me!”

“Ian. I never loved you. I loved the gifts and the attention but not you. Get over it. I just used you.” Ian's heart shatters.

“You know. It's really embarrassing thinking someone cares for you so much but you find out that they don't even care at all. I gave you my heart! My money! My car! My time! My attention! I gave you everything you wanted and I wasn’t good enough? I worked hours upon hours for my parents just to get you everything you asked for and it just wasn’t enough?" Ian says as his voice starts to shake and as he holds back tears.

“No, you weren't good enough,” Avery says as she walks away.

————

Ian stayed by the creek that night and thought about everything. She took everything away from him and he just gave it to her without thinking it through and without a care.

Ian arrived to school the next day. He's surprised he even went because he felt so sick with a broken heart. In order for him to get to class, he had to walk past Avery’s locker. Unfortunately, as he walked past her locker Avery was there. He was getting closer and he noticed that same boy she was flirting with just a few days prior to their breakup was giving her flowers. Just as he did himself. He noticed Avery wearing all the fancy clothes and jewelry he bought her. She saw Ian and looked at him in a snobby manner and continued to talk to that boy in a way to make Ian envious. At this point, he is completely and utterly heartbroken but turns it into resentment. He finally starts to walk past Avery and he looks at the boy and says, “Don't let her drive your car. She'll wreck it. She'll wreck everything.” Ian then walked away and then formed a grin on his face just as Avery used to.