Nineteen

AIDEN

6 months later...

"Hey Aiden, there's only one weekend left until we start exams, and you know Tammy is throwing a party. You coming?"

I toss the football back over Scotts car and shake my head. "No, I got plans after school today. I'll be going to the end of the year party next weekend, though."

Scott wiggles his brows and grins, before chucking the football back.

"Someone has a hot date tonight," he teases.

I open the back door of my beater, the old Civic 04' my dad managed to find at an old scrap yard, being sold for 500$ but by the time he was through looking over it, we knocked the price down to 350$, and made him pay the tow fee. Tossing the football in, I'm careful not to hit the neatly decorated bag sitting in the back seat.

"Oh man, he got her a present and everything! What are you celebrating? Or are you just trying to get lucky?"

I throw the football at Scott, making sure it hits him right in the shoulder.

"Shut up, man. Not my fault you can't get anything at all, not need to rag on me because of it," I say and send him a teasing wink back.

He just frowns and grumbles something under his breath, before climbing into his car and peeling out of the parking lot, flipping me the bird out his window as he drives off.

I shake my head and laugh, giving the bag one last careful look, before getting in and driving off, waving good-bye to the few straggler's hanging around the lot. I drive as quickly, but legally, as I can to get downtown.

It's Friday night, I always try and leave early so I can beat the crazy downtown traffic, but today I stayed after school a little longer than usual to catch up on some extra studying in the library. Never thought I would say that, but if I ever hope to get out of this town, I'm going to need to get into a decent college, and not the crummy community college Athens offers, which is what my grades are pointing to right now.

Friday night also means I get to pick up my girl from her after school classes.

My heart flutters like a stupid school boy crush at the thought of 'my girl'. It feels like I've waited years to be able to say those words, and now we're going to be celebrating six months together this weekend.

I'm not really into the whole counting the months thing, but Avery was really excited when we hit one month, and I couldn't say no to that smile, so we've made it tradition to at least have one date on out month anniversary, nothing too big or fancy, even just a night in with some take-out and a good movie.

I never thought I could be the sappy, romantic type that Avery always told me she fantasized about having in a boyfriend, like the ones she read about in her overly romanticized and dramatic novels.

But here we are, almost a year later, and she hasn't gone running for the hills. I still have the fear that I'm going to fuck it up, which just helps fuel me to think of new things to do every day, to make sure she always knows how much she means to me.

I try and take us out to new places, see new things, try different activities or find new interests we both share. I've become a completely different person, or some like Scott would say, 'whipped'. But I just smile every time he tries to jab me with that word. I know I am, and I'm more than happy to be whipped.

Seeing an empty spot perfectly out front the building, I pull up hastily and honk the horn a couple times, hoping she is waiting just inside the doors like usual. Avery comes bounding out the door seconds later, her bag slung half over on shoulder, still dressed in her bright pink tutu and tight pants.

I don't even try and hide my roaming eyes as she climbs into the car, earning a slap on the shoulder and a blush.

"You look hot in those tights," I tease her, just to see her blush harder, before covering her lips with mine. Even though it's only been two hours since I last saw her, it feels like an eternity. I can never get enough of the taste of her lips, they're my drug, no matter how corny that sounds.

"Ugh, you're the worst," she says, her tone of disgust obviously sarcastic, her smile giving her away immediately.

"Yeah, but you love it."

She winks. "Yes, I do."

I put the car in drive and pull away from the curb, bringing my hand up to rest on Avery's knee when we're safely in the flow of traffic. I feel her hand cover mine, her fingers falling between the gaps of my own and tangling them.

I look over to catch her staring out the window, a wide smile on her face, thinking no one is looking. But I see her, the radiance shining off her like high beams, the way she holds herself with confidence and grace, like she finally knows just how beautiful and strong she really is.

It's clear that the years of abuse and wearing down Dan put on her, is finally healing and fading into the past, where it hopefully will forever stay. The real Avery is shining through the cracks that are ever so slowly breaking and falling away, to expose the true angel beneath.

The one I saw from the very beginning.

I lift her hand to my lips, planting a soft kiss on the back, making a silent promise to myself as I do. "So, I hope you didn't make any plans tonight."

"Oh, and why is that?"

I just smile at her, keeping my eyes on the road so my eyes don't give anything away.

She tries to pester and question me the entire way, and I will admit it's a real struggle, I want to squeal so bad. But I clamp my lips shut and shake my head at every question she asks.

"Why won't you tell me where you're bringing me? This could be considered kidnapping," she says and folds her arm, trying to look threatening.

"You're ridiculous. If I tell you, then it won't be a surprised, and besides we're almost there." I make a few more turns off the main road and we're back near my neighborhood. I can see the gears turning in her head as she looks around.

We've been here before, but we never usually drove. The scenery is the same, but you don't quite see it the same as when you're driving, compared to when you walk it. You can't cut through backyards or secret paths, most of the journey is just winding roads and endless driveways.

By the time the field comes into view, Avery looks like she has pieced most of it together, and has a bright smile on her face. Thankfully, she has stopped pestering me.

"Okay, stand right there and don't turn around, no peeking," I command and stand her facing away from the car. I quickly round to the trunk to take out the bundled-up blanket and picnic I managed to shove in my gym duffel bag, since I don't own a basket and it wouldn't all fit anyway.

I throw it over my shoulder and grab the small gift back from the back seat in the same hand. "Now, close your eyes. I'm going to guide you, I promise," I say and let out a chuckle, already knowing what she is probably thinking.

"But I've been here before, I know where we're going at this point."

She frowns, and it's the most adorable sight, I can never tire of it. I never understood when a guy said their girl can look cute, even when they're upset. I've never had a girl angry with me, and the one thought on my mind is how good they look.

Now, I completely understand. I'm falling in love with Avery through every one of her emotions, good and bad.

"It doesn't mean the surprises are over." The truth is, since I stayed so late after school, I didn't have any time to set-up my surprise before having to pick her up. It's going to be a speedy one.

I guide her over to the tree, where in our short time, we have already made so many memories under. "Stand still, and keep your eyes closed."

I pull away from her and tear everything out of my bag, rushing to lay out the blanket wide enough for both of us, and the food. Seeing how uneven the ground is, I decide against the candle I brought, and quickly think of a replacement. Taking my phone, I download a candle app while I set up the rest of the food and decorations, placing the gift bag right in the center.

"Aiden, what is going on?" she asks, folding her arms and tapping her foot.

"Just a few more seconds," I strain out, waving my hand in the air, as if that will rush the app to download. Once it does, I immediately open it and don't bother choosing a super fancy candle, and pick the first nice option.

I set it up against the cannister of hot chocolate I brought, then stand back and quickly assess my work. It's close enough to perfect, not quite what I pictured originally, but good enough for the time I had.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now."

In turn, I close my own eyes out of fear of what she is going to think. They flash open when I hear her gasp, and look over to see her covering her mouth with both hands. She walks hesitantly over to they laid out picnic and kneels down next to the blanket.

"Did you just do all of this just now?" she asks, finally looking up at me.

Suddenly, I feel embarrassed. "Uh, yeah, I meant to after school while you were at dance class, but I didn't have the time." I scratch the back of my head and toe a patch of dirt on the ground. "Do you like it?"

She flies towards me, giving me barely a second to register before she lands in my arms, wrapping her own around me in a tight hug.

"It's beautiful, thank you."

It takes me another second to realize what's going on, then I return her hug, squeezing her hard against my chest. There is no better feeling than this.

"The surprises aren't over yet; I have another one for you after we eat."

Avery looks up at me with a giddy smile, confirming that this was all worth it. I've stressed for days thinking about the perfect thing to do for our 6 months, the mark of half a year. I wasn't sure if it would mean that much to her, but then I would think about all the other times she seemed excited to mark down another month together, and it turned my thoughts around.

It was a constant battle of back and forth, until Tammy helped set me straight, and we came up with this perfect idea. She always has a way of bringing the best ideas and memories out of me, thank god for her.

I lead Avery back over to the blanket and we sit down, nibbling on the little bit of fruit I cut up. I start the chatter light, asking her about her classes she went to after lunch, the last time I saw her, and then moved on to what she did in dance class today.

It took about a month to convince her to try them again. I knew she wanted to pick up the passion again, and that with summer break just a few months away then, the practice rooms weren't going to be available forever.

It seemed to be a miracle when one of the pipes burst in the gym over the weekend, and wasn't discovered until Monday morning. It flooded the entire gym, change rooms and bathrooms, and thankfully the practice rooms. It was easy to clear away the water, but the damage it had done is going to take a few months to repair, with the lack of funds the school has.

That was Avery's breaking point; she no longer had anywhere to practice her dancing, so she caved and allowed me to bring her around to a few other dance studios, we even went as far as driving out of town, but when she saw how long it would take, she decided against it and chose the local community center.

Since then, she has become much more open and cheerier at school and around others. She has also changed up her wardrobe, no longer wearing her baggy hoodie and jeans, trading them in for jeans and long sleeve shirts until the bruises and scars healed enough. Then, Tammy was able to convince her to wear t-shirt and shorts when the weather started to get warmer.

We're still a long way away from tube tops and dresses, clothing attire I would very much like, but I have always loved Avery in anything she wears. Hell, I was first attracted to her when I could barely see her face, hidden behind her dark hoodie and a shield of hair everywhere she went.

Once we're finished our packaged meatloaf and potatoes, she sets everything aside and sits cross-legged in front of me. "So, what is the other surprise?" she asks, and I can tell she is trying to contain her excitement, but it's shining clear in her eyes and wide smile.

I reach behind her and set the gift bag down between us. Her eyes light up immediately, but she still looks to me for permission to tear into it.

"Be careful, it's delicate," I say and nod my head. She grins and rips the tissue paper off the top, peaking into the bottom. She fishes for the present, and pulls out the first one, thankfully the one I want her to open first.

It's a long case, obviously a jewelry case, made with red velvet and a gold trim.

"Oh, Aiden. How much has this cost you?" she asks, not even opening the case yet.

I roll my eyes. "You haven't even opened it yet, don't worry about the price tag." I cross my fingers behind my back, praying I didn't go overboard with this.

She opens the case, covering her mouth again in shock, and to cover her gasp. Tears gather in her eyes, and I pray to god they're good ones.

"Oh my, this is gorgeous. Is it real silver?" she asks, running her fingers over the smooth loops in the silver chain bracelet, with little hooks separated evenly all around it, dangling just half an inch.

"Yes, and it's warrantied, so you can bring it back to get it shined and cleaned for free, whenever you want. Once you open the second and last gift, I can tell you the store so you know," I say and grin, pushing the bag closer to her again.

She gives me a disapproving frown. "You got me two? I didn't even get you anything, I didn't know we were doing gifts."

I instantly shake my head and hold my hands up. "No, that isn't what this is about. I just wanted to get you something special, just because I have the chance to finally get you a gift. I've always wanted too, so I seized the chance, but I'm not expecting anything in return," I ramble on, sweat gathering at the nape of my neck.

Avery laughs. "It's okay, this just gives me an excuse to get you something extra special for our next anniversary," she says with a wink.

Digging her hand into the bag again, she pulls out the smaller jewelry box and wastes no time opening it. "What is it?" she says, amazement still in her voice.

Instead of telling her, I decide to show her. I grab the bracelet and pull it out, lifting my other hand and silently asking her for her hand. She allows me to grasp her wrist and fasten the bracelet around it; it's a perfect fit, just tight enough to fit snuggly all around.

I then take the other box from her hand and take the small charm out, admiring it before hooking it onto one of the little hooks and holding her hand up between us for both of us to see.

I knew the charm was perfect the moment I asked the girl to show me the ones that fit the bracelet I chose. The tiny pair of pink ballerina shoes, coated in silver on the other side, just screamed Avery, like it was made specifically for her.

Tammy thought the same, and asked the jeweler for it before I had the chance to snap out of it.

"Thank you, Aiden. Everything about tonight is perfect, I never thought I would get to have moments like this. You've given me everything I have ever wanted, but never thought I could have with the life I had in that house."

Tears gather in her eyes again, but this time I know they aren't all happy ones. I wrap my arms around her shoulder and pull her into me, leaning us back against the tree. She snuggles into the crook of my armpit and continues to cry silently.

I don't say anything, knowing there is nothing I can really say in this moment to make her feel better, she needs to work through her feelings and she knows I'm always here for her, no matter what.

Rubbing her arm softly with one hand, I take her hand in my other and lift it to place a gentle kiss on the back, making a silent promise as I do.

I have been gifted an angel on Earth, and I will never let her light fade.

THE END​​​​​​​