Jonesing

By A. R. Ray

A girl, a perfectionist, named Avery Jones has been in love with her childhood friends brother for as long as she can remember. Hes never noticed her, though; he doesnt really notice anyone. Hes sort of an insouciant philanderer. They couldnt be any different. The only thing that connects them is their names. Oh, by the way, his name is also Avery Jones; no relation. As crazy as it might sound, its true. Anyway, it isnt until she becomes his mentor that he finally sees her. But will this new circumstance spark a connection or show just how different they are?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543454284

Book preview

CHAPTER I

Avery Jones.

I raise my hand, smiling brightly. Present!

Mrs. Dixon makes eye contact with someone in the front row then arches an eyebrow. That person doesn’t meet her gaze though.

Avery Noel Jones. He finally turns to her.

It’s not the first day, you know what I look like. I’m obviously here. She sighs while the class laughs. This is a daily occurrence of mine. I lower my hand as I sneak a glance at Avery. He still has his same indifferent face as he gets his notebook out of his book bag. I, Avery Jones, happen to be in love with Avery Jones. As silly as it may sound. He’s unlike the other boys at this school. Smart, blunt yet nonchalant, not to mention extremely attractive. I’m actually surprised he doesn’t get a confession every other day. Then again I don’t mind, considering I want him.

Ava. I turn my head to Carla; Carla Jordan. She’s one of those class buddies. You know, the person you befriend for that class, or however many classes, you guys have together.

Yes, Carla? She plays with her pencil, focusing on it.

For a perfectionist, you’re easily distracted. My eyes get so substantial they practically fall out my head. She smirks and as soon as we make eye contact, my face is in flames. My hand instantly shots up while my gaze moves to Mrs. Dixon.

Ava.

May I go to the restroom, please? She smiles at my flustered expression.

Sure, hon. I quickly yet elegantly walk out the door, but not before glancing at Avery. He’s resting his head on his hand as he lazily holds his pencil. He doesn’t spare a single glance. When I reach the little girl’s room I cover my face.

I’m so obvious! Ugh, why does he do this? I peek through my hand to look at my reflection. Then I squat so that my face is level with the sink as my hands hold onto the counter. Now all the mirror sees is my eyes and everything above them.

He’s so frustrating. I sigh, standing up and turn around to lean against the sink.

She’s even worse though. That class is the only one I have with Avery and she always has to convey something.

Carla is so mean. I pout. I stare down at my purity ring. Then subconsciously twist it. You assume, with us being some of the smartest, we’d have more classes together. I shake my head, turning back to the mirror. Fixing any flaws that came about during my freak out then splashing my face with cold water, I leave the restroom. Once I sit back in my seat I sigh. After all these years and he still doesn’t notice me. Maybe I should’ve listened to Melissa’s advice that day.

Dude, if you want the ‘D’ that bad then just ask. I jump a little as I quickly turn to Carla while she laughs. I cover my face with my hands.

You’re foul. She makes a beat on the desk with her pencil.

Says the cherry red tomato! Carla sings. I peek through my fingers at her. She giggles, covering her mouth with her hand.

Bro, I bet he’d demolish you. She becomes childlike as she grins devilishly at me. I slam my head on the desk, trying to ignore her. She makes a humming sound.

Actually, he is white so… The bell rings and I quickly shoot up, grabbing my things.

See you later, gotta go to health! I rush out as I head for the door, trying to get through everyone.

So you could learn more ’bout that male reproductive system! She shouts as I exit the door. I hide my face in my binder.

Jordan!

Sorry. I giggle at Carla’s expense, lowering my binder then smile at my shoes. Thanks, Mrs. Dixon.

Someone seems happy. I look up to make eye contact with Jade. I nod.

Just a little. We continue walking as she falls into step side me. She chuckles.

Do you think we have to go through that stupid book today? I stop just a foot from my locker. What? This isn’t normal. Jade watches me with confused eyes. I don’t meet hers because mine is too focused on the boy next to my locker. Then I remembered my flaw. I tuck my hair behind my ear.

We need to get to health.

But you usually go to your locker after home room. She furrows her eyebrows while I drag her along.

I shake my head, continuing to drag her.Not today.

Jade keeps complaining but lets me force her to go to class before going to my locker. Once we make it in the room and to our seats she lifts her eyebrow at me.

What was that all about?, Jade asked.

How about ‘my long time crush, who has no idea I exist, was at his locker… The one right next to mine and I was too chicken to be that close to him. Not talk to him, but just be near him.’ Yeah, no, I don’t think so. I mentally sigh, remembering my mistake. I just had to run out of Mrs. Dixon’s class. Avoiding her question, I dig through my bag to take out my health book but came up short handed. I sigh, getting out the homework. I typically wait for a couple minutes for Avery to go to his locker. Then I go to mine, but I ran out of home room then bumped into Jade. Two things, which don’t usually happen. I stare back at my homework. Good thing I didn’t put it in the book. Looking at her, I finally answer.

I didn’t need to go to my locker today. She rolls her eyes, playfully.

Oh, yeah, then where’s this? She slams her health book on the desk. Mr. King scowls at her though she doesn’t pay him any mind. I give a silent apology before looking back at her. Jade has this determined expression which causes me to play with my purity ring.

I left it at home. Her laugh is humorless and cut short.

You? She asks as if it’s the most impossible thing in the world. I nod slowly. She laughs, this time for real.

Avery Jones, the self-proclaimed perfectionist, has left a textbook—a crucial item for making it in this class—at home? My face goes grim as I shrug one shoulder with raised arms.

Yes? Before she can react, the bell rings.

Oh, that’s the bell. Class time! Talk later. Relief flows through my system as Mr. King begins the class. Jade whispers a ‘fine’ and faces the teacher. Talk about saved by the bell.

2 hours later

I blow through my reed, my eyes flying across the page as my fingers follow the notes on each line. My part blends into the flutes as they begin to play. Then, finally, the song ends with a big thump from the bass drums. Once we’re done, our band teacher motions with her baton for us to carefully put our instruments down. After we do, she smiles brightly.

That was amazing, truly wonderful. We all smile back and praise each other. This has been one of our hardest pieces yet. Getting off the stand, Mrs. Dallas glances at her watch. She then taps her baton on the stand to get our attention.

Alright, it’s almost time to go so get packed, you guys were fantastic. Some people nod, smile or thank her. I go with the smile before taking my reed off my clarinet, placing it safely in its plastic container, and disassembling my clarinet. After I have it in my case, closed and locked, I put my sheet music into my folder. The bell rings and some people take their instruments with them while others keep it here. I’m taking mine with me so I can practice.

Ava, could you stay for a little? I nod, placing my things down on my seat.

Yes, Mrs. Dallas? She smiles warmly at me.

I’m so glad you let us use your song, it’s an astonishing piece. I blush, tucking my hair behind my ear.

It’s a pleasure, I’m overjoyed to hear everyone liking and playing it. She nods, going over to her desk.

But I do have a question, if I may, I nodded, crossing my arms behind my back.

Why don’t you want anyone to know you wrote it? I blush while my gaze focuses on my hands, which straighten out my sweater.

I think music owns and is made by itself, it comes to life all on its own, I gaze at her through my eyelashes.

I just so happen to be the shell that it needed to come about. She leans against her desk, her smile growing wider.

You know mothers are the reason their children are here, they aren’t anything to sneeze at. I giggle, beaming at her.

That’s an interesting point of view, Mrs. Dallas.

3 hours later

I tuck my skirt flat under my legs as I sit down.

So, Ava, how’s it going? I tuck my hair behind my ear.

I made the volleyball team. She rolls her eyes, whimpering.

Of course you made the stupid team, I’m talking about Avery! I watch as the counselor, a grown woman, acts as if she’s a four year-old child.

You need to get him now, he’s only getting sexier. I groan, leaning back as I cover my eyes with the pit of my elbow. I sense my blood crawling up to blossom on my cheeks. She snickers.

Please don’t refer to a student in such a matter. She huffs.

"I hate when you get all proper on me, if I think someone’s damn fine I’ll say it." I sigh, uncovering my eyes to look at her. She’s, honestly, ridiculous.

Ima go to volleyball practice. She smiles cheekily.

Have fun tomorrow. As I leave her office I arch an eyebrow. Huh? I shake my head, dusting off my skirt. It’s probably just Raina being Raina. I shrug it off as I make my way to the locker rooms. When I’m there, I’m greeted by the other girls of the team. They’re either changing, chatting, or on their phones. I mind my business as I open my locker, getting our uniform out. It’s cute, I helped with the design this year. Then I remove my shirt.

Damn, looking good, Jones! I shake my head before turning to see Devin.

Nice to see you too, Dev. She smirks as I tuck my hair behind my ear.

Trying to catch some boys with those girls? I scowl at her, covering my chest. She just laughs then shakes her head.

Oh, wait. Just one boy, right? I blush, making eye contact with the floor. Her laughter comes back while she pats my shoulder.

No, but seriously, doing good. She gives a thumbs up. I glance at her.

Really, ’cause I think they’re kinda small. She looks at me like what I’ve said is the most ridiculous thing in the world.

You’re fine. I slip the volleyball shirt over my head while she puts on the shorts.

Plus, if Daddy doesn’t like them I’ll kick his impassive ass. I blush at Devin’s indecency, taking off my skirt. Since I told her I had a crush on Avery, every time he’s brought up she refers to him as ‘Daddy’. It’s extremely embarrassing.

Devin, please don’t call him that. She waves away the air around her as if dismissing my plead.

Better get use to it, he seems like the type, She giggles at my expression.

Just imagine, she leans in closer. ‘Oh, Daddy, harder!’ I cover my face, backing away from her.

Then he busts instantly. I whimper as my ears begin to heat up.

Devin! That isn’t appropriate! I can just feel her rolling her eyes at me.

Oh, please. With the way you fond over him, you’re saying you’ve never thought about what he’s like behind closed doors. I shake my head, tucking my hair behind my ear.

It’s time for practice. Closing my locker, I walk out the room. Devin follows, not far behind, snickering at me.

Hi, Mom! She smiles at me.

Hey, Ava. She came home from work not too long ago.

I think Raina’s up to something. She giggles, sitting on the bar stool. Grabbing a cup, I pour her a cup of coffee. She nods as a thanks, taking the drink.

What did she say? I go over to the oven to look at the Garlic Alfredo Tortellini. I decided to cook today.

She was being her usual, sexual self, then she told me to ‘have fun tomorrow’. I tuck my hair behind my ear before turning back to my mom to see her lift a brow.

That Raina, I swear.

What she do? We both look at the new arrival; Daddy or Alec. He isn’t actually my biological father. My real one died before I was born. He came around at the time of me being five, so I