Paul's Daughter (A One Direction Fanfic)

Chapter Four - Reject

"Great practice everyone, see you tomorrow afternoon!" Tom, our grey haired director shouted, shooing us away.

I trudged off the stage, completely spent. I was exhausted from the day's activities. We'd practiced the play in its entirety four times over.

"Hey, Ben, can you give me a ride home?" I asked, nudging the guy I was walking beside.

He was playing the part of Marius, my love interest. His chocolate eyes lit up at the sound of my voice.

"Sure thing my dear, I'll meet you out here after I change," he smiled, ruffling a hand through his messy brown hair.

I nodded. "Thank-you," I smiled as we parted ways.

He was a cute guy. I was going to miss spending so much time around him when this whole thing was over with.

***

"Ready to go, love?" Ben questioned as soon as he caught sight of me.

"Yep," I said, popping the 'p'.

He started to walk and soon my step fell in pace with his.

"So, how are things with you and Will?" He inquired. I could tell he genuinely wanted to know.

"Things aren't."

"Oh?"

"I broke up with him yesterday. It was time," I assured him of this.

"He was an asshole anyways. You can do so much better than him," Ben announced, holding open the door of the theater for me.

"I probably could," I agreed, not much in the mood to argue.

***

The ride to my home was relatively quiet aside from idle small talk and the soft music playing on the radio. I was so engulfed in staring out the car window that I hadn't noticed we'd stopped.

"Would you like to come in and practice a bit?" I asked him when I snapped back to reality.

"Sure," he agreed, unbuckling his seatbelt while turning his car off.

I shivered, bracing myself for the cold weather.

I got out of the cat first, carefully shutting my door. I scurried across the street, unlocking the front door while Ben followed me.

"What scene do you want to practice first?" He asked as I swung open the door, stepping inside.

"I think we should run through all the parts we have together, uh, chronologically," I breathed, shutting the door after him.

I slipped out of my coat, hanging it beside Ben's.

We went into the living room, running through a few scenes. Soon enough it was time for the kiss.

Ben moved toward me, palm gently caressing my cheek as I curled into his touch. His other hand landed on the small of my back as he drew my body closer into his.

One of my hands found the nape of his neck, the other balled up the fabric of his shirt in a fist. His hand that has been on my cheek migrated to the nape of my neck as our lips finally met.

My heart was thumping so loud I thought he might hear it when he pulled me closer.

"Um, Avonlea?" A voice called, causing Ben to pull away from me - his one hand still at the small of my back. I nearly had a heart attack when I opened my eyes to see my father, Harry and Dex standing in group by the kitchen.

"Oh, oh. Uh, dad. This is Ben. We were practicing for tomorrow," my cheeks burned in embarrassment.

"Nice to meet you, Sir," Ben smiled nervously, extending his free hand to my father.