Alison's POV
I woke up taking in my surroundings. I was in a park, on a bench, clutching my guitar in my arms. Typical morning I suppose. It had been two years since I had ran away from home. At first I was staying with a friend in northern Cali, but she had to move to the east coast a month ago, leaving me with nowhere to go. I had gotten a job, but lost it about two weeks ago because they couldn't afford to pay me, in turn I had gotten kicked out of my small apartment because I couldn't afford to stay there anymore.
For the past week I had been sleeping on park benches, the beach or even dark alleyways, luckily nothing bad had happened yet. Today I was headed to find a few new sweatshirts at the local thrift shop because it was nearing winter and I knew I would need them. I had collected a little bit of money from playing my guitar and singing on the sidewalk, but hardly enough to get a decent meal. I hadn't eaten in three days, only drinking water when I could.
I stood up slowly off of the park bench and stretched before gathering the small amount of things I had and making my way out of the park. I carried my guitar with its strap over my shoulder and it hanging right behind me. I walked quickly to the thrift shop, hoping to be in and out as quick as possible and possibly go look for a new job.
I arrived at the thrift shop and opened the door only to run into a muscular body much taller than mine. I stumbled backwards and was about to fall until the muscular arms of the person I ran into wrapped around my waist to help hold me up. At this point, I still hadn't looked up to see who the person was, but once I did, I immediately regretted it.
"Alison?" He questioned, shock across his face.
"Ben?" I questioned back, wondering if it really was him.
"Oh Ali, it's been two years! Look at you!" He said smiling, but soon that faltered as he noticed me carrying my things with me.
He was about to say something else when he was interrupted by another guys voice calling him. Ben turned around and faced a man with brown hair and told him to hold on a second before turning back to me.
"Where've you been staying?" He asked.
"I was staying with a friend until about a month ago, and then she moved so I had to get my own place. I got kicked out a week ago after losing my job. I couldn't afford to live there anymore." I answered.
"So where are you staying now?" he questioned.
"Last night? A park bench. The others? Alleyways and sometimes the beach." I say, looking at my feet.
"Ali! That's too dangerous." He said as he pulled me into a tight hug. "Anything could happen to you out there."
"Ben!" Came the same yell again.
"Ryan! Chill, its important okay?" Ben said as he turned around again, an angry expression on his face. "Sorry. Now, you're not going back out there unless you agree to stay with me." He said, a serious expression on his face.
"Ben..." I started only to be interrupted.
"No buts, you're coming back to the hotel. We will catch up and you will let our family know you are okay. Got it?" He questioned.
"Fine." I said as I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a hug.
He held me tight for another minute before pulling away and taking my hand, pulling me towards who I now knew as Ryan. I stayed at Ben's side as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. He always was the protective older brother, and I'm glad that I ran into him.
