Alison’s POV
The car ride back to our parents’ house was silent and it felt like there was a lot of tension. I knew once we got back to the house, I would have a lot of explaining to do. There was no doubt about that. My biggest worry however was that my parents wouldn’t let me leave with Ben when he went away again. This would mean I couldn’t see Ryan.
When we finally got to the house, we got out of the car, grabbing our bags and going inside. When we got inside, I looked around to find that everything looked the same as it did when I left two years ago. Ben took my things up to my room for me while I followed our parents into the living room. Great, time to talk.
“So how have you been Alison?” My father asked.
“I’ve been alright I guess. Was staying with a friend in Crescent City until about a month ago. Then two weeks ago, I lost my job, and a week ago I got kicked out of my apartment. Then I ran into Ben and Ryan.” I said while looking at me feet.
“Literally. She actually ran into me.” Ben added as he walked into the room, sitting down next to me.
“Where were you staying after you got kicked out of the apartment?” My mother questioned.
“I’d rather not say.” I answered quietly.
“On the streets then?” My father asked.
“Yeah.” Was all I could say as a single tear ran down my cheek.
Ben’s phone went off and he got up and left the room, leaving me alone with our parents, not knowing what to say next. I leaned forward with my elbows resting on my knees and put my head in my hands while trying to figure out what to do.
“Alison, why’d you run away in the first place?” My mother asked.
“I didn’t have any friends, all I had was Ben, and he was always out for work. You two were always working late or away on business, so I was left here alone. Running away and being alone out in the world trying to make my dreams come true seemed better than sitting in this house doing nothing. I ran because I thought no one would care. I thought if I just disappeared, no one would notice.” I answered.
“You thought we wouldn’t care?” my father asked sounding hurt by my words.
“We cared more than you will ever know Alison.” My mother said.
“I’m sorry.” I said as I felt my eyes start to burn.
I refused to cry anymore. I cried myself to sleep the first few months after I ran away, and I wasn’t going to start again now. But I couldn’t help it. The tears came anyways. I couldn’t hide that I felt ashamed that I had let my parents down by leaving, and I knew I could never take it back.
“Not only did we care, but think about the other people you left behind who worried. What about Kyle? He was never the same after you left.” My mother said.
Kyle? Kyle Lockwood. She actually thought he cared. I guess she would seeing as she never knew the truth behind his nice act. I lifted my head out of my hands and looked at her in shock. I was slightly angry just hearing his name.
“Kyle? You mean the guy who was an abusive prick that just used me?” I questioned.
“What are you talking about? Kyle was a sweet boy.” My mother stated.
“Yeah, to you! It was all an act! You always believed the “Oh I ran into a door” or “Oh I tripped and landed on my arm.” You never looked close enough! Do you remember the bruises on my neck? The ones from “sleeping on my arm?” Well they were from him. He tried to strangle me because I wouldn’t do what he wanted! But you never bothered to ask why I came home crying after a date. You never cared! Actually, you were just never home!” I yelled at them before standing up, tears running down my face, and walking out of the room.
I was reaching for the front door handle but before I could get there someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the door and into a hug. I hugged them back just crying into their chest. Once I had calmed down, I took a deep breath, noting the scent of the person I was hugging. It was distinct and familiar. Something I had only smelt the past three days.
I pulled away from the person and looked up into their eyes. Those amazing brown eyes. He was just who I needed right now.
Ben’s POV
I had gotten a text from Tricia telling me to open the front door. Apparently she had a surprise she didn’t want Alison to know about. So I left my parents and Ali to talk while I answered the door.
I opened the door to find Tricia and the surprise guest. I raised an eyebrow at the two of them before letting them in and leading them into the kitchen. The three of us sat at the kitchen counter in silence when all of a sudden you could hear Alison yelling from the living room. All of us stood up and stood in the kitchen archway just as Alison stormed out of the living room towards the front door. My eyes widened in fear of her leaving again and us not being able to find her.
Thankfully my best friend stepped forward and stopped Alison from even opening the front door. He pulled her into a hug and just held her as she cried. Eventually she calmed down and pulled away from him, looking him in the eyes before hugging him again.
Something was telling me there was something going on with them. I know he promised to give it time, but the way Alison was acting told me it’d be hard for him to wait any longer. My best friend and my sister. That’d be an interesting one to tell the fans.
“Thank you Ryan.” Alison said softly.
“Anytime babe.” He replied before kissing the top of her head.
It’d be an interesting thing to tell the fans, and also a scandal after finding out that him and Jackie had broken up. The paps were going to love this.
