Time After Time~Ben Hardy

Chapter 14

4 years later

Alli's POV

"Ben Hardy?" I looked to my mom. "Do I know a Ben Hardy?"

"You'd have to know who it is. Unless you got drunk again and asked a random person to your wedding."

I rolled my eyes.

Matt had proposed to me about a month ago, and we plan on getting married before the beginning of next year.

"Well you need to stop. You're going to kill yourself one of these days." She said without looking up from what she was doing.

"I'm fine." 

I really wasn't. I've been struggling with alcohol lately and it's catching up to me. Matt found an empty bottle of vodka under the bed the other night. I had drank it all in one day.

Just then there was a knock on the door. I got up and opened it.

"Hey Jonesy."

I was happy to see it was Ben. I could use a little comic relief, especially after the past few weeks.

"Hey."

There was a short pause, then my mom spoke up.

"I guess this is my cue. I'll leave you two to it." She got up and left the room.

"Come on in." I gestured for him to come in.

"You don't look too well." He said after plopping himself down on the couch.

"Thanks for noticing." I rubbed my eyes and looked back up at him.

"How's the wedding planning going?"

"Stressful." I picked up the RSVP that had the unknown name on it. "I was sorting through the invites and I was wondering if you'd know a Ben Hardy. I invited this person and I have no idea who it is."

"Oh. I never told you..." 

"Told me what?"

"I-I had my name changed after I got into acting school." He looked at the floor and bit his lip.

"Oh...well that's awesome!" I said enthusiastically.

"Wait, so you don't care?" 

"Of course not." I reached over and put my hand on his thigh. "You know you'll always be good old Jonesy in my mind, though." I made him laugh.

We chatted for a good while, but then he had to leave. We made plans to meet for lunch over the weekend.

My mom came back in and sat down across from me.

"How's Ben?"

"He's great." I was being short with her for really no reason.

"I'm going to ask you something, and I don't want you to get angry with me." She waited until I looked up at her. "Despite the rules, have you ever even thought about being with Ben?"

"Mum...I can't do it. You know that."

"Al, those rules are history now. I don't even think Ben cares about them anymore." She shifted in her seat and took a deep breath. "I think you're just holding a grudge."

I stood up. "No! Why would I-" I hesitated. "How could I like him?"

"He's a beautiful boy, Allison! He's charming, talented, and I absolutely love him!"

"Oh okay, so Matt's just a piece of shit now, right? He's not talented? You don't love him?" I crossed my arms.

"N-no" She stuttered.

"Well mum, that's basically what you're saying. Matt isn't up to your standards." I walked over and threw down a stack of invitations onto the table. "Well guess what? I'm still marrying him."

I walked out.