Tom decided to make up for bailing on Diana so many times for Hannah by taking her to her favorite diner.
That's how the two found themselves in a nearly empty place talking amongst themselves and having the time of their lives with their waitress admiring them from afar.
"You two are just the cutest."
Tom and Diana stopped laughing, looking over at the older waitress who smiled fondly at the two as she placed their refills down.
"I remember when my husband and I went on our first date- looked kinda like how you two are now."
"Oh!" Diana said in realization as she stiffened up, "Well that's sweet and all but-"
"Thank you," Tom cut her off, smiling at the waitress, "It means a lot."
"Oh course. But you son- treat her right. You wouldn't want to lose a beautiful girl like her."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
Diana looked down, feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks, wondering what in the hell was going on as Tom continued his conversation with the woman.
By the time they finally got their food from her, Diana couldn't help but chuckle as she finally looked at him, "What was that?"
"What?" Tom asked, acting clueless while Diana chuckled, shaking her head.
"I didn't realize we were dating Benjamin."
"Only in my dreams Diana," Tom joked, causing her to roll her eyes playfully.
"Seriously though, why-"
"I almost forgot."
The two looked over to see the waitress smile as she placed a piece of cheesecake on the table.
Diana grew confused, "Oh, we didn't order-"
"It's on the house. Enjoy you two."
Giving the two a wink, she left them alone, Diana in bewilderment and Tom smirking as he picked up the fork, "And that Diana is why."
Diana chuckled as she shook her head,"The last time I got something free from a restaurant was when I was baw- you know what? Never mind."
"Okay," Tom mumbled, obviously confused but he brushed it off, "Here's to being a fake couple."
"Cheers," Diana chuckled, taking a piece of their free pastry.
The two continued to eat in a comfortable silence until finally Diana felt like she couldn't hold back what's been on her mind the entire time.
She knew she had to ask him about it and this was her moment to.
"Who was that Haz guy and why'd he ask if I was the girl you were telling him about?"
"I uh- well this is embarrassing," Tom chuckled nervously, Diana biting her lip as she watched him, waiting for him to continue.
"Haz- Harry is my friend from uh- from Maine and we've been talking while I've been gone and I- well I told him all about the beautiful girl I met on my first day here who's been the best friend and guide any guy can ask for."
"Aw! Benjikins!" Diana smiled brightly, nudging him slightly.
Tom scoffed though as he rubbed his arm, "I thought we agreed Benjikins was a no go?"
"Stop hating on all my nicknames dude."
Tom only chuckled, shaking his head while Diana sipped on her drink before clapping her hands, "Okay, so, tell me a bit about yourself Benjamin."
"Okay, well, where do I start? Oh it all started when a boy met a girl-"
"Oh Jesus Christ," Diana laughed, Tom laughing himself.
Of course, to anyone watching the two looked like a couple but to them, they were completely oblivious to the outside world, just enjoying their time together.
It felt like they had known each other for years and learning more about each other during their time out only deepened that connection.
By the time they got to Diana's place, she didn't want him to leave just yet- and he didn't either.
"Thanks for walking me home Benny boo." Diana smiled, Tom nodding as he smiled at her.
"Anytime."
Diana nodded, finding herself fiddling with her hands as she motioned towards her steps, "Wanna sit?"
"Sure," Tom chuckled, the two taking their seats as he took a look around the neighborhood, "This seems like a nice area."
"It is," Diana smiled, "We shouldn't be able to afford a nice place like this but thanks to my great-grandmother, we do."
"Oh, she lives with you two?"
"No but when mom was... you know, with child. Her grandma was the one to take her in and when she knew it was almost her time to go, she left everything in mom's name. And since she got this place when rent was really cheap..."
"Rent is still cheap for you two?"
"Yeah, I'm sure there's a lot more explanation behind it but that was what I got from my mom."
He nodded, "Make sense though. Her grandma was really nice to do that for her."
"Yeah. She was a great woman. I was lucky enough to get to know her before she passed. I considered her my grandma too if anything."
Tom grew confused at that, "Really? What about your real-"
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
Tom stopped short, the two looking over to see a blonde woman standing there with her arms crossed.
Diana immediately frowned while Tom smiled up at the older woman, "Hey. Diana, you didn't tell me you had a sister."
"Oh don't flatter her," Diana scoffed while Christine smiled brightly.
"I like him."
"Ben this is my mother Christine. Mom this is my friend Ben."
Almost immediately Tom was on his feet, "Oh! I uh- sorry ma'am. Hi, I'm Ben."
"Well Ben, if you know what's good for you- you'll never call me ma'am again."
She gave him a pat on the shoulder, Tom blushing a bit as he nodded and she crossed her arms.
"So what's going on here? Did I interrupt you two before you got to making out?"
Tom blushed more, which he didn't think was possible as Diana groaned, "Mom!"
Christine chuckled as she shook her head, "I'm only kidding. But fine, I can get a hint. You two obviously want to be alone."
She huffed dramatically as she made her way past them, only stopping at the door to turn to them again, "It was nice meeting you Benjamin. Hope it won't be the last I see of you."
"Yeah, no."
She nodded, flashing him a final smile before entering the home, Diana frowning at Tom.
"Yeah, no?"
"What? I- you've got a very attractive mom."
"Oh dear god," Diana groaned, her head in her hands while Tom chuckled.
"Hey! It's a compliment. If you're anything like her when you grow up- well, your husband is going to be very lucky."
"Please stop," Diana now laughed as she looked at him, Tom shaking his head.
"You get that a lot huh?"
"One of the perks of having a mother who had you when she was a teen."
"I seriously thought she was your sister," Tom chuckled, "But that's it then? Just you and her? No other sibling?"
"Nope."
"Oh... is that why you two are so close then?"
"Yeah," Diana smiled now, "She's my best friend. I like the way we are... even though I would've enjoyed having a little brother or sister to tease and grow up with."
"Well, why didn't she have another kid? Surely she has enough time."
"I'd say ask her but- okay whenever my mom gets asked why she never had another kid after me, she always says why mess with perfection."
Tom's smile widened at that, "Well isn't that sweet?"
"Yeah." Diana chuckled, "Except I don't think that's it. I think she never had another kid because of me. Because I was too much for her. When she found out she was pregnant with me, her parents disowned her, her boyfriend bolted. Sh-she was all alone. She struggled for years, still is now just to have me. And let's be real, the only break she had was with my great-grandmother supporting her but now that she's gone she's all alone and- I just owe her so much Ben."
"Diana-"
"I mean she's stuck doing an office job she hates because she can't afford to do what she loves: art and music... and actually... I've never told anyone this but... that's why I want to peruse a business career and get all the best grades. So I can get a scholarship and go to the best school and have a steady income so I can finally support her and let her follow her dreams."
"That's sweet Diana, really... but what about your dreams?"
"My dream is to see my mom happy."
"So you wouldn't want to peruse acting? I mean Aaron told me all about how you're always in the school plays. Surely you love it."
"I do," Diana smiled, "As a hobby, just like art and music- I don't expect to get anything out of it really."
Silence hit the two, Diana chuckling nervously as she looked over at Tom, "Wow I guess that's a lot more than you bargained for to learn about me."
Tom shook his head, immediately reaching over to hold her hand, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Diana couldn't help but smile at Tom, the two only looking at each other when suddenly both of them heard a loud crash come from upstairs, followed by a not so subtle 'fucks sake' from her mom.
Diana chuckled as she stood up, "So I should probably head upstairs before she breaks anymore things trying to listen in on us AND FAILING."
"SORRY!"
"Bye Ben," Diana smiled, him standing as she was quick to hug him, him hugging her back tightly.
"Bye Diana," he mumbled, pulling away to smile softly at her, "See you at school?"
She smiled, nodding, making her way up the stairs, only stopping at the door to turn to face him, "Thank you Ben, for listening, if there's one guy I can count on not letting me down- it's you... don't tell the boys I said that."
Tom only chuckled softly, nodding but feeling the guilt consume him, seeing her unlock the front door.
It was when she disappeared into the home that he finally decided.
He was going to tell Diana the truth.
*** MY BABIES!!! Honestly Sabrina's MV with Casey Cott is djdndk 😍 Also, I forgot to mention during these chapters I will be referring to Tom as Tom instead of Ben because- it is his real name. I hope there's not much confusion.
posted:
SEPTEMBER 08, 2017