his star ~ b. barnes

chapter four

☀︎︎☽

ben's pov:

"jules, you're going to do great. if she doesn't like you, then she's one of the dumbest people on the planet."

julie had called me five minutes ago as she was getting ready for her date, needing comfort while i was on my daily run.

"ben, i don't think you understand. i. need. help. i am going to die on this date cause i can't find the right fucking trousers."

"wear a dress then."

"i don't want to give off the wrong impression! what if she sees the dress and then runs away because i'm a basic white girl?" i stop at a corner amongst multiple shops and stores, looking for some lunch. i find this small mexican restaurant and decide to go there; next to it is a tiny bookstore. i'll stop there after i eat.

"jules, you will look amazing in anything. wear whatever makes you comfortable."
i enter the restaurant and gaze at the menu from the back of the store, nodding to the workers behind the counter.

"i cannot wear anything on a first date, you idiot,"

i raise my eyebrows as i look over the different enchiladas.

"she is going to have a first impression of me and by god it better be a good one."

i take my headphones off for a second as i pace to say my order.

"can i have a chicken enchilada with green sauce? thank you." i give the waiter 10 pound and grab the only table in sight, placing my earbuds back in my ears.

"i don't know how to help you jules. can i do something other than give you fashion advice?"

"if you could tell me what to say through an ear piece the entire date, that'd be amazing thanks so much." i smirk, deciding to get some water along with my meal.

"have you decided what to wear yet?" grabbing a transparent, plastic cup from a table beside a soda dispenser, i hold it under the water section.

i hear jules sigh.

"i think i'm just going to wear my silk skirt and a white top with my adidas shoes." i nod even though she can't see me, and sit back down at my table, my food coming out right behind me.

"sounds gorgeous. don't worry, jules, it's going to be fun. where are you going again?"
the first bite of the enchilada is absolutely amazing, and it takes all my restraint to not shove the entire plate down my throat.

"we're going to borough market. i think i'm just going to get a coffee and let her lead the way and explore."

"you two are going to have a blast." i announce with my mouth full.

"are you eating right now? i thought you were on a run."

"...yes and yes."

"well i can't judge, i just eat and don't run. you know, you should go on a date soon. it's been how many years since you've had a girlfriend?"

i try to remember the last time i went on a date, realizing felicity (jones) was my last s/o...4 years ago.

"not that long. but i'm fine, really. work is my main focus right now, which i'm content with."
i finish my meal, cleaning my mess up a bit before heading out the door.

"mhm. well, i've got to go. if i text you, call me and get me out of here."

"yeah, yeah. have fun jules."

we say our goodbyes, and i hear booming american music coming from the bookstore ahead. i furrow my brows and open the door, a bell ringing overhead.

three people are singing to a country song unknown to me, two of them very close to eachother. one feminine looking person screeches and runs into a closet, the older, more masculine one racing to the bathroom. the lady left is one of the most gorgeous women i have ever seen. her curled hair is bouncing as she skips to change the music, her appearance completely flawless. i completely forget how to breathe as i make my way over to where she is at the counter, making up some excuse to converse with her- but she speaks first.
"welcome in! don't mind us, have too much coffee in our veins i guess,"

i can feel my heart race picking up and try to calm myself down before responding.

"that has got to be one of the best things i've seen this week."

she laughs and turns to looks at me. we make eye contact for what seems like hours, and i lose track of all my thoughts. her eyes are dark, yet full of emotion; her lips, not colored in, are amazingly perfect. it isn't until her voice breaks the silence i remember where i am.

"what brings you in today?"

i struggle with an answer, and blurt out the first book that comes to mind. "well i'm looking for 1984 by-"

"george orwell. yes, i love that book."

her voice is so perfect. the way she pronounces everything is ear candy to me. i don't know why i am so interested in her, it's silly for me. i stumble on my words a bit as i try to continue with the conversation.

"really? fabulous. well do you...um, have it in stock?"

she begins scrolling through her computer and typing on her keyboard, me watching every move she makes, her completely oblivious. she tells me she'll be right back, and heads off to what i assume is a storage closet.

just then, my phone buzzes. i pull it out and see a text from jules saying "HELP" and i internally slap myself. looking up to the door where the girl had just entered, i wait a few moments before i run out the door on route to the market.

☀︎︎☽

it's been three years since i've seen the beautiful girl. to me, she is the main airport person that everyone knows. when you see a gorgeous human when you're boarding a plane, only for a couple seconds, maybe hours, and then never again. but in that moment, you want nothing more for them to talk to you.

that was her.

except, unlike one of those airport people, she hasn't been forgotten. so when i see her at a farmers market, my palms get sweaty and im filled with much more joy than i was seconds before.

"i'll be right back."

i say to jules at the lemon stand. before she has a chance to respond i quickly find back ways to get to where the bookstore girl is, slowing down and walking up next to her.

she bumps into me and i scream inside at her touch. she apologies and looks up at me, and i swear, if i had the opportunity, i'd never look away.

☀︎︎☽