Opposite Sides Of The Spectrum (Ben Shapiro x Liberal Reader)

(4) Invitation.

Author's Note: Back by popular demand. I have graduated high school, and now I can write more of this horrible creation. Please enjoy my disgusting magnum opus. 

Ben felt butterflies grow in his stomach as he fixed the collar on his dress shirt. He had left Y/N after their conversation as they wanted to go home and get dressed. Ben didn't see this as a date... yet. It was only an invitation. He spritzed himself with his favorite cologne and sat on his couch in his empty dressing room. It had only been a couple days and he still wasn't used to the silence. 

Mor's laugh, the way she would always be on the couch with the laptop on her knees, the way she would tap the pen to her chin... He felt tears gather in his eyes. He felt so much shame. This was a woman he had been with for years. They hadn't even properly gotten divorced. It's been two days. He was already looking at another person.

This made Ben think for a moment: Did he really love Mor or the just the idea of her? She did a lot for him, but her personality, the way she was... were they really compatible? Of course we were, Ben thought. Of course they were compatible. Yeah, there were differences, but it wasn't that bad, was it? 

Ben decided that the thought wasn't worth it right now. Like he mentioned, this wasn't a date. He just thought Y/N was attractive. Mor could call any minute now. Any day. He knew that she wouldn't keep him from his children. Would she? Ben began to ponder about it again, and eventually felt his Apple Watch buzz. It was time to go and meet Y/N. 

Ben grabbed his car keys and sighed. Here goes nothing. 

--

Ben approached the entrance of the Olive Garden and pulled himself together. He chuckled to himself as he shook his head. How pathetic. "Getting nervous over a little conversation, Benny? You went to Harvard, this is nothing," He reassured himself and walked inside. He was waved over by Y/N who had already gotten them a table. He blinked rapidly as he tried to make sure that was actually the person he spoke to an hour or so ago. They were stunning. Their hair was nice and curled and their clothes fit them beautifully. He choked up a little as he approached the table. 

"Mr. Shapiro, hello again! You look so handsome!" Y/N smiled at Ben as he sat down. He felt his heart burst in his chest as they smiled at him. Their smile was so gorgeous. He coughed lightly and responded. "You don't look shabby yourself, Y/N."

"Thank you so much! Also, I do feel that I need to let you in on something...I'm a leftist." Y/N looked down at the table in what Ben could assume to be shame. 

"You're a..." Ben lowered his voice and looked at Y/N with a serious face. " Democratic Socialist..?" Ben felt his chest tighten as he waited for Y/N to answer. No, please, Y/N couldn't be a commie liberal! He was so sure that they were pulling his leg. This couldn't be true. They were so attractive, and nice, and...He shook his head. 

"Unfortunately, it's true, Mr. Shapiro. I do care about human rights and I believe in Roe v. Wade, I'm sorry if this makes you not want to talk to me anymore. I just wanted to let you know.." Y/N shrunk down in their chair and rubbed their arms nervously. 

Ben felt his soul leave his body. He couldn't believe they even confirmed this to him. If he did fall in love...No, he wouldn't fall in love with them. He has a wife. Four children. He couldn't give all of that up for someone he just met, and especially not a communist. He just nodded and took a bread stick from the basket, the garlic butter slippery on his fingers. 

"I see...I understand. I don't know how we are to continue this relationship when you put your vote to baby killing. But, I will stay cordial with you. I am always going to vote for the rights of the unborn, Y/N." 

Y/N tucked their top lip inward, looking down in disappointed acknowledgement. "I get it, Mr. Shapiro. I wanted to ask you, though, and I know this may be awkward...Where is your wife?"

[END OF CHAPTER]