Ben Affleck | The Square Affair

(to) encounter sb.

(YN) had lived in Savannah for months now, but she still had trouble finding her way around sometimes. Like that day, when her mum had asked her if she could pick up a gift card from a little boutique downtown. She said it was located near Chippewa Square, the square where they shot Forrest Gump, and that (YN) couldn't miss it. But that information didn't help her much. Her mum had clearly underestimated her ability to get lost.

She usually let her friends drive when they were going downtown because she dreaded it. She also never really paid any attention to where they were going and which streets they were taking exactly, as she trusted their sense of direction completely. (YN) obviously regretted that now.

She had to park her car on some shady looking side road because everyone seemed to be headed downtown that morning and all good parking spots on E. Liberty Street, where her GPS had told her to go, were already taken. According to the internet, from there it would have been less than a 3 minute walk, but given that (YN) took a wrong turn somewhere, she had no idea where she was.

She passed a couple of other squares, but they all looked the same to her. (YN) got out her phone, an old Blackberry that had belonged to her dad and tried to open google maps. However, just like many other times before, the screen was frozen and she couldn't do anything with it. "Of course, when I need you the most you let me down. Another thing you two have in common," she mumbled to the device in her hands.

(YN) loved Savannah, she really did, but that morning she cursed each and every single one of the 22 squares the city had, alongside the people that had stolen her opportunity to park nearby.

She stopped in the middle of Chatham Square- the name she only knew from a shiny golden brick edged into the pavement- and looked around. (YN) spotted a group of tourists and decided to follow them, hoping they would lead her to a more crowded place where she could ask a local. As soon as she realized that they were headed to Forsyth Park, a large city park where people would go for a jog and walk their dogs, she sighed in relief and sent her saviors a silent thank-you.

She walked around the park's fountain for a while, waiting for a man that was cooling down from his run to finally walk by. When he was close enough, (YN) stepped in front of him, a shy smile on her face. "Excuse me?" she asked and the man who was wearing sunglasses and a cap stopped and took out one of his ear-buds. He didn't look too friendly and the girl wondered if she had picked the right person. "What?" he barked. "Can't you see I'm busy? Do I seriously look like I would wanna take a picture right now?"

(YN) was dumbstruck. What on earth was his problem? "Uh- uhm no?" she stuttered. "I- I was just wondering if you could give me directions. I'm lost, but never mind, sorry," she said, disappointed, and turned to walk away. "Wait!" the man called after her. "Where ya headed? Maybe I can help." Well, duh, that's why I stopped you in the first place, she thought. "A little shop. I don't remember the name. Red something? It's supposed to be on that square... Oh, hm, I don't remember that name either, but it's where they shot Forrest Gump, that scene where he's eating those chocolates, you know?" she sputtered, making him chuckle. "Chippewa Square?" he said, and (YN) smiled widely. "Yes, that's the one!"

"Alright, you gotta head in that direction," he said while pointing a finger behind her. "Just keep going straight, no turns. You will cross two other squares on your way there, you can't miss it." (YN) laughed. "You're not the first one to tell me that, yet here we are." Now it was his turn to laugh. "You'll find it, I'm sure." The girl sent him a smile, thanked him and made her way in the direction he had told her to go.

When (YN) reached the first square the man had mentioned, someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around and furrowed her brows when her eyes landed on her earlier encounter.

"Please don't tell me I'm walking the wrong way." He chortled and shook his head. "No, no, you're good. I just thought I'd better make sure you actually get there. You looked a little nervous. So... Mind if I accompany you?" His question took her by surprise. He had been so grumpy to her at first and now he wanted to take her to the shop himself? What if he was some sort of criminal? He seemed to sense her hesitation and took off his sunglasses quickly. "I'm Ben," he introduced himself and extended his hand. Doing so, he put (YN) a little at ease and she shook his hand while telling him her name as well. She couldn't deny that she'd found him quite attractive. "Nice to meet you, (YN). Shall we?" he asked. She nodded and they fell into step next to each other.

"So tell me, (YN), where are you from? I couldn't help but notice your slight accent." She had been proud of her practiced Southern accent and was a little disappointed with his question, but tried not to show it. Apparently she did though, as he quickly added, "Don't get me wrong, it's barely noticeable!" She rose an eyebrow and couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. "Alright, you got me." Ben smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

"I'm from up North," she admitted. His eyes widened. "Really? What brings you to Savannah then? Someone your age must have a pretty good reason to come to a city like this."

"Someone my age, hm?" she teased and he knew what was about to come. "Uh-oh. Here goes," Ben mumbled with a smirk on his face. "How old do you think I am?" (YN) asked. "Please don't make me answer that," he groaned which made her laugh. "Go on, have a guess."

"Early twenties?" he offered. She threw her hands up. "Come on, be more precise!" He put his hands up in defense. "Ok ok! Mmmmh," he said while waving about his right hand. "24" Ben said and (YN)'s jaw dropped open. "Ha! I'm right," he triumphed. "Your turn," Ben demanded but (YN) was suddenly distracted. "There's the store," she said excitedly and dashed for the entrance. He followed her inside and watched on as she purchased a gift card.

"Would you like to go for a coffee," Ben asked when they stepped back outside. "I know a good café not far from here." (YN) got her phone out of her purse and let out a groan. "This phone is ridiculous." She had charged it overnight but the battery was already dead. "Could you tell me what time it is?" Ben took a look at his wrist watch before saying, "11:37." She was grateful that Ben wasn't one of those people who would simply hold out their arm so you had to read the clock hands yourself. She hated that. "Got somewhere to be?" Ben wanted to know. "Not before 2.30.

The café he had mentioned was just three houses further down the street and (YN) laughed when he came to a halt and announced their arrival. They had ordered their drinks to go and Ben insisted on paying for her drink as well even though she reminded him that she owed him for helping her out. "Nonsense," was all he had said to that.

They walked across the street to the square facing the café and sat down on a bench. "This is Chippewa Square by the way," Ben informed (YN). "I so would have made it without your help," she jested. "Oh yeah? Well good luck finding your car later," he said and stood up. Her face fell. "No, wait! I'm kidding." He spun around and burst into laughter. "So was I. You should see your face!"

"Please don't leave me stranded here," she said and hit his arm playfully when he sat back down. "Sorry, couldn't resist." He grinned at her. "Unbelievable!" she said with a small smile of her own. "I'll take you to your car if you want me to. On one condition though." (YN) looked at him curiously. "What's that?" she asked but his phone went off. "Affleck." Ben said into his device and stood up again to have some privacy.

Affleck? (YN) had heard that name before but she couldn't remember in what context. She watched him and it seemed like he was getting more and more angry at what the person on the other line was telling him. He hung up and kicked the floor.

"I gotta go," he said and took off. (YN) sat on the bench and watched him leave, too stunned to run after him. He had just left her there without an explanation, without anything. "Idiot," she muttered, and ran a hand through her hair. (YN) got up from the bench and made her way back in the direction she had come from, silently praying she'd find her car.