Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 4

I slide even closer to her when she just nods her head but keeps staring down at her hands. All I hear is the sound of her breathing, which seems to be slowing down which I take as a good sign. It takes me a few moments to decide what to say next as I feel my heart begin to race weirdly for some reason. What is happening to me? I have only seen this girl twice and it's as if I've been obsessed with her for the last few months. I don't even know her name. She doesn't even know that it's the same guy she saw in the bar last night that she is talking to and I don't even have trousers on right now! Not really sure how that is relevant but, what are you going to do?

After a few more minutes of slightly awkward silence, I decide to have another stab at it as I really don't think she knows that it's me from last night. Maybe, she doesn't even remember seeing me last night. Maybe she sees celebrities all the time and is a bit of a social lady herself and doesn't get phased by the stuff like that at all, but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe, she just happened to be in the same bar like the one I was in last night at the same and happened to be at the bar at the same time James was there. Maybe, it's all just a coincidence? 

What's not a coincidence is the same heartbeat-increasing rush that spreads through me each time that I have seen her in the past 12 hours. Call me a softie or a romantic but people have experienced 'love at first sight', haven't they? I mean, I'm not for one minute saying that I am in love with this girl in any way shape or form but the fact that I have seen her 3 times in the last 12 hours, and I've had the same butterfly, slight stomach-flipping feeling each time, must surely mean something, shouldn't it? I cannot pass up this opportunity now.

''Erm..I really don't mean to pry but are you sure you are OK, love? I hate to see such a pretty girl like yourself so upset..'' I say as softly as I possibly can, hopefully not startling her by coming on so strong.

Sighing heavily, she finally begins to speak. 

''Look, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't fee-'' she stops speaking suddenly when she raises her head and sees me.

She notices that it's me she's talking to, which I presume is the reason that she has stopped talking so abruptly.

''You don't feel like what..?'' I decide to help her along.

All she does is shake her head in response.

'Possible temporary speechlessness' I chuckle to myself in my head as I blush a little at this possible 'fan & Idol' moment.

''Sor..sorry about that. I..I just didn't expect it to be you. I mean, you're Gary Barlow after all''

''I suppose I am, yeah. Anyway, are you sure that you're OK?'' I ask her as I sit up straight beside her on the wall, still across the street from Burlington Arcade here in West London.

''Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Honestly. Just...I just...I don't really want to bother you about it, Mr. Barlow''

Waving my hand in front of her I shake off her politer than expected response.

''Please, call me Gary. I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't interested...erm...'' I stall momentarily as I haven't gotten her name yet.

''I'm so sorry, how rude of me. I'm Sophie. Sophie Brooks'' 

'A pretty name for a pretty girl' I instantly think to myself.

''It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brooks. I'm Gary, Gary Barlow. Please excuse my current state of dress, I've just come from my run in Hyde Park''

I indicate to my current clothes situation, which is now just shorts and a tight skin sleeveless running top. The sun has started to come up so the windbreaker came off shortly after leaving the park. 

''I was just about to head home and grab a shower, are you sure you're OK?'' I say to her as I stand up from the wall and stand in front of her, half hoping that she is up for talking about it. Just so I can spend some more time with her basically.

''Yes, I'm sure Gary. Thank you very much though. It was very sweet of you to check on me'' she smiles up at me and I can't help but feel a little, well actually, very disappointed as the words tumble from her lips.

The corners of my lips drop slightly as my eyes find the floor in automatic response to the rejection. Nodding my head politely to her, I place my sunglasses over my eyes.

''Well it was very nice to meet you Sophie, and hopefully, it won't be the first time sweetheart'', she blushes slightly as I compliment her one last time, before turning on my heels and begin to stroll down the street towards Kensington Gardens here in West London. 

Just as I am about to round the corner on to Old Bond Street, I hear that now unmistakable and beautiful call out my name.

''Gary?! Wait up!'' I spin around and smile as I see Sophie strut up the street towards me.

''Everything alright love?'' I smile at her as I place my shades on top of my head.

''Erm, I...erm...I might not be able to talk about it right now, but maybe...maybe another time?'' she blushes heavily as she gets the final few syllables out.

''Haha. OK, how about this; I'm going to go home and grab a shower and get some work done, but I'm going to give you my number so you can text me your address, so I can collect you for dinner at 8. Then you can tell me all about it. How's that sound?'' I smile as I punch in my digits into her iPhone that she willingly handed over.

While doing so, I notice that her background is a picture of Niall from One Direction.

'Interesting that' I think to myself, but I won't hold it against her. 

''Yeah, that sou..sounds good, Gary'' she stutters as I hand her back her phone now with my number in it.

''Great stuff, Sophie. See you later, sweetheart'' I smile as the shades cover my eyes once more before heading off again, rounding the corner and jog on home.