Ben's P. O. V.
I blearily open my eyes to a bright glow, and realize I've fallen asleep at my computer. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and push it aside, checking the time and finding that it's 4 in the morning. I groan, knowing that the probability of me sleeping again is next to none.
I stumble into the kitchen and start a pot of coffee, trying to at least make myself productive if I'm not going to get any rest. The machine emits a beep as it signals that it's done, and I pour myself a cup and shuffle back to the couch to keep typing even though I feel exhausted. I trade my contacts for glasses and continue my work.
After another hour of futile attempts to focus, I grab my jean jacket and keys and leave the building, needing to get out for a while. The streets are quiet and peaceful in the early morning air, and even the sun hasn't woken up yet.
I'm torn between going for a walk or for a drive, but after a moment after indecision I unlock my car and pull out to begin my meander along the streets. All the shops of the downtown area are locked up tight, still not opened after their nightly closing. The wheel slides back into place under my fingers as I gently maneuver through a turn.
Jay keeps appearing in my mind even as I drive. His face seems stuck in my memory, along with all of his facial expressions. I glance over at the empty seat next to me, wishing he was along for this drive that was supposed to be peaceful.
Instead I find myself dangerously alone with my thoughts. My biggest concern is Jay's condition. I'm still mentally beating myself up for not having him rest as much as he should've been. I bite my lip, gazing out the window. The research team has been working behind the scenes on his case, but I know they'll need to run tests soon and I'm positive that Jay's father won't be happy about it.
I pull over in a parking lot near a shop lined street, feeling my eyes droop. It's not going to be long before I'm going to need more caffeine. I'm sure that I'm addicted at this point, and I'm well aware that it's not healthy for me.
However, I'm tired of tossing and turning alone at night for hours upon hours, only to find myself unrested the next day. I run a few fingers along my burned wrist, remembering Jay's concern and kind eyes. He was so worried for me... even more so when I got that text.
I lay my head on the steering wheel and let out a heaving sigh. I really did try to hide it from him, but apparently he could tell something was bothering me. If I could hide my insomnia from him then why should more things have been any different?
I rub my tired and sore eyes, realizing I'm still in the sweatpants and t-shirt that I slept in. I pull down the mirror and hardly recognize myself. The dark circles under my eyes are growing more shadowy every day, and it's a wonder that no one has said anything yet. I've tried to hide them with my glasses but I'm sure the charade isn't fooling anyone.
My stupid green eyes are standing out as always. They've brought me stares as long as I can remember. They're so bright they nearly seem unnatural. Some days I consider trying colored contacts just so I can get the gazes off my face.
My brown hair is a mess, sticking up crazily at all angles and making me look like I haven't slept well in days. Although I suppose that's true, so what does it matter? I flip the mirror up and rub at my hurting eyes again, clunking my forehead back to the steering wheel and letting my eyelids fall shut.
I jolt out of sleep when my phone rings loudly. I let out a frustrated sigh when I realize the short nap I took didn't help at all. I grab my phone and pick up without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?" I say groggily. "Ah shoot, did I wake you?" A voice answers back. "No, no, you're fine." I reply, recognizing River's voice. "I just figured you'd be awake by now." I glance at the clock, realizing I've been sleeping for a few hours and it's now 9.
"I know your sleeping hours are rough though. I'm sorry, I should have just texted. I was just wondering if you were coming by the bookstore today." He continues. A crash resounds in the background behind him. "Shoot. I have to go, just text me and let me know." He says and hangs up, leaving me slightly confused.
I bite my lip in thought. I really should stop by the store today, but at the same time I want to spend more time with Jay. I've made the decision to just bring him along when my phone rings again.
"Hello?" I say, still tired. "Good morning." I smile, hearing Jay's greeting. "Good morning." I say back.
"I just wanted you to know that I'm up and about and ready when you are. You sound tired. Did I wake you up?" I sigh. "No, I've been awake for a while." I tell him, grimacing at how true my comment is.
"I'm on my way." I say as I start my car again. "Let me put you on speakerphone while I drive." I suggest, switching it on and setting my phone on the passenger seat. "Where do you want to go for breakfast? As long as it has coffee I don't mind."
He sighs. "You know, I'm getting the feeling that I only have a very small insight as to how much coffee you drink, and that scares me. Especially since what I do see is already a lot." I stay silent, unsure what to say. He's definitely not wrong, but telling him that will make him worry. I hurriedly change the subject, trying to avoid the topic of my coffee consumption.
"Where do you want to eat though?" I ask. He sighs again. "You're not off the hook. Know that we'll be discussing this later." He pauses. "You know what? I know just the place. My best friend's family owns a restaurant downtown, and I haven't seen him or his family much this week. I know he's been worrying about me and I should really check in with him too..." He trails off.
"Alright. I'm almost to your house, I'll see you soon okay?" "Okay, sounds good." He responds, and the line goes dead. I take the last turn and pull up to his house.
As Jay leaves the house, I take notice of the blue shirt that seems to fit him perfectly and complement his light skin and blonde hair. The tight fit of the shirt takes me back to the day I saw him pass out on the sidewalk shirtless.
All too soon he's opening the car door and I have to snap myself away from staring at him. "Hey." He grins, and I can't help but smile back. "You're going to have to give me directions." I note as we leave his house.
I accidentally let a yawn slip out. He raises an eyebrow. "You've been awake for a while huh?" He asks, crossing his arms sassily. "Yes." I say, looking him confidently in the eye before turning back to the road. "Turn left up here." He points.
I stay silent the rest of the ride, following his directions. I can't help but feel a little frustrated at him though. I know it's unfair because I haven't told him about my insomnia but at the same time I want him to cut me slack on my coffee intake and stop dropping hints about my late hours.
I pull into a parking lot of a small cozy restaurant at his direction, and we walk inside. I can't help glancing at him as we enter, noticing his shoulders relax and his large intake of breath with a content smile. I can tell he feels at home here, which makes me wonder how often he comes.
The dark skinned woman behind the counter turns and breaks into a wide smile. "Jay!" She calls, rushing over and pulling him into a tight hug. "Hey Mrs. Kane." He smiles, hugging the shorter lady back. "What did I say about that? You call me Rachel." She scolds, shaking a finger at him.
She notices me and looks back at Jay. "Who have you brought to us today, Jay? Why haven't you introduced me yet?" A light flush spreads across his cheeks as he says, "This is Ben." She puts a hand out to me and I shake it.
"It's nice to meet you." I tell her. She smiles and whispers something in Jay's ear which makes his cheeks turn redder. She just chuckles and then exclaims "Oh but you boys came here to eat! Let's get you a table and some full bellies!" She claps her hands and we follow her to a booth by the window.
"I'll have Devon come take your orders." She says and slides two menus across the table. I hold the menu up to my face and sneak glances over it at Jay who sits opposite me.
He nearly catches my gaze on him and I quickly turn my attention to the menu just to realize I haven't even really looked at it yet.
"Jay!" A deep voice calls, interrupting my search. Jay breaks into a grin as a tall guy with copper toned skin strides to our table. They hug each other and I look on, feeling slightly out of place.
Jay slides over in the booth and the guy slides in next to him. "This is Ben, yeah? Nice to meet you man, I'm Devon." I nod at him. "Also, I have the title of Jay's best friend, so don't even think about snatching that away from me." He says, crossing his arms. His face shifts to a smirk, and he whispers something in Jay's ear.
Jay elbows him in the side and gives him a look that's a mix of embarrassed and stern while Devon laughs at him.
"Anyway, what can I get you guys? My dad's ready to cook up anything you want." Jay orders his drink and I get a coffee, earning a slight glare from Jay. Devon seems oblivious to the underlying issue and gives us a big smile, telling us he'll be back with our drinks soon.
Jay turns to me when Devon is out of earshot. "What are we doing today?" He asks excitedly. I yawn before responding. "Well, you should be resting, but River needs some help at the bookstore today so I'm taking you with me. We'll hang out there for a while; After that I don't know." I shrug. I scrunch my eyebrows together. "That reminds me, I need to text him." I say, digging my phone out of my pocket.
As I'm messaging him I glance up to see Devon set our drinks on the table and slide back into the booth. They start up a conversation about football, and I end up momentarily spacing out.
My eyes are starting to droop again and my body is ready to let sleep overtake me when suddenly something is on my shoulder. My eyes shoot open to find Jay peering back at me, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Ben?" I quickly blink a couple times. "Sorry." "What did you want to eat?" "Oh." I recite my order to Devon and he wanders back to the kitchen.
"Are you alright?" Jay asks me. "Oh... I just spaced out." I lie. He frowns at me, poised to ask another question,when Devon comes back with our food, saving me. The three of us chat mindlessly, asking questions and talking about our lives.
As I finish off the last of my coffee, Devon stands up. "I better get back to work. Jay, it was nice seeing you again and Ben, nice meeting you." He takes our dishes away and gives a little wave before heading back to the kitchen.
I stand up and stretch only to catch Jay watching me. "What?" I say. "Nothing." He shakes his head, a flush creeping onto his cheeks. I shrug and we head to the counter to pay, then wave goodbye to Devon's mother as we walk out the doors.