ben x 3

i know i haven't mentioned it before, but the truth is that benn with two ns is not the only non-eventful encounter with a ben that i've had recently. if i'm honest, in fact, "ben" is rather a common theme for me. it so happens that F2's boyfriend's best friend (did you follow that?!) is also named ben. and i think he's cute.

event 1 involving ben
it is F2's birthday and we are at the pub. i speak to a number of people and we have a good night. it gets late, the pub is closing and we are discussing where we will go next. i overhear ben and F2's bf talking quietly:

ben: i might just be better off going home for a wank
F2's bf: yeah, might be for the best
me: *cough in mock amazement* um, did i just hear what i think i heard?
ben: what?
F2's bf: what?
ben: i said i was going to go home via the bank
F2's bf: yeah, what did you think you heard?

i smile to myself and let the matter drop. it is agreed that F1 and i will go home, F2 will go to her bf's place, and ben will head off to a house party, of which our house is conveniently en route to. F1 & i talk to ben all the way home and he is funny and charming in a very english way. i decide that i like him.

a few days later, after a discussion with F2 where she agrees he would be keen, i decide that it's time to take some action on the ben scene. i add him as a friend on facebook and send him a message: hi ben, thanks for escorting F1 and i home the other night. i actually had to go via the bank myself, but it was rather boring on my own. perhaps we could go together next time? xx
i think i am witty and cute for a whole afternoon. until F1 & F2 get home from work that is:

F1: star! he's english!
me: so?
F1: well... you know that phrase "english reserve"?? there's a reason for it!
me: oh.
F2: you know, ben's a nice guy, but i think he likes a chase.
me: oh.
F2: i think you'll have to play a bit harder to get.
me: oh.

ben ignores my friend request and never replies to my message.

event 2 involving ben
by the time i have gotten over ben ignoring me, it is nearly christmas. since we will all be away over the break we have decided to have a flat christmas type do at the pub. earlier that week:

F2, casually: i told my bf to invite ben.
me: ah, really?!
F2: yeah, should i tell him to un-invite him?
me: errr... i guess not. i guess it will be okay.
F2: to be honest, he probably won't come.

we get to the pub, and ben is not there. i breathe a sigh of relief. we finish dinner and are getting sloshed when ben arrives. i ignore him as much as possible, but there's only six of us, so it's a bit awkward. F1, F2 and i have exchanged christmas gifts and F1 (i guess she just knows me too well!) has given me a very useful book: how to get a shag in 59 languages. we are passing it around the table and laughing. ben is reading out the flemish translations, when i decide to address him directly:

me: but don't you think, ben, that what it really needs, is the translation for: hi, do you fancy going via the bank sometime?

F1 blushes, F2 gives me a look, but ben laughs and i consider the tension broken. the night wears on and i don't pay ben too much more attention. we joke and laugh and take many pictures for our facebooks. ben and i have ended up sitting next to each other for much of the night and since i have been so very stand-offish, i figure it's looking good for me. as we are leaving i hope that there will be some suggestions made. but there isn't and he doesn't, and with my new "hard to get" attitude, i let it go. F2 & i walk back to the tube station:

me: i think he likes me.
F2: i think you'll have to play a bit harder to get.
me: *incredulous look* what?!
F2: ben likes a chase.
me: but that was me playing hard to get! i was like ignoring him and stuff!
F2: mmmm. maybe you shouldn't sit so close or take so many photos of him.
me: mmmmmm....
F2: and maybe next time you shouldn't ask him to marry you.
me: mmmmm....

event 3 involving ben
it is F2's bf's birthday and we are at the pub. (incidentally, it's been the same pub each time. we ♥ the white hart!) the night before, F2 has given me a lecture on playing hard to get. at the pub, we are having a great time drinking and laughing. at some point ben shows up but i don't trouble myself to say hello. he must be in another area of the pub because i hardly see him all night. i consider that i am being fabulously hard-to-get. and then:

F2: i just came out of the bathroom and ben did a poo in the ladies.
me: *speechless*
F2's bf: yeah, the men's is out of order
me: *still speechless*

for some reason, i am not particularly interested in ben anymore. i get my coat and go home to use the bathroom.