egotistical | benny watts

room 257

I find myself hovering over Beth's second-to-last chess game. A crowd swarms her as she intensely intimates and defeats the poor man she plays against.

Her stare is more deadly than anything I have ever seen.

I won't be surprised if she wins. She's moving through these players faster than lightning and none of them have expected it.

I will never be nothing more than a shadow, although I do not wish to compete, it scares me what chess will become of her.

I look down at my feet, I sigh, turning my body and pushing through the crowd of people, escaping the predictable end of the match.

I continue to walk out of the large room. As I walk out the opening to the room into a large empty hallway.

what a fucking coincidence.

I noticed in a short distance, the figure of the man himself, Benny Watts.

I continue to walk forwards, this nervous feeling throughout my body heightens, i attempt to stay unbothered. He does the exact same, keeping his eyes on me, seemingly unable to turn away.

Once we find ourselves approaching one another, Benny stops in his tracks, facing me. I sigh slightly, doing the same. Benny continues to stare at me for a moment.

God, how much I loathe when he does that.

"Well if it isn't miss no-name." Benny protests, tapping his cowboy hat.

I scoff, turning my head to the side refusing to respond to Benny's exasperating remark.

Benny grins to my reaction.

"Why aren't you playing?" He asks, tilting his head slightly.

"Why aren't you?" I replied, avoiding his question once again.

Benny scoffs, "You sure have a thing for avoiding my questions, don't you?" he says, deepening the tone of his voice.

I've been caught.

I smirk, not replying to what he had spoken.

Benny sighs, turning his head away for a quick moment, taking a step closer to me, "I'm not playing here, playing too many open matches can only hurt my title, I'm just visiting a few old friends." Benny explains.

"Ah yes, your title I almost forgot." I smirk, replying with sarcasm in my tone.

Benny lets out a subtle laugh.

I look down at my feet for a moment, looking back up I continue, "I may play chess but playing a match has never crossed my mind. I'm here for a friend as well, Beth Harmon."

Benny furrows his brows, placing his fingers on his chin, causing me to look at him up and down.

Oh my god.

"Beth Harmon?- Isn't she the girl who wiped out Harry Beltik?" Benny asks.

"That's the one" I sigh.

He notices my distress as I look down to my feet, "So, what's stopping you from competing?" Benny asks as I look back up at him.

"Why do you care?"

Immediately after finishing what I asked, Benny blurts, aimlessly changing the subject, "I want to see you play." He says sternly.

My eyes widen a little in response, I gain this pit feeling in my stomach, furrowing my eyebrows in skepticism.

Why does Benny care so much? Is this space pirate really that scared that a girl like me could beat him?

I continue to stare at him in awe of what he just spoke to me, but he just keeps his gaze into my eyes with his dark brown irises, almost making me nervous.

Benny sighs, breaking eye contact with me, "I'm in room 257, if you decide to come, knock once so I know it's you." Benny exclaims, beginning to walk away, leaving his gaze.

"What makes you think I'd want to be alone in a room with you?" I ask, catching him before he leaves my distance.

He turns to face me, with a large grin painted on his face, "Who wouldn't?"

Someone please humble this man.

I let out a subtle laugh before watching him turn and continue to walk out of distance.

I continue my previous plans and walk out the hotel entrance into the outside world. I stand, looking out into the grass and a very minimal amount of trees in front of me. Noticing a bench not far from me, I continue to walk forward towards the bench. I take a gentle seat and stare forward, gazing onto the few people and couples walking around the paths.

I consider Benny's offer. But I would hate to give Benny the gratification of him knowing that I thought about being alone with him, albeit I am not complaining.

The peaceful silence breaks to the noise of the hotel front doors slamming open. My head snaps to the direction and I see Beth herself, running towards me with the brightest smile on her face, honestly brighter than my own future.

She lands on the seat next to me and stares into my eyes, "Guess what-guess what-guess what." She repeats wittily.

"You won." I say with no surprising expression on my face.

"No-" she replies, I frown, furrowing my eyebrows, "Of course I fucking won!" Beth squeals.

I drop my previous expression, and I let out a laugh. I'm just glad to see her happy, although I know deep down she wasn't at all surprised by her accomplishment.

We both pause for a moment, taking in our breaths, Beth maintaining her eye contact to me.

"Where did you disappear off to." Beth blurts, a smile still wide and visible on her face.

"To come out here, I needed some fresh air." I lie swiftly.

I cannot inform her about Benny, it feels wrong and vile, I want to maintain him a secret to myself.

Beth sighs, I almost think she's dissatisfied with my response, "I already knew you would win, Beth." I say breaking her silence.

A smile creeps up on her face, I almost regret feeding her ego. To be honest it only feels good when my own ego itself is fed.

The more I continue to conversate with Beth the more the urge to pay Benny a visit later increases.

I'm curious to find out what would happen alone in that room with him.