Stalemate // The Queens Gambit //Benny Watts x OC

Four: Good Company

    The next morning I awoke in a strangers bed to a hellish headache. My hand flew to my forehead to try and soothe the throbbing but the movement hurt and I fell back into the sheets.

"Morning. I figured you'd need this." I squint up to see Jonathan next to the bed holding a glass of water and two little pills. I force a small smile and down the aspirin, chugging the water.

"Thanks.." I look around the room and sit up awkwardly. I don't remember much of what happened after getting someone's drink spilled all over me, and I feel very confused and disoriented. "So.. I'm just going to assume we didn't.."

"What, sleep together? No, don't worry. You said you wanted to come home with me and continue talking so we did and I let you take the bed."

"Oh- well I'm sorry for putting you out. You're very sweet for that though." I smile and swing my legs out of bed, attempting to stand. He holds out a steadying hand in case I need it but I manage not to face plant

"It's no problem, I had fun last night. And I think you did too, I'm assuming you don't remember coming here but it was nice."

"I'm sure I did. And I'm glad I was good company. Hey could I use your phone for a minute?"

"Of course, there's one just outside" he gestures to the door and I nod, going out into the hall. I pick up the phone and punch in Macy's number. It rang three times before she answered.

"Hello?" She said sleepily, probably just waking up.

"Hey Mace, it's me."

"Adelaide?? Oh my god, finally! Are you still at Jonathan's house?" She was suddenly very much awake and it shot another twinge of pain into my head.

"Yes. Do you think you could come pick me up?"

"Yeah, but can't Jonathan take you home?"

"I don't want to make him do that, he's been so sweet and he's probably just as tired as me. Besides, he might want to see my apartment and its not exactly guest appropriate at the moment."

"Hey I'm tired too!" She whines

"Yes but you're my best friend, you're obligated to help me in this situation."

"Fine. What's the address?" I freeze and realize I have no idea. I look back into the bedroom and awkwardly ask Jonathan for it. He offers to take me home himself but I insist it's alright and Macy has to get something in town anyways. A lie of course, but it worked. I repeat the address back to Macy and she says she'll be there soon. I hang up and Jonathan comes out of his room.

"Thank you." I say awkwardly

"Of course. Are you hungry? I made pancakes if you want some." He starts to walk to I assume the kitchen and I follow.

"Sure, sounds great" now that I thought about it, I was starving. I sit at a small table and he hands me a plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I start wolfing it down and I swear I could have kissed him, that's how good it was. "This is amazing." I say with my mouth full. He chuckles and starts eating as well.

"Thanks, I'm glad you like it."

I nod a little and take a sip of orange juice, slowing my pace so I can talk properly. "How did you sleep? I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable not being in your own bed"

"No, I slept great. I actually sometimes prefer my couch so I can watch TV before bed. How did you sleep?"

"Great, it was really comfortable." I take another bite of pancake and look around the room. It's a small kitchen but nice. Light green walls, gray countertops, walnut cabinets. I peer into the living room and see cozy furniture, a small TV, and two wine glasses on the coffee table. "So what did we talk about last night? I didn't say anything embarrassing, did I?"

His mouth curves into a sly little grin and he leans back in his chair. "I wouldn't say embarrassing. We talked about work, hobbies, family, school, you pledged your undying love for me and asked for my hand in marriage,"

I almost choked on my food and stared at him in horror as my cheeks flushed. He just laughed and shook his head "only teasing." He admitted and I smiled, throwing a little piece of bacon at him.

We continued to talk and laugh when the doorbell rang. I quickly took my last bite of food and washed my plate. "Thank you for letting me stay, and for breakfast, and for being such good company." I kissed his cheek and he smiled sweetly at me as we walked to the door.

"Believe me, it was my pleasure. I'd love to do it again if your free sometime. Here," he got a little slip of paper and a pen from a hall table and scribbled something on it. "call me if you ever want some good company again. Or a dance partner." He handed it to me and I nodded.

We said our goodbyes and me and Macy headed back to my place. I told Macy everything he'd told me about the night before and about this morning. She hung on my every word.

"So wait, you really like this guy, huh?" She asked once i was done. I thought about it for a second as we walked up the stairs

"I guess.. yeah? I mean, you know how I feel about dating, but.. he seems pretty great."

"So you're gonna call him?" We got up to my floor and I saw my landlord leaning on the railing, smoking and grumbling about something.

"Probably." I answer simply. Macy squeals a little and I grin bashfully.

"So the night was a success, hooray!" She yells dramatically and my landlord looks over

"Hey! Carlisle! I still don't have your rent from last month!" He yells, his thick Italian accent making his voice twice the volume. I groan inwardly and Macy mouths a sorry to me as she sneaks away.

"I know, Mr. Penetelli, I'm sorry, I'll get it right now." I unlock my door and go get the cash I owe him. I come back to the balcony and hand it over.

"Finally. Don't be late next time." He scolds and I nod. He goes back to his apartment and I go back to mine, stripping off the clothes from yesterday and stumbling into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the grimy feeling and persistent headache, trying to remember the events of last night.

I remember talking with Andrew and Julia at the club, then Jonathan, then dancing, getting something spilled on me, going outside, talking to someone, then going back inside. I don't remember much after that but my mind keeps drifting back to the stranger in the ally. At the time I couldn't really see many details of his face and now my memory is even more foggy, but he was..interesting. Mysterious, I guess. From the way he was dressed to the way he spoke, he seemed to not give a single damn what anyone thought of him, which just made me more intrigued.

But after a minute I brushed it off. What's the point of wasting my time wondering about some weird stranger I'm never going to see again?

***

A/N:
Sorry it's been such a long start, thank you for sticking with me! After this there'll be more scenes and stuff with Benny, so just be patient and enjoy!
Later lovelies <3

—Rat