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

Twenty four: Concert

We had all woken up early and ate breakfast in the hotel, then got in the indoor pool for a bit. It was now almost four and we were all getting ready to go see Jonathan's band play. Macy and I rushed around our room, getting dressed and adding finishing touches to our hair and makeup. When we finally finished we stepped out into the hall to wait for everyone, but we saw that we only had to wait for chris and Julia now. Jamie and Benny were preoccupied with their own conversation and I was happy to see it seemed they were getting along.

Macy adjusted her skirt nervously and stood in front of me, "okay Addy, be honest, is it too much?" I studied her and wasn't exactly sure how to respond.

Her short dirty blonde hair was in tight curls with two little clips on either side, and her makeup was glittery and striking, but suited her face. She wore a white shirt with a small black jacket over top and a tiny baby blue skirt, shiny black pumps hugging her feet.

"It's..just enough I think." I smiled at her and she retuned it, satisfied. She stepped back and then looked me over, gesturing for me to spin and I obeyed.

She insisted on choosing what I wear so i'd "at least get somebody's attention" her words, not mine. I let her though, I didn't really care much since we would be distracted and behind walls so it wasn't totally freezing. Though there wasn't a roof on the stadium, I figured so many bodies crammed in one place would keep us plenty warm.

She braided the front parts of my long ash bonde hair to join in the back, then curled it slightly to add waves. She'd stuck me in a black skirt that ended a few inches above my knees and a dark red button down shirt that she insisted I wear with the top two buttons undone. We compromised with leaving the top one undone and tying it at the bottom. She did let me wear some black flats though, which were much better than what she had first picked out—bright red stilettos of hers— but she caved after I argued there was no way I was going to stand for almost four hours in those.

"Absolutely perfect." She smiled contently at my appearance and linked her arm with mine. "Are Chris and Julia almost done? I want to get there early to get a good spot on the floor." Macy said to Jamie and Benny. They both turned, noticing our presence, and neither said a word as they looked us up and down. Macy nudged my hip with hers and shot me a cheeky grin before she skipped over to Jamie. "We look good, huh?"

"Better than good." Jamie answered, giving her a kiss. Benny walked over to me, a devilish smirk on his face.

"You clean up nice. Didn't expect that." He teased. I punched his arm gently and he laughed. "What, I thought that was a compliment?"

I smiled and crossed my arms. "Well then I could say the same, Watts. Who knew you had a sense of style?" I teased right back, mimicking his tone. He looked down at his outfit, for once ditching the cowboy hat and just having his jacket over his arm. He had black jeans and a patterned button up on, which he usually wore but it seemed more.. coordinated than usual.

"Oh, I don't. Macy laid outfits out on me and Jamie's beds when we all got back from the pool. I don't even know how she got in."

"Hm, should've known. I dont know why she hasn't pursued a career in fashion yet."

"Me neither. Missed her calling I guess."

Just then, Julia and Chris came out of their room quickly, staring at everyone awkwardly.

"Thank god, what took you guys so long??" Macy exclaimed, not waiting for an answer, and we all headed to the stairs. Julia and Chris kept looking at each other nervously and Benny nudged my arm, giving me a look. I raised a brow. We both had a guess at what had taken them so long.

***

We had VIP tickets so we got first dibs on spots on the floor. When they opened the gates we all shoved forward and got spots at the very front. It was a miracle no one got trampled. We were packed in tight and it wasn't exactly comfortable but it worked. It wouldn't matter once the band started playing anyway.