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

Thirty four: Conflict Over Cornflakes

I woke up late and within twenty minutes of getting out of bed, the phone rang.

"Hello?" I said upon answering.

"Adelaide! Hey, it's Julia!"

I sighed a little, I didn't mind her calling really, but I just wanted to eat my cereal undisturbed. "Hey! How'd it go last night?"

"Amazing! Thank you again for helping me out, it definitely paid off."

"It did, huh?"

"Mhm. Long story short.." she giggled a little and brought her voice down to a whisper. "Chris is in bed next to me."

"I knew you were easy!" I teased. She just laughed and I heard Chris shift behind her.

"Well, it's easy to be easy with him."

"God, that's cheesy." I groaned. "But I'm happy for you guys, really."

"Thanks. So am I." She squealed a little and I smiled. They were pretty sweet together.

"Well, you should get back to your guest. Tell him I said hi and you're welcome."

"I will. Have a good day!"

"You too."

"Oh I'm sure I will." She responded slyly, and then hung up. I set the phone back on the receiver and sat back at the table, thinking for a minute before returning to my breakfast.

I thought of last night and how out of it Benny was. He wasn't that drunk, but still, I'd never seen him like that. He seemed strange, serious and confused. Not like his usual self at all. He'd said he had a lot on his mind but wouldn't say what, and it only made me more curious.

I was dragged away from my thoughts when a knock sounded at my door. I groaned and pulled myself up, groggily walking to the door and yanking it open impatiently. Speak of the goddamn devil. Benny Watts stood before me, looking uncomfortable and nervous.

"Hey" I said simply. His expression got considerably more nervous and he nodded a little.

"Hey. Can I come in?"

"Uh.. yeah, come on in." I swung the door open wide and he stepped in. I shut the door and stood in front of him, hoping this wouldn't take long so I could get on with my day with no more drama. "What's up?"

"Well I wanted to apologize. About last night. I was totally out of line and shouldn't have come here. I'm sorry."

My demeanor softened a little and I gave him a small smile. "It's alright, don't worry about it. I'm just glad I got you home safe."

"Yeah, me too." He laughed a little and took off his hat, wringing it in his hands.

"So what exactly happened last night, Benny? Is that a usual thing for you?"

"No, not really. I was just a little upset by some.. irrelevant stuff and wanted to blow off some steam. I genuinely dont know how I ended up here, but thanks for not just kicking me out on my ass. Most of my other friends would've."

"Oh, I doubt that. From what I've seen, your friends really care about you. But you're welcome." We stood there in silence for a minute and I finally sat on the couch and gestured for him to join me. "So what's been bothering you so much?"

"Nothing really." He sat on the armchair across from me instead of on the couch with me. I didn't know what was getting to him, but whatever it was, it was really getting to him.

"Come on, bullshit. You can talk to me, you know."

"I know. But maybe not about this specific thing"

"Why? Isn't that what friends are for?"