I'll Be Damned if You're the Death of Me (Ben Bruce/Asking Alexandria)

Italy (Part One)

Was I making a terrible decision to do this? Probably. But Ben deserved a chance, and after the personality that he showed as Dover, I wanted to give him the chance. What do you wear on a date with Ben Bruce? I didn't want to look like a fucking whore, because with my luck Andy would see us and get suspicious.

I rummaged through the clothes I'd brought into the hotel, looking for anything suitable. Why was I stressing so much over this? I couldn't think straight. A sense of pride struck through me when I realized that I'd packed myself the perfect outfit. I pulled out a black shirt. It was lose on me and the sleeves were flowy, off the shoulder. I yanked out a little black skirt that I would pull up past my hips, with a pair of fish net tights.

I got ready, putting on black make up that would remind me of Avril Lavigne. I pulled my hair up and let my bangs fall. Where could Ben be taking me? What if I was over dressed?

A million thoughts rushed through my head when I heard another knock at the door. I spun around to the clock beside my hotel bed. It was 8:03, so it had to be Ben. I took a deep breath and walked to the door, opening it slowly and looking at the floor. I looked up at Ben and was stunned. He was wearing black jeans with a pair of boots, then a button down white shirt. He'd tucked the shirt in partially on one side but not the other. I gawked for a moment.

"Ready?" He smiled. His hair was still big, as usual, but it was pushed out of his eyes and onto the top and side of his head.

"Uh, shoes," I said awkwardly, rushing back inside the room for my heals. I yanked on a pair of healed boots and then followed Ben out of the room.

"You look beautiful," Ben mumbled in my ear as we made our way to the elevator.

"It's only a date; you don't need to start lying to me yet," I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"This is a date?" Ben cocked his head and hit the elevator button. My face burned red. "I'm only joking love. But I wasn't lying to you,"

I rolled my eyes and pushed my bangs away from my eyes. The elevator dinged and the doors opened up, revealing the last person I wanted to see. Andy and Jake were standing in the elevator, dripping wet holding towels.

"Ben, Blair? What are you two wearing?" Andy looked taken aback but smiled all the while. I choked a little and looked down at myself.

"I'm taking her to meet the guys from I See Stars," Ben said quickly. "They're here tonight, and she's a fan, right Blair?"

"Yeah! Wanted to look my best," I laughed and awkwardly patted my short skirt.

"Ben, I've never seen you this dressed up!" Jake laughed. "Not since the Golden God's,"

"Yeah, well the guys said we might head out to dinner," He came up with lies pretty well. I wasn't sure if that was unsettling or not.

"Weird," Andy raised an eyebrow.

"Well we'll see you guys later!" Jake shrugged and waved us goodbye. We switched places with them and got into the elevator. When the doors closed me and Ben both sighed in relief.

"That was a fucking close one," Ben laughed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I know," I groaned, leaning against the wall of the elevator.

"If, uh," Ben coughed nervously. "If we ever went any further with this, would you tell Andy?"

My heart thudded and I stopped for a minute, feeling my face burn. "I suppose I'd have to," I nodded.

"Would he be cross?" He asked.

"Yeah, for a bit. He'd get over it," I shrugged.

"Good," I felt Ben's warm palm caress my hand and his finger intertwined with mine. I smiled to myself and squeezed his hand.