Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

22 - Falling in Tandem

Vanessa walked up to the Bodega on her break.

Benny walked down his apartment stairs and to the bodega, and saw Vanessa on her way in. "Hey, Vanessa. I'm guessing you are on your break?"

"Mmhmm, what are you doing here?"

"Not much, just chilling with Usnavi." He forgot that sat this time he would usually be at work. Thankfully Vanessa didn't bring it up.

She nods and holds the door for him

"Thanks V." Benny walked inside. "Sup Usnavi, how ya doing, business all good?" He said giving Usnavi a bro hug.

"Yep. How you doing?"

Vanessa followed him in and leaned against the counter.

"I'm good, been a rough day, but it's getting better. I'm very ready to head to the club later, I need it and I think it may help Nina let loose a bit as well. She's been kinda off most of the day, not really saying anything."

"Dude, you know that Nina doesn't drink. Even if she did, she's underage!"

"Yeah, I know! I'm not that stupid! But I've seen her before at the club dancing, and I think just that may help her. Plus, I feel I can get to know her better by dancing romantically. If you know what I mean."

"Benny!" Usnavi said in a scolding, older-brotherly way.

"What." Benny replied innocently. "She's the one who hinted at me earlier. We had a nap earlier and when I woke up she said to go back to sleep despite it being 4pm, I said I would't sleep tonight if I slept then, to which she responded, 'Don't sleep tonight, sleep with me'" Benny paused "I'm just saying."

"Benny," Usnavi said, "She would never hint at that. She's never been the type to even think about that. If you have trouble remembering, Nina is nineteen and was in college! She has much more her age things to worry about, such as what's going to happen to her tuition. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm pretty sure that's not what she was talking about. Nina's not like that."

Vanessa giggled slightly at them. "I think 'Snavi is right... She's naïve..."

"Well you never know" Benny said in a stroppy 6-year-old voice. "She's never been in a relationship so never had the need to hint at it. She seemed okay to hit the club anyway, you should join us V, so she has a fellow sober friend."

She raised an eyebrow. "You think I'll be sober?"

"Thank you, Vanessa," Unsavi said. "And Benny, as I said, she's nineteen! It's not time for her to lose her childhood, especially when she's holding onto it so dearly! It's the only thing tying her back to home."

"Ughh, you 2 are such a pain sometimes." Benny moaned. "But anyway, would you mind staying sober tonight, for Nina, she's been really quiet all day and could do with you being sober I think, and anyway you're underage as well."

Vanessa stood next to Usnavi. "Fine... I'll stay sober..."

"Thanks so much, Nina will appreciate it. Talking of childhood, Usnavi, do you remember 6 years ago shopping for furniture for my apartment and that thing you brought"

"Vividly."

"Well I'm here to say thank you for buying that blanket, I found it in the linen closet while looking for a blanket for Nina and I to snuggle up under. I think she liked it, she was a bit confused at first, but it was really cozy."

"Ha! I knew it!"

"Yeah, well here's 18-year-old Benny saying, 'thanks man, I really appreciate it' rather than 'I hate you' "