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

24 - Falling on the Dance Floor

Benny ran out the door and up to his apartment, he quickly changed into as smart an outfit he could manage. He texted Nina,

'Hey baby girl, I'm heading to the club with Usnavi and Vanessa now, come join us when you're ready. I've missed you this afternoon. Let me know when you're on your way. Love you. B xoxo'

Nina texted him back, 'Alright, Bianca and I will be there shortly. Love you, xoxo'

"Was that lover boy?" Bianca asked.

"His name's Benny, but yes. Let's go get ready." They walked out the park and headed to Nina's to get ready.

Vanessa got out of her shift and changed into her red club dress. She walked over to the Bodega and smiled at Usnavi.

A smile was brought to Benny's face for the first time all afternoon after getting her text. He rushed out the door and headed towards the bodega. As he walked in smiling wide he yelled, "Who's ready to hit the club?"

"Me!" Vanessa shouted.

"Dude, I'm always ready," Usnavi said, as if it were obvious.

Benny, Usnavi and Vanessa walked down the block to the club, it wasn't too busy there, the music was nice, the atmosphere was perfect, he was just missing one thing. Nina. Benny cursed himself, 'she'll be here soon, she has to have some time to herself and her college roommate who she may never see again after tonight. Stop being so selfish.' They went over to the bar and Usnavi and Benny got a shot each. Vanessa sat down next to Usnavi and sighed a little.

They all talked for a while about nothing in particular, then Vanessa and Usnavi went and started dancing. Benny stayed put at the table thinking about how much had changed in the last 24 hours. He still pondered over what Usnavi was hiding from him, he figured out it was linked to Nina but wasn't sure what. Maybe something related to her quietness today?

Benny grabbed himself another drink, he felt so alone, waiting for Nina to step through the door. Several other girls asked him to dance while he was waiting. He turned them all down. There was only one girl he was interested in dancing with, and that was Nina. His eyes were glued to the door hoping that she'd be the next one to walk through.

Back at Nina's parent's apartment, Nina told Bianca that she could go to the club and that she would be there in a bit. Bianca agreed and made her way to the club. Nina was stressing over what she should wear, as she didn't have much that was appropriate for the occasion. After about twenty minutes of staring at her closet, she picked out a pink and grey floral dress that went down to just above her knee and a pair of black flats. She furiously brushed her knotted hair, soon giving up. Eventually, she was out of the door, about an hour after she said she would be there. She felt sick to her stomach.

Vanessa was irritated because she really wanted to drink, but promised to stay sober for Nina.

Benny sat and waited, he knew it would be worth the wait, she was worth anything. He checked his watch, 7:30, Nina said she'd be here an hour ago. Having had 3 more drinks Benny was slightly drunk. He wanted to remember this night though, dancing with Nina, so he didn't drink any more. Usnavi and Vanessa were still lost on the dance floor somewhere, clearly having a good time.

Running to the club, Nina felt a bit lightheaded. She was so worried about letting him down. When she opened the door, her heart raced. She ran toward Benny, but got stopped short.

Someone pulled on her arm, putting his hand on her hip. He tried to dance with her, but she looked at him in disgust and pushed him away, saying, "I have a boyfriend, you idiot." She stormed off in search of Benny.

Benny saw Nina come in the door and he jumped up in delight. He tried to make his way through the crowd, towards her. However, he struggled to see her through the sea of people.

"Nina" he called out, hoping she would hear him over the noise.

She saw him, but again got pulled aside by another guy. She was disgusted of his sticky, sweaty hands, and his determined, obviously drunk eyes. She tried to pull away, but he had too strong a grip, one around her back and one on her head so she couldn't move. He pulled her close, puckering his lips. She knew what was to come next and kicked as hard as she could, but couldn't escape on her own. She needed Benny, and now.

"NINA, where are you?" Benny called out. He was frightened, terrified. He knew someone must pulled Nina off somewhere, but he didn't know who or where. Nina would have found him had no one stopped her on her path. His heart gradually speeding up. "NINA?" He kept yelling her name, hoping she could hear and be able to respond to him.

Before he touched her lips, she screamed, "I have a boyfriend!" and kicked his shins, but to no avail. Her only hope was that Benny would find her, and soon.

Benny ran around the club, in desperate search. Praying nothing bad had happened. Finally, he saw the distinct dark curls. "Nina, I'm coming." As he ran towards her, he noticed how she was struggling under someone's grip. Had it not been for her terrified facial expressions Benny would be feeling a surge of jealousy. But he was feeling rage instead. Some man was hurting his girlfriend. He saw him go for the kiss. Benny winced, wanting to look away but wanting to see if Nina was able to escape. He vaguely heard her scream 'I have a boyfriend', his heart beating faster. He saw her kick his shin, Benny thought this other man would release Nina after that. He didn't.

The guy's lips touched hers, a deep, sloppy kiss. She shook, disgusted and crying. Whimpering, she cried, "Benny, Benny." Warm, wet tears fell down her face. She was too weak to fight anymore.

Benny stood frozen for a second in shock, then he realized how helpless she was, he could just about hear her crying his name. He suddenly reacted, ran up to them and pulled Nina away him. He turned back and punched the man, who had kissed Nina, right on the cheek. The man stumbled back then went to attack Benny. He just about dodged it and pushed him over. Benny ran and grabbed ahold of Nina and pulled her into a tight hug. He held her head to his chest with one hand and the other on her dominatingly on her back.

She shook in his arms, from fear and tears. Her warm tears fell onto the club floor as her lips and the skin around them tingled with revulsion.

"It's okay Nina, I've got you." He said stroking her back. "No one can hurt you now." He looked down into her eyes, they were filled with worry. He brought his hand around to her face and stroked her cheek and wiped away her tears. "You look beautiful by the way. I definitely chose well. I love you baby and I'm never letting go again. I promise."

Nina nodded, but didn't reply otherwise. It wasn't time for compliments, at least for her. She was too busy shaking and sobbing to pay much attention to any compliment.

Benny held her close. Until he suddenly felt a blow to his left ribs. He let go of Nina out of instinctive reaction and clutched his side. He nearly screamed out in pain, but instead he called out "Nina, find Usnavi," to her.

She was conflicted. If she left, she might not find him. But if she didn't, he'd stay in his same state. In the end, she decided that if anything should change, she'd have to make it. With the still disgusted feeling in her stomach, she shouted, "Usnavi!" into the darkness. He heard shuffling and Usnavi's unmistakable voice. "Nina?" he yelled. "Usnavi! Come here, Benny's hurt!" Nina screamed. Again, more shuffling was heard, and she finally felt Usnavi's warmth on her skin. "Nina, what's wrong?" he questioned. She began to discreetly shake as she told the story, "This guy came up to me while I was trying to get to Benny and held onto me so tightly that I couldn't get away or even move my face. And he, he, he kissed me. When Benny pulled me away from him he started comforting me. When the guy came back, he punched Benny in the ribs. He's having trouble breathing and I don't know how to keep it together," she stuttered. Her head dropped, and her hair fell around her face, the same way it had when she arrived home.

Usnavi was stunned. He had never dealt with something like this before. He tried to find his way towards Benny, Nina ran ahead to let Benny know Usnavi was on his way.

Benny struggled to breathe from the sudden impact, he turned his head to see who had punched him. It was the same man who had kissed his girlfriend. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" He yelled. "First you hold my girlfriend tightly, so she can't breathe, then you kiss her. And then punch me in the ribs, while I'm holding onto her because she's terrified of you." He saw the man go for another punch, when all of a sudden.