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Bars or clubs had never been the kind of places you were seen frequenting, but when your boyfriend had asked you to come along to one of the clubs because there was a post-junior chess tournament event where he had been invited to come to speak, you reluctantly agreed to come. After all, it had been a chess tournament for people in their late teens and early twenties, and while some alcohol was served for people who were of age, it wasn’t some crazy party where you would be forced to avoid vomit puddles.
And it also wasn’t some common pub with a nightmare restroom, it was directed for the “better” people, meaning those who are rich and famous, or at least known. And on days like tonight, you needed an invite to get in. But despite that you, as Benny’s avec, were qualified to attend even though you hadn’t been invited directly.
“You will have a good time, I promise,” Benny had said as you were stuffing a book into your bag. “I know those people who are arranging it. Their events are never dull.”
You had scowled and muttered that you know his type of “fun” and you didn’t really have the same taste.
But, as soon as you stepped inside the club, you realised that it wasn’t anywhere near the kind you had pictured. Sure you didn’t expect a wild party, it was a “sophisticated” club after all and intellectuals had gathered there tonight, but you still expected… something that would have caused you headache.
A live band played jazz on the stage, silently enough to let people chatter, and it was nothing like an ordinary “party”. It was more like a gathering with some extra.
Benny let out a laugh at your surprise. “See? This is a classy party, and nothing you expected.”
And two hours later, you sat in the audience watching a stand-up gig. You kind of hated to admit it, but the book you had packed with you still lay forgotten in your bag, and you had barely even remembered it. You had been so sure that you’d retreat to some corner table to read within half an hour, a scowl on your face, complaining to your boyfriend that you couldn’t concentrate on reading.
Of course, Benny was eagle eyed and noticed you cracking smiles at the stand up, and soon slid on on the bench beside you, all smug and satisfied and you rolled your eyes.
Benny smirked at you. “C’mon, admit it, you’re having fun.”
You scoffed. “I’m not drunk, if that’s what you’re implying.”
Benny was quiet, his eyes fixed on you for a moment, and eventually you cracked and sighed. “Fine, I do enjoy this and I’m pleased you dragged me along. Happy?”
Benny huffed, an amused sound he always let out when he had been proven to be right at something. “Ecstatic.”
You leaned back on your seat, crossing your arms and looking at the comedian as he invited someone from the audience on stage, and you sat quietly with Benny for a moment.
“He’s pretty funny,” you mumbled, and Benny huffed again.
“An associate of ours recommended him, it’s his nephew’s friend. No one ever gives him gigs, despite the fact that he's always making people laugh and pulling off stand up ‘gigs’ at birthday parties.”
You arched an eyebrow. “Well, in that case you’ll make sure he gets more gigs, right?”
Benny shrugged. “I may have a trick or two to get him an audition and a manager.”
You smiled, looking back at the comedian, asking the audience member questions and a roaring wave of laughter echoed in the. He was barely a man, maybe even under twenty. But he had potential, so you were happy to have someone like Benny helping him out.
Benny knew how to be infuriating and cocky, but deep down he had a golden heart that had managed to capture you back when you first developed a crush on him. The memory made you cringe really, your friend had played chess with him at a junior tournament and pushed you to meet him, fully aware you liked him. She had insisted he had expressed interest in you too. And her suspicion turned out to be real, just a month from that moment Benny told you he's in love with you.
And maybe attending a party like this regularly would be a good idea, to remember the old times and seeing the new generation of chess players emerge.