Daphne and Theo are finding things in common as they become friends. Can she keep her Chess lessons with him a secret for a little longer?
Song: Falling Slowly by Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti
Daphne looked around her classroom and realized just how late it was. It was Friday night and she was still sitting at her desk, marking exams. This is not how she was supposed to spend her Friday nights. She needed to pack up and head home. She had to get ready for Chess Club. It was going to feel a little strange without Ginny there, but she had promised to be there in spirit and message.
Theo: Hey, brown eyes
Daphne: Hey, chess man
Theo: Are you coming tonight?
Daphne: I am but I'm going to be late
Theo: Why?
Daphne: Lost track of time
Theo: are you still at work?
Daphne: Yes, I gave a midterm exam today
Theo: Not going well?
Daphne: Marking essays question…UGH
Theo: I'm running late too
Daphne: Really...
Theo: But not for the same reason
Daphne: Do tell
Theo: You'll see if you get to BB soon
Daphne: Theo, what did you do?
Theo watched the screen on his mobile dim as he smirked. He carefully slid it into the front pocket of his leather jacket and zipped it shut. Everyone was in for a surprise tonight. He had splurged and bought himself something different for transportation.
Throwing his leg over the motorcycle, Theo settled into the seat and revved the engine. What was the point in building an outside business if he could not enjoy a few treats? Why not get paid for doing something he enjoyed doing outside of his classroom? His business was final turning a profit and he had decided to celebrate. With a quick look around the parking lot, Theo headed out to meet everyone at The Bishop's Brew.
Theo: OMW
Ron: Okay, Nev is here but Harry isn't
Neville: Is Harry coming?
Ron: As far as I know
Harry: I will be there in 5 minutes
Ron: Nev and I have the tables already
Theo: Speech to text is so slow
Harry: Are you texting and driving?
Theo: No I'm talking and driving
Ron: Well quit…you can send messages to each other when you get here.
Harry: Can I grab a ride home from someone?
Ron: What's up?
Harry: I'm taking the train in
Neville: I can give you a ride home
Theo used the ride to The Bishop's Brew to think about what he was going to do next week. He knew he had to start cutting back his tutoring hours so he could work on his landscaping business, but he also knew that his students had their End of Course exams coming up. He also needed to make time to teach Daphne how to play chess at his flat without the guys finding out.
He wasn't worried about the guys giving him a hard time. He just wanted it to be something only the two of them knew about. He liked the way she blushed when he called her "brown eyes". Last Saturday he got to see just how competitive she could be. She got mad at him when she thought he was letting her win instead of playing her like he would Harry or Ron. Her words continued to play on repeat in his head. "Theo, if I am going to win, make me win. Don't LET me win."
He had never thought of things that way before. When he taught chess to his students, he never intentionally played to let them win. He played to let them learn. Was there a difference? It bothered him that he could not come up with an answer to that question.
"I didn't let her win, did I? She is getting better. Did I hang that queen on purpose?" Theo continued to puzzle over their conversation as he made his way to the The Bishop's Brew. Maybe he could talk her into a game tonight … and not let her win.
Daphne: I'm not coming in
Hermione: What's going on?
Luna: Why not?
Daphne: Did you see what he rode in on?
Hermione: Who?
Luna: Theo
Ginny: Theo rode in on what?
Daphne: A Harley...a red Harley
Ginny: Nice
Daphne: In a leather jacket and...
Luna: Get in here and stop drooling
Hermione: I have napkins for that
Daphne: I am not drooling
Luna: Yes, you are…I can hear it in your texts
Ginny: Yes, please go in and send me a picture. I am staring at walls here
Daphne: I am definitely not dressed for this
Hermione: It is Friday and we are having coffee and writing. What do you need to be dressed for?
Luna: THEO
Ginny: THEO…and I am missing all the fun
Daphne gathered her bags and got out of the car. "Better to rip the band aid off then dread the confrontation," she sighed as she opened the door. She had to walk past the chess tables to get to her writing spot. "Hi, guys," she muttered as she waved at Ron and Neville, who were asking Theo about his new ride.
"I see you finally managed to make it in here." Hermione looked over the top of her computer at Daphne. "The guys are taking bets on how long it will take Harry to get here."
"Harry's not here yet? He is usually the one that gets here first and holds tables for everyone." Daphne set her bag on the floor. "I need coffee before I start back to grading these things."
"No grading," Luna whispered. "We are here to gossip and write. My manager is staring at me right now. She is trying to figure out how to make me work next Friday."
"Not happening," Hermione whispered back. "We have to have you every Friday. She can have you on Saturday."
Daphne returned to the table and pulled out her laptop. "Harry here yet?"
Luna looked over at the table. "I can't tell. All I can see in Neville and Ron."
Daphne: All she can see in Nev
Ginny: Is that so bad?
Hermione: I think it is good for both of them
Luna: You guys know I am right here
Hermione: We thought you were staring at Nev
Luna: He is cute
Ginny: and sweet
Daphne: and quiet
Ginny: Mione, get her some napkins
Luna: There are more ways to talk than with your voice
Hermione: with a chess piece
Daphne: According to Theo
Ginny: Do tell
Hermione: Where did you run off to last Saturday?
Luna: I saw her here around lunchtime
Ginny: Coffee on Saturday? I thought you slept in
Luna: I also saw Theo about 5 minutes later
Hermione: Really?!
Ginny: What else did you see Luna?
Daphne: We meet for coffee and then he taught me a little about chess
Luna: You left after you got your coffee
Daphne: We went to his flat to play chess
Hermione: Hmmm
Ginny: Went to his flat…to play chess
Daphne: OMG…you guys…NO!