An Extra’s POV

After Noah left, Rey made sure his room looked as presentable as it possibly could for his guest.

The first time Alicia came with those books, Rey had been caught off guard.

His room hadn't been in any major mess, but it wasn't in the best shape either.

Rey remembered he had a pair of his underwear on his bed, and till this day he prayed Alicia didn't notice what it was.

'I managed to cover it with my bedsheets, but I think she already saw it…'

Rey knew he would die of embarrassment if he dwelled on it, so he convinced himself that Alicia didn't know what a guy's underwear was supposed to look like.

It wasn't very believable, but telling it to himself repeatedly seemed to do the trick.

"Alright… I think we're all set!" Rey beamed in satisfaction.

His bed was well-laid, and everything was in perfect order.

You would think he was about to get laid or something.

'No dirty thought, Rey! This is, as always, a reading session!'

Rey didn't particularly mind that Alicia and him never really spoke in the time that they spent together, but recently he was getting increasingly curious.

'I want to know more about her…'

But he also didn't want to ruin the vibe that they already had.

'I don't want her to think I'm trying to hit on her or anything…'

Rey already knew he couldn't compare himself to the caliber of guys that Alicia had dated in the past.

Sure, he had toned up a bit more, and he was in much better shape than before.

But still…

'Even though I can better understand why Billy is so into her… I already gave up on that a long time ago.'

Right now, Rey was content with just being Alicia's friend.

But friends knew a lot about each other, didn't they?

'Maybe I'll ask her some stuff about herself today…'

Just regular stuff, to break the ice.

Rey knew he wasn't the best at conversations, but he had recently gotten a lot of chances to practice his communication skills.

often spoke to the Monsters, though not many cared to listen to him—not that they could even if they wanted

actively discussed with Noah,

I should be able

to

I should prepare

as Rey decided this out loud, he heard a knock on his

"Gahh!"

no longer any time to think or prepare

'She's here!'

********

had passed since Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken since their

Rey's bed as both of

interrupted the

focused on the literature

Why aren't you saying anything,

was suffering in silence as he couldn't concentrate on what he was

he just wasn't able to get

had been minutes since he turned a page of

about four in the evening. I already had lunch before this, and

Why couldn't he concentrate?

training ended by 2:00 PM, Rey always went back to his room while Alicia probably

Market and he

Noah left, and

happened once, Alicia arriving when Noah was still

arrive earlier, and Alicia came a

like an

better say something!' Rey could no longer ignore the reason he wasn't

right now was talk

Nothing more… nothing less.

can't! She's probably focusing on her

hadn't heard

she

hate me… it might ruin the

shackled Rey for thirty more minutes, but after that he

didn't say anything, Rey felt like he

in nearly two hours, Rey turned to

was staring

'H-holy…!'

startling that Rey nearly jumped out of his skin and ascended

gaze was subtle, but it was

were both staring at each other, with his

She finally answered

felt his heart racing

it would burst at any moment,

I say next?!