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.

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

also actively discussed with Noah, though that

any case, I think I should

to give it a

should prepare a list

decided this out loud, he heard a knock

"Gahh!"

any time to think or prepare questions for

'She's here!'

********

had passed since Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken since

books were scattered on Rey's bed as both of them had what they

the

focused on the literature in front of

Why aren't you saying

silence as he couldn't concentrate on what

just wasn't

turned a page of his book, showing precisely his current

about four in the evening. I already had lunch before this, and she probably has already… so

Why couldn't he concentrate?

2:00 PM, Rey always went back to his

went straight for the Black Market and he made sure

Noah left, and not long after that…

when Noah was still around,

that day, Noah made sure to arrive earlier, and Alicia came a few minutes

was like an unspoken

Rey could no longer ignore the reason he wasn't feeling

he wanted to do right now was talk to

Nothing more… nothing less.

I can't! She's probably focusing on her

heard her flip a single

she was

might hate me… it might ruin the moment…

for thirty more minutes, but after that he

anything, Rey felt like

first time in nearly two hours, Rey turned to look at his study

she was staring at

'H-holy…!'

jumped out of his skin and

gaze was subtle, but

at each other, with

finally answered

felt his heart

any moment,

I say next?! What should I