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

also actively discussed with Noah,

should be

to give it

I should prepare

decided this out loud,

"Gahh!"

to think or prepare

'She's here!'

********

hour had passed since Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken

on Rey's bed as

nerds that they were, neither interrupted the other with meaningless things like words or

on the literature in front

Why aren't you saying

was suffering in silence as he couldn't

was trying his best, but he just wasn't able to get

he turned a page of his book, showing precisely his current

had lunch before this, and she

Why couldn't he concentrate?

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

he made sure to be back

a little bit before Noah left, and not long after that…

once, Alicia arriving when Noah was still around, and it was awkward

made sure to arrive earlier,

was like

Rey could no longer ignore the

right now was talk

Nothing more… nothing less.

can't! She's probably focusing on her book as

automatically forgot the fact that he hadn't heard her flip a single page in minutes as

thought she was doing

might ruin the moment… if

Rey for thirty more minutes, but after that he

he didn't say anything, Rey felt

hours, Rey turned to look

surprise, she was staring at him

'H-holy…!'

out of his skin

gaze was subtle, but it was

were both staring at each other, with his words wafting

She finally

his heart racing

any moment, and it caused his brain

next?! What should I