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

actively discussed with Noah, though that

I think I should be able to hold

had to give it

case, I should prepare a list

out loud, he heard a knock on his

"Gahh!"

to think or prepare questions for

'She's here!'

********

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

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

interrupted the other with

focused on the literature in front of

Why aren't you saying

silence as he couldn't concentrate on what he was

he just wasn't

been minutes since he turned a page of

had lunch before

Why couldn't he concentrate?

back to his room while Alicia probably went to

for the Black Market and he made sure to be back

Noah left, and

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

made sure to arrive earlier, and Alicia came a few minutes later than

like an unspoken

case, I better say something!' Rey could no longer ignore the reason

to do right now was

Nothing more… nothing less.

can't! She's probably focusing on

hadn't heard her flip a single page in

probably thought she was doing it

it might ruin the

minutes,

didn't say anything, Rey felt

time in nearly two hours, Rey turned to look at

surprise, she was staring at him

'H-holy…!'

so startling that Rey nearly jumped out of his skin

gaze was subtle, but it was

staring at each other, with his words wafting

finally

his

moment, and it caused his brain

say next?!