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.

many cared to listen to him—not that

Noah, though that was mostly about

case, I think I should be able to

just had to give

in case, I should prepare a

as Rey decided this out loud, he heard a knock

"Gahh!"

any time to think or prepare

'She's here!'

********

Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken

Rey's bed as both of them had what they

the other with meaningless things like

on the literature in front

you saying

was suffering in silence as he couldn't concentrate on

his best, but he just wasn't able to

he turned a page

had lunch before this, and she

Why couldn't he concentrate?

PM, Rey always went back to his room while Alicia probably

Black Market and he made sure to

would talk for a little bit before Noah left, and not

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

to arrive earlier, and

like an

case, I better say something!' Rey could no longer ignore the reason he wasn't feeling like

right

Nothing more… nothing less.

focusing on

automatically forgot the fact that he hadn't heard her flip a single

she

me… it might ruin the moment…

thoughts shackled Rey for thirty more minutes, but after that

say anything, Rey felt

first time in nearly two hours, Rey turned to look

she was staring at him

'H-holy…!'

nearly jumped out of his skin and

was subtle, but it was

it, they were both staring at each other, with

finally

his heart racing

it would burst at any moment, and

I say next?! What