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.

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

actively discussed with Noah, though that was mostly

any case, I think I should be able to hold

to give

should

decided this out loud, he heard a knock on his

"Gahh!"

any time to think or prepare questions for

'She's here!'

********

an hour had passed since Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken since their first

bed as both of them had what they were reading

the nerds that they were, neither interrupted the other with

only focused on the literature in front of

Why aren't you saying anything,

as he couldn't concentrate on what he was

just wasn't

been minutes since he turned a page of his

had lunch before

Why couldn't he concentrate?

always went back to his

and he made sure to be

for a little bit before Noah

once, Alicia arriving when Noah was

earlier, and Alicia came a few minutes

was like an

something!' Rey could no longer ignore the reason he

to do right

Nothing more… nothing less.

She's probably focusing on her

hadn't heard her flip

probably thought she was doing it

it might

Rey for thirty more minutes,

he didn't say anything, Rey felt

For the first time in nearly two hours, Rey turned to

she was staring

'H-holy…!'

startling that Rey nearly jumped out of his skin and ascended into the

gaze was subtle, but

they were both staring at each other, with his words

She finally answered

his

any moment, and it caused his brain to enter

I say next?!