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.

cared to listen to him—not that

discussed with Noah, though that

any case, I think I should

had to

case, I should prepare a

loud, he heard a knock on

"Gahh!"

no longer any time to think or prepare questions

'She's here!'

********

passed since Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken since their

pile of books were scattered on Rey's bed as

they were, neither interrupted the other with

only focused on the literature in

you saying

silence as he couldn't concentrate on what he was

but he just wasn't

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

the evening. I already had lunch before this, and she probably

Why couldn't he concentrate?

always went back

he made sure to

bit before Noah left, and not long after

when Noah was still around, and it was awkward for

sure to arrive earlier, and Alicia came

was like an

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

do right now

Nothing more… nothing less.

She's probably focusing on her book

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

she was

hate me… it might ruin the moment… if I

thoughts shackled Rey for thirty more minutes, but after that he couldn't

didn't say anything, Rey felt like he

time in nearly two hours, Rey turned to

was staring

'H-holy…!'

Rey nearly jumped out of his skin

subtle, but it was

staring at

She finally answered

felt his

it would burst at any moment, and it

next?!