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.

the Monsters, though not many cared to listen to him—not

with Noah, though that was

I should be able

just had to give it

case, I should

loud, he heard

"Gahh!"

was no longer any time to think or prepare questions for

'She's here!'

********

since Alicia arrived, yet neither had spoken

on Rey's bed as both of them

were, neither interrupted the other with meaningless things like words

focused on the

aren't you saying anything,

suffering in silence as he couldn't concentrate on what he

his best, but he just

been minutes since he turned a page of

about four in the evening. I already had lunch before this, and she probably has already… so what's the

Why couldn't he concentrate?

Rey always went back to his room while Alicia probably went to get

Black Market and he made

little bit before Noah

was still

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

was like

could no longer ignore the reason he

wanted to do right now was

Nothing more… nothing less.

can't! She's probably focusing on

that he hadn't heard her flip a single page in minutes as

thought she was

might hate me… it might ruin the moment… if I

more minutes, but after that he

anything, Rey

For the first time in nearly two hours, Rey

was staring

'H-holy…!'

startling that Rey nearly jumped out of his

was subtle, but

it, they were both staring at each other, with his words

finally

felt his

would burst at any moment, and it caused his

should I say next?!