An Extra’s POV

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it."

Esme's voice woke Rey up from his drawn-out thoughts.

He turned behind and saw her slowly rising to a seated position too, a friendly smile written on her face as she rose.

"A-ah, it's—!"

"I understand. It's about a girl, right?"

"W-what? How can you be so sure!" As soon as Rey said this, and also saw Esme's smile widen, he realized the ugly truth.

'I've been tricked! Damnit!'

It was too late to realize it at that point, though. He had been careless, and now the price had to be paid.

"I just made a guess. But it seems like I was spot-on."

Rey wanted to ask Esme for the reason behind her guess this time, but before he could say anything, she told him.

"That man… Asher… he referred to you and I as a couple the last time."

Rey remembered how he noticed Esme's face twitching back when it was mentioned.

She didn't say anything after then, but since she was mentioning it now, Rey knew he had to vindicate himself.

"I told him we weren't a couple. No, it wasn't even that! It was—!"

"This isn't meant for me, is it? It's meant for the girl you're thinking of." Esme brought out a necklace from her pocket.

There was a ring at the center of the silver-like chain.

It was the White Ember—or, something similar.

The ring this time still had a frosty white surface, but the gem at the center peered more aqua than ember.

It was a glowing blue gem.

"They designed something a little different for me. It matches my eyes, don't you think?"

"Y-yeah…" Rey managed to say.

as well as the ring attached to

you don't mind, could you help me put it

packed her long

matter?' Rey wondered as he

had a

the necklace. As he did

to himself as he

had a pink shade despite

she's very delicate.' He found himself laughing internally until he

back into place, using her fingers to push aside any stray hair

do

beside him—a dozen inches apart maybe—and her surprisingly stoic face as she asked the question made

good

smile formed on her face and she

so? Thanks. Even though you didn't mean for something like this to be made for me, I still

hair out with the way the girl

said nothing to

and giggled

gusss. I know the White Ember was meant for someone else. But since this isn't that, I think I'll be a

again, she was

She cocked her head to the side

was only

"Yes" and "Yes."

to come up with a third

took all he had, but Rey figured out the perfect response to

"I guess so."

snickered as she covered her mouth and laughed

only until he heard her laugh at him that he

should have just gone with one

*********

of time passed, and Rey found himself slowly getting

he found himself enjoying her company so

It felt amazing!

people, they couldn't be any different,

all over again. No… Alicia and I had books and a bunch

Esme, everything was

was what made things so much