Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ben solo was a creep.

He was a weirdo.

At least what everyone else says.

He was 17 years old and a complete creep. With his black hair and glasses, big nose and tall frame, everyone knew him as awkward, insecure.

And they were right.

He didn’t care though because everyday he would watch her. He would watch Rey Nima everyday.

She was a drug.

She was an angel.

Rey was perfect. She would always wear her crop tops and jean skirts along with her converse. She was small with her own freckles.

She was popular, well known. Something Ben would never be.

She Wouldn’t even give Ben solo a fucking glance if he even tried.

Ben sighs as he looks at himself in the mirror in his locker. He has acne on his face and his black glasses, no girl likes that, he doesn’t even like his own self. He puts his books away, he tenses as he hears giggling from across him.

Rey giggles with her friends as she goes up to Ben. He turns around not expecting her to talk to him at all.

“Hey Ben do you have Mr. Carter’s homework I can copy off of you.” Rey’s sweet voice says.

Ben nods “S-S-Sure.” Ben stutters and he hears Kaydel and Bazine silently laughing in the corner as they wait for Rey. Ben turns around in his locker to get the homework, fumbling with the pages as they fall down to the floor. He mutters fuck in his head for being clumsy in front of the girl of his dreams. He and Rey go down to pick it up together. He can’t help but admire everything about her. Her skirt doesn’t show her panties but he can just imagine what’s underneath.

He manages to pick up the paper and he hands the homework to Rey.

She grins as she looks at it and then to him and Ben swears in that moment he can hear his heart beating so fucking loud he would’ve thought it was on the floor. “Thank you Ben.” Rey says and Ben gulps nodding as he looks down at the floor and not at her. Ben can’t even look her in the eye. She’s so special so fucking special.

As Rey and her friends walk away he can hear Kaydel mutter under her breath to Rey and Bazine.

“God what a creep.” Bazine laughs.

“Shut up.” Rey says playfully pushing Kaydel.

Ben can’t even look her in the eye. She’s so special so fucking special.

Chapter Text

Ben hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that moment in the hallway. The way Rey had looked at him, even for just a second. He’d never been so aware of her presence before, not in all the years of watching her from a distance. It was like she was so close, yet so far away.

He stared at his reflection in the cracked mirror of his bedroom, the same one he’d stared at a hundred times before. His dark, curly hair was messy, his glasses crooked, and his pale face still covered in acne. He was nothing like her—nothing like the world she inhabited. He wasn’t even sure why he tried to clean himself up for her, but he had, for some godforsaken reason. He knew she’d never notice him.

But the memory of her smile, even just a glimpse of it, kept him up at night.

The next day, at school, he couldn’t help himself.

He’d made sure to sit at his usual spot by the lockers, far away from everyone, but close enough to see her. He just needed to see her, to remind himself of what he could never have.

And then, she was there.

Rey, walking down the hall with her friends, laughter filling the air like music. It was like she had this aura around her, drawing people in, making the whole space seem brighter. Ben swallowed hard, his heart racing as she passed by. He wasn’t sure if she even noticed him, but for a brief moment, their eyes met. He froze, as if time had stopped.

For a second, she looked at him. Really looked at him.

Ben couldn’t breathe. It felt like a punch to the chest, and for that fleeting moment, he wasn’t the invisible guy hiding in the corners. He was seen. He was real.

But then, just as quickly as it had happened, she turned back to her friends, laughing and talking as if nothing had ever happened.

Ben’s chest tightened. He was such a fool.

He sat there for the rest of the day, pretending to do his work, pretending he didn’t feel like a ghost in the room, wishing more than anything that Rey would say something to him. Anything. But nothing came.

Then, at lunch, it happened.

Ben was sitting alone at the farthest corner of the cafeteria, staring down at his tray, pushing his food around without really eating it. He didn’t care. Nothing mattered. The voices around him blurred into nothing, just a dull hum in the background.

And then, a shadow fell across his table.

“Ben.”

It was Rey.

Ben’s heart leaped into his throat, and his mouth went dry. He looked up, too quickly, knocking his tray off the table. The crash echoed loudly in the room, and his cheeks burned with humiliation.

“Shit, sorry,” he mumbled, scrambling to pick up the tray. His hands were shaking, making the task even harder.

But Rey didn’t laugh. She didn’t mock him like he expected. Instead, she just stood there, her head tilted slightly, a curious look on her face.

“You okay?” she asked softly, her voice the same sweet melody he remembered from earlier.

Ben nodded quickly, his face feeling hotter by the second. “Yeah, uh… yeah. I’m fine. Just… clumsy.” He cursed under his breath. Stop acting like an idiot, he told himself.

Rey’s lips twitched. “I didn’t mean to startle you,” she said. She glanced at the spilled food, then back at Ben. “Do you mind if I sit down?”

Ben blinked again. Was this really happening? Was Rey Nima actually asking to sit with him?

“I—uh—yeah. Of course not,” Ben stammered, trying to act normal but failing miserably. “I mean, you can.”

She slid into the seat across from him, her backpack dropping onto the floor beside her. The space between them felt too wide, but at the same time, it felt too close. He could smell her perfume again, that sweet, floral scent, and it made his head spin.

There was silence for a moment, and Ben could feel the weight of her presence, the way she seemed so comfortable and effortless, so sure of herself. Ben, on the other hand, was a mess. He tried to keep his hands steady, but he was pretty sure he was failing miserably.

“So,” Rey began, breaking the silence. She hesitated for a second, biting her lip like she was thinking carefully about what to say next. “I was wondering if you’d maybe want to, um… study together sometime. You know, for Mr. Carter’s class?”

Ben’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Rey Nima wanted to study with him? There was no way this could be real.

He tried to gather himself, but it was hard when his mind was racing. “Sure,” he said, his voice shaking. “I mean, yeah. I can help you if you need it.”

Rey smiled, but there was something guarded about it. She glanced around the cafeteria, making sure no one was paying attention. “But, Ben,” she said, lowering her voice a bit. “I don’t want this to get out. My boyfriend, Poe—he’d freak out if he knew I was, like, hanging out with you.”

Ben’s heart sank. Of course. Rey had a boyfriend. Of course, she did. She was perfect, and he was just… Ben. The awkward, invisible guy who didn’t belong anywhere near someone like her.

“Yeah,” he muttered, forcing a smile, even though it felt fake. “I get it. No worries.”

Rey’s eyes softened. “I just… I don’t want to cause any drama, okay? But I’d still like to study. Just… don’t tell anyone about it. I don’t want Poe getting upset.”

Ben nodded quickly, his mind still spinning. He was supposed to be okay with this. Supposed to act like it was fine that she had a boyfriend, and that everything would stay secret. That was how this was going to work.

“Yeah. Of course,” he said, swallowing his disappointment.

Rey’s smile returned, and for a moment, she almost looked like the girl he’d imagined in his head, so close but still so untouchable. “Thanks, Ben,” she said. She stood up, tossing her backpack over her shoulder.

Ben watched her walk away, her laughter still echoing in his ears, and he couldn’t help but feel both elated and crushed. She wanted to study with him. But it had to be a secret. He was just the backup. The guy she could rely on when she couldn’t go to Poe.

Still, it was more than he ever could have hoped for.

For now, that was enough.

Chapter Text

Ben sat in the dim glow of his bedroom, the clock on his wall ticking steadily toward 7:00 p.m. He hadn’t moved from his spot on the bed for the last hour, phone in hand, running over the events of the day like some kind of obsessive replay. Rey. Her smile. Her voice. It was all he could think about. He wasn’t like the guys who surrounded her—those guys who were cool, smooth, confident. No, Ben was a weirdo, a creep, the kind of guy who sat in the back of the classroom and blended into the background like a shadow. He didn’t belong in her world. But somehow, there she was, giving him the time of day.

She’d asked him to tutor her, of all things, during lunch. The most popular girl in school, Rey Nima, the golden child, needed help with Mr. Carter’s class. And Ben was the one she’d come to. It felt like a dream, like he was the last person in the world who should be involved in anything to do with her.

But here he was,hoping against all reason that this was real. That maybe—just maybe—this wasn’t some cruel joke. He had no business being near Rey. She was perfect—innocent, sweet, almost angelic. And Ben… well, he wasn’t anything close to perfect. He wasn’t even close to the guy she deserved. He was the one who stayed up late, the one who watched from afar, the one who never got the chance to be seen. But she was still reaching out to him.

His phone buzzed, cutting through his spiral of thoughts. He froze, staring at the screen. The unknown number. It couldn’t be.

“Hello?” he said, his voice cracking as he pressed the phone to his ear.

“Ben.”

Her voice hit him like a wave. Soft, sweet, familiar. It was Rey.

“Rey?” His heart pounded in his chest, and he cursed himself for sounding so pathetic. “Uh, hey. What’s—what’s up?”

She laughed softly, like she hadn’t just made him a nervous wreck. “I need some help with Mr. Carter’s class. You know, the tutoring thing we talked about earlier today?”

Ben swallowed hard, trying to focus. Of course. She needed help. That was why she called. He wasn’t sure why his pulse was still racing, but he couldn’t make it stop. “Yeah. Yeah, of course. What do you need?”

There was a brief pause, like she was thinking about how to phrase something. “I was wondering if we could meet up tonight. I know it’s last minute, but my parents aren’t home. I thought we could work in private. You know, get some peace and quiet.”

Ben’s stomach dropped. His mind was already spiraling. “Oh. Uh… tonight? What time?”

“Seven. Is that okay?” Her voice was casual, but Ben could hear the underlying vulnerability in her tone, like she wasn’t sure if he’d be interested in helping her out after all.

He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. His brain was a mess, spinning around, wondering if he should even go. He had no business being alone with her. None at all. She deserved someone normal, someone who didn’t have creepy thoughts running through his head, someone who wasn’t constantly watching her from a distance, fantasizing about things he could never have.

But then her voice cut through his thoughts, sweet and calm. “I’ll text you my address. And Ben?” she added, her tone turning serious. “When you get here, park in the garage. I’ll open it for you.”

Ben felt his throat tighten. “Okay. Sure. I’ll be there.”

“Great.” Rey’s voice was lighter again. “But hey, Ben… don’t save my number, alright?”

His heart clenched. He knew why she said it—she didn’t want anyone to know. She didn’t want Poe to find out. She didn’t want anyone thinking there was anything more to this than tutoring. He understood. But that didn’t stop the strange ache inside him. He was just a tool to her. Just the guy who could help with the homework. Nothing more.

“I won’t. I promise,” Ben said quickly, his voice softer now.

“Okay,” she said, and he could hear her smile. “I’ll see you soon, then.”

Before he could say anything else, the line clicked dead, and Ben was left holding the phone in his hand, his heart still racing in his chest.

He stared at the screen for a long moment, unsure if he should go. He didn’t belong there. Didn’t belong in her world. He should’ve known better. But even as the doubts crept in, he found himself grabbing his jacket, heading out the door without a second thought.

Because Rey Nima had asked for him.

And no matter how much he hated himself for it, he was going to show up.

Chapter Text

Ben’s heart pounded in his chest as he pulled up to Rey’s house in his old red truck. The engine sputtered before it died, and for a second, he just sat there, his fingers gripping the steering wheel. He hadn’t been this nervous in forever. His stomach twisted into a knot.

Her house loomed in front of him—huge, pristine, and full of all the things he could never afford. He looked at the address she’d sent him and took a deep breath. He had no business being here. No business being near someone like Rey. She was out of his league. Perfect. Innocent. Beautiful.

But the truth was, she had asked for him. She’d chosen him. And despite every logical part of his brain telling him he didn’t belong, he couldn’t stop the excitement bubbling up from deep inside.

He pulled himself together, climbed out of the truck, and made his way to the front door. Before he could even knock, it swung open, and Rey stood there, her smile bright and welcoming, her eyes a little shy, but somehow still sparkling.

“Hey, Ben,” she greeted him with that soft, sweet voice that always sent shivers down his spine. “Come on in.”

He stepped inside, trying to act normal, trying to hide how his body was betraying him, his pulse quickening at the sight of her. The house was everything he’d imagined it would be—clean, elegant, and tastefully decorated. White walls, soft lighting. Everything was pristine. Everything about her screamed purity.

She led him through the house, giving him a tour like it was nothing. She made it all seem so effortless.

“This is my living room,” she said, gesturing toward the space with big windows and cream-colored furniture. “And this,” she added, her voice dropping a little lower as she walked toward the staircase, “is my room.”

Ben nodded, swallowing hard, trying not to stare at her. But when they reached the top of the stairs, he couldn’t stop himself from looking at her. She was stunning in the way she was so simple yet so radiant. Her white shirt clung gently to her frame, and the black skirt she wore made her legs look endless. Her hair fell in soft waves around her face, and the faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air.

When they entered her room, it was like stepping into another world. It was completely white—white walls, white bedspread, white furniture. There were no dark corners, no signs of rebellion or disorder. It felt like a place where innocence was preserved. A place where she belonged.

“So, here we are,” she said softly, closing the door behind them. “Make yourself comfortable.”

Ben was still trying to steady his breathing as they sat on the edge of her bed. He didn’t belong here. He felt like a stranger in this world of perfection, like a dirty smudge on the canvas of her life. But Rey was looking at him, waiting for him to say something, so he cleared his throat and nodded.

“Right,” he said, his voice a little too shaky. “Uh, let’s get started on the homework, then.”

Rey smiled at him, that innocent, almost playful look in her eyes. “I’m really bad at this,” she said, shifting closer to him. “I might need a little help.”

Ben’s heart raced. Every time she moved closer, it felt like his entire world tilted. He tried to focus, tried to remember the steps for the equation they were working on, but everything was a blur. He could feel her warmth beside him, the soft press of her leg against his, the scent of her perfume filling his lungs.

His hand shook as he pointed to the notes, but he couldn’t get the words out. Rey tilted her head slightly, then reached out, placing her fingers gently on his arm. The touch was innocent, but it sent a bolt of heat straight to his chest.

“Ben,” she said softly, her voice warm and soothing. “You can calm down. It’s okay.”

But Ben couldn’t calm down. Not when she was this close. Not when everything inside him was screaming at him to take her hand, to do something more. To prove that he was worthy of her attention, of her touch.

He opened his mouth to say something, but she interrupted him.

“Let’s take a break,” she suggested, her voice still soft, like she was trying to give him some space, trying to give him time to relax.

Ben nodded, though his mind was racing. This was too much. He wasn’t sure how to handle it. How to handle her. But before he could say anything, Rey shifted again, sitting up straighter.

“Actually,” she said, biting her lip, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

Ben blinked, his heart hammering in his chest. “Yeah?”

She hesitated for a second, glancing down, then back up at him. “Well… my friends have been telling me that I should, um, practice kissing. You know, Poe—he’s been complaining to his friends that I’m a bad kisser.”

Ben froze, his breath catching in his throat. “What?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Rey’s gaze flickered to his lips for a brief moment before she quickly looked away, but Ben could see the vulnerability in her eyes. She was embarrassed. He could tell.

“I just… I don’t know,” she said softly, almost to herself. “I wish someone would teach me how to do it better. But everyone’s too busy or they just think I’m weird.”

Ben’s chest tightened as she looked at him again, those big, wide eyes pleading. He wasn’t sure how to respond. He didn’t know what to say to make this less awkward, to make it seem like he wasn’t completely losing control. But before he could stop himself, she moved closer. She was right next to him now, sitting so close that he could feel the warmth of her body. She looked up at him, and her breath seemed to catch in her throat.

“Do you want to learn with me, Ben?” she asked, her voice soft, almost like a whisper. “You know how to kiss better, right?”

Ben felt his pulse quicken, his heart racing in his chest. His throat went dry. He didn’t know how to respond. This wasn’t real. She had a boyfriend. But Rey was sitting there, looking at him like she was waiting for something. Waiting for him to say something.

And in that moment, Ben realized just how badly he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to teach her, to make her feel something she hadn’t felt before. But he was terrified. Terrified of ruining everything. Terrified of being rejected.

“Ben?” Rey’s voice was softer now, almost like a plea.

And then, without thinking, Ben leaned in, his lips just a breath away from hers.

He wasn’t sure how it happened, or when it happened, but all he knew was that the moment their lips touched, everything else in the world faded away.

Chapter Text

Her lips were soft, warmer than he expected, and when they pressed against his, he felt a jolt of heat shoot through him. It was clumsy at first—his nose bumped hers, and he wasn’t sure where to put his hands—but then something shifted. Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging gently, and he let out a small, involuntary sound that made her smile against his mouth.

Ben’s hands finally found their place, one resting tentatively on her waist, the other hovering uncertainly near her arm. She deepened the kiss, her tongue brushing against his lower lip, and he hesitated for only a moment before parting his lips. The taste of her was intoxicating—sweet and faintly minty—and he felt a surge of boldness he didn’t know he had.

One of his hands slid down her side, skimming the curve of her waist, and Rey made a soft, approving sound that sent sparks through him. His fingers traced the edge of her skirt, the fabric smooth beneath his touch, and he hesitated again, unsure if he was allowed to go further. But then she shifted closer, her body pressing against his, and he instinctively let his hand glide down her leg. His touch was light, almost reverent, as if he couldn’t quite believe this was happening.

Rey pulled back slightly, her breath mingling with his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and Ben felt a surge of pride knowing he had done that.

“You’re—” he started, but she cut him off with another kiss, deeper this time, more urgent. Her hands were everywhere—in his hair, on his shoulders, gripping the front of his shirt—and he couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. Every nerve in his body was on fire, every touch sending shockwaves through him.

His fingers tightened on her thigh, and she gasped softly, a sound that made his stomach flip. He wanted to explore more, to feel more, but he was also terrified of doing something wrong. This was all so new, so overwhelming, and he didn’t want to ruin it.

Rey seemed to sense his hesitation. She slowed the kiss, her lips moving against his with a gentler pace, and her hand cupped his cheek.

Ben felt something in him loosen. His hand slid back up her leg, his palm smoothing over her thigh, and she shivered. Encouraged, he leaned into the kiss, his tongue meeting hers in a slow, deliberate dance.

The world around them blurred, faded, until it was just the two of them—the warmth of her body against his, the taste of her on his lips, the sound of her breath hitching when his fingers brushed the hem of her skirt. He wasn’t thinking anymore, just feeling, and it was the most alive he had ever felt.

Rey’s nails scratched lightly at his scalp, and he groaned, the sound low and raw. She smiled against his mouth, her lips curving into a smirk that made his heart race.

His hand slid higher, his thumb brushing the sensitive skin just above her knee, and she made a soft, breathy sound that went straight to his gut.

The kiss grew deeper, more intense, and Ben lost himself in it. His fingers traced lazy patterns on her skin, his touch growing bolder as she responded with small, encouraging sounds. He could feel her heart racing against his chest, feel the way her breath hitched when his fingers dipped just slightly beneath the edge of her skirt.

She didn’t say anything, just kissed him again, her lips soft and insistent. Her hands slid down his chest, her fingers toying with the hem of his shirt, and he felt a flush of heat crawl up his neck.
“Do you—” he started, but she cut him off with another kiss, her tongue sliding against his in a way that made his mind go blank.

Rey’s hands were now under his shirt, her fingers skimming the planes of his stomach, and he let out a sharp breath. It was too much, not enough, and he wasn’t sure what to do with the storm of emotions swirling inside him.
Her lips moved to his neck, her teeth grazing the sensitive skin there, and he moaned, his hands tightening on her hips.

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes dark and glazed with something he couldn’t quite name. “Am I doing good,” she whispered, her lips brushing against his.

His hands slid up her sides, his thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts, and she let out a breathy sigh.

“Rey,” He murmured, his voice trembling.

She didn’t answer, just leaned in, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was deeper, hotter, more demanding. Her hands were in his hair again, tugging lightly, and he groaned, his body responding to every touch, every sound.

He wasn’t sure where this was going, but he didn’t care. All he knew was that he never wanted it to end.

Chapter Text

Ben’s voice, a low and gravelly murmur, escaped his lips, "Rey." A jolt of nervous energy shot through him. His hand, warm and heavy, rested on her thigh, hovering just above the hem of her skirt.

"Can I…?" he trailed off, his gaze dropping to where his fingers barely grazed her skin.

Rey swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. He could feel the heat radiating between them, the way her eyes darkened, and he dared to hope she wanted this too. She nodded, barely able to speak. "Yes."
His hand slid under her skirt, the soft fabric of her thigh against his fingertips. She let out a shaky breath.

His touch was tentative at first, afraid she’d pull away. But she didn’t. His fingers traced a slow, deliberate path upward, and her skin tingled beneath his touch.

She had a boyfriend.

The thought slammed into him, a cold, hard fact. But it was too late. He was already lost.

"Ben," she whispered, her voice trembling as his fingers reached the edge of her panties. The fabric was damp, and he knew she could feel it too. His breath hitched, and for a moment, he froze, their eyes locking.

"You’re so fucking warm," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. His fingers dipped beneath the lace, teasing her, and she moaned softly. Her eyes widened, and he saw something primal in them, something that made his stomach flip.
He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers, feeling the heat of her breath on his skin. "Tell me if I’m doing something wrong," he murmured, his voice rough with need.

She shook her head, her fingers gripping the edge of the bed. "You’re not," she breathed. "Please, don’t stop."
That was all the encouragement he needed.

His fingers slid under her panties, his touch firmer now, more insistent. She gasped as he found the sensitive spot between her legs, her body clenching
around his touch. "Ben," she moaned, her hips bucking involuntarily.

He groaned, his fingers moving faster, more deliberately. She felt like fire beneath his touch.

"You feel so good," he muttered in her neck as he kissed her, his voice strained. His other hand gripped her thigh, holding her steady as he continued to stroke her. Waves of pleasure washed over her, her body tightening with every movement.

"Ben, I—" she started, her words catching in her throat as she came apart. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. All she could focus on was his touch, the way he was driving her closer and closer to the edge.

"Come on, baby, let go," he whispered in her neck, his voice rough and urgent. She did. Her body tensed, and she cried out his name.

"Rey," he growled. Her heart was racing, and he could feel the heat of her body next to his, his hand resting on her thigh.
She wanted more.

She leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a kiss that was both tender and possessive. She pulled him closer, her fingers tangling in his hair. When they finally pulled apart, he saw the hunger in her eyes, the same hunger that was coursing through him.

"Ben," she said, her voice trembling, "I want more."

He nodded, watching as her hands moved to the waistband of her skirt. He didn’t say anything, just watched. She stood up, pulling her skirt down her legs, and then her panties, sliding them off in one smooth motion. "I saw this off a website," she said softly.

His heart pounded as he lay there on the bed.

"You’re beautiful," he said, his voice filled with awe. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her hip, and she shivered. Her hands moved to the button of his jeans. He watched, his breath catching in his throat, as she tugged them down.

She straddled him, her bare skin against his covered cock. His gentle hands slid down her back to grip her hips. He could feel the heat of her body against his, the hardness of him pressing into her.

"Ben," she whispered, her hands sliding up his chest. She kissed him again, her lips hot and demanding, and he could feel the urgency in her as her tongue touched his. Her legs parted as she settled between him.

He pulled away, just watching as she took off her shirt, the room suddenly too hot. She started to grind against him. He could feel himself about to come, but he held on.
Her hips ground against his. He could feel the friction of his boxers and his cock against her, and it was driving him wild.
Her hands gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as she moved against him.

"Ben, please," she moaned, her hips bucking up to meet his. He groaned, his body pressing harder against her, and he could feel the tension building inside him again, even hotter and more intense than before.

"Rey," his voice rough with need. His hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as he thrust against her, the friction between them sending sparks of pleasure through his body. He could feel himself getting closer, his body tightening with every movement.

"Ben, I’m going to—" she started, her words catching in her throat as the pleasure built to a crescendo. She grinded her hot pussy over his covered cock and He groaned, his body tensing, and then they were both coming. She cried out, and he felt himself spill inside his boxers.

He lay there, his body still humming with disbelief, staring up at the ceiling, his glasses askew. Rey was still beside him, her bare shoulder rising and falling as she caught her breath. For a moment, the room was quiet except for the sound of their breathing.

And then her phone rang.

Rey flinched, her whole body tensing as the screen lit up.

He saw the name before she grabbed it:

Poe.

Something shifted in her face, like a dream being yanked away too fast. She sat up suddenly, running a hand through her hair before answering, her voice perfectly light, perfectly normal.

“Hey, baby.”

His stomach twisted. He could still feel her on him, the warmth of her skin, the taste of her lips, but she was already slipping away.

“Yeah, I’m just at home.” Her voice was soft, casual. “Mmmhmm. Oh, you’re coming over now?”

He sat up, gripping the edge of the bed, watching as Rey quickly stood, gathering her clothes. She wasn’t looking at him anymore.

“Yeah, yeah, of course. Can’t wait to see you.”

He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. “R-Rey?” His voice cracked low.
She shot him a look—not a mean one, but… not warm, either. Just a look that told him to wait.

“Okay, see you soon, baby.” She hung up and exhaled, running a hand through her hair. Then, finally, she looked at him, offering him a small, awkward smile.
“So…” She cleared her throat, reaching for her shirt. “That was great.”

He just stared at her, still sitting on the bed, shirtless, his pants still around his ankles. His heart was racing for a completely different reason now. “W-what?”

She pulled her jeans up, hopping slightly to get them over her hips. “You need to go.”

He blinked. He felt like he had been dropped from a rooftop. “I—what?” He let out a nervous, breathless laugh. “But we just—”

“Yeah, I know,” she cut in, her voice still smooth, still sweet, but firm now. “But Poe’s on his way.”

He scrambled to grab his pants, his fingers fumbling with the fabric. His hands were shaking. “R-Rey, I don’t—I don’t understand. We just—”

Rey sighed, slipping on her shoes. She was already miles away from what had just happened. “This was fun,” she said, like she was talking about a study session. “Really. You were—great.” She smiled, but it wasn’t the smile from before, the one she had given him when she wanted him. This one was just polite. “But you should go.”

He struggled to pull his shirt over his head, his glasses nearly falling off. “So… so, that’s it?” His voice was small, shaky.
Rey stepped closer, her hands on his shoulders, the first time she had touched him since picking up that phone. “I’ll call you,” she said lightly. “For more tutoring.”

His stomach dropped.

Tutoring.

Before he could say anything else, Rey was already moving past him, opening the door, gesturing for him to leave.

He stood there, his ears burning, his whole body stiff. He felt used, small, stupid. But he still couldn’t bring himself to say no to her.

So he walked out.

And before the door shut behind him, Rey’s voice came one last time.

Sweet. Beautiful. Dismissive. Innocent.

An Angel.

“Thanks, Ben.”

Chapter Text

Ben stood at his locker, staring blankly at the chipped paint on the inside of the door. The metal was cold beneath his fingers, the edges digging into his palms as he gripped the sides. He wasn’t even sure what he was looking at. His textbooks were crammed inside, papers stuffed in haphazardly, but he didn’t see any of it. All he saw was her.

Rey Nima.

She walked down the hall like she was floating. Light, effortless, untouched by the weight of the world. Like she had never whispered his name in her white bed. Like she didn’t trick him into thinking that she wasn’t a good kisser. Like she had never gasped beneath his hands, like she had never touched or grinded and orgasmed on him. desperate and wild. Like she didn’t dry hump and cum on his covered cock.

Now? Now she was all soft smiles and sweetness. A good girl. Innocent.

Her white sweater clung to her, fuzzy and delicate, the kind of thing a princess would wear. Her plaid skirt swayed as she walked, pleated and perfect, stopping just above her knees, showing enough to make boys like Poe grin but not enough to ruin her image. Her socks, knee-high and cream-colored, made her look almost innocent.

But she wasn’t innocent.

Ben knew the truth. He had felt the truth.

She had let him touch her, let him kiss her, let him think—

Her boyfriend Poe slung an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as they moved through the hallway like they owned it. He was golden, all warm brown skin and confidence, dressed in a varsity jacket that screamed I’m better than you.

Ben clenched his jaw, adjusting his glasses as he stared at his locker like it held all the answers to his misery. His reflection in the tiny metal mirror inside only pissed him off further. Tall. Broad. Dressed in black from head to toe, a stark contrast to the bright, shining world Rey belonged to. His shirt, a faded band tee from some obscure group no one at this school cared about, stretched across his chest, just slightly wrinkled. His shoulders were too big, his face too sharp, his dark hair falling into his eyes no matter how many times he shoved it back.

A shadow in the background. A walking creep.

A giggle broke through his thoughts.

“Ugh,” Kaydel muttered as she passed. “Still staring. What a creep.”

Bazine snickered beside her, her dark lips curled in amusement, but she didn’t even look at him.

Ben swallowed, his fingers tightening around the edge of the locker door. His stomach twisted. The heat in his face spread down his neck.

Rey didn’t turn around. Didn’t stop.

She had looked, for just a second, right before Kaydel spoke. But it was fleeting, dismissive.

Like he wasn’t even there.

His chest burned.

She had promised. She had said she’d call. That it wasn’t just a mistake.

But now, she was walking next to Poe, her golden boyfriend, her perfect life intact. Laughing. Smiling. Pretending like she hadn’t let Ben touch her in ways she’d never let Poe.

His throat felt tight.

“Ben.”

A voice snapped him out of his daze. He turned, blinking rapidly, and found Rose Tico standing beside him.

Her arms were crossed, her dark eyes narrowed as she studied him. Her backpack was half-zipped, her usual oversized hoodie slightly crooked, making her look even smaller than she was.

“Seriously?” she asked, tilting her head. “You have to stop.”

Ben frowned. “Stop what?” His voice came out rough, lower than he meant it to.

Rose sighed, shoving her hands into her hoodie pocket. “This whole…” She gestured vaguely at him. “Sad, mopey, stalker thing you’ve got going on.”

His face twisted. “I’m not—”

“Yes, you are,” she cut in. “You’ve been standing here, staring at her, again.”

Ben exhaled sharply, looking back at his locker. His fingers drummed against the metal. “I don’t—”

“She’s not gonna talk to you, Ben.” Rose’s voice softened, but it still had that edge of brutal honesty. “She’s too… her, and you’re…”

She didn’t finish. She didn’t need to.

He knew exactly what she meant.

Ben was a creep.

A weirdo.

And nothing would ever change that.

Chapter Text

Ben watched as Rey shifted in her seat, twirling a pen between her fingers, her long lashes lowering as she leaned in to whisper something to Kaydel. She was always whispering, always laughing, always glowing in a way that made her untouchable.

He shouldn’t be watching. He knew that. But after two weeks of silence—after she had ignored him, after she had let Poe drape his arm around her like she was his and his alone—Ben was done pretending.

So when Rey raised her hand and asked to go to the bathroom, he didn’t hesitate. He let exactly two minutes pass before lifting his own hand.

“Can I go too?” he mumbled.

The teacher barely looked up. Nobody cared. That was the one good thing about being invisible.

Slipping out into the hall, Ben’s eyes locked on Rey’s figure ahead. She was whistling softly, walking without a care, her cheer skirt swishing with each step. It was short. Too short. Her legs, long and smooth, caught the dim fluorescent lighting, making his stomach clench. She was a picture of perfection, a golden girl who didn’t belong to him.

And yet she had let him touch her. Let him kiss her.

She hadn’t called. She hadn’t even looked at him.

Before he could think twice, his long strides closed the distance between them. His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her elbow.

Rey barely had time to gasp before he tugged her sharply, yanking open the nearest supply closet and pulling her inside.

“What the hell?” she snapped, stumbling as he shut the door behind them.

The air in the small, dark space was thick, laced with the scent of old paper and cleaning supplies. The only light came from the sliver beneath the door, illuminating the shock on Rey’s face.

“Are you serious right now?” she hissed, tugging at her arm. “Ben, let go.”

He didn’t.

“Two weeks,” he said, his voice low, rough. “You didn’t call. You didn’t even look at me.”

Rey swallowed, her chest rising and falling. “I—”

“Say it,” he interrupted. “Say it was nothing.”

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Ben’s fingers tightened. “That’s what I thought.”

She exhaled, her gaze darting to the door, to the walls, anywhere but him. “This can’t happen,” she whispered.

Ben huffed a bitter laugh. “No? Because of Poe?”

Her silence was answer enough.

Something inside him snapped. His hand released her arm, only to press against the door beside her, caging her in. He leaned down, his broad frame making the small space even smaller. “Tell me you didn’t want it,” he murmured. “Tell me you didn’t love every second of it.”

Rey’s lips parted. Her breath hitched.

Ben smirked. He saw it—the way her fingers trembled at her sides, the way her body leaned the tiniest bit toward him. “You can’t, can you?”

Her eyes flickered up to his, wide and uncertain, but she didn’t move away.

He should walk out. He should leave her here, leave her to her perfect world and her perfect boyfriend.

But then she licked her lips, and suddenly, leaving wasn’t an option at all.

Not when she was this close. Not when she still smelled like vanilla and something sweeter, something forbidden.

Not when she had already let him ruin her once.

His chest rose and fell, his pulse loud in his ears. “You didn’t call,” he said, his voice low, edged with something dark.

Rey’s lips parted, but she said nothing.

“You didn’t even look at me,” he went on, stepping in, crowding her. “Not once. You just went back to your perfect little life, hanging off Poe’s arm, laughing like none of it ever happened.”

Her brows furrowed, her hands curling into fists at her sides. “Ben—”

“Say it,” he demanded. “Say it meant nothing to you.”

Rey flinched, her throat bobbing. “It’s not that simple.”

Ben scoffed, shaking his head. “Yeah, it is. Either you wanted me, or you didn’t.”

Her silence was deafening.

His eyes roamed over her, taking in the way her cheer uniform fit her just right, the way her skirt barely brushed mid-thigh, her legs smooth and perfect. She was so damn pretty it made him sick.

And she had been his, even if only for a moment.

“Ben,” she whispered, her voice softer now, almost pleading. “People will see—”

“No one saw me follow you,” he said, his voice dropping even lower. “No one ever sees me. Isn’t that what you like? That I don’t exist when you don’t want me to?”

Rey inhaled sharply, her lashes fluttering. “You know it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like, Rey?” His hand came up, fingertips grazing her arm, the barest touch, but it sent a shiver through her. “Because from where I’m standing, you used me.”

She shook her head. “I—”

Rey’s hands twitched at her sides, like she wanted to reach for him but didn’t dare.

“I can’t be seen with you, Ben,” she whispered, the words barely there. “You know that.”

His stomach twisted, a sharp, ugly feeling curling inside him.

There it was.

She liked him. Wanted him.

But not enough.

But Ben was going to make it enough.