A/N: this was originally supposed to be a one-shot but the some peeps asked for a continuation so here it is. I don't know how many chapters this will be, I never really plan out my stories, and I just type them out as inspiration strikes. (Horrible writing method. Don't be like me.)
(P.S italics= the story she's writing)
Rey and Ben exchanged contact information and agreed to meet at the café the following day. They chatted a bit during the remainder of his stay, talking about her work and her unorthodox methods.
"So it's not unusual for you to walk up to complete strangers and ask if you can use their likeness in your novel?" Ben inquired, raising his drink to his lips, eyebrow arched.
Rey blushed and sipped her own beverage (lemon tea with honey), and considered his question. "I've only done it a few times," She shrugged, eyes darting around the little shop, absorbing information. "Finn and Poe were the first ones I incorporated into the story. I've known Poe for years, though. I met Finn here, and yeah, he thought I was a little crazy when I asked him if he would mind starring in my book."
"Hmm. I wonder why," he glanced meaningfully over the rim of his cup.
Rey rolled her eyes. "When inspiration hits, it hits hard. I see what might work and what won't." She set her mug down and leaned toward him, excitement sparkling in her hazel eyes. "You know, inspiration is everywhere. Hidden in every aspect of life. Stories just waiting to be told. In that potted plant over there. Maz received it as a gift from an animal conservatory after she stopped some thugs from stealing an endangered species of snake from its enclosure." she pointed to an older woman with fiery hair and a white pantsuit seated by the window. "That's Mon Motha. Used to be a senator, retired a few years ago, now raises foster animals. I heard she helped pass a law that kept the country from falling into even more debt. That painting on the wall, the one with the lake and the sunset, was given to the former owner by a leader of the local mafia back in the '40s." She paused, grinning. "The mysterious man dressed in all black who fidgets when he sits and drinks espresso and has a dimpled chin and dark brown eyes. I haven't figured out his story yet."
Ben choked on his drink. When he recovered, his face was beet red and he couldn't meet her eyes. "That's—that's...wow. I guess I never really saw the world like that."
"Mind of a writer," she tapped her forehead with her pen. "Hey, if you don't mind, when you come here tomorrow, could I take a few pictures of you? I mean, I could recall your face from memory but it's nice to have a photo reference."
His face flushed again, and he set his drink down, a small smile on his lips. "Lemme guess, you take photos of all your muses?"
She chuckled. "Only the lucky ones," her eyes shone with mirth as she opened her mouth to continue, but was interrupted by a call on her cell. "Excuse me," she muttered. "It's my editor."
She rose from the table and retreated back to her spot in the corner of the café, talking animatedly on the phone. He watched her as she gestured wildly with her hands, brow creased, bright eyes blazing. He couldn't hear her words but understood their meaning: Back off. I'm working on it.
Rey clicked off the call with a sigh and turned back to Ben, who shifted the other way suddenly, acting as though he hadn't been looking at her. She forced a smile and walked over, saying, "I'm afraid we'll have to resume this tomorrow. My editor wants to meet for a late lunch to discuss progress." She tucked a piece of auburn hair behind her ear. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, I'll see you." He offered a half-smile and a jaunty wave.
As she exited the café, she had to tell herself over and over again that there was absolutely no hint of disappointment in his voice.
_SW_
Rey sat on the floor of her bedroom in the small studio she rented from a strange old man, Luke, who only had two rules for her when she leased it:
"No parties," He informed her sternly when giving a tour of the flat. "And no pets."
"No problem," She had muttered as surveyed the interior.
It was a pleasant shade of pale blue in the kitchenette that doubled as a dining room, a pea green in the small living room, and a nearly-blinding sunshine yellow in the bedroom.
She had fallen in love instantly.
It hadn't taken her long to make the small space her own, with posters of her favorite musicals tacked to the wall and photos of her and Poe over the years and more recently, Finn and Threepio, occupied dozens of picture frames scattered throughout the apartment. In the bedroom, there was a large picture window that offered a dazzling view of their city and the lush green it had to offer.
(Green and yellow were her favorite colors.)
A cluttered desk was shoved in the corner of her living room, next to a fold-out couch. Two towering bookshelves stocked to bursting resided opposite the desk.
She often fell asleep, cup of tea in hand, reading one of the many novels she owned.
"Damn," She groused, shuffling through the heap of papers splayed out before her. A half-dozen drafts of her next chapter stared back at her as she rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes. Her phone displayed the time as 1:44 A.M.
She picked up her pencil and notebook and started scribbling out the first line of thought that popped into her head.
Daisy looked up to see the man who had pushed her out of the way of the oncoming car. He towered over her, a solid six inches taller. She struggled to find words as he peered at her, dark brown eyes alit with interest.
"Who are you?"
"Arghhh!" groaning, she crumpled the page and tossed it away. She buried her head in her hands, releasing a deep sigh. "Nothing is working!"
She flicked her gaze toward the window, watching the lights of the city. Maybe she had been too hasty with her character choice. Maybe Ben was wrong for the part.
"No," she found herself whispering, still staring out, her eyes following the cars racing by.
He might be the only thing right.
A/N: aha yes I am evil but this was hard to finish plus I think my laptop has a virus so that's fun but I hope you enjoyed ;P