Kiss
The way Ben looked at her Monday at school made Rey's heart sink.
"Kylo, my man," Poe said excitedly as he sat next to him in the cafeteria during lunch. "How was your date?"
Ben grimaced. "I thought it went fine, but she doesn't want to go out with me again."
"Ouch, man." Poe slapped him on the back reassuringly.
"You're friends with her. Can you talk her into giving me another chance?" Ben asked.
"No can do. When Rey makes up her mind about something it's pretty final." His eyes wandered over to the slender girl.
Ben sighed and followed his gaze, surprised to see her looking at him.
"She's the girl, isn't she?" Poe queried.
"What do you mean?" His eyes met Rey's and she quickly looked away.
"She's the one you told me about before. The one you said you'd fallen for?" Poe looked at the quarterback.
Ben looked back at his teammate. "I forgot I told you that."
"I knew it." Poe grinned. "Alright, tell me what you did on your date."
"I took her to my parents' restaurant."
Poe's eyes went wide. "That's where you went wrong."
"It's one of the fanciest places in town. I wanted to treat her," Ben told him. "I don't see what's wrong with that."
Poe shook his head. "You don't really know her at all, do you?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Why do you want her? Why her? She is the only girl not fawning all over you, and you know she's not going to hop into bed with you. So, what is it about her you like so much? Is it the chase?" Poe asked.
"I don't know," Ben replied honestly. "Maybe it is the fact that she isn't after my money or my dick. Maybe it's the fact that she's the only girl who has turned me down for a date. Or maybe it's the fire in her eyes when she looks at me. Or the way she is kind to everyone and stands up for those weaker than her.
"Maybe it's the way her body moves when she's fighting, or the way her hair shines in the sun. Maybe it's because deep down I think she's lonely, and even though she acts tough she's really just afraid, and sad."
"Wow," Poe breathed.
"Help me," Ben pleaded.
"Look," Poe said finally. "Rey is a simple girl. She lives a simple life with simple things. She lives by humble means. I'm pretty sure she only owns like ten shirts and three pairs of pants. What I'm trying to say is, she's not the kind of girl you can impress with money. She's taken care of herself for a very long time, and she's comfortable with that fact.
"She doesn't let people in easily, but when she does, she cares for them deeply.
"She has no family, and she's gone from house to house most of her life. She's lived on her own since she was 16. She's very guarded and even though she doesn't show it, she's very self-conscious.
"You made her more self-conscious by taking her to a super fancy restaurant. I'm sure she was very uncomfortable.
"You're used to things like that, and I'm sure you thought you were doing her a favor, but for her it was torture. And if I know Rey, the only thing she saw was how different you two are.
"You have everything she doesn't: money, a family, a nice car, a huge house with maids and a chef, and more popularity than you know what to do with. You're confident, and sometimes an asshole." Poe stopped and looked at his friend. "Do you see what I'm saying?"
"So, what do I do?" Ben asked.
Poe laughed. "How are you so clueless even though you've slept with nearly every girl at this school?"
"Seduction I can do. But it's different with her. I want to get to know her the way you do. How can I do that?" Ben told him.
"You need to apologize first."
Ben's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Poe shook his head. "Because you did her wrong! You made her feel uncomfortable. If you want this girl, really want her, you need to change, man. Show her you can be humble and recognize when you're wrong. If you want her to take down her walls and let you in, you have to take yours down first."
Ben groaned.
"I never said it would be easy. Apologize, then ask to take her out again, and keep it simple this time. A walk in the park or something, maybe ask her what she wants to do. If she says no don't push it. Wait and maybe she'll come around." Poe clapped him on the back.
"What if she doesn't," Ben questioned, "come around?"
"Then maybe she's not the girl for you, or maybe it's not the right time." The bell rang and Poe stood up.
"Thanks, Dameron," Ben said genuinely.
"Anytime, Solo. Good luck!"
X.x.x.x
"Rey."
She heard her name but continued walking.
"Rey, wait," Ben called again.
She still didn't stop.
Ben groaned inwardly and ran to catch up with her. With his long legs it wasn't long before he was in front of her, making her stop so she wouldn't run into him.
"Rey," he repeated.
The small girl sighed and looked up at him, clearly annoyed. "What, Ben?"
"Can we talk?" He asked.
"I have to catch the bus, I don't want to be late." She took a step sideways and tried to start walking again, only to have him counter her move.
"Wait, Rey, please. I can take you to my uncle's studio." His eyes were pleading.
She straightened her stance and folded her arms. "Fine, talk."
"Look," he said nervously. "I'm sorry."
Her gaze softened, but she still didn't talk.
"I wasn't thinking when I decided to take you to that restaurant. I realize now how awkward that must have been for you."
"You realized, or Poe told you?" She spat.
"Dameron helped," Ben admitted. "But I really am sorry. Let me make it up to you."
She shook her head. "You can make it up to me by taking me to Luke's and then leaving me alone."
"Rey, please." His hand reached forward to touch her shoulder, but she swiped it away.
"Ben, I told you; we are just too different, this, whatever this is, would never work." She sighed and relaxed a little. "I thought maybe you were different, that maybe," she stopped and looked up at him.
"Maybe, what?"
"Nothing, never mind." Her eyes looked him up and down. "Can we go, please? I don't want to be late."
"You won't be late if I'm driving you. The bus takes much longer."
She groaned. "Ben, I don't want to do this right now, can we please go?"
"Rey, please," he begged again. "I want to take you out again, it can be anything, you name it."
She looked into his large brown eyes, dripping with regret and something else. "It's true then, isn't it?" She wasn't sure she wanted the answer.
"What?" He was genuinely curious.
"Poe seems to think you're in love with me. I think he's crazy, you don't even know me." Her eyes bore into his.
Ben's eyes went wide for a moment before he regained his composure, but he knew she saw. "You're right, I don't know you. That's why I want to date you."
"Ben." She exhaled loudly. "I appreciate your apology, but the answer is still no, I'm sorry."
He wanted to argue, but Poe's words echoed in his head, 'if she says no don't push it. Wait and maybe she'll come around.'
"Okay," his words came out quietly. "I'll get you to my uncle's."
X.x.
"You're early," Luke said as she walked through the door. "Oh, Ben is here too."
"He was nice enough to give me a ride," Rey explained.
"That works out perfectly," Luke replied. "Ben, do you have plans tonight?"
The boy looked confused. "No, why?"
"Good, can you stay and practice with Rey?" Luke stood slowly from the seat he was in. "I tweaked my back the other day and I don't think I can keep up with Rey today."
"It's fine master Luke, I can practice on my own," she began.
"I'll stay," Ben's deep voice replied.
Rey shot daggers at him with her eyes. "I don't need you."
"My uncle is asking for some help, it's the least I can do." Ben smirked at her.
"Fine!" Rey stomped off to the bathroom to get changed.
"What's that all about?" Luke asked his nephew.
"She isn't happy with me right now," was Ben's response.
"I can tell." Luke smiled before turning very serious. "You're my nephew and I love you, but Rey is sweet and innocent, if you do anything to hurt her, I will personally come after you."
Ben's eyes went wide. "What do you think I'm gonna do? We went on one date and she hated it. I asked her out again and she said no. She's mad because I keep pushing it." His hands were up by his chest in a show of innocence.
"Oh." Luke smiled again. "Okay, good." He placed a hand on Ben's shoulder. "Be patient, she'll come around." Another smile, but this one was more devious. "And be careful today. She'll not hold back." With that he walked away.
When Rey emerged, Ben switched her spots to change.
She sat on the ground and began to stretch.
"Don't beat him up too much today, Rey," Luke said from behind the front desk. "I don't need Leia calling me and chewing me out."
When Ben finally joined Rey on the floor to stretch, Luke couldn't help but notice the way his nephew kept stealing glances at the girl.
"Do you have work tonight, Rey?" Luke asked once they were done stretching.
"No," she replied.
"I have a women's self-defense class after this, do you think you'd be able to stay and help me out? I'll pay you for it," Luke offered.
"I'll help, but you don't have to pay me," she responded.
"Ben, can you help out too?" Luke asked.
Ben's eyes flicked to Rey before going back to his uncle's. "Yeah." Then it hit him. "You're gonna have Rey throw me around, aren't you?"
Luke's evil grin returned. "She's small, you're not. If these women can see how easy it is for Rey to throw you around, they'll feel much more confident in what they're learning."
"I'm okay with that," Rey agreed, a smirk on her face as well.
"Awesome. Okay you two, get back to training."
The two teenagers faced each other on the mat and bowed. They each adopted their fighting stances and stared at each other for a moment.
Rey was the first to move, kicking Ben in the chest full force and sending him stumbling back. He regained his poise quickly and blocked the punches flying his way.
As they fought, Rey couldn't help but notice how smooth Ben's movements were; the way he easily transitioned from blocking to attacking, the way his hair flew around his face, and those muscles! Her mind wandered momentarily, wondering what it would be like to have those arms wrapped around her, that hair in her hands, and that body . . .
A kick to the side ripped her thoughts back to the fight. What was she doing? Anger bubbled inside her; anger at herself for the thoughts she had just been having, and she unleashed that anger on Ben.
Her movements were so fast Ben could only defend himself, and he soon found his back against the wall.
The only way he could get out was by ducking and sweeping her feet out from under her. She fell back on the mat and rolled away, quickly getting to her feet.
"Your anger is getting the best of you, Rey," Luke commented. "Don't let it cloud your judgement."
Rey nodded once acknowledging her master. She stood still for a moment, her eyes never leaving her opponent.
Ben's chest was heaving, and sweat had begun to accumulate on his forehead. He looked into her eyes for a moment and saw the confliction residing there. Her eyes flashed between anger and, was that desire? 'No way,' he thought, 'she made it very clear she wants nothing to do with me.'
'Stop it, Rey,' she told herself. 'You can't think like that. He is too different, you would never be happy with him. He is too different, and you hate him.' She took a deep breath and watched as a bead of sweat trickled down his chest. 'But God, he his gorgeous.'
Ben smiled. "What's the matter, Rey?" He was teasing her, his voice low and seductive.
"Don't," she growled. She dashed toward him, only to have him grab her by the arms and pin her to his chest.
She shivered as his breath hit her bare neck. "You seem conflicted."
Her only answer was to flip him over her head into his back. "Don't pretend to know what I'm thinking."
Her foot was at his throat, and he grabbed it sending her to the ground beside him. He quickly rolled over and pinned her hands over her head.
She used all her strength, and fought to free herself for about five minutes before finally giving up, letting her body go limp beneath him.
He had been straining to keep her pinned, and when she finally relaxed, he loosened his grip on her wrists.
Both were panting, Ben giving no sign of removing himself from her.
Luke watched as Rey's eyes flicked between Ben's lips and eyes, and Ben's eyes fixated on Rey's lips. The black-haired boy licked his lips slightly, completely unaware of the act.
'Kiss her,' Luke encouraged silently. 'C'mon Ben.' Luke was no fool; he knew how much his nephew cared for the girl, and despite all her protesting, Rey had begun to like Ben as well. They were both just too stubborn to admit it, Rey more than Ben.
In all the years Luke had trained the small girl, she never once talked about a boy. And when she talked about Ben, something in Luke's mind sparked, and he knew they would end up together. Maybe not now, but something told the old man, they were meant to be.
Luke held his breath as Ben started to lean down, shortening the distance between the two teens.
Rey's heart began to pound as Ben grew closer to her. They had been here before; about to kiss, and she'd panicked the first time. She wanted it then, and she wanted it now.
Her eyes closed as his lips were about to meet hers.
The phone rang then, and all three people in the studio jumped.
Luke let out the breath he had been holding and answered the phone quickly.
Suddenly aware of their surroundings, and Luke sitting behind the desk, Rey and Ben both blushed and Ben swiftly got to his feet offering Rey a hand to help her up as well.
When Luke hung up the phone, he looked at the two standing awkwardly away from each other. "Go clean up a little, the other class should be arriving soon."
They both nodded and grabbed a towel to wipe their faces and necks.
The self-defense class was hard, to say the least. Luke kept having Ben grab her in all sorts of positions, to have her show the best way to get out. Sometimes her mentor took his sweet time explaining how to get out.
Ben was so close to her during most of the class. When trying to show how to get out of being choked from behind, Ben's large arms wrapped around her from behind. Both her hands were on his.
As Luke explained the method for getting out of this predicament, Rey could feel her pulse quickening. His mouth was right next to her ear and she could hear every rapid breath.
'I never should have agreed to this,' Ben thought to himself as he felt Rey's pulse on his arm. Her scent was intoxicating to him, and the goosebumps running down her arms did not help his self-control.
The way they were standing made it so the class couldn't see his face, and he took advantage of it while his uncle talked.
It took every ounce of strength Rey had to stand still as Ben slowly moved his head closer to hers. A puff of air hit her ear and chills ran down her body again.
"Rey," Ben whispered almost inaudibly. "You smell amazing." His large nose nestled behind her ear and took a deep breath.
Her entire body reacted, and she hated herself for how turned on she was at that moment. A cold shower would be in order when she finally made it home.
"Okay, Rey," Luke said, indicating for her to break out of Ben's hold. She stood there for a moment. "Rey."
Recognizing her name, Rey snapped out of her thoughts and quickly executed the steps to free herself, grateful to be away from Ben.
When class finally ended and all the students left, Rey quickly ducked into the bathroom to change and throw some cold water on her face.
"You planned this, didn't you?" Ben asked his uncle while Rey was gone.
"No, actually, I didn't, but it worked out quite well for all of us." Luke smiled at his nephew. "Thanks for helping me out today, Ben." He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder for a moment and walked away.
Rey walked out of the bathroom in her street clothes.
"I'll take you home if you want," Ben offered.
She nodded and Ben smiled before going into change.
"It's okay, Rey," Luke told her from behind the desk. "To let people in."
Rey looked at her master.
"Ben may seem like a hard ass, but he's a good kid," Luke continued. "Your actions today prove there is an attraction. It's okay to let him in."
"You don't understand, master. Every time I open up and let someone in, if I get close to them, I'm the one who gets hurt." She folded her arms on the desk. "I'm not willing to do that again. I'm done being hurt."
"I won't hurt you," Ben interrupted.
"That's what they all say," Rey replied.
Ben was now right next to her, and she looked up at him. "Ben."
"Rey," his voice was soft. His hands moved up to cup her face.
Her hands traveled up to his and removed them from her face. She didn't say anything as she moved to grab her bag. "Can we go, please?"
Ben nodded. "See you later, Uncle Luke."
They walked to the car and got in. "Can I buy you dinner?"
"Ben, we've been through this," Rey began.
"Not a date," Ben defended. "Just as friends. We both need to eat and it's late."
She thought for a moment. "Okay."
"Where would you like to go?" He turned the key.
"There's this little Chinese place I've been wanting to try," Rey suggested. "It's close to my work."
Ben nodded, and started to drive. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What happened to you?"
She looked over at him. "What do you mean?"
"Why are you so guarded?"
She scoffed. "Seriously?"
"You said I didn't know you, I'm trying to get to know you."
She contemplated his question for a moment. "What do you know about me?"
"I know you were a foster kid till you were 16 and finally started living on your own. I know you started training with my uncle about four years ago." He glanced at her quickly. "I also know you are the most selfless person I've ever met, and the most stubborn."
"Have you looked in the mirror lately?" She giggled.
"I know I'm gorgeous," he replied running a hand through his hair for added affect.
She laughed, and Ben nearly swooned at the sound. Never had he heard her laugh like that. Sure, he'd heard her laugh with her friends, but this was different, she was laughing with him, and it was beautiful.
She sighed and looked at Ben, a smile still on her face. The street lights illuminated his face as she examined his profile. His nose was a little big for his face, but everything else about his seemed perfect. His lips were full and his hair perfect, and those eyes, surrounded by luscious lashes could captivate her for hours.
He glanced over at her for a moment causing her to blush.
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah," she responded quietly.
What was it about this boy that intrigued her so? As much as she tried to convince herself they would never work, there was something about him that drew her to him. Some kind of force that told her to open up and let him in; that he was the one for her, despite all their differences.
She was only human, she wanted someone to love, someone who would love her. But she was scared, so very much so. Her past had taught her that life only gave her things to rip it away again.
She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't realize they had reached their destination until Ben turned the car off.
"Ready?" He smiled at her.
"Yeah."
She was grateful he hadn't pushed her for an answer during their drive. He'd let her think.
When they finally sat down, she looked at him and their eyes met. She could see the respect he had for her, but she could also see sadness and loneliness.
"Do you really want to know?" She finally questioned.
"What?" He wasn't sure what she was referring to.
"Why I'm so guarded. About my past?"
He nodded. "I want to know everything about you. What you like, what you don't like. What makes you happy and what makes you sad. How you like to be kissed, and touched. I want to know what you're thinking by simply looking at you. I want to know what I need to do to be the person you run to and confide in. I want to know what makes you tick."
She blushed again. "I was abandoned by my parents when I was five. I don't remember much about them, but I remember being hurt and angry as I watched them drive away without so much as an 'I love you' or a 'you'll be okay.'
"It affected me so much; I was a very angry child. I went from foster home to foster home for five years when I finally ended up with this man named Ben Kenobi. He was the first one to recognize my anger and find an outlet for me. That's when I was first introduced to martial arts. He taught me and even had a small gym in his garage.
"For the first time I started to feel better and was happy with my life. He even talked about adopting me. But I should have known it was too good to be true. He left for work one day and ended up in a terrible car accident, that ultimately killed him.
"I was devastated and ended up back in the home." She stopped to take a drink. "When I got back to the home, I was a teenager, and it's really hard to get adopted when you're older.
"I was fostered by a family who had a boy around my age when I was fourteen. He was sweet and kind and he made me happy. Even though we shared a house his parents were okay with us dating.
"Things we're going great until I started telling him no about sex. He pushed and pressured me all the time, trying to get me to give in, but when I didn't, he tried to rape me. I ended up beating him up and running to the police station. There was enough evidence that I didn't get into too much trouble, but the family was pissed and I wound up back in the home.
"I haven't dated anyone since then." She stopped and looked at Ben again. "After that I got odd jobs until they hired me at The Force and I was able to get my own place when I was 16. The rest you already know."
Ben looked at her in shock for a moment. Their food had arrived during Rey's story.
"Rey, I'm so sorry, I had no idea." He took a bite of food.
"I haven't told many people about my past, so I'd appreciate it if you'd keep it to yourself. And don't feel sorry for me. I didn't tell you that so you'd pity me." Rey began to eat.
Silence fell as they both ate.
"You're much stronger than I originally gave you credit for," Ben said as they exited the restaurant.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rey asked, almost offended.
"I didn't mean anything bad, I just mean," they stopped at his car and she turned to look up at him. "I've always thought you were a strong woman, I just never realized how strong you really are." He took a step toward her unconsciously. "You've been through so much, and yet, you're still the kindest person I know." His palm landed on his car next to her face. "You truly are amazing, Rey."
He was getting closer to her and she looked away. "I'm really not."
His other hand grabbed her chin to make her look up at him. "You are." He leaned in, stopping only inches away from her lips. His eyes locked onto hers.
He was waiting for her. She could either close the distance between their lips or she could tell him no. To his relief, her lips meet his, and her eyes closed.
Time stood still as he kissed her. It was a chaste kiss that lasted only seconds, but when he pulled away, the look in her eyes fueled him and he cupped her face again, pulling her into a more passionate kiss.
Rey's knees nearly buckled under the passion, and she was thankful for the vehicle behind her.
When they finally parted, Rey's eyes remained closed for a moment, only to open when Ben's forehead met hers.
"I've been wanting to do that all day," he whispered.
She didn't reply, so he stepped away and opened the car door for her.
"Ben," she said when he finally got into the car. "Why are you so lonely?"
The question caught him off guard. "What?"
"When I look into your eyes, they always look so sad, and lonely. Why?" She looked over at him. His eyes were wide. "Sorry," she said quickly. "You don't have to tell me."
The car sputtered to life and Ben began to drive. He was quiet for a while. He felt he had no reason to vent to this girl who had it so much harder than he did. But she had just told him her whole life story.
"Because I am," he eventually responded. A scoff left his lips. "This may seem stupid to you; I have a family and friends, but I've never really been able to connect with people." He stole a glance in her direction. "My mother is a big-time lawyer, and my father runs a huge trading company. They make a lot of money, but they're never home.
"People usually only want me for my parents' money, and I have trust issues because of that. I have all the money anyone could ever ask for, but money can't buy happiness. Everyone has a hard time believing that, and because of that, I have no close friends." He stopped at a red light and looked over at her. "I'm sure this sounds ridiculous to you, but I can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. I have everything you could ever ask for and it's not enough." The light turned green and he began driving again. "I'm sure you don't want to hear this."
"I understand," she told him. "I've felt the same way, being surrounded by bodies and still feeling alone. I don't understand the money thing, and maybe I never will. But loneliness is loneliness no matter what your life is like."
"Rey?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for validating my feelings. I'm usually told I'm crazy, and I have no reason to feel the way I do."
"You're welcome."
They pulled up to her apartment.
"Rey?"
"Yes, Ben?" She turned to look at him.
"What does all this mean? For us?" His eyes were hopeful.
She took a deep breath. "I don't know," she replied honestly. "I'm not ready for anything super serious, but I think I'd be okay for another date."
A grin adorned his face. "Can we go to the movies this weekend?"
"That didn't take long," she giggled. "But yes, I think we could manage that." She moved to get out of the car and stopped.
What she did next surprised the black-haired boy. She leaned over the seat and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Thanks for dinner," she said softly before exiting the car and going home.
