"Adam, you brush your teeth yet?" Rey calls down the hallway of their tiny three-bedroom home. It isn't much for the area, a kitchen, living room, one bathroom, a powder room, and three modest bedrooms, but it was theirs and it's filled with memories. The home had originally belonged to Maz Kanata, the woman who had taken Rey and Finn in when they were kids. She'd grown up here in its off-colored beige walls and thick crown molding. The color had been the first to change when she moved back. She spent two whole weeks coating the walls in bright jewel tones and pulling things apart until the house better fit the person she was becoming. The person her son was helping her discover.

"Nope!" comes the soft reply followed by a giggle and the sound of sock feet running down the refinished hardwood.

It's the second full week of a new school year at a new school which means new teachers, new friends and a familiar old routine rearing its ugly head. Rey has always enjoyed routine, she likes things simple and to the point. Charts and planning are her go in order to ensure that her life doesn't run off the rails. Adam, has started grade one this year and after a particularly rough kindergarten year both he and his mother are ready to start fresh.

Adam's teacher last year had been on the cusp of retirement and Adam was a notorious handful. There had been meetings upon meetings about assessments and observations. The teachers and the principal alike had both skirted around the idea that Adam might be a little more than just your average neurotypical kid. No one would come right out and say it but it became easier to read through the lines each time she was called in to discuss Adam's options.

It wasn't that the school wasn't lovely. The principal had been patient and kind, taking his time to explain everything in detail whenever he and Rey sat down together. The choice to switch schools hadn't been one made out of an attempt to escape Corellia Academy but when Rey discovered she had the opportunity to buy Maz's old house for a steal, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

They'd spent the summer packing up their belongings and moving from their tiny apartment in the Bronx over to a charming family area in Brooklyn. They're in a better school district, closer to the studio Rey teaches out of and most importantly, closer to friends and family. Finn and Poe bought a small brownstone a few blocks from Maz just two years prior. Rey and Finn had been Maz's last two foster kids so when the older woman started to fail Finn had taken it upon himself to stick close by. When Maz passed six months ago, it felt like the world had fallen apart around her. Maz had left the house to both Finn and Rey in her will and Finn had agreed to sell her his half for next to nothing. It was all a ploy to get their family living within the same small radius again.

Poe and Finn have been together since high school. It was odd in the beginning. Poe has been Rey's dance partner since Rey was fourteen. Maz forced her to join when she was around eleven or so. It had started out as a way to keep her from bouncing off the walls and taking things apart that didn't need to be taken apart. She hated her for it at first but after the first recital it just sort of stuck. Poe had been older but their styles matched and they paired well together so the partnership just sort of stuck.

"Buddy come on, the bus is going to be here any minute," Rey finds herself calling from the bottom of the stairs. She can hear Adam flitting around upstairs adamant that he has to make a good impression today. With a loud thump of the old bathroom door Rey can tell he's at least trying to comply. She relaxes some when she hears the groaning from the old pipes, a blessed sign of either Adam brushing his teeth or combing his hair, either way, he's getting ready as he was asked, "Five minutes, no more," she chimes before finding herself back in the kitchen to finish up his lunch.

Its the first of the year so his lunch bag is filled with crisp baby carrots, cut up cucumbers, an apple, a granola bar and a ham and cheese sandwich which Rey managed to cut into the shape of a star. She tucks it all away quickly before Adam makes his way down the stairs. He'd asked for a surprise lunch so she'd managed to tuck away one of Poe's homemade haystacks at the bottom of the bag before sealing it up.

"Mr. Solo is going to love this," Adam chimes as he skids to a stop hovering in the mouth of the kitchen. His sandy brown hair, almost grey in color is combed back and sticking up at odd angles, his blue eyes glittering with unbridled glee. It's still warm so he's in a pair of black twill shorts that come down to his knees and a dark blue button-down with small cacti all over it. Around his neck however is an adult-sized tie that Finn had given him over the summer when going through his closet. It's dark blue like Adam's shirt but has small dark pink flamingos all over it. They clash with the pale green cacti but Adam is so proud of his outfit that he simply beams.

"What happened to Ms. Konnix?" Rey asks casually as she adjusts Adam's tie, tugging it up a little so that it's less a liability and more a fashion statement.

Adam's nose crinkles, "She had a baby," his tone tells Rey all she needs to know about how he feels about that topic. Kaydel had gone to school with her and Finn so Rey had been pleased to find out Adam would be in her class this year. She hadn't known however that Kaydel was expecting so the news of this new teacher had really thrown her off. Adam had returned home the first day talking about a man by the name of Mr. Solo and the days that followed were filled with endless chatter about how cool this man was.

"He likes ties mommy," Adam tells her for that might be the fifth time in three days. "He has one with a Minecraft creeper on it," Rey smiles to herself as she fuses with her son's hair, imagining what kind of man would own a tie with a Minecraft creeper on it. One who was ready to teach a group of six-year-olds that's who.

"Go get your shoes on bud, we don't want to miss the bus."

With a huff Adam hops off, grabbing his sneakers from the front closet while Rey fishes for his black zip-up jacket. "Why can't Poe drive me," he whines, wiggling his shoes on before tapping them against the hardwood. "I don't like the bus, I have to sit up front and Luka makes fun of my hair."

"Luka wishes he had hair like yours," at the risk of sounding like one of those parents Rey pats him on the head, "Buddy, not everyone is going to like everything you do and that's ok. Just ignore Luka, there will be other kids who will think you're awesome." She palms his cheek allowing her thumb to slide across the soft swell of his cherubic face. He's a big kid for his age which has been part of his problem with the other kids from the start. Rey has always been an average sort of person, average height, slim build. How she managed to have the kid who sat in the healthy ninety-eighth percentile for height and weight is beyond her. Still he's her baby.

Sliding on her sandals they slip outside and down the walkway towards where Adam's bus picks him up and drops him off every day. It's only a few doors down next to a small park that Finn and Rey use to play on as kids. Their routine is always the same. Rey takes him to the bus stop and Finn picks him up most days unless she's able to. Finn usually takes Adam back to Rey's house where he helps him do homework and then they usually settle into a game of Minecraft before Rey makes it home. She and Poe work together so the commute is an easy one which leaves the four of them eating dinner most nights as a family. Maz would have loved to see them this way.

And that's how their days go, Adam remains pretty tight-lipped around her when she asks him about friends he's made or kids he's played with. He talks more about what he's learned or whatever Mr. Solo has said that he thinks is pretty cool. Each day there's something new about Mr. Solo. She's learned so far that he seems to enjoy Minecraft. His favorite superhero is the Hulk, that he's never read Harry Potter and he has lots of drawings on him just like she does. All this information about the man at the head of the class and nothing at all about the kids Adam is supposed to be socializing with.

Every evening she checks his agenda. There are notes about school activities, picture day, milk day, gym days and so on but nothing to give her any indication that there's the slightest hint of a problem.

On Thursday night Rey and Poe teach a contemporary class for an older age group. The class itself ends around seven which means they don't usually get home until closer to seven-thirty just around the time that Adam is getting off to bed. The minute she walks into the house she knows something is wrong. Finn is standing in the kitchen talking to Adam who's obviously had a bath and is dressed for bed. He's sitting with his back to the doorway but Poe pulls her back before she can get too far. It's hard to make out their conversation but something in her stills as she watches her son's shoulder quake beneath a choked sob. Poe has her around the middle, his hand over her mouth quicker then she can register. He's strong, stronger then his fine form may indicate so it's with a soft squeeze that he shakes his head before letting her down.

Poe has his hands on her a lot, it's an occupational hazard. They lead her, encourage her, coax her body in winding directions so when his hand cups her elbow it's instinct to listen. She knows Finn can handle it, whatever this is but that knowledge does nothing to quell the ache that flutters helplessly in her chest.

After giving it a moment Poe's fingers tug on Rey's elbow. He has a finger poised over his lip in surrendered silence before he makes a show of shutting the front door just a little harder than necessary. She can hear the shuffle and the pained sigh of a little boy who's heart is wounded before a soft sniff and the quick rush of footsteps.

As though it never happened Adam slides across the floor in front of them all bright smiles and glee, "Poe come woosh me goodnight?" he cries as he scampers up the stairs, "Mommy you come up for sweet dreams after Poe."

"Ok Buddy," Rey finds herself saying as Poe shucks off his duffle, shoes, and coat and cautiously follows after the over-eager seven-year-old. Finn has taken up post against the kitchen doorway, nodding to his partner as he follows after Adam before settling his gaze on Rey. "Finn?"

"Come on Peanut, let's have a chat."

Rey can feel her world sort of slip to the side as she takes Finn's hand and finds herself lead cautiously down the hallway. The small kitchen smells like the lasagna she'd prepared for supper the night before. Finn and Adam have eaten their share and there are two plates left out for Rey and Poe.

"What's going on Finn?"

The thing about Finn is, he's an easy read. Sometimes she feels like she knows him better then she knows herself. He's always hated letting her down, ever since they were kids. So when Finn doesn't say anything at first, she knows this may be hard to hear. He huffs and paces a minute before sitting down at the table inviting her to do the same, "You're going to get a call if you haven't already." He says evenly.

She's fairly certain she hasn't heard from the school yet but there have only been eleven days of school thus far. "He doesn't want to tell you, he's afraid you'll be upset." Finn continues.

"Just tell me."

"Adams having an issue with some of the kids in his class," Finn says softly, he knows it's been a fear of hers from the start so he's choosing his words carefully. "He eats lunch with his teacher every day instead of with the other kids. The guy sounds decent from the eyes of a six-year-old but the kids… he says they don't like him. They make fun of him for being different and it sounds like they're riling him up to get a reaction."

Rey's chest feels heavy. Part of her knew this was likely to be a problem again this year. While a small ignorant part of her hoped the problem could resolve itself. "I haven't heard about him acting out," she offers, almost a question as Finn shakes his head.

"He said you'd be proud of him, he's been trying really hard to keep his hands to himself. I think the few times he's lashed out his teacher knew that the other kids were behind it."

"I should have been called," she pushes.

"I know Peanut, I know. I'm only relaying what Adam's been telling me. I imagine you'll be hearing from his teacher tomorrow. Today sounded… well it didn't sound good. Maybe if you don't hear from him by lunch give the school a call?"

Rey nods, her mind awash with blank-faced children with barbed tongues and jeering taunts. Sure Adam is a little different. He obsesses over things, he has very little volume control and has a hard time focusing. But these are issues a lot of kids his age face are they not?

She listened when they warned her of his unique qualities in the beginning. She'd gotten him on a list for assessment the minute there was even a whisper that something might be different, that he might struggle. She'd gone to their doctor for support but Doctor Ackbar was old school and of the opinion that teachers 'just wanted kids medicated so they were easier to handle'. She'd pushed for a pediatrician's appointments, and sought out a private assessment but at the end of it private was too expensive on her dance teacher's income and her family doctor refused to refer to a pediatrician until the school provided more concrete evidence that Adam needed the help. So, where did that leave them?

Finn pops the lasagnas into the microwave when Poe enters the kitchen, a grim but hopeful smile on his face. "He's done crying, he's got his big boy face on he's ready for you mom," he tells her with a squeeze to her upper arm.

The idea that Adam felt he needed to put on a brave face for her merely drives the steak in deeper. With a nod from Finn and another pat on the shoulder form Poe, Rey finds her feet and makes her way up the stairs to where their bedrooms lie. Adam's is across from hers. It's the bigger of the two on this level, painted a rich blue at his request. They'd managed to find glow in the dark stars to plaster across the ceiling which Adam is laying in bed looking at when Rey slips quietly in the room.

"Hey Turkey," Adam's body on the bed shifts, burrowing beneath the weighted blanket that Finn had picked up fro him when school started. "Poe give you a good woosh?"

"Poe's the best woosher," a small voice calls as his small head pokes out from beneath the sheets to settle on his wooly pillow. Adam has the sheets drawn up to his mouth, rubbing the soft fuzzy fabric beneath his nose as he watches her approach. He's still and quiet as she settles in next to him, the old bed creaking beneath her weight. It was either hers or Finn's she can't remember now but Maz had given it to Adam when they moved out shortly after Adam had turned one.

"How was your day?" Part of her almost wants him to lie if only to save her from the tears that are threatening to spill. She needs to be strong for him, he needs to see that she's ok, that she will be there for him, she will protect him.

Adam seems to think for a beat as he pulls the blanket down over his mouth. His full lips are red even in the dim light as though he's been chewing on them anxiously, "It was ok," he offers, "Mr. Solo said if I can sit and do allllll my math tomorrow that I'll get some special iPad time, how cool is that?"

And there is was Mr. Solo again. "Anything else?"

"I got a new desk today?" It's offered up as though it doesn't mean much but quickly Adam is barreling into the details of this new desk, "I can stand and do my work. I still get to use my old one but this one is cool too."

Nodding as the information spills out of him Adam continues on, talking about spending time in the learning center today with Mrs. Fields and how Mr. Solo made Luka go to the office today because Luka was a bad seed. Adams words, not Mr. Solo.

"I think I'd like to meet Mr. Solo,"

With a yawn Adam nods, "He said the same about you."

Rey's smile softens as she shifts closer to the little boy who's eyes appear rimmed with exhaustion. There's a pang of something heavy when she notes that exhaustion is linked desperately with sorrow. "Alright buddy," raising to feet she swoops in, his arms winding around her neck possessively. Her heart swells when he squeezes a little tighter and nuzzles his nose against her shoulder, "sweet dreams?" He nods settling back against the bed as Rey lowers herself over his comfortable form and animatedly peppers his face with kisses. Accenting each with the promise of, 'sweet dreams'. It's been their thing since he was a baby and as he got older he came to ask for it night after night claiming he couldn't sleep without it.

With Adam tucked securely in his bed, a childish replica of the night sky over his head Rey slips from the room. Leaning against the door as it clicks shut she forces herself to take a moment. Her breath coming in sharp and painful puffs. Scrubbing the tears from her eyes she steadies herself and takes to the stairs heading back to the kitchen to find Poe and Finn sitting intimately.

Poe has Finn's hands wrapped in his own. It's an embrace she's seen many times before now but for some reason this time it brings her pause. It's not in the touch itself or even that she's jealous of their closeness, only she is. There's that deep scratching beneath the surface that pulls at her need for human contact. When they leave they'll have one another for comfort, and she'll have what? A fully charged vibrator and an evening of scrolling through elicit erotica written by her peers?

Being alone isn't something that usually bothers Rey, she has all she could ever want and really a partner, in the end, sounds like more hassle then it's worth. There are times though when her soul feels torn that her body yearns for someone to just hold her. For someone to take care of her for once instead of her taking care of everyone else.

It's a pipe dream though and she's desperately grateful for what she does have. A marvelous not so baby boy and a pair of best friends who are always there when needed and even more when they're not.

Fridays are surprisingly busy. A group of students from a local private school in the area hired Rey and Finn to teach a class centered around Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical with a mesh of hip hop and ballet rolled in. The course is going to span the entire school year and if it goes well the school will be hiring them permanently. It's strange coming up with a curriculum knowing that a group of rich parents had pushed their weight around and bought their time. In the end, it's a blessing, it's brought their studio revenue and a lot of the students have picked up extra classes so really it's been a win-win. The offset is, some kids with money come with high demands and expectations. Teenage hormones also leave Poe to be ogled over long after class ends. He's a big boy though he can handle it so Rey doesn't feel bad about ducking out to take a break.

There's an hour between the teenage rush and their adult ballet class just after noon so it's the perfect opportunity to sneak away for a quick phone call. Dabbing her face off with a hand towel and slipping out of her shoes Ray grabs her water bottle, pulls on a pair of thick wool socks and wanders out into the hallway. The space they rent is part of an office building that rents the top floors out to a law firm, and a group of CCA's but the ground level is usually blissfully quiet. It's broad and bright filled with plush blue couches and an odd assortment of plants leaving Rey to wonder who cares for them.

It's a bright September afternoon and the atrium smells like fresh lemons and lilies. An arrangement brought about by the cleaning staffs love of Pine-sol and the large bouquet of fresh flowers sitting by the elevator. Ducking across the room Rey curls up in one of the many windows lining the street and pulls out her phone to find she has one missed call from a number she doesn't recognize and a text message from Finn.

After doing a quick search on the number Rey tucks into her voicemail to see if the mystery caller has left a message. After skipping over two messages left previous the deep sound of a man's voice rumbles into her ear.

"Uh Hi, Hello Ms. Niima, my name is Ben Solo, I'm Adam's teacher here at Chandrilla Academy." His voice is heavy but soft at the same time, unsure in a way that seems strange as he mutters something to someone offside, a student she realizes quickly before he continues, "I intended to call you yesterday but I got caught up with something and I wanted to make sure I spoke with Ms. D'Acy before reaching out to you. Adam had a bit of a rough day yesterday and if I'm being honest today has been a challenge as well. It's not an emergency. Adam is perfectly fine," he's muttering something again telling a student to put a book back on the shelf as he chuckles and tells them no they can not call their mom when he is done. "I'd really like it if we could sit down and chat. If face to face is hard with your schedule, feel free to call me. The number I'm calling from is my personal number. Call or text if that's easier. Thanks so much. Bye now"

Her first thought, he sounds kind of older. A gentleman in his mid-forties who wears tweed and ties and maybe still smokes tobacco from a pipe. Not that it matters what he looks like, it's just the impression he's left with. She's torn between calling and texting him. Something in her doesn't really want to get roped into a conversation afraid her emotions will get the best of her. The more rational part tells her it's something that needs to be done, it isn't about her, it's about Adam.

Steeling her emotions she takes a mouthful from her water bottle and then hits redial. There's a pause where the number filters through the system before it starts ringing. Looking to the clock in the entryway Rey can see it's ten after twelve which means they should be on lunch now. Lunch likely means Mr. Solo is currently sitting with Adam listening to the little boy talk his ear off about Minecraft.

The thought sparks a quick smile as the call rings once more before there's a shift, a shuffle, and a chuckle, "Hello," his voice is lighter then it had been in the message and she can hear kids in the background calling for him.

"Hello, Mr. Solo?" she lets the question hang in the air as a formality before she continues, "This is Rey Niima, Adam's mom. I'm sorry I missed your call earlier I was in class."

She can hear the shifting of chairs and Adam's obvious course of disapproval as Mr. Solo mutters, 'I'll be right back bud, you eat your yogurt' before there's a shift of skin against the mouthpiece, "Yes, hello, thanks for getting back to me."

"How's he doing?" Rey hates how small her voice sounds as she asks, almost afraid of the answer that's about to follow.

"It's been… rough." a soft exhalation of air leaves Rey waiting, "Has Adam talked to you about any of the issues he's having in school?"

Mother of the year right here, "No, I know he's struggled with a boy named Luka on the bus…"

There's a 'Mmm'ing sound of acknowledgment, "Listen I don't want to go into it now, he's actually sitting with me, we're…"

"Eating lunch, yes thank you for keeping an eye on him."

"Oh no, no it's my pleasure, he's really something else, he has a fantastic mind and he's such a kind kid. There are just a few things I'd like to discuss with you if you have the time. I'm usually here until five most days." Rey knows school lets out at two-fifty which leaves a few hours between Adam's departure and Mr. Solo heading home. "You aren't free this afternoon by any chance?"

"It's Friday," She's not even sure why she says it but he seems to misunderstand her meaning.

"Sorry I know your family probably has plans…"

"Oh no, no I meant don't you want to get home?"

There's a soft sound like a breathy sort of laugh, "If you can make it in I'll be here." His kindness is kind of heartwarming.

Going over the afternoon's itinerary quickly Rey huffs, "I should be able to make it work, can I text you in fifteen to confirm. I just need to run it by my teaching partner."

"Yeah, yes definitely, absolutely. Just let me know. I look forward to meeting you Ms. Niima.

"You as well, thank you, Mr. Solo."

They say a quick goodbye and Rey is left to ruminate on all the things Mr. Solo might have to tell her. Her mind spirals falling down the path of encouraged assessments and time out of the classroom. She hates to think that Adam's education might suffer from something she may have done or not done enough of. As a parent it's one's job to internalize and take the blame for every little thing wrong in your child's life.

After the last of the teenage horde finds their way out the frosted glass doors of the studio Rey decides to return. Poe is giving the floors a quick swiffering as she slips through the doors quietly, "You call the teacher?"

"Yeah, he wants to have a sit-down. We have practice this afternoon do you think I could leave early?" It's hard not to catch the look Poe tosses in her direction, a mix between 'do you even need to ask?' and 'don't be an idiot'.

"You know the routine better then anyone if you're good, go ahead." He leans on the swifter casually, "We're on for Endor tonight right? Amilyn was asking if we would preform."

The Moons of Endor, a strip club turned classy was the closest thing Rey had to letting her hair down lately. She and Poe performed on a fairly regular basis most Friday evenings. She'd pop home get Adam to bed with enough time to get ready and leave with Poe while Finn stayed home with the kid. It was easy money and it gave her and Poe and opportunity to try out things that they wouldn't normally fit into a dance routine for a recital or a class. "For sure, just make sure doesn't she put us on after Imogen again, I almost broke my neck last time."

After firing off Adam's teacher a quick confirmation Rey pulls on her ballet slippers while Poe flips on the iconic 'Time of My Life' shimmying his footsteps and working his arms at his hips in a lewd impression of Patrick Swazey. "Come onnnnnnn Skywalker." He chides as he holds out his hand for her.

He's always had a thing for the movie, something she and Finn tease him about relentlessly, Lately, however he's been pushing to work some of what he considers the iconic dance moves into their act. In particular the grand leap in which Baby leaps into Johnny Castle's waiting arms. There are many ways in which it could work and Poe is certainly strong enough the problem is Rey's hesitation in letting go.

She takes Poe's hand as he winds her into a twirl. The world around her blurs as her body spins and it's so utterly freeing. They do this a lot between classes, play around with their routine. It's freeing to be so in control over your own body and movements and Poe has always been an amazing partner. He reads her body language and can anticipate a movement before Rey has even finished the thought.

Throwing herself into a pirouette she uses the force of the movement to continue her body through it, bouncing on her toes before falling back into Poe's open arms. He holds her and they rock, swaying in time to the music. It's intimate in a way she's never really shared with another human being. Not a sexual knowing of another's desires, that's different. This is anticipating a feeling through movement. She knows when Poe's hand clasps her's he's going to throw her out into a spin and likewise he knows when she bends into the motion she's going to do what Adam likes to call a 'barrel roll'. They're finely timed like a well-oiled machine so when Poe starts backing up Rey knows what he wants next. It's the one thing she hasn't been able to give him yet.

"Come on kid," he urges nodding his head as he swirls his hips, hunching forward to quirk his index fingers in his direction.

Panic floods her, like fire set to dry kindling. She doesn't know why she always hesitates with this but it never fails. She's known Poe forever. Other then Finn he's her longest-standing relationship. He knows her more intimately then anyone ever has including Adam's father. Why then does she struggle with trusting him with this? Maybe it's herself she doesn't trust. She's lept into his arms before, plenty of times but never this high or this free. Is that it? The relinquishing of control?

"Like we talked about, you can do it." Soft words wrap around her desire to be more then what she is and for a split second she thinks… maybe.

Her hands flex and pull at her sides as she watches him. He's ready, but he's always ready. He won't drop her he's never dropped her and how is this aft different from her pole routines?

She can do it.

With a curt nod Rey turns, she's swaying, warms wide as she reaches and moves, building up to a greater climax. She leaps away, scissoring her feet before twirling and going to face Poe. His eyes are wide and he's ready. It's now or never so… she lets go. Her steps are light and quick as she runs towards him ready to jump but the follow-through ends up with feet scuffing the ground and her body colliding with Poe's.

"Sorry… sorry, one more time," she groans as Poe pulls her to her feet and brushes off her yoga pants. She wishes she were in less, skin is much easier to grab a hold of, less slip and glide. Again she winds and twirls and when it comes down to it this time she launches herself forward. The leap isn't as strong as it should be, and she doesn't quite get the air they were intending but Poe has her by the waist and he's guiding them to the ground smoothly. She's screwed up again but Poe looks incredibly pleased about something.

"That could work too," he mutters, "One more?"

When she does it this time she feels his hands hoist her high holding her aloft as her body goes rigid in the air. "Ok, now pivot your hips towards me, like we did in our last routine but kind of backward, you know?"

She thinks she does, "Like, a back walkover down your body?"

"Exactly!"

Rey drops her legs, her pelvis swinging to collide with Poe's chest. He's supporting her through the movements as her body topples over backward, her hands braced against the floor as she flips over and lands in a split.

Poe grins madly, "Yessss," he cries, "That's so much better, let's give it a few more before our prima ballerinas show up."

They run the routine a few more times taking it from various points in the act before their students start piling in. Soon the music is off and they're back into teaching mode again. Their afternoon Friday crew is a group of women in their fifties and sixties who always dreamed of being dancers but never sought out their passion. Now nearing retirement a lot of these women decided it was time to do something for themselves and joined on a whim to make new friends and try out their skills. It's one of Rey's favorite classes to teach. The woman shamelessly hit on Poe which is always a height of entertainment but they're carefree and easy in a way Rey envies.

The class goes off without a hitch and soon Rey finds herself packing her things up in preparation for her quick shot across the city. It's far enough that walking is out while being not far enough away to warrant hailing a cab. The bus and it's motley crew of commuters as always provide enough entertainment for a lifetime. Getting off close to Adam's school Rey pulls her phone out and fires Mr. Solo a quick text telling him she will be there in about ten minutes. It shouldn't take her that long to walk the following block but it's a nice day so some daydreamy dawdling needs to be accounted for.

The school is a fine brick building that's all one floor and spread wide enough it looks as though it takes up nearly a whole city block. It's a beehive of activity even at this time of day as the older kids student clubs finish up and teachers bid their farewells for the evening. Popping into the office Rey reorientates herself with the layout before heading off down the hallway to node four where she knows Adam's classroom is located. It's like petals on a flower, many hallways spread off the main seed where the office and administration are located. At the end of the petal is a group of four classrooms with a door leading to the outside. Along the hallways are murals done by students and artwork hung from various grade levels. Hooks lined with names and shelves with bins indicate where each kid is supposed to leave their stuff.

It doesn't take long to find Adams, his name is written in smooth neat block lettering, obviously done by his teacher. The card his name is on his covered in paint splatters with a small cloth bag hanging beneath it by one strap, Adam's shoes only barely contained within. His small cubby above is filled with papers and a toy or two he must have snuck from home. Part of Rey bristles, she hates when he sneaks his things to school but another aches because she knows his reason for doing so. Desperate for friends Adam tries to tempt others into playing with him by offering them things. She's seen him do it at parks and during the odd play date, there's no reason to think anything different is going on here.

Clutching at the strap of her oversized purse Rey looks for the open classroom door. Of the four only one remains open, the other doors closed, their rooms dark and blissfully vacant. Mr. Solo is the only teacher left in his node and Rey feels the warmth of gratitude bloom in her chest at the thought that he stuck around solely for her.

Poking her head into the brightly lit classroom she's met with an arrangement of tables all lined with four chairs each. Each round table looks like a painters pallet with different colored circles at each chair, each denoting a child's name and place. It doesn't look like a man's classroom she thinks as her eyes take in the space. Silver paint cans are hanging from the windows, each spilling forth a different waterfall of tule, done in the order of the rainbow. There's a stationary bike in the corner for kids who need time to wind down. Rey knows this because it was a frequent tactic used to try and quell Adam's mounting energy. On a black pinboard behind it are pictures of the children done in random groupings the word 'Birthdays' spilling down its center. Across from the bike, under a halo of color is a large round rug of a black and blue zigzag design lined on two sides by long and wonderous shelves lined with a wild assortment of books topped with a bin of well-loved stuffies. It's incredibly detailed and well kept considering it's a class that houses first graders but standard as far as classrooms go. Standard that is other than the large man sitting behind the desk to the far right of the doorway. Rey almost misses him tucked to the side as he was, his brow furrowed as he pours over a pile of papers.

He doesn't seem to notice her at first, his fingers carded through his hair. Hair that is thick and long, falling around the nape of his neck softly. So dark and full it makes Rey itch to touch it.

"Uhm, excuse me?" She calls softly, stirring him from his thoughts, "Mr. Solo?"

When he looks up she's grateful to have the doorframe for support. He's not at all what she had expected. He's younger then what she had anticipated for one and there is a distinct lack of tweed. Not sure whether she's disappointed or not Rey shifts as he approaches. As he reachers full height she finds she has to lean back a little in order to properly take all of him in because there's so much of him to take in. His eyes are wide and bright, deep pools of muddy water lit but sunlight, twinkling at the edges where they crinkle from his smile. And oh, his smile, his mouth is broad and bright and dimpled with teeth that are just slightly crooked. Enough to make him human because every other part of him is just too good to be true. She's never been attracted to his sort before if Adam's father had been any indication. He had been tall sure, but he was lanky and blonde with a compact face and hard eyes. Mr. Solo makes hard look soft. Fine lines, a strong sloped nose and a face littered with beauty marks. As his smile eases she is able to take in the full extent of his mouth, and she does mean full because god damn those lips are nothing short of sinful. Plush and pink and so utterly kissable.

It takes her a moment to realize he's speaking to her, he's saying something his name. Yes, his name, "Ben," and she nods dumbly. Maybe it's the lack of intimacy in her life at current or maybe it's the way his chest seems to stretch out his grey henley beneath his dark blue blazer because dear god he's broad but Rey stumbles over her words as she enters.

He has his hand out on greeting, "Call me Ben please," he's saying again as he encourages her to take a chair opposite his desk. He smiles again and it's world-altering, no one should have a smile like that. All bright and accommodating lined with a light dusting of facial hair. She's never even liked facial hair before now.

"Rey…" she offers with a small smile of her own. Suddenly she wishes she'd thought to change before coming over. Into what she's not sure but her dance attire seems so plain and unimpressive now. "I was expecting a tie."

Ben laughs, it's deep and breathy and dear god she wants to hear it again, "I'm sorry?"

Feeling her cheeks flush Rey quickly explains, "Adam is always talking about your ties, I was surprised when I saw you without one."
Yes that's exactly what surprised her, his lack of a tie, not his beautiful mouth, or his hair, or his beautiful hands because wow are they big. And, the way he's looking at her, it's curious but knowing, leaving them in this awkward standoff just staring, waiting for someone to break the silence.

This chapter turned out to be far more cathartic for me to write then I realized. I didn't mean to delve so far into Adam's (haha real original right?) issues but I needed a reason to get Rey in front of Ben that was plausible and when I started this all sort of came out. Likely because the issues are similar to what I've gone through with my own child so it was easier to come out with. Rey came across a little more... thirsty then I intended (I think I used that term right... I feel so old haha) anywayssss Next chapter is in Bens POV because... well here's his dream girrrrrrrl xoxo