His alluring, brown eyes had a depth she wanted to know and understand more than anything. Rey couldn't take her eyes off of him, and he couldn't seem take take his off of hers as well. The firm eye contact linked them together in that moment, and it felt like nothing could break it. Except for Finn. Obviously. Finn announced the rest of the room's awkwardness by clearing his throat.

Thrown out of their trance, they turned to look at Leia. She wore a small smirk as if she knew what connection they had just experienced. The expression made Rey and Kylo blush furiously and avoid eye contact with each other.

When Rey finally looked back up, she was relieved to see Rose and Finn confused because they didn't catch anything but the blush. Rey turned back to the stranger to admit her fault with a quiet tone.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't paying attention, and you had to pay the price for that."

• • •

Kylo was curious about Rey. This woman that sat in the hospital bed in front of him just apologized for him crashing into her. Setting aside the rules of the road, he didn't brake fast enough for her to stay out of harm.

The weirdest thing, though, was the sincerity that he felt behind her simple apology. It said everything she was feeling. That was something he wasn't used to. The act of believing there was no ulterior motive that often paired with a plea for forgiveness.

"I know. I understand, and we'll work it out when you're out of the hospital and feeling better."

Leia was shocked at the tenderness in his voice, but somehow she knew this would happen. Kylo never showed a soft spot, and she knew he was just waiting for the right opportunity to show it. Whether or not he knew this girl was already his soft spot, there was no going back now.

• • •

The hospital discharged Rey and cleared her for not having a concussion at 10pm that same night.

Finn refused to let Rey walk on her own out to the car and held her shoulder and hand to support her.

"Finn, what are you doing? I hit my head, I didn't break my leg."

"I'm not risking anything because I'd blame myself if you collapsed onto the ground right now." He said matter-of-factly.

While he insisted on that, Rose insisted on driving immediately back to their apartment and going to the salvage yard to check the condition of her car the next day.

"There is no way we're letting you do anything else tonight. You have to go home and get some rest." Rose turned her lips up slightly. "Doctor's orders." Rey groaned as if she were annoyed, but she truly did appreciate her friends wanting to take care of her. Kylo and Leia wanted to help, too, but all she wanted to do was go home, sleep, and enjoy the thought of not going back to school, so she refused. When Leia persisted, Rey convinced her to settle on getting their numbers and promising to calling them the next day.

"I guess that end-of-the-year party will have to wait."

• • •

Kylo sprung up as he jolted awake from the nightmare he had just experienced. Sweat covered him from head to toe, and he glanced at the digital clock on his nightstand.

2:52

His heavy breathing was the only sound he could hear over the pulse ringing in his ear. Kylo placed his head in his hands as he recalled what had shaken him from his sleep. Oh. It was about her. The girl that had plagued his thoughts ever since he laid eyes on her only hours before.

In his dream, the magnanimous girl was not as lucky to survive the wreck with as few scratches. The crash was on repeat from when the first time he hit her: she only gained a scratch, to the next a broken arm, then the next her legs were broken, and eventually, it lasted until she ended up with a broken neck as he stood with tears streaming down his face at the damage he caused. He was a monster after all. That's why his parents sent him away at such a young age. They didn't want him because he was too destructive, moody, and the exact opposite of the child he knew they wanted. A child more like Rey.

From the small time he heard her speak today, he knew that she was kindhearted, compassionate, and selfless. The extent of the carelessness he showed in the dream that led to Rey's death would never occur in real life. He wouldn't let it.

Kylo couldn't identify what was going on with his feelings towards the woman he had just met, but he didn't like them. They were different and made him feel things he didn't want to feel.

• • •

Rey glared at the ceiling because of her body's unwillingness to let her sleep. The only thing that revolved around her mind was, Kylo. This man, whom she barely knew, kept her awake with his captivating eyes and deep, enchanting voice.

She hated it. Why did she have to fall for some guy that had to suffer the consequence of her unexpectedly being in his life. So much for first impressions.

Rey swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked to the bathroom in darkness while avoiding the textbooks and school papers that she would have to clean up someday.

She placed her hands on the edge of the sink and stared back at the reflection. After a moment, her hands instinctively turned on the faucet to wash her face. She had hoped that it would help clear her head, but it only made her think harder about Kylo, and the new threat of paying back the hospital bills with money she didn't have.

As she returned to bed, the last thing she imagined was Kylo's face waiting for her to come to terms with her feelings. She made an agreement with herself right then and there to drop the feelings because she knew they would only leave her feeling disappointed, heartbroken, and lonely.