It's been a few weeks since Rey completed her work and I still take peeks at her masterpiece, savoring every stroke of her paintbrush. I knew she would love surrealism but I didn't expect surrealism to love her so, as if the style was made for her.

I spent hours framing the perfect photo to create a digital copy good enough for my purposes. Now that everything has fallen into place, I am sure Rey is going to love her early birthday present.

Based on what I've learned of her home life so far (a lot less than I'd like), my gift for her will be the best she has ever received.

She deserves nothing but the best. I will be that for her.

Rey should be here any minute now so I tuck her painting away in its safe place and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Until hours have passed.

And I am alone.

And it feels like I stopped breathing a while ago.

Where is she?

I check each day that she is present for her first period class. She's never missed a day despite it being late in the semester, and I attribute that to whoever is in that van each day being a piece of shit.

The teachers' portal says she was in school today.

Did she get bored of me? Of art?

Did she realize how I felt about her? How I need her or there's nothing left of me. How she heals me with each day, with each minute.

Now the minutes stretch endlessly and I feel the slow decay.

Eventually I pack up both tupperwares, untouched, switch off the light and go home. It's the loneliest night I've spent since I met Rey.

I wonder what kept her from me today, what caused her to break our unspoken promise of spending time with each other each day. The weekends are maddening enough. Not knowing why is even worse.

The next day is a B day so I will get my answers provided she is at school.

The first thing I do when I get to the art room in the morning is check the portal, refreshing until sure enough she is marked present for first period.

It does nothing to ease my mind and all day I feel like a madman until finally fourth period arrives.

Students file in, each one a disappointment, until Rey walks in with the same confidence as usual, something I notice growing every day, and it should. She's magnificent.

She takes her usual seat and is immediately sketching. She doesn't even look at me but that's normal.

I can't say for sure, but it seems she wants to keep our relationship hidden as well, something that both irks and pleases me very much.

It's for the best though.

Still, I'm not letting her off without an explanation.

The explanation walks into my art room at the end of class in the form of bright red hair and gangly limbs. I've seen the boy around. Hux they call him. A fucking punk if I've ever seen one.

He makes a beeline for my Rey and I wish I could grab the boy and strike him over the head.

Another first.

"Excuse me," I intervene with my deepest voice. It comes out rougher than it should have.

The boy eyes me quickly, disdain clear. Prick. "Rey, we should get out of here," he mutters.

The sketchbook I gifted her is already in her bag and she's on her feet. "Mr. Ren, Hux and I have a history project. I'll be back tomorrow though." She says it lightly as if it wasn't a stab in my lungs.

Of fucking course. Dameron's history project is getting in my way. He's the reason I spent last night agonized.

The boy clears his throat and I have to do something or Rey is going to be alone with this sleazy boy and I just can't have that. Can't even picture it.

"Rey, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Yes, buy time.

She looks momentarily taken aback, but shrugs. "Yeah, sure. I'll be right there, Hux," she says dismissively and my lips quirk up for a moment at that. I need that about right now.

The boy, Hux, looks between both of us, almost suspiciously. I try and keep myself from visibly tensing up but I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing.

I'm doing something out of the ordinary for a teacher and of course he's noticed. I stare him down as if I've done nothing wrong.

He sighs and his shoulders slump some while he exits, leaving me alone with Rey.

She eyes me curiously, concern playing across her lovely face.

"I have a surprise for you."

"And what's that?" I adore Rey for her composure, setting her apart from other teenagers. Sadly, it must be her home life that makes her so.

"There's a very prestigious gallery opening in the city this Friday evening. Only the best artists in the region are welcome, and I've been invited." I hate to lie but it's necessary. It's that boy Hux's fault. "I want to bring you as my plus one."

Her eyes widen, and thank the heavens that she's intrigued. Of course she is. She would never disappoint me.

I continue. "The thing is, the invitation said black tie. Do you have any formal attire?"

She shakes her head slowly.

"Well then we must get some."

"Okay," she breathes. I wonder why she is so taken aback but I'm pleased she is accepting my invitation.

Oh.

It's as if I've asked her on a date I realize. I can feel my ears heating up but I press on.

"Will Plutt be an issue?" The name tastes bad as it leaves my mouth.

She shakes her head again.

"I'll write you a note just in case. Listen, I would prefer to go shop for your dress now. Tomorrow I have some errands to run."

And that's the truth at least.

"Yeah, okay. Let me make up some excuse for Hux. Be right back."

I smile wryly. On one side, I'm thrilled she said yes to me and no to him. On the other, I know I'm not being careful enough.

It's hard to care. She's here with me, not him. I feel victorious instead of defeated.

When Rey comes back she informs me that they plan on finishing the project before class tomorrow at lunch, which is fine by me.

I lead Rey out of the building and to my car. I hope she doesn't notice how much I'm scanning for witnesses. Almost as much as I hope that no one sees us.

I remind myself that as much as I despise the man, Dameron is still my safeguard. I'm thankful for it.

I drive us to the nearby mall. I figure Macy's ought to have what we need for Friday night.

Rey spent a lot of the car ride looking out the window excitedly. Makes me wonder how much time she spends outside of school, home and that van.

I park by the food court intentionally, keen on making sure Rey eats. When I switch off the ignition, it really dawns on me that we are off campus together for the first time ever. I tower over her as we make our way to the entrance. I have noticed she's grown a little since the start of the semester. Not just height-wise either.

The cool air is replaced by an almost suffocating heat. There are so many people bustling around the food court alone. If there's one thing I hate, it's crowds.

It seems Rey is no different, as she weaves through people, careful not to touch them. I notice one person bump into her and she flinches. Eventually she grabs the back of my jacket and follows closely behind. It's the most childlike thing I've seen Rey do.

"Rey, would you like something to eat?"

"Yes, please."

"You choose." I wave my hand out to all the options.

"Chinese?"

I nod and lead her to the line. Once we have our trays, I choose a booth for more privacy. Not that there isn't a constant buzz of chatter in this overcrowded mall.

"Thank you," She mutters before digging in.

She's a lot healthier looking than when I first saw her, but she still eats like a pig. I love it.

I on the other hand have always been meticulous about eating. It's no secret that I enjoy running and working out, so I'm careful about my eating habits.

Once she's slowed down a bit, I decide it's time to get answers.

"Rey, tell me about Plutt."

She shrugs. "He's my legal guardian. Always busy. Not much to it."

How wrong she is. There's everything to it.

"What does he do for a living?"

She shrugs again and pushes her food around on the plate. "Rey?"

Her eyes meet mine. "Something shady." We stare at one another for a few moments too long before she pushes her tray away. "Shall we move on? I want to be at school by the time Plutt gets there."

"Of course."

In the Macy's the store attendant keeps eyeing between me and Rey trying to find some relation.

None of our features match, and it's not like I can tell her that I'm Rey's teacher buying her a dress and heels.

I didn't want to involve her in the first place but Rey and I are both clueless when it comes to shopping.

I wait patiently as Rey and her move around the store and enter the changing room together for far too long. How long does it take to try on dresses?

Rey comes out eventually looking frustrated with a black dress in hand. "This one," she says through clenched teeth.

I chuckle and lead her to the register, sure we are going to make it back to school in time for Plutt to arrive.

We do.