Chapter Text
Finn: I’m outside. Are you here yet
Rey: Omg you’re gonna hate me
Finn: Let me guess. You’re not coming
Rey: Sorry… I’m actually not even in the state right now
Finn: WHAT?? Where are you
Rey: California
Finn: Wtf I just saw you this morning
Rey: It was a last minute thing. My boss had a business trip but had to go to a funeral so he sent me
Finn: This had better not be some excuse to skip out. You were the one who wanted to go to this thing
Rey: No really look
Rey sent a photo!
Rey: Isn’t it beautiful? I’ve never seen so much green in February
Finn: Well what am I supposed to do
Rey: I’m really really sorry. I’ll make it up to you
Rey: How about I cook dinner for a week after I’m back
Finn: The only thing you know how to cook is ramen
Rey: That’s not fair! I can also make pb&j and pizza
Finn: Frozen pizza
Rey: Do you want me to cook or not
Finn: Fine but you didn’t answer my question
Finn: What am I supposed to do now??
Rey: Just go in! It’s not that scary
Rey: Hey I just got to the hotel. Ttyl
Finn: Wait Rey who was I supposed to talk to again? The guy your boss knows?
Finn: DAMMIT REY
“Fuck”, Finn muttered under his breath as he shoved his phone into his coat pocket. He wanted to run — go home, maybe pick up some wings along the way — anywhere to be away from the Cloud City Library and the community meeting being held in a conference room inside. “Stay calm. You can do this,” he whispered to himself as he walked toward the entrance. Besides, the bus only ran once an hour, so it wasn’t like there was anywhere for him to go.
A sign taped to the door read:
CONCERNED CITIZENS COMMUNITY MEETING
6:30 - 8:00 PM
WYNDHAM ROOM
Finn didn’t know where the Wyndham Room was, so he approached the circulation desk where a diminutive elderly woman bustled about, scanning and sorting library books. “Are you here for the meeting?” she asked, adjusting her thick, round spectacles. Finn nodded, secretly glad that he didn’t have to open his mouth. “Second door on your left. You’ll see the sign.” Finn mumbled out a quiet “thanks” as he walked away.
As soon as he stepped into the meeting room, Finn was greeted by a handsome, dark-haired man who was brimming with energy. “Welcome to the concerned citizens meeting, or as I like to call it, the Resistance,” he said, grinning and giving a slight chuckle at his own joke. “I’m Poe.” Poe extended a hand, and Finn gave it what he hoped was a solid shake. “You can sign in over there and make yourself a name tag. We’ve got drinks and snacks at the back of the room.”
It wasn’t until Finn was filling out the sign-in sheet that he realized he had forgotten to introduce himself. Mentally, he kicked himself for leaving a bad first impression and decided to hide from Poe for the rest of the night to avoid any further awkwardness.
As luck would have it, Finn heard a familiar voice as he piled cookies onto a paper plate. “So… [email protected]? I don’t know if I can call you that.”
“What?” Finn turned to Poe with a confused look.
“Your name tag.” Poe gestured with his Starbucks cup. Finn looked down. To his horror, he had written his email address on his name tag instead of his name. So much for a good second impression. Setting his plate of cookies down on the table, he ripped the name tag off his chest and crumpled it up with a dejected sigh. He considered walking out. He would never have to see any of these people again.
A strong hand gripped his shoulder. Poe’s hand. Finn could feel its warmth even through his winter coat. “So what do I call you, buddy?” Finn looked up. Poe’s soft brown eyes were filled with a kindness that immediately put him at ease.
Summoning his courage, Finn took a deep breath, lowered his voice as far as he could, and said, “Finn. My name’s Finn.”
“I like it.” Poe followed his statement with a mischievous lip bite, and at that moment, Finn made the decision to stay.