Chapter Text
Ben Solo has been a teacher at First Order High for almost a decade now, and the start to every school year is always the same. The same annoying teachers talking too loudly for 8 am. The same stupid walls with the same boring posters. The same influx of new students released from the middle schools clogging the hallways, wild eyes and smiles, ready to be teenagers. He grumbles as he passes the unfamiliarly familiar faces of the teachers who share his corner of the science wing. New students pour into his classroom, even more obnoxious than the ones the year before, and he immediately knows this year will be a long one. He lets out a low grumble as he stands by the open door.
“Welcome. Welcome….” He mutters, bored, as the students trickle in.
The moment his eyes catch their first glimpse of her makes Ben’s heart stop. He never knew that could happen. Sure, he’d always heard about it in movies, but that wasn’t real life…right? That’s what he always thought, but now he stands corrected, because the moment his eyes find hers is like looking out into the sky after a thunderstorm and marveling at the rainbow-streaked sky. He watches as she moves down the hall, her full-mouth smile brightening the hallway as she walks. Her chestnut-brown hair flows against her shoulders, like ripples from a milk chocolate waterfall, and freckles dust her cheeks like shooting stars above her dimpled smile.
He can’t take his eyes off her, and before he realizes he’s doing it, he’s staring at her. And she’s noticed. His heart pounds. She’s coming his way. Every step she takes makes Ben’s heart race even faster, and the way her cheeks dimple when she meets his eyes melts him from the inside out. She holds out her hand. He wants to introduce himself, but his breath sticks in his throat, so all he can manage is, “N-nice to meet you,” with an awkward nod that makes him wince. He shakes her hand, the heat rising to his cheeks. She must think he looks like a total idiot.
He’s scared to meet her eyes again, but when he does, she’s looking at him with a soft expression. Can someone’s heart stop from a single look?
He’s trying to figure out the words to say next, but he’s never been very good at these types of situations. Then again, when was the last time he even felt this way about anything? He can’t seem to remember it ever happening at all. “I’m Ben—Mr. Solo here in the science department. Are you the new astronomy teacher?” He’s impressed with himself for being able to speak so fluidly. It’s a lot easier than he thought.
She smiles again and suddenly he’s back to square one. “Hi, Ben. My name’s Rey Niima. I look forward to being your neighbor.” Her smile remains, and he manages to look into her eyes long enough to catch a glimpse of the way they shimmer a light hazel, like honey and caramel.
The bell rings. He nods at her and says, “Have a good class, Miss Niima. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Sounds good,” she says and then turns around to flounce into her classroom. Ben can’t stop thinking about her as he makes his way to his desk. A packed classroom full of fourteen-year-olds take their seats and clog the air with mindless chatter. Ben really should tell them to quiet down...
“Everyone, that’s enough!” he yells, his loud, deep voice silencing them immediately, forcing him to recall his reputation among the students and staff. He doesn’t really mind that everyone’s intimidated by him. He’s used to it. His whole life has been filled with rumors and fear. But when he hears the new teacher introduce herself through the wall behind him, he suddenly hopes he can change the mind of at least one teacher, if she finds out what everyone thinks he is.
Then he realizes it’s been a solid minute since he said anything. He swallows and says, “My name is Mr. Solo. This is freshman biology. Take out your books and turn to page twenty.” He’s interrupted by roars of laughter erupting from Miss Niima’s classroom, making him further aware of the agonizingly quiet state of his own classroom. He looks out at the blank faces of his new students. You can practically hear the students blink in this room. He hears her voice now, lovely and melodic with a thick London accent, and his heart nearly stops yet again.
He lets out a long breath and resumes his lesson.
This is going to be a long year.