Archive of Our Own ^beta

She exhales, letting out the stagnant breath she feels like she's been holding onto for years.

"First things first," she says to herself and opens the box that says FRAGILE in large black letters. "Welcome home, Bee," she coos at a small pothos plant she bought just a few days prior. And yes, she knows it's rather silly to name your plants, but Rey just doesn't care. She's always loved plants, ever since she was a kid. Her foster parents didn't care much for her hobby and forbid her from "bringing garbage" into their house. They took whatever chance they had to remind her that that wasn't her house, she was merely just a guest. One that they couldn't wait to get rid of.

That's the reason why it's so important to her to have her own place and have it be perfect for her. When you grow up owning next to nothing, you cherish the few things you do have.

The unpacking doesn't take much time, as she doesn't have much in the first place. Her clothes get put up in the closet, a few items in the kitchen, a small tv in the living room. She's glad she had help with the heavier things by her boss, Han. He had let her crash in the floor above his shop for the better part of a year. Han told her to take as much time as she needed, and would never kick her out (Han would never say it, but he saw her as if she was his own daughter), but Rey didn't want to wear out her welcome.

Once she was done, her wooden lawn chair was practically screaming her name. The afternoon breeze is enough to cool her down, but she suddenly wishes she had a drink in her hand. A nice, ice cold lemonade would really hit the spot. She hears the sound of a sliding door opening and a woman's voice.

"Whoa, you've made yourself at home quickly."

It's her next door neighbor who's nudging her head towards the plants hanging on the balcony railing. She's got long black hair, a couple of tattoos on her arms and legs, and is wearing what seem to be the tiniest shorts in the entire universe. She's holding some wet clothes in her hand and begins hanging them on a clothesline. She says, "We're not allowed to do this. Don't tell anyone," she winks at Rey, and she feels as if it suddenly went up a few degrees.

"I won't." Rey thanks every god who's listening for being able to speak without her voice cracking. "I'm Rey," she tells her.

"Jessika," she says and waves at her. Rey smiles and tries not to watch her as she finishes hanging her clothes. That proves to be a difficult task as she's in her line of sight, and those shorts were really, really short.

Every part of her aches when she sits slowly on her old couch. Rey closes her eyes to savor the moment of finally resting. She had almost fallen asleep when there's a knock at the door. Rey looks at it and is relieved to see she didn't bother locking it. "It's open!" she shouts, with just a little anger behind it, at whoever is on the other side of the door. Rey had been on her feet all day and she couldn't be bothered to move from her spot on the couch until she had to get ready for bed.

Sadly, things don't always work out in the best way because the person she yelled at is, of course, her neighbor, the one she'd developed a tiny crush on.

"I'm sorry, is this a bad time?"

Is this a bad time? Oh God, I'm absolutely disgusting, covered in grease, and smell like a dumpster! Rey thinks but immediately stands up, dusting herself off and running her hands over her hair, hoping to smooth it out and hoping it's not too wild. "I'm sorry for yelling at you and...," Rey gestures at her apartment. "Haven't really had a chance to fix it up."

"Don't worry, you should see my place," she smiles, and oh, it takes Rey's breath away. "Can I come in?"

"Oh, my God, yes please come in. I don't have any chairs or anything," she says and is suddenly thoroughly embarrassed at how empty her apartment is.

"It's fine, I'm not staying long. I just wanted to give you this," Jess says and lifts a brown paper bag. She sets it on the kitchen counter and takes out a box from within. Rey is very interested in what it holds. She opens the top and very delicately takes out a glass container of bright green bamboo.

"I know you like plants," she says, pointing at her balcony, "and I thought you might like this. The little pamphlet says it's supposedly good luck. I thought since you just moved in, it would be appropriate."

Rey thanks her and there's a moment where no one speaks. She just stares at her until Jessika says, "Well, I'll , uh, get out of your hair. I just wanted to welcome you to the building." Before she leaves, she turns back. "Oh and if you need anything, you know where to find me."

"Thanks. I will. Bye, Jess. Jessika!" She corrects herself, blushing wildly. They'd only just met, they weren't close enough for that just yet. Rey had a knack for always embarrassing herself at the worst times.

It doesn't bother Jessika at all. She smiles and says goodbye, closing the door behind her.

That Friday night, Jessika comes over with two large cheese pizzas and a movie. The movie is from her own personal collection, and Jess claims she has impeccable taste in movies, that Rey will love it. Rey finds it funny to tease her, telling her that the movie will probably suck, and Jess threatens to kick her off the couch.

The movie is playing softly in the background as they eat. "I work at a tattoo shop, obviously," Jessika says and takes a bite of her slice of pizza. Rey tries her best not to stare at her. The super loose tank top that exposes Jess' bra and a large part of her sides is really not helping. "What about you?"

"Mechanic. That's why I always smell so lovely," Rey says and Jess laughs. How is it that someone can look as adorable as she does when doing something as simple as laughing? Rey has to take a sip of her drink because her mouth has suddenly gone dry.

Jess continues, "That's awesome, though. Girls who know their way around a car are always cool. I know a bit, but not enough to get me out of a bind. Maybe you could teach me a thing or two?"

"Any time!" Rey grins and that cements it: she's head over heels.