Chapter Text
Twelve years ago
Rey had to admit that when she started her middle school, she didn't expect that Ben Solo would be her first anything. For starters, Ben was in eighth grade and at least a foot and a half taller than her. His hands were practically bigger than her waist span.
Ben also wore really nice clothes, not thrift store specials and went on vacation to the beach. His mom was Mayor and his grandfather owned some business that made millions. Rey lived in a group home and was constantly using the hygiene closet at school to restock her toothpaste and shampoo as the other kids would take hers. The very idea of a vacation was a joke.
It wasn't that Rey thought she would get to know Ben, or even wanted to, but she was aware of his existence and the constant whispers he created with his attitude and misbehavior. Everyone knew of him.
Rey was sure that no one knew of her.
That is until Rey's homeroom teacher caught Rey hoarding the extra breakfast packets that no one took.
"Our afterschool clubs serve dinner you know," Mr. Djarin suggested, "Might be a good thing for you."
This suggestion was transformative, Rey soon found herself with a full belly and clubs five days a week. One of these clubs was the Green Club.
The club met in Mr. Ackbar's Science class weekly and Rey was shocked to see eighth grader Ben Solo join them in March. All the students whispered and the gossip wasn't kind.
"He has to do community service for breaking a window."
"I heard he beat up a kid."
"I heard he beat up a teacher."
"He's such a bully, so nasty."
"He's such an entitled prick, won't even look at any of the girls here, thinks he's too good for us."
The worse one was, "He's a real monster."
Rey listened to the rumors with a grain of salt, after all she'd been the subject of gossip before. Ben might be big and wear a leather jacket but that didn't mean he'd done half of what was said.
Still the glare Ben gave the group made it obvious he wasn't here by choice.
"Alright," Ackbar called the club to order, "We are planting trees in the lot by the playground," he gestured to a wagon full of seedlings. "You will pair up with a classmate and take a tree."
Everyone quickly got into twos, including Rey with her classmate Rose.
Ben of course, was the odd man out. Only fellow eight grader Armitage Hux was left over and he looked at Ben with clear disdain.
"I'm not pairing up with him," Armitage sneered.
Ben's scowl deepened.
"Now Armitage," Ackbar began.
"Don't, my father makes a sizable contribution to this club just because I can get community service hours for this, if you make me pair up with Solo, I'll throw a fit and you can kiss your funding goodbye," Armitage threatened.
Ackbar narrowed his eyes, "Fine, someone else needs to pair up with Solo, now."
No one moved.
Rey could feel the tension and dislike in the room.
"They all pretty much hate me," Ben shrugged. "The feeling is mutual." It was said with carelessness that was all too practiced. Rey knew when someone was wearing a mask, she'd worn one for years.
"Would someone please pair up with Solo? Ackbar sighed.
"Why would we, he's an ass?" A seventh grade girl commented. Several people laughed.
Ben's eyes darkened and he clenched his mouth.
"I'll do it," Rey found herself saying.
All eyes were now on her, including Solo's.
Ackbar looked at her with concern, "Rey you are in sixth grade, you don't need to do this."
"It's whatever," Rey shrugged and smiled brightly at Ben, "You can carry the tree."
He simply nodded.
Ben barely talked to her that day, choosing to keep whatever thoughts he had to himself.
But Ben didn't beat her up, or make mean comments which is what Rey expected.
Rey noted how handsome the tall boy was in the sunlight and wondered what his real story was.
From then on, every time Ben needed a partner he paired up with Rey. He didn't ask but just walked over to her and nodded.
Rey would nod back and off they went.
Rey knew the other students found it strange.
"Why him?" Rose demanded.
"I know what it's like to be labeled," Rey said quietly.
Ben never said much and Rey never asked him anything.
Sometimes he would toss her an apple or a candy bar, Rey could never say no.
One of the girls on the cheer team winessed it and started mocking Rey, calling her "Scavenger".
A week later the girl was kicked off the cheer team for cheating on State Testing.
After that Rey heard whispers, "You mess with Niima, Solo will come for you."
Whether it was true or not, kids went out of their way to be nice to Rey.
As spring melded into Summer, Rey watched the saplings grow.
On the last day of school Rey was depressed, it was summer which meant long days in the crowded group home with no space or thing to call her own.
No more Ben either.
She wondered over to the tree and spotted the little tree that she and Ben had planted.
Rey crouched down, it looked like someone had carved something in the tree, peering closely she noticed a BS + RN= a heart."
Rey blushed, and grew even more red as she heard footsteps approach.
She looked up to see Ben standing there, his eyes on her face.
"I didn't do it," Rey stammered.
"I know, I did," Ben didn't meet her gaze.
"But why, you don't even talk to me?" Rey felt herself at a loss for words.
"You're the only one who noticed me," Ben's dark eyes finally met hers, "For real. "
Rey knew exactly what Ben meant.
"I'm going to boarding school in the fall," Ben finally spoke, "So I wanted to remember you and us. At least one thing here wasn't shit."
Rey felt tears spring to her eyes, "I won't forget you, ever and I want you to know, I don't think you're a monster."
"I know," Ben looked a little misty himself, "you're alright."
Then to Rey's utter shock Ben leaned over and kissed her on the lips.
It felt unexpectedly pleasant and far too brief.
"Goodbye," Ben nodded.
"Goodbye," Rey gulped.
As Ben turned and walked away, Rey's fingers traced the carved initials with tenderness.
Ben Solo hadn't just taken her first kiss, he'd taken part of her heart.