Almost

Chapter Eighteen and an apology ;-;

So I've kinda been gone for a while ehehehehe

The fandom became wayyyy to crazy for me.

Anyhow, I feel awful sort of for leaving this story behind. And no, its not going away. I love these characters and my story I've created. I just got wrapped up in writing another fanfiction.

So here is Chapter XVIII.

"CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!"

Everyone had a mixture of groans and giggles as Norath choked on the last of the Super Fizz. He coughed as he finished it all. And burped.

"That was disgusting!" Torra said with too much excitement.

The movie night that was planned did its job. Kaz was at least relaxing, and his face had lost all its mopiness. Tam enjoyed seeing him so happy.

"I'll get more drinks." Kaz laughed a bit as he stood up.

Tam followed. "I'll come with."

Kaz gave her a smile and they walked out together.

The silence was comfortable, but she could tell Kaz was distracted.

"You okay?" Tam asked.

He looked at her. "It's just..."

"What?"

"My birthday is this week."

Tam made an "O" shape with her mouth. "Why didn't you-"

"I didn't want it to be a big deal." Kaz hunched his shoulders. "My parents always filled it with a bunch of people and decorations and rubbed it in people's faces that we were rich."

Tam didn't say anything, but she put a hand on his shoulder.

"But this..." Kaz drifted off. "It's like how birthdays are supposed to be. With friends. Not people you don't know."

"I'm glad your best birthday was with us." Tam said.

"Me too." He admitted. "So thank you. And I mean it. Thank you."

He touched Tam's hand that was on his shoulder.

After getting a few more bottles of soda and heading back, the rest of the squad (what Torra had begun to call the group that consisted of Kaz, Neeku, Nena, Tam, her, Synara, and Norath) had started the movie and brought out more snacks. Kaz laughed with them, and so did Tam.

Tam also noticed Neeku's distaste towards Alden. The twilek was sitting close to Nena and they looked like they were in a deep conversation.

Tam patted Neeku's back as he pouted.

"What's up?" Tam asked, already know what was up.

"I don't know." He huffed. "I feel all... I don't know. I don't think I like Alden. This has never happened before."

"You're jealous Neeku." Tam clarified. "It's normal. You like Nena a lot."

Neeku squinted at Alden. "It would explain a lot. Is that why I do not desire to be friends with Alden?"

Tam sighed. "I'm afraid so."

Nena and Alden laughed together and she felt Neeku deflate.

"Hey, she likes you. Don't let Alden make you doubt that."

Neeku puffed out his chest and nodded.

Eventually it got late and everyone cleared out of Neeku's and Kaz's room. Tam saw Nena give Neeku a kiss on the cheek as a goodbye, and Neeku grined shyly.

Tam went to go say goodbye to Neeku.

"Kaz is looking at you again. He does that a lot." Neeku said.

Tam turned to see Kaz staring at her. He looked deep in thought.

"See you later Neeku." She gave the nikto a quick hug and turned to give Kaz one as well.

He accepted her hug. "Can I walk to your room?"

Tam smiled. "It's just a hall over. But sure."

They walked together, gossiping about Neeku's jealousy and talking about the movie.

"It could've been better. The ending didn't make sense."

"I thought it was nice." Kaz hummed.

"That's because there were explosions and stuff." Tam joked.

They laughed together and ended up at Tam's room door.

"I guess this is where I leave you." Kaz gave her another hug and she hugged him back.

"Don't worry I'll still be here tomorrow." Tam reassured him. She smiled a bit, enjoying all the hugs she was getting.

"Um." He mumbled into her shoulder. "Tam?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering..." Kaz stood up and scratched the back of his neck. "Would you like to get a cup of caff sometime? Just you and me?"

Tam couldn't believe how smoothly the words came out. "Yeah. That sounds nice."

He grinned. "Great. See you tomorrow."

She smiled back. "See you tomorrow."

When the door closed between them Tam let out a squeal. No, a giggle. A giggly squeal. Nena was going to tease the heck out of her, but Tam felt a burst of energy.

Somehow, Tam fell asleep.

The following week was normal. And incredibly boring.

Kaz got better by the day, but Tam could still see the weight resting on his shoulders. It was lessening as time went by, but not gone entirely. Tam hoped that weight would soon be gone entirely.

She was wrong.

"So..." Kaz cleared his throat, "you want me to go find my parents... and spy on them."

Poe nodded.

Tam felt a sick feeling twist in her stomach. "With all due respect, I don't see how this will help anything. He isn't a... um, threat, anymore. Why waste resources?"

Poe sighed. "We need answers. And it would be good training for you, Tamara."

Nena, who was listening with a thoughtful face nodded, and Neeku blinked.

By "we", he meant Kaz. Kaz needed to know.

"This is going to be tough," Poe said, "but it will be worth it. Dismissed."

The group of four walked out into the rather cheery sun. Tam almost scowled at its sunny rays. It didn't fit the mood.

Kaz looked lost. It hurt her soul.

Tam put a hand on his back. She was, however, immediately pulled into a group hug with Neeku and Nena.

"Thanks for being my friends guys." Kaz sounded on the verge of tears.

"Oh Kaz," Neeku sobbed, "I apologize for my disagreement with Poe, but this is just cruel."

Kaz patted Neeku's back. "It's not cruel. I do need answers. But... it's going to hurt. A lot."

Tam hugged the group tighter. "We'll be there every step of the way."

Nena was looking rather awkward. "Uh, same, but can you let go of me please?"

Neeku ended the hug and sniffled.

Kaz continued to comfort Neeku, and Tam was trying to hide her own discomfort. The yucky feeling in her gut wasn't gone yet. She didn't think it ever would.

The best she could do for now was comfort Kaz, and hope for the best.