Learning

~The Birthday Treat~

When you see a chapter titled like this, it means it's a flashback. I hope you like these as much as the present day chapters, they lead up to Ahsoka's parents divorce. Now, on with the story!

"Mama? Where are you? Papa is getting frustrated that we haven't left yet." A seven-year-old Ahsoka called up the stairs, waiting for her mother's reply. They were going to the cinema for his birthday and were running a bit late. The film wouldn't have started yet but her family always liked to be punctual.

Knocking on her parents' room, Ahsoka poked her head around to see her mum sat on her bed. She was wearing a deep red dress with off the shoulder sleeves and a medium-sized feathery boa that cradled her neck. The dress cinched her waist with a marron fabric in the middle that was adorned with a glittery pattern on it. Ahsoka thought that she looked very pretty. Ashla looked surprised to see her. "Hija! ¿Qué haces aqui? ¿Dónde está tu Padre?" She hurried over to her daughter, speaking rapidly in Spanish whilst tying her bow.

Ahsoka looked up at her mum with big, crystal blue eyes. "Papa está abajo y quiere ir al cine ahora. Why are you up here? What's in the box?" She gestured to the black velvet box laying open on her parents' bed.

Ashla looked over to it, gloomy. "It's nothing, just a gift. I'm coming now." She left the box on the bed and held her daughter's hand as they went downstairs.

"About time mi amor, we're going to be late." Hosin was wearing a black tuxedo which made him look very smart bit he was jumping up and down on the spot right now.

Ashla simply laughed and kissed his cheek. "Todo el mundo llega tarde de vez en cuando. No te preocupes amor." Ahsoka smiled at the happiness between them, it made her feel safe. "Come on, let's go." Her mum encouraged them before they gathered their things and stepped out the door.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"That was great!" Ahsoka cheered as they stepped out the screen room, swinging between her parents' arms. They had arrived just in time to see the trailers which was Ahsoka favourite part. The film itself had also been amazing and her father had enjoyed it which was good as it was his birthday. "What are we going to do now, Papa?" Ahsoka looked up at her dad who smiled down at her.

He looked over at Ashla. "Well kid, we're going to go out for dinner tonight and then just have a nice family night in." They reached their car which Ahsoka had always admired before his phone rang. "Oh, discuple, I'll just be a moment." Hosin walked further along from them and answered the phone.

Ahsoka looked up at her mum who looked pained. "Who is he talking to mama? ¿Por qué se llaman en su cumpleaños?" Ashla looked down at her daughter as though she was only just remembering that she was there.

She re-tied her bow that had come loose. "It's nothing dear, probably just one of his friends wishing him a happy birthday. Come on, I'll get the car started and you can go and get your Father." Ahsoka nodded, pleased to help her mum before skipping away to where Hosin stood.

"...No, no, I know, I wish I could be with you too. Look I'll see you tonight okay but you really shouldn't call me during the day, Ahsoka's very curious. No, just in general. Yes, yes, I understand. I love you too. Bye." Hosin ended the phone call and turned around before jumping at the sight of his child. "Hija! What are you doing? You scared me out of my skin!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the car.

Ahsoka frowned. "Who was on the phone? Why shouldn't they call you during the day? Why are you going to see them tonight? Why did you say that you love them?" She continued to pester her dad until he'd strapped her into the car.

Hosin shook his head. "It was no one, just my brother. He's a bit naughty so I don't want you to hear anything bad he may say, that's all." They both turned at the sound of Ashla tutting. "Mi amor! Why do you tut? I too disprove of my brother's behaviour but little can be helped." He entered the car and kissed her on the cheek.

Ashla shook her head, lips pursed and eyes angry. "You know why." She muttered as they drove away. An awkward silence fell over the car that Ahsoka tried to ignore, she was sure that it was nothing to be too concerned about.

When they returned home, her mum immediately walked straight into the kitchen and Ahsoka heard the sound of a bottle opening. Hosin growled. "She talks about bad behaviour... It's three in the afternoon for the love of Force!" He stomped upstairs and changed before coming back down and flicking on sports.

"THAT BETTER NOT BE WHAT I THINK IT IS!" Ashla shouted from the kitchen, she despised sports although Ahsoka wasn't sure why.

Hosin just sighed and increased the volume. "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! RELAX, WOMAN! **** SAKE!" Ahsoka's eyes widened dramatically at his language, her dad rarely sweared or very quietly if he did. Ahsoka also knew that that was the worst word he could've said.

Ashla also seemed to think so because she stormed into the living room and slammed the TV off. "HOW DARE YOU USE SUCH LANGUAGE TOWARDS ME! I AM YOUR WIFE! YOU SHOULD RESPECT ME! AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER?! HOW DARE YOU SAY SUCH FOUL WORDS IN FRONT OF HER! CORRUPTION!"

"AT LEAST I DON'T DRINK MYSELF INTO A STUPOR AND CAN'T TAKE CARE OF HER! TRUST ME, I CAN TELL WHO HAS PUT WHO TO BED WHEN I COME HOME!"

"DON'T SPEAK TO ME ABOUT CARING FOR HER! WHO'S THE ONE WHO LOOKS AFTER HER WHEN YOU WORK LATE? AND I DON'T GIVE HER ANY OF MY DRINK! YET SHE COULD EASILY PICK UP THESE TERRIBLE WORDS FROM YOU AND REPEAT THEM! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT? YOU-" The sound of a slap echoed throughout the house, silencing the angery screams.

Ahsoka had been sat on the bottom step, silently rocking back and forth until they stopped. She hated when they fought. She also hated that this was happening on her dad's birthday. However she also felt a large amount of resentment boil in her towards Hosin for how he ended the fight. She knew what would happen next: He would walk out and meet up with his friends, not returning for until tomorrow morning. She would run upstairs, throw herself on their bed and cry before phoning her best friend. It was a pattern.

Ahsoka would eventually cease rocking and go and sit on the couch, turning on a children's show at low volume before maybe doing some colouring. Ashla would come down at tea time and give her whatever leftovers she could before finishing the bottle she started earlier. This would leave her hungover and incapable of mothering at her best. Ahsoka would end up having to put her and herself to bed, listening alertly for the sound of her dad coming home... Before crying herself to sleep.

I hope you enjoyed this flashback chapter, one of five. I'm not sure if they will be placed regularly or at random intervals when it suits the story. I want to apologise if any of my Spanish isn't correct. It's not my first language but I'm learning it on Duolingo and for GCSE, it may not be perfect though. If you can't understand it then I'll be happy to answer in the comments or take on corrections. Nevertheless I hope you enjoyed it, adiós.