Learning

Chapter 12: Childhood friends

Steela smirked to herself at the confused and panicked look Ahsoka had on her face as she checked her phone. That kid needed to know her place when she was involved. Lux had always spent time with her when they were younger but because his dad died he'd pulled away. It's not like she hadn't tried to be a good friend to Lux, he just needed space and both of them kind of forgot that it was only supposed to be temporary.

Ahsoka seemed nice enough sure, but she didn't know what a mess Lux was in his grief. Steela did. Steela had been on the sidelines, heart breaking as she saw him turn into a shadow of his former self. Lux looked friendly enough also but he didn't know about the crushing weight of blame Ahsoka held over herself. Barriss did. Barriss had been the one to hug, soothe and reassure her the first time, just like she would now. Neither Lux nor Ahsoka needed to know or would understand that the death of one friendship would keep two more alive. 

Now, all it took was to give Lux a little nudge away from Ahsoka and everything would be fine. Steela grinned to herself as she chewed her gum and opened up Lux's number. The last conversation they had had was four years ago around the time of his dad's death. Steela stopped slightly to read their conversation:

'Hello Steela, how are you?'
'Pretty good, how are you and your Mum?'
'Mother could be better but I'm okay thank you. I got a letter today, I've been accepted into The Senate.'
'The really posh school in the next town over?'
'That's the one, Mother went there when she was my age so that fills me with some sense of security.'
'Wait, does that mean you won't be coming to Temple in September?'
'Kind of, sorry Steela.'
'That's fine, I'm happy for you. Really. Honestly. Sure.'
'You don't sound fine...'
'I will be. Talk to you soon. Bye.'
'Goodbye.'

It had been a shock to her when Lux had revealed that they wouldn't be going to the same school. Steela had heard of The Senate and knew that Lux's family wanted him to go there but she'd assumed they had decided to follow his wishes. It appeared that the death of his father had swayed the decision back to that ridiculous uptight school. Now Lux was here, Steela was determined not to lose their friendship again. Ahsoka was a big girl, she could handle a little heartbreak. She started to type and, without hesitation, sent the message with a grin. Now, all it took was Lux to reply. Grinning, Steela stalked away to her next lesson.

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Lux was in Health and Social Care when he felt his pocket vibrate. Miss Ti was at the front of the room, going over their assignment and explaining that this term they would be recieving their own fake babies. They were excited for this as you had to look after it like it was an actual baby, it was a lot of responsibility. She called out Riyo to help hand the doll-like babies out while Cal handed out the worksheets. "Okay everyone, take your phones out and go onto the website, use your login to record what happens. It is your homework every week to provide an update. If you do anything else on your phones then it'll be a detention." Miss Ti warned from the front of the room but no one was really paying any attention to her at the moment.

Lux smiled as he was handed the child and a worksheet. He pulled out his phone with the full intention of going onto the website however the short notification from his messages made him stop. Steela. He hadn't had a message from her since he started at The Senate. What did she want? Opening it quickly, Lux scanned the text message with a frown. 'Hi Lux, I know we have drifted apart these last few years but now you're back, I'd like to be friends again. Meet me in the park after school. Steela.' Lux knew this was harmless but there was more to the end of their friendship then them just drifting apart. Steela. did have a habit of glossing over the less desirable parts of her history. Nevertheless, Lux reasoned that she did deserve to be heard out. He then logged onto the website he was supposed to and did the tasks Miss Ti had put on the board.

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The bell that signalled the end of the school day rang out across the grounds as class after class was free for the evening. Ahsoka raced out of the changing rooms to meet up with Lux while Barriss hurried after her. The message she'd gotten earlier had all but disappeared from her mind as she saw him waiting for them. "Lux!" She shouted over the general roar of other students as she jumped over a small hill and landed beside him. "How are you? Ready to go?" She unhooked her bike from the shed and prepared to cycle away. Barriss caught up to them, puffing and struggling to gather her breath, feeling no remorse for what she had done earlier.

Lux looked conflicted and put his thumbs in his pockets. "Why don't you both go on ahead? I've got something I need to do first, I'll see you tomorrow." He looked annoyed at the chore he had to do but Ahsoka didn't push it.

"Oh okay, have fun. Barriss, ¡Vamanos!" Ahsoka pushed her bike along the road as Barriss jogged along beside her.

She caught up with her friend and whispered. "Don't you want to know what he is doing?" Barriss looked over her shoulder and glared at Lux.

Ahsoka frowned. "Do you dislike Lux?" She cycled put of the way of a shipment box with a sigh.

Barriss shook her head. "No, of course not. It's just we don't really know him, are you sure this is the best time to make a new friend?"

Ahsoka turned to look at her as she slowed down. "You're not serious, right? There is no right time to make friends, it just happens. Relax, mi amiga mejor, you're still my number one." She nudged Barriss's shoulder and grinned at her before slowing down outside her house. "Well I'll sleep back at mine tonight, ¡Hasta manaña!" Ahsoka waves back at her friend before making her way to her own home.

Deciding to cut through the park, Ahsoka smiled to herself as she did a wheely over a few rocks. It always felt exhilarating whenever she did that. She heard the sound of voices nearby and cut the tricks in case she accidentally injured one of them. Ahsoka slowed to a stop however when she recognised one of them as Lux. She frowned but remembered that Lux hasn't stated that his chore was school-related. Cycling between some flower beds, Ahsoka followed his voice to see if he wanted any company but nearly fell off her bike at what she saw. Lux was wrapped tight in an embrace of the lips with a girl Ahsoka vaguely recognised but couldn't recall the name of.

A strange feeling rose up in the pit of her stomach that she wished would go away as Ahsoka turned away from the kissing couple. She wasn't sure why Lux kissing someone else seemed so upsetting to her. They weren't in a relationship and Barriss's earlier words came back to her: 'It's just we don't really know him...' She was right as always, forty eight hours of friendship barely classed as a friendship, much less anything romantic. Ahsoka simply put it down as the shock of learning this new part of him and quickly and quietly cycled away home, not looking back.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, back to daily updating. Yay! I apologise if these last few chapters have been a bit Luxsoka focused but that's important. I promise! It's also just my natural default for Star Wars fics. Also, sorry if the Spanish is incorrect, I'll update again tomorrow hopefully so bye, bye.