Learning

Chapter 26: Parents

Yippee! Learning has reached over 200 reads! Thank you to all the readers who have enjoyed this story so far! We're nearing the end of our little story now which is bittersweet. However I'll explain more towards the end. For now though, on with the story!

Anakin and Padme were always so pleased whenever they woke up and Ahsoka was there. They had been surprised by how quickly they'd gotten used to her presence and by how much they loved her. The couple knew better than to tell Ahsoka however how they considered her but that didn't stop Padme from writing little notes in her lunch; or Anakin giving her a few extra points and a gentle smile at school. They loved Ahsoka and had started to look into adoption, specifically for her. Anakin did sometimes have to remind himself and Padme though that Ahsoka would need to decide for herself. They couldn't force her to consider them her parents.

Ahsoka cared very much for Anakin and Padme. They had been very kind to her every time she chose to stay with them and never made her feel like a burden. It didn't ease the slight guilt she felt about cutting Hosin completely from this traumatic time in her life; or the grief Ahsoka went through whenever Ashla came to her mind. Still, Anakin had been very supportive and helpful in helping her through her grief to which Ahsoka would be forever grateful for. Padme's job in politics also gave her and Lux something to discuss which made her happy. Ahsoka just wished that there was something she could do to thank the Skywalkers' for their love and kindness these last couple of weeks.

As she arrived at school, Ahsoka noticed Asajj leaning against one of the pillars. She had been given the option to drive to school with Anakin but Ahsoka enjoyed cycling and he did tell Padme that the both of them would get bored when no one else was there. Ahsoka wasn't sure how Asajj arrived to school but as she thought about it, the sometimes snarky girl always seemed to be here before her. "Hello Asajj, how are you?" Ahsoka asked as she stopped beside her.

Asajj looked up from her phone with marginally widened eyes before resetting her face to neutral. "Fine." She didn't elaborate or ask about Ahsoka but the other girl was determined not to be shut down so quickly.

"That's good, I'm glad. What do you have today? I have PE first thing so obiviously you do to, then I have maths, science, computer studies and Philosophy and Beliefs. Not bad." Ahsoka had parked and locked her bicycle now and had nothing to distract her from the one-sided conversation she was having with Asajj. Seeing that she'd returned to her phone and started to eat some gum, Ahsoka tried a different approach. "Why did you trip me up on the first day back?" It was something that had been bothering her for a while.

To Ahsoka's surprise, Asajj actually started to laugh. "Are you still on that? It was ages ago, you're fine!" The girl continued to cackle while Ahsoka frowned.

Crossing her arms, she hardened her voice. "I know and I'm over it. But I'm trying to have a conversation with you and I'm running out of things to talk about!" Ahsoka was trying to remember why she ever wanted to talk to Asajj in the first place. "You know what? Forget it! Goodbye Asajj." She stomped away, Asajj still laughing in the background but it didn't seem to be getting any fainter.

"Hey wait up! We were talking and it's rude to walk away." Asajj easily caught up with her and stopped beside her before falling into step with her. "Where are your friends? Oh sorry, boyfriend and best friend? Young love happens so fast these days, you know. And friendships change as we get older." She took pleasure in seeing Ahsoka get a little bit more annoyed. "Hey, how's your Mum?"

Ahsoka whirled on her at that and aimed a punch that she easily dodged. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY LIFE!" She continued to try and land a hit but Asajj was too good and eventually she gave up. Ahsoka lowered her voice but continued to growl at her. "I can't believe that I ever wanted to talk to you. Why don't I ask you a few questions, hmm?" Asajj simply raised her eyebrows and turned to where other students had started to pour into the school. "Why did you trip me over? Why did you call me Pet? Why did you come to my Tech lesson and give me such advice? Why did you give Barriss and Lux advice? Why are you constantly alone? Why did you talk to Barriss yesterday? Why did you ask about my Mother?" Ahsoka had her arms folded again and stared pointedly at her, ignoring the tug of her heartstrings at the mention of Ashla.

Asajj didn't look fazed by her slight outburst. "Which question do you want me to answer first? Or should I do it in order?" She held her hand up to silence a fuming Ahsoka before continuing. "I felt like it, you are one, you were- and still are- hopeless at relationships, they also needed some, I prefer to be, she was jealous, I had heard rumours and have seen you leave with Mr Skywalker. Satisfied?" She continued to walk away back towards the school and away from people as Ahsoka followed her. "I told you, I prefer to be alone and I thought you didn't want me following you?" Asajj didn't exactly stop her so Ahsoka remained.

"Do you wish to know about my mum?" Ahsoka wondered if she did but regardless of her answer, she was going to tell her. She had this sudden urge to tell someone else other than the people she was closest to and Asajj appeared like the only option.

She turned to her locker and opened the door so that she could block Ahsoka out. "To be honest, I really don't care. You can if you want. Just keep in mind that I won't have any sympathy." Asajj grabbed something from inside her locker that Ahsoka couldn't see and slammed the door shut.

Steeling herself for what she was about to do, Ahsoka took a deep breath. "My Mum died a couple of weeks ago in a car crash. I needed somewhere to sleep and my social worker was strongly hinting that I live with my Dad and I don't want to. Mr Skywalker was kind enough to let me stay with him for a bit." A rush of emotions flooded through Ahsoka bit saying it allowed, knowing Asajj wouldn't give every sympathy in the world made her feel okay.

She really hadn't been kidding with the little to no emotions. "Oh I'm sorry, that sucks." Asajj turned to look at her and pulled a face that may have been a slight sympathy smile. Ahsoka didn't mind some sympathy. "Parents are pretty rubbish though, was your Mum any good when she was alive?" It was a very blunt question and one Ahsoka knew Asajj knew the answer to. They'd gone to primary school together and Asajj had been in the background the first time, overhearing the tales of woe Ahsoka relayed to Barriss about what a state Ashla was in.

"You know the answer to that." She told Asajj who smiled. "Why do you say parents suck?" Ahsoka realised that this was the longest she and Asajj had ever talked.

Asajj simply sighed. "Mine suck. My Dad is nowhere and wants nothing to do with me, my Mum replaced me. I live with my Uncle. I don't want your sympathy." She warned with an edge in her voice.

Ahsoka huffed. "Wouldn't dream of it. However I undestand being replaced, my Dad did the same thing. He went off with a woman from his work called Yaz... Something. He was a global account for a large company that sent them both on trips around the world together for ages. They had twins a few months later." She continued walking but Asajj had stopped. "You okay?" Ahsoka asked.

Asajj had a strange expression on her face but Ahsoka noticed anger and coldness settle into her features as a sneer etched into the corners. "Want to know a cool little fact?" She didn't bother waiting for a reply and shoved past Ahsoka. Asajj was practically around the corner when she shouted the fact back that made Ahsoka's blood run cold. "That was my Mother!" Then she cackled and cackled throughout the school building.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, on time again. Yay! Ahsoka learnt a bit more of Asajj and about the woman who replaced Ashla. l update again tomorrow most likely. Bye, bye.