Learning

Chapter 27: Old and New

Ahsoka had remained reeling in the corridor long after Asajj had walked away. She couldn't make any sense of it. Ahsoka had known Asajj for years and had never been perfect friends with each other but this was something different. She had no reason to suspect that she was lying and something in Asajj's voice and expression told her that she wasn't. There had been too much pain and anger behind her eyes to make that up. No wonder Asajj had been difficult towards her these last few years, her dad had broken up her family as well. Ahsoka had never thought about if Yaz had a previous family she'd given up. Now she learnt that she had been going to school with her for over a decade; it now made sense why Yaz had never really wanted to get to know her. It would be the ultimate betrayal to her daughter if she replaced her with one of her classmates.

When Lux and Barriss found her, it was nearly time to go to Tutor. "Ahsoka!" He called out to her as they ran towards her. Lux quickly scooped Ahsoka up into a hug and kissed her. "You okay? What are you doing here?" He pulled back and smiled at her, covering her face in many kisses.

Ahsoka blinked at their presence and returned the smile for at least with them she knew where she stood. "Yeah, I'm okay. I was talking to Ventress and we ended up walking here. Sorry I wasn't there to greet you guys." She stood up on her own and smiled at Barriss who had held herself back. Asajj's words about how she was jealous rang in the back of her head and Ahsoka realised that she didn't want to lose her best friend in exchange for love.

Barriss grinned at her. "It's okay, when you didn't show up we figured you would be there soon. When you weren't we wondered if you were with Mr Skywalker so we didn't want to interrupt however we checked and he was with Mr Kenobi but there was no sign of you anywhere. That's when we probably began to look for you." She explained just as the bell started to ring, one right above their heads.

The trio winced at the loud, echoey noise and resisted the urge to cover their ears. Some Year Seven's who were walking pass didn't have that same resistance and shrieked as they covered their own ears. When it finished, Lux turned to them. "I guess that's our cue. We'll see you later Barriss." The couple walked back in the direction of Charlie Block while Barriss continued to her own Tutor room not too far from there.

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The rest of the day passed without incidence. Asajj and Ahsoka had only spoken once since this morning which was to ask for a glue stick. She tried to forget what she'd said but something like that was difficult to forget. Lux and Barriss had picked up on something that Ventress had said something to Ahsoka that unnerved her but they didn't press it. If it was urgent or really distressing, Ahsoka would tell them.

Soon enough, it was home time and everyone started to leave the school grounds. The three friends stood outside Charlie Block where they hugged. Barriss had to hurry home to do... Something, what it was, they both had forgotten. But that meant that Lux had no one to walk home with so he permitted himself a few extra moments alone with Ahsoka. "I don't want to leave you." He mumbled into her collarbone, sending chills down her spin. Lux was hugging her around the waist and burying his face into her neck.

Ahsoka laughed at his affection as she gently pulled him into the building behind them. "I know you don't, I don't really like leaving you either. Mr Skywalker will probably have some work still to do so you can sit with Mr until he is finished. I'm not sure exactly how much he will allow you to cuddle me but I doubt it will be nothing. Come on, please?" She pouted and slightly nagged at him but grinned when she saw him give in. "Thank you Luxy." Ahsoka gave him a quick kiss as they twirled and laughed down the corridor.

Lux smiled to himself at how happy Ahsoka was. He knew how hard it can be to get over the death of a loved one, especially in an accident. His father may have died in a fight but the people hadn't been sent there to kill him, only to stop what he was doing. If people followed a more diplomatic approach like his mother always fought for then maybe things would be different. However you can't change the past, it was a lesson that took Lux the longest to learn.