The Force Helped Me Find Myself.

Chapter 1

A not quite long time ago, well when I was young, in a galaxy where I lived, my life would change, and I would discover myself.

I was born on an average mid-rim planet to average parents with average jobs. A few years after I was born, I got a sister, and we were an average family on an average planet in an average city living an average life. I was named Josen when I was born, an average name for a boy, everyone just called me Joe, just like many other people with a similar name. The strange thing was, I never felt average, I was different from others around me. I had much quicker reactions than everyone else, almost like I knew what would happen before it did. I could feel what others were feeling without them having to say anything about it. I could move little things around in my room without touching them. I was jealous of my sister and the other girls at school, because I felt like I was like them, but couldn't be one of them.

I wasn't completely alone though; I had a friend who was like me in that she had just as good reflexes and could sense what I was feeling without me having to say anything. It was our 4th year of school together before she showed me what she could do with objects, she could move things like I could. After that Emmeline and I became best friends and would spend as much time as possible with each other. We didn't have to talk all the time, but we knew what each other was thinking and related on a different level.

We heard about the Jedi, the Old Republic, the Empire, the First Order, and the New Republic as we grew. It had been well over a hundred years since the empire fell, with a new Jedi order operating across most republic planets, but we didn't know much about what they did. We learned a lot about how our world works, from a certain point of view, and about the history of our planet.

My dad worked for a company that made star ships and components for them, he managed some of the accounts, but I didn't know exactly what. My mum was a teacher of older kids, she taught maths and was particularly good at it. So was I, to be honest, mum had taught me much about maths that most of my classmates didn't know. Emmi would learn with me when she came over, but she was much more interested in plants and animals, especially from other planets.

About halfway through the final year of our time in our younger school, we got a visitor we didn't expect. They said they ran a special boarding school for gifted students in our planet's capital, about a few hours flight from where we lived. They said they were going to interview a selection of students from my class, already approved by our parents, to see if we were the right students to join their school. I was one of those students, along with Emmi, not that we were surprised. My appointment was just before the first break. I found myself in a small meeting room in the office.

"Good morning youngling. My name is Ali and I'm one of the head teachers at the Naboo Academy biased in Theed. The academy is for very special students to learn to become great people and do wonderful things for their families, planet, and the republic." I nodded at them, I wasn't sure at the time if they were male or female. They had a long brown robe over a lighter tunic and pants, with a little bit of colour decorating the tunic. They had long hair, but none on their face, and a strong jawline. They felt like, Emmi and me, but not entirely.

"Please, for today call me Ali, or Mx Ali if you prefer. I'm here to get to know you and to test you to see what you can do. Shall we get started?"

I nodded again. They were quite intimidating but seemed exceedingly kind and friendly, something about them made me feel like they had great power but didn't use it unless it was necessary.

"OK, very well. The first thing I want you to do is to relax. I wear my formal clothes for special occasions and important meetings like this. Normally I dress just like everyone else. I know you are curious about me; I will tell you, but I want you to keep it a secret for today, ok?"

"Um, yes Ali. I can do that."

"Oh, she speaks, good," they said with a chuckle. "I could tell you could feel my strength and it intimidated you. I'm sorry about that, not many other force sensitives can do that as quickly as you."

"I'm sorry but I'm a boy, and I'm not force-sensitive."

"I'm sorry my dear, Josen, but you are wrong on both counts. I can feel it in you. I'm a Jedi and headmaster of this planet's academy. I'm here because I have been told a couple of students have the potential to be Jedi and be a great asset to the planet and wider galaxy."

I was stunned. I was speaking to an actual Jedi, and they were saying that I was a potential Jedi. "Please, call me Joe," I managed to stammer out.

"Very well Jo. Now, let's begin." They pulled out some blocks of assorted sizes and materials. "Can you move any of these without touching them?" They indicated to a box next to them, hoping that I could put them all back into the box. I felt nervous about doing that, the only person who had seen me do anything like this was Emmi. "Don't be shy, I won't be unhappy with you if you can't or mistreat you if you can."

That was getting annoying, them knowing what I was feeling without me saying anything. I relaxed a little bit and then I could feel the objects, it was hard because the Jedi was so close to the blocks and kind of obscured them. I tried moving them into the box, most of them were quite simple to move, but one seemed much heavier. I managed but it took some effort.

"Well done, Jo. Yes, that last one is a lot denser than the rest. You did very well. Now I want to get a better idea of who you are. Let's chat for a few minutes."

They asked me a bunch of questions about my family, friends, activities I enjoy, and my other classmates who might not be friends. The whole time I felt like they were trying to see if I was lying, not that I was.

"Um, master, can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can. What's on your mind?"

"A few things, actually. The biggest question is why she when referring to me. I'm not a girl."

"I'm sorry about that my dear. Your signature in the Force has a feminine feel, you feel like most girls I have met. Also, when I said that I noticed some joy spring forth from you until you logically processed what I said, then you seemed sad and corrected me. I'm sure you feel like you're a girl, not the boy everyone else thinks you are."

I started at them but didn't think they were lying to me. I couldn't read their thoughts like they could mine, but I thought I could tell if they were being honest. "Um, maybe. Is that a problem?"

"Not at all. We accept every sentient being for who they are. You will be surprised by how many different ways beings can exist and express themselves. I am not male or female, and I have no issues in the order."

"Oh, I didn't know that was possible. I guess I have a lot to learn."

"Yes, you do, young one. We all have a lot to learn. There's so much in the universe to learn about and understand that all of us still have a lot to learn. I would like to meet with your family sometime soon, maybe tomorrow evening. Do you think they would be willing to do that?"

I thought for a moment, "Yes, I think they will. Mum and Dad are not busy tomorrow night. They don't want me to go away forever though. Mum is always scared to lose me or my sister."

"I understand that young one. The order is not like it was before the empire. We have found the development of the Jedi should have them enjoy a continued relationship with their families, given that they are loving and supportive people. Love and family can help protect people from the dark side."

"OK. Feel free to call my dad at work. He's got time to talk to you about me. Mum might be harder to get hold of, I don't know her schedule."

"That's not a problem. I hope to see you tomorrow."

"Yes, so do I. Have a good day master."

"May the force be with you young one."

I walked out of the meeting room. As I left, I saw Emmi coming in, I hugged her but didn't tell her anything. I didn't want to mess anything up for her, I'm sure she'll do better than I did.