Bitchin' Mara Jade

Chapter Two

Several other teachers came out to deal with Mara's adversary, while Mara was dragged away. Skywalker took her to his class room and closed the door. "Sit down." he said calmly. Mara clenched her fists. The worry of what was going to happen flooded through her being. Her father was going to remove her from the school or the school would send her off. It hadn't been something she'd have thought when she first joined the school, but she couldn't be without it. It was the only place she could emotionally and mentally survive in. "Mara come on. It's over now. Forget about the fight." Skywalker continued to talk to her. He was worried about her. He worried about her constantly. The past few months of her time at the school had been observed by him as much as possible. There was the concern of her well being and then there was the fact he couldn't stop watching her. He couldn't stop being so fascinated by her and everything about her. Her sassiness, her eccentricities, her short stories she'd handed in that were quite frankly worrisome for her mental psyche. He found he enjoyed her company more than some teachers. Mara was just the breath of fresh air that he wished he didn't like or need. She was his student after all. There was no denying she was at least his favourite. But anything other than that would be improper, wrong, unethical.... A dream.

Mara sat down on top of one of the desks. She couldn't look at him. Tears stang cuts on her cheeks. "Mara? Look up. I can't help you if you don't look up."

She eventually lifted her head to look up and he swallowed. Was she even aware of the punches she'd taken? She was probably going to end up with a black eye. Her lip was bleeding and cut, her nose burst, her cheek already starting to bruise.

"Does it hurt?" he asked gently stroking her face. He wasn't even thinking, he was just worried.

"No." Mara swallowed. "It doesn't matter."

"It does matter."

"It doesn't."

"Mara it does."

"I'm fine." she said, protesting his concern.

"Mara. You're going to get in trouble. The nurse has to help you or me. You want someone on your side. I'm on your side. I'll fight for you. So cooperate with me."

Mara looked at him and began to cry. "I'm so sorry." she said. She didn't even mean for the tears to come out. Maybe it was a mixture of her finally snapping to the build up of her emotions or maybe it was because someone actually cared about her enough to do that. She was touched.

He tucked her hair behind her ear. "Mara. What happened? Why did you get into a fight with him?"

"I couldn't take it all anymore. So I punched him and he pushed me and I don't know it all happened. I don't know... I couldn't stop."

"Shh." He hugged her, nothing thinking on what that could have meant. All he could think about was that she needed someone to hold her. He was the only one there. "It's okay."

She pulled away from him. "You're the only good thing I have in my life." she admitted to him. "You're what keeps me going. From the day I first was in your class you were so nice to me. Understanding. Patient. Lately I just feel like I'm losing it. I'm just losing it. Life is floating by and I don't know where I am. But I always know where you are. I'm going to get moved to another school... or something now. I shouldn't have... I don't know if I can live without you. I love you. So thank you for being what's kept me going."

"Mara. Look at me." he said and she turned to him. "I'm not going to let you go. Whether you loved me or hated me.... I wouldn't let them send you away. Do you think I don't know how much of a jack ass your dad is? How lonely you are? Mara... I know exactly why you you go to extra classes. It stops you going crazy."

"I'm already crazy. I go to them  because as I said you keep me going. Now I'm going to lose you. You don't understand that. You're worried about my well-being. I'm worried about what's left of my heart and my soul being destroyed."

"I'd miss you." Luke admitted. "You keep me going too sometimes too. I can't stop thinking about you... but you're my student..."

"I'm not asking you to marry me or anything. Or go to ball. I'm not asking for anything really. I'm just talking to you openly while I still have the chance."

"Mara......"

The door opened and principal Organa stepped into the class room. "Mara. Your father is on the phone for you. I'm sorry but policy meant that.... I had to call him. He's relieved you're not being suspended or expelled."

"Mara cannot talk to him right now. He'll have to call at another time. If he can find it convenient." Skywalker told Principal Organa. Luke picked up a cold pack and began to tend to Mara's bruising.

"Luke don't you think that the nurse should..."

"I'm sure she's run off her feet and we don't want Mr Moonley or Mara being in the same vicinity." Luke replied. Mara looked at him, her eyes somewhat inflating to big brown saucers. He was protecting her. His name was Luke? She smiled. It suited him.

"If that's what you think is best." Organa commented and left, closing the door. Mara just looked at Luke.

"It's okay. I told you. I'd fight for you."

Mara smiled and wiped her last tear and let out a sigh. "You're a really nice man, Mr Skywalker."

"I'm not. If I was.... I wouldn't be thinking about how beautiful you were." he replied and smoothed out her hair.

"That's just instinct. It doesn't mean your a bad man."

"We'll see." he replied and continued to tend to her wounds.

"You should see the other guy." commented Mara and Luke laughed.