The Truth of Past and Present

Chapter 6: We ask questions and I run for my life

Nerida's POV:

The boy cleared his throat awkwardly, looking like he had eaten an entire Boobla fruit whole.

"Um...my name is Daniel Jorsen. What's yours?"

"I...I'm Nerida...Wadser." I answered with the first name that came to my mind. I still didn't know this boy's intentions, and the last thing I would want is to be held for ransom as the Governor's daughter.

"Wadser, huh?" I know a guy named Wadser, owns a cantina down the way. You want to-"

"Thank you, but no. I have to get home." I told him.

"Where exactly is "home"?" he asked me, not unkindly, just dead-on curious.

"Not important, need-to-know," I mumbled and walked faster.

"The upper sector?"

I stiffened. "What?"

"You're dressed different, you have no clue about bargaining tactics, and you were willing to pay way too many credits for 12 Arentile fruits without blinking at the cost," he said matter-of-factly. "It's pretty clear you're a rich girl from the upper sector who apparently met Wadser at the cantina."

I blinked. This guy was smart, too smart for his own good. I knew there was no use lying to him, so I just sighed in defeat. "You got me."

"Ha! I knew it! So who is it? Your father, mother? Senator? Bank owner? I bet he's..."

This guy just would not leave me alone! I was so fed up with him, I decided to let it all out. He would figure it out eventually, and maybe the shock would be just enough to get him out of my hair.

"Hiram Ganderion, Governor of Medissera. I believe you have heard of him."

The boy stopped. "Seriously?"

"Do you see me laughing?" I answered.

"But...your father...Governor..." he trailed off, a strange look on his face. Was it embarrassment? confusion?...fear?

"So what about you?" I asked him. Curiosity killed the Kantil, I know, but I couldn't give everything away for me without getting some dirt on him. "Parents?"

Suddenly he sobered and clammed up. "Dead."

I was shocked, but I wanted more. "Job?"

He didn't say anything now. 

Daniel's POV:

I looked away. I know that I should say something, but how could I tell the Governor's daughter? She might rat me out to...well, her dad. 

How could I tell her? Should I tell her? She told me her identity, but...how could I trust her?

Nerida's POV:

I waited, tapping my foot.

"Come on, tell me. You kept bugging me until I told you who I was, now it's your turn. It's only fair!" I whined like I sometimes did with Father.

He looked uncomfortable and conflicted, so I gave him a taste of his own medicine. 

"Sewage worker? Cook? Bodyguard? Farmer? Hangar maintenance? What about-"

"Alright, I'll tell you!" he burst out, annoyed at me.

"It's about time," I told him.

"I..." he had a hard time saying it. "I'm a..."