Not so Far and Long Ago

Chapter 6

      I put my history books in my locker, and my homework in my backpack. I grabbed my copy of Luke Skywalker, the actor who changed film. Luke Skywalker was my favorite actor, I had seen almost all of his work, heck I had watched a random episode of a preschool tv show because he was on for one episode as the turtle. My favorite was of course the Star Wars franchise, particularly Return of the Jedi. I mean it's so cool how Luke Skywalker played himself. I walked down to the cafeteria thinking about Finn, I couldn't stop thinking about Finn since this morning. There was a part of me that wondered if this was what a crush felt like. Liking someone but knowing that it you can't let it happen. I kept myself lost in thought, until I felt two strong hands on my lower arms.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," I said looking up, "Finn."
"Aren't you surprised at all to see me?" He said.
"No. I mean we go to the same school, I mean if we were-," I stopped myself, "I am such a mess."
"At least your a hot mess," Finn told me, causing me to blush, "and no need to apologize, I should be apologizing to you."
"Why?" I questioned.
"It was the rest of the football team who wanted to trip you. I didn't stop them. Sorry."
"It's completely fine. At least you caught me." I smiled trying to hide the pain it brought me to bend over to retrieve my book.
    "Here," Finn said grabbing the book in a much quicker fashion that I could, "Luke Skywalker, the actor who changed film. Who's that."
     "How do you not know who he is? Much of his family stared in Star Wars, his dad, Anakin, his sister Leia-"
     Finn cut me off, "oh, that hot girl in the slave costume."
    "No," I said, "she's a bad ace woman who doesn't need a man to control her, she is a senator and leads for the rebel alliance."
    "Is the good girl afraid to curse?"
    "I just don't like to, it makes me sound uneducated, like I don't have enough class to peak real words. Now if you excuse me, the cafeteria is only getting busier." I continued to walk, this time at a faster pace, as I was trying to keep a distance from Finn. I couldn't allow myself to get close to someone. Connection leads to secrets being revealed, and unfortunately for me, moms death was not the my deepest and darkest secret. I for some reason I was pretty confident Finnland was his.
I walked over to the small table I sat it in the back of the room, carrying the tray filled with food I had been forced to get. I didn't really want the "pizza" or the "milk" I was required to get. All I was planning to eat was the small plastic container of mixed fruits. I opened my book, starting on chapter one, although I had read this book many times, I never got tired of it. Luke was such an amazing person, he had been cheated on by his wife around the same time he was working in what I really wish was the final installment to the Star Wars saga, he had retired from acting to have another attempt of a family, now staying out of much of the public eye. I don't know, there's just something inspiring about him.
I looked up from my book when I noticed Finn standing in front of my table. "Hey, can I sit here?" Finn asked.
"Sure," I replied, definitely taken off guard, I mean why would a popular guy like him want to sit with a broken girl like me.
"They kicked me out," Finn took a breath, before mumbling something that sounded like "because I helped you and like you.
I stood up and walked over to the popular table. "Oh look it's the nerdy little Rey!" An overly perky cheerleader, Phasma, I think, said.
"Give Finn his seat back," I said strongly, "or you will deal with me."
"Oooh! What is she going to do to me? Throw a book at me?" Another cheerleader said. I began do be filled with rage.
"Just give Finn his seat back. I don't want to be a reason for Finn's unhappiness."
"I stand with Finn," a random voice said.
"Who are you?" Hux, one of the football players said rudely. He was one of the best supporting players, so many people called.  him general. I didn't get it. I mean if teams like girls basketball got as much attention as football that team would be good. I actually played basketball until sophomore year when my dad started to beat me. I wanted to continue, but the bruises were obvious under the baggy shorts and muscle tank tops. Plus the pain. It was the worst, making it hard to play to my best abilities.
"I'm a new kid who just started today and is sitting alone and probably isn't making a good first impression, but I want to met this Finn guy he sounds pretty cool," the random kid finally said. I looked up trying to ignore how attractive the boy was. He had dark curly hair and dark eyes. His thin, yet muscular build, and tight orange track suit, told me he was definitely a runner.
I walk back to the table not sure if Finn had won his seat back or not, with that weird kid following close behind. I sat down Finn looking into my eyes. "Rey," he said, "thank you for trying, but I'd rather be with someone who cares at me." I gave Finn a closed smile, my cheeks turning red from his caring words, more than anything I hoped he didn't notice.
"So you're Finn?" The kid questioned. Finn nodded definitely taken back by the kids free spirit. "Hi I'm Poe Dameron. Mind if I sit here." Poe said this time giving a more formal and less weird introduction.
"Of course not." I said. Poe sat down, casually pulling out a bag of hot Cheetos and chop sticks. I looked over at Finn trying to hid my laughter as Poe casually ate the Cheetos with the chop sticks.
"What's so funny?" Poe questioned mouth full. Finn and I just laughed.