The Other Half • Anakin Skywalker

-Chapter 8-

"i don't know what i want, so don't ask me.

because i'm still trying to figure this out.

don't know what's down this road,

i'm just walking, trying to see through the rain coming down.

even though i'm not the only one who feels the way i do."

-Anakin-

I stood from the chair, after muttering my sincere apology. I didn't think she'd ever forgive me, I mean, I messed up her face pretty bad. She had to get stitches from just above her eyebrow, to about a inch away from he edge of her eye. She still looked as amazing as ever, even though she was lying in a hospital with medical IVs going in and out of her pale arms.

I paced my way back to my room, continuously reminding myself of how much Arkeah would hate me when she wakes up. I knew she couldn't feel the same about me now as she did before, but I hope she didn't hate me too much. I knew I had some sort of feelings for Arkeah, but I couldn't quite describe them to anyone, let alone to myself. I had struggled this way when I was with Padme, in the way that a man does when deciding to attempt to recognize his own feelings.

I wished there was something I could do to attempt to repay Arkeah, but there's nothing that I can think of that could make up for permanently scarring up her face. I begin to think about ways to win her favor over again, and I remember the time I had mentioned he ranking position to Chancellor Palpatine. I decide that may be the best choice for wining her favor over, and head out of my small dorm room to his meeting office.

"Chancellor Palpatine, sir, I would like to discuss the position ranking of my mentor with you ."

I manage to get all of that out in one breath, inhaling deeply after the last word leaves my mouth. I sat down in the chrome chair, and he took his seat across from me,

"Ah, Anakin. My boy, you stress far too much about her ranking when you should be worrying about you own."

"Yes, Chancellor Palpatine. I am very aware how much I stress about her wellbeing. But I would really like to have you think about boosting her ranking sir."

"Anakin, I will contemplate it. Why are you so concerned with her ranks, my boy? She is your mentor. After you finish your training, you will leave her, most likely surpassing her in every shape and way."

"Chancellor, I will never abandon her sir, she is my only friend here sir, I cannot possibly begin to think abo-"

"Anakin! Leave this place my boy! Go and make something of yourself, and stop worrying about her!"

I stood from the chair, sliding the metal against metal, creating that horrid screeching sound. I turned away, and strode out of the room. I yanked open the door, and stamped out. I made my way down the halls, still infuriated by Palpatines remarks about Akreah. I cared about her like I cared for Padme. And I had never cared for someone as much as I cared for her, she was the love of my life.

I made my way back to my dorm, still infuriated. I pulled open the door, not bothering to shut it. I grabbed the lightsaber that was practically permanently situated on my hip, and went to town. I swung the lightsaber over my head, slicing the desk in half, then again, and again, and again. After the desk was reduced to a pile of wooden ruble, I moved onto the bookshelf. I once again raised the lightsaber over my head, about to bring the wrath of my saber onto the shelf, I was interrupted by a small voice.

"Anakin, stop it."

I turned around, throwing the saber towards the wall behind me, focusing all my intention on her. Low and behold, there was Arkeah, standing in her medical gown, her small, pale legs quivering underneath her. Her only form of support been the saline pole she was clutching on to. Her dark hair was pulled back into a messy bun, with a few straggly strands hanging in front of her eyes. She took a couple of steps forward, once again repeating herself.

"Anakin, stop it. Please." she pleaded.

"Arkeah, I-I'm, I'm sorry." I stuttered, feeling my face go red of shamefulness.

"Arkeah, I am so, so sorry. Why are you here? Your still injured! You shouldn't be up! You may get even mo-"

"Anakin! I am perfectly fine to walk, you cut my eye, you didn't cut my legs off."

"I-I know. But still. I'm very sorry." I attempted to plead with her.

"Anakin, come here.." She said, extending her arms.

I walked over to her, standing my six-foot-tall frame in front of her short one. she reached her arms around my neck, climbing into my arms. I held her as gently as I could, in fear of hurting her. She put her hand on her saline pole, pulling it along with her.

"Please take me to my room, Anakin." She commanded, in the nicest way possible.

"Yes, Lady Arkeah."

"You don't have to call me 'Lady' anymore, Anakin. It's okay."

I silently nodded, acknowledging the slight awkwardness dancing between us.

I carried her down the hall way, the clack of the poles wheels pushing in front of us. As we approached her room, she finally spoke the first words of the conversation.

"Anakin, I don't want you going to Palpatine for me." she whispered, staring up at me again.

"Arkeah, how did you know that I was speaking to Palpatine for you? Were you spying on me?"

"No Anakin, but I saw you exit his quarters this afternoon. So I asked him and he told me your request. Thank you for your caring recommendations though, I truly appreciate it."

"Arkeah, I think you deserve that rank boosting. You've been through so much, really, I me- "

"Anakin, stop. It's okay. I understand your concern. Now thank you, please let me down." She requested.

I looked up from her face, noticing I was standing right in front of her black, steel door. I gently put her down, resting her on her feet. She smoothed out her medical gown, and put her thumb print into the door. Th door slid back, and she entered the large, dark room. She flipped the light switch, then turned around.

"Anakin, thank you, for everything. Good-day." and with that, she closed the door.