STAR WARS: A Fading Light. [The Force Awakens Prequel, short story.]

STAR WARS: A Fading Light: Chapter Two.

Aran-Thor marched into the Grand Mess Hall of the Academy; with a sickeningly uneasy feeling in his stomach, as the second moon begun to rise. This was not by any means, his first time inside of the Mess Hall, but this was the first time he truly felt as if he was taking it all in. He looked around, and every table was lined with crudely put-together meals. The air, full of the undying chatter and laughter of beings of all kinds: Twi'lek, Kel Dor and Togruta alike. Despite the inspiring inclusiveness and unique variation, Aran could not help but feel out of place. As the grim feeling in the depths of his stomach grew worse, he found himself unable to tell why it was he found himself to be so disconnected from the other Padawans in the Academy. It was not as if he was without friends, Aran got along with practically everyone he had ever met. 
"Except for that damned-"  he thought to himself.
"Oh, hey Aran." spoke a soft voice, from beside him. He looked down at the bench closest to him; toward the source of the voice, which came from a female Lethon Twi'lek, a friend: named Rai Zennebar. Aran looked at her, and forced a smile, before seating himself beside her. He look directly ahead; at the abundance of food on the table, but strangely, he felt as if he had no appetite. 
"Have you heard? About what's happening?" Rai asked suddenly, causing Aran to snap back into the world around him.
"Hm? Heard what?" he replied, inquisitively.
Before Rai could've responded, a loud, rumbling quake  shook the walls of the Academy.