The Apprenticeship

Place

"Avery, you have a lot to learn still. That's how come I'm sitting here, and you're there." He says and I sit there listening. As much as I want to, I can't afford to get in trouble again, though, something inside wants me to stand up for it. Or just anything. One win when I don't get shut down by authority. "Avery? Avery? Avery!"

"Yeah, yeah, sorry."

"What was I talking about?"

"Something to do with my behavior?"

"Close. But no." He sighs and looks down.

"I'm sorry Owen. But, I can't just say silent. This is important to me."

"So fighting for choice, for freedoms that we haven't seen in years, is more important than the system that has worked for longer than the previous?"

"Yes. It is."

"Leave Avery. Come back in an hour."

"Why?"

"I said leave."

I stand up and walk to the door. I put my hand on the nob and look back, Owen is sitting down writing on a paper. I look back towards the door and slowly open it, then walk out and close it behind me.

•••

At my room, Gen is there waiting.

"Wow Avery. Back from training this early? How bad did you mess up?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Daniels that mad?"

"I'm not with Daniels anymore."

"Who are you with then?"

I sigh, "I'm with Owen."

"Owen? That sweet kid?" She starts laughing uncontrollably.

I plop face down on my bed.

"Hey, Avery. It's okay. Daniels doesn't like to do dirty work so he got a newer leader, Owen, to do it. He figures that he's punished you enough. He's not just pawning you off."

"How come with Daniels it's always to punish instead of working things out?"

"He's old fashioned I guess. You remember the labs I blew up?"

"Yeah."

"Well, he didn't let me off the hook for a year. He still doesn't trust me alone. It may be awhile."

"Why though? Why can't I question stuff?"

"Because, Avery, it's not your place."

"Everyone keeps saying that! I don't know what it means!"

"It means you speak when spoken to, you don't talk back."

I roll over on my bed and face the ceiling. This can't be happening. Everyone's against me. Even my own family. I have to find Bella. She's the only one who would be on my side.

"Avery, I'm sorry, but, one day you'll have to learn your place. It's better now, while you're still an apprentice, rather than later, in a job."

"I just want things to be like they used to be. Back when life was easier, you know? Before the government formed. Or in the time of the Republic. I'd rather be a Jedi Padawan than a Science Apprentice."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That's okay, even Jedi have to learn their place too."