Thirteen

1.4K 59 5
                                    

After class on Monday morning, Rey visited Phasma and the Chairman. Both seemed relieved to have her back, though she had missed almost a week.

"Talk to Dr. Solo about testing out of Dr. Holdo's course," said the Chairman. "Focus on your independent studies."

She went up to Dr. Solo's office. She was nervous about seeing him again after their little heart to heart, and was glad to find his office door open. He looked up when she didn't immediately enter, and waved her in. 

"Did you speak with Snoke?" 

"Yes. He wants me to test out of Dr. Holdo's class. Do you think I can?"

"Of course. I was the one who suggested it. Dr. Holdo is pleased with your work. I'll guide you through the final paper she requires, and you'll be granted full credit. It's wasteful for you to sit through a class you don't need. There is an additional reason I suggested you test out - to free up the time period." 

Rey was still standing in the doorway, and felt awkward. The professor stood too, as if steeling himself for a distasteful task, and handed her a business card. She stepped forward and took it, reading the details on the back. It was a business card for Master Luke Skywalker, who taught various forms of martial arts at a school near campus.

"My uncle." Dr. Solo picked up a briefcase and placed a stack of papers inside. "He runs that school. I spoke with him yesterday. He can see you before lunch. Once he evaluates your skill, he'll decide how often your instruction will be. We can walk, if you don't mind the distance. It will take about 25 minutes to get there, so we should leave now." 

"What would he teach me?"

"Self-defense, for starters." At her confused expression, he continued. "You need some confidence. At the very least. Have you ever tried this method of dealing with your past?"

Oh. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but he was right that she'd never tried it. She hesitated, knowing it was probably good for her but wanting very badly to decline. 

"It's a very kind offer," she said, and sincerely meant it. "But I struggle to pay rent and buy groceries. I can't possibly afford this." 

Shame washed over her. In her head, she knew there was nothing wrong with being poor. It didn't change who she was, it only made her have to work harder for everything. But admitting it was another thing. Sometimes I can't afford to eat, she wanted to say. Sometimes I have to steal soap from public restrooms so I can wash my hands at home. Sometimes . . . she shut down her self pity and shrugged. 

Dr. Solo shook his head. "You don't need to worry about fees. Luke offers self-defense training to anyone who wants it free of charge. He believes strongly in equipping people to keep themselves safe." 

Having deftly maneuvered her into a position where she was available and able to take this training, and highlighting her need, she didn't see any way out. So she nodded, and walked with him toward the stairs. They passed Dr. Hux's open office door.

"Solo," called Dr. Hux. 

Dr. Solo sighed and motioned for her to stop. She waited outside while he entered. 

"I hear your protege has found it in her heart to grace us with her presence again." 

Rey pressed herself against the wall, glad she had been a few steps behind her adviser. 

"It's none of your business," said Dr. Solo. 

Rey clenched her fists. She wondered if Dr. Hux could sense the shift in Dr. Solo's voice. He hadn't yelled. He hadn't yelled at her, either. But his tone was laced with a promise of violence. Hux appeared to be oblivious, because he plowed forward.

"I told Snoke she was a waste of time," said Hux. 

"That's enough," said Dr. Solo. 

Hux didn't say anything more. Apparently he'd finally picked up on the fury in Dr. Solo's tone. Dr. Solo exited Hux's office, and closed the door behind him. Rey was glad the man wouldn't see her. 

"I'm sorry," he said after they were out of the building walking down a wide sidewalk. "He's a good adviser, and he doesn't understand why I'm not. All he sees is me receiving yet another chance when I don't deserve it. And he's right." 

Shocked by his bluntness, Rey struggled for an appropriate reply. "I've never had an adviser. I wouldn't know if you were good at it or not." 

"I want to be better. I need to be better. For both of our sakes." 

"Alright. Then we'll figure it out." 

"You are a puzzle. You haven't shared much with me about your life, but from the limited information you've given, it hasn't been easy. How is it you can approach my problem with such composure, yet you are crippled by this lingering response to trauma?"

Rey laughed. "Because your problem is a matter of hard work and dedication. You don't have a good method, or so you say, and you have failed so far. That doesn't mean you always will. You'll find your way. Teaching is a skill, just like writing or cooking or anything else. Even anger management. Sure, talent helps, but at the end of the day, work helps more." 

"And how is that different from your issues?"

She was relieved that there wasn't a trace of anger or accusation in his question, just simple curiosity. 

"No matter how much time I spend on it, I cannot stop my body from responding the way it does. It's a reflex. Something that happens without my permission. Believe me, I've put in the work. If time and dedication counted, I'd be better." 

This conversation was a bit too frank for her liking. But she was glad they were talking, and that he'd had the grace to not bring up her panic attack. It would be weird to revisit it again. She wondered if he'd told his uncle about it. 

A Star Wars Reylo AU: The Taming of the ProfessorWhere stories live. Discover now