New Beginnings

Chapter 26

Maya POV

I was in the mess hall with Jay, Anakin, Alexa, Cora and Rendal, we have been talking for a good half an hour and after looking at the time I decided I should go and get some sleep.

"Well I think I'm going to go to bed now."  I stood up from the table.

"Ok goodnight Maya."  The others smiled.

"Goodnight."  I replied before walking out of the mess hall and went back to my room.

I sighed once I got there and doors opened for me to walk in, when they were shut behind me I took my shoes off and changed into my nightgown.  I then got into bed and lied down and tried to go to sleep, turning over and closing my eyes.  However I soon realised I wasn't tired so I turned over and looked up at the ceiling.

I can't sleep, I'm just too excited for tomorrow! I wonder what Ilum is like and how fun it's going to be to make a lightsaber and how we find our crystals.

I smiled as so many things are going through my mind.

I'm really happy that Anakin is coming, at least I know he'll be there for me throughout the experience.

I kept looking up at the ceiling and started counting speeders and soon my eyes started getting heavy so I turned over, closed my eyes and fell asleep.

Anakin POV

I left not long after Maya, eager to try and get some sleep before going to Ilum tomorrow.  It may sound easy, but I knew it was going to be tiring having to stand with the Grandmaster and wait for the padawans to find their crystals.  They did have a full rotation of the planet to find them and return after all.

I hope Maya is up to it and I hope she gets a lot out of having to find her crystal, I know she will no doubt get frustrated at times, I know I did, but I'm sure she will do well.

I chuckled as I slipped my pyjama shirt on, it would be interesting to see how she handled trying to build her lightsaber.

I soon climbed into bed, a small smile on my face as I rolled on to my side and closed my eyes, ready for a good night sleep before tomorrow.

Jay POV

When Maya and master Skywalker left it was just Cora, Alexa, Rendal and me in the mess hall talking.

"So Jay are you looking forward tomorrow?"  Alexa asked.

"Yes I'm excited to get my crystal and to make my lightsaber."  The Togruta smiled.

"That's good to hear Jay."  I glanced to her padawan.

"What about you, Cora?  Are you looking forward tomorrow?"  I asked, she nodded her head, giving me a shy smile.

"Yes."  I returned her smile.

"Alexa...  You went to this thing, didn't you?"

"Yes, I've been to the Gathering, but I was younger than you at the time."

"What's it like?"  I inquired curious as to what we would be faced with tomorrow.

"It's fun and challenging, it will test you and force you to go out of your comfort zone, but the reward makes it worthwhile."  She smiled, remembering her experience.  I nodded and glanced at Cora, she seemed to be even more nervous since being told she would be out of her comfort zone.  I reached out under the table and gently took her hand, she jumped at the contact, but calmed when I gave her a reassuring smile.

"You'll do great.  we all will."

"I agree."  Rendal nodded. It wasn't log after that when I became tired, so I decided it was time to get some sleep.

"Well I think I'm going to go to bed."  I said with a yawn.

"Ok Jay."  They said as I got up from the table.

"Goodnight."  I smiled.

"Goodnight Jay."  They all replied and I walked out of the mess hall, straight up to my room.  When I got there I walked in and got ready for bed.

I'm so excited for tomorrow I'll finally have my own lightsaber and I won't have to practice with that training saber anymore!  Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.

I got into bed I lied down I turned over closed my eyes an fell into a deep sleep.

Cora POV

I allowed myself a small smile as I watched Jay leave, he is nice and so is Maya.  I'm still rather surprised that I've made such good friends during the short time that I've been Alexa's padawan.  Speaking of my master I only just now realised at that she was talking to me and quickly came to my senses, staring at her attentively, only to have her giggle.

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

"No....  Sorry Master."  I bowed my head, embarrassed.

"It's alright Cora, I'm not upset, and what have I said to call me?"  I looked up to see her smiling at me.

"Alexa.  Right, sorry.' I murmured.

"You don't need to apologise, Cora, however given that you are going to the Gathering tomorrow I recommend that you go and try to get some sleep."  She suggested, I nodded before standing up and bowing to the two Jedi.

"Goodnight, Alexa.  Master Brask."

"Goodnight Cora."  They both replied and I turned, walking out of the mess hall and into the corridor.

The walk back to my room was a silent one, no one else was around it seemed, not even the clones, but that suited me fine, I'm more comfortable when I'm alone anyway.  I get nervous around other people, always have, I don't know why then again does it matter?  I doubt it, no one really cares anyway.

When I got to my door I tapped on the keypad and walked in once it slid open.  I heard its familiar hiss as it shut behind me and I quickly got changed, making sure that I put my clothes and boots away.  After that I brushed my teeth and took my hair out so that it fell down over my shoulders and brushed it before pulling the blankets on my bed back and slipping in between the sheets.  I sighed content, tomorrow would be good, hopefully, and by the end of it I would have a lightsaber to call mine.  With that thought I closed my eyes and allowed myself to sleep.