Starlight (A Reylo Story)

3. Rey

||Rey||

"Don't give up. He might still show up. Whoever it is you're waiting for. Classified. I know all about waiting." Rey comforted BB8 as they made their way to the Niima trading post.

In response, the droid beeped a question, asking her about the person she was waiting for.

"For my family. They'll be back. One day. Come on." She forced a smile and walked off, BB8 beeping behind her.

Rey never knew her family. As much as she tried she couldn't remember them. The only memory she had was of a younger version of herself sobbing hysterically as a ship flew away, leaving her behind.

She shook her head as she stood of Unkar Plutt, who reviewed her goods for the day.

"These five pieces are worth... Let me see here... One half portion." He offered glancing quickly at BB8.

"Last week, they were half a portion each." Rey glared at the fish fighting the urge to reach out and strangle him. She hated him with a burning passion.

"What about the droid?" He asked, leaning forward.

"What about him?" She raised her eyebrow.

"I'll pay for him."

BB8 stayed silent not liking the way the conversation was headed. Rey said nothing as well but her face, curious, as she awaited his offer.

"Sixty portions."

The words almost made her stomach ramble, hungry for that amount of food. It would last her a lifetime. For a moment she actually considered it. But BB8 started beeping furiously at her interested face. She looked at the droid for a moment.

"Actually... The droid's not for sale." She sighed. She considered BB8 as a friend. She'd never had one and she wasn't about to trade him for food.

"Come on." She smiled reassuringly at him as they headed off. She promised him a tour and that's what he was getting.

Once in the marketplace, they were approached by two thugs. Sent by Unkar, she realized. Well, if they came for BB8 they were going back to their boss empty handed. She was cut off gard though when one of them grabbed her arm while the other threw a sack over BB8. She started fighting back, feral and scrappy. She kicked, bit and threw in some punches at the thugs who wanted to take her friend. With one last hit, she defeated them as they hit the sand, hard. She then moved to BB8 pulling the sack off of him. She kneeled to his level and patted him gently.

"Don't worry. No one's going to hurt you. I won't allow it." She reassured him as she noticed his fear. In response, the droid simply looked around nervously. Noticing something in their surroundings, he started beeping like crazy telling her that some guy was wearing his master's jacket.

"Where?" She looked around herself as BB8 beeped at her to look next to the happbore. Following his instructions, she saw a young man, around her age, with a dark complexion and a short hair.

"Who? Him?" She asked BB8 before looking back at the man, defiant. He looked back at her, his face scrunched up in confusion. She wasted no time, charging at him with her quarterstaff in hand. Upon realizing he's the target, he staggered off the floor and started running away from. She chased him around the tent maket. Knowing the place like the back of her hand, she got ahead of him and slammed him to the floor with her staff.

"What's your hurry, thief?" She held the staff on him threateningly.

"What? Thief?" He freaked out at her accusation trying to get off the ground and failing miserably in the process.