Entirely Different

Chapter Sixteen : Answers Later

You kept a safe distance from Bailey during your walk from the Hangar Bay. His smile grew more and more irritating with each passing step. At first, he babbled on about your performance today. Reiterating how impressed he was at how effortless you'd made it look. He'd droned on and on about how there was no other pilot in the order who had excelled so quickly.

Then, at his realization that you were not one for conversation at the moment, he attempted to stifle his flattery and grew quiet. You noticed, as he grew more silent, he came closer to you in the wide halls. At one point, his hand brushed yours when a larger group of troopers passed the pair of you in the halls. You had thought nothing of it. But a few moments later, in an otherwise empty hall, it had happened again.

"Look, Bailey." You began, hands raising defensively between you.

"Call me Kent." He interjected, leaning in with a smile.

He looked like an innocent child, though you sensed his intentions were far from it.

"No. Bailey, I have this feeling you think something is-" You stopped short as the stocky build of the officer blocked your route through the hall.

"The cafeteria is that way." His brow raised quizzically, pointing a finger down the hall you had begun to pass.

You assessed him briefly before side stepping. "Yes, I know."

He grabbed your elbow a little too sharply.

"Hux told us to get lunch. Where are you going?" He asked, heavy brows furrowed over his blue eyes.

"I'm not hungry, Bailey." You side stepped around him, continuing on your path.

You were mildly annoyed to hear his footsteps following after you.

"Please call me Kent." He caught up pretty quickly, leaning over where you could see him out of the corner of your eye.

"No, thank you." You responded, desperate to put some distance between you two.

"What's wrong? Where are you going?" He asked, unwilling to let you gain much space.

You turned, stopping at the side of the hall.

"I'm fine, I'm going back to my room – to pack." Of course, you had already packed, but he didn't need to know that.

"Oh, want some company?" He asked sweetly, so innocent.

You fought the natural urge to curl your lip back in response.

"Uh, no. Thanks, though." You began to walk again, only to be pulled back once more.

"Ugh, would you stop grabbing me?" You growled a bit harsher than intended.

He recoiled from you, eyes darting to the ground.

"Sorry, are you still mad that I lied? I didn't mean to-" he rambled.

"No, I just want to go pack. All that was confusing and scary and, right now, I'm exhausted. Can we talk when I get back from the Finalizer?" You pleaded, true exhaustion selling your story.

Exhaustion from this infuriating conversation.

"Well, I'm going too, so I hope we can talk before then..." He mumbled, eyes on his feet.

"What?" You narrowed your eyes at him, confused.

"I took an assignment on the Finalizer – battle pilot. It's just for the next eight weeks until my promotion is secured here."

You contemplated.

"Did you take this to..." surely he wasn't trying to stay close to you.

He thought it was ridiculous too. "Gods, no. I already took it before I met you. It's temporary."