I am NOT and Never Will Be A Jedi

Apologies and Energy Pudding

      To my surprise, Anakin wouldn't talk to me.

       "But I thought-"

       "Go away."

       "But we were-"

       "No."

       "What about-"

       "Goodbye."

       I followed Anakin into the cafeteria, begging him to help me. "I don't understand. You wanted to help me a month ago!" Anakin laughed dryly over his shoulder, "Well that was last month. I guess things change."

       That guy could be so moody.

       I followed him to the lunch line where Anakin received his usual energy pudding. They were out of Apple Slug Stew but that was probably because it had crawled away. I saw it slithering down the hall once. "Anakin, please! I can't flunk out of the Jedi Academy!" I pleaded. Anakin almost looked amused at my dilemma. It was frustrating. "Then you ought to go into moisture farming. I hear it's just swell!" he grumbled.

      I sat by him as he pounded down glob after glob of energy pudding. "Come on! What did I ever do to you?" I asked angrily.  Anakin was in mid bite but set his spoon fown immediately. He looked me right in the eyes and I began to wish I was the Apple Slug Stew so I could slink away without anyone noticing. "What did you do to me? You got me and my friends in trouble. I forgave you and then you just shut me out, you Nerf Herder!" he growled. My eyes widened, "Watch your language! I have never once herded a Nerf!" I defended. He laughed his dry laugh again, "Well that's what you'll be doing when you flunk out of here."

       I was hurt by that. Not the kind of hurt when you get shot in the leg or anything like that, but the kind of hurt that hurts almost worse. Almost. Anakin was the only person who had believed in me and I had taken him for granted. "I'm sorry Anakin. I was being a Nerf Herder but I really am sorry. I need to pass these classes!" I begged. I was about to be on my knees. "What if I helped you with something?" I offered, hoping he might be the bargaining type.

       There was that laugh again. Dry like the Dune Sea. "I'm passing all my classes!" he rebuked proudly, "Just accept it Grease, you're going back to your genius school. I'll miss ya... or maybe I won't."

        I slumped back in my chair. "I guess you're right," I answered glumly. "Kevin Groundcrawler: The kid who came and went from the Jedi Academy in one month. All because of that Padme girl's dumb metal pen..." I muttered to myself.

       That's when something strange happened. I think Anakin may habe went into some mystical trance-like state of happiness because when the name Padme left my lips, his blue eyes lit up. "Did you say Padme?" he asked intently. I nodded slowly, wondering what had happened. "Yes..."

        Anakin slammed the table and it scared the Nerfs right out of me. Had he gone mad? "As in Amidala? Padme Amidala of Naboo?" he asked eagerly leanig into my personal space. I nodded quickly this time, "Yes..."

      Anakin sighed with elation, "You mean curly brown hair, big brown eyes, and angel-like faced Padme Amidala of Naboo?" he asked dreamily. I waved a hand in his face, trying to pull him out of hyperspace. "I believe we are speaking of the same girl. She was in the college courses that I was taking," I explained, still unsure if he was even hearing me.

      Anakin patted my shoulder lightly, "I'll help you Grease. All you have to do is one tiny favor for me..." he practically sang. I didn't realize Jedi sang until then. Then again, it wasn't really singing. The words swayed and flowed the way one would woth a song but he didn't brake out dancing or anything.

      "What is that?" I asked. Anakin stood up, swaying just like his words. "We'll talk later. See ya after school Grease..." he said with a wave. He wandered toward the door but I still needed to know one thing.

       "Hey! Are you gonna finish your energy pudding?"

       I never knew what Anakin replied, or even if he heard me for that matter. But man was that some good pudding...