When I awoke the next morning, I discovered that house was empty. Both of my parents went to their jobs as harvesters in the Belleau-a-lir fields. I'd go, but I don't think I'm a farm girl at all.

Nope. I'm not. Period.

I rolled out of my aunt's bed, desperately wishing for some sign of her life. A scent, a strand of hair, anything. The only thing I have left of her is her datapad. Those things are completely outdated.

My aunt was a writer, a well-known one. She kept all of her memories in that datapad. She had a billion stories, literally. I read them every night before I go to bed.

I went into the fresher and looked at myself in the mirror. She's staring right at me, I thought with anger as I pulled my curly hair into a high bun and walked out into the living room.

I was unhappy for another reason. My parents' friend, Shep, was coming to visit.

I hate Shep. He hates me. I don't know why. My mother tells me that he hates me because I remind him of Sela. Apparently he and Sela were close, and in love, or something. Now that she's gone, he hates being reminded of her. He's still a nice guy, when I'm not around. Whenever he sees my face, he acts real uptight around me.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a piece of shurra fruit. My parents are friends with some people that still grow it. It's originally from Naboo, and being able to eat one is like being royalty. I bit into the fruit and savored the sweet juice.

I leaned on the kitchen counter and threw my head back, wanting to jump off a cliff or something.

"I need to get out," I laughed to myself as I finished the fruit, tossing it in the compactor. I waited for the familiar roar of the flame, and then walked away. "I really do."

Someone knocked at the door. I looked myself up and down. Good. I'm not indecent.

I walked over to the door and opened it after checking the peephole. I smiled tightly. "Mornin', Shep."

"Good morning, Lee," Shep replied cheerfully, walking in. My eyebrow rose as he walked inside. He actually speaks to me?

He walked over to the kitchen with bags. "Hungry? I can make you something."

Shep was a tall guy of around thirty-seven, with dark brown hair and dark eyes. He still looks young.

"Uh…sure."

He started cooking over the stove, and I watched him with surprise. He looked up at me after a while. "What?"

"You're actually cheerful," I said dryly.

"Am I not?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, you're never polite to me. What's wrong with you?"

Shep genuinely frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Everytime you're around me you act as if I don't exist," I said obviously.

"Why would I do that?" he asked absently, bending over the fire. I rolled my eyes.

"Maybe because I remind you of a certain someone," I snapped, feeling confused. Shep's eyes snapped up to meet mine, and they darkened.

"Shut your mouth, Lee."

"Excuse me?" I asked with disbelief. "Shut up? I'm the one being victimized here!"

"It's not my fault you look like her!" Shep exclaimed, throwing his knife on the counter and glaring at me with pained eyes.

I softened, feeling bad for this chump. "Did you really love her?"

"I did."

"Why are you taking it out on me then?" I snapped, walking out of the kitchen and into the living room. I sat down on the couch, staring angrily at the family photos of us. It's funny. I used to be this blond, happy-go-lucky child. Before my aunt died, I mean.

After that, it was attitude, attitude, attitude. However, my soft dad replied, "It's in your aunt's genes. It's not your fault."

Mom, however, snapped about all my faults and attitude issues. Funny how things go in one ear and out the other.

"Lee! Come eat!" Shep yelled. I stood up, exhaling deeply, and glaring at the picture of me before walking into the kitchen. I stopped short when I saw a bowl of cold cereal sitting in my spot. I glared at Shep with anger.

"Perhaps you should watch your mouth from now on," he said smugly, picking up a plate of bantha meat and eggs and placing it next to the cereal. "I've got to run."

"I thought you were staying here until Mum and Dad get home," I said stupidly as I shoved eggs into my mouth.

"Well, I've decided that I need to head to the Senate for some work," Shep replied, washing and drying his hands quickly and grabbing his jacket. "See you."

"But-" Slam. I sighed deeply and dropped my fork onto my plate, suddenly losing my appetite. "Why am I always alone?" I said softly.

Kel's not even around anymore. Kel's my older brother. I love him to death. I'm never attitudy around him, mostly because I know he can beat me up. He's thirty. Today he's out at the Aviation Academy teaching. He told me that he's always wanted to be a pilot.

So basically, I'm alone. Again. Nothing new.