I didn't sleep well that night. I shifted recklessly a lot in my bed, thinking about how much my knuckle really hurt.
At one point during the night, I was finished. Obviously, I'm not getting any sleep.
I sat up and opened my eyes slowly, and as I did, I noticed a dark figure in the corner. I nearly screamed my frickin' head off!
"Chill out!" the figured whispered. The body leaned forward and then I realized it was David. I looked around and it was a little light outside. I pulled up the covers, shivering.
"You've been sleeping for eleven hours," he said quietly, moving his chair so I could see him properly.
"Oh."
"Mel…"
I looked up and he was glaring at me. "Are you insane? I mean, have you gone mental?"
"Mental, what do you mean?" I stammered in surprise as his dark eyes flashed.
"Allowing yourself to be herded like that!" he exclaimed quietly, standing up. "You know better, don't you?"
"I…" I stammered again with surprise. Here I thought David would tend to my wounds, but no. I'm always wrong. Instead he decides to hate me for being stupid.
"But come on!" I added angrily. "What was I supposed to do? That's never happened to me before! Don't most people just keep on walking?"
"Yeah, but most people don't insult them to their faces and expect them not to follow," David scoffed, standing at the edge of the bed. "Look at you." He pointed to my freshly bandaged hand. It was still burning and sore. "You're hurt."
"That's not my fault. That guy shoved me over."
"What happened, anyway?" David demanded, sitting at the end of the bed.
"Well…I mean, some drunk guy asked me for a drink and I told him no," I lied. "But he kept following me and I told him to leave, and…"
"What'd you actually call him?" David said with a raised eyebrow.
"An idiot."
He stared at me.
"A pansy."
"Oh, Mel!" he groaned. "You never aggravate drunk men! They'll get pretty physical pretty quick."
"You know what, I'd like some slack, please," I snapped. "I've been locked up inside my house for the longest time, so stuff like that rarely happens. Ever heard of reactions? Most humans just do what comes to mind in situations like that."
"That's a lame excuse."
"Lame's my middle name," I smirked. "Anyway, three of them ganged on up me."
"Did they say anything?"
"They were being perverts."
"Did they touch you?"
"No!" I nearly screamed. I quieted down. Calm down, girl. "No."
"And?"
"You know what?" I snapped. "I don't even see why you're yelling at me. I'm just trying to be a good person." I reached over and handed David my datapad. "I got the info."
"You stayed out for two hours getting the information? Mel, you should've come back!"
"You and Alex and Lily and Devon were putting so much pressure on this stupid mission!" I snapped back. "You were acting as if not getting the information would mean the end of the rebellion! And I didn't want to disappoint you guys!"
I looked away angrily. "This always happens. The one time I try to do what I think is right it's always wrong."
"I'm not saying it's bad you got the stuff, but we easily could've arranged for another meeting another time."
I gaped at him. Then I became freaking furious! WHAT?!
"Wh…why didn't you tell me that before?!" I gasped.
"We didn't think you'd get herded, Mel."
"Assume that anything can happen with me, David. Trust me. Whenever you think something can't happen it can," I snapped.
"Well, it was your first time."
"And my last," I added furiously. "I'm not going out there again if it means I'm risking my life and my virginity. If Devon hadn't showed up…" I gulped and stopped talking. I know what could've happened.
"You know, if you're really going to be a rebel then you're going to have to…"
"I'm tired of hearing all this rebel crap!" I snarled, glaring at him. "I'm obviously not meant to be anything you guys are! You're the real deal! I'm just a tagalong. I'm not Alex's protégé or anything."
I sighed sadly. "I'm just a nothing that stumbled along a something."
"Mel, don't…"
"Can you go?" I asked tightly, clenching my fists under the sheets and glaring at the neon jacket that started it all. "Please?"
It was silent. Then I heard David sigh loudly and the bed moved as he stood up. He opened the door and then closed it.
I looked at the door, sighing. I really am a nothing that stumbled along a something.
I spotted my suitcase in the little closet. This nothing's going back.
--
The plan was simple. My leaving, that is. Alex, Mel, David and Devon were going out to meet with our contacts one final time. Leaving me all alone.
Piece of cake.
When I walked down the ramp a few hours later I honestly felt that my leaving was for the best. I walked out into the hangar and smiled brightly at a stormtrooper.
On the inside I wasn't smiling at all. But it's for the best.
After all the stuff I've put them through I think it's time I let them do what they do best. Being rebels. I'm just a wannabe. Alex and the others are the real deal, the real pros. I'm not in training for anything. If I were then I wouldn't have screwed up last night. Although I did get the info I didn't succeed. Victory tastes so much sweeter when you do it right.
"You there! Stop!" I heard a mechanical man's voice say. I froze. Stormtroopers. I turned around slowly, raising an eyebrow in confusion. Two storm troopers walked towards me, their blasters held at the ready. Hopefully they don't need 'em.
"Yes?"
"What's your name?"
"Lee Valara." Like I was going to tell them my real name.
I couldn't see through their masks, but I think they were smirking. "You're ordered to come with us."
I froze again. "What?"
"I heard orders from the Imperial senate to bring you into captivity. You're wanted on Alderaan."
"Wanted?" I stammered as one of them reached my hand and handcuffed me. Fear raced through my heart. What the heck did I do? I didn't kill anyone!
"By a senator Ronium Sheplin."
DAMN HIM! I growled angrily and cursed the man. They really got him to send out an arrest warrant for me? It takes all that?!
"You will be escorted to the Imperial Senate here and held until the senator appears to take you." One of them prodded me forward with his blaster.
I couldn't believe my luck! Only ten minutes of freedom and I'm arrested!
What else can go wrong?