Chapter Three: Crushes, Plans, and Thoughts of Allia

After dinner, the five of them were going to the lounge when Allia suddenly gasped.

"What's wrong?" Obi-Wan demanded.

"I, uh, I..." Allia stuttered, "Um, there's something I forgot to do."

"What?" Garen asked.

"Uhm..." Allia replied nervously.

"Uh, okay," Obi-Wan said. "Do you know where your room is?"

Allia nodded. "I think so. I'll see you later, um, or tomorrow." She turned and ran up some nearby stairs.

"She sure is strange," Garen said quietly.

"Don't say that!" Obi-Wan cried. "You forget things all the time, too!"

Garen blinked, surprised by his friend's outburst. "Whatever you say, man."

Bant smiled sneakily. "You like her, don't you?"

Obi-Wan blushed. "No, I don't!"

"I can see it in your eyes," Reeft teased.

"I do not like Allia Illuminai!" Obi-Wan turned on his heal and stomped away.

Once Allia was in her room, she flopped down on her sleep couch and picked up her comlink. She put in a certain code and inquired, "Master?"

A deep voice answered her. "Yes. What did you find?"

"Nothing yet. A boy my age by the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi has been assigned to show me around the Temple. He seems like a good target."

"Very well. Contact me when the plan is in motion."

"Yes, Master. Out." Allia smiled. Everything is going as planned, she thought proudly. The girl lay down on her bed and closed her eyes. Soon, she was asleep.

The next morning at six-thirty, a bell went off the wake the initiates. Allia rolled over, yawned, and rubbed her eyes. Then she got out of bed and put on a clean tunic. She got out her lightsaber and clipped it to her belt.

When she opened the door, Obi-Wan was standing in front of it. She gasped and clutched a hand to her chest in surprise.

"Sorry," Obi-Wan said. "Did I scare you?"

Allia smiled and took his hand. "Not at all."

Obi-Wan looked at their joined hands a little uneasily. "Um, it's time for breakfast. Do you remember where the cafeteria is?"

Allia looked at the floor, hiding a smile beneath her hair. "No, I'm afraid not. Could you show me once again?"

"Sure." Obi-Wan looked up at her and added uneasily, not wanting to be rude, "Could you let go of my hand, please?"

Allia drew hers back sharply. "Oh, um, I'm sorry. I..." She blushed.

Obi-Wan drew his hand back to himself. "It's okay, really. Let's go." They started towards the door, but an uneasy-feeling train of thought was building up in Obi-Wan's mind.

Is it really all right? Something doesn't feel right with her, and you know it.

It's fine. It's just because she's new. She doesn't know quite how things work here.

She's being too friendly. There's something going on.

She's just that kind of person. It's not a big deal. It's better then her being rotten to everyone.

And what about last night? What did she do after she ran off? Who knows?

Stop! She's just a normal girl; a student just like me.

Give yourself a break. There's something up here. You know. Listen to your instincts, they rarely lie to you.

Allia looked at him worriedly. "Is something wrong, Obi-Wan?"

The boy blinked, startled. "Uh, no. No, I'm fine." He smiled a smile.

"Okay," Allia said, motioning to the door, "Here we are." Obi-Wan opened it, and they went in and sat with his friends