Chapter 4
"Where have you been?" James came to the door as I walked in. "You weren't at lunch or dinner. It's not like you to miss more then one meal. What were you doing all day?"
I rubbed my forehead with my thumb and index finger, bringing my eyebrows together. "I told you I were I was going."
James shook his head. "Gray came to lunch all riled up. Kept muttering to himself. What did you say to him in the Archive's?" He sat on the closest bed.
I looked at him. James Garner was a hansom fifteen year old. His eyes, when not skewed by his blonde hair, were perfect circles of forest green. His face was long and his chin rounded at the top of his thick neck. Like Gray, his skin was tan, but less irritated by the wear of the strong sun or suns of different systems.
I sighed. "He told you we were in the archives? Did he tell you he chased me in there? Did he tell you what he told me?" I felt the heat of anger flowing to the surface.
"No. He just said you threatened us." He said this calmly, as if he just remembered it. "What did you say to him to get him so messed up?"
"I just gave him something to chew on." I chuckled. I had gotten to Gray after all. He took me seriously. "A bit of information, that's all. Nothing you need to worry about."
James sat on the bed and stared at the wall. "Do you know something?"
It was an awkward question. I didn't know anything, I just guessed. And it looked like my guess was correct. "What do you mean?"
He took a long time to answer. "I think you know." His eyes fell into mine.
"I know I'm hungry." I laughed and turned away from his gaze. My palms were starting to sweat.
"Oh god Rish, how long have you known?" James stood from the bed and walked over to me before I could duck out the door.
"James, calm down."
"Rish, don't. You don't know how it feels to be able to … you can't understand. Me and Gray, It does … Don't say anything. To any one!" He had me by the shoulders, his grip tightening with every word.
"I won't James. You're my best friend. I don't want you expelled." James' face light up. He grasped me in a furious hug. "Lungs!" I gasped. He apologized and relinquished the hug quickly.
Chapter 5
Breakfast the next morning was awkward. Gray and I Basically glowered at each other and James ate silently. The other guys at our table were very confused, but didn't say anything. When the bell rung signifying the end of breakfast, Gray, James, and I walked to the door together.
"So he knows huh?" Gray grumbled. James nodded. "And, he's going to keep his mouth shut?" It was more of a threat then a question. "And if he says anything I get to clean his ass out with my light-saber."
"You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you?" I said bitterly. Gray reached over James to hit me, But I stepped to the side quickly.
"Guys, cut it out. You're drawing attention. Don't make the situation any worse then it already is. You two raised some eyebrows at breakfast today. Let's get through the class and be done with it." James was on the edge of furry, but he kept his temper down. I admired his Jedi reserve.
We walked in silence for the remainder of the walk to duel training class.
"Rish!" A girl came running from the mechanic room. Her hair flung in all directions. A broad smile on her face. "Rish look. I did it! Look." Her face was red by the time she reached us. Still trying to catch her breath she fumbled through he robes. She took a metal cylinder for her belt and pushed a button on the side. A yellow burst of energy shot from the opening at the top.
"Congratulations Talra, You've finally made a light saber." James said.
Talra blushed. "Thank you James." He hunched her shoulders and swayed.
"Stop. That's really embarrassing." I said.
"You're just mad you're little sister finished her light saber in time to beat your construction time."
"No, this is her way of flirting."
"I am not flirting, you jerk!" Talra's face burned. I smiled triumphantly
"Of course your not. And I'm Han Solo reincarnated." James and I laughed. Talra glared at me, and then walked over to Gray.
"Come on, let's get out here." She took Gray's hand and walked away.
"What was that?" I said, staring at my sister hug the arm of my mortal enemy.
"Oh, I never told you. Talra agreed to cover for me and Gray. They 'go out'. "
My jaw fell four feet. "She knows? You told her and not me?"
"Well it's not really like that. She kinda caught us. She was going to ask me out, and when she finally tracked me down…"
All my anger and jealously leaked away. I burst out in a fit of laughter. "Come on, or we're going to be late." We began to quicken our pace behind Talra and Gray. So what were you two doing that gave it away."
James flushed a little. "Nothing too extreme."
"Eww." I chuckled when we caught up to the couple. Gray turned to look at me. His face was like stone but I could see in his eyes what he wanted to say. "Calm down big boy. I'm not going to embarrass you… in public." Talra looked at James.
"You finally told him?" James nodded. "It's about time." She flicked her hair. over her shoulder and strode into class. She stoped at the door. "Told you I wasn't flirting."
