Hey everyone! I hope you've been excited for this chapter! I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Hopefully you enjoy it! :D'
Q/A's and Reactions:
Ezraismybae- That's actually a really good idea. ;D You're so clever!
Silver shines in moonlight- I'm glad you like it! :D
Ichichi05- Awesome! :D
Razini- Thanks! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Empressrulerofallthatisweird- I'm glad you still liked it! ;D
EzravstheEmpire- Aw, thanks! I hope you like the chapter Phoenix!
Futuristic Laser- A little bit of fluff here and there makes there world go round. ;D
DeviLau Hills- Very guilty indeed.
EzraSWrebels- Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!
PsychJediPirate- Yeah. Peanut butter is rad.
Coral Iturbe- Me alegro de que te haya gustado !
Spectre14- Yeah! Chocolate is awesome! :D
KariGirl- Probably not this chapter, but I'm planning one soon. ;D
Guest- I know what you mean.
Paint the Wolf- Aw, thanks! I appreciate the support! :D
Guest- *Blushes* Aw, you're sweet.
Azulablue92, disguised as a llama- I'm glad you liked it Azula, or are you a llama?... I don't know what's real or not anymore! XD
Rebels Lover- I had a great day and the stress has been lifted a little. I'm still under a bit of pressure, but it's definitely not as bad as it was. Thanks for your love and support! Have a great day too!
Fangirl7636- I'm glad! :D
Midnight Luna- Don't worry, I asked Bullseye and he said it was okay. :D
Jessie KI- I'm glad you liked it! Hopefully you enjoy this chapter too!
Rewired105- But does Ezra have a purpose for this? I mean, after all, Ezra is a really smart kid and he knows whose best to keep on the good side. It's also not a bad idea for a troublemaker like him to have a friend behind the law to help him out if needed.
Azilia James- … footy? I don't understand.
Taylor Fireheart- I'm glad you liked it and I'm happy it inspired you! Enjoy the chapter! :D
Ezra's POV
"Ow!" I yelped. "I understand the shower, but is this really necessar- AH!"
"Sorry," Hera sighed while brushing my hair. "I know it hurts. But you can't go to school with matted hair."
I groaned as she combed furiously at a tight knot. "School is stupid," I muttered.
After a few more tugs and pulls, she stopped and walked to in front of me. She smiled as I shifted uncomfortably in my itchy uniform. "There, that's better," she soothed, placing the brush on the table.
"Better?" I gasped sarcastically, trying to loosen the tie strangling my neck.
She giggled for a moment, pushing my fumbling hands out of the way and fiddling with the knot until I could breathe again. "Better?" she asked, smiling warmly. I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "Yeah, thanks," I mumbled quietly.
She smiled sympathetically, making me look down sheepishly. Hera was so kind to me. She was unlike anyone else I'd ever met. She genuinely cared about me! With a heart as warm and caring as her face, she was like the mother I never had…
I quickly shook the thought out of my head. Don't get too attached Ezra. It'll only make it more difficult when they kick you out.
I took a deep breath. It's true, I couldn't get too attached. Even to someone as loving as Hera.
"Hey," Hera cooed calmingly. "It's gonna be okay. It's only school."
I blew a stand of hair out of my eye and folded my arms. She just smiled, combing a hand through my now clean and brushed hair. I frowned, flinching at the contact. She hesitated for a moment, before grinning and suddenly pulling me into a hug. I gasped, my lungs constricting and muscles tensing.
The warmth of her body heat radiating off mine…
The triggers of trauma as her fingers dipped into the grooves on my back…
The steady heartbeat pounding against my cheek…
The feeling of restraint, helplessness…
The undying love for an unwanted street rat…
The memories of everything you once had and never wanted filling your vision…
I quickly pushed her away and stumbled backwards. My heart was racing, adrenaline pumping. I had to restrain myself from lashing out at the figure who'd made me feel all these conflicting emotions at once. My trembling hands reached backwards and gripped onto a chair, my fingernails digging into the wood. It took a second for my vision to focus again as I tried to steady my ragged breathing.
Hera was standing there, frozen and slightly shocked. When she snapped back into reality, she said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"I-It's fine," I muttered hurriedly, cutting her off. "It's… n-not your fault."
She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when Sabine entered the room. I looked up at the girl whose gaze flickered between me and Hera. "Did I interrupt something?" she asked nervously.
"No," I replied quickly, picking up my backpack and slinging it over my shoulder. "Just getting ready for… school."
"Um," Sabine shifted nervously, the tension thick in the air. She looked to Hera for guidance, but the older woman simply nodded in reply. "Have a good day at school you two," Hera waved, mustering a weak smile. I nodded, hurriedly walking for the door. Sabine was quick to follow, grabbing her own backpack and galloping up to beside me. We walked outside into the sweet sunshine and blue skies. I closed my eyes and inhaled the fresh air, basking in the sun's rays.
"I assume you're not that fond of school?" Sabine asked.
I opened my eyes and shrugged. "That's one way to put it," I smirked, strolling down the steps next to her.
She shot me a small smile, positioning her bag on her back. "Well, if you have any trouble, just come to me, okay?"
I nodded once, hiding my face behind my blue locks. "I'll keep that in mind," I mumbled.
We continued to walk down the road, my brain buzzing as we travelled. While Hera was loving and motherly, Sabine was energetic and playful. She loved painting and drawing from what the walls of the house indicated. She had really tried to get to know me better, but I was pretty exclusive yesterday. Zeb on the other hand, well, he was something different. Though he begrudgingly shared his room with me, there seemed to be a slight hint of care behind his aggravated grunts or annoyed groans. Colonel, who I'd met last night, was still a bit of a mystery. It was obvious he wasn't in his best state of mind when we were acquainted last night, but hey, easier for me. Who knows, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to have a cop on your good side. Ha. Certainly wasn't good if you were on their bad side.
Sabine and I did a few turns until we finally made it to a large brick building. Children of all ages ran about the playground, many flooding in and out of the glass double doors. I could feel my skin heating up as I read the plaque at the front. I may not be the most educated kid here, but I certainly knew those words.
Lothal Public Primary and High School
I gulped. "Why here of all places?!" I hissed under my breath.
"What was that?" Sabine asked as she confidently strolled up to the gate.
I ducked my head, crossing my arms defensively. "Nothing," I muttered as I scurried past her and into the noisy grounds. Dozens of eyes stared at me as I walked up the gravel path. I was well known around here. And not for good reasons.
A chill ran up my spine as a cocky voice said "Well, if it isn't little Bridger?"
I stopped, Sabine standing beside me. She looked confused, but I knew exactly who it was. "What'cha want Oleg?" I snapped.
The teen chuckled, jumping off a nearby table and strolling up to me casually. "I thought I told you to stay away, street rat," he snarled.
I straightened, balling my hands into fists. My blood boiled at the words. "I'll go where I want," I growled through gritted teeth.
"Well then," he smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Maybe you need to be taught another lesson."
"Bring it, scum," I spat, stepping forward until we were only inches away. Every fibre of my body screamed at me to lunge, let the adrenaline rush and blood flow, but Sabine pushed us away from each other. "You two, stop it!" she barked.
Oleg laughed. "This your girlfriend Bridger? Gonna let a little girl fight your fights from now on?" he taunted.
I bared my teeth and raised my fist, prepared to strike. But Sabine grasped my wrist and sighed. "Don't Ezra, it's not worth it," she coaxed. "Come on, let's just go."
Oleg continued to laugh. "Aw, that's it. Go hide behind a girl, wimp!" he called as Sabine attempted to drag me away.
"Come on Ezra," she urged gently.
A growl rumbled in my throat as I begrudgingly stormed off, Sabine guiding me. "Why'd you stop me?!" I scowled quietly once we were far away enough. "I could have taken him!"
She squeezed my hand gently and inhaled sharply. "It's about doing what's right," she replied sadly. She sighed and shook her head. "Ezra, there's more to you than this. We know that. I know that."
I frowned, shrugging from her gentle grasp. "You don't know anything about me," I snarled. "None of you do!"
"We would if you just talk to us," she replied, trying to reason with me.
I twisted on my heel so my back was turned. "None of you know about who I am… or what I can become," I seethed. "And I intend to keep it that way. So make it easier on everyone and give. Up."
"I wasn't taught to give up," she snapped, amber eyes narrowing. "I'm surprised you were."
I glanced over my shoulder as she walked away, my gut twisting. As she disappeared around the corner, my blood turned cold and still. I'm sorry.
I sat at a table in the cafeteria, a tray of food in front of me. Surprisingly, I wasn't in the mood for food. The emptiness lingering in my mind overpowered my instinct for survival. It was lunch period at the moment, the first few lessons not being that easy since I was almost 2 or 3 years behind. But I couldn't shake the feeling that it was something… different, which was bothering me.
Why am I feeling like this? With a spoon, I nudged some of the peas around unexcitedly. No one else was on the same table, which was fine by me. It just gave me more time for my mind to roam.
This family actually cares about me… maybe I should stay a little longer…
Don't get your hopes up, they're just like everyone else. If they knew who you really were, you'd be abandoned in a heartbeat…
Then they don't have to find out! They'll never know!
Ha ha kid. Haven't you realised already? You're not wanted.
But they seem like they do. Maybe I should-
Don't you get it! No one wanted you for 14 years, you honestly think these ones are different?! You're nothing! You're just a street rat, a pest, a mistake!
"Hey," I calm voice cooed, dragging me out of my mental warfare.
"W-What?" I mumbled, looking up in alert.
I was relieved, and slightly surprised to see it was Sabine. She smiled sadly, standing behind the seat across from me. "May I sit?" she asked.
I nodded slowly, wondering why she wasn't still mad at me. I searched warily for some kind of catch, a trick or trap, but she simply placed her tray on the table and sat down. She frowned when she saw my tray. "You haven't eaten anything," she pointed out.
I looked down at my food and continued to play with it. "For some reason, I'm not really hungry," I mumbled.
It was silent for a moment, until Sabine said "Ezra, I just wanted to say… sorry."
I perked up. "Sorry?" I asked, confused. She was saying sorry to me when I should be the one saying sorry to her. This family really was weird.
"Yeah," she continued sheepishly. "I shouldn't have said that, and you're right. I hardly know anything about you. So…" she hesitated at first, before finishing "Tell me about yourself. How was your lessons?"
My eyes widened. She actually wants to know about me? "Um… w-well… I don't really understand much," I confessed, hiding my face again. "There are some words I don't understand, and my writing is pretty sloppy."
She giggled for a moment, taking a sip of her juice. "Well, we don't expect you to just slip right into it. Hera has planned for a tutor to come on the weekends, to help you get caught up."
"On weekends?" I groaned jokingly.
She smiled warmly. "If you really need help," she said, placing her hand on top of mine. "I'd be willing to give you some guidance."
"R-Really?" I stuttered.
She nodded. "That's what I'm here for."
For once in a long time, I smiled. A genuine, happy smile. "Thanks Sabine, I really appreciate it."
"Hey Bridger!" someone called from behind. I retracted my hand and snarled, realising the cold voice. I didn't say anything though as Oleg came up behind me, slamming a hand down on the table. "Tell me Bridger, when will I see you scavenging Capital City on the filthy streets again?" he smirked obnoxiously.
"Hey, back off!" Sabine spat.
This just made Oleg laugh. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?" he replied. "This street rat here is who I'm after, so stay out of this."
I sprung up, pounding my hands on the table. Everyone in the hall went silent, adverting their lunch time attention towards us. I spun on my heel and scowled "Don't call me street rat."
"Oh yeah? Gonna get princess over there to save you?" he chuckled.
Suddenly, I lunged out my hand and grabbed his collar, pulling him close enough to hear me hiss "Don't call me street rat. And don't call her princess."
"Or what?" he snapped.
I pushed him backwards, grabbing my tray in two hands and cracking it over my knee. It snapped into two pieces and clatter to the floor. "This will be your head the next to you say anything bad about us," I sneered. "Now, scram."
For once, I saw an emotion not often found in those jade green eyes. Fear.
He scowled, turning his back and walking away. I grinned behind my navy blue locks. "Ezra," Sabine said while walking up to beside me. I nervously ran a hand through my hair. "Sorry, I know you told me to do the right thing and all but-"
"No, Ezra," she cut me off, smiling. "Thank you. For standing up for me."
I nodded once. "Just returning the favour," I smirked.
She smiled, then looked off to where Oleg had exited. "What's that guy's deal?" she growled.
I shrugged. "Some people are just jerks."
"Hm, agreed," she said, before looking down at the broken tray and scattered food. Despite everything, she chuckled. "Sorry about your lunch."
I grinned, bending down and picking up my sandwich. "What is it again? Five day rule or something?" I smirked, taking a bite.
Sabine punched my shoulder and laughed. "It's five second rule kid."
I smirked, nudging her gently with my elbow. "Not on the streets it's not," I winked.
She smiled, causing my heart to glow. Why did these people make me feel so…. Strange? Whatever they were doing… I kind of liked it…
Hey guys! How was the chapter? Did you enjoy that brother sister moment? What happened to Ezra on the streets that has him so paranoid? Will Ezra ever call Kanan by his real name?! XD I hope you enjoyed the chapter everyone. Tell me what you thought about it, I love to read your reviews! But until then, may the force be with you, always!
-Superherotiger