Luke sang quietly and even danced a little to the country music he had playing as he moved around the dorm building's small kitchen, checking on the chicken, peppers, beans, rice and so on that he had cooking on the stove top. He was a little nervous. Mara Jade would be outside the back door of the building pretty soon expecting him to let her in. For the eighth time at least, he made sure he had everything - taco shells, tortillas, chicken and so on and was, for the eighth time, satisfied but it didn't allay his nerves. As far as Luke, and quite probably everyone else, was concerned, he and Mara were in completely separate leagues. With a rueful chuckle, Luke began putting the food into containers to carry up to his and Wedge's dorm room.
Mara was humming to herself as she walked across campus. The sun wasn't quite down yet but it was getting there. From the park that separated the dorms, she could see the Iota Sigma Beta house. There were already a throng of people over there and the music was almost recognizable. She shook her head at it. Mara liked to party - not stupid party with drugs and alcohol and raunchy sex in who knows who's bedroom but a dance with friends and maybe a little delinquent drinking never hurt anyone. "Hello Mara, how are you?"
Mara turned to see Lando and a couple friends walking towards her, most likely on there way to the ISB house. "I'm alright. How are you guys doing?"
"Just heading to the party. You sure you want to go spend time with Hay-bale instead of coming with us?" asked one of them. Mara ignored him and said, "Have fun. Don't do anything too crazy. You know how campus security and local cops are on Friday nights."
Lando chuckled and said, "I never do anything too crazy. Anyhow, it's not too late to join us. Everyone knows that you weren't actually planning on helping Luke Skywalker with psych so..."
Mara's eyes narrowed and she said in a cool, level voice, "Lando, I don't really care what Talon Karrde or whatever other gossip queen says. Even if I'm not giving Luke a hand, I would rather hang out with him than with a bunch of hormonal, sexually charged deviants at a frat house where a good quarter of the members are suspect of sexual harassment and assault."
One of Lando's buddies, Vak Somoril, bristled at the idea. "Not every fraternity is like that you know. Besides, if you think you have something to worry about, you should lower your opinion of yourself."
Mara just snorted and said, "Whatever you say, Vak. Have fun at the party. Keep your noses clean. You never know when someone could leave an anonymous tip for the Police Department. It would be terrible if ISB got banned for possession. Night."
With that, she turned and walked away. Lando couldn't help but watch her go. "Oh come on, Lando, she isn't that hot;" snorted Vak.
Lando looked at him and said, "Either you bat for the other team, you're a liar or you need to get over your ego, Vak. Mara Jade is a ten out of ten in my book."
Lando's other buddy nodded in agreement. "Whatever;" muttered Vak as they headed on towards the ISB house.
Luke had just put everything in an insulated bag when his phone buzzed again. He fumbled with it and nearly dropped it before managing to answer, "Hello."
"It's cold out here and I'm hungry. Let me in;" came Mara Jade's voice.
Luke smiled and said, "Be right there."
He hurried to the door and opened it up. "Come on in. Food's warm in the kitchen. Let me grab it and we can go up stairs."
Mara sniffed appreciatively as they made there way inside. "That smells great, Farmboy. I never took you for the cooking type."
Luke chuckled, "My Aunt thought that it would be important to be able to eat well and she hates hearing about school and college cafeterias. Anyhow, how's your week been going?"
Mara shrugged, "Nothing too fun or exciting - classes, labs, stuff like that, probably the same for you."
Luke nodded as he hoisted the cooler bag and headed towards the stairs. "Unfortunately, my dorm room is on the fourth floor. After you."
Mara murmured, "Thanks;" and they started up the flight of stares. After a few moments of silence, Luke murmured, "Apparently Talon Karrde has been starting the rumor mill again. Did you hear what he said about that senior Natasi Daala and Professor Tarkin?"
Mara shrugged. "I don't really pay attention. Let people think what they want to think. It's none of my business."
Luke nodded. It was a good policy and he usually stuck to it. He just hated awkward silences. "How long have you been into MMA?" asked Mara off-handedly.
Luke blushed and said, "Oh you saw that huh?"
She laughed, "Yes I saw that. It's hard to miss the sound of a fist or knee or foot slamming into a fo-leather bag. So how long?"
Luke shrugged. "I used to have a bad temper and my uncle wanted me to play football but I wasn't really good at it. Not big enough for the line, not good enough at throwing to be quarter back and not fast enough for anything else so we had to try other options. We heard from a friend of a friend that this little old guy taught Martial Arts but it had to be for a good reason - not just some punk kid looking to be a bad ass."
Mara giggled, "Really? You have 'punk kid looking to be a bad ass' written all over you."
Luke chuckled, "Well my uncle got a hold of him and said that I had anger management problems and was undisciplined. Apparently that was a good enough reason. All throughout my school years, so long as I kept up with homework and chores, my uncle and aunt would let me go learn from him."
Luke suddenly blushed and said, "I got into a fight just once and he laid into me, even started speaking another language while he yelled at me. The only reason he kept teaching me is because I promised I wouldn't do it again - with qualifications of course."
They made it to the room and went inside. Mara looked around, intrigued at what she saw. Over one of the beds were a bunch of posters of fast cars and over the other, posters from video games. "Is the car one yours?" she asked. Luke laughed and shook his head. "Nope, though everyone assumes that. No the video game one is. Confession: I'm a huge nerd."
Mara chuckled as she went over and sat on his bed while Luke began setting up the food. "What kind of taco do you want?"
She got up and said, "I can assemble my own taco. You don't have to serve me."
Luke shrugged. "Eh, it's no big deal. Help yourself. Want anything to drink? I have some soda, ice tea or water."
Mara smirked at him and said, "Soda?"
Luke blushed. "Yes, soda? Whoever thought of calling a soft drink 'pop' anyway?"
She laughed and said, "Well, I'll have some POP."
Luke grinned and said, "Sorry, all I have is SODA."
They both laughed as he opened the miniature fridge and frowned. "Damn it, Wedge! Could have let me know you finished the soda and the tea;" he muttered before turning around and saying, "So maybe we don't have any soda or tea - no pop either."
Mara sighed as if truly disappointed and said, "Well that's so sad. I was really looking forward to some soda-pop tonight."
Luke felt himself blush and looked away. Mara laughed and said, "You are way to easy to mess with, Luke. Actually, I brought some with me. Do you like cream soda?"
Luke smiled and said, "It's my favorite actually, why?"
Mara opened her bag and pulled out a six pack triumphantly. "I brought some. It's made locally and probably the best in town. Besides, pop is always better in a glass bottle."
"Couldn't agree more;" Luke said with a grin.
She pulled one out and offered it to him. Luke twisted the cap and frowned. "I don't suppose you have a bottle opener, do you?"
Mara produced on from her bag and opened hers before she tossed the tool to him. They sat down on the bed and ate, chatting as they did about classes, the college sports teams and other trivial things. After a half hour of study going, Mara breathed a satisfied sigh and said, "I can't eat another bite. That wasn't half bad, Farmboy."
Luke chuckled at the nickname and said, "I'm glad you approve - better than the caf?"
Mara snorted, "Luke, a protein bar would be better than the caf."
Luke laughed and gathered the paper plates and plastic utensils and threw them into the trash can. When he turned around, he saw that Mara was nibbling on a piece of candy out of his stash and chuckled, "Help yourself;"
She smiled impishly and said, "You don't mind, do you?"
Luke shook his head. "Not at all."
He went opened his cupboard and then hastily shut it again, almost slamming it. Mara cocked an eyebrow. "Are you alright over there?"
Luke blushed and smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just grabbing some smaller containers to put leftovers in."
Mara stood and strolled on over saying, "Really? Looks like you saw a ghost in there."
Luke wanted to protest but he couldn't think of a good enough reason to before she opened the cupboard and looked inside. There stood the mason jar of moonshine. With wide eyes, Mara pulled it out and examined it. "My, my, Farmboy, I never took you for the type to by moonshine from Han Solo. I think I must have read you all wrong."
Luke was blushing dark red now and had his forehead in one hand as he explained, "I didn't buy it. Han brought it over for me earlier."
She set it on the counter and said, "Did he tell you to get me drunk too?"
Luke's eyes widened. "NO! No, no he just thought I should offer some. I wasn't planning to even bring it out. I had forgotten about it 'til just now."
Mara nodded for a moment and then asked, "So... what flavor is it?"
Luke's already wide eyes went even wider, "What?"
Mara picked it up again and began trying to untwist the cap. "What flavor is it? I hope it's the strawberry. That's my favorite so far."
Luke's jaw dropped open in shock. Mara Jade did not seem like the kind of girl who would indulge in under age drinking. She looked at him and burst out laughing. "Luke, you look ridiculous."
She reached up and closed his mouth before handing him the jar. "Open it for me please. I think I'll have some if you're willing to share."
Luke was so shocked, he just took the jar and opened it with a pop. The smell of strawberries filled the room and Mara said, "Put in Knight Falls and I'll pour us some."
Luke just said, "Uh... okay. I thought you wanted to avoid drunken revelry tonight. That's why you didn't go to the party."
Mara chuckled and said, "No, I avoided going to the party because I don't trust frat boys - especially not ISB frat boys and I have less than no desire to hang out with Lando Calrissian. Jerk would spend the whole night trying to get me drunk and into my pants."
Luke laughed and put in the DVD before he went back and sat next to Mara on the bed before accepting a cup from her. It sure smelled good, not like the scotch or whiskey his uncle used to drink on occasion. Mara clinked his glass and said, "To staying in and successfully avoiding nasty Mexican food."
Luke laughed and took a sip. It tasted good but, holy hell, it really burned too. He coughed a little which caused Mara to laugh. "Don't drink much, do you Farmboy?"
Luke shook his head. "Nope, sure don't - just a beer or a little scotch every now and again."
They stayed up late into the night, watching tv, drinking moonshine and enjoying each other's company. When the jar was empty, and they were both more than a little drunk, Mara stood unsteadily and said, "Well this was fun but I should get back. It's almost midnight and if the RA's catch us, we'll be in huge amounts of trouble."
Luke nodded and stood as well. Through her haze, Mara remembered the sweets she had brought for him. "Here, Luke. I got these for you since I've been eating so much of your candy."
Luke examined the bag and smiled, "Thanks. You know you didn't have to do that."
Mara waved it away airily. "Was my pleasure. Well, I'll see you later."
Luke helped her grab her bag and said, "Let me walk you back. It's late and I wouldn't feel right about you going across campus on your own."
Mara giggled and said, "All the martial arts skills in the world wouldn't help either of us now if there was trouble, Luke."
Luke shrugged, "Humor me. I'd feel better knowing you were safely inside."
Mara shrugged. "Suit yourself."
It was cold outside and Mara shivered a little. Luke took his jacket and wrapped it around her before they began to head back. They both giggled as they swayed and staggered ever so slightly, hoping that no cops or campus security guys would catch them. After a rather long walk, they made it back to Mara's dorm building. At the door, she turned and said, "Well dinner was great and that was a lot of fun. We should do it again sometime, Farmboy."
Luke smiled with pleasure. "I agree though maybe we should ease up on the booze next time."
Mara pouted slightly and said, "You're no fun. Hey I have nothing going on tomorrow night. Want to keep watching the show over some Chinese take out? You're gonna love what happens in the next couple episodes."
Luke was about to accept but then remembered something. "I would love to but I actually have plans tomorrow. Sorry. How about Sunday afternoon?"
Mara frowned and said, "Plans, huh? What kind of plans?"
Luke suddenly looked decidedly uncomfortable. "A few of us guys are heading down south to the city. We've been planning the trip for a couple weeks now."
Mara looked a little disappointed but she smiled and said, "Alright. Sunday afternoon it is. Have fun tomorrow night."
"Thanks. You too;" he said. Mara smiled and went inside.
Luke looked up at the stars with a huge, dopey grin on his face. It hadn't been an official date or anything but Mara had really seemed to enjoy herself. Luke sure had. Not only that, she wanted to hang out again. Perfect end to a perfect day. Luke turned around and headed back, whistling cheerfully to himself. He saw the three guys walking towards him but didn't think anything of it until one of them called him. "Hey, Kid. Got a second?"
Do to the alcohol in his system, it took Luke a second to realize that the guy was talking to him. Luke pulled his hands out of his pockets and said, "Sure. How can I help you?"
Luke recognized them as ISB frat boys and one of them put an arm around his shoulder and asked, "You have a good night, Luke? You and Mara have a good time?"
Luke nodded, his expression guarded. "Yeah. We ate tacos and watched tv, why do you ask?"
"That's it, huh? I smell some of Solo's shine on your breath. You sure nothing else happened?"
Luke was a little offended. "Yes, I'm sure nothing else happened. What's it to you anyway?"
The guy lifted his hands and said, "Easy, killer. Look we're glad that you and Mara are getting along. It's good to have friends in college, especially one with a reputation of being a good guy like you do but you realize that the two of you are in social spheres that really don't touch, right?"
Luke felt his pride bruise a little and his temper prick. "What does that mean?" he said in a deceptively calm voice.
Another of the guys sighed and said, "Look, Luke, I don't know how to put this so let me try like this. Mara Jade was adopted and raised by Sheev Palpatine and his mistress Ysanne Isard. She's basically the daughter of a multi-billionaire. She's grown up on silver spoons, the best education and the high society life. You - just haven't. There's nothing wrong with being razed on a farm. We need good people like that but the fact of the matter is that you two just aren't really compatible. Take our advice, brother. Stay firmly in the friend zone. You'll be safer there."
Luke took a deep breath and replied, "I appreciate your concern but I think I'll just go where this takes me. I was never much for paying attention to social stigmas or elitist ideas of everyone having a limited place in society. Have a good night, gents."
Behind him he heard one of them say. "Don't worry about it. We'll let Derran know and he can decided what to do next."
Updated 10/15/2018
