I was very proud of myself to say that the temptation of the Darkness was easing away from me. I could think for once.

Xach and I had to watch Ky so in the mean time, Xach wanted to train.

"We don't know what we are up against out there. You need to be prepared, Padmé."

"I am prepared!"

"I don't mean acting out on feelings!"

I folded my arms. That's exactly what I do.

"What does it matter? There's an uprising going on! We shouldn't be playing-"

Xach pulled out his saber and charged at me.

I fell to the ground on my back before pushing my legs up and hitting him in the jaw. He stepped back and I jumped up, chopping at his neck. With that he was on the ground.

"What the-?"

I brushed myself off.

"See? Playing."

"How about you guys start throwing rocks? That'll really scare 'em," Ky laughed.

Xach didn't even look at him as he got up.

I stepped up to Xach as he caught his saber in his hand.

"Maybe you should just relax. I know it's a different situation-"

"Christina."

His eyes were fierce but so were mine.

"The Force, Xach. You have to calm down. I can feel your panic."

He blinked before nodding.

"I'm going to go get some drinks. I'll be right back."

Ky followed me out.

"I see some tension between you two. I can understand why you can't stand him."

My eyes hurt as I avoided Ky's gaze.

"Besides, you're on the Dark side right? It's not like he could be with you even if he wanted to."

Heartstrings got pulled. I never realized that.

Ky stopped in front of me and held my chin in his fingers.

"That's why you're my pretty little girl."

Ky wanted me on the Dark Side to prove that the First Order would turn back to its original ways, just so they had reason to destroy it and me.

I smiled, going along with him.

He chuckled under his breath before leaning down to kiss me.

I heard a very annoyed huff behind me. Ky and I faced the sound and my body went cold.

Xach walked up to me and pulled me away by my hand.

He yanked me into the room before Force slamming the door shut.

"This is a me and you day not me, you, and him."

I could feel my blush deepening.

His fingers lingered around mine until I grabbed his hand fully.

"Don't get jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

I raised an eyebrow and lifted my hand. He was so good at hiding the Force. I had to push further.

"Stop it."

I dropped my hand and rolled my eyes.

"You know where I stand so I don't know why you-"

"Do I know where you stand, really?"

I spun around to him as he walked past me. "What?"

"You're on him all the time like you want me to be jealous. It's not like I could tell anyways. You hide the Force like it's not a part of you! That's not how a normal relationship works."

I was biting the inside of my cheek and my fists were balled. "We're never going to have a normal relationship dumbass! We weren't born normal!"

Maybe I should've stayed on the Dark Side. We weren't born normal. We weren't supposed to be together.

"So you making out with another guy is alright when I'm standing right here?!"

He was giving me a hard scowl.

"I only go to him to give him what he deserves! If you wanted to have a normal relationship, you'd be there for me!"

We were literally yelling in each other's faces.

"Maybe I don't want a relationship with you!"

The angry tears I didn't know I was holding back finally made an appearance.

I didn't have a comeback because he was speaking the truth.

I nodded and smiled.

"Yeah. You're right. It was stupid to think someone had feelings for me. This whole thing was dumb."

Xach ran a hand through his hair

I wanted to smash a wall. I felt pangs of hurt everywhere. My blood was boiling and I couldn't hear.

"Padmé I'm sorry-"

He reached out and I stepped back before turning into a run.

I ran back down the halls and bumped into my Dad.

"Hey, hey what's the rush? What's wrong?" He was staring me down and I couldn't take it.

I broke down. "You were right Dad. You were right about everything."

He pulled me into him and pet my hair. "I know, sweetheart."

/

Xach and Ky were sitting across from each other, glaring at one another

My father walked in. Of course. Water was set out for all of us.

"Oh look at that, Padmé, Xach's here."

My father still didn't know who did what and I didn't want him to know. Him being right, especially about boys, is just weird.

Xach looked down and ran a hand through his hair. A chill ran through my body.

I sat at the opposite end of both men. Xach swallowed and looked away.

My dad sighed. "And Ky's here too," he muttered.

There was an awkward moment of silence.

"This needs to end. I'm willing to put myself out there if it means it'll stop."

All three men interjected at my idea.

"Padmé there's always another way," my dad said.

I stood up. "We can't just let everyone kill each other because of me!"

My grandmother walked in. "I have news."

"Good or bad?"

She didn't answer. "They are trying to find ways to get to Padmé," she paused.

"And?"

"It's rumored she has a lover they are trying to get to."

Xach and Ky both choked on the drink they took a sip from.

My jaw dropped and so did my father's.

/

"No I'm just saying it's easier."

My mom sighed. "You think like your father. Just because it's easier doesn't mean it's better."

I rolled my eyes.

"Look, your grandmother wants to speak to you. She's in the lobby."

I headed outside, taking the scenic route through the garden.

Xach was passing by and I felt a knife twist as I looked away.

I stopped suddenly from his strong grip on my arm.

"You didn't tell me if you had a lover."

My mind raced. Do I tell him a lie or the truth?

"You never asked."

He let go of me. "Padmé I-"

I kept walking.

I can't let my emotions run wild. I have to look to the Force and accept what is. That's the path he chose and I'm finding mine.

I heard footsteps running behind me. "Leave me alone, Xach."

Ky caught up to me.

"I'm no Xach but I guess I am a lover."

My face burned.

"I need to talk to you about that."

I felt a surge of the Force run through me but it quickly went away.

I shuddered.

"Look, I wanted to be with you because of what we've been through but I just don't think I can-"

"You still feel unsteady because of what I've done."

I looked down. No I want Xach. I wanted him to be my lover.

"Yes. Exactly."

He kissed the side of my mouth. "I'll be waiting."

I have a sigh of relief once he was out of earshot.

I finally made it across the hall with no more interruptions. My grandmother was waiting for me with nothing but bad news.