I'm back! Sorry for the late up date. I 've been very busy; school has started and I'm on the receiving end of tons of homework so well...
Chapter 9 is here. Hooray!

See previous chapter for disclaimer.

CHAPTER 9
When Something Comes Between Friendship

"Initiate Vestarii, you are late."

Maia bowed to the petite woman who stood before her. With her silver hair knotted into a severe bun, Master Ceres was as strict as she looked. That however was not as bad as the fact that she taught astromath, Maia's least favourite subject. "Sorry Master, I was-"

"I'll listen to your excuse later. Take your seat."

The Initiate obediently stepped back and moved to her seat at the back of the class. "Where have you been?" Sabie'nhra hissed as Maia slid into the seat next to her.

"I had to see someone," she muttered under her breath.

Concern flashed across her friend's features. "Did Darek tattle to Master Narista?"

"No," replied Maia. At that moment Master Ceres looked over to them and she restrained from saying anything else. "Speak to you later," she whispered to Sabie'nrha as soon as her teacher looked away.

Maia found it hard to focus during the entire lesson. Firstly, it was because it was astromath, a subject she hated like the Sith had hated the Jedi. It was that bad. Secondly, because her thoughts kept drifting to her friend who was most likely still stuck in the Healers' Wing. And third, her red skinned friend next to her was so full of nervous energy that Maia thought she might burst. Or dash out of class and turn cartwheels in the hall. Although quieter and much more sensible than her friend, Sabie'nhra's occasional bursts of excitement were always very energetic.

At last, after an agonizing half hour the lesson was finally over. Together with the rest of her classmates, Maia stuffed her datapad and writing stylus into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She had hoped to trickle out inconspicuously out of the class along with the other students but Master Ceres foiled that hope.

"Maralaia Vestarii, a word please," she called out. Maia sighed. "See you later," she muttered to Sabie'nhra who was once again looking concerned. Slowly, she turned and trudged over to her teacher's table.

Master Ceres was looking especially severe when she stared up at her pupil. "Where were you when you were supposed to be at my class?"

"I went to visit a friend in the Healers' Wing."

Her teacher's eyes narrowed. "Couldn't that visit have been made later?"

Maia shifted her weight. "I just thought I could drop by very fast," she mumbled to her boots.

Ceres sighed. "Maia," she said addressing her pupil by her nickname, something she rarely did. "Look at me. Is something wrong?" she asked as the Initiate raised her gaze.

Maia shook her head. "No Master, there isn't anything."

"Then why haven't you handed in your homework these past few days?"

Surprise flashed across her pupil's face. "There was homework?"

Master Ceres groaned and covered her face with her hands. Maia could hear her mutter "Maia, Maia, Maia," under her breath. Her teacher sighed deeply, then drew her hands away to rest on the table.

"Maralaia," she said firmly, all familiarity lost. "I know you really dislike this subject but please for your future as a Jedi, try to concentrate more. If you don't understand something, ask me."

'Dislike' is a rather mild word, Maia thought. If only Master Ceres knew how much I hate her stupid subject. She made sure her mind was safely shielded. She did not need any lecture about hate and the fact that it led to the dark side.

"Yes Master," she said flatly.

Master Ceres looked at her in a way that told her that there was much more her teacher wanted to say but she only sighed again. "Very well Maralaia, that's all. You are dismissed." She looked tired.

"Sorry," Maia muttered before she ran out of the class.

"What happened?" Sabie'nhra whispered anxiously as Maia appeared from the classroom. "Did she scold you?"

Maia shook her head.

"Where were you?" Sabie'nhra asked. "Who did you see?"

"What's wrong with you?" Maia asked, ignoring her friend's question. "You so full of excitement I keep worrying you might explode if you keep it in for too long. Tell me. I know you're dying to."

Sabie'nhra grinned from ear to ear. "The most brilliant event of my life has occurred," she breathed rapturously.

"Some Knight asked you to be his or her Padawan?" It was more of a statement than a question. What else could be more brilliant for an Initiate than that?

Her friend nodded, her dark eyes shining.

"Congratulations, Sabie."

"Thanks."

"So who is it?" Maia enquired curiously. "Male or female? What species?"

"Human female, tall with dark hair and dark eyes. Her name's Arianne Shamwari," Sabie'nhra eagerly described. "She's not technically my Master yet, I think. I don't know if she has already asked the Council for permission or not.

"She's very nice and friendly. You should meet her someday Maia, I'm sure she'll like you." Sabie'nhra went on to describe the things she would do with her new Master and all the missions they would go on. Maia, who listened with half an ear could not help but feel a little left out. She and Sabie had been friends since their crèche days and now someone else, someone more important, was coming between them and intruding in their friendship and she couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment and jealousy at that.

So she kept silent while her friend talked and talked, fearing that those feelings would show in her voice if she spoke.

"Are you alright?" Sabie'nhra asked brightly after expressing a rather long wish to visit the moons of Iego.

"Maia nodded. "I'm fine," she lied. "Just a little tired."

Sabie'nhra, too happy to notice her friend's lie or feelings went on and on with her list of things to do when she finally became a Padawan until Maia began to wish for earplugs. She however continued to listen with half an ear while the two best friends headed towards their next class.

Sorry that this chapter is so short, the next one will hopefully be longer. Please review. BTW, it's good to be back.

Xrai

P.S. I was on holiday in Kuching (a state of Malaysia) and there was a small town called Padawan. I took a picture of a signpost with the name, if you wold like to see it , contact me. Xrai