Hey guys and girls! I'm back- and I miss the sun already.
What's up with you people? I slave and slave over a hot keyboard for hours and I only got two reviews on vacation! That's totally lame guys…I know you can do better.
I'm just kidding! Thanks so much to everyone who's reviewed so far! And now, after a whole week with no updates, I proudly present: Republic High chapter 7!
But first- I own nothing! (Sorry, I just realized I forgot to add my disclaimer for the last few chapters.) All quotes from The Empire Strikes Back belong to George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd.
On with the show!
Anakin suppressed an irritated growl at the unfairness of it all as he looked out the window, hoping for sunlight, only to find rain sheeting down onto the pavement in torrents.
"Wonderful." He muttered. Almost on cue, the ceiling began steadily dripping water onto his head. Stang. Anakin thought, and then went to get a bucket to protect the carpet from the seepage. I really need to find a better place to live. Anakin thought pointedly as he went about his morning customs, only to find that the shower was freezing cold, the water from the sink was scalding hot, the mirror had a few new cracks and the caulking at the base of the tub had begun to peel off. Cheap druk.
Anakin finished his routine with the ease of a thousand repetitions, managing to make himself look presentable despite the fact that Jabba was to kriffing cheap to pay for any repairs. Home Depot here I come, Anakin thought with a half-amused smile playing at his lips. He grabbed his umbrella on the way out the door and was just about to leave when his phone rang, a broken, disjointed harmony that sounded more like a dying canary than a ringtone.
Mumbling under his breath about telemarketers and horrible timing, he snatched the apartment phone from its cradle. "What?" He snapped.
The voice on the other end was timid. "Anakin?" It was Padmé.
Anakin took care to modulate his reply as he answered. "Sorry? I've had a crappy morning; I thought you were a telemarketer." He explained.
"It's fine…Listen, I know this is extremely short notice, and I've been a complete heel lately, but I was wondering if you could give me a ride to school…Obi-Wan said he could do it, but he's sick today." Padmé explained.
Anakin raked his fingers through his hair. "Uh, sure, that's fine I guess. I just need your address." He replied after a moment.
Padmé dutifully relayed the necessary information.
"Okay, I think I've got everything. I'll come by in a few minutes to pick you up." Anakin promised.
"Dude, you're awesome! Seriously. You have no idea how much you're saving me right now." Padmé said emphatically
Anakin grinned. "Thanks. See you in a few."
"Bye." Padmé replied and the line clicked off.
Anakin replaced the phone, and headed out the door, locking it behind him. He almost laughed at the unnecessary gesture-none of the things he owned would get much on the street. Still chuckling inwardly, he headed out into the pouring rain and got into his car, shuddering at the fact that he could see his breath in the cold morning air.
The first thing he did as he started the car was to flick the AC controls to warm. Settling in to wait for the engine to warm up, he headed down the road toward Padmé's house. Traffic was moving along as well as could be expected for seven-forty-five in the morning and Anakin arrived shortly before eight o'clock.
Padmé was sitting dejectedly on her porch steps, a curtain of rainwater sheeting down onto the sidewalk from the eaves of her roof. She heaved herself to her feet, rolling her shoulders and slinging her backpack over one shoulder.
Her school bag was quickly shifted from her shoulder to the top of her head to protect her from the rain that was coming down in torrents.
Anakin leaned over the passenger seat to open the door for her as she hurried to the car.
"Thanks." Padmé said breathlessly, clearing water from her eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt.
"No problem." Anakin replied, waiting for Padmé to put on her seatbelt before dropping the gearshift into 'drive'. As the heat began to permeate the car, Anakin also noticed the pleasant mingling scents of strawberry and mint. "You smell nice," He blurted. Idiot! he thought.
Padmé managed a small smile. "Thank you. I'm not really into the girly-girl stuff, I hate painting my nails and I despise the color pink, but I do try to look presentable…I just don't always succeed." She admitted, gesturing to her well-worn hoodie, old jeans, and skate-shredded sneakers.
"I think you look fine." Anakin replied, almost reaching to pat her arm, but when her eyes flashed, he instinctively knew that if he touched her without her explicit consent, he would probably walk away missing a hand. With a furtive glance in her direction, he returned his hand to the steering wheel.
"So…are you doing anything after school?" Anakin asked.
Padmé's beautiful brown eyes narrowed instantly. "Back off, Skywalker. I said we could try to be civil toward each other, not that I wanted to make-out with you." She snapped.
"I didn't mean it like that. I was going to ask if you play any sports." Anakin clarified defensively.
"Oh. Sorry. Old habits die hard, I guess." Padmé responded quietly.
"It's alright. You were saying…" Anakin encouraged.
"What? Oh, yeah, I actually fence if you can believe that. I'm not very good, but, the only other extracurricular activity available for girls was cheerleading." Padmé explained.
"If you want, I could give you a few pointers sometime-not as a date though. It would strictly be two classmates assisting each other for the betterment of each of their skills." Anakin simplified.
"I might take you up on that." Padmé agreed, with a slight frown. "So what do you do after school, besides fencing." She wondered.
"Well, I work at the auto repair shop- but you already know that. Um, I have my own place, but my landlord is a cheap slug who refuses to make repairs that cost over five bucks, so fixing up the apartment takes up most of my time. I was a skater before I started fencing, but I got into some trouble with the law and my parents decided that I needed a more…'constructive' outlet for my energy. That's why I fence. I've been meaning to start practicing again, but I just haven't had the time." Anakin admitted.
"Well, it looks like we can both each other out." Padmé suggested. "I'll teach you to skate again, if you help me get better at fencing."
"Deal." Anakin replied after a moment's pause.
The rest of the ride to MYA was relatively silent, ending when Anakin pulled smoothly into the nearest open parking space.
Anakin was quick to get out and hold the umbrella over Padmé's door to protect her from the rain as she exited the car.
"Here," Anakin said, handing Padmé his umbrella.
"No, it's okay, we can share," Padmé replied, pressing herself closer to him so they could both fit under the umbrella.
"This isn't so bad…" Anakin commented offhand.
Padmé said nothing, but pressed herself closer almost snuggling with him, inhaling Anakin's distinctive scent of gasoline and leather, before catching herself and pushing away, embarrassed.
"Were you just attempting to cuddle with me?" Anakin observed with humor in his cerulean eyes.
"Not intentionally I assure you." Padmé was quietly livid at the suggestion, her tone ice-cold. "I'm a girl, you're a guy, I have feelings, and sometimes I do things without thinking. I promise you, it will not happen again." She said angrily. However, she didn't move out from under the umbrella.
"Whatever you say, princess." Anakin teased.
Padmé's hands came up to smack against his chest, shoving him away. "Why you, stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking, nerfherder!" She screeched indignantly.
Anakin's tone was mildly offended. "Who's scruffy-looking?" He asked.
Padmé didn't answer, choosing instead to stalk through the rain the rest of the way to the school entrance.
Anakin smirked and followed her inside.
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~Ink