Cramming

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It was a fact well known among Jedi initiates that Master Streen's Survey of the History of Coruscant was the most difficult class in the Academy. Some said it was hard because it was mind numbingly boring. Others, that there was too much information to possibly retain for exam. Still others said that the oldest Jedi Master in the Order had an axe to grind with the younger generation in general. Such rumors persisted because the grizzled 'Old Streen' never addressed them.

"I don't think he likes kids," said Lens, from the bottom bunk, leaning against the wall. "He's not very approachable and can be gruff in his responses…when he decides to do more than grunt."

"Maybe, he doesn't like you, Lens," said Jysella Horn, sitting next to Ben on the floor of the dormitory room. She smiled with sickly sweet sarcasm, which was the cornerstone of her relationship with Ben's best friend.

"I don't see how that's possible," the blonde initiate said, beaming with pride. "I'm the only one who tries to make the class interesting.

Ben frowned, continuing to stare at the data pad resting in his lap. "Even your best effort isn't enough to make centuries of senatorial gridlock appealing."

"There were wars," Lens tried. "There has to be something in interest in centuries of intelligent beings killing each other."

"They couldn't have been that intelligent if they were slaughtering each other year after year," Jysella added pointedly.

Lens decided not to take the bait which was against his ardent desire to engage Jysella in argument. "So what do we do about the exam?"

"Study," Ben said dully.

Lens tossed his datapad on to the bed and scooted to the edge. With his elbows on his legs and his face cupped in his hands, he said: "You mean stare at the same blocks of agonizing text until our eyes glaze over and we start drooling from lack of brain stimulation. I can't take it anymore!"

"Arguing with Jys, again, are you?" said the melodic voice of his girlfriend Kayla. She leaned against the door frame as if appearing out of thin air.

He smiled at the sight of her, but frowned in his response. "Not exactly. But studying for Old Streen's exam seems just as pointless."

"Only because you are destined to fail in both exercises," Jysella retorted.

Lens ignored her and stood, clapping his hands loudly. "Café break! Who's with me?"

"Might as well," Ben replied. "This is getting us nowhere."

The four Jedi initiates filed out of the room looking forward to prospect of caf or whatever snack awaited them in the commissary.