Jedi Night

Chapter 8

When I wake again, my neck is stiff, and I'm hungry. The empty hotel room looks ghostly in the pre-dawn light. I make my way shakily to the bathroom which turns out to be bigger than my entire room at home.

...Except not my home. Not anymore.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I whisper, "Don't cry," but my reflection doesn't listen.

It's a relief to cry.

In the shower, I cry some more, and then examine where the injuries were. Light bruises now. I've never been healed by a Jedi healer. How cool, as if it never happened.

Easy to forget.

Total lie. I'll never forget.

The shower gel smells like oranges. I wash my hair with it, like I can't get clean enough. Wish the memories would wash away too.

Out of the shower, I throw on a fluffy robe, hoping Red won't mind. Soft, like a plush toy. My face in the mirror is pale, my eyes huge. With wet hair I always look younger, but today I seem older.

Back in the room, my stomach rumbles. Should I go buy something? I don't have money. Heading to the mini-fridge, I grab a protein drink.

"Don't eat that." Red's voice makes me jump.

He must have come in while I was showering. Oh man, did he hear me cry? I put the drink back.

"Sorry. I won't touch anything." When he stares blankly, I add, "I'll get a part-time job, and pay you back. For everything."

Considering how good a healer Kesha was, it'll take a century—but I leave that part out.

"You okay?" He turns up the lights.

I nod, feeling weird. "Yeah, all good." How did I get here?

 He points at the sofa. "Sit."

Once I sit, he opens his backpack, pulling out bags of food. "Sorry I had to leave for a bit. I got dishes from Jim's." He pauses. "Pudding too. Junior said you like to eat it first."

Whenever I fight with my parents, Junior gives me sweets. Everyone in the city must know what happened.

"Thank you," I whisper, rubbing my eyes. Can't cry again.

Red busies himself taking out noodle dishes, potato cakes, meat skewers, some vegetable dumplings, 2 sodas, and another pudding.

"Junior gave me one too." He sounds proud, and I can't help smiling. Tough Enforcer, acting like a kid.

We eat everything. My last dumpling splits open and I stare in horror as red sauce splatters across a white, pricey AF sofa cushion.

"Sorry," I whisper.

"Look at me," says Red.

I meet his eyes, and surprisingly, he smiles. "Jak, I don't care. Trash the room if you want. Eat whatever. They fill up the mini-fridge on the daily. If you're hungry, press that button and order room service from the holo attendant."

How to say? "I'm broke. I can't pay."

"You're my Emissary. You're not supposed to." He pulls a card from his pocket. "I woke up a bank manager to get this. Maybe don't buy a moon." He grins. "Unless you really want one."

My mouth falls open. A silver Jedi card, with my name on it, and no limit? No way. Taking the card, I try not to shake, feeling like I robbed a bank. Or Red robbed one for me. "You sure?"

"We're a team." Pulling a holopad from his bag, he taps the screen. "You have to be comfortable. I'm not great at speeches, Jak. Things have gone haywire for you because of me. I'm sorry. But I promise we'll be okay."