𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀
—𝘪𝘵'𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳—

     CLASSES WERE DIFFERENT than Bexley had expected. Instead of dragging by with nothing but the droning of a bored teacher, six hours sped by, full of introductions and information. She wasn't sure where Poe was after her third and final class, but didn't really care at the moment. Five new textbooks were stacked up in her arms, threatening to topple as Bexley was shoved to the side by another recruit.

She felt a weight on her shoulders that she definitely hadn't felt before‒ and she wasn't sure if it was the newfound pressure or the textbooks in her arms. Adjusting the books, Bexley lets out an exasperated sigh, before making her way to the girls' wing of the compound. Others followed after her in groups, giggling with their new friends. Bexley, on the other hand, couldn't be more stressed.

Spencer had all three classes with her, and took the opportunity of sitting next to her during all of them. The two of them would share glances every now and then, but he didn't hint that he wanted to have a conversation with her.

It was her first day; how could she be so exhausted and worried already? The overwhelming about of reading she'd have to complete within the next few days was going to be torture. That was one thing she knew for sure.

The girl wasn't paying attention to her surroundings when, suddenly, she crashed into someone and was knocked backwards. Bexley's books dropped to the floor, a gasp leaving her lips as she prepared for the impact of the floor. But it didn't come. Instead, she was surprised as arms wrapped around her waist to hold her up. Opening her eyes, she was relieved to see Poe's concerned eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asks as the girls behind Bexley walk around the two.

"Yeah, thanks," Bexley nods, smiling in the slightest as he steadies her on her feet. "Sorry about that, I wasn't paying attention."

"I noticed," Poe furrows his eyebrows. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Classes are already taking a toll on me," she responds with a grimace, looking to her books on the floor. "I'm not so sure I can do this anymore."

"You've got this," he rolls his eyes, grabbing her books easily from the floor. "Believe me, I thought the same thing. But focus and relaxing are the main keys to getting it. So stop stressing, you have time."

"Not enough of it," Bexley groans. "Do you see these books? They weigh more than I do! I have the rest of this week to read them, and the whole course is only two weeks!"

"The second week is review," Poe assures the girl, leading her to the girls' dorm with her books at his side. "These books are what matter. They have the basics of flying, it's not hard to get. And if you still need help after reading them, I'll help you, okay?"

"You promise?" she asks as they reach her room, Bexley turning to face him.

"Of course I do," he smiles, lacing his pinky with hers for a moment, before putting the books back into her arms. "Now put your books away and hurry, you have to get to training."

Bexley follows his orders, entering her room to place the books on her bed. As soon as she got back from training, she would focus solely on reading. And when she could finally finish all of her books, then she would relax. Exiting the room again, and stepping to Poe's side without all the textbooks, she felt the pressure release. She could breathe again.

"So how were classes?" Poe questions, hoping she wouldn't get too worked up if he asked.

"Decent," Bexley replies, following at his side. "Spencer and I have all classes together, but we didn't really talk. I'm not sure if he's just shy, or he finds me annoying . . . "

"Dawn is talkative and outgoing, Spencer is quiet and closed off," Poe answers for her. "You're not annoying, you just have the guts to say things that others wouldn't."

"You barely know me," she scoffs, shoving him playfully.

"You're an open book to me," he shrugs, not budging from her push.

"But you aren't to me," Bexley says, pausing as she glances up to him. "Why am I the only person you talk to?"

"I'm mentoring you," Poe corrects with a grin. "I'm just here to help."

"Are you calling me a damsel?" she gapes, faking an offended expression as he doesn't answer. "Ouch! That hurts, you know. I can handle myself."

"General Organa insisted that I stay around you," he says, disreguarding her comment. "I'm here to carry out her orders."

Bexley couldn't help but feel a sinking in her chest. Of course he wouldn't be there because he enjoyed her company, or any other valuable reason. He was there on orders.

"But why would she . . . ?" Bexley trails off, not quite understanding what he was telling her. "Why would the general want you around me?"

"You're important here," Poe continues, his brown eyes focused on the path in front of them. "She wants to make sure you're ready when the time comes for missions. You don't want to fail, and she doesn't want you to either. Leia agrees with you, she sees your potential."

"The only potential I have is to be an assasin. I could never be as great as my father was," her eyes find the floor.

"Or you just doubt yourself so much that you're oblivious."

Bexley looks up, her eyes finding Poe's as they reach the training center. She turns to face him, tilting her head to the side.

"So, are you coming with me?" the girl asks, gesturing to the training room. "Or do you have something better to do?"

"Come on," Poe rolls his eyes. "Of course I'm going with you. I have to mission, I definitely don't have anything better to do."

"Okay," Bexley grins, stepping into the room without another word.

But Poe watched her, smiling at her retreating figure. Because little did she know- even if he did have a mission- nothing would be better than spending his time with her. He quickly discards his thoughts, though, and follows behind her.

The training room was large, having enough room so that hand-to-hand combat could take place without the worries of crashing into others. Half of the floor was padded, closed off from the marble floor with tightly drawn ropes to hold in the given opponents and keeping others from entering.

"Hey loser," Bexley steps over to Heath, glancing over to make sure Poe was by her side.

"Hey," Heath grins. "Are you ready to be beaten at hand-to-hand, shorty?"

"My height again?" Bexley scoffs. "If that's the only insult you've got, I feel sorry for you. I was born ready to take down idiots like you."

"I'm gonna hold you to that," Heath says, gesturing over to the mats at the center of the room. "Shall we?"

"We shall."

---

"Ouch," Bexley groans, holding a hand to her ribcage. "Heath, that was so not fair."

"I used my advantage," he shrugs with a smirk. "Nothing about that is unfair."

"Here," Poe says, handing the girl an ice pack as he looks over her injuries. "Bruised ribs, bloody nose . . . I think you'll be fine. But Heath, next time go a little easier on her. You should've known to be more gentle."

"This is training," Heath rolls his eyes. "I'm not supposed to go easy on her, I'm supposed to win."

Poe narrows his eyes at the boy.

"Fine," Heath looks to Bexley, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I should've been easier on you."

"I'm fine," Bexley shrugs his hand off, placing the ice pack to her bruised ribs. "I should've payed attention and dodged your blows."

"Next time, use your size to an advantage," Poe instructs, helping her up off the mat. "Now let's get you back to your room."

Bexley nods, sending a short wave to Heath before the exit the training room. As the door closes behind them, Bexley lets out a long sigh.

"I'm horrible," she murmers.

"Everyone is when they start out," Poe comments. "You'll be fine, I promise. And like I said earlier, I'll be here when you need me."

"Thank you," The girl stops, catching his attention. He, too, stops, turning to face her. "Thank you for helping me, even if it is on General Organa's orders."

"You're welcome," Poe says, looking down at her.

His eyes find hers, and they stay there for a moment, encaptured in something neither of them could anticipate. And Poe finds himself smiling at Bexley, glad that he had volunteered to be the one to help the girl when General Organa needed it the most.

_______