𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙒𝙊
—𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴—

BEXLEY WAS AWOKEN by four sharp raps against her bedroom door. Light had drifted in from the window next to her bed, signaling the start of a new day. The knocks continued on the door as Bexley groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She had to admit- it was the best sleep she ever had, and she didn't want it to end.

But, instead of continuing her sleep like she ached to, she found herself standing from the bed, and moving to open the door. Chocolate brown eyes stare back at her as she yawns, wincing at the bright light in the hallway. Poe chuckles upon seeing her sleepy state, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Didn't you set an alarm last night?" he questions, raising an eyebrow as he studied the tired blonde.

Bexley's hair was a mess. She hadn't brushed it yet, nor had she gotten the chance to put it in a ponytail. Her face was red from laying her cheek on her hand while she slept, yet she still managed to look beautiful.

"I may or may not have fallen asleep right after you left, and procrastinated about my responsibilities," Bexley smiles innocently with a shrug. "I'm sorry. Am I late for anything?"

Poe looked as he did the day before, only he was wearing a training outfit as Bexley was. She didn't question it, although she wondered if he would be in the training room with the recruits.

"You have five minutes until breakfast starts," he replies, glancing down to the watch on his hand. "Make that four. And after that, you'll start classes, then go straight to training with Heath."

"He was serious about that?" she runs a hand down her face. "Okay, well, I'll be out in a minute."

"I'll be waiting," Poe comments, tapping his watch in amusement as she closes the door behind her.

Bexley doesn't bother glancing at the mirror as she pulls her hair back up into a ponytail, and strips herself from her clothes. The girl grabs a training outfit, fitting into the black leggings and black t-shirt as quick as she could. And after changing socks at a rapid pace, she slips her feet into a black pair of shoes, and rushes back over to open the door.

Once again, she finds herself face-to-face with Poe, their eyes meeting.

"That was quick," Poe says. "You sure you aren't a witch?"

"Haha," Bexley says sarcastically, closing the door to her room as she enters the hallway. "Very funny. Now hurry up and show me to the cafeteria, I need to meet at least a few people before classes."

Poe nods, walking ahead of her down the hallway. They turn right, stopping at the third doorway in sight. The doors are open, the inside of the cafeteria full of chattering students. Bexley winces as they both step inside, the noise hitting her full-force.

"Are they always this loud?" she questions, looking up at Poe.

"Yes," he replies. "You'll get used to it, I promise. Are you hungry?"

"Not really," Bexley shakes her head, staying next to Poe's side as he stops walking. "Who should I talk to first?"

"Anyone you'd like," he chuckles, his eyes finding hers. "Trust your own judgement and go for it."

"I'm not so sure about this," she murmers, hesitating to move away from him. "But here goes nothing . . . "

The blonde steps forward, moving to a corner table of the cafeteria. A girl and two boys sit at the table, conversing as if they'd known each other their entire lives. Bexley decides to start there, hoping to make friends with at least one of them.

But as she gets closer, she realizes one of the recruits are Heath— the boy had asked her to be his spar partner the day earlier. She doesn't turn around, but keeps her strides as she studies the other two. Poe watches her with careful eyes, but a stone expression remains on his face as Bexley finally reaches the table and takes a seat.

"Bexley," Heath furrows his eyebrows, glancing over to the girl. "Didn't expect you to be the mingling type."

"Might as well make friends," Bexley shrugs, giving the boy a light smile before glancing to the boy with blonde hair and the brunette girl. "Hello, I'm Bexley. Bexley Terris."

"Daughter of the famous Brentley Terris," the girl replies immediately, a knowing smile crossing her face. "We know. I'm Dawn, and this is Spencer."

Bexley nods, looking between the two to memorize their names. She sits back in her seat, slightly relaxed as their reactions to meeting her weren't as she expected. Bexley studies them separately, just as they do to her.

Dawn's brown hair was stick-straight, falling down to her shoulders with ease. Her eyes were extremely brown, so dark that her pupils would be lost in her eyes if you didn't look close enough. Her cheeks were naturally pink, and freckles were dispersed on her nose. She looked around Poe's age, although Bexley could tell she was a bit shorter than him.

Spencer, on the other hand, was the exact opposite of her. His hair was a soft blonde, short but wavy. The boy's eyes were green— something Bexley hadn't seen before. He was pale, but not in a way that he seemed as though he spent his time indoors. Spencer was tall, but built as if he had worked out every day for years. He was closer to Bexley's age than Dawn, she noticed.

"What are you guys training for?" Bexley questions, breaking the short silence.

"Head pilot," Dawn responds, her eyes brightening. "I had four years of training for flying in an academy before I came here."

"Do you have to retake your classes?"

"Only if I choose to," the girl shrugs. "I don't see why I would. I'll most likely stay away from the classrooms here, and focus more on the training rooms until I can prove myself."

"What about you?" Bexley looks to Spencer, waiting for his responce.

"I'm training to be an assassin," he replies, speaking for the first time.

"I guess I'll be seeing you often then," Bexley says, her eyes finding Heath. "You and this loser here."

"You're just jealous that I'm taller than you," Heath rolls his eyes sarcastically. "How does it feel to reach the bottom shelf without having to bend your legs?"

"The same way it feels to be able to reach the top shelf without raising your arm," Bexley retorts. "Only I don't look like a giraffe."

"Ouch," Heath hisses as Dawn chuckles at the two. "That hurt."

Bexley grins, placing her hands in her lap. "Looking forward to getting your ass kicked today in the training room?"

"Only if it's by you," He winks, tossing an arm loosely around her shoulder.

Bexley removes his arm, glaring at the boy. "You disgust me."

"Geez, you're mean," he winces jokingly.

"I have to be," she states. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be. It was nice meeting you guys."

"You too," Dawn pipes as Spencer sends Bexley a warm smile.

Bexley stands from her chair, ruffling Heath's hair as she turns. "See you later."

And without another word, she makes her way back over to Poe. He nods once their eyes find each other.

"You did great," he says.

"Thanks," she replies. "But I think that's enough conversation for today. I'd rather not meet anyone else at the moment."

"Overwhelming?"

"Exhausting," Bexley corrects him, shaking her head. "I really need a nap. Is that allowed here?"

"You still have classes today," Poe points out. "And training. You have a while to go before you can even think about sleeping."

"When are we going to be split up for classes?" Bexley asks, looking around the cafeteria.

"After breakfast, General Organa will sort you," he replies. "Your classes depend on how many years of experience you have for flying."

"That would make sense," the blonde nods. "What about training? Are we allowed access to the training rooms at all times?"

"Yes," Poe nods. "I insist you spend most of your free time in there, though. It'll definitely help you when you're finally able to attend missions."

"When will I be able to go on missions?"

"After two weeks of classes. But your position in the mission depends on your rank in the class at the time, and amount of time you've spent in training. If you're not prepared, you have the option to retake the classes before you attend one. General Organa has to make sure you're ready before she sends you."

"On a scale of one to ten, how hard are the classes?" Bexley frowns.

"Seven," he pauses. "But for you, it wouldn't be what it is with the others. You've got what it takes, Bexley. Don't worry about it."

Bexley can't help but smile at his words, her eyes finding the floor as her cheeks heat up. "Thank you."

"Of course," he returns the smile, not missing the blush on her cheeks.

Bexley's eyes snap to the door behind him as the doors to the cafeteria open, General Organa and three guards stepping in. All of the recruits go silent, and Poe turns to stand by Bexley's side as the general begins to speak.

"Hello, to all of you. I'm General Leia Organa, and I'd like to welcome you to the Resistance," the woman says as all eyes find her, a welcoming expression falling onto her face. "And today is the day that starts your career. Your career to become something more to the people that deserve it, and to be a part of something greater than yourselves."

_______