"Tell me about the little girl," I whisper to Phasma in the dark. She's laying on the floor beside me and Caleb is somewhere farther off from us, also on the floor. My new room has no chairs for some reason and Hux won the toss-up for the bed.

"I will someday," Phasma whispers back, "but not tonight. I think we've already lost half our sleep time."

"Sorry."

"It's not you. I can't sleep anyway because of this heat. And I know the bombs in Aiden's base will go off soon."

I don't respond. I'd forgotten about the bombs.

"Do you think we'll feel it?" Phasma asks. "Or hear it?"

"I don't know," I say. "I hope not."

"What if it causes a breach in the hull?"

"I'm trying to sleep," Hux mumbles from the bed.

We lay in silence for a while, looking out the windows to the stars. I hate that Caleb is on our team now, but Hux seems to think he'll come in handy. There is a shuffling at the other end of the room. I glance over. Caleb gets up. I watch his shadow. He doesn't move for a while but just stands there. Goosebumps break out on my arms. Does he think I'm asleep? Is he going to try to kill me?

He starts to walk over slowly and my muscles tense, ready for a fight. But he passes by and walks over to the bed. My heart speeds up. If he climbs in I'll kill him. I wait. The longer I wait the harder my heart pounds. Phasma nudges my shoulder. I turn to her and she whispers, "don't start a fight tonight, okay?"

I let out a silent sigh. The hum of the ship drones on. I don't bother to turn back around and see what Caleb is doing. I don't want to know. Why am I jealous anyway? It's not like Hux and I have a romantic relationship, and I'm not planning to start one, but I also don't want him to start one with anyone else, ever, for the rest of his life. I rub my face with my hands. This is so stupid. What's my problem?

"What the hell?" Hux yells, startling Phasma. She squeals as Caleb comes tumbling off the bed and rolls into her. Hux jumps out of the bed and slams his fist against the wall, turning the lights on. The sudden blast of light pierces my eyes and Phasma groans in protest beside me. I squint and see Caleb run off.

"I'm gonna kill him," Hux says.

"Hux, please," Phasma groans. "Just shut off the lights and turn on a lamp or something."

Hux shuts off the lights and I stop squinting. A glow from the bathroom casts shadows across the room. I sit up and see Caleb go in, then close the door behind him. The room goes dark again.

"Ren?" Hux says.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want the bed? I don't want it anymore."

"Uh... no thanks."

My eyes adjust to the dark and I get up. I walk over to Hux. I know this is a bad idea but I blurt out my next words anyway. "You let Caleb climb into bed with you?"

"I thought it was you," Hux says. He's facing the window and the glow from the colorful gasses outside light up his eyes as they search mine. "Would that bother you though, if I let him stay with me for the night?"

"A bit."

Hux is quiet for a moment, his gaze moving over my shoulder to the window.

"You were looking at Phasma's breast today," he says. "A lot."

"I can't help it-"

"Shut up," Phasma says from the floor. "You know I can hear you guys."

Hux pulls me aside, farther away from Phasma. "When did you get taller than me?" he asks, his hand gripping my upper arm. Then he lets go. "Do you even know what you want?"

"I think so," I say.

"What do you want then?"

"I don't know. I think I want your attention."

"Well, you've got it." Hux's eyes flash.

"I want it all to myself."

Hux grins. "That's kind of selfish, isn't it?"

"I'm a selfish person."

"More like really possessive."

"That too." My cheeks heat up. It's too warm in here. The ship is gradually getting warmer and warmer. Soon we'll die of heat. "Do you even like Caleb?" I ask, the words rushing out before I can stop them.

Hux shrugs. "What's not to like?"

I step back and Hux steps forward.

"Ren, I'm not interested in Caleb," he says. "He's kind of weird."

"You're right." I push him back. "I don't know what I want. But I won't stop you from having whatever you want."

"You won't?" Hux closes the distance between us and I set my hand against his chest to hold him back. His heart races beneath my palm. Is he nervous? Am I playing with his feelings by wanting him all for myself, when I know I'm not ever going to be more than friends with him? I lower my hand slowly and he steps closer.

"I don't know what I want either," he whispers, his breath near my cheek. I shudder and reach out automatically, desperately, without thinking. I need him. He's mine. I pull him against me and squeeze him tight. He's right, I'm very possessive.

"You guys stop already," Phasma growls. "Caleb's watching you from the bathroom door and it's weirding me out."

We pull apart and the bathroom door slides closed with a swish.

"Can we lock him in there somehow, so we can have some privacy?" I say to Hux, my hand is still on his waist. Hux doesn't respond. His eyes look glazed over now, and his glance drops down to my lips. I want to hug him again, cling to him, because he lets me. He's the only one who's ever wanted me to. I pull him back but he pushes me away.

"We should get some sleep." He removes my hand from his waist. "I like to keep my personal life private, not public."

"Yes, I'd like that too," Phasma says.

Hux grabs a pillow from the bed and lays down on the floor beside Phasma. "Come on, Ren," he says, patting the carpet on his other side. "Let's try and get some sleep."

I join them and lay down beside Hux, using my arm for a pillow.

"Hux?"

"Yeah?" He turns onto his side to face me.

I hesitate. "I just keep thinking you'll take off one day," I say, not caring if Phasma hears me.

"Where would I go?"

"I don't know. You'll just leave." You'll leave me behind, I think.

"Our futures are together." Hux's hand finds mine in the dark and he clasps it tight. Both of our palms are warm. "I know you were mad your mom left you at the academy when you were little."

I don't answer.

"And your dad left too, right?"

"Yeah."

"Mine did too. And I never knew my mom."

Phasma groans. "A conversation for another time."

Hux whispers more quietly. "I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

"Okay," I whisper back.

He moves closer. "Unless you come with me."

"Okay," I say again, afraid to believe him but wanting desperately to.

"I promise," he adds. His thumb circles the back of my hand, lulling me to sleep while stimulating me awake at the same time. I want to tell him he's all I have. Maybe Phasma was right and people in dangerous situations cling to each other, but whatever the reason is, I've never felt closer to anyone, and it's terrifying.

I close my eyes and cover my face with my arm. Hux gently removes it, then slides his pillow closer to me. "Want to share the pillow?" he whispers. I lay my head on the pillow, then put my arm around Hux.

"Don't worry, Ren," he whispers. "We'll win this game. And then we'll rule the galaxy, together."