𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙀𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉
—𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯—

     IF BEXLEY WAS being honest with herself, she was a bit nervous for the day ahead. Her two-day-wait was over in an instant, and she was faced with the task of making her way to the pilot quarters for takeoff. Poe, however, was so much more nervous than the blonde.

"Don't let her do this," he had begged Leia. "General, she's not equipped enough to be off on her own, in this situation."

"I have trusted her with a great gesture," Leia shook her head, placing her folded hands on her desk. "Poe, don't you think I'm trying to protect her, too? I wouldn't do this if I weren't confident in her abilities. She will be fine, she'll have companions."

"Let me go, too," Poe said, running his fingers through his curls. "I- I can watch her, or pilot her ship. Leia, please."

His protective stance and worried expression had proved to the general that he had grown to feel for her. Their time together had been short, but he had found a way to connect with Bexley. And she wasn't about to pull them apart.

"Don't get distracted," Leia told him. "I know you care for her, but that's not our main concern at the moment. Focus on your task, and make sure she carries out hers."

And with that, Poe would be tagging along with the blonde. Bexley wasn't informed yet, and wouldn't be until takeoff; but it didn't matter. As long as Poe could attend, he was the happiest he could ever be. Despite trashing his responsibilities to follow around a girl, nothing mattered.

"Don't miss me too much while you're gone," Heath says to Bexley as he walks her down the hall. "I know it'll be hard to manage, but you'll see me again in a few days,"

"As if," Bexley scoffs, rolling her eyes as she nudges his side. "I'm thankful to get a break from all your whining and the classes. This is the best thing that's happened to me since getting accepted into the Resistance."

"You know you'll at least think about me," he pauses to shrug, "even if you don't want to admit it."

"You know what, Heath?" The blonde sighs, stepping in front of him. "I will miss you. I'll miss seeing you at breakfast, complaining about how much you can't wait to pass flight school. And how you always have an insult prepared for me the moment I sit down."

"Now that's the heartfelt goodbye I was hoping for," he grins, yanking her into an embrace. "So try not to get yourself hurt, or decide you want to stay longer. Spencer and I can't handle being the only two left."

"I know," she grins, patting him on the back as he lets go. "It's three days, I'm sure you'll be fine without us. But don't get into any trouble, okay? The last thing I need is to come back and find out that you are suspended for doing something stupid."

"I can't make any promises," Heath says, opening the door to the pilot quarters. "But all I know is that I'll be here waiting."

"Bye, Heath," Bexley waves, giving him a smile as she disappears into the room before him. Heath didn't respond, only smiling back at her as the door began to close.

Bexley met Dawn and General Organa near the back of the quarters, quickly joining into their conversation. She felt excited to finally be leaving, and was now seeing the opportunity ahead of her. But like always, she would be leaving people behind. Spencer and Heath, first of all. And then Poe.

There were different levels for each of them; Spencer was on a friendship level. She was going to miss seeing his kind face while she worked in her classes. Heath was a special friend- one that she had grown closer to as the days passed by. Even though they weren't fully at the 'best friend' stage, it was obvious that they would get there someday.

And since Bexley and Poe spent almost all of their times together, she would miss him the most. The blonde wouldn't get to wake up to his sarcastic comments in the morning, or smiles as she accomplished something in the training room. Three days away from his perfect eyes and curly brown locks. But she wouldn't think about that now, she had to focus on the task ahead.

"When will we be leaving?" Bexley asks, their attention turning to her.

"Just a few more minutes," Dawn replies, the shakiness in her voice showing. "Have you said your goodbyes?"

"Most of them, how about you?" The girl frowns, noticing Dawn's glossy eyes. "Dawn, what's wrong?"

"I won't be able to see these people for months," she whispers, glancing around as her bottom lip begins to tremble. "I'm just really going to miss it. Being he for so long has gotten me attached."

"You're going to be doing the Resistance the biggest favor," Leia tells her, placing a gentle hand on Dawn's arm. "I chose you for this mission for a reason. I believe in you, and you should, too. I can't thank you enough for being so brave."

"Besides, is it going to be that bad?" Bexley chuckles, wrapping Dawn in her arms, and pulling her into an embrace. "There's nothing to miss about this bustle. And I promise I'll contact you- or even come to visit- whenever I can, okay?"

"Of course," the brunette nods, hastily wiping away her stray tears. "This is the journey of a lifetime, I don't want to miss out."

Leia consoles her a bit more, explaining how beautiful the planet Takodana is. The blonde zones out, her eyes roaming the space around them. Not too many people were in the pilot quarters; most of them were focusing on preparing the ships that would be leaving. The others, however, were unfamiliar. Bexley assumed they would be going on the trip, too.

"Have either of you saw Poe?" Bexley questions. "I haven't said goodbye to him yet, he hasn't been around all morning."

"I think that might be him now," Leia smiles, her eyes reflecting a bit of happiness.

Bexley turns to where she stares, finding the curly-haired pilot at the entrance. He immediately meets Bexley's gaze, giving her a heartstopping grin. The girl was about to run over to tell him goodbye, but she realized that he was wearing his flight suit. Was he going on a mission, too?

"And where might you be going?" Bexley furrows her eyebrows as he gets closer. "Do you have an important mission again?"

"It seems that I do," he sighs a bit, straightening the name tag on her cotton shirt. "I've been assigned to assist you on your trip to Takodana, General's orders."

Bexley didn't process his words at first. But as she finally understood that he would be joining her, she threw herself into his arms, laughing in content.

"You're really going?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Poe replies, sending Leia a wink as he wraps his arms around Bexley's waist.

---

"I could fly, you know," Bexley comments as Poe takes the pilot seat. "I've had training for this, and I believe in myself."

"Well, I happen to be the best of the best," Poe rolls his eyes, making sure that she buckles up beside him. "You can't compare to this, sweetheart. It doesn't matter how hard you try."

"I could if I tried," she retorts, her heart fluttering as she notices the nickname. "You can't be so sure of yourself all the time."

Poe wanted to tell her that when she was near, he would always be sure of himself. But it wasn't the right time to tell her that, so he would have to wait. Instead, he put on his best façade, and glared at her jokingly.

"Oh really? Exactly how long have you been studying flight, cupcake?"

"What's up with all the new nicknames, lately?"

"I asked a question," Poe points out, "and you haven't answered it yet. I demand an answer immediately."

"Well, you know what?" Bexley sighs, scowling as she sits back in her seat. "Flight school is overrated, especially with you in it."

"I guess you'll just have to get used to me being around, princess," he chuckles, shooting her a grin. "I'm in it for the long run, and I don't think I'm going anywhere."

"Great," Bexley says sarcastically.

And on the inside, past her crooked comebacks and silly arguments, she knew that every time Poe was around, she felt safe. Being around him meant protection, jokes, and the happiest and calm moments in her life; she didn't want him to go anywhere.

But past all of that, she knew she felt something for Poe, and it was so much more than just friendship.

END OF BOOK I

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