"𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙄 𝙜𝙤, 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡."

I stared at the controls of the ship in amazement. I'd flown plenty of speeders across deserts and canyons, but they weren't this complex.

Aris let me sit in the copilot chair. I watched her hit buttons and make calculations like she'd done it a million times. When we got far enough away from Tatooine, Aris said the ship ready to make the jump.

"We're taking the fastest route to Coruscant from here, the Corellian Run," she said.

"Woah," I whispered. I thought about all the routes I heard pilots talk about back home. I would finally be taking one.

"Do you want to take us into hyperspace?" she asked with a smile.

"Yeah," I said breathlessly.

"Pull that lever," Aris said pointing at a handle on the control board.

My fingers curled around the cool metal. I pulled it down and watched the stars become streams of light. The ship drew back subtly before it launched into a space full of swirling light. I could feel the hum of the ship in my bones as we traveled millions and millions of miles within seconds.

"How is it?" Aris asked.

"It's more amazing than I thought it would be," I said staring outside. "Thanks."

"It's no problem," she said. "I love seeing kids go into hyperspace for the first time."

I smiled in response and turned my eyes to the window. The journey from the Outer Rim to Coruscant was a long one. I wrapped myself tighter in the beige poncho I left home with. I always used it to protect myself from the heat and sandstorms, but I never thought I'd use it to block out the cold.

The journey took many hours, so I caught some sleep as we traveled through the stars. I felt a light jolt and looked up. We had come out of hyperspace.

"We're here," she said.

In front of me was a planet that glittered like it was made of tiny stars. Beautiful patterns of light decorated the planet's surface. I bet someone could create constellations out of them.

Aris flew us in slowly, letting me take a look at the city planet. I had never seen buildings so tall. She parked her ship in a hangar and turned to look at me.

"Listen, kid, I'll let you stay with me for a few days so you can find a job, but after that I'm leaving."

"Sounds good," I said, but I grew stressed. I had no idea what to do.

Aris described the layout of the city. I felt rested after sleeping on the ship so I spent the whole day walking the streets of Coruscant. I learned as much as I could about the city as fast as possible. I observed people, businesses, transportation vehicles, and anything I could see.

I felt out of place in my desert outfit. I held my arms to keep warm. Everyone else looked comfortable, but I felt like an outsider. I drifted towards the upper levels and arrived at an area called CoCo Town. My gaze landed on a place called Dex's Diner and I grew excited. Diners had the type of food I had experience with.

I went in and asked a server if I could speak with the owner. He was a Besalisk male and he seemed in a good mood. His white shirt was spotted with grease stains. I liked an owner who did some of the work themself. His four arms stuck out and I wondered how many burgers he could flip at once.

"Hi, I'm Sil," I introduced myself. "I was wondering if I could get a job here. I have a lot of experience working in a restaurant."

He sat observing me and thinking. "You're from the Outer Rim, aren't you?"

"Yeah I am," I said slowly. "How did you know?"

"I've been all over the galaxy," he said. "I've had all kinds of jobs and I've met lots of people. "What's the name of the place you worked at?"

"Enzo's," I said hesitating. I wasn't sure how well known the restaurant was.

"Ah, the burger place on Tatooine," he said scratching his chin. "I've heard of it. People here talk about it from time to time."

I grew excited by his recognition. If I could get this job, I could survive in the upper levels of Coruscant. "So what do you say, Mr...?"

"Call me Dex," he said. "You can start whenever you're ready."

"Thanks, Dex," I said trying to contain my eagerness.

"Well, I wouldn't be smart if I turned you down," he said thoughtfully. "I could use your experience."

I nodded a thanks as energy bubbled inside me. "I can start tomorrow," I offered.

"Perfect," Dex replied. "I'll pay you weekly, but here's some credits so you can get a place somewhere near. I don't need you coming up from the underworld of Coruscant everyday."

Dex turned out quite friendly as we discussed more details. I traveled back to Aris's ship and told her the news. She was happy for me and said she'd help me secure an apartment the next day. I feel asleep easier that night. Everything was falling into place.

In the morning, I used my credits and got settled in a new home. Aris wished me luck and headed off to her next destination.

I started working at Dex's Diner that day too. I was determined not to let this opportunity slip out of my hands. I did dishes, mopped floors, handled the register. The other workers were nice enough. They weren't Wes, but I got along well.

I went home that night tired from the day's work. I thought about my new life and how different but similar it was. I was doing the same thing, but in a completely different place and on my own.

I promised Enzo and Wes that I would come back to Tatooine, but I wondered if I'd ever be able to. I was lucky to even get a pilot as helpful as Aris.

I looked outside, but I couldn't find the stars. The lights of Coruscant made that impossible.