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Obi Wan considered himself a man of great focus when the situation called for it. However, even he was liable to get distracted by something. It was always just at very inopportune times. Like when he was sparring with Anakin while all his friends sat chatting and commentating from the bleachers.
Obi Wan licked his lips, trying to remain focused on the match instead of the pretty blonde who was laughing at a joke Garen had told the group. It was only when he noticed Anakin going to take advantage of his distraction that he tore his gaze away and tried to focus once more. Time and time again he would find his mind and gaze wandering once more. Only for the smack of the wooden sword to remind him to pay attention.
"Good going, Oafy-Wan!" she would taunt him.
Obi Wan was down points by the time their alarm went off signaling it was time to clean up for the day as someone else was scheduled to take the space next.
Anakin grinned as he took the money he'd won from their bet.
"You alright? You seemed kind of distracted?" He asked.
Obi Wan narrowed his eyes at Anakin's knowing look, "I don't suppose you're the reason behind our audience today?" he accused.
Anakin swung his kendo sword over his shoulder, "Maybe. Maybe not."
"Hey kid! Where's my half?" Quinlan Vos called as he approached.
"Half of what?" Bant asked.
"My winnings of course." He answered as if it was obvious.
"Oh and do tell why exactly you're owed half Quinlan?" Obi Wan asked.
Quinlan smirked, "For the distraction of course. The kid asked me to come and bring Garen along. I decided to do even better and bring Ta-" he explained before being cut off by an elbow from Garen.
Anakin didn't look sorry in the slightest, "It worked out well enough." he said, handing Quinlan a 20 dollar bill.
"Hey where's the other 5?" He asked.
"Paycut for telling him about the plan." Anakin stated.
Obi Wan shook his head and left Quinlan's arguing behind to head to the locker room.
He decided on grabbing a quick shower before he headed out. The lingering smell told him he definitely needed it.
Anakin entered the locker room shortly after he had, looking somewhat apologetic.
"Sorry you know. About the whole...distraction thing. I just thought it'd be kinda funny y'know? You can even have my part of the money back." He apologized.
Obi Wan shook his eyes, "It's fine, Anakin. I don't care about the money. It's all water under the bridge." He insisted.
The younger man didn't seem so sure, "I mean it. I honestly just thought it would be them teasing you while we kicked each other's butts like normal. I didn't think it would bother you that much." Anakin admitted.
The older man grabbed a towel, "I was just a bit caught off guard, but it's fine really. Now I'd like to take a shower so I can go home." he stated.
Anakin seemingly accepted this and nodded, "If you're sure you're alright. I'm gonna skip the shower. I have to help Owen with something at the farm when I get home anyways." He says.
They parted ways then, Anakin heading home and Obi Wan for the showers.
So Obi Wan was surprised to find someone was waiting for him outside the gym.
"Took you long enough." Siri Tachi greeted.
Obi Wan grinned, "Wasn't aware anyone was waiting for me." He replied.
Siri pushed off the wall she was leaning on, "Well it's just me. The other two bozos took off, probably going to waste their so called prize money." She told him.
The redhead nodded, "I expected as much. You sticking around to rub my nose is my defeat?" He asked.
She chuckled, "Maybe a little. Seriously though were you tired or something today. Haven't seen Anakin beat you that bad in a while." Her initial teasing tone, gave way to some genuine concern.
Obi Wan flushed slightly, knowing full well that the reason for his loss was standing right in front of him.
"It's nothing. Just had something on my mind that's all." He answered.
"You sure that's it? You're not overworking yourself again are you? Everything is alright at home with Qui Gon?" She asks.
It's easy to forget their shared history sometimes until they have moments alone like this. They'd practically grown up together as his parents and her mother has been longtime friends.
Though they bickered a lot at first, they learned to get along and were quite close. Quinlan made sure to tease them about it whenever the chance arose.
Whenever Obi Wan would look at another girl, Vos would tease him that Tachi was gonna kill him. Oni Wan had always brushed him off. Their resident tomboy didn't think of him that way.
Then before he knew it, she suddenly wasn't that rough and tumble brat anymore. She was a girl and a very pretty one at that. It had actually left him speechless after he'd spent a summer with Qui Gon out in the countryside. She wasn't even super different in retrospect. She'd styled her hair a little different and she had some lip gloss on. Maybe there was just something different about the way she carried herself. It was enough to flip a switch in Obi Wan he'd never been able to turn off.
"Yes, I'm sure. Just had an off day. Trust me if something was wrong I wouldn't hide it." He assured her.
He tried to ignore how she looked as she shifted in her low rise jeans and tank top she was wearing.
"I just worry about you sometimes, Obi. You tend to take on too much and you don't like bothering others with your problems." Siri said.
He would deny that even if he knew it was true on some level.
Her pretty blue eyes piercing into his made him blush and break eye contact. A move that made her gaze narrow in scrutiny at him slightly.
"Trust me it's something really stupid." He insisted once more.
"If it's so stupid what's the problem telling me what it is?" She asks.
"I can't tell you." he said, biting him tongue at the bad choice of words.
"Can't or won't." she challenged.
"It's not something I can really discuss with you." He tried.
"Oh really? Try me." She retorted.
He really cursed her stubbornness sometimes. It could really endearing at times, but entirely too troublesome at others.
"Well it's kind of hard to talk about someone when they're the issue." He says without thinking.
As soon as the words leave his lips, he instantly regrets them as he can see the gears in her head turning in all the wrong ways.
"Oh. So what have I done that I'm supposedly an issue, Kenobi?" She questions.
"It's not what you're thinking." he starts.
She silently gives him a challenging look, daring him to continue.
He decides that maybe honesty will work better than trying to dance around the subject.
"It's really distracting when a girl, a very pretty girl, is smiling and laughing while she gives me a hard time." he admits.
Her irritation slowly turns to embarrassment as both their cheeks burn red.
When she can't seen to form a reply he gives it a go, "If it's any consolation, I was trying to avoid this awkwardness." he says.
She seems to finally snap out of it then, "No...I'm sorry... I shouldn't have pushed. I just thought...uh...that you...didn't see me that way." She admitted.
Obi Wan chuckled, "Siri. I have acknowledged you as a beautiful girl since we were 13 or 14 years old. Even before that I never considered you ugly. I just didn't have the nerves or personality of Quinlan or Garen to make flirty comments with you openly." He confessed.
Siri was stunned, "Oh...I see." She replied dumbfounded.
He awkwardly rubbed his hands together, "I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. I hope it doesn't put a strain on our friendship. I don't except any kind of response from you either." he assured her.
The blonde was looking very conflicted, "It's certainly unexpected, but I can't say that I mind either. Very few girls catch the eye of Obi Wan Kenobi." she teased.
She looked away, "Besides I'd be a bit if a hypocrite if I complained. It's not like I've never thought of you as a cute boy or a handsome man in the time we've known each other." she confessed in turn.
Obi Wan's heart skips a beat at this, "I didn't realize you thought so highly of me." He admits.
She rolled her eyes, "You can be so observant yet so dense sometimes Obi. I didn't spend high school turning all the guys down just to be a bitch or because I didn't like guys like some people thought. I did it because the one guy's attention I was after was completely oblivious." She explained.
Obi Wan chuckled, "Oh trust me you definitely had it. Apparently I masked my feelings well in front of you at least. The others once told me that I gave off killing intent every time those guys tries to flirt with you. Quinlan would sometimes test the waters to see if he could get to me. Bant thought it was cute and thought we be should date, but I always denied everything."
Siri snorted, "You wanna talk jealousy? When you came home from that trip talking about that girl Cerasi I was livid. I had to keep myself in check so I didn't embarrass myself or ruin our friendship. Then when that rich girl, Satine I think, started hanging around you, Quinlan told me I was like a hunting lioness. Pretty sure she caught on pretty quickly." she reminisces.
"That explains a lot actually. I remember trying to get you two to meet, but my plans always conveniently fell through." He comments.
After laughing and teasing each other a but they both got quiet.
Obi Wan cleared his throat, "So...now that it's all out in the open...would you like to grab dinner sometime?" he asked.
Siri giggled, "Obi-Wan Kenobi. Are you asking me on a date?" She asked.
"Maybe I am."
"Well maybe I'm saying yes."
"Are you free this weekend?" He asked.
"I should be. I'll have to check my schedule and make sure though."
"I'll be looking forward hearing from you."
She punched playfully on the arm, "Don't miss me too much, Lover Boy."
She then pressed a kiss to his cheek, "See you later, Obi." She whispered sweetly.
She was gone like lightning after that.
Obi Wan rubbed his cheek and realized he was still standing their like an idiot and that he was supposed to be heading home.
He shot Anakin a message later that night giving his thanks. The poor boy was completely lost on why, completely unaware of what he'd indirectly caused. Obi Wan chuckled to himself. He'd explain the situation later.