I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
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"Nikki start making the soup," Chang, the self-proclaimed chef, orders me.
"Alright," I reply in a fake happy voice that I have perfected long before I arrived here. He scoffs at me irritated and leaves the kitchen to go take more orders. I smile happy that he finally left. I grab the spices and toss them into the warm broth, beginning to make the ever-popular soup.
"Yum", I sarcastically think testing it. I hate soup, but I know what it should taste like. I glance up as Chang busts in and arrogantly struts over to me.
"Are you finished yet?" he shouts making me flinch lightly. Still not used to that.
"Yes," I state simply and step back so he can taste it.
"Unacceptable," he states and pours it down the drain causing me to gasp silently. I really shouldn't be surprised; it's been like that ever since Jun got me the job. I've concluded that instead of just doing it himself so it's 'perfect', he likes putting me down, which seems completely stupid to me; he's wasting a lot of ingredients that way.
"Since I have to redo this for perfection, you go take orders," the jerk orders and I nod but frown to myself as I head out.
"Hey Nikki, how's it going?" Jun, who's sitting down, asks as I enter the sitting area.
"I want to shoot that old man," I retort glaring back at the kitchen.
"I know. He has his ways, but you're the one who wanted a 'decent' job," Jun laughs as she flings her straight long black hair over her shoulder. I wish I had her hair. I have medium brown tight curls that go a couple inches past my shoulders.
"Well sorry, but I don't think I'd make a good bounty hunter," I reply to my new friend who has let me live with her ever since I came to this town two months ago.
"I know. You're too nice for my line of work," she smiles. "Too bad because you're quiet and smart- two good qualities for it.
"So do you want anything to eat?" I ask changing the subject. "I'm supposed to be taking orders."
"I'm good, but you should probably do that since you're the only waitress who showed up tonight."
"I know; you'd think Chang would be nicer to me," I reply with a shrug.
"Nah, you don't give up too easily and he knows that," Jun adds. "You should probably get back to work; he might come check on you any sec."
"Yeah, I can't wait for that," I reply sarcastically and Jun smirks. "Talk to you later," I add and move to another table.
"Would you like anything to eat or drink?" I ask a dirty looking guy. He smirks, but his eyes move to behind me where Jun is sitting and his smile dissolves.
"I'll just have a beer...you choose," he quickly replies.
"Is that all?" I ask bored.
"That's all."
"Alright," I say and quickly head to get his order. I pass Jun just smiling at me acting all innocent. About a month and a half ago, Jun got me this job. The first night, a drunken man followed me back into the kitchen.
"What's the matter? Don't you like me? I thought we had a connection back there," he asked walking toward me and I started backing up. Just my luck, I was trapped against a wall. Before I could move to the side, he pinned me hard against the wall causing one of the saucepans hanging on the wall to fall to the ground. Unfortunately, my attempts to break free were overpowered by his strength.
"Don't worry; this won't hurt one bit," he smiled as he began hiking up my skirt as useless tears streamed down my face.
"You be quiet or else," he threatened as he began undoing his belt.
"What's going on here?" Jun asked coming into the kitchen.
"Aw Jun, we're just having a little fun," the guy smirked.
"Let her go now and we'll forget this ever happened, Long."
"Now why should I do that? We were just getting to know each other," Long slurred his words.
"Believe me; you don't want me to make you," she threatened.
"Hmmm, let me think about that now," he replied moving his hand to me neck. "How about you leave and she won't die?"
"Sorry, but I'm not leaving," Jun frowned getting angry.
"Too bad," Long said as he tightened his grip. Shock disappeared as fear and anger started to build up. Doing the only thing I could think of, I kicked him right where it would hurt the most. Out of surprise, he let go of my neck. He glared at me and punched me in the stomach, stupidly forgetting Jun. I closed my eyes from the pain of the blow and by the time I opened my eyes, Long was sailing across the table. He ended up hitting the wall and blacking out.
"You okay?" Jun asked turning toward me.
I just nodded still in shock.
After that day, Jun started teaching me how to fight and shoot arrows. I'm not at expert fighter yet, and to be honest I don't think I ever will be. Jun has taught me lots of self-defense and is teaching me fighting basics. Whenever I get tired or need something different to do, Jun gives me targets such as tree knots to practice archery. I doubt I can ever actually shoot someone, but Jun insights that I'll probably use my skills to outsmart someone without hurting them. We'll see if that'll ever happen.
It's only been a couple of months since she let me stay with her, but we have become close like sisters. Everyone knows not to mess with me in fear of messing with Jun. I'd rather show I can take care of myself, but knowing me I'd probably freeze and forget everything when I need it most. So it's nice having Jun around, besides I like the company.
I quickly move from person to person taking orders and filling them. Jun leaves to find work as I continue mine. Not soon enough, my shift ends. I leave the pub and make my way home in the dead of the night. I like the night. I can see the beautiful stars glittering up above and it's usually quiet and so peaceful. Soon enough, I arrive outside of our small house. Jun's xirxiu is outside the house indicating that she's home.
Walking into our house, I see Jun down the hallway looking over papers- most likely most wanted posters.
"How was work?" she asks not lifting her eyes.
"Same as usual," I shrug taking off my shoes by the door. "So what's new?" I ask as I grab and apple and sit down at the table.
I have three people of about the same reward price, and I'm indecisive on whom to go after first," she replies looking up. "This one's wanted for robbing an armory, this one's a pirate, and this one's wanted for smuggling cabbages," she points to each one.
"How's the cabbage guy at the same reward price at the others?" I ask.
"Dunno. Someone must be really upset about the cabbages."
"Whatever," I shrug. "Umm, go for that guy. He seems to be the least threat," I suggest.
"I get the pirate might pose a problem, but why not the robber?"
"He stole from an armory, so he could be an expert of some kind."
"Right, the smuggler it is. I'll go after him tomorrow," she plans. "See, you'd make a great bounty hunter. But you can't read. Are you ever going to tell me where you're from?"
"I'm sorry, but I just want to leave the past in the past, ok?"
"Alright," she sighs and I change the subject.
"So where do you think this smuggler guy will be?" I question.
"Well he was found out a day ago in Spring Valley, which is about a two day ride from here. Hopefully he hasn't gone too far."
"Let's hope," I reply to Jun, who continues thinking over her map. "Good night."
"Good night," she smiles up at me and I return it. "Oh, if I'm not here in the morning…"
"You'll be at your job," I conclude. "Have fun," I say opening my bedroom door.
"Yeah, you too," Jun smirks.
"Oh, I will," I reply sarcastically as I close the door. I flop onto my bed and quickly drift into sleep.
I open the door of my room and quietly make my way down the stairs. I tense as the floorboards shriek my arrival.
"Morning," Dad says smiling coming from around the corner.
"Morning Fossil," I smile using his nickname my aunt gave him, making him smile back.
"You should treat your father with more respect," Stacie, my stepmom, insists. "Veronica," she adds using my full first name.
"Yes, m'aam," I reply with a straight face as my recent happiness deteriorates. I hastily make my way toward the kitchen; grab a bowl, milk, and a box of Lucky Charms.
"You're sixteen, almost seventeen. You shouldn't be eating such nonsense," Stacie says entering the kitchen. She grabs a handful of strawberries and a banana and begins making a smoothie.
"Whatever," I reply quietly as I begin eating my breakfast. Stacie struts over to me and grabs my bowl. "Hey!"
"Keep your voice down; it's unladylike. Listen up," she threatens quietly. "Tonight is your father and mine's anniversary."
"I know; we're going out to eat."
"No, you're father and I are; you're babysitting your cousin," she says beginning to walk away.
"Fine, Mommy Dearest," I retort quietly referring to the movie. Apparently she heard me.
"Don't you call me that," Stacie retorts.
"Okay," I reply with slight sarcasm. Her face turns red and she slaps me.
"I'd watch it if I were you; or you'll be sleeping in the streets, okay?" she states as I try my best to control my anger. "Answer me!"
"What time am I supposed to be there?" I ask my cheek stinging.
Stacie smiles and says, "You have to be there in an hour; don't worry, I'll let your father know."
"Thanks," I say without feeling as I make my way back to my room and finish getting ready. I grab my coat and head out to my car in the chilly January weather. It's only fifteen minutes to my aunt's house, so I arrive a little early.
"Thank you so much Nikki," Twila says as she heads out the door.
"No problem," I insist and think 'anything to get away from Stacie.'
"Nikki, you're here!" Tate smiles coming from around the corner.
"Hey Tatertot," I smile back. It's surprising that he needs a babysitter. He's thirteen. Then again, it's Tate.
"Hey Nikki, wanna go sledding at Washington Park?" he pleads.
"Sure," I shrug and he rushes to the car. It's a short drive to the Hill.
"You first or me?" Tate asks holding the one sled he brought as we stand on top of the hill.
"You go," I insist and Tate nods still smiling. Even though he's a few years younger than me, we actually get along great, even if he's two inches taller than me (I'm 5'6"). Whenever I babysat him, we usually watched Avatar (the last episode we saw was the Day of Black Sun 2), Naruto, played outside, or played video games.
I watch as he sleds down and stop on the ice. I mentally slap myself for forgetting about the river. I can barely make out the ice cracking beneath him, my heart stops. Not wasting a second, I rush toward him. Sliding belly down on the ice, I grab Tate's hand just as he begins to fall through. I try my best not to let go as I desperately try to stay above water and bring him up at the same time. He closes his eyes from underneath the water and then reopens them signaling me to let him go. I shake my head and grasp his hands tighter despite the freezing water and crackling ice.
"Miss if you don't let him go, you'll fall in too," a man insists from a snow bank.
"I'm not letting go!" I shout back as the ice completely crumbles beneath my weight. From shock of falling through, I let Tate go. I open my eyes and not seeing him, I frantically look around. My eyes glance at the bottom of the river, where I see a brilliant orange light. I close my eyes and sink into the deep dark abyss as I feel myself being drawn toward the glow.
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So what did you thinK?
I know it's been awhile since I said I'll start this story. Sorry about that.
I plan to update once a week so I won't get too far behind and hopefully you won't have to wait longer than that. :)
