I Still Care
Chapter 1: Early Years
11 years ago
It was midday, the sun shone bright and everything seemed at peace. Two young neighbors played together in the back yard of a yellow house. The young girl who lived at the residence was named Katara. She lived at the house with her grandmother, mother, father, and brother. She was thin, tan, with thick brown wavy hair, and her eyes were sky blue. She was only four at this time and she was best friends with the neighbor boy, Zuko. Zuko live in the house to her left with his mom and dad. He had pale skin, stood several inches taller than the girl, and he had long black hair that framed his golden eyes. He was also a year older than Katara. Everyday that summer they played together; tag, hid and seek, you name it.
As days wore on Katara found herself crushing on the young boy. Even though she was four she knew what it meant to think a boy was cute. She was forever trying to hold his hand, or hug him. Some of the time she would fantasize what their wedding would be like. Her mother would watch the two with such fondness.
Both families got along very well. They would hold baseball games in the street outside their homes. The families even spent the fourth of July together. But as nice as their friendship was, the area they lived in was bad. Gangs were all over the place, and that worried Katara's parents. Zuko's parents were equally worried, but they were not as worried as Katara's.
One night the families were all gathered in the back yard of Katara's home. Zuko's father, Iroh had lit a bonfire in the yard for everyone. Zuko and Katara were chasing Sokka, Katara's brother around the yard. Laughing and having fun, the families looked like a picture perfect unit. Than Kya, Katara's mother noticed that the mosquitoes were biting frivolously. She ran around to the front of the house to get bug spray for the children. While she was inside a group of gang members drove down the street. Kya walked out from inside the house wearing a navy blue shirt, that was popular with a rival gang. The young gang members thought that she was a rival gang member in their turf. They open fire on her, Kya had nothing to protect herself with and the bullets ran right into her.
Hearing the gun shots in his front yard, Katara's father Hakoda, and Zuko's father ran to the front. Ursa, Zuko's mother grabbed the children and held them close as Katara's gran gran went to help the men.
When the gang members saw Hakoda and Iroh coming they ran. Kya lay in a puddle of her own blood. Hakoda fell to his knees and screamed. Katara hearing her father's cries broke free from Ursa and took off to go find her father. She looked on in horror as her father pulled her mother's bloody body against his chest. Kya's eyes were already glazed over from death. Her normal tan face was as white as a sheet. Sokka ran up behind his sister and let out an ear piercing scream. Gran gran grabbed her grandchildren and held them close. Sokka cried into his grandmothers shirt. While Katara could not take her eyes off the sight of her mother.
Behind the grieving family stood Zuko and his family. Zuko had his face buried in his mom's chest crying, while she let her own silent tears fall. Iroh held his wife and son close.
After Kya's funeral a week later, Hakoda announced that he and his family were moving away. Katara who had not cried or spoken since the discovery of her mother began to scream. She kept screaming until she ran out of air. She ran from everyone, racing through the halls of her childhood home and hiding in her room. She lay on her bed by herself until the sun hung low in the sky. Zuko walked into Katara's room and lay down beside her on the bed.
He looked straight up at the ceiling while he listened to her breathing. Finally he began to speak, "Katara, I know you sad cause of you mommy. I just wanted to let you know I am sad you are leaving."
She stayed quiet for a little, finding it difficult to for words, than she began to speak in a hoarse voice, "I am not just sad because of my mommy, I am sad cause if I move away we can't be best friends anymore."
"Sure we can, we can call each other all the time." He said trying to comfort her.
She rolled over and faced him, her cheeks streaked with tears. She looked him right in the eyes, "Zuko, do you think we can be friends forever?" She asked
"Sure, we can"
"Do you promise" She asked as she sat up and looked at him
He sat up and held out his hand, "I promise" She took his hand and shook it, smiling a little. She looked at him and moved her head forward fast. She gave him a little peck on the lips and got up to leave.
"YUCK! Tara I told you to never do that" He yelled wiping his lips and chasing after her.