Author's Note: This chapter is actually a recountance of a dream I had. Chapter 2 just sounded cool, and I continued for the heck of it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do after ch3 or if I'm just going to discontinue it. I need suggestions on how to continue the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own the show 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' or any of its characters, and I don't own the series Maximum Ride or any of its characters.
The tall, black-haired teenager walked into the mini-mart store at the gas station. A stout lady stood behind the counter and glared at him. A young girl about sixteen was reading a magazine in the corner.
The boy walked up to the counter lady. "Do you have any soda?" he asked.
"Carol, take him to the drink isle!" the lady snapped, then ignored both. Sighing, the girl put down her magazine and signaled him to follow her.
When they got to the very rear of the store, where the drink isle was, she didn't walk away, as he had expected. She stared at him while he chose a microwavable cup of tea, and kept glancing at his face as they walked back. Halfway there, the boy asked, "What do you find so interesting about me?"
Carol looked at her feet. "Sorry. You just remind me of someone I used to know." A tear went down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away.
"Who? I'm not from around here; how could you know anyone who looked like me?"
"I'm not from around here either. But your scar looks like an old burn. My brother…he was a pyromaniac. He burned himself a lot. The last time…the last time, he couldn't get away before the bomb detonated. The way you walk, your attitude, they remind me of him." Now the tears fell freely.
"I'm sorry," the boy said gently. "I didn't mean to bring back bad memories. I know what it's like, to remember things you would rather forget. But you need to remember; it's what keeps him alive. To forget the bad memories, you must forget the person in them. Then you would forget the good times you had with him. Remember him as he was in life, and keep him alive in your heart." He paid for his tea (they had reached the front) and went outside to his motorcycle. But he just leaned against the tire and drank, he didn't leave.
"Carol, go tell that guy to go away. He's blocking the gas pump!" The lady continued counting her money. Carol took the opportunity and went outside.
"Well, that didn't take long. I figured she'd wait at least another two minutes. She's even crabbier than my sister. At least she isn't trying to kill me." Said guy spoke conversationally.
"How did you heat your tea?" Carol pointed to his steaming cup.
"Dang. I promised myself I wouldn't repeat Uncle Iroh's mistake, and then I do it anyway. At least now it's not in a refugee camp…" She overheard him mumbling.
"You wouldn't repeat what mistake? What are you talking about?"
"Can you keep a secret? As in, a secret that could land me in a science lab?"
"Yep. I've been keeping secrets like that for my whole life." Carol answered without hesitation.
"Okay, then. My family can control fire. The mistake my uncle made was, we had disguised ourselves as war refugees and the tea they served us was extremely cold. My uncle was probably the world's biggest expert on tea, and its biggest fan. He couldn't stand to drink cold tea, so he heated it. He was seen by a real refugee, who told the authorities. Looks like I've done the same thing. But I think I can trust you."
"You can, but I should probably warn you, I have the power to read and control minds. So don't freak out if someone dangerous randomly starts to repeatedly run into a tree or something." Okay, and he thought his secret would get him in trouble?! "By the way, what's your name?"
"My name is Zuko."
"Interesting name. Could you do me a favor?"
"Depends on the favor." Zuko was getting suspicious.
"Give me a ride on your motorcycle. My mom is abusive, and I've been planning to run away for a while. This is my chance. Please?" Then this teenage girl pulled off the perfect puppy eyes. What kid over 7 can pull the puppy eyes?! Apparently this one. Zuko sighed.
"Fine. How long do we have before she'd look out here?"
"3…2…1…"
"Carol! I told you to get rid of him! Why is he still here?"
"Mom, I'm trying! His motorcycle won't start! I'm telling him how to hotwire it!" Carol yelled back. Grumbling, the fat lady went back inside.
"How would you know how to hotwire a motorcycle?" Zuko asked.
"When you live on the run for four-and-a-half years, you learn things. My friend Nudge taught me." She got on the bike.
"Okay…"
"Just get on!"
"Okay! But I'm driving!" He sat in front of her.
"For a little while. I need to take control when we get to a certain point. Go North." The girl pointed.
"Fine."
A few minutes later, Carol told Zuko to let her drive and to wrap his arms around hers. Zuko was confused, but he obeyed.
"Close your eyes!" She shouted.
"Why?!"
"JUST DO IT!" Zuko did it.
A couple seconds later, he felt the motorcycle fall out from under him, but some strong arms were holding him. He opened his eyes and screamed. He was thousands of feet in the air, but he wasn't falling.