Rain

Katara packed her backpack full of homework, books, note paper, pens pencils, and whatever else was in her locker. She hated midterms, especially in math. English, and Home Ec. were okay; but math and science weren't her strongest subjects. Normally, she walked home with Toph, Sokka, Suki and Aang. But not today; they were all busy with after school activities. Since Suki joined gymnastics(Sokka always went with her), it was her job to be home on time to help Gran Gran with chores.

Now, she usually didn't mind walking home alone, even in the rain, but she was always weary to the whispers that came from the mouths of the younger kids that walked along the same road on their way home. Once she heard one of those brats say that Sokka was stupid. She agreed, but got so upset hearing a child insult her brother, that she turned around and waterbened him right of his feet. All the other kids immediately attacked her with their fists. There were way to many to fight off and each of them was punching her with full force.

"Hey!" She yelled as they knocked her over into the mud. "Get off!"

Zuko had seen the children squabling and quickly jumped off his bike. "Hey! Stop that!" He scolded. Obediently, the kids stopped beating on the girl and scattered. "Are you okay?" He asked, offering a hand to help her up.

"Muddy," The girl said looking at her muddy hand in his clean one. "Sorry?"

"S'okay." Zuko said. "Mind if I walk you home?"

Katara giggled to herself silently. "Sure. But what about your bike?" She asked.

"Eh, rain won't hurt it. Oh, sorry," he blushed as he realized he was still holding her hand.

______________________

They walked together in the rain, their heads uncovered with water streaming down their faces. Katara could feel her eyeliner running, but was more annoyed by her shoes getting sucked into the mud. Quietly, she bent down and slipped off each shoe, letting her bare feet squish into the mud. "That's better," She laughed. Zuko politely listened to her stories of home; how her mother disappeared while going to a meeting several years ago. Shocked, she listened to his stories and how similar they were to hers. She listend to how his father treated him like dirt, even though he was the oldest. She listened to how his mother disappeared eight years ago to the day. Then he told her how he got the scar that had marked him for so many years.

"I was warned," He concluded. "But too stupid to listen."

Katara gave a sad sigh. "We all can be stupid," She comforted. "Like me, just now. We passed my house a block ago." Suddenly she realized that time had stopped while she was with this boy. The sun was in the same place and the rain kept pelting down.

When they reached Katara's house, she and Zuko stood on the porch, silent. After an awkward minute, Zuko said, "I guess, good bye." He turned to leave and was half way down the steps when Katara yelled lightly;

"Wait! I know everything about you, but I don't know your name."

Zuko smiled. "I guess that means we're strangers then. Huh?"

"But-"

"Good bye."

Katara watched him go, staring at his footprints until Gran Gran opened the door and rushed her inside. "Where have you been?" She yelled, shaking a finger at her grandaughter.

"Talking to a stranger," was her simple response.

_________________________________

The next day at school, Katara stood by the water fountain finishing the last of her English homework. "Hey stranger." She heard from behind her. Silently, she flung her head to the side. To her surprise, there he was; the boy she knew so well, but didn't know at all.

"Hi," she said, almost breathlessly, back. "Oh, I'm Katara," she held her right hand out in front of her and held her books with the other.

"Zuko. I've heard about you; its nice to finally meet you," He said, gently grasping her hand.

"Likewise," she said. Before she could say more, he turned around and disappeared into the stairwell. 'Zuko,' his name echoed in her head. Perfect.