"Today is the day," I said to the reflection staring back at me. I ran a brush through my long brown hair and studied my face. My soft golden-brown eyes were clear and almost sparkling. Plastered to my face was one of the most genuine smiles I'd ever displayed. Pulling the top portion of my thick hair into a high bun, I sighed. It would have to do.

"Mom I'm going out!" I called, already in the street when she returned my farewell.

All around, the streets were buzzing with activity. Everyone was excited to welcome the Fire Prince home. I glanced around at all of the teenage girls who had decorated themselves more than usual. All of them would be trying to get Prince Zuko to look at them.

Prince Zuko, I thought. It had been three years since he had been in the Fire Nation and I couldn't wait to see him. I couldn't imagine how totally gorgeous he must look now, after maturing so much.

Finally, I made it to the city entrance and joined the massing crowd. Voices meshed together and raised high into the clear blue sky. The anticipation was contagious.

"Ren!" I turned around to see a girl my age pushing through the growing crowd to get to me.

"Aya!" I embraced my friend when she managed to break through. Stepping back I looked her up and down. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a smart pony tail and she wore her most expensive maroon dress. She looked beautiful. Suddenly I started having doubts about my appearance.

She must have noticed my face fall slightly. "You look great Ren. If he doesn't fall in love the minute he sees you, then he's an idiot."

The smile on her face was so convincing that I forgot all of my self-doubting. "You look nice too."

"The Prince and Princess have returned!"

When the cry from the guards was heard, everyone erupted into roar of excitement. I even let a slightly crazy squeal slip out. As Princess Azula stepped through the archway, I felt my stomach knot. The realization that I would see the prince, hit me hard. I was nervous.

There was no missing his appearance. Screeches from the girls around tore at my eardrums when his handsome, smiling face can into view. In a matter of seconds it became barely controlled chaos. Everyone wanted to get a chance to see the returned prince and guards struggled to keep the path clear so that he and his sister could come through.

I stood in a daze as he came towards where I stood. Aya grabbed my arm and squeezed hard. I barely felt it. I was so nervous!

"He's coming over, he's coming over," she hissed loudly in my ear.

"I know," I breathed back.

After what seemed like forever, he was almost immediately in front of me.

His black hair had grown long and fell into his shining gold eyes. He looked so happy to finally be back on Fire Nation soil.

Beside me, I vaguely heard Aya yell his name. What I didn't miss was his response. Unbelievably, he turned his head toward her voice, locked gazes with me and waved as his smile grew.

I stopped breathing.