Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA.

So, this is my new fic. I would really appreciate reviews; they help me better myself.

After the death of my mom, my dad worked himself to the bone to send us to the best school in the country. Even then, he could afford only about half of the school fees, so we applied for the scholarship program and mom must have been smiling down on us, because within a few weeks, we received a letter with the requirements needed for the school. I really appreciate all he has done for Sokka and I but we rarely see him now, because we are boarders. It is too expensive to return home every single day, although I wish I could. Some days, I feel so miserable that all I want to do is to curl up on my bed and cry my eyes out and every other body part as well. It isn't so bad though, every weekend we are allowed to go home and join our families. It almost feels normal but then on Sunday evening, we must leave on the last available train, waving goodbye to my dad and to my uncle Bato. And every time, I have to choke back tears. I know that I am not the only one. Sokka may pretend to be all macho and shit, but deep down I know that he is hurting as well. I hear him cry while we fall asleep to the gentle whirring of the train and the monotony of the scenery. It never changes, it is always the same. And it is comforting to know that some things never change. The sky will always be a deep cerulean blue, with the shimmering stars glittering in the night sky and the tall trees swaying along with the breeze.

Sometimes, I imagine what it would be like to go to a regular school, a school where I could return home at the end of the day and throw my arms around him. But that would be ridiculous. My dad suffered to send us to the prestigious Meridian Nations high school slash boarding school. If you attend this school, you are automatically guaranteed a place in a top notch university. It is right slap bang in the middle of the Fire Nation. And in the summer time, that means unbearable heat. It is like the sun is beating down on us, taunting us from above with its rays that sparkle and shine. Without my bending, I would be lost. I am proud to be a water bender. My tribe suffered as a result of the killing of water benders, so I cherish my gift. The rest of my tribe are scattered around the world. I hope to meet them again someday in the not so distant future. I can hope and dream and that helps me to move forward.

You may not think it, but I am seventeen. I probably sound quite jaded for a mere seventeen year old, but alas when you have seen the travesties and tragedies I have seen, it is essential.

It isn't like I don't have friends, I do. I have loads of friends. And they are so special to me. Sometimes, they complain that I mother them too much but I know that secretly they like it. Aang is the youngest and he really does act like it. He has these huge grey eyes and he can really turn on the puppy effect. I mean, if he wanted to he could probably make you rob one of those high security vaults belonging to the Fire Nation aristocracy. And that is some scary shit! He likes to have fun which usually involves big puffs of wind. And Sokka. Most of Aang's schemes seem to involve Sokka one way or another. Either Aang is plotting against Sokka or Aang and Sokka are plotting against Toph or another member of our Gaang. We affectionately call ourselves the Gaang because Aang is the one who brought us together. He befriended Sokka and me on the first day of school. Actually, he is only a year younger than me but usually he acts like a twelve year old. So basically, he is just a regular sixteen year old boy… except he is the Avatar. Did I hear gasps of shock? Yeah, he is the Avatar so when he is angry which thankfully isn't often, it is pretty scary. That is like the understatement of the century.

Suki is a true mystery. At times, she can be a complete and utter tomboy and at others, she can giggle and laugh alongside me. I am glad that Suki and my brother are together. They make each other happy. She is my best friend; we spend so much time together anyway. She is the leader of the Kyoshi warriors; they are elite in the sense that they accept only female members. It is empowering. Before Sokka met Suki, he was a chauvinistic pig but she has taught him a thing or two. I don't care to find out how so.

Toph is like the ultimate tomboy. She is a master earth bender and has been since she was around six years of age. She is what you might consider a prodigy. She is blind, but she says she can see from vibrations in the earth. Whatever the reason, she knows exactly what you are doing at any given time as long as you are on the ground. Flying makes her nauseous. I don't blame her, Aang's air bison Appa….he is not exactly known for luxurious travel. She is the most mischieveous person I have ever met. She is always pulling pranks, usually on Aang and Sokka who don't see them coming. Toph is from this incredibly wealthy Earth Kingdom family and she somehow managed to convince them to send her here. Well, I suppose the 100% success rate probably persuaded them a lot. Sometimes, Toph can get on my nerves because she is fantastic at procrastination whereas I don't see the point of delaying something when I have ample opportunity to complete my assignments. I really don't know why Toph thinks I am such a goodie goodie, I can be bad if I wanted to. But at the same time, she is one of my best friends which is why I have an inkling that Toph has a tiny bit of a huge crush on Aang. I don't blame her, he is really attractive. But how Toph supposed to know that? She just likes him for his personality. The girls at our school tend to be really shallow, which is why Toph is so unique in that sense and basically every sense. This brings me to Zuko, the school golden boy.

He is so confident in himself, in his own skin. The opposite of me, he sails around the school with his head up high confidently striding through the crowded corridors of our huge school. Everybody loves me…. All the girls love him and all the boys want to be him... yeah the same old ding-dong, I know. How completely cliché. Up until recently, I resented him and everything he stood for her. I hated his gold eyes because they symbolised the death of my mother. The man who killed my mom wore a balaclava, so I couldn't see his face but I did see gold eyes. I despise the Fire Nation and their wealth. He is treated like royalty, because well he is royalty. He is Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. He is a big deal. He is gorgeous; flawless skin, molten golden eyes and not to mention his black shaggy hair. He is incredibly tall and it is obvious that he works out.

There is only one problem. He treats my friends and I like shit. He is disrespectful and rude and downright nasty. He acts like he is better than us and wears his crown like it was freaking made of Agni, the sun god himself. Knowing Zuko, it probably was.

It is the first day of term and after a relaxing summer spent at Toph's chateau, I feel invigorated like somehow this is the year, people will fully appreciate me. This is the year that I can't get picked for sports last, although I am captain of the swimming team and I am also on the track team. I am fit; it is unwarranted. I am singled out alongside the unfit intellectuals whose glasses slide down their noses when they try to walk quickly. You should see them when they try to run. The poor souls, it isn't unfair. People tease them for being smart, perhaps a bit too smart. And when they fail at something, people mock them relentlessly. These brainiacs would probably join a sports team if they could run a lap without people bursting into sarcastic laughter.

Anyway, hopefully this year everything will be better.

Toph invited Sokka, my dad and I as well as Aang and Suki to her parents' house in the Earth Kingdom. It was my first time stepping on the leafy terrain of the Earth Kingdom and it was a welcome relief from the searing summer hot of the Fire Nation. The Fire Nation is uncomfortably warm all year long, especially in the summer. Well, except if you are a fire bender. This is one of the few times I have envied them and their ability to change their body heat.

The train journey seems shorter now, while traveling with Aang, Toph and Suki. During the school year, they never leave the school and the town surrounding it as their homes are too far away.

The scorched ground creates a striking contrast against the beautiful shrubbery and trees heavy with ripe fruit. Pretty soon, we will arrive at the school so the last few moments of freedom are precious.

I sigh as the train finally trudges its way into the station. Trains don't agree with me. I would kiss the ground, but that is taking my relief a bit too far. After all, you don't know what people have been doing on the platform.

I simply stand and watch as familiar figures pass by me as if I were made of air. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a tall guy standing begrudgingly next to a pillar. A scar covers half his face…

Wait. I know who that is. As I turn around to face him, Zuko's facial expression seems to match my own. One of shock, one of surprise. What happened to him? And why is he looking at me like that? This is too weird.

I hope that you like this story. Please read and review in the lonely review box down below.

Also, please check out my other fics :)