Author's Note:

Hey guys This fanfic is AU but in the Avatar World. Okay, let me make that clearer. Imagine the Avatar World but modernized There. By the way, they can't bend. Mainly Zutara(WOOHOOO!) but a little Taang, Sukka, Jetara, Maiko, Ty Laru (sorry made up the shipping name), etc. I'll make stuff up as I go along. They're all also in the same level (it seems more fun that way, like in School Time Shipping). Also, there's no war but Ozai's still a meanie beanie fofeeney. Oh wait, Aang's not an Avatar since there's no bending in this story. So yeah, hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: No, regretfully I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any part of it *cries in the corner*

Prologue

During the first day of school at Ba Sing Se Highschool, each student was asked to write an essay about themselves, how they think people see them and who they really are.

Katara's essay

Hi, I'm Katara Mizu. I'm 15 and from the Southern Water Tribe. I also have an older brother. His name is Sokka. Our mom died when my brother and I were very young. Our dad is a soldier who is away a lot. Since our parents aren't around, our grandmother takes care of us. We're not exactly the richest people in the world but we get by.

I don't really know what people think of me. I guess I'm kind of invisible. I kind of like it because that way, no one judges you. No one ostracizes you. Most importantly, no one tries to bring you down. Sure, I feel insignificant especially when I do something good but no one notices but hey, I'll get over it.

Who am I? Well, I'm just a student who's trying to do her best in school so that one day, she can make her family proud. I'm pretty smart and I'd like to think that I'm friendly. But if I could change one thing about myself, it would be my shyness. I would like to be less afraid to step out of the box. I hope to do that this year.

Zuko's essay

Hey, I'm Zuko Agni, son of Fire Lord Ozai and Lady Ursa. I'm 16 and I'm the Crown Prince and the heir to the throne. I also have a younger sister, Azula.

My dad is usually very busy (you know, being the Fire Lord and all) so I was closer to my mother. She was always there for me. She was the only one who could understand me (well, except for my Uncle Iroh). Unfortunately, she died when I was still a child. You would think that my whole family would be grieving for this but it seemed like the only ones who cared were me and my Uncle. Not my dad and not Azula. Come to think of it, my dad never really cared much for anything or anyone except himself or my sister. Even when we had family picnics, he played more with Azula. It was as if I wasn't his son. He always considered Azula his favourite and made sure I was aware of that. He kept saying she was a firebending prodigy and that she was born lucky while I was lucky to be born. I was never even supposed to be at this school if it wasn't for him. He suddenly decided one day that I didn't deserve to learn at the Royal Palace so he sent me to this school. I guess he couldn't stand seeing me there anymore. I have to admit, it hurt when I found out that I was being sent away but that was nothing compared to what he did when I was about 13. Long story short, we got into an argument and I disrespected him so he burnt me with a torch. Now, I have a flame-shaped scar on the left side of my face. It's my mark of shame. I can't figure out why I'm such a disappointment to him but one day, I'll earn his love. I'm sure of it.

I think people think of me as this really hot, popular, rich, totally perfect Prince, despite the scar. I'm not being conceited. I hear a lot of things and I have more than a few admirers. I guess I don't really care what they think of me. I just want to be happy. But so far, no one here – not even my friends, Jet and Haru – has brought me true happiness.

Who am I? I'm just a normal guy, no matter what anyone else thinks. I don't just want to be known as "Zuko, Prince of the Fire Nation." I'm not this perfect guy that everyone thinks I am. I have needs, feelings, desires and regrets, just like everyone. I feel like I need to be more in control of myself. I'm very quick-tempered and I'm always confused. It seems like I just keep going along with what my friends are doing, even if I know they're wrong. I can change that. I have to.

Aang's essay

I'm Aang and I'm 12 years old. I'm an Air Nomad. I grew up with monks at the Southern Air Temple. I know monks are supposed to stay in the temple but the elders sent me here to "learn about the real world." I guess that's fine but I'm really new to this sort of thing. I'm starting to feel like an outcast. Not so great huh?

I'm not a dumb kid. I know when people make fun of me. I don't know why. Is it because of my arrow tattoos? Or my baldness? Well, I try to stay indifferent but it's getting really hard. I'm glad I found friends like Katara, Toph and Sokka though. I guess with them, I don't feel so alone.

Who am I? I'm just a regular kid. That's one of the things I like about this place. Back home at the Air Temple, I was always supposed to be meditating and connecting with my inner self. It was like I never got to enjoy my childhood because of my responsibilities. I guess that's what I want to accomplish this year. I want to know how it feels like to be a normal kid.

Toph's essay

What's up? I'm Toph. I'm 12 and I'm from the Earth Kingdom. I'm the only child of a nobleman back home so I guess we're pretty wealthy. I got everything I wanted back home, except for independence. My parents always treated me like I was a baby who can't fend for herself because I'm blind. Did I forget to mention that? Oh well, now you know. By the way, in case you're wondering, my friend, Katara is writing this for me as I dictate (you know, cuz I'm blind and all). Anyway, I went here on my own. I ran away because I was getting suffocated. I know you're thinking that it was a pretty stupid move for a blind girl but I can survive. I feel vibrations with my feet and my other senses are enhanced so I can hear better. In a way, it makes me see more than normal people do. Mainly I ran away because I wanted to know how it feels like to be independent. I gotta say, it's pretty great.

People think I'm weak because I'm blind. They think I'm a baby and I'm helpless. That's why they insist on doing everything for me. But no, I don't need their help. I can do this on my own. I can do whatever I want whenever I want and no one can stop me. I will prove them wrong.

Who am I? I'm Toph. I'm strong and confident. I can survive this world without help. All I'm asking for is someone who can understand me and my needs without pitying me because pity is the last thing I need.

The students handed in their essays one by one to Mr. Roku and the room emptied slowly. Katara, with Aang, Sokka and Toph walked off to their next class while ignoring Zuko and his peers, Jet and Haru. Meanwhile, the latter group went to their lockers, not even noticing Katara and her friends as they left. Mr. Roku smiled to himself when the students left. Every year, this essay activity always brought about new things in the students' lives. He knew from experience that fate started to work its magic that very minute. Even if they did not know it, this year would change their lives forever.

Author's Note: So…uhh… I know the prologue sucked. I'm sorry! But I wanted you guys to get to know the characters a bit before I started the story. By the way, I'm gonna switch POVs from time to time so sometimes it's going to be in Katara's or Zuko's or another character's and sometimes it's going to be in the objective POV. So yeah. R&R please! I'd love suggestions and tips