It shouldn't have to be like this.

It's so weird. She kissed me earlier, and then she just left, and I haven't spoken to her since!

I don't understand. Is it some kind of girl thing?

I may be just a thirteen-year-old boy, but even I know that's not how love works. At least, that's what I think.

Maybe she just doesn't see anything in me.

I completely understand. I'll have to love her in secret for the remainder of my . . .

Oh, here she comes now—I guess I had better . . .

"Aang?" she acknowledges, interrupting my thought.

"Yeah?" I answer, trying to sound casual. A difficult task, since I'm sweating and my heart is practically leaping out of my chest!

"I—I wanted to talk . . . about—earlier," she says. I look away.

Earlier—you mean when you kissed me and left!

That's what I want to say, but I'm nicer than that. So I say, "Katara, there really isn't all that much to talk about." I laugh half-heartedly and turn to face her. "You kissed me and then you left."

"I know," she replies, "and I'm sorry. It's just that—after I kissed you, I-I didn't think that you'd like me the way I like you."

Is she saying what I think she's saying?

"Well, I—" I start.

She cuts me off. "I'm really sorry—I just hope you'll still be my friend . . . please."

Friend? "Katara, no, I—"

She interrupts again. "Please, Aang, listen, I—"

"No, I think you need to listen," I say sternly, but gently. "I do like you, and I do enjoy your company. But I don't want to be your friend."

She looked at me. It was a weird look. Confusion and sadness marked her face.

I suddenly realize what made her look at me like that. "Oh, no, Katara, no, I—I just . . ." I sigh. "I need you to listen to me. Please."

She looks at me, a look of curiosity on her face.

"I—I love you, Katara," I utter, rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment.

She perks up. "Y-you do?" she stammers.

I nod weakly.

She immediately wraps her arms around me.

I stumble backwards in surprise, but once I regained balance, I returned her embrace.

She looks at me and starts to lean in.

"Wait," I say. "You're not going to leave again, are you?"

She just giggles and kisses me.

I still didn't get my answer, I thought, but at least I have this moment.