At eight, I became the mother of a nine year old. I wasn't forced to, but it wasn't my decision. It just happened. I picked up the broken pieces I called Sokka and Dad and put them back together.
At ten, I managed my first waterbending move. After that I snuck out whenever I could to practice. I rarely found time outside my chores.
At twelve, Dad told Sokka and me to take care of the village. He left the next morning with all the other men of the tribe. Sokka cried as he watched them leave. I never gave myself time to cry. Not where others could see or hear me at least. I cried nicely in front of others. Only tears, no drippy nose, no hoarse voice.
At fourteen, I had to help the Avatar. I left the place I had always lived. Nothing changed. I still did the same things as back home. I cooked, I sewed, I waterbended, I slept, I ate. Only the fighting was new. Everywhere we went there was someone or something I had to take care of. I did. I took care of it all. And I ignored myself.
I could only cry when I thought of Mom. I used her as an excuse. I wanted to do more. To help people I saw. To get everything needed done on time. Every second I shoved myself farther into the abyss. I worried too little or too much about everyone else. Toph saw it-or felt it. I turned into everyone's mother.
In that cave with Zuko it almost all poured out. "You have no idea what this war has put me through!" I lost both parents (or it felt like it). I left my home. I tried to hide how broken apart I was by everything.
That night when I couldn't kill Yon Rha or forgive him I gave up holding it in. Zuko said nothing. He placed a hand on my shoulder. A little gesture. He never mentioned it to anyone.
A few days later I broke down to everyone else.
"Calm down, Katara," Aang made a futile attempt to stop me from drowning all of us.
"Don't tell me to calm down! I need this! No one ever lets me get stressed out—I don't even let myself get stressed out! I do everything. I know you have to save the world and all, but would it kill you to say 'thank you' ever? I don't need a moral lesson everyday! I want to get by and make sure we all get through this war. I'm not sorry. I need this. I need to let it out. I need this…"