Chapter 1
Old Beginnings and New Ends
"Katara wait up!" Aang yelled running excitedly behind his girlfriend.
"Sorry Aang, I'm just excited! It's the first day of school and I can't wait!" Katara slowed down to a brisk walk so Aang could catch up.
"Awww, but we won't be going to the same schools so we won't get to see each other as often now that summer's over." Aang lamented now caught up with the smiling Katara.
"Don't worry, we can hang out after school and we can still walk to school together. Hey Sokka hurry up!! You're gunna make us late!" Sokka, her bother, came wobbling up far behind them still asleep it seemed.
"I'm going as fast as I can. Besides we'll be fine. We still have at least 15 minutes till the first bell rings anyway!"
"We're almost by Suki's house though…" Katara stated slyly, she knew how to get her brother to hurry up. "You don't want to miss her do ya?"
"SUKI!!" Sokka exclaimed "I almost forgot she lives around here!!" Sokka kicked it up into high gear and ran ahead. "SUKKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!"
Aang and Katara laughed and continued walking on. "School's gunna be so boring without you." Aang said.
"Hey, Toph goes to the same school as you. I'm sure you guys will have lots of fun!"
"Yeah I guess" Aang said kicking a rock on the ground.
"Hey!! Took you guys long enough!! We were about to give up on you!" Katara and Aang looked up to see Sokka smothering Suki with hugs and kisses and a very agitated Toph next to them tapping an impatient foot on the ground.
"Sorry Toph, we were just—whoa!! Toph!! What are you wearing??" Aang was quite taken aback by the young girl's choice of wardrobe for her first day back to school.
"It's my uniform, duh!" Toph said crossing her arms.
"But that's the BOY'S uniform," Aang said, still a bit confused. Toph was dressed exactly as Aang, in the Shi Middle School boy's uniform. Tan shorts, a white shirt, and black vest with the school seal. Her hair was pulled back in a low pony tail and if you didn't know Toph was a girl, you would swear she was a boy.
"So?" the young her said picking at her ear "I wasn't feeling the girl's uniform at all, it was so uncomfortable and the skirt wasn't doing it for me. Besides I think I look better in it."
"Toph you can't see…" Aang protested
"I know, which makes it all the better." The young blind girl retorted and stuck out her tongue.
"But—"
"Aang it's ok, Toph can wear whatever she wants." Katara said putting her hands on his shoulders.
"Yeah, besides, Toph looks kind of cute in it," Sokka said rubbing Toph's head.
Toph blushed "Thanks."
"Well we can talk about clothes on the way to school. We're gunna be late if we just keep standing here," Suki said making the first move to go.
"Suki, I love it when you're right." Sokka said, kissing her on her check.
"Yeah, I know." Suki said laughing as they began to stroll down the side walk with Toph, Aang, and Katara behind them.
"So Toph how's Suki as a roommate?" Katara asked, trying to start a new conversation.
"It's ok. I mean, it's a lot better than living with all of you guys in a tent outside." They laughed as they continued down the street.
"Well looks like this is your stop guys." Suki said standing out side the gate to Shi Middle School. "Toph, Sokka and I are gunna go shopping after school, so if I'm not back before you, I left the key in the normal spot."
"I know I know. Geeze, I'm not a helpless little girl ya know…"
"Sorry." Suki smiled. "Have fun"
"You too." Toph smiled. "Well twinkle toes. You ready?"
"You go on ahead. I wanna talk to Katara for a little." Aang said while Sokka and Suki continued to go on ahead and Katara looked at Aang curiously.
"Whatever just don't expect me to help you out if you're late" Toph shrugged while turning to walk into school.
"Don't worry I'll be quick!" Aang shouted back.
"What's on your mind Aang?" Katara said.
"It's just, we're finally together, and now we have to be apart again. I was kind of hoping summer would last and we could spend more time together. And I just know school's gunna be so boring without you."
"Aang, it's ok. It's only during the day. And besides, we have all weekend to hang out."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Katara gave Aang a kiss on the cheek. "Now have a great first day."
Aang smiled "You too." And ran to try to catch up with Toph.
Katara smiled and ran to catch up with Suki and Sokka.
...--...
"These uniforms are actually a lot nicer than I thought," Suki said "I like the colors anyway."
"And I like how the uniform fits you…" Sokka decided to end his thought after seeing a very disgusted and annoyed look from Katara. "I mean, you look nice too Katara…I just think it flatters Suki more," Sokka said eyeing Suki.
"Well I think yours doesn't do you any justice at all. But then again, nothing does." Katara said increasing her pace so she was slightly in front of the giddy pair. Suki and Katara were both wear matching uniforms. Dark navy blue pleated skirts, light blue oxford shirts, navy blue ties, and a cream v neck vest with the school emblem on the left. The only difference was the socks. Katara had black knee highs while Suki had white ankle socks. Sokka was sporting the male slightly different version of the uniform: navy blue slacks, a white oxford shirt, an extremely loosened tie, and a cream sweater he had taken off and slung over his shoulder. He was definitely wearing the most casual version the school allowed. Just then the bell rang.
"Oh no we're late!!" Suki screamed as she sprung forward into a sprint.
"AHHHH I can't be late!! It's the first day of school!! I can't get in trouble yet! It's too early!!" Sokka cried trying to catch up with Suki.
"Then let's MOVE!" Suki yelled grabbing Sokka by the collar and pulling him to catch up with her.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!" Sokka yelled as Suki zipped past the school's gate, into the building, and up the stairs.
"HEY!! WAIT FOR ME!!" Katara screamed trying to catch up. As she rounded the gate she plowed head first into an unsuspecting victim.
"Oooof!! S—sorry…" Katara said rubbing her head.
"It's ok, I'm late too."
Katara stopped. She knew that voice. She looked up and saw Zuko getting up and picking up the books he had dropped. Unlike her brother, Zuko was defiantly dressed more formal than Sokka. Zuko wore the navy blue slacks (unwrinkled and perfectly pressed), a crisp white oxford shirt, perfectly tied tie, and the Fa Xian High School navy blue jacket buttoned up. Katara had to admit that Zuko was dressed very impeccably. Zuko fixed his jacket and turned to look at the girl who ran him over. "Oh, it's you…" Zuko trailed off returning to perfecting his already perfect uniform.
"Yeah. It's me." Katara said a little stunned to see him here. "I didn't know you went here. I thought that, well you know, because of your family you'd go to a different school—"
"What does my family have to do with where I go to school," Zuko stated coolly.
"Well, you're family's pretty strict and seems to have high standards…" Katara stuttered realizing bringing up his family was a bad idea, "and I just imagined you would go to a better…more…private school…"
"You mean like the kind that's populated by rich snobs who look down on the outside world?" Zuko turned to glare at her, a bit hurt by what she said.
"No!! I mean, well…I'm sorry. I was just surprised to see you, that's all." Katara bowed her head, a bit embarrassed. Zuko turned to leave.
"My sister goes to one of those high strung private school. I was going to too, but I thought it would be best to be as far away from her as possible…" Zuko trailed off and continued on to class. Katara looked up to see him far off walking further away.
"He's so weird…" Katara said. The second bell rang. "NOOOOO!! Now I'm really late!!" Katara screamed running to find her class.
...--...
"Soooo…." Aang said resting his head on his desk, obviously bored by the class's lesson. "What do you think Katara's doing right now?" He whispered Toph who was sitting next to him on his left.
"Don't know, don't care."
"Do you think she's thinking of me?"
"…"
"Hey!" Aang picked up his head, excitement rushing through his 12 year old body. "Do you think she's thinking the exact thing I'm thinking about except it's me she's thinking about and not her?"
"Whatever…"
"Do you think she misses me?"
"No I don't, because I don't see how anyone can miss someone quite as annoying as you!!" Toph hissed. Aang frowned put his head back down and stared forward.
"Do you think she's learning about math right now too?"
"Ughh!! Just go see if you can find her during lunch!" Toph said. Aang picked his head up.
"But I'd only have an hour to go down there and try to find her. What if I don't make it back in time?"
"Well then you'll just have to sit and wait for school to be out then. And while you're waiting it would help to just SHUT UP about Katara!" Aang put his head back on the desk.
"Katara said it would be fun going to school with you."
Toph sneered "It would be if you'd stop talking about Katara and use your energy to talk or do something interesting with me"
"Like what?" Aang said. The teacher got up to go to the chalk board.
"Pull a prank on the teacher?"
"But how?"
Toph grinned "Like this…" the blind girl slid her foot on the ground which made the earth move the teacher's chair just as soon as he went to sit down.
"WHAT THE…?!" The teacher screamed as he fell on his butt in front of the whole class. The class burst into laughter. Toph put her hands behind her head and looked at Aang smiling.
"All you have to do is use your imagination." The bell rang, signaling the beginning of gym class.
...--...
Katara sat at her desk and looked out the window. She felt ashamed of how she handled her interaction with her old acquaintance. Sure she and Zuko talked, and even bonded before, but she still didn't quite consider him her friend yet. After all, there was a long break from the last time she talked to him to this morning. She went through the conversation over and over again in her head wondering where a simple question of why he went to school here turned into an insult about him and his family. She knew something had to have been troubling him too with his sister. His sister Azula was pure evil but Zuko seemed to know how to handle her. She must've done something terrible to Zuko this time to make him so easily agitated…but what…?
"Katara!" Katara was launched back to reality.
"Yes?" Katara responded sheepishly.
"Since this lesson obviously bores you, why don't you enlighten the class with a lesson that will hold your attention for more than a few seconds?" The teacher scolded. Her voice was sharp like broken glass.
"I'm sorry ma'am. It won't happen again."
"It better not!" The teacher glared at Katara before continuing the lesson.
...--...
Sokka could not have been happier. Not only did he not get in trouble for being late, but Suki was in the same class as him, no teachers got on him for dress code, and best of all…he was sitting next to the nerdiest kid in the school! School was going to be a breeze this year as long as they never changed seats and the teacher never caught on to him stretching to the right every few minutes during tests. The only bad part about the seat arrangement was that Suki was towards the front on the left. Sokka was more in the middle, but being the clever guy he is, Sokka created a sneaky way of passing notes to keep communication between him and his love strong. Just then the door opened and in walked someone Sokka had almost forgotten, Zuko. Zuko stood in the door way and looked around as if he didn't belong.
"Ah, here he is!" The teacher said motioning for Zuko to come to the front. "Class we have a new transfer student from the Royal Academy School for Boys." Zuko shyly made his way to the front looking down at the ground. "Could you please introduce yourself?"
"Hi. My name's Zuko, and I am honored to be studying here."
"Alright, well welcome Zuko. We hope that our school can keep up with your past school's prestigious reputation. Class, please make Zuko feel at home too." Zuko took his seat in the back on the room on the right. A small group of girls in the back left of the room watched Zuko and giggled. Sokka looked at Suki who was dumbstruck and looked at him back.
"OMG IT'S ZUKO WTF?!" Sokka motioned/mouthed to Suki. Suki just shrugged. Sokka turned to look at Zuko to only discover Zuko looking at him. He had obviously seen Sokka's hand gestures to Suki. Sokka just smiled at waved at Zuko. Zuko rolled his eyes and the teacher began class.
...--...
Toph and Aang were taking a break from the kickball activity the class was doing and were sitting on the bleachers talking.
"So how am I gunna get to Katara's school and back again without getting caught?" Aang said lying down on the bleacher, looking up at the clouds passing by. "I could use airbending to run really fast, but that's a bit risky, and I think if I took my glider people would freak out if they say a kid flying around."
"That's why you gotta go UNDER the city. We'll both earthbend a tunnel from here to the high school. That way we can go and visit whenever we want and no one will know."
"Wait, you're gunna help me?" Aang got up and gave Toph a questionable look. Toph smiled,
"Yeah. I kind of wanna see Sokka, and seeing Suki and Katara would be fun too." Aang still wasn't satisfied.
"Why do you want to see Sokka so much?"
"Cause he's the only fun guy there is anymore." Aang glared at her. "What? It's true! He's 10 times funner than you'll ever be."
"Ok, ok…but about this tunnel. Where are we gunna put it?" Toph got off the bleacher and jumped to the ground.
"First we gotta find a nice quiet hidden spot that no one would bother. Someplace where no one would even think to find a tunnel." Aang jumped down next to Toph.
"I've got an idea!" Aang grabbed Toph's hand and ran in the building. The two of them ran through the building to an empty bathroom on the ground floor.
"Where are we?"
"One of the boy's bathrooms. No one uses this one because it's so out of the way and…people say it's haunted…" Aang whispered the last part adding wavy arm movements and "ooooOOOOoOOO" sounds.
"How do you know all of this?" Toph said looking around the room, quite impressed and unfazed that she was in the boy's room.
"I heard some kids talking about it in the locker room." Aang joined her exploring the room. "Look! There's a closet here!" Aang and Toph looked into the closet. There were several empty shelves, old coat hangers, hooks, and title ground.
"Perfect spot Tinkle Toes." Toph smiled walking inside and began to feel the title with her foot. "This is where we can make the opening. We'll need to mark it so we can just bend the title off every time we use it." Aang grabbed a coat hanger and bent it so it made a sharp writing utensil.
"Got it!" Aang marked the titles. As he put the hanger on one of the shelves he glanced back at the dusty clock on the wall. "We don't have much time left for class."
"We'll come back at lunch and start. Hmmmm, we might not be able to visit them today. This might take some time."
"Awwww!! But I wanted to see Katara today!"
"You will," Toph said getting annoyed "just not today." Toph thought for a second. "We're gunna have to go on a field trip to their school before we dig too." Aang looked at her.
"Why?"
"Well we know where to put the opening on this end, but we don't know a good spot to come out on. People would find it odd to see 2 kids just pop out of the ground like daisies."
"Can we at least dig half way then until we know exactly where to come up at?"
"I guess it couldn't hurt, but first we gotta get back before they notice we're gone."
"Fine" Aang said joining Toph on the way back to gym class.
...--...
The bell rang for lunch. Relieved that she could have a break from such a boring class and strict teacher Katara gathered her lunch she made for herself and Sokka and ran out to the courtyard. Once outside she scanned the grounds for familiar faces. Her eyes finally found Sokka and Suki sitting in the grass against the wall of the school under the shade of a tree. Once again, Sokka had succeeded in finding the perfect spot to eat.
"Finally you're here! I'm starving!" Sokka grabbed his bag from Katara and rummaged through it "What did you make me today?"
"Nothing special. I was kind of in a hurry today since we woke up late so I just packed a sandwich and some beef jerky."
"What?! But I'm so hungry!!" Katara glared at Sokka. He was never happy when it came to food.
"You can share some of my lunch." Suki offered.
"You are the best girlfriend ever!" Sokka hugged Suki. Katara unwrapped her sandwich and remembered her morning encounter with their old friend.
"I ran into Zuko today."
"Yeah! He's in our class." Suki said.
"I wonder why he left his old school. I wanted to ask but he seemed kind of distant." Sokka said chowing down on his jerky.
"Zuko's so weird. No matter how close we get to him he always stays his distance." Katara said taking her first bite.
"Well we didn't really stay in contact over the summer." Sokka pointed out. "Besides, I'm sure it's nothing. He's a pretty cool guy and I'll bet he'll warm up to us soon."
"He said something about his sister, so I think it might not be nothing." Katara pointed out.
"Azula? Really? You think she's up to trouble again?" Suki said taking out her lunch.
"Maybe. I just wish Zuko was easier to talk to so we could ask."
"What are you talking about Katara? Zuko's a sweet heart." Sokka laughed, "You seem to be the weird one, not him. I think you gotta lighten up."
"Maybe I should." Katara looked around. "I don't see Zuko anywhere. He's not eating by himself is he?"
"Knowing him he probably is." Sokka said trying to snag some of Suki's lunch.
"We'll invite him to eat with us tomorrow." Suki said playfully fending off her food from Sokka.
...--...
Zuko sat on the building 3 roof. He walked over to the edge and looked down. He could see Sokka, Suki, and Katara all eating lunch together under a tree next to the building 1. He sighed and went back to his lunch. Zuko created a small flame from his hand to heat up the tea his uncle made for him. He hated being at a new school surrounded by people he didn't know. He was glad that Katara, Suki, and Sokka were here. He was also happy that he was in the same class as Sokka and Suki. It was a little weird to be in the company of them after so much time had gone by and no contact whatsoever happened between them. He hadn't even heard from Aang, but at least he was in familiar company.
Zuko took a sip of his tea and looked into it. He had moved to the city to live with his Uncle. He hated living with his father and sister. They didn't care at all about him. His father only cared about himself and Azula. The only reason he even stuck around was for Mai, but he finally decided that he couldn't take it anymore, and if Mai cared for him, she'd come and visit. It wasn't too far away, just an hour or so.
Mai was pretty much the only thing he actually liked about living in that snotty rich area with Azula and his dad. Azula and Mai were old childhood friends along with their other friend Ty Lee. All three of them were attending the Royal Academy for Girls.
Zuko put his tea down and reached inside his bag. He pulled out a rolled up piece of paper and unrolled it. It was a letter from Mai. Zuko read it and sighed. He really did miss Mai, especially now that he was alone. Especially now after he ran into Katara. During the summer Katara and Zuko had grown close, too close for Mai's comfort. To sooth her jealously Zuko promised not to get so close to Katara, which was partly the reason why Zuko had stayed out of contact with them. It was hard to talk to everyone without talking to Katara, and vice versa. The only way to keep his promise was to avoid all of them altogether Zuko concluded. Zuko put the letter away and wondered what Mai would do if she knew he was going to the same school as Katara. He decided it would be best to just not talk about it with her. Besides, maybe it's best. Zuko can be friends with Sokka again while at the same time keep his promise to Mai.
Getting away from the snob society wasn't the main reason Zuko left for the city though. A few weeks ago Azula mentioned something about his mom. Zuko's dad drove her away a long time ago. Zuko was convinced that she was the only one, besides Mai, that truly loved and cared for him. His whole life he thought she was dead, but his father revealed to him that she was still alive. And now, Azula telling him and even teasing him with the idea that his mom was still alive and in the city was just the thing Zuko needed to finally pack up and go.
Zuko ate his lunch and looked out at the skyline of the city from the school. "Where are you mom?" he thought.
...--...
Mai sat down on the edge of the fountain that took up most of the courtyard behind her school.
"Not eating today?" her friend Ty Lee said plopping down beside her and pulling out her lunch.
"I'm just not in the mood." Mai rested her head on her hand and slouched.
"You really shouldn't skip meals. It's bad for your body cause it throws off your metabolism."
"Whatever…" that was Mai's favorite answer to everything.
"It's Zuko isn't it? You miss him." Mai looked at Ty Lee and smiled.
"Yeah, I guess he's finally gotten to me," she looked up at the sky "And I actually do kind of miss the jerk." Mai looked at Ty Lee and they both laughed.
"You could always go and visit him. I'll go with you! It'll be like a fun little road trip! I'm sure he'll be happy to see us…well at least you." Ty Lee began to chow down on her home made chicken salad.
"I would, but I think I want to make him wait a little more. Plus I don't know if Azula would like it so much to know her best friends ditched her to spend quality time with her brother."
"Well, Azula seems pretty busy with school so I'm sure she won't notice you missing. I'll distract her for you." Ty Lee smiled. She was always in a good mood. It sickened Mai who was constantly dreary, but lately Ty Lee's sunny disposition was oddly refreshing. Mai smiled.
"Whatever."
"What are you guys talking about?" A dark shadow covered them from the right.
"Hey Azula! Mai's skipping lunch again and I'm trying to persuade her to eat." Ty Lee smiled trying to put some of her salad into Mai's mouth with her fork. Mai pushed her away disgusted. Azula raised her eyebrow, not completely buying Ty Lee's somewhat true lie.
"Really? Why aren't you eating Mai? Do you think you're getting fat?" Azula crossed her arms and smirked at her friend. Mai glared at her.
"Just not in the mood."
"Really? Cause I have an extra fruit tart it you want it." Azula sat down next to her friends. "It's really nice that Zuko's out of the house," Mai flinched at the sound of his name, the exact reaction Azula was intending to get. "Now I can focus better on school without him moping around the house and father can focus his attention and money on me."
"You don't miss him at all?" Ty Lee said trying to divert Azula's focus from Mai to her.
"Not one bit. What about you Mai?" Mai looked at Azula and looked away.
"A little, I guess…"
"Really? I can't see why. I mean, it's not like he misses you right? He hasn't called or came to visit. My dad and I are actually upset that he refuses to stay in touch." Mai gritted her teeth. Azula had a strong grip on her friends. She was the class president and had influence over all the teachers there. If she even sneezed and no one said "Bless you" she could have them expelled at a whim. Plus like Zuko, she had a secret. She could also manipulate fire. Mai and Ty Lee were the few who knew of her secret and also knew that she was pretty talented with her gift.
"I'm sure he has his reasons." Ty Lee said trying to end it. Mai looked at Azula and then at Ty Lee. She looked down again.
"Whatever."
...--...
Lunch was soon over and Katara went back to her class while Sokka and Suki went to theirs. Suki and Sokka were both surprised to find that Zuko was the first one there. Before they could sit down and talk to Zuko in private though, the rest of the class seemed to flood in. As class began again, Sokka tried to get Zuko's attention to try to mime out messages to him, but Zuko never looked up once. He just kept starting at a piece of paper he had in his hand. After a few more minutes of discreetly failing his arms in vain, Sokka gave up and focused his energy on passing notes to Suki.
Suki! I've got something really important to tell you!
-Sokka
What?
-Suki
I wuv you!
-Sokka
Ok seriously…what?
-Suki
What are we gunna do about Zuko? We gotta talk to him, we can't just ignore him. But how are we gunna get close to him? He won't look up at me at all no matter how many hand gestures and bird sounds I make!
-Sokka
We'll just talk to him after class. It's not like he'll just get up and run as soon as the bell rings. Don't stress so much about this. What do you need to talk to him about so badly?
-Suki
Well I'm curious as to why he transferred. And Katara's got me wondering about what Azula's up to. It also wouldn't be so bad to be able to talk to him like we used to. I miss having another guy to talk to.
-Sokka
I'm sure he's got a good reason for transferring, and I doubt Azula's trying to start trouble. But then again, that's kind of what she's famous for. But what do you mean you need another guy to talk to? You've got Aang right?
-Suki
He's only 12! He also doesn't go to school here and the soccer team needs another guy and I'd be the hero if I can recruit one! Zuko's pretty strong so if I can get him on the team the guys will treat me like a God!
-Sokka
Do you do everything only for your own personal gain?
-Suki
Not everything I do is for my own personal gain! I do other stuff too. Sometimes.
-Sokka
...--...
"Finally lunch time!" Toph said getting up from her desk to stretch. "Why do we get fed so late here anyway? Is it cause they think kids don't need to eat as much?"
"Probably just cause we get out later than other schools in this area. Besides we don't have time to eat! What about the tunnel!"
"Ok, I understand you're excited about our project, but there's no way I'm bending before eating. Besides, today's meatloaf day!" Aang slumped trying to keep up with Toph who was running straight for the cafeteria.
"Fine we'll eat. But can it be quick? I really wanna get started."
"Alright. As soon as I get my meatloaf we can go."
...--...
Come on Katara, focus. Don't fall asleep! I'm sure this lesson is very important…somehow…Katara thought trying hard not to doze off and get in trouble for the 3rd time today.
"...and that concludes today's history lesson." Thank you Yue! Katara praised her old friend, the moon spirit.
"Now before we move on to our next lesson…" Ahhh, too good to be true Katara slumped back in her chair. "This week don't forget to think about what elective you would like to choose for this term. Tomorrow we will be going to the elective fair in the gym so you can see what our school has to offer. Remember that you can try out a class for a week before switching but if you haven't changed classes within a week, you won't be able to transfer out of that class until the next semester." Katara thought about this. Maybe Sokka, Suki, and I will be able to have a class together after all. Hopefully our classes will go to the fair at the same time.
"Now we will begin our next lesson with a quick quiz to see how much you know." Oh god, this is the worst first day ever.
...--...
"Ok, your earthbending isn't as great as mine, so I'll go first." Aang rolled his eyes at his cocky friend.
"I'm just as good as you are…"
"Oh yeah? Beat this…" Toph removed the title pieces and bended the earth to reveal a beautiful spiral staircase winding down to a narrow underground pathway. Aang was quite impressed but tried not to show it.
"Oh…big deal." Toph laughed as she walked down the stairs to continue the tunnel. Aang dragged on behind her. "It's pretty dark down here. We'll have to come up with a way to light the tunnel."
"Well I can see with my feet, and you can firebend can't you?" Toph said bending more earth out of the way making the tunnel deeper.
"Yeah, but about the others? They can't firebend, and what if they want to visit us?"
"Aang, I'm gunna be honest. No one, would want to visit a middle school."
"Katara would!" Aang protested.
"Not ahh"
"Uh huh!"
"Not ahh!!"
"Uh huh!!" They continued their childish bickering as they moved forward with Toph continuing the tunnel. After 15 minutes of bickering and taking turns earthbending, the kids had to call it quits.
"Lunch is almost over, plus we're almost there and we don't even know exactly where we're going." Toph stated as she turned to make her way back to the entrance.
"Alright. Man, Katara's gunna be so thrilled to know about this! I can't wait to tell her…wait no! It'll be a surprise!" Aang said already getting excited with the idea of his own "Cave of Two Lovers" just for Katara and him.
"You really gotta calm down about Katara. I know you guys are together, but it's really getting annoying." Toph said a bit agitated how the whole day with her Aang just wanted to talk about Katara.
"Sorry, I'm just happy. Thanks Toph." Aang glomped Toph and was greeted with a punch.
"Hey! Keep your happiness to yourself! Besides, we only have 3 hours left before school's done."
...--...
Dear Zuko,
I know you're leaving for a good reason, but I still feel like I might miss
you. It's probably hard to imagine, but without you here this place will
easily be 20 times worse. Please don't forget about me and remember
to write often. If you forget even for a day about me I will never forgive
you. Just remember not to do anything stupid while you're away and
remember to come back idiot. I know I've been stupid too in the past,
but I want you to know that I trust you. More than ever. And when
ever I eat fruit tarts I'll think of you, well, I'll try to. Take care you
big dope.
Love,
Mai
Zuko read his letter. Each time he read it, it made him smile. Sure it wasn't the most thoughtful or romantic letter he's ever gotten, but the fact that it came from Mai made up for it. He knew how she was, deadpan and sarcastic 100 of the time, but that was just her odd way of showing affection. He glanced at it again before putting it away, laughing at himself for being touched by being insulted. Zuko looked a head at the teacher writing notes on the chalk board. Zuko tried to copy them but ended up getting distracted by his own thoughts. It had been two weeks since he left, and he still never received a letter from Mai. He even sent her 2 letters and still no reply to those. She's probably just busy with school, he thought, that or she's trying to show who wears the pants in the relationship. He chuckled to himself. He liked how no matter what she always had to be the strong one.
Without really thinking Zuko glanced around the room. He saw Sokka and Suki writing notes back and forth giggling. He noticed another group giggling behind them. The girls from earlier in the morning were looking at him whispering to themselves. Once they realized he was looking at them they stopped and looked serious. Then one waved at him very nonchalant. Zuko blushed and waved back which caused the girl to blush and turn to her friends frantically whispering a squee of joy. Zuko sighed and put his head in his hand. The girls began to giggle which caught Sokka and Suki's attention. Zuko glanced up to see Suki and Sokka looking at him. They froze and quickly looked away, Sokka frantically scribbling something in a note for Suki, he looked a bit annoyed. He sent the note to Suki before glaring at Zuko and crossing his arms his nose in the air.
Oh so Zuko has time to be THEIR friend but not ours??
-Sokka
The bell rang. Their teacher wrote the homework on the board and dismissed the class. Sokka and Suki quickly gathered their things and waited for Zuko's move. The class shuffled out leaving Zuko scribbling down the assignments from the board. Suki and Sokka walked over to his desk.
"Hey Zuko! Long time no see, eh?" Sokka said trying to be as causal as ever.
"Hey. What's up?"
"We were kind of surprised to see you here." Suki said getting straight to the point. Zuko looked irritated at the comment and grabbed his books.
"Why is everyone so surprised to see me here? Why do you guys care so much about where I go to school? Am I not allowed to grace this free education facility?" Zuko got up and headed to the door.
"No it's not that at all." Suki said not realizing how easily offended he was. "We just didn't expect to ever see you again, especially not in a place like this."
"Yeah, we were surprised to see you, but it was a pleasant surprise." Sokka added hoping it would calm Zuko down.
"Well I'm glad that you all thought I was a snob who stuck it nose up at government paid schools like my father and sister." Zuko sneered. He began to walk out but stopped himself and took a deep breath in. He turned to them, "and I'm glad to know you were happy to see me." Sokka and Suki smiled.
"So Zuko, tell us how ya been." Sokka said slinging his arm around Zuko's shoulder and casually walking down the hall with Suki following. "And tell me, what are your views on soccer?"
...--...
Katara waited at the school gate for Sokka and Suki. She was going to go to meet up with Aang at his school, but he still had school for another hour. Katara checked her watch before hearing her brother's voice.
"Katara! Hey!" Katara looked up to see Sokka, Suki, and Zuko walking towards her.
"Hey!" she waved back smiling. So they did get Zuko to warm up to them, she thought. Zuko saw her and froze.
"Actually, I really gotta go home. I have work today and I want to finish my homework before." Zuko blurted out to Suki and Sokka. "Let's meet up later though ok?" Suki and Sokka exchanged questionable looks as Zuko looked at Katara and then sprinted out down the street and out of sight. Katara was dumbstruck.
"What was that all about?" Sokka said. Suki just shrugged.
"Well…" Katara said trying to recover, "I've got an hour before Aang gets out, do you wanna get something to eat?"
"Yeah! I'm starving!!" Sokka exclaimed. Katara smiled and they all walked down the street to find a place to eat. They walked down some streets before Suki spotted a sign.
"Look! There's a tea shop down there. You wanna check it out?"
"Sure, it looks nice." Katara said noticing the shop's Chinese like façade.
The three of them entered the building. All sorts of tea aromas filled the air.
"Table for three please." Sokka said as a hostess greeted them. They were led to a small booth on the far right of the shop.
"Our special tea blend today is a Jasmine with a hint of Lavender."
"That sounds good, I'll try that." Katara said.
"I'm gunna need a minute." Sokka said skimming through the menu drooling over the items.
"Me too, thanks" Suki replied as the waitress smiled and walked away.
"This is such a pretty tea shop," Katara said admiring the interior, "It kind of reminds me of someone…but who?" out of the corner of her eye she saw the figure of a young man dash behind a curtain. "Wait a minute!" Katara could have sworn the guy was looking at her before running.
"What's wrong?" Suki asked.
"I think I just saw Zuko, but he ran behind that curtain so I didn't get a good look."
"Why would Zuko be here though?" Suki said. Right then the pieces clicked for Katara.
"Because this is his Uncle's tea shop…"
"That's right! Zuko's Uncle owns a tea shop. I guess this is it huh?" Sokka said taking a breaking from the menu.
"Yeah, but why would Zuko hide? Unless he was hiding from me…" Katara looked down. Why was Zuko so afraid of her? Was it because of this morning? Or was it something else. Whatever it was Katara tried to put it in the back of her mind; she didn't want get frustrated over Zuko, not now anyway.
Katara's tea came first, then Suki and Sokka's tea, and then Sokka's beef teriyaki. As soon as Katara was finished with her tea she checked the time.
"Aang will be out soon. I'm gunna get going to meet him." Katara rummaged through her purse, "Here's money for my tea. I'll see you two later!"
"Bye Katara!"
"I'll let dad know where you are if I get home before you." Sokka said taking a bite out of his snack.
"Thanks!" Katara made her way out and towards Shi Middle.
"This is the best teriyaki I've ever had!" Sokka exclaimed munching some more on his food.
"Even better than mine?" Suki said sipping her tea smiling.
"Way better!" Suki shot him a poisonous look. As they continued to chit chat around their snack an elder man was walking around the tables wiping some down. As he came closer to their table he glanced up and spotted their uniforms.
"You kids go to Fa Xian High right?" Sokka and Suki looked up at him. "My nephew goes there so students from that school get 15 percent off their tea." The old man smiled warmly at them.
"You're Zuko's uncle! I'm Sokka. We met over the summer." Zuko's uncle looked at him.
"That's right! I remember you." He looked over at Suki, "And you must be Suki, right?"
"That's right. It's been a while." Suki smiled remembering meeting the old man for the first time.
"Yes it has. I told my nephew he should keep connects with old friends strong, but you know him. He's so stubborn. The only way he can learn things is through experience."
"Zuko has been acting a little weird though." Sokka said taking a break from his snack.
"How so?" The old man questioned.
"Well he keeps running away from my sister, Katara."
"That's odd. I thought they were friends."
"We did too. But I guess their relationship is more strained than we thought." Suki said looking into her tea.
"I will try talk to him about it. It's not polite to ignore old friends, no matter how odd things get. Especially not a young lady."
"Thanks." Sokka smiled
"Anytime. Are you enjoying the tea?"
"Yes! It's very good." Suki said. Zuko's Uncle smiled.
"Glad to hear that. Feel free to come back anytime you'd like." He picked up his rag and continued his round.
"Since we get 15 percent off, let's take Katara's change and buy some more Teriyaki." Sokka whispered to Suki.
...--...
Zuko sat on his bed thinking. He had Mai's letter in his hand. He was staying with his Uncle Iroh in the apartment above his tea shop. He had a small room on the second floor all to himself. The room was very quaint, with a small desk, a chair, a closet, a window, Zuko's bed, and a dresser. Zuko put the letter down on the desk and looked out the window. He could see a lot of the city from where he was. The sky was a beautiful light blue and there was a nice breeze. He wondered if it was nice like this where Mai was.
"Ding-a-ling" Zuko looked down to hear the bell on his uncle's tea shop door jingle. Down below he caught sight of Katara running out of the shop and down the street towards the school district. Zuko wondered how long he could keep this up.
I wonder if she saw me today. What an idiot I must look like, running behind curtains. It's my tea shop, I'm allowed there, I shouldn't have to hide. Zuko thought bitterly. It's not like he didn't like Katara, he did a lot. And that was why he kept avoiding her. He did miss being her friend, but if it meant losing Mai, then he would rather lose Katara. Zuko closed his window and started his homework assignment. As soon as he was finished he would go down and help Uncle with the shop.
...--...
"So, you and Katara have plans today?" Toph said standing next to Aang just outside of their school. The release bell rang a few minutes ago and they were waiting for Katara.
"I think we're just going to go for a walk. I don't think we have anything solid down." Aang said skimming the horizon for Katara.
"Alright. Well as soon as she comes I'm gunna go home. I'm so tired."
"Ok, thanks for waiting with me." Aang thought for a second.
"Wait, what about the tunnel!? We gotta go to the high school remember?"
"Can't we do it another time, I'm tired!"
"Fine." Aang crossed his arms in disappointment.
"Look, just enjoy your day with Katara. Tomorrow after school we'll go."
"Aang!" Katara came running up the street.
"Katara!" Aang ran for her and they embraced in a hug.
"Hey Toph, were you waiting for me too?" Katara said smiling.
"Yeah, I just didn't want twinkle toes here to be lonely." Toph punched Aang.
"Well that was nice. Do you want to do something with us Toph?"
"Nah, I'm pretty tired. I was just gunna go home and rest."
"Want us to walk you to your house?" Katara offered. Toph looked annoyed.
"No, I'm fine. I am perfectly capable of making my way home."
"Alright. I just didn't want you to be lonely, that's all."
"I'm fine Katara, really. Now you two have fun. I'll see you later." Toph started walking home.
"Bye Toph!" Aang said.
"Bye!" Katara said after her. Toph continued walking and raised her hand and waved back at them.
"So do you wanna go down to the park? There might be something going on there." Aang said trying to come up with something for them to do.
"Sure. I haven't been down there and I've heard it's beautiful." Katara and Aang made their way to the park.
"So how was your first day?"
"It was interesting. I ran into Zuko."
"Zuko? Really?"
"Yeah, he transferred from his school to ours."
"Well that's good, I haven't seen Zuko in a long time."
"Well, I thought it would be good too, but he seems to not like me…"
"What? Why? How could anyone not like you?"
"I don't know, he just seems to be avoiding me and when we do talk he's really distant."
"He's probably just shy. It's been awhile since he's seen us so I'm sure that has him off guard."
"I guess." Aang smiled at Katara and held her hand. As soon as Aang picked his head up he saw something that caught his eye. "Hey! An ice cream vendor! Let's go get some!" Aang let go of Katara and sprinted ahead. Katara smiled, shook her head, and followed behind him.
...--...
"Zuko?" Zuko turned to hear a knock on his door.
"What is it Uncle? I'm doing homework."
"When you're finished I could use your help downstairs. It seems like we will be very busy tonight."
"Alright, I'll be down in a bit." Zuko went back to his homework. He was almost done. As soon has he finished he put his apron on and went downstairs.
His Uncle wasn't kidding. There was almost a full house tonight and several more people lined up outside waiting for a table.
"Can you help wait tables? We're a bit short handed today." Zuko Uncle said walking behind him to enter the kitchen.
"Where did all these people come from?"
"Probably back from their summer vacations. But we'll talk later. They need help now." Zuko went to the first table that looked like they needed help.
"Are you ready to order?" Zuko looked up to take their orders. He found himself in the presence of familiar faces.
"We might need a few more minutes." One of the girls said giggling after. There sat Zuko's little fan club from school. Zuko sighed, This is gunna be a long night…
...--...
Suki entered her apartment to find Toph lying on the couch playing video games.
"Have you eaten yet?" Suki asked taking her shoes off.
"Not yet. I've been waiting for you to get home."
"Alright, I'll whip something up. You weren't home alone for too long were you?" Suki asked getting some pots and pans ready.
"Not really. Just an hour or so. I thought you'd be out with Sokka longer."
"We were going to stay out longer, but we decided not too. We were both kinda tired from school. How'd your day go by the way?"
"It was ok. It would've been better if Aang wasn't so obsessed with Katara." Suki laughed.
"Give it some time. I'm sure it'll die down."
"I hope so."
...--...
Hakoda looked at the clock. It was almost dinner time and Katara was still not back. He thought Sokka would be out late, but Sokka came back before her.
"Take it easy dad, she's out with Aang. They're probably chasing some poor animal around so Aang can try to ride it." Hakoda smiled.
"You're probably right. Should we eat without her then?" Just then the front door opened and in ran Katara.
"Sorry I'm late!" she said fumbling to get her shoes off. "I was out with Aang by the park and then I walked him back to the temple and we lost track of time."
"It's ok. We were about to start without you."
"Yeah, and you only made dad get worried sick about you." Sokka added mustering up the best fake tears he could. "What would we do without our little Katara baby…"
"Oh be quiet!" Katara said, her hands on her hips. "What's for dinner today?"
"Nothing special. Just the usual. Stir fry and rice."
"My favorite." Katara smiled at her dad.
"So tell me about your days" Hakoda said. "How did everything go?"
"No complaints." Sokka said digging in.
"It was alright. We had a quiz already and tomorrow there's going to be an elective fair for us to chose what class we want to take for our elective."
"That's sounds fun. Do you already have something in mind."
"Not really. I'd like to take an art class, you know, something fun and easy."
"I just want an easy class." Sokka said pausing to take a sip of water. Hakoda laughed.
"Well I'm sure whatever class you pick, you'll be happy. Just remember to keep an open mind. You may find something special in a class you never thought you'd take." Katara smiled.
"Thanks dad."
...--...
"Late again Aang?" one of the monks said spotting Aang trying to sneak in.
"Sorry, I was just out with my friend and I lost—"
"No excuses! The floor was supposed to be swept hours ago and that was you responsibility. Please see that it is done now." The older monk barked and walked away.
"But I—" the monk turned around
"NO EXCUSES!!" Aang slumped down in the corner next to the broom.
"No fair. Why do I always have homework on top of homework to do…"
...--...
"That's the last of the customers Uncle." Zuko said as he dropped off plates in the kitchen. "I'll go lock the front door." Zuko was so relieved that the day was over. How had it gotten so busy so fast? Zuko locked the door and switched the "Open" sign to read "Close" to people walking by.
"I'm thinking of putting up a help wanted sign," Uncle Iroh said sitting down at the bar with a hot cup of Peach tea. "Every day we get more and more customers. Plus it would be nice to have another hand to help out for closing. All our waitresses can't stay till closing."
"I'm sure it'll get less busy soon." Zuko said beginning to wipe down some tables. He hated the idea of hiring another person. It would just mean one more person to have trying to talk to him and being his friend.
"Still, I'm too old to run this shop by myself. Expect to see the sign outside tomorrow." Zuko sighed, Uncle has made his decision. "By the way Zuko, some of your friends from school came by today. They seemed very friendly." Zuko froze. He didn't like where this conversation was going. "I was very pleased to see Sokka and Suki. I'm disappointed with you for not keeping in touch with such good people." Zuko sighed with relief, so uncle hadn't run into Katara with them. Good. "Sokka also mentioned his sister." Crap. "He says you've been acting very weird around her. Running away and even avoiding her completely." Zuko spun around angrily.
"SO?! What of it?! Why does it matter how I treat anyone?! I'm nice to her brother, and to their friends, isn't that enough!? Why is everyone so bent on me being nice to Katara? Why does everyone care!?" Zuko withdrew from his outburst and went back to cleaning.
"Because Zuko, it is not polite to treat nice people the way you have been. Katara only cares about others, she cares about you, and she does not deserve the treatment you've been giving her." Uncle took a sip of his tea and glanced at his nephew. Something else was bothering him. "I fear that your actions are not because of Katara alone. What's troubling you?" Zuko stopped wiping the table.
"It's Mai…" His uncle looked puzzled.
"Who?" Zuko spun around.
"MAI!" he took a deep breath in, "my girlfriend…" Uncle thought for a second, then remembered.
"Ahh, Azula's gloomy friend that sighs a lot…I remember her." Uncle Iroh did not want to admit it, but he did not approve of his nephew's taste in girls, but he thought it was not the best time to discuss that and decided to keep his opinions to himself.
"Yeah," Zuko smiled at the thought, "Katara and I became really close friends, and I liked it," Uncle's eyebrow went up and he put his tea down and leaned in to listen better, "but Mai didn't. She was jealous and she made me promise to never be that close to her again. I accepted because we went our separate ways and I didn't think I'd ever see Katara again. And now I go to the same school as her." Zuko turned to face his Uncle. "And now I meet everyone again and they all want to be friends. I'm fine with that except in order to be their friend I have to be friends with her. And what's worse is that everyone around me wants me to be her friend and no one will drop it!" Zuko sighed out the rest of his outburst and sat down next to his uncle, resting his head on the bar. He picked his head up and looked at Uncle. "The thing is I want to be her friend and just not tell Mai. But would that be a bad choice?"
"Zuko, you can still be friends with Katara and remain faithful to Mai. I think you should get to know Katara and you will see that there is nothing between the two of you other than friendship. If Mai can't understand that, then my advice for you is to find another girl who can." And when I say find another girl, I mean Katara. Iroh smiled to himself. Zuko thought for a moment.
"You're right Uncle. I'm being foolish acting this way. I should be more like an adult and just face this head on. I'll stop ignoring her." Zuko picked up his rag and continued wiping the remaining tables. Uncle just sipped his tea smiling at himself. I've still got it.