Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Well, Sokka was right. I'm sure the others thought the same thing, but didn't want to say anything. Typical bold Sokka.
Sokka had told me that I wouldn't last at Omashu Medical School, but I wouldn't listen. I was too excited. I had always wanted to be a doctor, and that school was one of my best chances. But, I blew it. I just couldn't keep up with the classes.
Sokka had always been a genius. Everything just came easy to him, whereas I was the one always studying, trying to keep up. I mean, I'm pretty smart now, but when we were kids it was like Sokka was always five steps ahead of me, even though he's only one year older.
I sigh as I walk into my apartment, carrying a pile of boxes. I had just finished packing up my office that I rented at OMS. It took longer than expected, but I guess time just slipped from me when while I was balling my eyes out.
As I walk into the small living room, I see my best friend and roommate, Toph Beifong, asleep on the couch.
I love Toph to death, but she sure knows how to make a mess. Wrappers were scattered around the room and there was a half bowl of chips on the coffee table, most likely from last night.
Toph is two years younger than me, and we've been friends for as long as I can remember. She has raven black hair that is always up in a bun, striking green eyes, and pale skin. You also can't forget her "I don't care" attitude. Toph's really pretty, but she thinks otherwise.
I walk over to the couch and shake her arm. "Toph!" I say, trying to wake her up. She opens one eye. "What?"
"It's one in the afternoon!"
"So?"
"So you need to get up!" I say. "You can't just lie around all day and make a mess of this house."
She grunts, wipes her sleepy eyes, and then grabs the remote. She turns the T.V. on and turns the volume up, most likely to drown out my nagging. I roll my eyes and walk into the kitchen.
I open the cupboards, grabbing random ingredients as I go. I have and odd habit of cooking when I'm frustrated. It makes me forget all of my frustration.
Cooking was my mom's favorite thing to do. That, and singing. She made the most wonderful creations that made my mouth water as soon as I walked through the door. She had a real gift. When I was old enough, she taught me everything. I guess it just makes me feel connected to her, now that she's gone.
As I turn around to put the oven on, I see Toph leaning against the door with a big yellow folder in her hand. "What's that?" I ask, nodding to the object in her hand.
"See for yourself" she replies, throwing it onto the wooden dinner table. I walk over and pick it up. I turned it over and looked at the cover.
"Toph!" I squeal. "How did you get this?"
"I know people" she says, a smirk on her face.
The front of the folder had the logo for Ba Sing Sae University, a prestigious college that I had always dreamed of going to. The package had to be a registration form.
I have no idea how she got it, considering it's the middle of the semester. They never let anybody in after classes start. I wonder who Toph knows to be able to get this.
"Just an early birthday present" she says, grinning at my excitement.
"But my birthday isn't for three months!" I reply. My birthday is on December 6th and it's early October.
"I know" she says. I run over and hug her.
"Okay, okay!" she exclaims. "Down Sugar Queen!" I pull away and laugh. Toph isn't really into showing affection through hugs or anything like that. She'd rather punch your arm.
"Thank you" I say. "You're such a good friend. You shouldn't have done this though. I don't deserve it. But thanks. I owe you one." She turns away and mutters something under her breath.
"What was that?" I ask.
"Oh nothing" she replies, walking out of the room. I hear her plop down on the couch and turn the T.V. volume up even more.
I start smiling again as I think of the application to BSSU. I finally get to live out my dream I think to myself. I' m one step closer to becoming a doctor!
I don't really know what kind of doctor I want to be yet. I love kids, so maybe I could be a pediatrician. Or maybe a surgeon. That would be exciting.
"So many possibilities" I say to myself quietly,grinning from ear to ear.
A few hours later I look at the clock. It's already 5 o'clock. I can't believe I cooked for that long. Oh well, it was worth it.
I had made chicken fajitas, vegetable casserole, and my signature fruit salad. To top it of for dessert, I made strawberry cheesecake with my mom's special recipe. I hop I did it justice.
Flashback
"Mommy" I said, walking into the kitchen. She turns around. "What are you doing?" She smiles. She has the prettiest smile I have ever seen.
Her smile wasn't the only pretty thing about her mom. She had long chocolate hair that fell to her waist, tan skin, and piercing blue eyes. She had a heart of gold, too. Always doing things for others.
"I'm creating a new recipe" Kya says. "Strawberry cheesecake. Want to help?"
I nodded my head excitedly. We spent the next hour creating the dessert.
"What's this?" I ask, picking up a round object from the counter.
My mom smiled. "That's the secret ingredient. We save that for last." She thought for a moment. "Which is exactly right now. Would you like to put it in?"
"Mhmm" I replied. I stepped on the stool and put the ingredient in. Then I turn around and see my mother gazing at me, pride and love shining in her blue eyes.
"One day, Katara," my mother says to me, "you will be a magnificent cook. Better than me even!"
"Really?" I ask. Kya nods.
I then jump off the stool into my mother's awaiting arms for a hug.
End Flashback
I smile, remembering one of my fondest memories with my mother. A tear slips from my eye. I miss her so much.
I quickly wipe my eyes as Toph comes through the door.
"Smells great" she says. "When can we eat?"
"As soon as you set the table."
She grumbles and rolls her eyes,but goes to set the table anyways.
I grin smugly at my small victory, but it soon goes away as I hear her comeback.
"You're such a mom."
After eating a delicious dinner(courtesy of moi) I sit down on the couch to watch the news. Toph then comes to join me after finishing the dishes and plops don beside me.
"Ahem" she says, trying to get my attention. I turn my head towards her. In her extended hand is the registration form.
"You better start this" she says. I hesitate to take it.
"I'll do it later."
"Oh no" she says, "you are not going to procrastinate on this one. You will look at this and fill it out even if I have to tie you to a chair and read it to you!"
I don't doubt her threat.
I glare at her but take the folder.
Truth be told, I didn't want to open the folder. Of course I wanted to register to BSSU and get in, but I was scared of what was on those papers. The could easily crush my hope.
I rip the seal and open it. Then I nervously take out the papers and start to read.
I almost faint at what I see.
A/N: Hey Guys! This is my first fanfic so hope you all like it! Rating is K+ but might go up. It is a modern world Zutara, so sadly there is no bending.