"See ya later, Mai!" Aang said as he began walking away. Mai just gave the boy slight wave and walked in the opposite direction, being careful not to bump into anyone. According to Mai's schedule she had pre-calculus next. Mai rolled her eyes. Why couldn't they have put her in an afternoon math class, Mai hated taking math in the mornings. The ebony haired girl huffed and continued walking. When Mai walked around the corner she did not expect to feel something hard come in contact with the side of her face, so she slightly stumbled backwards. She would have fallen if she had not caught herself. Mai saw that she'd bumped into someone's chest and when she looked up to see who the chest belonged too, she saw a guy looking at her blankly obviously waiting for an apology, but when Mai was about to speak, she noticed an angry looking scar on the left side of his face. The scar looked terrible and gruesome. The guy was undoubtedly handsome, but the scar just made Mai shiver slightly. She couldn't even imagine where it came from. Mai was so focused on the scar, she didn't notice the young man's face turn into a stone cold glare.

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?!" The young man barked.

Mai's turned her attention away from his scar. Her face was red from embarrassment, but this guy's face was red with embarrassment and anger. Mai would have bet a million dollars that he would have exploded right there on the spot.

"N-nothing." Mai said while secretly kicking herself for faltering.

"Is my scar too gross for you?" he snapped. Mai stayed quiet. The young man opened his mouth to yell some more, but then he noticed all the people looking at them.

"DON'T YOU PEOPLE HAVE SOME PLACE TO BE?!" He barked. Without hesitation, all of the students continued on to their classes. The young man turned back to Mai.

"Look, I don't know who you are, but if you ever-"

"Zuko," a harsh, but feminine voice cut him off. Mai turned around to see a girl who looked slightly like this man yelling at her and was wearing a cheerleading uniform. The guy walked over to her and started to mumble some things that Mai couldn't' comprehend. The girl mumbled back, but she was pointing a finger to his chest. The young man huffed in frustration and sent a death glare Mai's way before storming off. The girl just smirked at Mai for brief moment before walking away.

'What just happened?" Mai asked herself.


Azula strut into her literature class room proudly and made her way to her seat, but before she could get there one of her cheerleading peers popped up in front of her, Katara to be specific. Azula glared at the blue-eyed girl and crossed her arms.

"Can I help you?" the fire princess asked rudely.

"Azula, I have to talk to you about something really important." The water bender said.

"Well make it quick." Azula snapped "And it better not be about changing the half-time routine."

"I don't see why not." Katara said

"The half-time routine is perfect the way it is."

"But there are too many dangerous stunts." Katara complained

"It is nothing we haven't done before, and doesn't make any difference if it's all in one routine!" the fire princess said getting frustrated quickly.

"But-"

"No more 'buts' the routine will stay the same and that is final, I am the captain not you!" Azula yelled.

Katara glared at the fire princess, frustrated with her stubbornness "If you haven't noticed, Azula, the team is getting annoyed with your bitchy attitude and tyranny, and when we get rid of you, I'll be happy to take your place."

Azula smirked deviously before grabbing Katara's forearm harshly "Look, I am not going anywhere, and I sure as hell won't be replaced by an annoying bitch that is on a scholarship. Got it?"

Katara yanked her arm away before giving Azula death stare and walking away. Azula huffed, boy was she angry. Azula knew she was a bitch to everyone, but she was respected and that is all she needed. Besides if there was one person who Azula hated, it was Katara. The water bender walked around like she was so perfect and innocent, but Azula just thought she was a whiny attention-hog. Azula angrily placed herself in her seat. 'One of these days I am going to put that peasant in her place.' Azula thought.


Toph walked through the class room making her way over to her seat, but came to a sudden stop when she felt someone sitting in her seat. They smelt like apple cinnamon and Toph could feel their nervousness.

"Mai, what are you doing in my seat?" Toph said

"How did you know it was me?" The girl asked scooting over to the next seat. Toph sat down and sighed.

"Everybody knows that no one sits in this seat, but me. Only a newbie would make that mistake, but since I'm familiar with you I'd let it slide. Why are you so nervous?"

"I'm not nervous…" Mai muttered. Toph gave her a look causing Mai to let out a sigh.

"Fine," she said "I think I got someone to hate me already."

Toph looked at her with amusement "Was it Azula, the queen bee of the school?" the blind girl asked teasingly.

Mai glared at her "No, It was this guy with a nasty scar on his eye. We bumped into each other in the hallway…and…I may have stared at it for a few seconds, but then he went completely psycho on me."

"Ah, you must be talking about Azula's brother, Zuko, Prince Zuko to be exact." Toph said.

"That was the fire prince?!" Mai asked incredulously,

Toph nodded. When did she become the one to inform the new girl on everything? Couldn't Aang do it? He'd found her first. "He got his scar about a year ago, but that is beside the point. You really shouldn't have stared at his scar."

Mai scoffed "How was I supposed to know he took his scar personally?" She asked defensively

"Who wouldn't take that scar personally? Oh well, at least you didn't ask him where he got it." Toph said

Mai raised her eyebrows pondering for a brief second on what Toph had just said "And what would happen if I did that?"

"Then you wouldn't be here talking to me right now, instead your ashes would be getting swept up by the custodian." Toph said while chuckling at the thought.

"Would he really do that?" Mai asked in bewilderment

"Yep," Toph said "He and his sister are messed up in their own ways; he's a hot-head and she's a bitch. I blame the parents."

A sudden thought occurred to Mai which pushed her to ask "How did he get that scar anyway?"

Toph shrugged "A lot of people think he got into a fight, but I refuse to give in to gossip."

"You're gossiping right now." Mai pointed out.

Toph sent the hazel-eyed girl a death glare before answering sharply "No, you're asking questions, way too many to be exact, and I'm answering them."

Mai who was a little taken back by the young girl's tone just shrugged and opened her book, but there was one question that Mai really wanted to ask.

"Hey Toph, is Azula a cheerleader?" she asked.

"Yes," Toph said bluntly while not taking her gaze off of the text book in front of her. Well at least Mai figured out who the girl in the hallway was.


The day was finally over and students were hurriedly exiting the building in order to go home and sleep. Azula on the other hand, waited impatiently for her brother in the lobby. Azula knew that she should be used to her brother's constant tardiness, but she was a princess; she didn't like to be kept waiting. Maybe if she'd passed her drivers test she'd be able to drive herself home. As Azula scanned the front of the school hoping to find Zuko, her eyes landed on the new girl, the one that her brother was about roast if it had not been for her. Azula still couldn't believe she saved this girl; normally Azula loved seeing her brother in a fight. 'Why am I so nice?' Azula thought to herself before walking over to the girl.

"Hello," Azula said as she reached the girl. The girl looked at her blankly before murmuring 'Hey'. Azula held back the urge to roll her eyes. Boy, did the shy ones annoy her. Instead of showing her irritation, Azula simply gave the girl a small smile.

"My name is Azula,"

"I'm Mai" She continued to look at Azula blankly. She looked like she was trying to decide on something. As if reading Mai's mind, Azula said,

"I'm sure you've heard about me."

Mai looked confused "I'm sorry?" she said.

"My rep, I'm sure people have told you about how much of bitch I am." Azula said as she leaned on the hood of Mai's car and rested her chin on her palm.

Mai almost scoffed "So now you're about to tell me that they're not true?" Mai said with her arms crossed and her tone dripping with sarcasm. Azula simply shrugged.

"Well I did save you from getting torched by my brother," she said tauntingly, knowing that would rile Mai up a little "But no, you heard correct."

Mai just looked at her shocked by her honesty. When Mai said nothing Azula continued.

"I'm cheer captain and I'm the most powerful fire bender in the world…well next to my father of course. My brother and I are the most feared people in this school and every girl either hates me because I'm treacherous or is jealous of me because I have everything."

"You know you're quite honest for a mean girl." Mai stated

"Who ever told you that mean girls can't be honest?" Azula asked.

Suddenly the two heard the girls heard Azula's named being called. They turned to see Zuko motioning for his sister to hurry up, but when he saw Mai, he stopped waving and glared causing Mai to look away and Azula to chuckle.

"I guess I'll see you around, Mai." Azula said before walking towards her brother's car. Mai took one last glance at the princess before sighing. Azula had the words Spoiled Brat written all over her, but she couldn't bring herself to hate yet alone dislike like the princess. She actually kind of liked Azula, maybe it was because she admired the princess's strength or sensibility or maybe because she'd saved Mai from getting torched by her hot-headed brother.

"Hi Mai!" a high voice behind her said. Mai didn't need to be a genius to know that it was Aang, so besides turning around, Mai simply said 'Hey'

"Were you just talking to Azula?" Aang asked.

"Yeah," Mai said turning around. She noticed the slightly concerned look on the kid's face "She didn't say anything bad though."

Aang's face softened "Toph told me what with you in the hallway and I wanted to know if you were okay."

Mai smiled at the young boy's sweetness. If only all guys were like him. "I'm okay, he didn't scare me." she lied.

"That's good to hear; well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Aang said turning to walk away.

"Wait!" Mai exclaimed "How are you getting home?"

"I'm walking."

Mai shook her head. She wasn't going to let Aang walk home by himself besides, it looked like it was about to pour. "Get in, I'm dropping you."

Not waiting for an answer, Mai got into the drivers seat of her car. Aang just shrugged and followed her suit.


"Do you mind telling me what that was all about?" Zuko asked his sister while still keeping his eyes on the road.

"What are speaking of exactly?" Azula asked while keeping her eyes on her manicured finger nails.

"Why were you talking the new girl? You hate new students."

Azula rolled her eyes at her brother's curiosity. She hated that Zuko wanted the explanation to everything. "Don't worry, Zuzu, I wasn't harassing her like you were doing in the hallway." the princess said smartly.

"I wasn't harassing her," Zuko snapped "I was just talking to her."

"Whatever," Azula said bluntly. She was always aware that her brother's version of just talking to someone was completely different than everyone else's.

The car stopped at the palace gate. "To think she actually had the nerve to stare at my scar." Zuko mumbled angrily.

"She didn't know, Zuko." Azula said "I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"But you didn't see the way she looked at me; she looked at me like I was a monster!" the fire prince exclaimed "Why are you even defending her?"

By this time the gate was open and Zuko was searching for his parking spot.

"I'm just saying that you shouldn't blow things like this out of proportion. Everyone already thinks you're a monster."

Zuko silently parked the car, but his sister's words struck him a little bit. The two got out of the car and Zuko finally found the voice to say

"I don't care what people think about me." and with that he simply walked to the front door and opened it. The two stepped into the castle and was greeted by the beautiful scenery, but instead of gawking at it, they simply ignored it as they always did.

"You used to, everyone used to respect you Zuko, now they just fear you."

"They fear you too!" Zuko retorted "Look this whole conversation is stupid; I'm going to my room."

And with that, the bitter fire prince climbed up the huge set of stairs not caring that his sister was rolling her eyes behind him. As soon as Zuko was out of sight, Azula walked further into the palace looking for something to do. Being a princess was so boring, especially if you have no friends to cause mischief with only to have them take the blame later. Azula realized she was still in her cheer uniform so she walked up the second set of stairs to change into something more appropriate. When Azula stepped into her room she fought the urge not to collapse on the bed and fall asleep, knowing that her brother wouldn't wake her up for dinner. Dinner was usually the two of them because their father was either having a political dinner with someone else, eating in his office, or on some type of trip. It was always like that; well it was after their mother left. She had grown sick and tired their father, so she left. She'd informed them that she was currently living in Fire Fountain city and she'd re married some man who Azula couldn't care less about. Their mother had left a note for Zuko, only Zuko before she'd left. Azula remembered the note vividly because it was the first time Azula ever felt devastation, betrayal, anger, and love at the same time. The letter was not too long; it went a little something like this:

My dearest child,

I want for you so much to know that this is not your fault. You may be too young to understand this, but I have fallen out of love with your father. It is for my own purposes and it shouldn't become yours. I know that deep down in your father's heart that he loves you. I can promise you that I will be okay, but I want you stay strong. You are the heir to the throne. It hurts me to know that I won't be there to see you grow up and become a man, but I promise I'll always be with you in the place that matters most. I hope you live a long happy life and remember: I love you.

~Mother

At the time Zuko and Azula hated each other to death, so it wasn't a surprise that Zuko had hidden the note from her for safe keeping, but one day Azula snuck into her brother's in room with a goal to put a frog under his pillow, but she found the letter under his pillow instead. Azula didn't know why she didn't run to her father's office and complain, but she just stayed in her brother's bedroom and cried, that is until he found her. Instead of screaming at her to get out like Azula had expected, he simply took the note out her hand and hugged her until she stopped crying. The young princess eventually stopped crying and that was when she and Zuko made a truce. Now that their mother was gone, they had no one else but each other. They had no friends, considering the fact that they were the most hated people in their school. The closest person Azula ever came close to liking was Mai, even though they'd just met, but Azula didn't dislike her. If only Zuko felt the same way. Azula changed into more appropriate clothing before leaving her room to cause mischief around the palace. What can she say? She's bored.


Mai walked into her house expecting to find her mother in the kitchen making dinner, but instead she saw a women sitting on her couch with a younger women who looked about her age. They looked similar, short brown hair and pale skin. The older women wore a jade green dress and black heels while her teenage daughter wore a swamp green blouse, khaki pants, and flats. The two simply stared at Mai and she stared back which created an awkward silence in the room. Luckily for Mai, the silence was broken when Tom- Tom came bursting in the room.

"Mai! Mai!" the two year old screamed in excitement as he jumped into Mai's arms. She gave him a small smile as she ruffled his dark hair. Mai noticed that her mother had walked into the room holding a tray of appetizers.

"Tom-Tom, what did I tell you about screaming in the house?" she scolded. "Mai, I'd like you to meet our neighbors; Kenai and her daughter, Suki."

The two stood up and extended their hands. Mai put Tom-Tom down and shook hands with the two women.

"Akira, your daughter is beautiful, you didn't tell me she went to the Four Elements." Kenai said eyeing Mai's badge.

"It must have slipped my mind." Her mother said with a laugh "Mai, Suki goes to the Four Seasons as well; she is very popular."

Mai noticed Suki blush for a second. The brunette cleared her throat and smiled "It's very nice to meet you Mai."

By this time Mai has put on her doting, perfect daughter act and smiled back "It's nice to meet you too, Suki."

For two hours straight, the mothers went back and forth talking about housewife things while Mai and Suki stayed silent. Mai wasn't going to try to make conversation with Suki, she hated senseless chatter. Mai looked at her phone to see the time. It was almost dinner and Mai could tell that her mother wasn't going to say 'Okay, have a nice night' any time soon. The women could talk and talk until you feel as if you want to kill yourself. Another hour had passed by and finally Mai's mother realized she needed to get started on dinner.

"Would you like to join us?" she asked. Suki's mother looked as if she were thinking about it while Suki had a look of pure nervousness plastered on her face as did Mai. Mother's would do anything to keep talking wouldn't they?

"No, I have to get started on dinner also, but I'll call you." Suki's mother said. Mai and Suki let out a sigh of relief.

Dinner was quiet, as usual and Mai wouldn't have wanted it any other way. As soon as dinner was over, Mai had called Ty Lee telling her all about Aang, Toph, Zuko, and Azula. All of the information left Ty Lee speechless for a second, but she got over it and gave Mai tons of options on how to take care of Zuko. She also told Mai not to replace her with Aang and so on. For some odd reason, Mai was kind of excited to go back to school the next day. She just wanted to know what interesting thing would happen.