Chapter 3 A Bonding Friendship

Katara POV

Figures of all nights in wanting to swim in the lake, I had to pick the same one when the new, handsome, attractive, tall, smoky eyes...where was I going with this again? Snap out of it Katara! We're just staring at each other, come on say something!

"H-hi." Oh real smooth Katara you just sounded like a complete idiot, I should let the lake swallow me whole.

"My name is Aang, we have history and English together, am I right?"

"Yeah my name is Katara." Yes I said a whole sentence without sounding like a complete idiot! I gave myself a gentle pat on the back.

"Mind if I ask why you're in a lake at night?" he asked curiously

"Uh…I can't. You'll just think I'm crazy." He chuckled, the sound made my stomach all aflutter.

"I'll tell you my reason for being out in the woods, but then you'll have to tell me your reason. Deal?" Aang negotiated

"Deal." I smiled again. Not even minding that I probably sound and look like a smitten school girl.

"Promise?" he flashed me a goofy grin

This time I was laughing. Go figure, Aang was a big kid. "I promise. Could you hand me my towel, I'm getting cold now?" After drying off and changing into my clothes behind a few bushes I sat next to him. Even though we're not sitting that close I could still feel heating radiating off his body. Must be nice not being cold. Here I am in jeans, shirt, and sweater and Aang's only wearing a grey shirt, shorts, and a pair of old tennis shoes.

"Okay so why are you out here in the woods?" he asked

"I like being in the water, especially at night it's calming." I could say that much right? Without sounding too much like a freak? "And you, I don't know too many people walking this deep into the woods alone at night." Unless you were a murderer praying on a lonely girl in the deep woods. The more paranoid side of me thought. The voice suspiciously sounded a lot like Sokka.

"Pot calling kettle." he said in amusement

"Haha." I said sarcastically

"But really I like to go exploring whenever we move into a new town."

"So you and your parents move around a lot?" I wondered if the others that were with him at school are related. Perhaps brothers, sisters, and cousins?

"No, we uh don't have any parents, they passed away." Aang stated uncomfortably

Foot in the mouth Katara, way to go. "I'm sorry." I said lamely, I mean really what could I really say after learning the death of one's parents? Even though I do have firsthand experience on the matter.

"It's alright I have the others, we're family now." Aang smiled fondly.

"So you're all related then?" And they're all orphans? Part of me wanted to ask what happened to his parents but then I wouldn't be any better than the 'gossipy chits' (Toph's words) at our school.

He laughed again. "Not biologically, but we still consider ourselves family. We all became orphans when we were young, so we pretty much stuck together."

"How many of you are there?" I mean someone had to be legally an adult, unless they were all emancipated.

"Seven. The oldest one is Lu Ten; he graduated from high school a few years ago. Then his girlfriend June lives with us; she's the Goth and a senior. Yue and Zuko are also seniors; Zuko has black hair and the scar, and Yue has white hair. Then there's us juniors; me, Azula, and Haru."

"Wow." I said impressively. I couldn't imagine living with that many people in one house. I know I would go nuts. "Where did you guys move from?" I couldn't help asking all of these questions, I was curious by nature.

"West Virginia. It was a beautiful place but it just had too many bad memories for us to bear."

"Oh…sorry." I mumbled, I seem to be doing that a lot tonight

"It's alright, things are better now for my family. I think this place will be nice to live." We didn't say anything for a few minutes. Not that the silence wasn't uncomfortable it was just nice hanging out Aang. Both of us were gazing at the stars trying to make out the constellations and look at the nearly full moon. It was a beautiful sight, if only I wasn't so damn cold. "Katara you're shivering. Are you cold?"

"No I'm fine." I lied. I didn't want to leave this place. It's actually nice getting to know Aang without anyone here to interrupt us.

"Has anyone told you you're a horrible liar?"

"Yes actually." I laughed silently.

Aang held out his arm and slipped it around my shoulder. "Better?" he asked innocently, at least I assume it was innocent.

"Mm hmm." I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and my heart rate increasing. I hope he can't see me blush.

"So what's your family like?"

"I live with my Dad, he's an officer, and with my brother Sokka. We moved here from California, our Mom isn't around anymore." Images of my mom flashed in my head. It's been almost ten years and the pain of losing her still breaks my heart.

"Did she, y'know...?" Aang trailed off uncertainly

"Yeah, I don't know if I'll ever get over it." I said quietly

"Tell me about your friends." Aang was trying to cheer me up. I smiled gratefully at him. So I told him about my friends and how I met them and the funny/stupid stuff we still get ourselves into. Mostly because of Toph we always get dragged into whatever it is she's doing. "It's late I should probably take you home."

"But I'm not… tired." I said while yawning

"Yeah that was really convincing." He rolled his eyes. "C'mon let me take you home." Aang pulled me up to my feet before I could protest any further.

"Alright." I said in defeat. I swear I could hear a low chuckle from him.

It was a silent walk back to my house. Aang still had his arm wrapped around my waist and every now and then I would nod off onto his chest. There's no point in convincing him I'm not tired. "C'mon Katara we're almost there." At one point Aang knelt before me and hauled me up on his back. "You good back there?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Hmm." Was my response. He smelt really good, almost like a cool breeze in the autumn air mixed with the smell of pine trees of the forest. He was warm, very warm almost like a walking heater. And he was toned, very much so. It was like Aang was the perfect package. I started to wonder what he would be like dating wise. I shook my head of such nonsense.

What is wrong with me? Why am I so hung up about him? We just met for goodness' sake. Okay so only a fool wouldn't think Aang as an attractive young man. But honestly pull yourself together! You can't go all googley eyes just because he has a nice smile. Isn't that what got you in trouble in the first place? There's nothing wrong with just being friends with Aang. Yeah you keep telling yourself that. Damn treacherous brain.

Aang POV

In an act of chivalry I did the romantic cliché of sweeping Katara off her feet; well technically I hauled her on my back but same thing. I honestly don't know what came over me to pick up Katara, I've never done that to other girls. Then again I never could tolerate any girl outside my pack. Luckily we were close to her house. It wasn't long before Katara was fast asleep in my arms. It was easy for me to find it since I was following here scent. Unfortunately her room was on the second floor. I knew she snuck out 'cause that's where the scent comes from. "Katara wake up." I said softly. She groaned and blinked bleary up at me. Damn she looked so adorable. Azula would never let me live it down if she saw what I was doing.

"Huh?" she asked tiredly

"We're at your house now Katara."

"Oh." Katara hopped off my back. "Er, sorry for falling asleep on you like that." Katara's face flushed. Part of me wanted to growl, this little human was going to be the death of me.

"It's alright I didn't mind." Her scent was most intoxicating.

"Well thanks for walking me home, I'll see you at school tomorrow." she smiled softly before opening the door to her home. "Good night."

"G'night Katara." she closed the door behind her. "Argh." I groaned in my hands. I'm screwed.