Here is the third chapter. Presenting the infamous…Reeka!
Chapter 3
Reeka's POV
Fine. I admit it. I miss her. I closed my eyes and sighed. "The customers are calling, Song, stop day dreaming" came the voice of the owner of this tea shop, Shen. I smiled genuinely at him and went out to the customers.
There were two boys and two girls. One of the boys looked about 12 years old wearing weird clothing. Since I hadn't seen such clothing anywhere, I supposed it was airbender clothing. But how…? Of course! He's the Avatar! He had bald hair, covered by a wig. This is going to be interesting. The other boy and girl looked like siblings, and the girl was a waterbender. The boy wasn't. But the last girl was what intrigued me. She was an earthbender, I felt it. But she looked uncannily familiar. I closed my eyes. I realised that she was blind. Was it her? I almost laughed out loud at my ridiculous assumption. Get a hold of yourself, Reeka. Not any earthbender I meet is her.
I shook away these thoughts and asked "Welcome to the Tea Garden. What would you like?" The Water Tribe girl smiled and said, "Three Jasmine Teas, please and…" She trailed off looking at the small earthbender. The earthbender looked like she was analysing something, and immediately snapped out of it, and said "I would like a Green Tea, please." She smiled, but still looked troubled. I smiled back, even though she wouldn't be able to see it and nodded. As I went back to Shen, I couldn't help but remember how she also liked Green Tea.
Toph's POV
This is definitely Reeka. The same voice, though it has matured now, I could still recognise it. The same footsteps, but now, more controlled and dignified. She remained relaxed, but her heartbeat suggested that she was hostile. Why? I wondered. But, all things aside, this is Reeka. I smirked. We found her.
Reeka's POV
I brought the respective orders to the table of kids. They smiled and I smiled back. "Song, you can take off now. Your shift is over", called Shen from the kitchen. I smiled at him and replied "Thanks, Shen" and walked out of the restaurant, into the deserted streets. It was dark outside.
"Hello Song, or should I say…Reeka?", came a voice behind me. I smirked and turned around quickly, and saw the small earthbender. At that moment I knew it was her. "Hello small sister, its been a while." I said, trying to hide my excitement. Apparently, I failed. Her smirk, immediately turned into a smile, one that I was quite acquainted to.
I approached her, suspiciously, but hoping she wouldn't notice my hesitation. I'm not that lucky. "It is really me, Reeka" she said in a soft voice. I smiled at her and asked her the million dollar question…"Who is Toph?" If it was possible, her smile became even larger and she grudgingly replied "She is your scared sister." We came closer and hugged.
Her heartbeat was eccentric when we hugged. I should have known it was coming. I mean come on, I'm talking about Toph. I moved out of the way, just in time to see a boulder fly past me. I sighed. I looked at her. "Was that really necessary?" I asked. She pouted and replied, "Of course, you didn't keep in touch." I rolled my eyes. "It's not like I can go and post a letter to one of the Avatar's friends, can I?" I asked, amused. She froze. "You heard about that?" she asked, suddenly very self-conscious. I rolled my eyes. No, I didn't. I didn't see daylight for a lot of years. But no need for her to know that. "Of course." I replied. My answer came in another boulder. I sighed and swiftly moved out of the way. I should teach her to be less violent.
She suddenly smirked and I knew. She was going to attack. I sighed. Ok, let's get this over with. And sure enough, a series of rocks came flying towards me, from all directions. I closed my eyes and weakened my stance and willed myself to just feel. The next moment, all the rocks crumbled into small tiny pieces. "I'm impressed." Came the voice of my sister. I smiled and said "I know." She rolled her eyes, but smiled.
I heard a loud gasp. I turned around. There was the Water Tribe girl, boy and the Avatar standing with their mouths open. I smirked. "Loose the hair, you aren't fooling anyone." I said to the Avatar. He froze and said, "H-how do you know?" I smiled, a kind smile and said, "I know a lot of things, Avatar." He blinked. "Pssh…I'm not the Avatar" He tried waving it off. I looked at Toph, ignoring him. "Aren't you going to introduce me?" I asked her, mock disappointed. She smiled and said, "Sugar Queen, Sokka, and Twinkle Toes. Meet Reeka. Reeka, meet the group." I heard a collective gasp. I cringed. I guess Toph did tell them about me.
I smiled and waved, awkwardly as Toph said, "Nice earthbending." I smiled. "Same to you." She turned, but I swear I could have seen her grinning. I grinned. I faced the others, "So what are your real names?" I asked. The Water Tribe girl spoke first, "I'm Katara." I smiled and looked at the Water Tribe boy expectantly. He stared at me and said, "You're Reeka?" I sighed. "Yes, Sokka." I guess you have to spell it out for some people. He looked shocked. Probably because I know his name. Didn't he forget Toph introducing us? Sokka sounded like an actual name, so I took a guess. "I'm Aang." Came the voice of the Avatar. He was such a cute kid. I smiled and said, "Hey Aang."
"You are a firebender, but you just earthbened?" came Katara's voice. I rolled my eyes. "I can do both.I guess Toph has told you a lot about me." I stated, looking at Toph. She cringed. "I didn't tell a lot. I just told them you are a firebender." She said hastily. I smiled. "It's ok, H." Her face lit up. "Thanks, Kai." I smiled. She suddenly looked nervous. "Tell me, H" I said. She sighed and said, "Well, Twinkle Toes here needs a firebending teacher and…" she trailed off. "You want me to teach him." I completed. She nodded, hesitantly.
That's what she was nervous about? I almost laughed. "Of course, I will, H" I replied, looking at Aang. Something tells me he's not too thrilled to learn firebending. Bad memory, perhaps? I came out of my thoughts. A lot of time to deal with that. H smiled at my answer. Aang and Katara looked grateful. Sokka looked blank. Probably processing my words. H beckoned me forward. I sighed. Will she ever stop? I pushed the person next to me, which was Sokka, towards her and saw a boulder coming towards him and I stopped it just before it hit his face and let it crumble to the ground. Sokka looked shocked would be an understatement. He looked scared out of his wits.
"That was meant for you", pouted H. I smirked. "Trust me, I know it was." Sokka groaned. "I knew it was a bad idea." He yelled. Ignoring him, Katara led me towards a…bison? Aang looked like a little boy (which he was) when he introduced me to the bison. "Appa, meet Reeka." He looked at me, grinning. "Reeka, meet my bison, Appa." I stepped forward, unsure. Am I supposed to put my hand forward? But then Appa licked me, with his giant tongue and I laughed along with the others.
We got on the Appa. Aang tried to help me, but I just earthbended and looked at him. He smiled and airbended. According to Katara, we were going to travel westwards, to the Western Air Temple. Sokka still didn't adjust to me and was gazing my way, suspiciously, while H was holding on for dear life. I smothered a laugh. This is going to be interesting. I smiled and laid back closing my eyes, enjoyed the feeling of the air sweeping my hair, all around my face.
Aang's POV
She looked peaceful, unlike Toph, who obviously despises flying. But this time, even Toph had a small smile on her face. Toph looked beautiful. I blushed and looked away before anyone caught me looking. Reeka, with her black hair tied in a high pony, and silly grin didn't look like someone Toph actually would be friends with. Not that Reeka was bad, she was very nice. I just wondered how they both put up with each other. I've never seen Toph this violent, as she was chucking rocks towards Reeka, yet I've neither seen her this happy. I smiled. It's nice to see her happy.
Katara's POV
Reeka was a mystery. She had such grace in earthbending ,that I haven't even seen in Toph. She is a firebender as well as an earthbender. That came as a surprise! She looks older than Toph. Maybe 16 years old? That older than Sokka! She might be a great eathbender, but I wonder how she firebends. Well, we will have to see. Toph and her relationship came as a surprise. I've never seen Toph so carefree. Reeka even calls her 'H', and in return Toph calls her 'Kai'. It looks like a sister relationship, but they don't look anything alike! I guess we will find out, maybe I'll ask Toph. I smiled. Maybe things will finally work out.
