Lotus Lake
Hey! Thank for all the reviews! I check my reviews before I go to school so they really brighten up my day!
I had quite a lot of people who guessed who Katara would meet and most of them said Zuko. That isn't who it'll be because I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce another character.
Nobody got it right, but thanks to everyone who had a go (hands out cookies).
I want to take this moment to send Get-Well Kudos to my friend David. He's had to go and have injections today before he goes to South Africa.
Well any way on with the story. The review reply is working now so Review and I will Reply!
- - - - - - - -
I ran down the twisted staircase cursing myself. How could I have forgotten that necklace? It was my mother's and the only thing I had left of her, and now I'd left it somewhere!
I ran across the second floor, getting some very strange looks from people as I rushed past. I wondered why they were staring when I caught sight of myself in an ornate mirror that hung on the wall and stopped. My hair was still loose and damp from swimming, and my top had wet patches on it from the bikini that I still wore underneath.
I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail and secured it with my hair bobble. There was nothing I could do about my top now however, and so I rushed towards the swimming pool once again.
When I reached the pool, I saw that both it and the gym were deserted; Zuko had left. I went to the bleachers where I had put my towel, clothes and necklace. That was the last time I remembered having the necklace, so it seemed like a good place to start.
I crouched down and searched the floor. I crawled forward slightly and stuck my head further under the benches; I couldn't see the necklace anywhere.
"Looking for this?"
I jumped at the sound of the voice and banged my head on the bench above me. Muttering darkly I crawled backwards and sat on the floor, nursing my bumped head. I looked up slightly and found myself staring at a pair of white trainers. I let my eyes travel upwards and I saw that my necklace was dangling from someone's hand.
I jumped up, joyous. "My necklace!"
I looked at the person and found myself face to face with a boy. A very cute boy. He had dark brown eyes that had a mischievous glint in them. His dark brown hair was spiked up carelessly and he was looking at me with a small smirk on his face.
I held out my hand for the necklace. "I am so glad you found it, I don't know what I would have done if I'd lost it!"
The boy's smirk widened but he didn't hand me the necklace. "No problem. I'd be happy to give you the necklace back, but it'll cost ya."
I blinked surprised. I was about to yell at the boy when I noticed his playful smirk. He was trying to lead me on, so I decided to play along. "How much will it cost me?"
The boy shrugged. "I guess I'd part with it for a name."
I smiled. "You drive a hard bargain but alright. My name's Katara."
The boy handed me the necklace and I fastened it around my neck. "So do I get to know your name in return?"
The boy winked at me. "I'm sorry. I don't tell my name to strangers. Perhaps if you said you'd let me get to know you better at dinner, then I wouldn't mind telling you."
"Sure, I wouldn't mind answering a few questions, but first I need your name."
The boy just turned and began walking out of the room. "I'll catch up with you at dinner."
I watched as he turned the corner and then I heard his voice. "By the way, the name's Jet."
I left, heading for my room. Jet was nowhere to be seen. 'A cute boy with a cool name huh?'
- - - - - - - -
I took the time before dinner to wash the chlorine out of my hair and change into dry clothes. I was happier than I'd been in days and I couldn't help but smile. I sat down at my desk and waited for Sokka to get me for dinner.
The sheet music was still on the table and picked it up. Maybe Sokka was right. I'd love to get back into writing music, but the simple fact was I needed a piano to do so.
At a quarter to five someone knocked on my door and Sokka came in. He sat on my bed and I looked at him from the desk.
"Right, Katara. Now will you please tell me what happened to your shoulder."
I sighed and looked down. "It's a burn Sokka, it happened in the fire. It's nothing really. I had cream from it off the doctor and Zuko gave me some more this morning."
Sokka let out a low breath. "I wish you'd told me, Katara. If you're sure that...wait! Zuko gave helped you?"
I looked up and grinned. "Yep, he sure did. I guess that means you should be nice to him for helping your sister. Oh, and there's the fact that he saved me from drowning."
Sokka pouted "What was up with you going swimming with him alone anyway?"
I laughed at his sulky tone. "Sokka, he's a friend. Not every guy in the world is a total creep."
"That's open for debate, trust me I should know."
I laughed again and stood up. "Come on. Let's go to dinner. I'm surprised you didn't come in and yank me down the stairs."
Sokka glared but followed me out the room. "Ha ha. I'll do that tomorrow for breakfast shall I?"
"Tsk tsk Sokka. You're not meant to go into girl's rooms."
I turned around and saw Zuko standing behind us. I smiled at his goading tone, while Sokka puffed himself up, no doubt he was thinking up a comeback. Before he could answer, another voice joined the conversation.
"True, boys shouldn't go into girl's rooms but that didn't stop you going in Katara's room this morning, did it Zuko?"
I looked to my right and saw Suki grinning at me. I blushed as Sokka erupted.
"WHAT! You were in my sister's room! I knew there was something I didn't like about you!"
I was amazed at how cool Zuko kept. "I was merely being a good neighbour. If you read into this as something sinister, then maybe it's you who shouldn't be trusted."
Sokka turned red with ager and I sensed danger. "Sokka, meet my friend Suki. Suki, meet my brother Sokka."
Suki, thankfully, picked up on my attempt to calm things down. She stuck out her hand for Sokka to take.
Sokka apparently hadn't heard me, or noticed Suki's hand because he made towards Zuko. As he passed I stuck out my foot and Sokka fell flat on his face. I looked pointedly at Suki and she nodded.
While Suki helped Sokka up, I led a laughing Zuko away, before Sokka regained his balance.
Zuko walked with me down to dinner. "Your brother is a little hot headed, you did notice that didn't you?"
I laughed and looked back at Suki. She was walking alongside a still fuming Sokka. "He's just protective that's all. The problem is that he hasn't got any common sense, it's not a very good combination.
Zuko let out a bark of laughter as we entered the dining room. It was already quite full and Zuko and I sat down together. Sokka and Suki took empty seats a few places away from us. Finally, away from Sokka I could have a conversation with Zuko.
"Um Zuko?"
Zuko looked at me. "Yeah?"
"I just wanted to thank you for saving me today. You know, when you pulled me out of the pool."
Zuko grinned. "No problem. I couldn't very well let you drown could I? I bet that your brother would have been real happy if I had."
I laughed again and we started helping ourselves to the food.
I spent the next half hour getting to know Zuko better.
"So how old are you?"
Zuko looked at me. "Seventeen. I'll be eighteen on the seventeenth of June. This is my last year at school. How about you?"
"I turned fifteen last month. My birthday was on the ninth of September. Are you going onto college after you leave here?"
Zuko nodded. "Yeah, I hope to get a basketball scholarship somewhere. Then I'd study Government and Politics. I'd love to be a part of the government. I'm sure I could run the country better than some of the idiots doing it now!"
I giggled. "You probably could. I want to become a doctor when I leave school. I don't know whether it'll work out though."
"I bet you'd be great. Besides, if you became a doctor maybe you could save yourself next time you drown.!"
I punched his arm lightly. "Very funny. Just be thankful you didn't have to give me mouth to mouth this afternoon."
Zuko smirked at me. "I was kind of disappointed at the fact I didn't get to do it actually."
I felt myself blush slightly but I shook it off.
'He's teasing you. Don't let him get you flustered!"
I regained my composure. "I'm sure you were disappointed. I suppose it would've been your first kiss eh?"
Zuko choked slightly on his dinner. "Excuse me? I've had that many kisses, I've lost count!"
I laughed at how flustered he was when someone spoke behind us.
"Sorry to interrupt Zuko but Katara here promised she'd let me get to know her better."
I looked around and saw Jet standing there. He was looking at Zuko with narrowed eyes and Zuko was glaring back coldly. I was completely clueless as to what was happening.
I cleared my throat hesitantly. "Um, you both obviously know each other. Zuko, Jet found my necklace after I left at the swimming pool this afternoon."
Jet smirked at Zuko. "Yes and as thanks, Katara said we could have a nice talk with one another. I see that you've already eaten dinner. Maybe you'd like to join me for desert Katara?"
"Um, sure I guess." Zuko stood up abruptly. "Wait! Zuko, you don't have to go!"
Zuko inclined his head stiffly. "It's fine, really. I'll see you later Katara."
With that he swept away and Jet took his empty place.
- - - - - - - -
Half an hour later I made my way back up to my room alone. Sokka and Suki were still chatting and I was stuffed. I'd said goodnight to Jet and left. There were a few people around but most were still in the dinning room.
When I made it to the residential corridors I glanced at Zuko's door. I really wanted to talk to him, but I felt he wanted to be alone. I had no idea what went on between him and Jet, but they obviously didn't like each other.
I went into my room and pulled my hair out of the braid I had tied in it. I picked up the sheet music, yet again and stared at it. It was driving me crazy now. I really wanted to finish it but I had no piano. I wondered whether the school would have a keyboard I could borrow, but a keyboard wasn't the same as a piano at all.
Just then someone knocked on my door. I answered it, still clutching my music, and saw Zuko.
I smiled. "Hey. Are you okay, only I have no idea what went on back there."
Zuko grimaced. "It's fine. Jet just can't stand me, and sufficed to say, the feeling's mutual. I just came to say that Jet is trouble Katara. He seems cool and suave, but appearances only run skin deep."
I nodded silently and looked down, Zuko spoke again.
"What's that?"
I looked up and saw him looking at the paper in my hand. "It's a song I was working on, but the problem is I haven't got a piano to finish it on."
Zuko looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hey Katara meet me outside in the corridor at eight. I want to show you something, but I need to talk to Iroh first."
I nodded and he walked away before I could ask him why I was meeting him and why he had to speak to the philosophy teacher.
I shook my head and went back into my room.
Zuko had warned me about Jet, saying he couldn't be trusted. But the Suki had said everyone was scared of Zuko when I had first met her. When I'd gotten to know Zuko better, I'd seen he was a nice guy. Maybe Jet was a nice guy but he was just misunderstood? Maybe.
- - - - - - - - -
So the mystery person was Jet and it doesn't look like Zuko trusts him. I wonder why Zuko wants to meet Katara?
Alter Ego: (Jumping up and down) I know! I know!
Me: Of course you know, and stop jumping around it gives me a head ache!
Alter Ego: Sorry.
Anyhow, ignore my Alter Ego, just be thankful there's only one of them today!
I hope you liked the chapter. Let me know in a review!
Thanks!
