Chapter 3: The New Boy Part Two: The Breakup

The next day was an eventful one. On Ji sat down at her desk and once again made sure that she had everything she needed. A few seats behind her sat Kuzon. After a few minutes if waiting, Ms. Kwan came in.

"Good morning, class," she said as she sat down, "recite the Fire Nation Oath!" During the oath, On Ji could hear Kuzon messing around with the oath as if he didn't even know it.

"Blah blah blah…" he said as they finished the oath. The entire class turned and sat down.

"Since it is obviously hilarious to MOCK our national oath," Ms. Kwan said sternly, "we'll begin with a pop quiz on our great March of Civilization." The class groaned as they readied their pencils.

"Question one," Kwan said, "What year did Fire Lord Sozin battle the Air Nation army?" After a brief moment, On Ji heard Ms. Kwan say: "Kuzon…"

"Is that a trick question?" Kuzon asked, "The Air Nomads didn't have a formal military. Sozin defeated them by ambush." On Ji and Shoji, much like the rest of the class, looked up at him, dumbfounded.

"Well," Ms. Kwan said, "I don't know how you could possibly know more than our national history book. Unless you were there a hundred years ago!"

"I"ll just write down my best guess!" Kuzon said immediately. He sat down and started jotting down an answer. On Ji was confused to his sudden change of answer. She questioned if he actually was there one hundred years ago.

"Question Two," Ms. Kwan said, "what year was the year when Fire Lord Sozin was born? Better yet, since Kuzon knows more than our history book, how about YOU answer it?!" Kuzon looked up, alerted.

"Um…" Kuzon was nervous. After that, the class became majorly confused. He was confident about the previous question, but he's extremely uncertain about this question.

"Well, Kuzon…?!" Ms. Kwan said sternly.

"I'll pass on that question…!" Kuzon said nervously. Ms. Kwan just glared at him.

Later, during music class, Kuzon did something extremely unexpected. He breathed in a deep breath and blew as hard into the tsungi horn as he could and started dancing.

"Kuzon…!" The music teacher said. Kuzon stopped and saw that everyone was looking at him.

"I know…" Kuzon said, "I'm a terrible tsungi hornist."

"No, child," the music teacher said, "that hullabaloo going on with your feet…! Is that a nervous disorder?"

"I was just dancing," Kuzon said, "You do dances here in the homeland, right?"

"Not really," Shoji said, "no."

"Dancing is not conducive to a proper learning environment," the music teacher said, "Young people must have rigid discipline and order."

"But what about expressing yourself?" Kuzon protested.

"I know sometimes we're so ruled by our love for our nation that we can't control our own bodies," the music teacher said as he put his hand to his face, "If you must, you may march in place quietly next time the urge hits you." With that, the students continued playing their instruments.

Later in the day, all the kids were staring at and murmuring about Kuzon. On Ji approached Kuzon and said: "Uh, hi, Kuzon! I really liked that crazy dance you were doing." Kuzon smiled before responding.

"Thanks, On Ji," he said, "I can show it to you again if you like. Suddenly, a fireball came out of nowhere, causing Kuzon to both yelp and jump back.

"What'd you say colony trash?" Hide said, still holding out his firebending hand, "you're gonna show her something?!"

"Just some dance moves," Kuzon said nervously.

"Nobody shows my On Ji anything!" Hide said angrily, "especially moves!!!" Hide attempted to strike Kuzon, but Kuzon easily stepped out of the way. The other students started to gather around to watch. Hide continued to try to punch Kuzon, but he continuously kept evading with ease, much to Hide's frustration. Kuzon got behind Hide's back and started moving to the side to match Hide's movements. Kuzon knocked back Hide by butting him. Hide tried to strike Kuzon two more times, but Kuzon slid behind Hide through his legs. Hide tried to punch Kuzon two more times and fell down as Kuzon side steps and trips him. Just then, the Headmaster came to the scene.

"Picking fights on your second day?!" He questioned angrily, "We need to have a conference to discuss your punishment. Bring your parents to my office after school!"

"Parents," Kuzon said worriedly, "But-!"

"Don't be late!" The headmaster said, interrupting Kuzon. As he was walking away, Hide turned at Kuzon and grinned smugly.

"We're through," On Ji said to Hide.

"What?" Hide said worriedly.

"We're THROUGH Hide!" On Ji said, her voice slowly raising.

"But-!" Hide tried to say.

"I warned you," On Ji said, enraged, "I warned you that if you acted up one more time, we are through!" She finished. She slapped Hide across the cheek and stormed away. Hide sighed, depressed.

Later that night, On Ji walked into her house and put her stuff on the ground.

"Heard you broke up with Hide," her Mom said. On Ji nodded.

"I warned him TWICE!" On Ji said, trying to stay calm. Ania looked at On Ji as she was reading a book. She sighed and continued mixing for dinner. On Ji sniffed the air.

"Jook?" On Ji said as she turned and smiled at her mother.

"Your favorite!" Ania said. On Ji giggles before she continued reading.

At Shoji's house he had just walked through the door.

"A HUGE scene went down at school today!" Shoji said has he put his stuff down.

"What?" Joanan asked.

"Well first," Shoji began, "Hide tried to beat up that new kid, Kuzon. Then, he framed Kuzon, so he's probably in the Headmaster's office right now. But this is the clincher! The icing on the cake! On Ji broke up with Hide!" Joanan dropped his wood spoon into a pot in pure shock.

"She what?!" Joanan said as he turned to face Shoji.

"Broke up with Hide," Shoji said, "I always knew that they weren't gonna last. I wonder if she'll ask Kuzon out. And if she doesn't, I still say she's gonna ask SOMEONE out!"

"Why don't you ask her out?" Joanan asked. Shoji jumped back in surprise.

"Me? No no no no no!!! On Ji and I are just friends! Nothing more!" Shoji said.

"Well can you at least CONSIDER it? I think you two would make the cutest couple I've ever seen!" Joanan said. Shoji sighed.

"Fine. I'll consider it…" Shoji said. Soon, there was a knock at the door. Shoji went to answer it and saw Kuzon standing there.

"Kuzon?" Shoji said, taken aback by his sudden appearance at his doorstep, "what's up?" Kuzon whispered in Shoji's ear. At one point, Shoji's eyes widened in shock and gasped in disbelief.

"You're out of your mind, Kuzon!" Shoji whispered, "a secret dance party?!" Kuzon nodded and then walked away.

"What was that?" Joanan asked. Shoji shrugged and went to sit on his sofa.

"What was it?" Joanan asked.

"A crazy idea," Shoji said, "that's what."

"What's the 'crazy idea?'" Joanan asked.

"An idea I don't want to think about," Shoji said. With that, Joanan nodded and left the room. Shoji glanced at the door, considering Kuzon's offer. He got up and left the house.