Chapter 7
"This juke is delicious, Zuko." Aang always had to be a suck up.
"Thanks." Surprisingly, Zuko sounded honest. What a turn off. Not that I was even considering Zuko as a potential boyfriend; not enough to be turned on or off...nice Zuko was just unattractive, that was all.
"Yeah...you did alright for yourself, Fireboy," Toph smirked, but she sounded genuine.
"Thank you." I detected a little sarcasm, but I don't think the gang caught on.
"This better not be poisoned," Sokka warned, but he didn't seemed too concerned as he was gulping the juke down by the gallon.
The gang collectively turned towards me. And I didn't have the slightest idea why. Did I have something on my face? Were they mad at me for not making breakfast?
"Uh...what?" I asked awkwardly.
The gang suddenly returned their gazes to the food. I was confused. "Guys?"
"What do you think of your breakfast, Katara?" Aang questioned, while awkwardly staring into his own.
"It's good..." I didn't get why they wouldn't just tell me what they wanted from me. Asking me about the food wouldn't distract me. "So, what did you want?"
"Nothing anymore..." The cold glances I was getting from Aang and Sokka convinced me I'd lost my appetite. Obviously no one wanted me here.
"I'm not that hungry. Excuse me." I pushed my chair in, ignoring the loud screeching sound the legs made as they scraped across the hard floor, and walked briskly to my room. The one safe place left in the house; the only place I could go without being bothered by everyone else.
I flopped over backwards on my bed and stared blankly up at the ceiling. It was really dusty and spider-webby. Gross. If it wasn't so high I would've cleaned it. Maybe Aang would help me; he was an airbender, after all.
That reminded me - Aang was mad at me. Everyone seemed to be. But why? I hadn't done anything to them. Only Zuko had a good reason to be angry, and I was pretty sure he'd gotten over the whole rock thing.
Zuko...I wondered distantly why he'd been in my dream. What had that dream even meant? Probably nothing. I liked the rain. That was enough of a reason to dream about it. But I didn't like Zuko...or did I? After all, it could've been anyone who saved me from the coldness, but it had been him. Why? Maybe I did like him. How could you even tell if you really liked someone? I wasn't sure. But hadn't I liked anyone in the past?
Jet, maybe. Definitely. I'd liked Jet a lot.
I was startled to realize that I felt the same thing for Zuko that I had for Jet. Sort of. It had been a lot more intense with Jet. Or had it? Maybe it had just been too long since I liked anyone. Maybe I was confusing the feeling of plain old ordinary acceptance with actually liking him. As more than just a friend.
But I didn't like Zuko. I couldn't. He was a member of the group; that would be weird. Too weird for the other members of the group. And he obviously didn't like me. He had no reason to. I had been so mean to him; he probably really hated me. I deserved it.
What was there to even like about Zuko? He was pretty good looking - very good looking - but he was really inconsiderate and kind of mean. On the other hand, he'd been through so much, and he was still making an effort to find his place in the world. Sometimes he was respectful, usually I guess, but he was so aggressive. Even if he was being calm now, I'd seen him a lot over the last year and he definitely had a major temper problem. But that aggressiveness was actually really appealing. Not safe, though. He still wasn't completely trustworthy. But I had a feeling that he could still prove himself. He hadn't even been with us for too long.
That's when I realized: I liked Zuko. A lot. And as way more than just a friend.
Bedhead: In like with...oh my gosh Squaw lol. Squaw really wanted to say in the last line (instead of "I liked Zuko") "I was in like with Zuko." Which is really dumb. No one says that, Squaw.
Squaw: Lucy Campden does! Does anyone remember that episode but me?!
Bedhead: I don't. But either way, I'd like to point out that besides that "in like" thing we totally agreed on like everything in this chapter. Not a single real fight. Yay us! lol
Squaw: :D
Bedhead: We got like no reviews (that's a lie...I think it was three...) for the last chapter. And it's bumming me out. PLEASE REVIEW THE FREAKIN STORY. Please.
Squaw: Word.
Bedhead: Yeah...next chapter should (no; will) be up on Monday. Please someone review this chapter, and if you haven't gotten the chance to review the last, PLEASE DO. :)
Squaw: I agree.
Bedhead: By the way - I put on the first chapter of my new story, The Sun Sets in the West, today. Please check it out; it starts out a tiny bit slow but it's a really cool story and I think you'll probably like it. And yes, I am shamelessly advertising my new story in an author's note for this one...
Just remember:
The Sun Sets in the West
by Lost Whispers (Bedhead...)
Squaw: Yeah; it's really good! XP readreadread and review...both of them
