Chapter 7: Dinner for Six

Smellerbee's second day at her new school went much easier; she managed to last the whole day. At lunch she sat with Bolin, Ikki and Mako again and this time, they included her in the conversation, giving her the low down on the school and all the gossip. She was surprised to hear that Bolin and Ikki were dating and had been for 3 months. Smellerbee hadn't told them that she had been bullied– not sure how they would take it, especially seeing as it was the reason she was now blind. Though they had all shared how they were blind, mostly from poor genetics.

Smellerbee hadn't see Longshot since she had started school again. She had talked to him a couple of times but she really wanted to talk to Longshot in person and, really, to touch him.

On Friday afternoon, Cris picked up Smellerbee as per usual and drove her home. The radio was playing softly and Smellerbee was startled when it was suddenly switched off.

"I need to lay something on you," Cris said and Smellerbee sat up straighter in her seat, listening intently.

"What is it?" Smellerbee asked, immediately worried that it was about Cris's health.

"Now, I talked with Ursa, your therapist, and she reckons it's a good idea for you to start mingling with others," Cris explained. "So I've invited Ralli and Aang over for Friday night dinner."

"OK," Smellerbee agreed, nodding her approval.

"There's just one more thing," Cris continued slowly.

"What?" Smellerbee asked, his tone suspicious.

"Aang had already made plans with Katara and was going to cancel but once Katara heard where he was going, she invited herself along," Cris told her in a rush, as if it would lessen the blow.

"What?" Smellerbee squeaked. "Dad, no!"

"Sorry," Cris said. "It's too late to uninvited her. We all have tried."

"Fine," Smellerbee huffed but then grinned mischievously. "If Aang can invite Katara, I can invite Longshot."

"Deal," Cris agreed and Smellerbee grinned triumphantly.

When they got home, Smellerbee had Cris dial Longshot's number and she waited for it ring.

Longshot picked up after five rings, sounding out of breath. "Hey Smellerbee," Longshot grinned, having already checked caller ID.

"Hi Longshot. Everything OK? You sound out of breath," Smellerbee greeted, her confusion evident.

"F.N.S rehearsal," Longshot explained.

"Oh! I forgot about that. I'm so sorry for interrupting," Smellerbee apologized.

"It's OK. What's up?" Longshot cocked his head on one side, listening intently.

"Oh. I'll be quick. I was wondering if you wanted to come to Friday night dinner tonight. You could stay the night?" Smellerbee asked shyly.

"I'd love to," Longshot grinned. "I'll come straight after rehearsal."

"Cool, I'll see you then. Now get back to singing your lungs out Mr. Donato," Smellerbee teased and Longshot laughed.

"As you wish. Bye."

Smellerbee hung up and beamed. Longshot hadn't seen her without the gauze across her face and she wanted to make a good impression on the boy. That could only mean one thing.

"Dad," Smellerbee cringed as she called out, the loud sound wreaking havoc on her ears. "I need your help."

There was a knock on the door at 6:30 and Cris opened it to reveal Longshot. He was out of his uniform, carrying an over-night bag and grinned when he saw Cris.

"Hi Cris," Longshot greeted, sticking out his hand for Cris to shake.

Cris did so with a chuckle and ushered the boy in. "Smellerbee's downstairs," he told him.

"You don't want me to help with anything?" Longshot asked, not wanting to be rude.

"Nah, I'm alright. Now shoo," Cris teased and Longshot chuckled. He bounded downstairs and froze when he saw Smellerbee.

Even blind, Smellerbee still remained the most amazing and fashionable person he'd ever laid eyes on. She was wearing black skinny jeans that were so tight they looked like they had been painted on and a grey jacket with zips. Her hair had been pushed back into a ponytail and looked perfectly in place, which was strange considering how it always fell in chops along her face.

"Who's there?" Smellerbee asked, a frown on her face.

"It's Marley's ghost," Longshot grinned, managing to find his voice.

"Longshot! You made it," Smellerbee beamed and Longshot suddenly noticed that Smellerbee wasn't wearing the white gauze around her head anymore.

"You lost the gauze," Longshot commented, stepping further into the room and dropping his bag out of the way so that Bee wouldn't trip on it.

"I'm not a mummy anymore," Smellerbee cheered and Longshot laughed. He pulled Smellerbee into a hug, glad that she didn't flinch and instead hugged back tightly. "I forgot to tell you," Smellerbee said, pulling away. "It's not just us tonight. Ralli, Aang and his friend Katara are coming over too."

"That's cool," Longshot grinned. "Are you ready?"

Smellerbee shrugged. "As I'll ever be."

"Where's Korra?" Longshot asked, looking around. He beamed when he saw the 'get well soon' bear on Smellerbee's bed.

"Outside," Smellerbee replied distractedly. Longshot had moved away and Smellerbee was having trouble figuring out where he had moved to.

"Everything OK?" Longshot asked, noticing Smellerbee's look of frustration.

"I have no idea where you are," Smellerbee sighed, throwing her hands up in defeat. "It's like talking to an empty room. Oh my god, I've gone insane, haven't I?"

Longshot chuckled and stepped back towards Smellerbee, taking her hands, which Smellerbee gripped tightly. "I'm right here, don't worry. You're not insane."

"Feels like it," Smellerbee mumbled but she was smiling.

Longshot heard the doorbell go upstairs and Smellerbee froze.

"We could wait five more minutes," Longshot suggested and Smellerbee nodded frantically.

"Yeah, let's do that."

Cris opened the door for the second time that evening and ushered Aang and Katara in. He kissed Ralli lightly and beamed at her. She returned the smile and ducked inside.

"How are you dear?" Ralli asked as Cris hung up her coat.

"Good. We're getting there slowly," Cris smiled softly at Ralli.

"Where's Smellerbee?" She asked.

"Downstairs with her friend Longshot," Cris answered, stepping into the living room.

"Who's Longshot?" Aang asked, confusion written all over his face.

"A friend of Smellerbee's," Cris answered, "goes to Ba Sing Sa Academy."

"Spy!" Katara declared loudly and Cris winced.

"Give it up, Katara," Aang sighed. "Bee's not even in Freedom Fighters anymore."

"No talking about glee club," Cris instructed firmly as Katara opened her mouth to respond. "I don't want you upsetting her tonight."

Aang nodded and Katara repeated the action, though it was somewhat reluctant. They heard footsteps on the stairs and Smellerbee emerged with a boy they had never seen before.

"Good timing," Cris said, breaking the silence that had fallen. "Dinner's nearly ready."

"Thanks Cris," Longshot grinned.

"It's nice to see you Bee," Ralli said, moving towards her. She tried not to flinch as Ralli hugged her, though she was unsuccessful. Ralli didn't say anything, just kissed her cheek and stepped back.

Aang and Katara were staring at Smellerbee, mouth open. There was still some irritation left around her eyes but it was mostly cleared. At the moment Smellerbee had her eyes open and they could see that they were cloudy and still red.

"Are Katara and Aang here?" Smellerbee asked, frowning and Longshot touched her arm.

"Yeah, they are," Longshot told her quietly and it suddenly clicked with Smellerbee. They were staring.

"Stop staring," Smellerbee barked and their mouths shut with a snap.

"Dude, how'd you do that?" Aang asked in awe.

"Don't call me dude," Smellerbee growled and Longshot rubbed her back in an attempt to soothe her.

"I'm Liam Donato," Longshot introduced himself politely.

"I'm Katara Willis," Katara said, stepping forward, puffing her chest out. "Bee and I were in glee club together. I'm the Freedom Fighters' leading star."

Longshot watched as Smellerbee's face hardened at the mention of glee club and hastily tried to change the subject. Cris shook his head and retreated to the kitchen with Ralli.

"So, Bee here was telling me that you and Aang are dating," Longshot interjected, looking to Aang.

Katara stepped back and grinned, taking Aang's hands in hers. "Aang is the leading male in our glee club. Don't think you can get anything from us or Smellerbee."

"I'm not here to spy," Longshot told her coolly. "I like spending time with The Bee," he said toying with new nicknames for her.

"We don't talk about glee club," Smellerbee said through gritted teeth, ignoring the fact Longshot had given her a horrible nickname. Smellerbee was glad when she heard Korra panting as she came trotting into the room. She nudged her leg and sat next to her obediently.

"Hi Korra," Longshot grinned, patting her and shaking her paw.

"Cool, you got a dog," Aang grinned and moved forward to pat her. Katara had taken a giant step back.

"You don't like dogs?" Longshot asked.

"More like they don't like me," Katara huffed. "Does it have to be here?"

"If I want to get around, then yes," Smellerbee smirked.

Longshot smothered his laughter as Katara huffed.

"Dinner's ready," Cris called and Katara hurried to the table, eager to get on Ralli's good side. The other teens followed at a slower pace, Korra trailing behind.

Longshot helped Smellerbee with her seat, eliciting a blush from the girl and Katara looked to Aang with hopeful eyes but he just plopped himself down in a free seat without so much as looking at her.

As Cris placed the plates around the table, Ralli asked about Smellerbee's new school.

"It's different," Smellerbee replied slowly. "I'm by myself at the moment until I learn enough to be able to keep up with everyone else."

"Well, I'm sure you will catch on quickly," Ralli smiled encouragingly.

"Come on, Korra," Cris grunted as he tried to put the plate in front of Smellerbee. "Out of the way." Korra just looked at Cris with her big blue eyes.

"Go on Korra," Smellerbee instructed, patting her head. "Go to the living room." Korra stood and padded away to the living room and Aang watched in awe.

"Why does she only listen to you?" Cris grumbled and Smellerbee sniggered. Cris placed a salad in front of Aang – he'd had to make a separate meal for the vegan – and he sat down. "Dig in," he grunted and Aang dived into his meal.

They made small talk as they ate, Aang and Katara catching them up on the gossip of Yu Dao. Longshot nudged his foot against Smellerbee's as Katara was going into great detail about something a girl named Ty Lee did. Smellerbee nudged him back gently. He knew that Smellerbee would be upset, listening to what her friends were doing, things she wanted to be a part of.

Cris noticed that Smellerbee's carefully placed mask was falling and quickly changed the subject to football. Aang and Longshot dove into the topic eagerly, Longshot stopping to explain certain things to Smellerbee, who perked up whenever she was included.

It was going to take time, but they would get there.