One of These Days
by Unwritten Bliss
Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender is owned by Nickelodeon and its creators, Mike and Brian. No fun rhyme for this chapter.
Note: Thanks for the 1001 hits! Considering that this story is fairly new, I think that's pretty good and feel honored. So, thanks for the lovely reviews and hits (hits can be lovely, right?). Hope you all have a great New Year's Eve! Bring on 2007! -U.B
Chapter 6:
Katara paced the secretary's office, eyes wide and worried. "Shouldn't you be getting to class?" It was Sokka speaking, his voice low, almost angry. Was he angry at her? She didn't do anything! She paused and looked at him a moment, before continuing on pacing. The secretary behind the desk was watching her nervously, her hands fingering the black, slick phone, as if at any moment she would have to pick it up and call the police.
"I don't need to get to class, I need to make sure Aang's okay!" she snapped irritably, her pacing pausing momentarily as the door was swung open and slammed shut.
Golden eyes met blue, with a scowl written over his face. He shoved past her. "What are you looking at?" he grumbled as he passed.
"Nothing," she said softly and looked away, holding herself as she looked at the black and white tile.
"Katara, go to class," Sokka, who had been leaning up against one of the chairs in the office, was now standing. He was ready to usher his sister away if she caved in. She didn't. She jutted out her chin and paced with a stronger stomp in her step. He watched her and then he sat back down. "You're impossible," he grouched.
"Thanks for that," she said softly, her arms still wrapped around her tiny waist as she paced. She remembered the way he had shoved her back in the alley, and she hugged herself tighter slightly. What made him want to beat up Aang? Aang was a loveable kid, who never did anything wrong! Why did Zuko hate him so?
The door leading to the headmaster's office slowly opened and Katara stopped pacing and faced it with wide, hopeful eyes. The instant the door shut behind Aang, Katara rushed to embrace him but Aang side-stepped slightly, eyes narrowed at the ground. Katara caught her balance and looked over at Aang with a hurt expression.
Sokka, who seemed clueless, stood and brushed off his pants. "So, what's doing?"
"Nothing," Aang answered, "let's go to class."
Sokka looked over to Katara with a curious look, but she was looking at the ground looking as if she had been stabbed right through the heart and was left to die. Sokka looked back at Aang; Aang looked just as worse. Sokka rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, you're all a sight for sore eyes."
"We just got of the headmaster's office, Sokka," Katara answered softly as they exited the administrative center, "of course we don't look well."
Sokka nodded slowly. "Yeah, but—!"
"Just drop it, Sokka," Aang's voice was quiet and cold and caused both of his friends to pause in surprise. Aang never sounded like that; he was always cheerful. Aang paused and looked back at his two friends, smiling slightly at them as he slipped his black beanie onto his bald head, "Please?"
Katara glanced Sokka's way and then she started walking once more. "I have to go to class."
"Wait, Katara, do you need a note?" Sokka called after his sister. They were all tardy to class by this point and were given notes by the secretary to give to their teachers of that period. Katara dug through her jacket pocket and then pulled out a small sheet of pink paper and waved it back at them.
Sokka nodded and turned to Aang, but the small teenager was already gone. Sokka rubbed the back of his head and then shrugged. Whatever, he thought as he turned to go back to his own class.
