Chapter 8 - Crushing

"Come on Teo! My grandma can shoot way better than that show me some skill!" Mia said laughing. Teo smirked.

"Fine, I will."

Teo wheeled and shot. The ball went into the net. "WOOHOO! That was a good shot. Keep this up and you'll be in the team in no time." Aang said, catching the ball. Teo looked doubtful. "I don't know Aang, I mean what if Jet's right? What if the coach won't choose me because I'm.., you know, like this." Aang handed the ball to Mia, who dropped it. "You're going to listen to Jet? He's just jealous that you're smart, faster, cuter and a way better player than he is." Teo smiled. It's good to have a friend like Mia. "Wait? You think I'm cute?" Mia blushed bright red and twiddled her fingers. "Well...I..."
"Are you guys going to keep talking or are we going to play?"

Mia and Teo blushed. "Um, yeah Aang. We're coming." Teo said. Teo looked at Mia. "So.. I'll see you at the basketball auditions?" Mia asked.

"It's a date." Teo said, smiling.

(the next day)

Katara and Mia stood ready for their try-outs. Azula and Ty Lee sat at a table at the end of the field looking even more poisonous than ever. Katara gulped. Mia's knees were shaking. 'Come on girl, it's just a stupid cheerleading try-outs. Don't be such a sissy' Mia screamed these word in her mind. The fact was, she didn't feel very comfortable in the really, REALLY , short skirts. Sokka leaned forward and talked to Teo. "Hey Teo, Mia kinda looks hot in her cheerleading outfit." Teo sighed, "Yeah, she does."

"Mia Townsend?" Azula said, with a smirk on her face. Mia stepped out. Teo and Aang smiled and waved. Mia breathed out and started her routine.

"Ready? Okay!

O-MA-SHU!

LET'S HEAR YOU SHOUT!

LET'S SEE YOU HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE TOP!

Are we ready? Yeah, That's right!

Are we ready? Yeah, let's show them.

Cause we are O-MA-SHU!

Yeah, cause we are number 1!"

Mia somersaulted in the air and landed with split. Sokka and Aang clapped. Teo whistled. Azula facepalmed. "Fine, you're on the team." Mia screamed with joy. "You mean it , really? Wow thanks." Mia threw her pom-poms aside and ran towards Teo and gave him a hug.

(later)

Aang, Mia, Katara, Sokka, Zuko and Toph were watching Teo trying out for the basketball team. "Go Teo!" Mia shouted, waving at Teo. Teo caught this wave, and smiled. Coach Pakku signaled him to come on to the court.

"Hold it boy, you can't come here!" Teo frowned. "Why not? I want to join the team!" The coach sighed. "Fine, it's nice to see someone so happy about joining the team. Look, wanna get yourself killed? Fine, here's a ball. Go shoot some hoops for me." Teo grabbed the ball with a smile. "Thanks Coach Pakku. I won't let you down." Coach Pakku sighed. "What do you want, a hug? Get on the court, tiny." Teo wheeled onto the court. He shot the ball a couple of times. The coach nodded and took notes. "Good, good. You got stuff, maggot. Now try it with Jet. Jet, my boy, come out here."

Jet walked out. "Well, lookee here. The shrimp's come out to play. Let see you then." Teo frowned and began to play. He played well. Every time he shot a goal, his smile went bigger and bigger. Jet was tired. He never seen somebody like Teo play so well. He really did like basketball. Coach Pakku blew his whistle. "Break time. Hastings , I wanna see you again later." Teo wheeled off.

"That was great! Coach likes you. You're a great player." Mia gave Teo a big hug. "Come out of your wheelchair. Lie here on the grass for a while. Give your arms some rest." Teo did it relunctantly and went to lie down next to Mia. "Yeah, you were right. This felt good. Playing the sport I love. But do you know what's better?" Mia sat up. "What?" Teo sat up as well, his face serious. "Spending time with you." Mia blushed. Teo leaned forward and kissed Mia on the lips, slowly and lovingly. Mia backed away suddenly. Teo panicked. "I'm sorry. I.." Mia smiled and kissed Teo on the cheek. "No worries. Better not let Toph see you kissing me though. It'll blow all chances you have on her." Teo grinned. "Oh...no worries either." Mia kissed Teo on the lips. It did feel nice. "That'll be our little secret." Teo blushed. "Yeah, our little secret."

(later)

Jet walked behind the stands. He saw Haru, leaning against a wall. "Haru! I don't care how, I don't care what. Just make sure that little brat doesn't make the team."

Haru walked around, looking for Teo's wheelchair. He found it, alone. He peeked over the chair and saw Teo making out with Mia. "Jet's definitely going to kill him." He whispered. He took out a spanner and started loosening the screws and bolts on Teo's wheelchair. "Try playing with this chair, wise guy." He said.

(later)

"Hastings! Back on the court." Coach Pakku screamed. Teo broke apart from Mia, blushing. "I gotta go," he said. Mia hugged him and helped him onto his wheelchair. "Good luck," she said smiling at him.

"Alright coach, I'm here."
"Great maggot, you're nearly good enough, but let's see you again."

Teo smiled and began to play. So far Teo was leading. Jet began to feel uncomfortable. Suddenly the chair started to wobble. Mia stood up. "What's up?" Katara asked. "Something's wrong." Suddenly the whole chair started to fall to pieces and Teo collapsed on to the court. He groaned and clutched his arm. Mia gasped and ran towards him. " Teo? Are you okay?" Teo tried to get up but couldn't. Coach Pakku sighed. "I warned him. Girl," he said, pointing to Mia, "Get this kid to the nurse's office. And fix his chair." Teo sat up and Mia gave him another hug. "Hey, coach, can I still have another try-out?"

Coach Pakku spun around, gobsmacked. "Are you kidding? Look at you. Play for a couple of seconds and your chair falls apart. You can get yourself killed. Do me a favour kid. I like you, you got spirit. But next time? Think chess team, now scat." Zuko and Sokka walked down from the stands and carried Teo. "You okay man?" Teo wiped his eyes. "I'm fine." They walked into the school. Mia tapped Sokka's shoulder. "Hey, I'll take it from here. I'll take him to the nursery." Sokka nodded and Zuko lay Teo on the ground. "Come on Teo. The nurse's office is just around the corner." Teo nodded and tried to stand up. Mia supported him. "It's okay. It's alright." Teo brushed Mia aside, saying, "No it isn't. I didn't make it, just like Jet said I wouldn't. I failed, Mia."

Teo sniffed. Mia put her arms around him. "Hey, just because Jet said you're not good enough, doesn't mean you are. You're a great player. Don't let him mess with you. He's just jealous. Like I said." Teo sniffed one last time and leaned forward to give Mia a kiss. Mia panicked and quickly stood up. "Uh,..let's just get you to the nurse's office first. Okay?" Teo smiled and Mia helped him to get up. When he was standing, he pushed his lips to Mia's. Mia was shocked but then she wrapped her arms around him and relaxed. Teo kissed her, softly, gently and lovingly. Then they broke apart. Teo smiled at Mia and her heart leaped for joy, seeing that charming smile. "Alright. I had enough. Let's go to the nurse's office." Teo said. Mia blushed bright maroon but just nodded. Teo felt a rush of love for his dream girl, standing so close to him. 'Tomorrow,'He thought,'Tomorrow I'll tell her my feelings.'