Chapter Ten
Date: Monday October 19th, 2009
Time: 2:55 P.M.
Place: Avatar Academy
"Get your stuff, we're leaving."
"What?" Katara whispered, giving Toph a confused face. The school day was almost over. But after her hysterics earlier, she needed a quiet place to calm down, which lead her to her sanctuary: the library.
"I said, we're leaving, sugar queen. Let's GO!" Toph boomed.
Katara winced at the dirty faces the students around them were giving her.
"Will you lower your voice?"
"If that'll make you hurry up," Toph retorted, only slightly softer.
Shoving her notebook into her bag, Katara followed Toph out of the library.
"Where are we going?"
"Things will be a lot easier if you don't ask questions," Toph said, checking around the corner.
Katara stopped. "Toph, what's going on?"
Toph whipped her head around. "Listen Katara," she said quietly, "there are some things that you don't need to know. I'm doing this for you, just trust me, okay?"
Not knowing what else to do, and scared by Toph's sudden serious demeanor, Katara nodded.
"Does anyone know where you are?" Toph asked over her shoulder as she led Katara the back way around the school towards the parking lot.
"Toph, you're scaring me."
"Answer the question."
"No, not that I know of," Katara replied, gripping the strap of her messenger bag until her knuckles grew white. I have a bad feeling about this.
"Good." Toph opened a door that led to a staircase. Holding the door open to Katara, the two began their climb up.
Katara attempted to ask what was going on a few more times, but was only answered with snappy remarks or silence. I don't need this right now, she thought, her irritation beginning to ride. Not only was she worried about her dad, but she still couldn't get over her heartbreak towards Zuko. She had begun to hear rumors that he and Mai, Azula Lord's depressed friend, were dating.
"They're definitely going to win best couple." Katara heard Ty Lee saying in the hallway. She almost vomited on the spot.
How could I have been such a fool? I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved with him. Katara ceased the tears that began to form in her eyes at the thought of how Zuko held her even when she hit him.
Guilt barreled down on her as she ascended each step. I can't believe I made such a scene, she thought, replaying her meltdown from the hallway. Hopefully, Sokka hadn't found out, if he did…Katara shook her head. She didn't want to think about it.
Lost in her thoughts, Katara stepped straight into Toph.
"We're here."
A cold sweat dripped down Katara's spine as Toph turned around. She had never seen her friend so secretive and serious. She tried to swallow, but her mouth was drier than the desert.
"Where's here?" she asked, trying to control the worry in her voice.
"Katara," Toph's face softened, "I know I joke and make fun of you a lot…"
"That's for sure," Katara muttered.
"But, I want you to know I do want you to be happy. Be smart and don't assume the worst of everyone."
Katara furrowed her eyebrows, confused at Toph's confession. What is she talking about? She was about to question her again when Toph swung the door open, pulled Katara in and slammed it shut.
The bright light blinded her vision. She quickly shut her eyes, giving them a chance to adjust. After a few moments, Katara slowly opened one eye then the other. Where am I, she thought as she looked around. There were frosted glass windows acting as walls, sunlight reflecting through each one. Around the perimeter lay countless amounts of plants, some growing around statues placed between, others growing out to cover the floor around them. Only then did she notice it was unbearably hot. Peeling off her messenger bag and cardigan, Katara began to look around. The plants didn't look like anything she had seen before, some were beautiful flowers holding radiant hues of pink and orange. And some were not as brilliant, grey and brown, but intricate in every detail.
"This is amazing," she breathed, spinning around like she was five. A beautiful greenhouse, hidden within the school. It was the perfect place for her to hide away. Escape from everything: the disappointment she felt for lying to Gran Gran and Sokka, the guilt she felt about still having feelings for Zuko, the fear she held about her dad. Yes, she thought examining a bush of star-shaped flowers, this is perfect. The only question now was why Toph had brought her here under such secretive terms.
Plucking a purple flower from its stem, Katara paused, hearing a rustling sound coming from behind her. She quickly whipped around, ready to take on whoever decided to interrupt her few moments of peace. She was definitely not in the mood right now. Ready to attack when a figure approached, Katara froze her thoughts, focusing on the shuffling coming towards her.
"Hey," Zuko said, shuffling his feet awkwardly on the ground.
Katara stood still, every muscle in her body tense. She hadn't expected to see him so soon after her temper tantrum in the hallway. Heat reddened her cheeks in embarrassment. I don't care, she tried to convince herself as she studied him. His hair was disheveled, covering the scar enough so it wasn't obvious. Dark circles lined his eyes as if he hadn't slept in weeks. Sympathy stung her heart before she could stop it. What happened to him?
"What are you doing here?" Katara asked, more forcefully than she intended. She could see him wince at her harsh tone.
"I wanted to see you," Zuko said quietly. "I needed to see you."
Anger burned in Katara's stomach. Whether it was from Zuko or everything else that had happened in her life, she poured out her fury on him. "You needed to see me?! After everything that has happened, everything that happened this weekend, now you need to see me?! You said you'd call me, that we'd talk about what happened. But you didn't!" Her voice at full volume now, tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks at any moment. "I needed to talk to you! Do you have any idea what had happened to me since then?" She paused, seeing if Zuko would answer. He didn't. The only thing he did was stare at her, a look of terrible pain and sorrow consuming his features. "No, you didn't. Too consumed in your new girlfriend to care." Katara spat out the words before she could stop herself. She didn't want to admit she was jealous, especially not to him.
"You think I don't care?" Zuko looked at her, clenching his fist as his sorrow replaced with fury to match her own.
"Obviously not," Katara scoffed. "I was so stupid to think that someone like you—,"
Zuko tightened his fists. "That someone like me would have feelings? That I would actually put what I wanted aside so that I could protect someone I care for? So they could be happy?" He stood tense for a moment, then released his fists, his shoulders sagging as he hung his head. "You have no idea how much I care about you."
It was as if a giant weight had been lifted from her chest.
"What?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Zuko looked up at her, his eyes swirling with so many emotions, Katara didn't know which one he was feeling. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward. "You are the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life. You make me feel more alive than I've felt in a long time."
A steady stream of tears began to flow down her cheeks. She didn't know what to think any more.
"I-I don't understand," she said through tears. "You're…you're dating someone else."
"Not by choice," Zuko said quietly.
"What do you mean, not by choice? You're not making any sense!" she yelled again, sobbing uncontrollably. She tried to gain control of her emotions, but couldn't. One after another, the tears plowed down her face, creating a river of sorrow down her neck.
"Please don't cry," he said, only making her cry harder until a rough hand cupped her face. Gently, Zuko lifted her face up. His eyes swirled once again, as if he was fighting within himself on what to do next.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, stroking Katara's hair back.
"Zuko…" she whispered. "I don't know…"
She's so beautiful, he thought as he watched Katara twirl in the greenhouse. She was amazing, the light in his dark life, the only pleasure he had experienced in so long. He couldn't believe Toph had actually agreed to help him set up a meeting with Katara.
"The only reason I'm doing this is because of what happened this weekend," Toph said, slamming her locker door centimeters away from Zuko's face. "If I hadn't actually seen you protect Katara, I would have never let you near her."
"I know," Zuko said quickly, anxious that someone might see him talking to her. Azula had her spies everywhere. If he was going to see Katara, he had to go into major stealth mode. "I just need to see her."
Toph narrowed her eyes at him. "What about that chick, the weird one that sighs all the time?"
"It's complicated."
Toph crossed her arms and pursed her lips, unwilling to agree unless she was told what was going on.
Zuko sighed, lifting his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I have to date Mai so that everything Katara has worked for won't be destroyed."
"What are you talking about?"
Zuko quickly explained about Jet, the video, and his deal with Azula.
Toph's eyes grew wide. "You were willing to make a deal with that devil to help Katara?"
Zuko checked behind his shoulder. "I'd do anything for her."
Toph snorted. "Alright Fire Lord, I'll help you and I know exactly where you can go."
A few hours later, there he was, watching the woman of his dreams, twirling with utter satisfaction. He almost didn't want to ruin it by revealing himself. She looked so happy, studying the different plants and flowers, so at peace. I would only ruin her happiness.
But he had come here with a reason: to explain to Katara what was going on. The only snag he hadn't figured out yet was how he was going to tell her anything without actually telling her everything. He shook his head, causing the plant he was crouching next to to sway. Katara paused, turning her whole body to face him. He froze. I guess it's now or never.
Standing slowly, he knew she was upset with him, especially after she had pounded on him in the hallway. But he never expected her to yell and cry at the same time. There was only so much one man could handle.
Every time she yelled, every time she cried, his heart broke. He tried to fight the urge to rush to her, comfort her in any way possible. This is my fault, he thought, not knowing how to comfort her. But there isn't any other way.
It wasn't until she accused him of not caring that he got angry. Of course he cared! He wouldn't be in this torment if he didn't! Before he knew it, she was crying again, wrenching his heart right out of his chest. He couldn't do it anymore. He had to feel her against him, hold her in his arms.
In two steps he was cupping her face in his hands, looking down into her crystal eyes swimming in an ocean of confusion and heartbreak. Those hypnotic eyes tormented him as he tried to pretend he shouldn't care about her. It was better when they were apart. But that was a lie. Katara was…everything.
"You're so beautiful," he said, allowing himself to move closer.
"Zuko…I don't know…"
Before she could make up her mind, he leaned down, softly kissing her lips. It was like a cool rain on a hot day. Every cell in him begged him for more, but he wouldn't force himself on her. Not after everything with Jet.
Slowly, he pulled away, trying to see her reaction. Katara blinked, causing the tears on her long lashes to cascade down her cheek to her neck. She didn't move forward, but she didn't move away.
Cautiously, Zuko leaned down again and kissed the tear from her neck, the saltiness lingering on his lips. When she didn't refute, he kissed her neck again, moving his hand to the small of her back, pulling her against him. He moved up her neck to her cheek, trying to control himself. She was intoxicating. Every inch of him wanted to explore every inch of her. Taking a deep breath, he pulled away.
"Don't." He heard her whisper. "Don't stop."
Burying his fingers in her hair, Zuko crashed his lips upon hers. Unlike before, Katara responded ferociously, lacing her fingers through his hair, pulling him tight against her. He gripped her body with both hands, pushing her back until she was against the wall. A soft moan escaped from her lips as he retreated down her neck once more, his hands feeling their way lower than before. When she didn't protest again, he gripped her thighs, causing her to gasp as he hoisted her legs up. She quickly wrapped them around his waist, clutching on to him like her life depended on it.
He pressed his body against hers. How long had he wanted this? Too long, he thought as his fingers brushed the hem of her shirt. Still fighting on whether he should move further or not, Katara decided for him, traveling her hands up his shirt, pulling it over his head with such force he stood still. Her cool hands on his flesh sent chills down his spine, allowing his hand to travel a little higher up hers as he kissed her once more. Her fingers danced across his skin, causing his self control to dwindle. Before he completely lost it, Katara pulled away, looking down at his chest. Breathing heavy, he watched her as she traced the muscles on his stomach. He was about to kiss her again when a look of concern passed over her face.
"What?" he said breathily.
"What happened?" she whispered. Zuko looked down to see her hand on a thick scar on his side. Irritated that the moment was gone, Zuko carefully let Katara down and put his shirt back on, keeping his back to her.
"Zuko, please," she asked desperately. "Talk to me."
It took everything he had not to walk away. He should have. Katara should never have to know what his life was like, into the dark secrets of the Lord family. But he knew if he ever wanted to be with her, truly be with her, she had to know.