Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA.

Thanks to Infinite Katalyst, Aiedail4eva, Rainproof Coyote, PrincesaDeFuego, Shadowhunter69, WildCitrusSunflower and Chasingmydreams09 for your amazing reviews.

The days pass with frustrating monotony and I begin to long for Zuko's company once more. I feel like we have connected in some way or another. For instance, our moms are both absent from our world; my beloved mom is smiling down upon us from the spirit world, urging us to continue when life gets difficult or so I imagine. And Zuko's mom is either dead or banished. I know that this isn't enough to base a friendship off but he also happens to be incredibly witty, which is something I appreciate.

Zuko has been most definitely avoiding me on purpose and it is aggravating me, knowing the cause of his perpetual elusiveness so I do something, that on hindsight I am quite ashamed of.

I venture into the boys' locker room after their physical education class, bracing myself to expect the worst. For the love of La, I beg you to be clothed! The moist, muggy air hits me at once. Clearly, they were in the middle of their 'bathing' ritual…

Zuko informed me that he has physical education during this period…. Foolish Zuko. Now, I am going to make you talk to me whether you like it or not.

As I slip through the ajar door, my eyes widen in bewilderment. There are naked (fit) bodies everywhere…. Oh dear Tui, why do boys walk around naked after bathing? Couldn't they at least wrap a towel around their waist? I mean, us girls don't feel the need to walk around stark naked…. At this very moment, the populace suddenly seems to realise a girl has stepped into their midst but for the vast majority, I don't see the boys scrambling frantically for any kind of material to wrap around their midriff.

"Ah, a girl!"

"What is she doing here?"

"She does realise that we are naked, right?"

I roll my eyes at that idiotic remark… no guys, I am stupid, and I didn't notice your total lack of clothes.

My heart pumps faster and I am almost certain that my cheeks are red to rival the flames of fire. I really didn't think this through. I mean, I do understand that these boys are attractive… I am not blind…. Oops, I am such a horrible human being. I offer a silent prayer to the gods in hope that they will forgive my offensive thought. When I next see Toph, I will apologise to her!

I am so busy apologising in my own head, that I almost forget I am standing in the middle of the large, smelly locker room the boys occupy. I mean, seriously have you not heard of this great new invention called deodorant that was invented two years previously? Here, I will introduce you. It was made from the crushed leaves of the jojoba plant, which resides in the deepest, darkest Earth Kingdom jungles.

A water droplet hits me. And another one. I sigh in frustration…just because the vast majority of these boys are firebenders, does it really mean you can blast everyone out with this ridiculous heat?

This is getting out of control. My blue summer garment is becoming completely saturated…not the most ideal situation in a boys' locker room...

All of a sudden, I spot a familiar head of shaggy black hair and a glint of gold eyes. I stamp over to him at once.

"Zuko, I know that you are avoiding me…"

I slowly trail off, as I realise this huge hulk of a man is definitely not Zuko. He is too bulky for one. His biceps are probably bigger than his IQ. And for another, he is completely naked. Completely naked.

I gulp. What did I get myself into?

"I am not Zuko," he responds in a high pitched voice which is completely out of proportion from his ridiculously buff body that I almost laugh. Almost, because he is probably insecure about it and I didn't want to tease him for being insecure. I am not a female dog.

By now, my face is bright red and is slowly on the verge of turning purple.

"Um…could you tell me where he is?"

He doesn't answer but simply points into the near distance. To be honest, I commend him on his observational skills. The condensation in here is unreal. I don't know how any of the guys can see two steps in front of their nose. I for one almost fell in the door of the locker room.

"Um…thanks."

He grunts in response which I assume is my cue to make a hasty departure.

I all but run into Zuko in my rush.

"Katara," he says while smiling.

His eyes close and then open rapidly once more.

"Katara, what are you doing in the boys' locker room?" he asks, a tone of desperation evident in his voice.

Zuko seems to be partaking in the male habit of walking around naked. Not that I don't appreciate the view, but I don't like to admit it. It isn't classy. Also, I am thankful for the thick mist that envelops the room so it kinds of blocks the full extent of his body and hides my blush efficiently.

"You have been avoiding me, haven't you?"

"Umm…no, what would make you think that?" he asks uneasily, laughing nervously.

Silly boy. He has just confirmed my suspicions.

"You have! I know it!"

And with that, I drag Zuko by the ear out of the locker room with the constant chorus of Zuko's "Ow, ow, ow's" and the catcalls of the idiot boys.

Finally! My laptop is back and I was so happy, I decided to write this chapter. I realise that it is extremely short and the quality is terrible but I tried my best.

Please read and review :)