Chapter 10: Party time

Once again, Jet and Katara had returned from the village. It was sundown. They were tired and restless as they set their bags on the ground in Katara's room.

"Hey Katara? I want to ask you something." said Jet curiously.

"Yes?" Katara said looking up from rummaging through bags.

"Will you be my date for the party?"

Katara fakingly looked worried. "Well, I don't know.."

"Huh?" said Jet confused.

Katara laughed. "I'm just joking." She cleared her throat and then announced, "Yes Jet. I will be your date to the party."

Jet was delighted. "Now why won't you tell me what dress you got for the party?"

Katara smiled misheviously. "You'll see at the party."

Aang and Sokka:

"This is all too confusing! How did the soldiers find out that Haru murdered Tyro?" Aang asked impatiently.

Sokka stared at the ground, "I don't know Aang. We don't know all of that yet. But stop worrying we'll-"

Someone knocked on the door. Sokka couldn't finish his sentence. Before he could get up to answer it, someone called out from outside, "Invite for Avatar and friends!"

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled.

Toph got up and opened the door. "Yes?" she said.

"Invite for Avatar and friends. From the fire lord. He also wanted to inform you that Miss Katara is safe and that she is currently on his ship. She will be at the party. That is all." The soldier announced his little speech, handed Toph the invite, and got on his Ostrich-horse and rode away.

Toph sighed and closed the door. She muttered to herself, "Great. Another party." She walked over to Sokka and handed him the card. She started to walk to her room when Sokka called out, "Wait! Don't you want to find out what the party is for? This could be exciting."

Toph stopped in her tracks, not facing the gang. "I'll try to contain my joy." She walked away.

"Toph seems different lately." Hakuda said silently.

Sokka opened the envelope and scanned through it first. Then he informed the others. "Well it's a party from the fire nation to celebrate the 4 nations uniting. It's next week in the fire nation." He put the letter down. "I think we should go. It'll take our mind off of what's happening."

Aang and Hakuda agreed. "Yes. And we have to go anyways. We have to get Katara." Aang said happily. He couldn't wait to see Katara. He wanted to hug her and tell her that he loved her.

They all went their seperate ways, descending to go pack. Each one packed their best clothing. And Toph even packed a dress that she used to wear at her home.

Sokka arranged tickets for a boat and they were off into their journey.

Katara:

A week later, the party eventually arrived. The long, patient wait for them all was over. Katara was looking forward to going with Jet, and Aang was looking forward to meeting Katara. What was going to happen?

Katara grinned happily and scanned Jet up and down.

Jet loosened his tie. "Do I have to wear this Katara?" he said aggravated of his tie. Jet was wearing a black suit with a white tie. Katara even tried to comb his hair down but it was too hard so she just let it stay. But he looked great.

Katara frowned and adjusted his tie. "Yes Jet! For the fifth time, you have to. I picked it out for you and it's the latest fashion in guys these days. Something new that this old guy invented. What is it called again?" she thought for a second. "Oh yeah! A tuxedo. Nice name too. Come on Jet. It makes you look handsome." then she narrowed her eyes to Jet's face and tugged on his tie gently. "And my man needs to look good."

Jet smiled. "Now what are you wearing?"

Katara crossed her arms and answered. "Oh, something. You'll see." She walked away to her bathroom and giggled before closing the door.

Jet grinned to himself and sat down on his bed. About an hour later, Jet was almost falling asleep. "Katara! Are you done yet?" He called out for the ninth time.

The bathroom door finally opened and Jet gazed at Katara. His mouth was dropped opened and his eyes popped out.

Katara was wearing a green silk dress with a sky blue outlining. The sleeves went up to her hands and were long, japanese style. The style of the dress made Katara look like she wore a small jacket over her dress. But it was a mini sky blue jacket that barely went over her waist. But the green dress covered the rest of her body. Her shoes consisted of shiny green sandals that were flat. Her hair was let loose, down to her knees. It was straight and a blue clip was placed in the front on her hair. She looked gorgeous.

"Um, how do I look?" asked Katara nervously.

Jet blinked a few times with his mouth still open. He thought she was drop dead gorgeous. "Wow Katara. You-you look beautiful. Really pretty." He smiled comfortingly.

Katara's face lit up. "Really Jet?"

"Really." Jet said as he linked arms with Katara. "Shall we go?"

Katara laughed. "We shall."

Aang and Sokka:

Aang was tense and jumpy. He wanted to see Katara so badly. "Come on you guys! Are you ready yet?" he said impatiently.

Toph walked past Aang and sat down on the couch. Aang was surprised. She looked very beautiful. Toph's was wearing a green and white dress. He guessed it was one of her old formal dresses back from home. She had her hair up in a civilized bun, with her bangs actually pushed out of her eyes. Without her bangs covering her eyes, you could actually see the sorrow in Toph's eyes. It made you want to feel sorry for her.

Aang was about to compliment Toph when Sokka and Hakuda walked in. "Are you guys ready?" Both of them looked up and nodded. They exited the room that Sokka had they all had stayed in for the night. Sokka locked the room and they departed to go to the party. When they arrived, a lot of people had already came. The Earth King, King Bumi, Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors, and more. Azula had even tried to crash the party. But the tight security that Zuko had inspected himself was not welcoming to her. Iroh waved as she was thrown out.

Sokka rushed over to Suki while Hakuda met with Bato. Gran-Gran swatted Hakuda's arm for not coming to visit. Toph gloomily walked over to the punch bowl and sat down on a chair. Aang searched around anxiously for Katara but could not spot her.

The party was huge. Red and orange ribbons all over the ceiling, and flaming torches to light up the party. A red dragon was even put up, hanging onto the ceiling. At the very front of the Ballroom were two chairs for the Fire Lord and the Fire Lady. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Then Aang spotted her. Katara was sitting alone on a chair. She looked excited, but lonely. He was so happy and full of joy. Aang rushed over to her and called out, "Katara!"

She turned her head and a wide smile appeared on her face. "Aang!" she gave him a friendly hug. "How have you been?"

Aang smiled excitedly. "I've been great! What happened? Are you okay?" He asked patiently.

Katara laughed. "I'm fine Aang! I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for-" she stopped and smiled. "Here he comes."

Aang turned around and his smile widened. "Jet!"

Jet grinned and handed Katara her glass of punch. "Here you go Katara."

Katara blushed slightly. "Thanks." she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Aang stood there silently. His world suddenly fell apart. It was horrifying. Did Katara really kiss Jet? Was this a dream?

Jet smiled a friendly one to Aang. "How are you Aang?"

Aang shot a glare at him and muttered, "Fine, I guess."

"Aang! Guess what? Jet and I are going to make an announcement later on to everyone." Katara exclaimed. She completely forgot her feelings for Aang. In fact, she forgot that Aang even loved her.

"Uh-huh. That's nice." Aang said disappointingly. "I'll see you later." He turned around and shut his eyes. A tear fell down his cheek. She didn't love him. Everything was going wrong for him. Toph was even angry at him.

Aang sighed and walked miserably over to the punch table. Why was this happening to him? He could not believe that Katara was with Jet and not him. It was over.

"Got dumped by your girlfriend?" Aang was startled by the voice behind him. He spun around to find Toph with her arms crossed against her chest and leaning against the wall.

"Oh. Hi Toph." Aang said, unable to meet her gaze.

Toph rolled her eyes. "Twinkletoes, you're depressed again aren't you." she asked casually.

Aang watched Toph. She was staring straight ahead.

Aang closed his eyes and blinked away the tears. "Katara cheated on me Toph. She-she's with Jet now. I can't believe this." He slumped down on a chair. Toph stayed in her position.

"Does that ring a bell Aang? You did the exact same thing to me."