This morning, time moved as slow as molasses. Katara picked up the picture carefully lying on her desk. She had been trying so hard lately to renew the friendship. And, almost every time, he rejected her, like a slap in the face. He was anything but the sweet boy she remembered himself as. Maybe it was time to take the hint.
She kept thinking about him as she changed for school. Would she give up on a friendship? No, especially if "Strength" was going to be successful. Best friends? Probably not going to happen. More than friends?
Katara paused, holding her pajamas in her hands. Then, snapping back to reality, she threw her clothes into the hamper as she opened her door.
Never.
xXx
The ringing bell announced the end of class. While everyone stood up, ten pounds of school supplies in their arms, the teacher reminded them, "Don't forget to read up on "Strength"! I expect everyone to have memorized at least the first three pages by Monday!"
Just as luck would have it, Katara dropped her binder at that very moment. "Crap," she murmured, bending down to retrieve it.
"No, Zuko! You must step up to the challenge. I chose this for you because I know you can do this if you allow yourself."
"Mr. Jong, please! You chose the wrong guy for this. Maybe the next play I can do male leading role- just not this one."
"You are the Blue Spirit, Zuko. No questions asked. Dismissed," he hissed.
Peeking from the side of her desk, she saw Zuko become very rigid, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. He spun on his heel and quickly withdrew himself.
Katara didn't have to think twice for his reasons.
xXx
"KYAH!" Katara lashed at the plush box with her arms. For once, Zuko was right- gym was the perfect place to come for AP. Her long hair was tired into a braid and two hair loops connected to said braid. Barely dressed in a white v-top that worked like a training bra and a white skirt with matching shorts underneath, she didn't care who walked in.
Or perhaps I said that too soon.
"Take a picture. It lasts longer," Katara snarled, her hands on her hips.
"Well forgive me for watching," Zuko turned on defense.
"You're forgiven."
"Oh my-" He threw his hands up into the air, turning to her sharply. "Okay, did I breathe your air today or something? Because I have no damn clue why you are so pissed at me!"
"Then get an effing clue, Zuko!" She was now very much in his face about it…literally. "You know, you didn't have to ask to have a different role; you could've just have been a man about it and said to my face that you didn't like me!" Her eyes stung with tears of frustration and hurt.
"I'm sorry, I thought you'd rather have Jet to practice with!" Katara opened her mouth to protest, but Zuko cut her off. "You know what, Katara? We used to be best friends when we were little. I was that boy in the picture." His golden eyes were sharp with pain. "We made a promise, Katara. That we would be friends forever. But we were ignorant fools. I was an ignorant fool for believing in you. Time changes things and people, and I've come to realize that happiness is brief. You know what?" He held up his hands in surrender as he walked backwards to the doors. "You win, Katara. Congratulations. I give up. And I never want to talk to you again." With those final words, again our phantom friend disappeared.
"Zuko!" Katara called after him, "ZUKO!"
But no response came. No response would ever come. Katara fell to her knees and began to weep.
….
…..
…..
…..
A slow, steady clap echoed throughout the gym.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
"Well done, well done! I must say, I don't think I've ever seen Zuzu so lit as now. You have a true talent there."
Katara refused to lift her tear stained, swollen red face. "What do you want, Azula? What could you possibly want with me now?" her voice broke.
"Oh, no, no, no, Katara. It's not what I want, you see. It's about what my friend here wants." With a serpent-like smirk on her face, Azula stepped aside to reveal a gothic Harajuku girl.
'Wow, what made her let herself go?' Katara pondered, but quickly the pieces fit together.
"Don't think this is the end of your torture, you freak," her eyes were narrowed and her voice was flat. "I will make you suffer for making Zuko break up with me."
"Mai, I had nothing to do with it," Katara pleaded.
"Shut up!" she screamed. "From now on, the rest of your high school years will be Hell, make no mistake about that, you scum." As the bitch clique walked by, Mai spat on her and Ty Lee just stuck out her tongue, shaking her bubble but as they left. Azula just relished in her fear.
Katara uncurled, refusing to give into to the pain. She slowed her breathing, wiping away the wasted water. Rising to her feet, she jogged to the girls' locker room, leaving the room very empty, just like her heart.
"I'm going to kill that boy," Sokka murmured as he retreated from the room.
"Hey, Sokka. What's up?" Aang piped, suddenly in his path.
"Move, Aang. I don't have time for this."
"Wait, Sokka," he said simply when the boy had roughly shoved him to the side by the shoulder. "I can tell that look on your face; you're going to be very violent. Let's try to solve this peacefully."
"Did he try to break Katara's heart peacefully? No! So leave me alone," he turned but was knocked off his feet.
"Sokka, listen to me! What will you be solving by starting a war with Zuko? Only more pain and suffering will come to you and those around you."
Sokka would not release his intense glare until he sighed, giving in. "You know, you should really learn how to stop talking. You sound like some old monk or something."
Aang smiled, helping Sokka up. "Go catch up with Suki. I'll meet you guys later at my place, 'kay?"
"Sure, whatever." Sokka nodded, returning to class.
Once he was out of the picture, Aang sighed heavily. "Okay, Zuko. Ready or not, here I come."
xXx
"x squared +5x-6. Come on, people, this is simple factoring," the teacher groaned.
Damnit! He promised himself- no, he assured himself- that if he got rid of Katara in his life, everything would be okay. Everything would be the way it was before. But, the fact was, it wasn't. He thought he would feel relieved; instead, he felt guilty. He thought she would be off his mind, but now she was there only more so.
What would it take for him to forget her?
xXx
"Hey, Zuko," Aang waved, catching up to him in step.
"Go away."
"Listen, I really need to talk to you about something-"
"If it's about Katara, count me out." Zuko never once looked back as he reached into his pants pocket to pull out his keys.
"No," Aang said quietly. "It's about Toph."
Zuko sighed, leaning all his weight onto the hand that rested on his car. "Look, Aang, I'm not the guy to go for girl advice."
"Well, we've been friends for a long time," Aang continued, ignoring him, "and…well, I'm starting to feel more for her. And she has been acting…weird lately, and I just don't know why. She barely acknowledges my existence. I got upset with her, but when I tried to reason with her, she'd blame me. So I went home to take my frustration out, and she visits me. Next thing I knew she's shouting at me and saying we can never be friends again. But, for some reason, I still like her, and I think the whole reason for her dropping by was to say she liked me. But now I'm not sure if she'll be willing to listen."
Zuko stood there a while, deep in thought. Finally, he spoke, "First, she needs to apologize. And, even if she's not willing to listen, tell her anyway. It's up to her whether she hears it or not; you've done the right thing."
Aang nodded, smiling. "You know, Zuko, you're better at this than you think. Catch you later!" With that, the brainy bald boy sped off.
Zuko got into his car and turned on the ignition. Suddenly, he slammed his palm into the steering wheel, yelling, "Damn it!"
He understood exactly what Aang meant. Toph was him, and Aang was Katara. Damn that pipsqueak, Zuko mentally cursed all the way back to Iroh's house.
xXx
The darkness wrapped around him like a familiar motherly embrace. What if what Aang had said was true? What if Katara did like him? Her heart would've been strangled and smashed to bits if that were the case…
Zuko shook his head. There was no way he could've caused that much pain to her. No way, no how. Who was he kidding? He had chewed her up and spit her out. Oh, poor Katara…
As Zuko buried his face in his knees, the molten lava that had hardened around his heart slowly started to flake.
xXx
Numb. All of the raging emotions inside her had come to a numbness. Katara didn't know what to think, what to feel. Should she tell him she remembered him, too?
"Katara, someone's here to see you," Hakoda called.
"I'm busy. Go home," Katara said in a pained voice.
The doorknob turned slowly, and the door allowed the guest to enter into the room of sorrow.
Katara lifted her face from the soaked pillow. "Jet," she choked out, immediately jumping off the bed and running into his arms.
He hugged her, using a hand to stroke the top of her head, coaxing her. "Shh, Katara, it's okay. I heard what happened, and I'm here for you." He wrapped his arms tighter around her.
"Oh, great, so everyone knows."
"Yeah, that Zuko was a real jerk." He cupped her chin with his fingers, tilting her face up to meet his eyes, "You want me to kick his ass, babe?"
"No. Also, I'm not your "babe"." At this, she shoved him away, keeping a good distance between them.
"Katara, I know you're hurt and scared. What that boy did to you is unforgivable." He walked up to her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. She was back up completely against a wall. One of his hands moved to cup her cheek, fingers barely brushing her flesh. "You can trust me, Katara. I promise I won't ever hurt you," a thumb rubbed away a stray tear, leaning in close to her cherubic face, "Tears of an angel," he whispered, placing his lips gently on her cheek. He locked his deep, dark eyes with hers before he withdrew himself. "I'm always here for you, Katara. Forget about him. You'll never have to worry about him again." Jet gave her one last hug before he exited the house.
Katara sat on the edge of her bed, completely overwhelmed. His voice whispered sweet promises, and she knew only one in a million guys would do that for a girl. The freshman girl realized she had two paths in front of her; Zuko, forgive him, and apologize on her behalf for being upset with him. Hopefully if and when they became more than friends, she would just have to hope he's not the jerk he is now.
Jet: A sweet guy who gave her first kiss, who saved her life, whom was always there for her. And not a jerk, at least not yet.
The decision had to be made between the two fierce predators. It was time for her to choose the dragon or the lion.
xXx
"Please, I wish not to be disturbed," Zuko griped at te rapping on his door.
"But, my nephew, I brought tea!!" Iroh smiled, dancing his way in. "Take one; you know you want to," the old man persuaded, wiggling his eyebrows.
The angsty teenager sighed, accepting the tea with graciousness. "Thank you, Uncle," he murmured, sipping lightly at the hot drink.
"Zuko, why do you look so down?"
More sighing ensued. "Just a girl, Uncle. Just a girl."
"Just a girl, eh?" Iroh sat closer to him. "This may not be any of my business, but ever since Katara re-entered your life, you've been changing for the better, my nephew; changing back into the sweet young boy you were a long time ago." He looked up to meet Zuko squarely in the eyes. "Zuko, never give up on something that once made you smile nor you can't go a day without thinking about."
And Zuko would ponder on his Uncle's advice until dawn broke.
xXx
Zuko made his decision.
Katara made hers.
Now, what would it all come to?
A/N: I was actually pretty happy with this chapter, considering I did it while I was in bed sick this week. Also, another note, Love of a Beast is under construction, so get ready to read it as it is going to be better than ever; I hope you'll love it even more. Do not fret; summer vacation draws near, and I plan to catch up on my stories. Happy reviewing!