June 11, 2012

"Okay I'll get the blankets," Suki chirped.

"No everyone should get their own,"Mai contended.

"It's fine." Suki walked off.

"I brought the fishing net!" Sokka held up the woven ropes.

"Sokka. We could just bend the fish out of the water," Aang laughed.

"Whatever." Sokka threw up his hand walked down toward the beach with his net dragging behind him. Everyone wore short robes and sleeveless tops. Toph was practicing sand bending while Mai made sure everyone had what they needed. Sokka was halfway across the beach spreading out the blankets that Suki had brought. She could hear Momo overhead teasing the birds. She was pretty sure one tried to bite him when he landed in Mai's hair.

"Ugh. What is that!" Mai grabbed at Momo as he dodged her hands while the bird still terrorized him. He leapt off in a mad dash to find Appa. "What are you smiling at?"

"Oh nothing," Toph replied still grinning from ear to ear.

"C'mon Toph, let's help Suki set up," said Katara.

"Nah, I'm guna go bury Sokka, he won't know what's coming," Toph grinned.

"Fine." Katara started walking off toward the beach blankets. She felt weird being around Mai and she felt even more on edge around Toph because she knew. Katara was afraid either of them would let it slip. Or worse the gang would be able to figure it out. She decided she would stay far away from Zuko, they would never become a couple anyway. But she couldn't help to think what it would be like to be Fire Lady.

"Hey Katara! Can you bring me that basket with the plates in it?" Suki was dressed in a pinkish wrap top with matching cut off pants, her hair had grown slightly past her shoulders.

"Yeah sure."

"I can't believe there's only three weeks left until we all go our separate ways. It's exciting and kind of heart breaking at the same time." Suki was strategically staking torches in the sand for when it became darker. The sun wouldn't set until nine o clock. Katara pressed her lips together, she had so much to say but couldn't say it. "I mean we all just got together with no down time. It's crazy, then we all have to split up again. It's not fair. But I think what I'm going to do is go back to Kyoshi Island for a week then meet up with Sokka in Ba Sing Se. Then we'll go to the North Pole together."

Suki sighed but it was more with bliss than anguish. Katara felt a pang of jealousy that she had someone who she could openly love. Then Katara felt the guilt crawl up since her predicament was her own doing, maybe she should just stick with Aang. It seemed like the right thing to do. But it didn't feel right.

"Katara?" Suki asked loudly.

"Hmm, what?" Katara bit the inside of her cheek. Way to be smooth.

"I just asked, 'What are you and Aang going to do?' You know at the end of the month?" Suki smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. Katara's stomach knotted up, afraid that Suki might be wary that something wasn't quite right.

"Oh, well. We haven't decided. He might stay here or go to Ba Sing Se with Toph since it needs the most repair. I really want to go to the South Pole. I need to see Gran Gran and be somewhere where I'm not always so sweaty. I mean I feel like I'm cooking."

Suki's eyes warmed again and they animatedly talked about the weather. Crisis diverted... for now.

Katara saw Mai walking over to them and looked for Toph or Sokka. Sokka was fishing far to the left with Aang & Toph. Katara start walking their way, trying to make a quick escape. It would be awkward enough later to see her and Zuko together.

"Hey Suki, hi Katara." Mai smiled showing her teeth trying to be friendly. It was a nice smile but somehow disconcerting on Mai. "Do you two need any help?"

Katara was about to say she was going but Suki chimed in, "Actually yeah, you can help Katara peel the corn?"

Well thanks, Suki, for being a team player. This was just great.

"Uhhh yeah sure we can do that," Mai showed that smile again. "So how do you 'peel' corn?"

"You grab a bunch of the leave and pull down to the bottom, kind of like peeling a banana." Katara demonstrated.

"Oh. Why doesn't the kitchen just do this?" Mai asked.

"Becuase it's just easier if we do it ourselves," Suki replied.

"Well, no it's-" Mai began. then quickly said, "Yeah you're right."

Mai seemed like she was trying hard to fit in with them like she wasn't herself. She seemed stand-offish.

Suki tried to break the tension, "So how are you and Zuko doing? Any plans of a wedding? You two have been together for a while now."

"Umm. No. We've been fine." The way Mai said it seemed forced like she was caught somewhere between a lie and the truth. The she genuinely said, "Neither of us are ready for a wedding."

"Oh well. That's alright. As long as of both you know where you two are in your relationship then that's great." Mai pursed her lips when Suki said that last part. Suki continued, "Since we're on the subject. I didn't want to tell anyone to bring bad luck or jinx it. But I think Sokka is going to propose!"

"Oh my gosh! That's great Suki! When will the wedding be-" Katara started excitedly.

"Shh. Don't tell anyone. I only told you two."

"Secret's safe with me," Mai said in her normal sulky voice. She added, "Congrats."

"Thanks fingers crossed."

The three were quiet for the rest of the time. Sokka, Aang, and Toph trudged up from the waves. Their calves were plastered with sand and their faces looked slightly burned as the sun was starting to make its way over to the west. Judging from its location it was about six thirty.

"Hi," Sokka kissed Suki's cheek.

"You got your butt whooped. Admit it," Aang smiled at Toph.

"Shut it Twinkle Toes or I'll really show you how to whoop butt," Toph plopped on the blanket and crossed her arms.

Aang sat next to Katara, he explained, "She's just mad because she was beat at sand ball."

"Oh wow. Didn't think that could happen," Katara chuckled. Aang looked down at the sand.

Looking up with less cheer, he asked, "So how was your day?"

Toph's shoulders stiffened for a brief moment. Katara replied, "Uneventful. Just hung out with Toph all day."

"Oh. Cool. Hey Mai, when's Zuko coming?"

"He should be here soon."

Sokka asked, "Did he know you were coming?"

Mai simply said, "No. I thought it'd be better if I surprised him."

"Oh I bet he'll be real happy when he sees you," Suki winked. Sokka looked puzzled at that exchange.

Sokka helped Suki set up the fire pit with firewood that Aang and Toph had gathered. Aang lit it with firebending. Suki started by roasting the corn that the girls had peeled previously.

"Hey everybody." Zuko had appeared out of nowhere wearing a sleeveless red shirt and black pants. Katara tried not to focus on his muscled arms. Everyone said hello. "Mai, I thought you were coming back in a week. "

"Hi. I decided to come back early," Mai smiled and walked over to hug him. Katara heard him say, 'I missed you.' As Mai pulled back, Zuko leaned in to kiss her but she quickly kissed him on the cheek instead. Katara wondered why Mai cut the embrace short if they hadn't seen each other in so long.