The "New" Me

Chapter 13: The Spoils of Searching (after shopping)

I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, SORRY! I completely got wrapped up in my life here, I got busy with my church and being on the worship team and helping with kids and babysitting and finally going to a real school (I had been homeschooled for 7 years) that I never had any time to write about this. But now that I'm graduated (and can spell better and have better grammar) I can continue. I want to apologize to those who were following with this story cuz now you have to read a few chapters back to remember what the heck I was even writing about (I had to do the same) Well I'm sorry to keep you waiting for TWO WHOLE YEARS! –sobs- I'm SUCH A HORRIBLE PERSON!
Anyways, to the disclaimer!

I, songbird300038, do solemnly swear that I do not in any way own Avatar: TLA. Although if I did I would have so much fun screwing with people's heads! :D

Bee's POV

So after a long day of, what Katara seems to think is what a girl does best, shopping I was able to get entire new outfits. I got a several capri-style pants in thin, breathable, yet sturdy fabric in the colors black, hunter green, navy blue, and tan. Katara wanted me to try on pink but I had practically beheaded her when she even brought up that color. I got a few tank tops in black, white, lime green, and purple –the purple one was a tough sell because it was almost double what the others were but Katara insisted that it looked...how did she put it…amazingly fantastically great. I got the camo-cargo pants that I fell in love with which seemed to go with just about everything and I got some shorts in the same style. I bought some sturdy sandals with soles of a thin balsa wood and felt for work and a couple softer armadillo-bear skin moccasins for when I was at home or just out and about. Katara begged me to buy some sandals that were embellished with some polished stones and that had slight heels but I argued that I neither knew how to walk in those nor was I ready to dive off of Prissy Town's tallest cliff. She didn't like that comment very much. In grand total my shopping spree cost me 4 gold and 3 copper pieces. Katara didn't restrain herself from buying a few things as well.

While going from shop to shop I almost ran into Longshot – who happened to be conveniently in the marketplace—and blew my whole cover. Again I thanked the gods, or whatever force was out there, that being a Freedom Fighter had taught me to be aware of my surroundings. Although my skills have gotten rusty and my reaction time was slow I was still able to make up for my lacking areas with a quick mind and wit.

It was now sunset and I had to somehow return to my house in the slightly nicer part of the outer ring without my comrades noticing all of the shopping bags… this was going to be difficult. The set-up of the house made it so. My room was to the very back of the structure. To get to it I would have to pass the small kitchenette/dining room, the main room— where Longshot and Jet kindly slept to give me the small one-person bedroom with a small closet. There were also two extra dressers in my room so that Jet and Longshot could have somewhere to put away their clothes and belongings. It was easier that way since I was in charge of the laundry.
In my room I was also a curtain set up so I could change in more complete privacy, just in case one of the guys thoughtlessly walked in on me. Just to complete the house set up after the main room there was a small hallway that led to my room, on the left, there were a couple linen closets toward the middle of the hallway, opposite the doorway to the hallway, and then the bathroom on the right which was complete with a tub and a water pump to fill the tub, the sink, and the toilet. Only the houses in the middle and inner rings had running water.
So here I was about 3 sections away from my house and I had to think of a plan. With all the windows on the house I was bound to be spotted in a few minutes. I thought of maybe going from rooftop to rooftop but I decided against it since the bags would probably weigh me down so much.
Wait… why am I planning on sneaking in to my own house? I didn't commit a crime and I don't have to explain myself to them. They're guys! They wouldn't get it even if I took a day to explain. I'm just going to go straight to my room I thought proudly to myself. I continued to walk with purpose toward to my house and thinking how stupid I was to be worried about sneaking past Jet and Longshot, but as stupid as I was I couldn't keep myself from being nervous.
Nervous about what? I asked myself as I walked up to the front door and found myself face to face with the thing that I was nervous about—Longshot.

I couldn't keep myself from letting out an audible "oh" and I did everything I could from blushing from the close proximity. I could see by the expression on his face that it was just as awkward for him. A second was all it took for us to quickly jump back from each other.
"Hey, Longshot." I said, awkwardly attempting to conceal the bags in my hands and failing miserably.
"Where have you been?" He asked me half concerned and half confused at my attempts.
"I told you that I would be in the market place." I said trying to sound nonchalant.
"All day? Then sun has already set. It's dark. We were worried about you."
"I can take care of myself, thanks." I said trying to not sound indignant. I get around him to get in the house but he was blocking the door.
"Can I go in now? I need to get to my room. I'm tired and I feel like I need a bath." I said thrying to make and excuse to go straight to me room but it didn't see like it was going to happen because as soon as he moved to the side to let me in he announced that I had finally come home. He stressed the word and I almost cringed.
" Hey, Bee. Where have you been all day? You missed lunch. Longshot made your favorite." Said Jet with a slight smirk.
"I was at the market" I said again this time getting annoyed that I was being almost interrogated in my own home.
"Well it's a shame that you missed the meal. There's some left in the ice box. If you can warm it up on the stove. Good luck not burning it." Said Jet, being his normal, slightly-jerkish-yet-tolerable self. And with that he let me go and started chewing on a new piece of straw.

I was relieved that no one started asking me about all my bags and I ran to my room to put my clothes away and hang them before I had to iron them. I was proud of my new wardrobe and I wanted to take care of it. I admired my closet and closed the door in satisfaction. I got excited for part two of the make-over process. I went to sleep thinking about all or the possibilities that could happen tomorrow and I could only hope that Longshot would like the finishing result.

End of Chapter 13

Again, sorry for the really, really, uber long wait. Sorry for the short chapter. Please review and i will change some of the typos and grammar issues in the earlier chapters