A few days had passed since Shang and I had "gotten together," so to speak, and things seemed to be absolutely the same as they were before. Things were still awkward between us, but in a we-need-to-break-in-our-relationship kind of way. Shang hadn't even tried to so much as hold my hand yet. Every meal had continued to be uncomfortable, but I knew things would get better as time progressed.
I was currently back out at the pond with the turtle ducks: my new favorite spot. I found it very relaxing to be near the water… Yes, I know, I'm a waterbender. Oh, look, it's irony.
The turtle ducks quacked happily in the water as I watched them. Apparently, I had been so consumed in the turtle ducks that I hadn't heard Shang walk up, nor did I notice him until he sat beside me. I gave him a small smile in greeting.
"I've got a surprise for you… um, sort of," he told me with a sheepish smile.
"Oh?" I asked, curious.
"Yeah. Um," he paused for a moment to fiddle around in his pockets. "Close your eyes," he smiled.
"Really?" I questioned, not wanting to play this game.
"Yes, really," he confirmed.
"Fine," I sighed, obeying. I heard Shang's rustling and felt his hand take one of mine from my lap and unfold it, palm up. I kept my hand there as Shang pressed something warm and round into it, then closed my fingers around it.
"Can I open my eyes now?" I asked as he removed his hand.
"Yes," he allowed.
I opened my eyes and opened my hand to reveal a beautiful betrothal necklace. The pendant was made of silver: it was a crescent moon with the fire nation symbol to the right, almost inside the moon. The string that held it was blue and red. I marveled at it for a moment, astonished with its symbolism and beauty. It was then that I realized I couldn't speak, and I didn't want to try out of fear that my words would be complete gibberish.
"I, um… I made it myself," Shang admitted, producing a small flame from his hand like a torch. "I hope you, um, y'kno… like it." By this point Shang's face had turned red, and quite frankly I thought it was adorable.
"So…" I began. "Remember the deal?" I reminded him.
"Right." Shang took the necklace from me, looked me straight in the eyes and asked, "Jade, will you be mine, always and forever?"
Alright, so keep in mind that by this point my entire body was screaming so loudly that I could've turned into mush on the spot. So, I did the safest thing I could do: nod like an idiot.
Shang got behind me and tied the necklace around my neck. It felt slightly strange there. The metal weighed down my neck, but in almost a good way. I put my hand up to the pendant as Shang sat back down beside me. He opened his arms and offered me a hug and, awkwardly, I accepted it, ready for any new challenges that we may have to face in the future… together.