Title: 'U' is for Umbrella
Genre: Romance
Rating: K
Type: AU
Summary: "We get to be a regular family for the rest of the weekend?" Zhin asked happily.
Disclaimer: No, so don't sue. I've got enough on my mind without a lawsuit.
-
-
-
I let out a sigh of relief when the bell rang, signaling the end of the day. I, as well as the other twenty-five students in the class, gathered up my books and exited the room.
I pushed my way through the chaotic hallways, trying to get to my locker. I threw in my books and locked it, then pushed my way to the exit.
My eyes drifted out the window and I stopped when I saw the falling rain. The people behind me bump into me and then cursed my mother. So much good that did, my mother was gone and she wasn't coming back. NO one even knows if she's alive or not.
I should have brought the car today, but no, I had to walk. I could always ask Azula for a ride, but then I would have to live through Ty Lee hanging all over me. No thanks. I'd rather be struck by lightening where I stood.
I pushed through the crowd and went back to my locker, praying that I had an umbrella in there. I unlocked it and groaned when I realized I didn't. So, it looked like I was walking home in the rain…with no umbrella.
Oh yes, I was going to love it. It almost made me consider riding with Azula and her crazy friends. Almost being the key word.
By now, there were only one or two students lingering in the hallways, none of which I knew. I closed my locker, figuring I should get home before my uncle started to worry.
I was about a quarter of a mile from the school, when I heard someone call my name. I turned to find Toph Bei Fong walking behind me, carrying an umbrella over her head.
"Hello Toph," I said stopping and waiting for her to catch up with me.
"Hey Zuko. Why aren't you driving home today?" she asked.
"Forgot the car. I decided to walk to school this morning," I told her.
Toph and I had always been pretty close friends, but for some reason, we hadn't talked much over the past year.
"Wanna share?" she asked raising her umbrella so I could fit under too. She was so small, that her hand was level with her face.
"Thanks," I said standing next to her. "I'll hold it. I'm taller."
"Thanks," she smiled, handing it to me.
When her hand brushed mine, I felt the same tingle I always used to whenever I was around her.
"So how have you been over the past year?" she asked.
"Same as always," I told her. In actuality, I hadn't really been spending much time with other people. I didn't mind it much, but I knew better than to tell Toph. She hated when I was anti-social. "What about you?"
"Ah, same as always, except for the fact that Mom and Dad are trying to get me to go through eye surgery, but I don't want to. I'm happy with being blind," she said truthfully.
"They're trying that again? Didn't they try the same thing what, three years ago?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Well, I simply can't allow it. If you had the operation, my nickname wouldn't quite fit anymore would it, Blind Bandit?" I asked. It amazed me how easily it was for me to open up to her.
"You have a good point, Blue Spirit," she laughed.
Before I knew it, we were standing on Toph's porch.
"Well, I'll see you at school tomorrow," I said turning to go.
"Hey Zuzu wait," she said grabbing my arm to stop me from leaving. She held out her umbrella. "Take this."
"I can't," I objected.
"Sure you can. Just give it back at school," she said pushing it into my arm.
Before I thought about what I was saying, the words passed through my lips and were out in the open. "How about Friday…after a dinner and movie?"
"Like a date?" she asked with a grin.
"Yeah, I guess you could call it that."
"Okay," she agreed. "See you tomorrow at school."
"Still have the same cell number?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'll call you when I get home, like old times."
"Toph dear!" a voice called from inside. Poppy, I assumed.
"Gotta go," she told me.
"Tell Mrs. Bei Fong, I said hello," I told her before opening the umbrella and going down the steps.
"Coming Mother!" she called then turned and said, "Bye Zuko," with a smile before going inside.
-
-
-
So there's 'U'. So people lets put those thinking caps on because I REALLY need some ideas for 'X'. I can't think of anything, well not anything that would actually be interesting anyway. I would love it if somebody could help me out and give me an 'X' word.
Love you all so much!
(SPiKE)