SCHOOL
It was the first day of school.
Azula was nervous. She hated the idea of being scared. Her grandfather and father said that fear was for the weak, and her mother said it was natural to be afraid. Therefore, Azula refused to show her nerves at all costs.
Even when she had to lie down on the floor and stare at the ceiling and try to take deep breaths, she pretended that all was well.
Her mother had to drag her from the palace. She was running out of lies by the time she ended up at school.
People stared at her. Why would they not? She was a princess and they were all pathetic nobles. None of them approached her out of their own fear, and Azula tried to take it as a compliment. She liked being scary, even if she did not like walking alone.
A girl came up to her before they began class. She smiled…
And hugged Azula. The princess thought she might burn her, but she met the eyes of the girl with the braid.
"Let's be best friends," said the stranger.
Azula had no response to that.
She just shrugged and nodded.
