Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls…
I present to you:
THE BENDING BOARDING SCHOOL MOVIE!
Starring:
Katara Aqua
Aang Juang
Sokka Aqua
Toph Bei Fong
Suki Kyoshi
Moto Aqua
Zuko Wang
Mai Chang
Ty Lee Yang
Yoshetsu Aqua
Azula Wang
and
Momo! (not really. just for fun)
This special is now open to the general public of fan fiction but you MAY NOT copyright my story BBS. You MAY NOT copy and paste this story AT ALL. But most importantly, I DO NOT own Avatar the Last Airbender or any of the characters from the show, or any franchise, place, etc mentioned in this "film".
Aang's POV:
The heat was unbelievable. From rainy February and cool March, we crashed into hot, sweaty April. Where did the good times of staying indoors during gym go? Where did the cozy fireplace in the lobby go? But where did all energy we know and love go? All around, students trudged through the crowds, not even acknowledging the fact they bumped into someone else. But, if someone did notice, the heat would cause a fight like in Romeo and Juliet when Mercutio got killed by Tybalt. Don't worry, no one dies in the rumbles. Usually, a tired teacher shows up and breaks the fight apart before it gets to bad.
Uniforms changed for the heat. The sweater vests were no longer worn. It was just the button-up, short-sleeved shirt and tie, which hung loose around the necks of students. Boys and girls untucked their shirts. Boys had received khaki shorts but girls kept their skirts, however the skirts' length had been shortened.
Students usually hung around the grass during free periods or lunch. Sometimes under the shade of trees, by the little river that passed through the grass from the private park. Earthbenders bended up square earth tents. If Waterbenders were in the group, they froze ice on the ceiling inside. As it melted, the water dripped down onto the occupants, cooling them off.
The only safe place in school was the dorms, nurses office, Great Hall, the inside of the gym, and classes. Today, I think, is going to be a long day.
-BBS!-
My iPod woke me up as it blasted Hey, Soul Sister, my current favorite song. I groaned, my mattress drenched in my sweat. I looked up and saw Zuko fiddling with the AC. Sokka was fanning himself with one of Suki's fans, shirtless. Moto was cooling his neck with bag of ice and Yoshetsu was drying his hair with an extra towel (he had just came out of the shower). I ran a hand through my sweaty hair and bended up the mattress sweat into a glass on the table by the computer. Aang and I have been using that for the sweat stuck to the mattresses in the room. Bending up and in.
"Damn it!" Zuko snarled, pounding a fist onto the AC. "It's busted!"
"It must be because everyone in the dorm is using the AC," Moto said, moving the ice to his head. "I wonder if the girls have this problem."
"Shouldn't we be getting ready for school?" Yoshetsu asked, pulling on a pair of shorts.
"Yeah," Sokka agreed, now grabbing his shirt and tie.
Zuko and I followed their lead. We hung our ties loose and grabbed our backpacks.
"Wait," Sokka called and grabbed the glass by the computer.
"Er- Sokka. That's not-," Moto began but Sokka began to drink our sweat mixed together.
"That's our sweat, idiot!" Zuko shouted.
Sokka gagged and spit it up, coughing. Despite the heat, I couldn't help but laugh at him. He glared at me as he wiped his mouth. We walked out of the room after he took a refreshing glass of pure water. The hallway was cool and carpeted. Toph and Katara were just exiting their dorm, looking pink in the face and a little disgruntled.
"What's wrong with you two?" Sokka asked as he locked our door.
"The stupid AC is dying. We need to call the AC paramedics," Toph said, smirking.
"The janitor?" Zuko said.
"Shut your stupid remark, Scarface," Toph snarled suddenly. "I'm in no mood for you back talking me."
"Whoa, hey," I said, holding my hands up chest length. "Where'd that come from?."
"Toph, relax," Katara said, shutting the door.
"Where're the other gals?" Moto asked.
"Still getting ready," Toph replied as we walked down the hall.
After we reached the lobby and opened the doors, a blast of heat greeted us. We groaned as we walked unsteadily to the Great Hall. We entered it and felt relief as clumsy coolness swept over our bodies unevenly, for the doors were still open. We strode to our usual spot and sat down, pulling a few breakfast items in front of us. Mai, Ty Lee, and Suki soon came over, sitting uneasily and taking anything they could.
"I hate this weather," Toph said, her mouth full of toast.
"I hate it too," Katara said, playing with her milk, bending it around in the glass.
"Hate isn't a word you usually throw around," I said to her.
"Hate is a strong word so I have strong feelings towards this weather," she said simply.
The bell rang and we groaned.
Homeroom: Bending Class- Moto, Katara, me.
It was a paradise walking into the Waterbending class. It was mostly ice and water. It was cold and perfect. We threw our bags in the corner and stood in our practice spots, waiting for Master Pakku. The other Waterbenders came in, tossing their bags, and standing in place. Finally, Pakku walked in wearing a blue Tiki shirt and white shorts. Katara giggled and turned to me.
"Gran bought him that outfit years ago for his birthday," she said, covering her mouth to stifle the giggling. I had to admit, he did look pretty funny in shorts and the ridiculous shirt.
"Alright, class," Pakku said, standing before us. "Today, we're just doing regular drills. Partner up and begin."
Katara and I paired together and Moto paired up with a boy named Katsu. We all got into our stances. Pakku signaled us and we began to practice. Katara brought her hands forward and moved the water gracefully to me. I caught it and pulled it to my body by moving my hands towards my chest. We continued on like this over the course of Homeroom.
"I've had enough of this stupid heat wave," Katara told me, moving the water in a spiral by her side and then passed it to me.
"Me too," I replied, doing the same move.
"Can't we just live in an area that has normal weather?" she asked hypothetically.
"I hate California," I said. "We have bipolar weather."
"Yeah, we do. It's dumb."
"I wish that the pool was open for students today."
"Why isn't it open?"
"Swim team. They have 'practice all after school'."
Katara rolled her eyes. "Practice my butt. They're just gonna relax and taunt everyone else who can't use the pool."
"Here, here," I agreed.
The bell rang after a few more drills and we got into a rest position, bowed to each other, grabbed our bags, and walked to the area next door.
Toph's POV
Period One: P.E.- Katara, Aang, Yoshetsu, Ty Lee, me.
After we changed into our gym clothes, Katara, Ty Lee, and I trudged outside and, once again, were greeted with a full blast of smothering heat. We walked to the spot where we meet the Boulder for class. He walked out and called for our attention.
"Alright, everyone. The Boulder knows you're tired and he also knows that you don't want to run. So, the Boulder will respect this and send you into the gym to play basketball," he said.
Everyone in the class sighed in relief and walked into the gym. We spotted Sokka and Suki playing basketball with Mai and Moto. We ran over to join them. The teams were: Me, Aang, Katara, and Mai versus Moto, Sokka, Ty Lee, and Suki. Yoshetsu was on the sidelines as the referee.
"Ready to get beat?" Katara grinned, dribbling the ball through her legs skillfully.
"Yeah right!" Sokka said, smirking. "I'm on the basketball team, lil' sis. I'm gonna win."
"Ten bucks says you don't!" Katara bet.
"Deal!" Sokka agreed. "First to ten points. Counting by ones."
Katara passed to me and I moved towards the basket. Suki got in front of me but I tossed it to Aang, who jumped up and tossed the ball into the net.
"One point Katara's Team," Yoshetsu said, grabbing the ball.
He threw it to Sokka, who passed it to Suki. The game went on like this until we scored ten points and Sokka's team had nine. Sokka swore like a sailor and threw down the ball.
"We win!" I chanted, dancing around Snoozles as he gave Katara ten bucks.
Sokka mumbled something about a rematch. Katara grinned and said, "You're on!"
The rest of the period had the two siblings playing one on one. Sokka eventually won the last game as The Boulder called everyone to the locker room to change. We bid the boys goodbye and strode into the cool girls locker room.
After we changed, we trudged outside. Next period was going to be hell.
Aang's POV
Period 2: History- Ty Lee, Katara, Yoshetsu, Toph and I.
We walked into Prof. Kwan's room and sat in our seats. She was writing on the ancient chalkboard, that evil ruler in her hand. She turned to us as the bell rang. Her hawk-like eyes swept over us, giving me chills. I don't like history class. I really don't.
"Good morning class," Kwan said.
"I don't see what's so good about it," Toph grunted.
"Ms. Bei-Fong, don't mouth off," Kwan hissed.
"What?" Toph said. "It's about a million degrees out."
Kwan glared at her. "Anyway. We have studied a lot on ancient history and we have covered US history but now we will cover… Avatar history."
Her mouth twitched unpleasantly as I grinned. Now this is something that can bump my D to a B in no time. Katara nudged me and I turned to her. She smiled and nodded knowingly. I nodded back.
Kwan turned to the board and slapped the ruler onto a word that read: "Avatar Fae".
"Can anyone tell me," she said, "who this Avatar is?"
I raised my hand along with Katara.
"Ms. Aqua?" Kwan hissed, ignoring my hand altogether.
"Avatar Fae was the first Avatar ever created by the Spirits. She was an Airbender Avatar," Katara said.
"Correct," Kwan said, writing down the facts Katara had just stated.
"Excuse me?" Toph said, raising her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Bei-Fong?" Kwan said, not turning to face her.
"Are we going through every single Avatar?" Toph asked. "I mean, I've heard there are over thousands of them."
A ripple of murmuring went about the class. Kwan paused.
"We will only be studying the ones who have made many positive influences on the world. Ones that have changed the world. For example," Kwan said, turning back to the class. "Avatar Fae changed the world just by becoming the first Avatar. When she was born, the world focused on Energybending, an ancient bending technique that is no longer existent, and the world was in chaos. So the spirits created an Avatar, who mastered the Elements of Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. At that time, those Elements were obsolete. But then Fae took control and Energybending was wiped out. Then, the Avatar cycle began.
"When Fae died, the next Avatar came, and then the next one, and so on. These Avatars protect and stop all wars in the world and brings peace and balance. This week, we will be studying two major Avatars. Fae and, the Avatar after her, Chen. Your assignment this week is to study the most important things these two Avatars did. Everything and anything significant. At the end of the week, we will write a short essay on these two Avatars."
Ty Lee raised her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Yang?" Kwan said.
"Will this be how we'll spend the rest of these classes until the last day of school?" Ty Lee asked.
"Actually, we will be studying Avatars for only five weeks. Then we will move on to other topics. Any other questions?" Kwan said, her eyes sweeping the room again.
No one spoke or raised a hand. She seemed satisfied but then Katara raised her hand.
"Yes?" Kwan said, her eyebrows furrowing a little.
"Will we be studying the five recent Avatars?" Katara asked.
"Five?" Kwan said, looking slightly surprised.
"Yes- well," Katara said. She stopped for a second but blushed a deep shade of pink. "Um. Five. Right- Avatars Yangchen, Kuruk, Kyoshi, Roku, and…" She murmured something inaudible.
"And what?" Kwan said, approaching the desk.
"You know what," Katara said. "It's stupid. He hasn't done anything yet so…"
"Were you hoping your boyfriend would get a special Avatar treatment?" Kwan hissed. "You are correct though. Aang hasn't done one significant thing so no. We will not be studying him nor his accomplishments. But he has none so there would be no need to study them."
Kwan turned and strode back to the board as some of the class glared after her.
"Open your text books to page 394 where we will discuss Avatar Fae's first accomplishment on capturing…," Kwan began.
I looked at Katara worriedly. She wouldn't make eye contact with me. Katara was obviously embarrassed. Toph was on Katara's right and she nudged her. Katara looked at her and Toph nodded at me. She glanced at me and I smiled reassuringly.
"Thanks," I said, moving my hand over hers.
She smiled too.
"Relax, Katara," Toph said. "Kwan is just being a bitch."
"Toph!" Katara and I hissed in unison.
"What?" Toph growled. "She is!"
"Not the point," said Ty Lee, who was on Toph's right. "There's no excuse for that kind of language."
"Ahem?" Kwan said from the front.
We all looked at her and she snarled.
"Turn to page 394," she said.
Sokka's POV
Lunch! Finally!
I exited out of my English class and into the heat, Moto, Suki, and Mai following me. Nothing too exciting happened in class today. Yeah, that's right all of you readers out there! You're just following the little freshman around class.
Anyway, we trudged through the hot wind and into the cool great hall. We were the first ones at our table. Moto, Mai, and I walked over to the lunch receiving area. I grabbed a lunch for me and Suki and the two others got their own lunches. We sat back down as the five freshman walked in, looking tired. Toph threw her bag onto the table and sat next to Moto. Katara and Aang sat across from them, next to me and Suki. Zuko, who just walked in after the freshman, joined Mai and they sat across from us. Ty Lee and Yoshetsu sat across each other.
When everyone got their lunches, we still had an hour until the next bell. When we were halfway done eating, we had thirty minutes. Toph leaned her back against Moto and unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her deep green bra.
"Toph, what the hell?" Katara said.
"It's hot, Sugar Queen," Toph said. "I am also hot… in both ways. So, therefore, I will unbutton by shirt so my body can breathe."
"It is kinda hot," Moto said softly, grabbing some fries and eating them.
Aang shrugged and mumbled something that sounded like, "I've seen hotter."
I saw his face glow red.
"Explain," I demanded him.
"What?" Aang stuttered.
"Hotter? Whom have you seen hotter?"
Katara blushed and turned her head to face the door and Aang gulped.
"Sokka," Suki said. "Let it go. What do you expect? They like each other. I highly doubt Aang has seen less than her bathing suit let alone her bra."
"Damn, this story is getting pretty teenager," Mai said and Zuko laughed.
"Yeah, thanks a whole lot for maturing, ATHPluver," I mumbled. "Anyway, Aang- seriously!"
"C'mon, Sokka!" Katara growled, turning to me. "Like you can Suki haven't done anything like that."
"Anything like what? I don't even know what you and Aang do!" I snapped.
"Is this really starting because I just unbuttoned my shirt?" Toph asked openly but we ignored her.
"All Aang and I do is kiss," Katara said. "Nothing more."
"No, no!" I said, shaking my head rapidly. "You said 'anything like that'. So you obviously did something at least once!"
"I'm talking about seeing a bra," Katara said, now looking unimpressed at my findings.
"Seriously, just because I unbuttoned my shirt, there's an argument going on?" Toph said. "Damn, I didn't mean to be like that. But I can't help it. I'm totally irresistible!"
Aang, Mai, and Zuko snorted. Ty Lee giggled and Yoshetsu chuckled. Moto shrugged and grinned.
"I think you are," he said to Toph simply.
She blushed. "Thanks a lot."
The bell rang before we could continue arguing. Finally! A class we all had together!
Period 3: Drama- The Whole Gang.
We jumped up and walked into the heat and then inside the classroom. Rehearsal for Wicked was scheduled for later so we were just having a hang out day. Now you're probably wondering, what I the world were Zuko, Mai, and Yoshetsu doing if they weren't in the play? They're actually helping set up and lights and stuff like that. We sat in the seats set up in front of the mini stage, where Ursa was placing props. When the second bell rang, she turned to us, smiling.
"Okay, today we'll be doing improv. Can anyone tell me what that is?" she asked.
Most of the class raised their hands, including our group minus Toph, Yoshetsu, and me.
"Aang?" Ursa called.
"Improv is acting without a script and sometimes without instruction or dialogue," Aang said and Ursa nodded.
"Correct," she said. "Now, today we'll be doing a few games with improv. Would anyone like to come up and do Bus Stop? I need four people."
No one seemed to sap up the courage except me, Katara, Toph, and Aang. So she beckoned us forward. We walked onto the stage and stood before the class.
"Bus Stop," Ursa said, "is the improv game where there are four people waiting for a bus and they each have one word. If their word comes up in the middle of the conversation, they have to make up an excuse to leave. If their word comes up again, they have to make another excuse why they're returning. Got it?"
Everyone nodded.
"Okay, Aang, Katara, Toph," she said. "Step out please so I can give Sokka his word.
They walked out of the class and she told me my word: stop. I then walked out and Katara received her word, then Toph, then finally Aang. He came and got us from outside and we all sat down on the four chairs on the stage.
"And, action," Ursa said, pointing to us.
"Soooooo," Toph said. "Watcha guys waiting for?"
Katara stood up quickly. "Um- I have to go and check my… fish bowl?"
Aang stood up too. "I gotta leave too and watch a parade."
They both ran off in opposite directions, leaving me and Toph confused.
"Um… okay? That was random. So, where're you heading?" Toph asked me.
"Oh, I'm waiting for the bus to China Town," I said and Katara came back.
"I just realized I didn't have a fish bowl… or a fish," Katara said.
"Cool," Toph said, nodding.
"Looks like this rain," I said, indicating the ceiling. "Isn't going to stop."
Aang walked back over. "Hey! The parade stopped so."
I stood up. "I need to go and eat something! I'm starving!"
I ran over to the side.
Katara and Aang exchanged glances and Toph raised her eyebrows after me.
"He really had to go eat something, huh?" she said to Aang.
"Yeah!" he said, jumping up. "I need to eat too."
And he went off to the other side, leaving Toph and Katara alone.
"So, are you heading somewhere interesting?" Katara asked.
"No, I'm just going to my grandmas," Toph said and Aang walked back over.
"My stomach is full," he said, sitting back down. "But it was hard to stop eating that food."
I ran over and also sat. "Yeah, that food was really good."
Toph jumped up. "Gotta go wash my bird."
"Yeah," Aang said, jumping up. "I should buy a bird."
"Go," I said, smirking.
Aang came back.
"Go, go, go, go, go!" Katara and I called. Aang groaned as the class laughed.
"Aang, you're out!" Ursa said, grinning.
Aang sat back down in his seat in front of the stage. One down, two for me to get rid of.
"So obviously he had some place really good to go to," Katara said.
Toph strode back over. "Turns out the bird is dead."
"Aw, I'm sorry," I said.
"No, it's alright. I was waiting for it to die," Toph shrugged and Katara stood.
"I need to pet a moose," she said.
"Wait!" I called.
She paused. Gotcha.
"Yeah, wait!" Toph smirked.
"Wait! No! Wait!" I said and Katara shook her head rapidly.
"Out, Katara!" she said as the class clapped for Katara.
She sat down next to Aang, defeated. Just Toph and I now. It all came down to this.
"So…," Toph said. "Just you and me at the bus stop."
I stood nervously. "I should check the schedule actually."
"Bus schedule?" she said, looking mischievous.
"Yeah," I said, raising my eyebrow and walking back.
"Ugh… me," Toph groaned. "All alone. Dang, when will this rain stop!"
"The next bus is-," I began but Toph jumped up.
At first I thought she was making an excuse to leave but instead she said, "stop" right in my face. She got me.
"Stop, stop. Stop leaving, Sokka," she said.
"Out!" Ursa called and I groaned. "Toph wins!"
Toph punched the air.
"Yeah I do!" she yelled happily and we bounded back over to our seats.
"Next, we will do the Freeze Frame game. This game requires six people. Two people start the game by performing a simple or random scene. Someone at anytime can shout 'freeze!' and the two actors stop acting but freeze in their exact positions," Ursa said. "The person you yelled freeze can tap either of the two actors and take their position. However, the scene cannot be the same. You must make up a whole new scene. Bear in mind that you must go along with whatever the other actor is coming up with. Ready? Six people."
This time, more of the class raised their hands. Ursa chose Zuko, Mai, Katara, Toph, Suki, and Moto. They bounded onto the stage and stood there.
"Okay, Katara and Zuko come forward," Ursa said and they stepped up. "You two will begin the scene. Ready? Go!"
"I do believe I've had quite enough with your gold digging," Zuko spat at Katara.
"My gold digging! You're the loser who begged me to move in," Katara hissed.
"Oh really?" Zuko roared. "Me? I'm the loser!"
"Yes you are, you-," Katara began.
"Freeze!" Suki shouted.
They froze with Katara pointing at Zuko, her mouth open. Zuko had his fists at his side as he stared her down. Suki walked over and tapped Katara's shoulder. My sister returned to the line and Suki took Katara's place.
"Are you listening to me soldier!" Suki shouted into Zuko's face.
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" Zuko said, standing straight and turning to the audience, who were laughing their butts off.
"I want you to drop and give me twenty… thousand!" Suki roared.
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" Zuko obeyed, dropping on the floor and beginning to do push ups and Suki counted loudly.
"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE!" she yelled as the class roared with laughter. Katara and Mai were dying in the back with laughter. Moto was cracking up against the wall.
"PUSH YOURSELF, SOLDIER!" Suki cried and Zuko began to do the push ups faster.
"F- freeze," Mai gasped and they froze.
Suki was standing over Zuko, mouth agape in mid-shout and Zuko was in the up position. Mai walked over and tapped Zuko's shoulder. He stood and went to stand next to Moto. Mai took Zuko's place and they began.
"I can't do it," Mai sobbed. "Coach, I can't do it!"
"C'mon, Mai! You can do it! It's just one push up," Suki coaxed sweetly.
Mai got up from the push up and kneeled on the floor. She buried her face in her hands and began to fake sob.
"I c- can't d- d- do it!" she said, her voice shaking.
"You can!" Suki said.
"No!" Mai cried. "It's just impossible!"
"Mai, believe in yourself," Suki said.
Mai stood, wiping her eyes.
"You really think I can do it?" she whimpered.
My girlfriend nodded, putting her hand on Mai's shoulder.
"Freeze!" Moto called.
The two girls froze. Suki still had her hand on Mai's shoulder and one hand was extended forward. Mai was looking hopeful as she stared at Suki's outstretched hand. Moto tapped Suki's shoulder and replaced her.
"Isn't that a beautiful sight?" he asked Mai as the scene began.
Mai glanced at him, all hope gone.
"It's just a painting," she said.
"But it was painted by me!" Moto pointed out. "Doesn't it look like you, my love?"
"Um… no. My nose is too big."
Moto's face fell and he walked away from her, crossing his arms.
"I worked on that darn painting for three days!" he said, pouting, making the audience giggle. "You never appreciate anything I do for you. Nothing."
Mai shrugged. "I just don't see why you have to-."
"Freeze," Zuko called.
They froze and Zuko took Mai's place.
"Why? Why did you do this to me?" Zuko begged. "I love you!"
The class burst out laughing and Moto was trying not to laugh too.
"I've found someone else, Zuko," he said, keeping his face as balanced as he could.
Zuko dropped to his knees and began to sob into his hands. Moto turned and stared.
"You're pathetic," he said. "Why would I love someone like you?"
Zuko looked up and glared at him.
"Because I saved your life," he answered.
Moto gasped. "That was-!"
But before he could continue, the bell rang.
"Okay!" Ursa said. "That was the bell! Wicked Tech Crew, see you tonight for cue rehearsal."
Katara's POV
Period 4: Math- Aang, Ty Lee, Toph, and I.
We bid our friends goodbye as we went our separate ways for other classes. I hated math. It was one of my least favorite classes and it held my least favorite teacher, Zhao. And it was one million degrees out. So, the four of us walked into the classroom where he was waiting with some of the other students.
We took our usual seats in the back and waited for the bell to ring. When it did, Zhao turned to the board.
"Now, today we're focusing on chapter seventeen," he said, writing down a few equations. "Does everyone have the homework from last night?"
There was a moments shuffling as students got out their homework.
"Good," he said. "Now, take out the textbooks and turn to chapter seventeen and we'll begin."
We all did as told. Twenty minutes into class and all we did was take notes and solve problems. Something landed on my paper and I glanced at Toph, who was nonchalantly scribbling down the notes on the board.
I rolled my eyes. I was too tired to bother with this. I glared at her and she smirked, taking back the note, knowing I wasn't in the mood. The next thing I knew, Aang's chair broke and he fell backwards. Alarmed, Toph, Ty Lee, and I stood. Aang was laughing as he lay on his back, the wooden chair.
"Whoa," he giggled. "That was unexpected."
Toph and Ty Lee started laughing and the class began to whisper, wondering if he was okay. Zhao walked over, glaring down at Aang as I offered my boyfriend a hand. He took it and stood, dusting himself off. Zhao was still glaring at him.
"Mr. Juang," he said. "You think it's funny to disrupt my class?"
"It's not his fault," Ty Lee said, all laughter gone. "The chair broke."
"I don't know how that's possible because he's a vegetarian," Toph pointed out. "He's the skinniest kid I know."
"Maybe the chair was too old," I suggested.
Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Right."
"Seriously," I said, glaring at him. "It isn't Aang's fault."
The older man looked at me and my glare faltered. I looked down and knew I was in trouble.
"Ms Aqua," he said. "Please don't talk back to me."
"Hey," Aang growled at Zhao. "Cut it out."
I gasped (along with the rest of the class) and looked at him. Zhao whipped his head to look at Aang with anger.
"How dare you talk to me that way," he said.
"Aang, no!" I mouthed.
Aang's eyes flashed to me and then back at our teacher. But before he could argue, the bell ran and we all grabbed our bags and notes and got the hell out of there.
"Nice going, Aang," Toph said. "You're gonna get you and your girlfriend in trouble tomorrow."
Aang didn't respond. We just kept walking to Science class. Mai joined us and sighed.
"I can't believe I'm still in this class," she said. "Why so down?"
"Long story," Ty Lee said.
"Zhao was just overacting," I said.
Period 5: Science- Mai, Ty Lee, Toph, Aang, and I.
We entered Hama's class and sat in our lab groups. We were all in the same group (obviously). We found our papier-mâché volcano on the table and we smiled. Yes, I know, it's the oldest science experiment in the book but Hama wanted us to experiment on a certain reaction to different chemicals, not just the usual baking soda and vinegar.
"Okay class," the old woman said, walking to the front of the room. "As you know, you have know idea what type of chemical I've put in your volcanoes. But you have to guess by smell and sight. You may begin."
We poured in the baking soda and vinegar. Multiple volcanoes shook and began to erupt. We took notes based on the reactions to the volcano eruption. Aang smelled the air and hummed in confusion.
"Nitrogen?" he questioned, taping his chin with his pencil.
"No," I said, shaking my head. "It can't be."
"Maybe it's CO2," Toph suggested.
Mai and I exchanged glances, a little confused. We kept taking notes and Ty Lee banged her fist on the table, making me jump a little.
"It's- it's chlorine!" she cried.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes, yes! It's the same smell as my pool filter but I couldn't put my finger on it!" she said, smiling.
"That's right," Hama said, walking over to us. "Your volcano did hold chlorine within it. Good job, Ty Lee."
Hama marked our volcano off on her chart. "Make sure you put on your goggles for the next experiment. It's going to be quite the test."
"Right," we said, grabbing our goggles and putting them on.
Hama walked away to observe Teo and his group. We put our volcano on the done table and returned to our seats to await the next project.
"So," Aang said, leaning back in his chair. "How 'bout them Lakers?"
We stared at him for a second and Aang smiled.
"It's an icebreaker… a joke," he said softly.
"Giant polar bear!" I yelled.
Mai and Toph jumped. Ty Lee and Aang looked at me like I grew a horn on my head.
"It's an icebreaker," I teased at Aang and Toph started to laugh.
After Hama saw everyone was done, she put her clip board on the table.
"Okay, today is a little dangerous so goggles on and make sure you don't pass the red tape," she said, indicating the red tape on the floor that created a large square.
We stepped out to the square. Hama put on some gloves and took a glass beaker. In front of her were a burner and a container of ice. She placed the beaker on the burner and waited for a moment.
"Can anyone tell me what glass looks like when it's heated?" she asked us.
Several students raised their hands. She called on someone I didn't know.
"It gets all red," he said.
"No," Hama said. "Anyone else?"
Aang raised his hand.
"Yes?" she asked him.
"It doesn't change color or texture," Aang answered.
"Correct," Hama said.
The boy who answered wrong glared at Aang.
"Now, after a few minutes, I'm going to put the glass in the ice," Hama said. "Can anyone tell me what will happen to it?"
I raised my hand.
"Yes, Katara?"
"It'll shatter."
"Correct."
So, we waited and then she removed the glass with a pair of tongs. She placed the burning hot glass in the ice and suddenly-
Crack-CRASH!
It shattered all right. We all jumped at the sudden crack and I grabbed Aang's arm in alarm. Hama laughed and took off her goggles.
"Now you know what happens when you drink hot tea and suddenly eat ice. You're teeth can shatter," she said, chuckling darkly.
Aang and I exchanged glances as the old woman smiled.
"Shall we continue to take notes?" she asked.
When the bell finally rang, we got out of that class as fast as we could.
"That woman's going to crack just like that glass and kill us all," Toph insisted as we walked to our next class.
Zuko's POV
Period 6: Art- All of us.
Sokka, Suki, Moto, Yoshetsu, and I walked to our favorite class of the day. Art with my Uncle was always a fun time but the sucky part was that we were split up into groups of five or six. Thankfully, I was in a group with Mai, Katara, Toph, and Sokka… and my sister. She and Katara always get into little arguments and today was not a good day to have one. Especially if one of the girls is a Waterbender with a short temper (never tell her I said that) and the other was a Firebender on edge all the time (never I tell her I said that too). Aaaaaaaand a certain Airbender wasn't around so Katara had no one to calm her down.
Whoopee.
So we walked inside the class and sat down at our tables. We were working on clay shoes based on people who've inspired us. I was doing a shoe based on Uncle. He's always inspired me ever since he got back from war a long time ago so I was making an army boot. Katara was making a yellow converse shoe based on Aang and his courage ever since his mom, brother, and sister-in-law got killed. Mai was making a baby boot for her younger brother who just survived his first sickness. Toph was making a sandal based on herself because she felt satisfied about who she was. Sokka was making a sneaker for his dad. And Azula was creating a slipper for herself because she thought no one deserved her awe and respect.
I pulled my clay boot towards me to start painting it dark red. Katara was just putting the last bit of clay on her shoe. Toph was putting on a second coat of paint on her sandal. Mai and Sokka were still working on theirs and Azula was finally starting to paint hers.
"So," she hissed, breaking our table's silence. "How's life Katara?"
Katara didn't reply and continued to work on her shoe.
"I hear Aang's looking for someone else," Azula went on, smirking, painting her slipper gently. "Is that true?"
"No," Katara growled firmly, glaring at my sister.
"Ah, that's too bad," Azula said, pretending to pout. "Because I really was looking forward to him asking me to taste those luscious lips of his."
Katara stood but Mai grabbed her wrist.
"Calm down. Ignore her and work on the shoe," she hissed.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Azula," Sokka said.
"Whatever," my sister shrugged. "I'm just saying, once Aang gets bored of her, he can go after someone a little more pleasing."
"Shut up!" Toph and Katara yelled.
The room went quiet and everyone glanced at our table. Uncle looked up from his computer.
"Is something the matter?" he asked.
"No," I said. "Everything's fine."
The class returned to its chatty self and we continued to work on our shoes.
"Aang must be getting worn out," Azula muttered under her breath. "I do think you're the cause-."
"Cut it out," I snapped. "You're just jealous because you don't have a boyfriend."
The others giggled and Azula glared at me.
"I know you're jealous because you don't have a boyfriend, Zuzu," Azula smirked.
Sokka and Toph, no matter how much they hated her, had to snort at Azula's comeback. Katara smiled a little and Mai was trying hard not to laugh. I rolled my eyes.
"Nice," I said sarcastically. "Very nice."
I finished my boot and walked over to the drying table. I placed it there to let it air dry and I sat back down at my desk. Pulling out my iPod, I scanned Azula glaring at Katara, thinking of something horrible to say.
"Do you ever dominate him?" she asked.
We all looked at her in utter confusion.
"Like, do you push him up against the wall?" Azula explained as if this were all pure logic.
"Um… I hardly see why that's any of your business," Katara said, looking nervously at Sokka.
"Just wondering. I mean, I see you two behind the dorm when I get back from tennis," Azula said slyly. "You're always against the wall while you have at it."
"Would you mind your own bees wax!" Toph barked. "That's nothing you need to be concerned about."
Azula glanced at Toph.
"How about you and that Toto kid?" she asked.
"You mean Moto?" I said, smirking as I listened to Simple Plan.
"Whatever his name is," Azula said, waving off my remark. "C'mon, Bei-Fong. You look like a strong girl."
"I'm getting nothing from this conversation," Sokka said, staring at my sister. "What in the hell are you getting at?"
Azula turned to him.
"Suki dominates you, doesn't she?" she asked.
Katara stood up, slamming her hands on the desk.
"Azula! What we do with our significant others has nothing to do with you! So stop sticking your nose in something that's personal!" Katara shouted, making the room dead silent. "All my freshman year, I've had to deal with you being the dramatic, gossipy, socially disastrous, bitchy, little princess you make yourself out to be! All you want is to get in with our personal life so you can spread the rumors, stir the pot, and make all our lives miserable! If you want to know so badly, maybe you can stop acting like a horrible, selfish brat and start trying to make friends! I've had it up to here with this nonsense you're pulling. It's hot outside, it's been a long day, and I have very low tolerance for someone like you!"
All we could hear was Katara's deep breathing, my iPod, and the dripping of the paint as some students held them still in shock. Uncle was gaping at Katara and Aang was stupefied. Toph grinned, stood, and started clapping. No one else joined her but she started laughing.
"All hail Katara who finally stood up to this stuck up-!" Toph began but Azula slammed her fist into Toph's face, making the girl fall over.
The room erupted. I jumped to my feet to stop Moto from hitting a girl. Sokka ran over to help me. Katara leapt over the desk and kicked Azula to the ground. Mai tried to pry Katara off my sister, as the Waterbender pounded Azula in the stomach. Aang got up with Suki and Ty Lee to help Mai. Yoshetsu ran over to Toph to help her up. Toph stood, clutching her head in pain.
"How dare you!" I heard Katara scream over the shouts of the students and Uncle's sad attempts to calm the class. "How dare you punch her!"
"Katara, get off!" I heard Aang yell.
He was able to tear her off my sister and hold her back. Katara had received a few blows herself and had a busted lip and bruised cheek. Azula stood, all dignity and respect evaporated. Her face was bruised and she had a large black eye.
"Uncle! Uncle take her to Father's office!" she demanded, pointing a long finger at Katara. "She attacked me! She punched me! Suspension! No, that's not enough! She shall be expelled and never walk through BBS's doors again! Not as a sophomore, not as a junior, not as a senior, never!"
I could see fear rise in Katara's eyes. Azula started laughing like crazy.
"Never again, Aqua! Never again!" my sister spat.
Uncle looked at Katara, who was close to tears. He sighed and turned to Azula.
"You threw the first punch. You stirred the pot," he pointed out. "However, Katara shouldn't have taken matters into her own hands. I'm afraid."
"Stop!" Toph said. "It's my fault, okay? I began to mock Azula. Katara was just at her limit and Azula and I pushed her too far."
"Why don't you three just apologize and we can forget this whole mess?" Uncle said. "Besides, I know plenty of eye witnesses willing to speak on Katara and Toph's behalf when you go and tattle like a first grader."
The class laughed. It was unusual for Uncle to make little jokes like that but I knew he wasn't to fond of Azula ever since she poured hot tea on Lu Ten and himself at his birthday last year. Yes, Azula was thirteen and she poured all that tea on my Uncle and cousin. What a sweet girl.
"Sorry," Katara said and I could tells those words tasted like vinegar in her mouth.
"Sorry," Toph said, not looking at Azula.
Azula muttered her apology and we all sighed in relief. Aang looked at me and mouthed, "What was Azula making Katara so angry about?"
"Tell you later," I mouthed back.
He nodded and placed a kiss on Katara's cheek. She smiled at him and we all went back to our shoes and I went back to my music. Azula didn't speak to any of us anymore (thankfully) and Katara had cooled down. Katara finished her shoe just before the bell rang and, when it did, we all left, hoping Azula wasn't stupid enough to go and tell my father, our Headmaster.
Ty Lee's POV
Period 7: English- Aang, Katara, Toph, Yoshetsu, and I
So after we said goodbye to our upper class friends, the five of us walked to English class with Ms. Wu. Katara was still angry with Azula as we entered the classroom. We sat down in our seats and the bell rang shortly afterwards.
Ms. Wu turned to us and addressed the entire class in her smooth voice.
"Good evening, class," she said, smiling. "Today we will be continuing our essays on The Crucible. Please take out your paper and pen so we can get started."
There was a moments rustling as we got out our essays. We had to write our views on the play and pick a character we can argue about or relate to. I chose Elizabeth Proctor and decided to argue why she had to be forced into prison while she was pregnant. It seemed like an interesting topic at the time but now I'm running out of ideas. Nothing was heard for at least ten minutes but the scratching of pens upon paper, the occasional cough or sneeze, and scattered whispering. I kept trying to think of a good closing sentence, Toph frantically scratched out a paragraph as she cursed, Katara was done, Aang was looking it over, and Yoshetsu was twirling his pen over and over in his hand, staring at the paper.
"I have no idea what else to put," Katara said in a heated whisper, glaring at her paper. "I've said stuff about Elizabeth Proctor but nothing else."
"How are you like her?" Toph asked, who was writing about Abigail, also whispering.
"I just thought she was a strong character," Katara said simply.
"Here, here," I smiled.
"John Proctor has murdered my paper," Yoshetsu growled. "He's impossible to relate to."
"Then toss the paper," Aang said.
"We have ten minutes left, Aang," Yoshetsu said. "I can't just scrap this and start over."
Aang shrugged. "I'm finding him very easy to write about."
My boyfriend glared at him and Aang looked down at his paper quickly. Katara and Toph exchanged smiles and continued on their essays. I sighed and jotted down my last sentence, walked over to Ms. Wu, handed it to her, and sat back down.
"Done," I said happily.
"Great for you," Toph grumbled, whiting out a word. "Mind helping us out?"
"Toph, she can't do that," Katara said. "This is supposed to be like a test essay. It's preparing us for the semester finals next month."
"Oh yeah," Aang said, his face falling. "School ends in a month from today."
An uncomfortable silence fell over us. School was about to end and it seemed so close. We looked at each other and didn't speak until the bell rang for dinner. They handed their papers to Ms. Wu and we walked out of her class.
Mai's POV:
Dinner- All of us. Duh.
The upper classmen and I were waiting for our freshman friends as we sat at our table. They walked into the Great Hall, the day coming to a close behind them. They seemed upset about something.
"What's eating you?" Suki asked them as they sat.
"School's almost over," Ty Lee replied.
"Isn't that a reason to celebrate?" Zuko said, smirking. Moto and Sokka laughed.
"Well, we've been here for so long, it seems odd to go home," Aang said.
I considered his words. It was true that school ending is good. But for some reason, I couldn't imagine not living in a cramped dorm room with my four best friends. Staying up late watching a crappy movie, gossiping about random stuff, and just simply listening to our iPods as we did our homework together.
We were silent for a moment.
"I'll miss it here," Katara said.
"Me too," Toph muttered.
There was a sudden agreement within our group. Something we never came to at the end of the day. Over the year, we all connected over the littlest things and it was… great. I know, I know. Totally not Mai.
"Well," I said, "look at it this way. We still have another two to three years together. Zuko will be a senior next year and we'll be juniors. You'll be sophomores and who knows what'll await us."
"Why are we talking about the end of school now?" Suki said. "This isn't the finale."
"True that," Sokka said. "Let's eat!"
And with those words, we smiled and dug in to our meal.
The night was warm as we all made our way to the dorms. Katara and Aang were ahead of us, hands intertwined. She was leaning on him and I could tell he was smiling. Zuko and I were walking side by side. Suki and Sokka were a little ways behind us, his arm draped over her shoulder casually. Ty Lee and Yoshetsu were also holding hands. Toph had somehow convinced Moto to give her a piggyback ride. He didn't seem to mind though.
As we walked through the doors of our dorm, the usual noise of after school chatter filled our ears. We passed by the students and trudged up the stairs (Toph still on Moto's back) and entered our respective dorms. Moto put Toph down and she walked with the girls and me into our room. She flopped down onto the bed with a groan.
"Is it me, or is cold in here?" Katara said, tossing her bag in the corner.
"It's just you," I teased and she glared at me.
"I think the janitor fixed our AC," Suki said, striding over to the computer.
"Excellent," Ty Lee said.
"Well, I'm getting ready for bed," I yawned. "I have a history test tomorrow and I don't want to screw up."
"Night," Katara said.
Yeah, tomorrow was a new day and we were all prepared for extreme heat once again. Still, I'll never regret a day when I spend it with my good friends.
And Zuko.
That's the movie! I want to thank all of you for all of those wonderful reviews. Love you all and I can't wait to spend the next five chapters with you guys. Then this story will finally come to a close. I'll be around!