A/N: Hullo dear readers! Story idea by KataangIsTheBest (NotJohnny)/ This is a Modern AU with a T rating. It will span every episode of Avatar, so at least 61 chapters, maybe more. All of the actors have the same names as their characters. Aang and Katara are 17, Sokka is 18. All relationships will be canon. And on a personal note, if you follow me, I have had a crazy and trying past two weeks but Through His Eyes will be updated by the end of the week. Avatar's promise.

"What time is this reading supposed to be? This traffic looks like it's not going to let up anytime soon," The frustrated father asked as he gripped the wheel tight.

"11:30, Dad. If we turn off here, we can make it," the anxious, teenage girl stated as she pointed to the green exit sign on the highway. In the passenger seat, she relaxed her shoulders as her father followed her directions and she saw the estimated arrival time on her maps app decrease by 10 minutes.

The teen's older brother in the backseat scoffed, "We would've been on time if we took the backroads but no one ever listens to me!" The now 18 year-old folded his arms across his chest as he leaned back into his seat.

Their father snapped his attention back to his children as he pulled into a parking spot, "Huh? What was that Sokka?"

Sokka groaned and tried to ignore the righteous snort from his sister in the front seat. "Well, we'll see who's laughing when I rock this audition. Katara, no offense, but you couldn't act your way out of paper bag."

The father of the two siblings sighed as Sokka ignited an argument with Katara that spanned a few minutes as they all entered the building. A security guard loudly cleared their throat at the siblings, "We're going to need quiet as several auditions are happening at once."

Sokka and Katara blushed, both mumbling overlapping apologies to the security guard. Their embarrassed father walked slightly ahead of them until they reached the waiting room. Katara and Sokka both said their names at the reception area and were promptly given name tags by the clerk. The family, one by one, sat down in auburn folding chairs in the waiting room. Looking around the room, Katara did not see many other Water Tribe kids, which made her feel hopeful about her chances of clutching the spot in the show. After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the right of where Katara was sitting opened. The guy that walked out had her mesmerized.

Katara had never seen anyone like him. His crooked smile and his luminous grey eyes had her transfixed on him. As soon as he locked eyes with her, she looked away in embarrassment for staring. Feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, she looked down at her phone, hoping he did not notice her gawking at him. After a few moments, she heard his footstep receding, allowing her to chance a look back out into the waiting area. He was gone, and even though she felt some relief, she also hoped that she would see him again. Shaking away her weird intrigue in this mystery guy, Katara began looking over the script in her hands.

"Katara Waska?" the stern woman called from the middle of the waiting room.

Katara nodded and gathered her script, waving goodbye to her brother and father as she entered the audition room. Standing in front of the director and writers, Katara's meekness returned. Clearing her throat, she imagined getting into a fight with her brother. Now that she was properly angry, she used this emotion to fuel her monologue.

"You are the most sexist, immature," Katara swings her arms fluidly, "nut brained ... I'm embarrassed to be related to you!" With fury radiating from her body, Katara swung her arms swiftly to mimic waterbending as she imagined being able to crack an iceberg.

After a few moments of silence, the adults at the table began to smile and chatter amongst each other. One woman, the director of the show, spoke directly to Katara, "We loved what you did with the scene. We'd love for you to come back for a chemistry read."

Katara scrunched her face in confusion, "A chemistry read?"

The director chuckled and nodded, "Yes. We do it when we have two characters that will be in a romantic relationship. Your character eventually ends up together with the main character, Aang. We already have an actor in mind and want to see how you both interact to make sure it will be believable."

Katara nodded, "Oh, I see. That makes sense. Do you know when that will be? My dad took me here."

The director replied, "If you have the time, we can do the chemistry reading in 30 minutes. The other actor is still here."

Katara bit her bottom lip pensively. Her dream of being an actress was being presented to her in this moment. While she was scared, she knew that taking this leap of faith would propel her closer to making her dream a reality. She knew what choice to make.

"Yes, I'd love to. Thank you for the opportunity," she smiled before turning around and exiting the room.

Katara briskly walked over to her family, who were nearly falling sleep in the waiting room. The loud boom of Katara's voice brought their attention to the room. "I got the part! Almost," she laughed, "They want me to stay her for another half hour for a chemistry read. That's okay, isn't it, Dad?"

With one eye peeking from behind his hand that was resting on his face, the father muttered with a tired smile, "Sure, Katara. I know you want this. We'll wait."

Both Katara and her father ignored the grumbling moan from Sokka and embraced before Katara took a seat next to them. She used this time to read over the scene given to her. Katara was a tad surprised to find that the scene wasn't very romantic at all. No kissing, not flirting, just this boy asking her to go penguin sledding. It seemed a little childish but Katara was open to it, and slightly relieved she wouldn't have to kiss someone she hasn't met yet.

After reading her script over and over, the time had come for the chemistry read. Katara's eyebrows raised as the reception called the name of her possible new co-star.

"Aang Sonam?" the receptionist called.

Katara's heart stopped when she saw the tall boy with grey eyes approach the door to the audition room. After her name was called, Katara quickly stood a mere inches away from the mystery guy. Telling her legs to move since they didn't move on their own, she forced herself to walk into the room after him. Her cheeks were flushed from embarrassment as she silently prayed that he didn't remember how weird she was earlier.

"Hi, I'm Aang. Looks like we're going to read together," the tall, slender guy said as he reached his hand out towards Katara. He had shaggy, black that looked like he had just woken up. Now she was even more intrigued.

Katara stuttered for a moment before regaining her composure to answer confidently as she shook his hand, "Hi, I'm Katara. Nice to meet you."

Aang nervously rubbed the back of his neck while Katara stood next to him awkwardly, twirling her long chocolate hair in her fingers. A curious thought entered her mind that she just needed to find out the answer to, "So, it says here that the character has a shaved head. You have any plans of saying goodbye to your hair?

Aang heartily laughed as he ran his fingers through his hair, "Oh, no. The lovely makeup artists will be handling that. They'll 'make me bald' before every shoot. I'll have to get up a little earlier then needed, but I'm up at sunrise anyway."

Katara grimaced playfully, "Oh no, you're not a morning person, are you?"

Aang's crooked smile returned with a soft chuckle, "Oh yeah, and I'm very annoying about it!"

The two actors shared a laugh together that felt natural. Katara couldn't put her finger on it, but she felt like they had known each other for years. Relief washed over both Aang and Katara, grateful that the tension between them didn't last for long.

After reading over their lines for several minutes, the director commanded both of them to act out the scene. One of the women at the long desk set the scene.

"Katara places the boy gently against the base of the crater. Close-up of the boy as he slowly opens his gray eyes. He gasps in awe as he beholds the Southern Water Tribe girl, who stares at him, in wonder, with deep blue eyes. Her hair loopies sway in the wind," the woman concluded and looked expectantly at the actors.

Aang, laying on his back, looked up at Katara, who was hovering over him with her big, blue eyes fixated on his gray eyes. His voice became weak, "I need to ask you something …"

Katara asked with a puzzled look on her face, "What?"

Aang continued to speak quietly and weakly, "Please...come closer."

Katara became curious, leaning closer towards Aang, "What is it?"

Suddenly, Aang's exhaustion faded away. He smiled and asked cheerfully, "Will you go penguin sledding with me?"

Katara became awkward at hearing this question. She replied, "Uh, sure...I-I guess."

The director called from the table, "End scene! Good job both of you. You each hit those emotional beats really well for the first time. Do you know each other?"

With matching flushed cheeks, both Aang and Katara shook their heads in response.

The director continued to praise both of the two actors, "Wow, that's some serious talent then! And chemistry is off the charts. Welcome aboard. I'll be your director, Ta Min."

Aang stuttered in a surprised gasp, "You mean it? We both got hired?"

Katara couldn't find any words, but matched Aang's surprised demeanor perfectly.

"Of course! You're both the right ages, the same race as the characters, and your chemistry together is going to be a hit. Come back Monday for shooting!" The director said as she hastily waved the two actors out of the room.

On the other side of the door in the waiting area, Aang and Katara stood there facing each other for a moment. Aang cleared his throat to break the tension, "Uh, so I guess we're coworkers now. That's cool. Do you live around here?"

Katara smiled sweetly at Aang, "Yes, about 30 minutes away actually. What about you?"

Aang's face lit up, "Me too! Wow, we might be neighbors. I just moved here from Seattle, my Uncle Gyatso got a new job out here so I came with him. I found this opportunity a week after I got here. Talk about kismet."

Katara tried to stifle a giggle at Aang's boyishness. She thought he was completely acting like that for the scene, but she now wondered if he was that innocent as well. Everyone, even kids, in Los Angeles could be so bitter and jaded. It was refreshing to meet someone that still acted his age.

"Yeah, that is some crazy coincidence. Also, I was wondering, since we're coworkers and scene partners, maybe we could run lines together between filming?" Katara asked sincerely.

Aang beamed with a crooked smile, "Katara, that's a great idea! What's your number? I'll text you."

After they both exchanged numbers, Katara and Aang said goodbye and walked their separate ways to their cars. Aang followed his Uncle to their car. As Uncle Gyatso began to pull out of the parking spot, he spotted out of the corner of his eye his nephew looking down at his phone, grinning from ear to ear. "She seems nice...and pretty," Gyatso said with an all-knowing smile.

Aang groaned, "Okay, I see what you're doing here. Uncle Gyatso, we're coworkers, I wouldn't even want to get involved. What if it gets bad? Plus, someone as pretty as her probably already has a boyfriend. I'm cool just being friends." The phone in his hands vibrated, turning his frown back to a smile. Katara had texted him. He clicked on the text to read it.

Katara: Hey! Good job today. You're going to be great. Meet for coffee friday night to run lines?

Aang shook his smile away to concentrate on texting her back. He wanted to come off friendly but not creepy. He had always had difficulty making friends, and he mostly agreed to come to LA with his Uncle to start fresh. After turning over possible sentences in his mind, Aang constructed and sent an acceptable text.

Aang: Thanks, you were awesome today! Sure, friday sounds great. Can't wait.

Well, there it is! Please leave a review. Next chapter: Aang and Katara meet for coffee. Katara, Sokka, and Aang meet the rest of their cast members.