A/N: Here's the next update, everyone. I appreciate the support as always!
Chapter 5: Back To School
The morning came… Once again, it felt almost like it did too soon. Only this time, the ambivalence towards everything appeared to have lessened in Zuko's mind.
Though only a little bit.
At the annoyance of being woken up by his phone's alarm clock, Zuko dragged himself out of bed, before silently trudging his way across his bedroom floor. Grabbing another one of his red and golden colored robes, which were the preferred colors of the Fire Nation's culture, the scarred teen made his way out into the silent upstairs hallway and towards the bathroom.
As Zuko turned the hot water on for his morning shower, his thoughts began to drift to the previous day in his half conscious state.
The bad things… Such as Long Feng's entire existence, Jet and his cronies, Mai having to leave him so soon before he could vent his frustrations, and losing a sparring match against that annoying Earthbender girl!
Zuko groaned as that last memory resurfaced. Had he enjoyed his visit over there? Well… more than he thought he would have. He had even admitted that to his Uncle Iroh upon returning home before going straight to bed.
But that was all it was! An admission… That was it. He didn't really have fun or anything. He had done what he needed to to please his Uncle, and that was that!
No more hanging with them…
…Although that sparring match was pretty fun up until-
Zuko immediately snapped those thoughts away upon recognizing he was on the verge of smiling.
Why was he smiling? What was there to show positivity about?
'Nothing! That's what…' The Firebender internally convinced himself, before hopping into the shower.
Zuko sighed as he felt the hot water run down his back, calming him and putting his mind at temporary ease. The heat added to his body felt nice, he would honestly go back to sleep now if he could.
But knowing he had to go back to that school today, he got right to business.
In the middle of his shower, Zuko's thoughts began to overtake him again… While the bad thoughts were certainly at the surface of his mind, there were actually good ones too.
Like how his Uncle had made friends with the Air Nomad next door. Zuko didn't really feel one way or the other about him, but he had no real complaints against him. He seemed like a nice enough man.
And it seemed that trait carried over to his son as well…
Aang had still let him hang out over at his house, even when he had shunned him multiple times and tried to keep him out. Zuko honestly envied that attitude… If someone had ignored him over and over, he would be downright furious.
'But isn't that what Mai did?' Zuko found himself thinking.
He mentally slapped himself, a scowl beginning to form for even thinking such a thing.
'No, of COURSE not!' Zuko scolded himself. 'Mai was just tired… She wasn't ignoring me. I just called at a bad time. There will be plenty of opportunities to talk to her later.'
Then of course there were the others…
Sokka seemed like a nice enough guy as well, if a little annoying at times in his own way… He was a goofball and a jokester, which Zuko never really cared for that much… But he was also genuine, and he did help him in English class when he didn't have to. So he got a pass for that, Zuko figured…
Katara seemed like a really nice girl. She held similar features to Sokka, and was quite the looker. Zuko understood why Aang would have a crush on her. Not only was she pretty, but she was also very nice and had a pleasant aura about her… Although she did give off a bit of a control freak vibe. Nothing too major, but it was something that he had sensed. Maybe it was nothing, though.
Then there was Toph…
Zuko sighed at the very thought of the Earthbender who had embarrassed him yesterday. Sure, it was just a sparring match. But the girl was blind and he was twice her size! How could he have miscalculated so hard?
Perhaps it was just his overconfidence…
Or maybe she was just that good…
In any case, Zuko knew what she was all about, at least on the surface: she was brash, blunt and clearly didn't take any nonsense from anyone. In that regard, Zuko had to admire her. Except when it was directed at him, of course. The Earthbender was definitely annoying, especially with her nickname for him.
'Sparky?' Zuko thought, shaking his head and rolling his amber eyes. 'What kind of nickname is THAT, anyway?'
'It's your name, genius!'. He could almost envision her response.
Zuko lightly chuckled, but quickly stopped himself, covering his mouth.
What was that? What was even remotely entertaining about that thought?
Maybe he was just losing it…
Turning off the shower, Zuko decided to get out and quickly dry off. This waking up early was clearly getting to his head.
All dressed and ready for the school day, Zuko quickly went downstairs, where his Uncle Iroh was already sitting at the dining room table like normal.
"Ah, good morning nephew!" Iroh smiled. "How did you sleep?"
A yawn escaped Zuko's lips, as if preluding what his response would be.
"Decent." Zuko answered simply. "Could have been better, though."
"That is certainly a trait passed down from your father." Iroh pointed out casually, sipping his morning tea. "He never was a morning person like Ursa and I… Even Azula was quite the early riser."
Zuko sighed, his gaze downcast as he reflected on that.
"Yes…" The scarred teen began. "Let's just add that to the list of other things my father has inconvenienced me with." He intentionally understated.
Iroh frowned, sensing the mood in him quickly begin to change at the mention of Ozai and the rest of his family. Iroh knew it was a sore spot, and one that he knew would still take a long time to heal.
So deciding to take his nephew's mind off of that, he changed the subject.
"So how was hanging out with your new friends? I trust it went well?"
Obviously Iroh already knew the basic answer to that question, but it seemed he wanted more details on the matter.
"They're not my friends…" Zuko breathed. "They're merely… acquaintances."
"'Acquaintances'…" Iroh repeated, cocking a brow.
"Yes."
"Acquaintances that you enjoyed being around, though?"
"A little bit."
Iroh couldn't help but internally groan now, rubbing his head over his nephew's words.
'Seriously now, when will that boy learn to accept things for what they are?' Iroh had to think to himself.
"Uncle?" Zuko called out.
"Hm?"
"You zoned out." The Firebender confirmed. "What is it?"
"Oh, I was just-" Iroh stroked his beard, his usual grin returning as he stood up to approach the tea kettle. "-wondering if you would care for some morning tea before you went off to school." He quickly found a response.
Zuko cocked a brow, unaware of his Uncle's true thought process, before shaking his head.
"No thanks… I'll be fine." He replied.
Obviously this was gonna take a little bit, Iroh figured. But yesterday's events were certainly a step in the right direction.
Maybe today would help him see that a little more.
Clearly Zuko was reluctant on shelling out the details of his visit, but that was fine. They didn't have much time to hang around anyway.
"Ah, would you look at the time…" Iroh looked at his watch, before standing up. "We should get going soon."
"Whenever you are…" Zuko slung his backpack over his shoulder, reluctant on actually going, but simply wanting to get it done.
First period went about as Zuko figured: with Zei chattering endlessly about English in a manner that made even his head hurt.
"Does this guy ever take a breather?" Zuko groaned in a whisper to Sokka, who once again sat next to him.
"Not at all…" Sokka chuckled, a bit surprised to see that Zuko actually talked to him first. "The dude is a walking run-on sentence. Never even pauses."
"You mean that thing he was adamantly preaching we never do?" Zuko found a light smirk come to him at the reference of Sokka's 'run on sentence' insult.
"Yep." Sokka and Zuko both chuckled in unison, which caught the attention of the subject of their conversation.
"Sokka, Zuko, is there something that I may have missed?" Zei cocked a brow, prompting the rest of the class to look back at them.
Turning his head out of instinct to shield the view of his scar, Zuko shook his head.
"No…" He answered simply.
"Nah. You're doing a good enough job. Please continue." Sokka leaned back, with a more relaxed answer.
Zei sighed, used to this kind of behavior out of Sokka.
"Did you get your textbooks in, Mr. Agni?" Zei questioned, addressing Zuko by his surname.
'Ugh… This 'Mr. Agni' nonsense again…' Zuko internally groaned. 'As if Long Feng doesn't say it enough.'
"Yes, I did." Zuko replied, holding it up.
"Good." Zei nodded. "Just pay attention, and no talking during the lecture."
As he turned around, Sokka couldn't help but roll his eyes and make a face at him. Zuko felt a smirk threatening to appear once more at the Water Tribe senior's antics, but merely looked back down into his notebook, deciding not to get too distracted.
Second period then arrived, and this time it was Zuko who was last to enter. Though conveniently, the same empty seat from yesterday was still open to him.
"Heya, Sparky!" Zuko froze in his tracks when he heard Toph speak to him. "Still sore from yesterday?" He saw the typical mischievous smirk on her features.
Rolling his eyes, Zuko merely sat down in the chair behind her in silence, with Aang seated directly to his left and Sokka just in front of the Airbender.
Upon noticing that he wasn't responding, the Earthbender continued.
"A Firebender giving me the cold shoulder? Now that's a new one…" Toph added, her casual tone unchanging.
"Shh!" Zuko shushed her, looking around the classroom, before maintaining his scowl. "You can't just say that out loud. They'll hear you."
"What, that you're a Firebender?" Toph cocked a brow.
"Yes..." Zuko quickly confirmed in a sharp whisper.
"Why so worried? It's not like they don't already know, anyway…" Toph didn't seem to understand.
"Because I would just rather they not be reminded of it, okay?" Zuko answered just above a whisper, firm in his reply.
"Okay, okay…" The Earthbender nodded, appearing to respect his wishes. "I still don't get the big deal, though. If someone gives you a hard time, just roast 'em and send them crying."
'But that's exactly what people are complaining about when it comes to Firebenders.' Zuko internally sighed.
"That's not how it works…" Zuko responded.
"Why not?"
"Because fire is dangerous." Zuko echoed his words from yesterday.
"Any element can be dangerous." Toph countered.
The scarred teen exhaled, before simply pulling out his notebook.
"Nevermind…" He muttered. "You wouldn't understand."
Toph looked ready to pry some more, but Sokka put a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head. Though she couldn't exactly see that gesture, she took the hand as a silent way of asking her to leave it be for now.
And so she did.
Still, though, Toph had to admit… As needlessly depressing, stubborn and hardheaded as this Firebender was, she couldn't help but at least be curious about him.
Sure, he was rough around the edges, but he didn't seem like a downright terrible person…
Which was certainly the contrary of what she had been taught her entire life…
Her thoughtful state of mind was soon interrupted when Mr. Mechanist entered the room, beginning to scramble everyone's brains with useless math problems and formulas.
It seemed to last forever until the bell finally rang…
Third period… The class that Zuko never went to…
It felt weird getting back to this point, but now? Zuko had no plans on messing things up again.
"Here it is." Aang spoke to Zuko, leading him down the hallway to remind him where Miss Hama's Biology class was. With a small grin, he felt brave enough to tease, "You don't plan on cutting class again, do you?"
"No…" The Firebender sighed. "I think we all know how that turned out last time…"
"Well, hey. Don't even worry about it. I'm sure you'll do great." The Airbender reassured. "Miss Hama's… interesting to say the least. But you'll get through it."
Zuko cocked a brow. What did he mean by that?
"Bye, Zuko." Aang waved to him, rushing off before he even got a chance to ask.
With a sigh, Zuko knew he was right back in the same position as yesterday. Not wanting to repeat any of that, he stepped into the classroom, which was already getting pretty full.
Taking the first empty seat he saw, Zuko noticed someone's bag in the way.
"Is someone sitting here?" He questioned just above a whisper.
"Oh, no. Not at all. Here, I'll get that out of the way." A girl smiled politely. She was probably around his age, though maybe even a year or so younger. It was hard to tell, though. She had reddish-brown hair that went almost down to her shoulders and had darker blue eyes, unlike Sokka or Katara's which were a lighter and more prominent blue.
Still, this girl was quite pretty as well, and her voice seemed quite gentle.
"Thanks…" Zuko spoke to her, before taking the seat.
The girl's first instinct was to turn back around, but for whatever reason, curiosity seemed to get the better of her, as she turned back to face him.
'I never like it when people do this…' Zuko internally groaned, knowing another conversation was inevitable.
"You're Zuko, right?" The girl asked of him, which caused the scarred teen to cock his one good brow.
"Yes… I am." Zuko answered directly at first. "How do you know my name?"
"Well, it's kind of going around the whole school." She answered honestly. "Everyone knows who you are around here now."
'Great…' Zuko did not feel good about that fact at all.
Noticing the light scowl on his face, the girl began to frown, hoping she didn't upset him too badly. It was obvious to her that such news didn't set in with him too well, so she made her opinion known,
"I think what you did was justified." She declared. "Jet and his idiot friends think they run this place, but they're only a bunch of lowlifes who use numbers to gain an advantage and bully those who they see as easy targets."
She then smiled.
"Firebender or not, you're okay in my book." She finished.
Zuko's first instinct was to tell her to quiet down about him being a Firebender, but he was actually surprised to see yet another stranger actually respond positively to his presence.
Shouldn't they be afraid of him? Most of the other students seemed to keep their distance from him… So why was she so comfortable with him like Aang and his friends were?
"Thanks…" Was Zuko's reply, taking out his notebook and preparing to take more notes. "What's your name?" He found himself asking before he was able to suppress it.
The girl gave a friendly smile, before she answered him.
"Suki." She said. "I'm in the Junior class."
The scarred teen paused for a few seconds, as if trying to remember her name.
"Well it's good to meet you." Zuko gave a simple response, to which Suki maintained her own grin.
Just as it seemed like she was about to say more, the door to the classroom closed, and in walked an older woman. Much older. Her skin was wrinkly and her hair was a greyish-white, and overall her entire demeanor just seemed… unsettling.
As Hama's gaze met the golden orbs of Zuko's eyes, the Firebender was forced to look away, not liking that one bit.
"That's Miss Hama?" Zuko leaned forward to whisper to Suki.
"Yeah. That would be her." Suki responded after her temporary surprise.
"Something seems… off about her. Have you noticed that?" Zuko continued to whisper.
"How so?" Suki asked. Not out of doubt or denial, but more to hear his take on the matter.
"I don't know how to explain it… It's just that she's a little-" He looked back towards the front of the classroom, but she no longer stood there.
Well that was odd. She was just up there a second ago?
"What the…" Zuko breathed, before with the slight crane of his head, he noticed she stood right beside his chair. "Agh!" He shouted in a startle, his heart nearly skipping a beat.
"So, you finally decided to attend my class…" Hama spoke softly, yet somehow with a creepy edge to it.
"Uhh…" Zuko slowly started to recover after that initial fright, though was still pretty uncomfortable. "Yes?"
Hama stood there for a few seconds, as if staring into the pit of his soul, before smiling. Somehow it appeared genuine and downright unnerving both at the same time.
"Then, welcome…" Was all the teacher stated, before walking back to the front of the classroom.
Zuko had no idea how to even respond to that, so Suki responded for him.
"That was… really weird." She said, exchanging a look with the Firebender that matched his own discomfort.
"Yeah…" Zuko breathed, running his hand through his hair. "No kidding…"
The class was fairly standard, save for Hama's occasional creepy stare as she gave her lecture on the human body. He tried getting what notes he could written down, trying not to even think of anything else, and before he knew it, the bell eventually saved him from having to stay there any longer.
"Bye, Zuko." Suki waved him off after they got back to the hallway. "Hope to see you around."
Zuko didn't reply verbally, but did give her a nod and a small wave as she left with a smile.
"Well, there you are." The familiar sound of Aang's voice made Zuko look back in his direction. "Glad to see you here this time." He chuckled.
"You and I have a very different definition of the word 'interesting'…" Zuko snarkily remarked, referring to what Aang said before class.
"I know, I know…" Aang sighed, knowing what Zuko meant. "Sure, Miss Hama can be a… bit strange at times, but-"
"A bit?" Zuko snorted.
"Point taken." Aang conceded with a grin, before just deciding to get back on task. "Your next class is back in this other hallway, so we have to backtrack a little bit. Still isn't that far, though."
Used to the routine by this point, Zuko followed Aang, opting to not say a word. At the very least, the school day wasn't… as terrible as it was yesterday.
Still pretty terrible, but definitely an improvement.
"Well, I'm sure you get the drill by now, so I'll let you go-" Aang's words stopped in their tracks, as someone appeared to catch his eye. "Oh, hey Katara." The Airbender smiled, looking behind Zuko.
Glancing back, sure enough… here came the Waterbender that he had met yesterday. Could she have had this class too?
"Hey, Aang." Katara grinned, before turning to face the Firebender. "Zuko." She greeted him as well.
The scarred teen stood there, his arms folded, merely returning her greeting with a nod of acknowledgment.
"Hey, guys!" The ever recognizable voice of Sokka spoke up, now approaching them as well. Zuko realized quickly that Toph was also there, latching onto the Water Tribe senior's arm, walking with him, completing the group that he had hung out with the day prior. "You guys have this class too?"
"Well, I don't." Aang admitted. "I was just showing Zuko to his next class: History with Piandao."
Zuko's desire to zone out everyone's conversation was immediately shattered as he half heard the name that Aang had uttered, his eyes widening a bit.
"What did you say?" Zuko questioned, appearing rather… confused.
No… It couldn't be him. No way.
Especially since the Piandao he knew was-
"History with Piandao." Aang repeated, a smile on his face. "He's pretty new here, but man is he a good teacher! He's full of wisdom, and he goes into the history of the world pretty well."
"Yeah, yeah… Settle down there, Aang." Sokka playfully rolled his eyes. "I'm sure no class can be that exciting. They're all the same to me."
"Maybe because you don't pay attention in all of them." Katara retorted.
"Hey…" Sokka shrugged nonchalantly. "As long as I pass… that's all that matters."
Toph, sensing something strange going on, let go of Sokka's arm, tilting her head and planting her feet down more firmly to get a better reading.
Noticing that it was Zuko's heartbeat speeding up a bit, she decided to question,
"You excited, Sparky? Or just nervous?"
Zuko's gaze immediately shifted towards the Earthbender, his eyes widening briefly, before he quickly masked it with his typical firm demeanor, folding his arms.
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Was his response.
"Well… that didn't sound very truthful." Toph faintly smiled, detecting the dishonesty in his statement. "Care to try again?"
"Ugh!" Zuko vocally expressed his annoyance at her abilities. Not only could she feel 'vibrations' or whatever, but she was also essentially a human lie detector. "How do you do that, anyway?"
"Do what?" Toph asked.
"That…" Zuko motioned towards her, twirling his hand.
Toph remained silent for a moment.
"You know, Sparky, one of these days, you're gonna remember that I'm blind. But until then, I'm gonna have to ask you to be a little more specific."
"The lying thing." Zuko finally got out, being as precise as he could. "How can you tell if someone is being truthful or not?"
"You sure ask a lot of questions about me." Toph chuckled, her arms folded.
"Well you keep presenting me with new questions to ask…" Zuko countered. "You aren't exactly what I would call… regular."
"Hmph…" Toph cocked a brow, unsure if she should be grateful or mad about that. "I'm going to take that as a compliment."
The sudden sound of someone clearing their throat was heard, cutting off their conversation.
"I… don't mean to interrupt, guys. But the bell is sort of about to ring. We shouldn't waste time." Katara reminded everyone.
"Oh right…" Toph giggled. "School."
Turning back to face Zuko, or rather, glance in his general direction, Toph said,
"Well, guess I'd better get going to my next class. See ya later, Sparky. Not literally." The Earthbender slugged Zuko's shoulder one good time, before she walked off with Aang.
"Aghhh…" Zuko hissed in pain, rubbing his shoulder once more, glaring at Toph's retreating form with slight anger.
"I think Toph really likes you." Sokka smiled.
"Are you crazy?" Zuko growled, still very much in pain. "That girl keeps hitting me for no reason!"
"Yeah. That's… kinda her own special way of saying that she sees you as a friend." Sokka confirmed with a shrug. "Or at least, that she doesn't hate you."
Zuko rolled his eyes, exhaling sharply.
"Well that's a funny way of showing it." The Firebender complained, before glancing at the door beside them. "Are we heading to class, or are we gonna talk all day?"
"Well personally, if it were up to me, I'd be up for talking." Sokka answered honestly.
"Let's go, Sokka…" Katara sighed, pointing into the classroom, to which her brother begrudgingly complied.
As they all entered the classroom, Zuko realized quickly that… it wasn't as full as many of his other classes. Which was a relief, in his opinion, since that meant he wouldn't have to scramble for a good seat or be forced to choose one that was left over.
Looking at the front of the room, Zuko saw a man… the teacher, standing at the board. He was tall, had olive colored skin, and his eyes were as dark as the hair he had on his head, the top of which was tied into a topknot. His neatly trimmed beard only confirmed who this was in Zuko's mind.
He had seen this guy before. Actually, it was more than that. Their relationship went back quite a ways, and he was good friends with his Uncle Iroh.
Zuko took a few steps forward, prompting Piandao to look away from the board. At first, his expression held that of slight shock, but then it faded into a knowing smile.
"Hello, Zuko. It has… been too long." Piandao spoke.
"Master Piandao…" Zuko muttered, the two men both sharing a traditional bow of respect towards the other.
Not only was Piandao good friends with his Uncle Iroh, but he was Zuko's old swordmaster… He was the one who taught him the way of the sword, all the way back in the Fire Nation part of the country; from a single sword, to the dual swords he preferred to utilize in his training.
"I have heard rumors that you and your Uncle moved to this fine town." Piandao grinned. "I see now that the rumors are true."
"'Fine town'?" Zuko scoffed, keeping his voice down to a whisper. Luckily the conversations of the students in here were too loud to really focus on him. "This town is anything but that… Their politicians oppress anyone Fire Nation, as does this school's narrow minded principal. You should hear some of the things they spew from their mouths."
It was after he had argued that point that the obvious question came to his mind.
"Wait… you are Fire Nation as well." Zuko made sure to be extra quiet as he said that. "How is it that you have been hired?"
Piandao exhaled, before he calmly answered,
"Let's just say that I know the school board pretty well." Piandao chuckled, though kept things rather vague. "I'll leave it at that for now."
Zuko sighed, wishing he had been more clear, but accepted it for now.
"It makes me content to see you here…" Zuko admitted. "Knowing that there is someone from the Fire Nation other than me in this building. Most of the people here either judge me in whispers or keep their distance…" The scarred teen looked down, fully trusting Piandao with his words.
"It isn't easy to adjust here in the beginning…" Piandao sounded sympathetic, putting a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "But it does get better…"
Looking at him in silence, Piandao removed his hand, before smiling at Zuko.
"Just give things a chance, and I have no doubt they will work out in the end." His old master finished.
Those words, while not exactly the same… definitely mirrored what his Uncle Iroh had said, about 'giving things a chance'. But… could they really be right? Would things actually improve?
Honestly, they already were.
He had a few friends- acquaintances, now, that he could at least talk to. It wasn't like he was a total loner in this place. Even if it certainly felt like it at times.
"Now… go take your seat. Class is about to begin." Piandao smiled, before Zuko decided to take his advice.
"-So then I said… 'Long Feng?'" Sokka seemed to be in the middle of a conversation with someone. A girl with paler skin, her hair as white as snow with bright blue eyes. "'More like Long Dumb!'" He ended what was surely a poorly constructed joke with intense heart.
The girl beside him began to giggle, to Zuko's surprise.
'Well I'll be damned…' Zuko thought.
Sokka had confidence and charisma, he'd give him that.
Taking a seat behind Sokka and next to Katara, Zuko looked at the Waterbender, as she made fake vomiting motions at him, obviously in jest over Sokka's flirting.
Zuko stifled a laugh, lightly smirking as he pulled out his usual notebook, moreso to distract himself than anything.
"Wow… Sokka, have you been working out?" The girl grinned, as the Water Tribe senior had his sleeves rolled up intentionally to show off.
"Huh, me?" Sokka acted surprised to hear that, before flexing. "Yeahhh. I've been working pretty regularly to keep these bad boys in prime condition. I try to keep 'em covered most of the time… Don't want the guns to go off too hard." Sokka smirked.
Zuko and Katara couldn't help but laugh at that one, each of them earning a glare from Sokka.
"What's so funny?" Sokka huffed.
"Oh nothing…" Katara smirked, pretending to write something in her own notebook.
"Oh… Hello." The girl seemed to smile and wave, looking in Zuko's direction."
Zuko looked behind him, but didn't see anyone else she could have been talking to.
"Me?" He questioned, which caused her to giggle.
"Of course you, silly…" The girl responded. "I'm Yue."
Sokka's shoulders seemed to slump, and a look of annoyance crossed his features when her focus shifted from him to Zuko.
"Uhm…" Zuko rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Zuko…" He introduced himself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." She grinned, to which he could only respond with a nod. "You're the Firebender, are you not?"
Zuko once again winced slightly. It seemed that even with the reassurances he had received, it didn't get any easier for him to know that people just… freely knew that around here.
If there was anything he knew about public school… it's that word spreads quickly amongst the students, whether it's a fact, or merely a rumor.
With a sigh, and seeing that Yue was still awaiting a reply, he figured there was no use in hiding it.
"Yes…" Zuko admitted. "I'm 'the Firebender'."
"Wow…" Yue seemed to be in awe. "I've always been so curious about your culture. It's amazing to finally meet one of you in person."
Unsure of what to make of that, Zuko answered simply,
"Thanks…"
"All the more reason we get started with the first lesson." A voice at the front of the room spoke up; the voice of Piandao, who had apparently heard them.
"Oh…" Yue blushed a bit in surprise. "Yes. Of course…"
"What is it we're learning in here, anyway?" Katara questioned.
"Uh, history." Sokka shrugged matter-a-factly. "Should be pretty obvious-"
"I know it's history, Sokka…" Katara sighed. "But I mean what are we learning about specifically?"
"Our biggest focus will be on the four distinct cultures…" Piandao answered immediately. "And what makes them so unique. Yet also what makes them so different. How they functioned in the past… and how they became what they are today."
Zuko wanted to be somewhat excited. History was by far his best subject, and it was being taught by someone that he actually knew and was Fire Nation just like him. And yet… he couldn't help but become even more nervous.
What happens when everyone learns what the Fire Nation eventually did? Or rather… was accused of doing? Surely that wouldn't help things…
"Didn't you all learn anything yesterday?" Zuko had to wonder, seeing as he wasn't in class yesterday for obvious reasons.
"Nah." Sokka was the one to answer. "It was the first day, and unlike most teachers… Piandao was pretty chill about the whole thing. It was more of a 'getting used to everything' kind of day. So we haven't had any lectures yet."
Zuko breathed an internal sigh of relief.
Okay, so he hadn't missed anything vital, then. But would today be the day?
"Let us get started with our first topic…" Piandao seemed to answer his question without him even asking. "And what better place to start… than the beginning?"
"Alright! Lunch time!" Sokka practically burst through the cafeteria doors.
Zuko and Katara exchanged a glance between each other, before they followed suit.
History had gone relatively smoothly. They got through their topic, but it went at a much slower pace than Zuko expected it would. Probably because Piandao was very much a teacher at heart. He really wanted to make sure the information stuck with them, which honestly… it did.
That trait never seemed to change in him, whether he was training someone in the art of the sword or in history.
Walking across the cafeteria and to the lunch line, he allowed Katara to stand in front of him, as he waited for his turn to get whatever they were serving today. They of course had options to buy certain snack items as well, but it wasn't like Zuko carried any money with him to school.
Not that he had much spare money lying around anyway. He figured he would just deal with whatever was being served and hope for the best…
The Firebender suddenly cringed when something… odd smelling and slimy was thrown onto a tray, being handed to him.
Scrunching his nose in slight disgust, he felt compelled to ask,
"What is this?"
"Why that there's possum chicken casserole!" One of the school cooks declared in an excited tone of voice, clearly with a thick accent of some kind.
"…What?" Zuko wasn't sure how else to respond.
"Oh don't worry now! That's some good eatin'!" The cook laughed. "Ain't that right, Due?"
"It sho' is, Tho!" The second school cook chuckled, having a similar accent.
Deciding he wasted enough time up here, Zuko didn't say another word, instead walking away to find a place to sit.
Walking around the cafeteria, it was clear that many of the students glanced in his general direction; a fact that made Zuko both uncomfortable and nervous.
Every time he would think of approaching a table, those sitting there would either relocate completely, or flinch and hope he didn't actually sit down there.
Zuko's face fell, as he let out a defeated sigh. Honestly, it kind of hurt… the more he thought about it. What had he even done wrong, anyway?
Yeah, yeah… It was because he was Fire Nation, but what had he done wrong actually? He has a giant scar he couldn't possibly have stopped himself from getting, he does a little Firebending to defend someone who needed some assistance, and now he was the bad guy?
It was so unfair!
"Hey, Zuko!" He heard someone call out, just as he was about to consider just taking his lunch out in the hall.
It was Aang, who was waving him down just a few tables away. It appeared that he was sitting with the usual familiar faces, and even a couple others he met along the way.
"Over here!" Aang added, before figuring he would get the hint and sat back down.
Zuko's gaze landed on the doors that would lead out of the cafeteria and then back at the table that Aang was at.
With a sigh, Zuko relented, and he made his way over to the table. Why were these guys always so nice to him… when everyone else wanted nothing to do with him?
"There he is! I was wondering if you'd ever find us." Sokka chuckled, actually finding words to speak between scarfing his food down.
Looking around the table, he saw those he hung out with before, which were obviously Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph. But sitting with them were two familiar people that he had met just today…
"Hi, Zuko." Suki grinned.
"Hello." Yue waved in just as friendly a manner.
The scarred teen looked their way, nodding in acknowledgement while forcing a small grin. Walking forward, he hesitantly took his seat at the end of the table and put his tray down in front of him.
"Welcome to our lunch table." Katara introduced, obviously in jest. "Where all the chaos happens."
"I believe you…" Zuko forced a chuckle, looking back down at his food. His casual grin was immediately replaced by a displeased frown. Whatever… that was on his tray? It didn't look nor smell appetizing. And he doubted it tasted any better.
Toph, who was sitting right next to him, took a couple of whiffs of the air, before her nose scrunched up in the same disgusted manner that Zuko did earlier.
"Eugh…" Toph voiced her disgust. "You didn't actually get the tray, did you?"
"Yes." Zuko answered simply, much to everyone else's bewilderment, and even concern.
"Why?" Toph bluntly wondered.
"Because that's all I can get." He answered just as directly.
"Uh… no it isn't." Sokka butted in. "They have pizza, sandwiches, and other snack items up there you can buy. Trust me. That's the way to go."
"And I just get the salad." Aang shrugged, taking another bite.
"No, I mean… that's all I can get." Zuko rephrased his response. "I don't have any money."
"Ohh…" Sokka now understood. "That's rough, buddy."
Zuko's shoulders slumped, his expression appearing really annoyed by such a response, but then he sighed. Maybe he was right… It was pretty rough.
Now he had to eat… whatever the hell this slop was. Or he supposed he could just throw it away and simply not eat at all. He supposed that was doable. Uncle would surely have something better at the house.
Feeling Toph shift beside him, Zuko cocked a brow of curiosity, before she pulled out a few dollars from her pocket.
"Here." She offered.
Zuko merely stared at her hand like it was going to bite him. What was this?
"Uhm… hello? Sparky? Here, take it." Toph forced the money into his palm.
Staring down at the money, he soon glanced back up, uncertain.
"What is this…?" Zuko breathed.
"It's… money." Toph answered in confusion. "You know, money? What you use to buy things? Currency-"
"I know what money is…" He sighed.
"Then why the dumb question?" The Earthbender questioned back, eating on some chips that she had bought for herself just earlier.
"I just mean…" Zuko began to rephrase, before his expression softened. "Why?"
Suki stopped eating her food, before glancing amongst everyone else at the table. By now, everyone else was doing much the same, their gaze eventually honing back in on Zuko. Why was this such a big deal to him, they wondered…
"Because it's what friends do." Toph shrugged. "They help each other, don't they?"
Zuko's softened expression remained, as he tilted his head at her reply.
"You… consider us to be friends?" He questioned, not in any tone besides confusion.
"Uh, yeah… I mean, I guess." Toph was confused in her own way, mainly by how Zuko was responding to all of this. "Are you sure you're okay, Sparky? I mean… 'up there'?" She questioned, tapping her fist on the crown of his head.
"Yes…" He responded firmly, pushing her hand away. "I assure you that I am."
"Okay, then why are you acting so weird? It's just a few dollars. Take it and buy some chips or something. It's really not that complicated."
Zuko stared at the money once more, and then back at Toph. He started to get up, then hesitated again.
"Are you sure?" He asked again.
"Ugh… Yes!" Toph sharply exhaled. "Go… Get." She shoved him the rest of the way up, forcing his decision.
Zuko stood there for a moment, before putting a fist in his open palm, bowing traditionally.
"Thank you…" He vocalized, before going back towards the lunch line where he could buy some real food.
"Y'know, I don't wanna sound insensitive or anything… but Fire Nation people can be kinda weird." Sokka vocalized.
"Pft… Yeah, no kidding." Toph rolled her sightless eyes, still bewildered by all that. "I've never seen someone get soo worked up over a few dollars before."
"Maybe it just has something to do with how he was raised?" Aang offered his thoughts with a shrug. "You gotta remember, they do things differently out West, towards where Capital City is."
"'Capital City'…" Toph vocalized, before joking with a smirk. "What a clever name for a city, and not at all egotistical."
"I visited Capital City once…" Suki declared, surprising everyone at the table.
"You have?" Sokka wondered.
"How was it?" Katara added.
"Kind of… depressing." Suki frowned. "I mean, it wasn't all bad. They had some pretty good attractions, and the city was booming… But at the same time, it just seemed so… plain. I certainly wouldn't want to live there. The people hardly ever interact the way we do. They go about their business, act all professional, and that was that. At least… from what I've seen."
"Isn't that where Zuko's from?" Sokka questioned, taking a big bite out of his sandwich.
"Yeah." Aang confirmed, remembering their discussion about it from visiting him and his Uncle Iroh at their house. "He is." He made sure to leave out any personal details.
"Hm, then maybe that's why he's all screwed up…" Toph thought out loud.
"Toph, that's not nice…" Katara scolded. "He isn't 'screwed up'. He's probably just… not used to how things are done around here."
"Yeah." Yue agreed. "He's probably just used to city life. This must be quite the change for him."
Toph was silent, before she was thinking. Truly thinking… As the information settled and absorbed into her brain, she grinned, her sightless green eyes appearing to shimmer.
"Well, if he plans on being boring and depressing forever, then Sparky's got another thing coming…" Toph smirked.
Everyone at the table glanced amongst each other once again.
"What do you mean, Toph?" Katara asked the obvious question on everyone's mind.
"I mean I'll show him the ropes… I'll show him all there is to living in Gaoling and the fun it has. Whether he likes it or not." She chuckled, before leaning forward. "But I might need your help to do it. You guys in?"
Aang's smile was immediate, and from there, it seemed to grow contagious, before everyone nodded in unison.
"We're in…" Suki agreed.
"I'm totally in!" Sokka laughed. "I'm even already brainstorming some ideas…"
"Somehow I'm afraid to ask what those are." Katara joked.
"Well, this is sure to be interesting…" Aang grinned, as he finished his food. "What's the plan?"