"Today is the day."

Aang woke up at 6 a.m. with a smile on his face. He ran to the bathroom with the speed only an airbender could possess, and jumped straight in the shower. When he finished he took out his razor and proceeded to shave his head. He looked at himself in the mirror, shaving cream covering his stubbled scalp, and started speaking to his reflection.

"Today is the day, you've got this Aang. You won't fail." He said while pointing his razor at the mirror. "You're going to walk up to her, tell her how you feel, and she's going to feel the same way. Of course she will, right?" He said while the doubts started to creep in. "No, don't doubt yourself Aang. Of course she feels the same way, she has to." He smiled at his now cleanly shaven reflection, and went downstairs to start making breakfast.

The airbender was deep in his thoughts while scrambling his eggs, when a man walked up behind him.

"Good morning Aang." Aang jumped as he had been disturbed from his daydream. He then turned and smiled, saying "Good morning Iroh, I hope you slept well."

Iroh matched his smile and replied, "Thank you son." Before sitting down to eat the eggs Aang put on the table for him. "So you seem excited this morning, it's the last day of school, happy to finally start your summer vacation?"

Aang sat down in front of him, and said, "Well it's been a long school year but I'm kind of sad summer is starting already, this has been the best year of my life." Aang said while smiling.

Iroh replied, "Well you still have another school year left, may I ask, why has this year been so great? I thought you enjoyed your time at the air temples."

"Of course I love the air temples, that's where I was raised, where I became who I am, but the experiences with the many different people I've met this year in school is so different from the temples. It's been a nice change of pace." Aang said.

"Hmm, I wonder if a certain water bender you've met has anything to do with your response." Iroh said with a smirk on his face.

Aang, who became a blushing mess after this comment responded, "I'm not sure who you're referring to Iroh." With a small smile on his face.

Iroh let out a hearty laugh at the blushing airbender sitting in front of him.

Aang spoke after the embarrassment had passed. "I actually wanted to talk to you about that Iroh. I know I've told you a lot about Katara over the past year. Today I was planning on asking her to be my girlfriend, do you think that's a bad idea?"

Iroh was shocked, "On the last day of school you finally decide this? You've told me about this girl every day for the whole year, why now?"

Aang replied, "Well I never really knew if she felt the same way about me. I mean, she has always been really nice to me, nicer than she is to most other people, but I didn't want to rush into things and make her think I never cared about her as a person and just some piece of meat."

"Well Aang, I have never seen someone praise another more than you have Katara, and from what I've heard she seems to be fond of you as well, so if you want to I don't see any problem with it. Have you asked Gyatso what he thinks?"

Aang quickly said, "Yes, he told me he thought we were already together from the way I've texted him about her. Then he laughed and asked me what I've been waiting for."

Iroh laughed, "Ahh well, it seems that you are the only one who doesn't think you should ask her already Aang. Maybe she even has been waiting for you to ask her this whole time."

Aang sighed, "Do you think I've waited too long? What if she liked me and doesn't anymore? What if this whole time I've been wasting her time and she likes somebody else now."

Iroh put a hand on the spiraling airbender's shoulder and smiled. "Aang you can't speculate on what was now, the only thing you can do is look at what's ahead of you. Besides, she still talks to you every day, if she didn't like you she wouldn't hang out with you."

Aang looked at Iroh and smiled, finally calming down again. "Thanks Iroh." Right then Aang's phone buzzed, and he smiled when he saw who it was from.

Katara: "hey aang :) good morning, need sokka and i to pick you up?"

Aang smiled, and thought of a great idea for them to get to school.

Aang: "Hey Kat! Actually I'm going to be picking you guys up today, so stay there!"

Katara: "butt u don't have a car?"

Aang: "Nope I've got something even better. I'll be over there in 2 minutes!"

Katara: "wait what are you planning aang?"

Aang smiled and shoved his phone in his pocket, planning on showing rather than telling.

"Ok Iroh I'll see you later!" Aang said while walking out the door.

"Alright Aang! Good luck!"

"Damn Katara! Where is he? I want to see Suki!"

"He hasn't responded to me Sokka! Just wait another minute."

"Fine but if he takes any longer I'm gonna.." Sokka with his hand on his chin trying to think of something to do to Aang. "FORCE HIM TO EAT MEAT!"

Katara turned and slapped her brother. "Sokka! That is not funny and if you say something like that again I will freeze your lips together forever."

Sokka gasped, "But I need my lips! How would I kiss Suki? How would I eat meat?"

Katara laughed, "Well then don't say such insensitive things and I won't threaten you."

Sokka scowled and said, "Fine I won't force your boyfriend to eat meat."

Katara's death glare locked with Sokka's eyes, "He's not my- Aang!"

Aang came around the corner quickly on his air scooter, interrupting Katara and Sokka's conversation.

"Hey Kat! Hey Sokka! What's up guys?"

Katara ran to Aang and gave him a hug, and Aang melted into her arms. Sokka rolled his eyes and said "Enough hugging! How are we getting to school Aang I want to see Suki already!"

Katara looked at Sokka and said, "Sokka you see Suki every day and you'll see her every day of the summer too. At least greet Aang, he's going back to the Air Temples for half the summer!"

Aang laughed at the siblings quarrel and said "That's ok Katara I'm just visiting for a while but I'll be back in like a month or so. I know Sokka is just eager to see Suki."

"See, Aang understands Katara, I think you're just heartless." Sokka said teasingly.

Katara rolled her eyes, "Whatever Sokka. So Aang, how are we getting to school? I thought you would bring Appa or something."

Aang said "No, Appa freaks all the kids at school out, I have a better means of transportation, everybody close your eyes."

Katara and Sokka both looked at each other, then shrugged before closing their eyes. Aang then created three air scooters, and bended one under each of them. Katara and Sokka both opened their eyes to figure out what was going on, and saw a grinning Aang while they looked down in amazement.

"You can make other people ride these things!? Why haven't we done this before?" Sokka asked in shock.

Aang replied "Well honestly I hadn't thought of the idea until two days ago. Then I asked Gyatso if it's possible and he said nobody has done it before, but I knew it could work. Isn't it fun?" While spinning them around in circles.

Katara with a beaming smile said, "This is the most fun thing ever! Thanks Aang!"

Aang feeling satisfied with seeing Katara smile said, "Well let's head to school!" As he used his airbending to send them down the street in the direction Republic City HS.

When they got to the front of the school, Suki was standing there looking around for Sokka. When she saw the three of her friends all riding in on air scooters she started laughing. Sokka saw her and yelled "SUKIIIIIII!" Before the air scooters disappeared and he fell straight on his behind. Everyone except Sokka laughed, and he said "Aang what was that for?"

Aang replied "Katara just told me what you said about forcing me to eat meat. Sorry I couldn't help myself."

Katara smirked at Sokka on the ground while Suki helped him up. Sokka thanked her and said "Apparently hurting Sokka is some sort of hilarious joke."

As he said this a short blind girl shot up out of the ground and yelled "BOO!" Directly in front of Sokka. Sokka fell back again and ended up in the same position he was after Aang stopped his airbending. Everyone was startled at first, but once they realized it was just their friend Toph they all started laughing at Sokka once again.

Katara said "Nice one Toph" in between laughs. Toph smiled and earthbent Sokka back standing.

"What's this I hear about forcing twinkletoes to eat meat Snoozles? Even I know how insensitive that is." Toph said while smirking.

"It was just a joke guys! Jeez I get it I can't force Aang to eat meat. Even though meat is glorious and I'm not sure why anybody would not want to eat it." Sokka said while still rubbing the pain on his rear.

Everyone collectively rolled their eyes at Sokka's antics again, but the bell rang saving him from anymore pain. Sokka and Suki went their own way after saying bye to their friends.

Katara turned to Aang and said "See you at lunch Aang." Then gave him a hug, causing the airbender to blush. She then turned to Toph and said "Let's go Toph you know how Mr. Jeong Jeong gets when people come late."

"Yeah I'm coming Sugar Queen, see you later Twinkletoes."

"See you guys! Have a great day!" Aang said, as he headed to his first period class.

Aang spent most of his day thinking about Katara, thinking about how and when he should ask her out. He had third period class with Toph and he decided he would ask her what she thought.

"So Toph, I have something really important to ask you, so please don't joke about this for a minute."

Toph felt his heart rate increase before this and she got scared. She thought to herself, "I thought he likes Katara, is he asking me out? What is wrong with him? His heart rate always goes crazy around her so why is the same thing happening with me right now?" She started panicking before Aang elaborated.

"I want to ask Katara out today, when do you think I should do it?"

Toph exhaled loudly and said "Thank the Spirits." Aang looked at her questioningly. She said "Your heartbeat sped up right there. I thought you were planning on asking ME out."

Aang responded a little embarrassed, "Absolutely not, I mean nothing against you Toph, you're great but I don't think we would work well."

Toph laughed and said "Couldn't agree more twinkletoes. Anyways, so you've finally grown the balls to ask sweetness out. Honestly I was starting to think it would never happen."

Aang shockingly said, "You knew I liked her? For how long?"

"Since the first time I've seen you two, you know I can tell through your heart rate. I just usually don't say anything because that would be pretty messed up to invade you guy's relationships." Toph replied.

Aang said, "Really, that sounds to me like something you would love to do."

Toph laughed and said, "Yeah I would love to do that, but if I did it could mess up your friendships, and as much as I like to make fun of you guys I can't do it if you're not friends. Also, if I did tell you guys about it often you'd probably try and ask me questions about it too often. An increased heart rate isn't a sure fire sign of attraction or anything. Most times when it happens I just ignore it."

Aang replied, "I see, well I'm planning on asking her today after school. Should I do it earlier? Like at lunch or something?"

Toph said, "No I think after school is a good idea, just don't stare at her too much in classes today she might get weirded out."

Aang laughed and said, "Yeah that should be easy I never do that."

Toph rolled her eyes and replied, "Yeah, sure you don't twinkletoes."

When the bell signifying the end of school went off, all the students ran out of their classes eager to get a few months off. Katara was standing at her locker talking to some guy Aang didn't know. As he walked up Katara was waving goodbye to him. When she saw Aang walk up next to her she gave him a large smile, and he smiled back. He was visibly nervous, as he was sweating a little and kind of jittery. Katara noticed this and said sincerely, "Aang, are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine, why?" Aang said while still looking extremely nervous.

She replied, "Well I can see you're sweating a little, and it seems like your teeth are chittering. Are you sick? You looked fine this morning."

Aang took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves down. "No I'm not sick, I was just.. uhh.. in a cold classroom, and I ran here to see you, yeah.. that's why I'm sweating."

Katara was confused, she was about to ask "I thought airbenders can't get cold?" and "Why were you running to get here so fast?" when Sokka interrupted, with Suki and Toph standing next to him.

"Guys we're going to Suki's place to have some fun, you guys coming?" Sokka said.

"Duh they're coming snoozles, let's wait outside for them. I hate having so many people around me." Toph said while pulling Sokka towards the exit, obviously trying to give Aang and Katara some privacy for what she knew was happening.

Aang gave her a gratified smile, and mouthed "Thank you." Before remembering Toph can't see. He then facepalmed and then turned around to Katara who was still looking through her locker.

She said without facing Aang, "So are you excited to go back to the Southern Air Temple? I know Gyatso and everybody will be excited to see you."

Aang replied, "Yeah I can't wait to see Gyatso, he says we're going to prank the elders a bunch to make up for the time I've been gone. I'll get to see my friends as well, I've missed airbending with a group, there's so many more airbending tricks I can do with them all."

Katara gave a small frown and said, "Well it sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun, hope you don't forget about us here in Republic City."

"Don't say that Kat, I love it here. I could never forget about you guys, I could never forget about you." Aang said sincerely.

Katara smiled at Aang, then turned and gave him a hug. Aang blushed and hugged her back. She said "I'm just really going to miss you, a whole month without seeing you? I can't even imagine it now."

"I know Kat I'm going to miss you too, but we can still call each other and text all the time. And when I come back, it will still be summer and we can spend however many days you want together." Aang said.

She then released him from the hug and said, "Thanks Aang."

Aang then remembered what the point of meeting her here was, and decided that now was as good a time as any. "Soo, Katara there's something I want to ask you."

"Ok, I'm listening." Katara said as she was taking her final items out of her locker.

Aang said, "Well, you know we've known each other for almost a year now, and I feel like we're really great friends."

"Best friends Aang, best friends." Katara said innocently with a smile, obviously not understanding what he was getting to.

Aang smiled, "Yeah best friends, you know me better than anybody else, and you've helped me through so much of my time here. I mean, when I came everybody looked at me like some weirdo airbender kid, with funny tattoos and a bald head. But, you sat down with me on my first day at lunch when I was really down, and you helped me find friends, you helped me find my way around school, you helped me with everything. At first I didn't know why, because nobody else liked me."

At this point Katara had closed her locker and was staring at Aang questioningly, but he continued while looking down to avoid eye contact. "I realized though, that's just the type of person you are, you're kind, caring, smart, funny, you're just a great person. Like the greatest person I know and, well I just wanted you to know that…"

"What are you saying Aang?"

Aang looked at her, saw how beautiful she looked, and Aang realized what he wanted to say.

"I'm saying, I love you Katara." He said as he looked back down, and closed his eyes. "I've loved you for quite some time, and I'm hoping you feel the same." His eyes remained closed, hoping for her to say something back.

It felt like an eternity, but in reality was several seconds later, he opened his eyes hoping to see Katara smiling.

His heart fell when she had backed away from him a few steps, and stared down at her feet as well.

"Kat.." He was cut off by Katara speaking.

"I love you too Aang, but not in the way I think you love me."

Aang stood there speechless. He couldn't think, he couldn't move, he couldn't breathe. He stared at Katara's lowered head hoping for this to be a dream. I thought she felt the same way.. How could I have read things so wrong? What is wrong with me?

She continued, "I'm sorry Aang, I really care about you a lot, I do. But, I have never really seen you as more than a great friend. I'm sorry."

Aang was paralyzed. "Why would she make it worse?" He thought. In Katara's hope to give him some sort of explanation and let him down easy, she just made him feel worse.

"Aang, say something.. Please." Katara said, hoping that she hadn't hurt Aang too much.

Aang with his head still down finally spoke, "Um, well.. I guess I'll leave."

Katara wanted him to stay, to explain to him while she didn't see him that way, she still needed him in her life. He was her best friend. Their relationship was different than everybody else she had ever known. Why did it have to be this way? She thought. Why couldn't Aang feel differently? She knew this was unfair, but her fear of losing her friend was all she could think of right now.

But all she could say was, "Ok."

Aang turned around and started walking down the hallway to the exit. He felt terrible, his heart was shattered. He walked right past his other friends with tears in his eyes. Sokka said "Hey Aang!" to try and grab his attention, but he couldn't hear him. He was completely numb, he couldn't even think of making an air scooter to get home. He just walked. For almost twenty minutes he just walked, head down, ready to cry.

Katara walked out to her brother and friends a few minutes later, looking as defeated as Aang did. Sokka turned to her, "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Katara said without looking up from the ground.

Aang made it home, and went straight to his room. He laid there and he cried. He let it all out, and didn't stop for half an hour. He just cried, letting all the negative thoughts run through his head again. Am I not good enough? Does she like someone else? How could she do this to me? All the hugs and kisses and she doesn't feel the same way. I must be a fool. He told Iroh this morning this was the best year of his life, now it felt like the worst. Nothing hurt more than this. I'd rather get these tattoos ten times over than feel like this. He got up eventually, and realized he should just leave now. He wasn't planning on leaving until a couple days later, but he felt there was no reason to stay now. He went to the bathroom, washed his face of the tears, then went to his room and started packing. All of his things fit in one bag. He walked downstairs seeing Iroh still wasn't home. He thought he should wait for him, but he didn't want to explain the situation to him. So he took a piece of paper and made a note for Iroh.

Uncle Iroh, I'm sorry that this is the way I say goodbye. I'm heading back to the Southern Air Temple now. The reason I'm leaving, well you probably know. I enjoyed my team here a lot. Living with you was great, you are one of the most kind and humble people I've ever met. Thank you so much for allowing me to stay here, but I just want to get home and forget about her. Again, I'm really sorry. I hope I'll see you again next school year, if you allow me to come back. I'll make sure to write to you. Thank you.

Sincerely, Aang.

Aang then went outside, and greeted his flying bison. Appa could tell Aang was feeling down, so he gave a loud roar as to question what was wrong. Aang gave a defeated smile and said "Let's go home buddy." Aang threw his bag in the saddle and airbent himself onto Appa's head. He took out his phone and texted the Gaang groupchat a made up story about how he needs to get to the Southern Air Temple now, Gyatso said it was an emergency. Everyone except Katara asked him to stay for one more day but he knew he couldn't. He couldn't see Katara again. He loved her too much, and being reminded how she doesn't feel the same would make him break down again. He told them he was sorry, and wished he could stay for longer, but everyone knew this wasn't true. They all texted their goodbyes. Katara's message of "bye aang, we'll miss you." Made Aang feel even worse. "We'll miss you" No you won't Katara, you never loved me. He thought to himself. He knew deep down this wasn't true, but he was angry. Angry at himself for misreading her signals. Angry at her for letting him develop feelings like this when all he was, was a friend. He turned off his phone and yelled "YIP YIP" and Appa took off, back to their home.