PAST MIDNIGHT

It's past midnight, around the time when slumber parties transform from quaint and bubbly to raw and real. Everyone is more honest, more blunt, more openly broken. Azula, Mai and Ty Lee sit on the cold stone floors of the palace on a sweltering summer night.

It is briefly after their trip to the beach and Ty Lee can swear she still has sand in her braid.

"So, who are you into these days? Green-Eyes Lee, or is he old news?" asks Azula slowly, trying not to show how awkward girl talk makes her feel. She never was any good at it.

Pretending to be normal is such an uncomfortable but necessary thing.

"I'm into somebody," admits Ty Lee in a whisper, feeling that past-midnight sensation creeping over her and she cannot stop it taking control of her words. "I have been for a while."

Ty Lee blushes light pink.

Azula scoffs and Ty Lee cringes as if Azula threw something at her. "A while? Your affections are always so fleeting."

"Not this one, princess," breathes Ty Lee, averting her wide eyes.

"And you never told me?" Azula scowls and holds back from attacking.

"I've never told anybody." A lie. She told Mai, but telling Azula that would result in probably death, or worse.

Azula demands, "Well what is stopping you from telling me?"

"Whether or not she's interested," Ty Lee says, swallowing.

"We should find out." Azula leaps up. She cannot hide the clenched fists she does not noice. "Get dressed and give me her address."

"I… uh…" Ty Lee stammers.

Azula snaps, "What? Do you mistrust m?"

' Mai sighs and sits up. "She's interested, Ty Lee. Trust me."

"And how do you know?" Azula sneers.

Mai sighs. "Because Ty Lee is clearly talking about you, Azula."

The room falls silent. Ty Lee cringes.

"Oh," Azula squeaks. Ty Lee and Mai have never seen her so muted. Ty Lee looks like she wishes she could disappear. "Well, she is indeed interested."

Ty Lee beams.

She is lucky it is past midnight, else no one here would have been so honest.