AN: This is for the Tyzula Advent Calendar. I wrote it in past tense since it's a flashback and more of an interlude than the regular story. I didn't know another way to really convey that well. It fits in during the first and second chapter of this story.
79. Ribbons
Ty Lee wore ribbons in her braids when she was very small. She had two braids instead of one, like she had by the time she was eight. At six, she looked much cuter with a missing front tooth and a quaint little pink outfit.
Her best friends were constantly beside her. And she talked too much, so the teacher made them sit behind her during their boring lessons.
Azula, the day Ty Lee wore her brightest red ribbons, smirked and smiled and connived. Because they were so pretty and she already had memorized this dull lesson, and so she reached forward and –
Tug.
Ty Lee yelped.
"Ty Lee, we are paying attention to our calligraphy now," said the teacher in a nasty tone that was too cold for small children in their first year of school.
Azula is so mean to me, Ty Lee wanted to scream. She had only just passed Azula's stupid games.
"Did I do something bad? I thought I'm your friend now," Ty Lee whispered as they lied down for nap time.
"No. You're still my friend," Azula whispered.
If a girl pulls on your braid it supposedly means she likes you.
Ty Lee had an awful lot of trouble believing that, seeing as it went on for five more years.
But, as Mai pointed out now and then, Ty Lee never stopped wearing red ribbons in her braid or braids.
She kind of liked it when Azula did that.
Not that she ever told.