Celeste and Zuko went back into Celeste's room for her to practice. Celeste did her scales and sang them beautifully, but they couldn't help but to strike up another conversation. It was clear that they weren't going to get anything done. "You know Zula wants me to sing Silent Night for the competition. I want to sing something else."

"Like what?' Zuko asked from a chair in her room.

"I dunno. A song I can relate to, I guess. Then I can get really into it, you know?"

"I guess I can understand that. What kind of song did you have in mind?"

"Something like-like a love song."

"A love song?"

"Yeah, I've never really experienced Christmas love."

"We can start looking for songs."

"Nah, Zula would kill me."

"You need to stop letting her boss you around." Zuko stated, "You have your own life, you should live it according to your rules and not hers."

"But I should get used to it because she is going to be my manager."

"She doesn't have to be your manager. If you're serious about your singing career, which you are, than you should pick someone you know who looks out for you." And Celeste thought about it for a moment. And then Zuko brought up another question. But this question had a much deeper meaning, and it knocked Celeste off her feet. "Celeste, what did Rue mean when he said nobody would take you because of your problem?" Celeste went silent and looked out the window and sighed.

"He always knew how to get the best of me." She said. Zuko stood up and walked over to her.

"What problem do you have?" he asked, "Because I'd like to help if I can."

Zuko had never really cared about anyone in his life other than himself, and the words were choked up in his throat. He didn't know what to say or what to do. He wanted to express himself, and not screw up at the same time. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach about this, and he knew that something was definitely wrong. Celeste didn't look at him. "You can't help me." She said in almost a whisper, and then Zuko saw a single tear drop down her face.

"Why not?" he asked, concerned.

"There are many things you don't know about me Zuko."

"But I'd like to know them."

"I know you would. But I can't tell you. I'm afraid of what you'll think."

"Celeste…I think you're perfect." He confessed, slightly blushing. Celeste wiped away her tear.

"I'm far from it. And, no offense, but I know you are too." And Zuko was taken aback by what she said. Something in him went on the defensive side and he wanted to bark back something nasty to her. But this was Celeste, he couldn't do that to her. So he just bit his lower lip and tightened his fists. "And I don't mean that in a bad way."

"What do you mean?"

"I've dated some…unusual guys in my life, like Rue. I go for the unique type. And you are definitely unique. But in a way I can't explain."

"How?" and she stepped forward and gently touched his scar, tracing it with her fingers. Zuko closed his eyes and let her touch him. He now understood what she meant.

"I have never been so attracted to someone with…"

"A scar like mine?" and Celeste removed her hand and placed it on his cheek.

"Just how did you get this scar?" she asked.

It was a burning question. Zuko had never told anyone about his scar, yet it was the center of all his hatred. Not to mention his horrible past coming back to haunt him during the holidays. He was a wreck around this time of year, and yet this one girl who was looking him in the eye had managed to change everything about that. If anybody deserved to know what made him the way he was, it was her.

"My father." He said simply, "He did this to me. When I was younger, before I moved in with my uncle, he used to treat me badly. He treated Zula like a princess, and he made me do all the chores and never even looked at me as his son. He said everyday that I was a disgrace. You don't understand what it was like." His insides were burning, "One day I disrespected him, by standing up to him and telling him that I had had enough. And in return he burned my face. I ran away from home the next day and I've been living with my uncle ever since." He looked up into Celeste's eyes that were filled with tears. "And then as things began to get better, my first Christmas away from home came up. My parents were divorced already, and my mom lived in a town far away from my father. I got a phone call on Christmas Eve from the hospital telling me that she was in intensive care."

"What happened?" Celeste asked him softly.

"My mother had fallen very ill. And then on Christmas morning, I got another call…telling me she had died in her sleep. She was too sick for them to save her. I've never been the same since."

There was utmost silence between the teenagers. Celeste just gazed upon Zuko's face. She didn't know what to say to take his pain away. It was a painful discovery for her, and an even more painful confession for Zuko. Zuko lifted his head and couldn't help it, but a tear fell from his eye. Celeste watched in awe as the stone hard face in front of her crumbled. Zuko had let out his burdening secret, finally.

"Zuko," she started, "I never knew. I'm so sorry." She said. Zuko drew in a quick and sharp breath and wiped away his tear. "Your life must be tough. People calling you Scar Face all the time and it's just a reminder of everything that's happened to you." Zuko just nodded, getting a hold of himself. Celeste spoke more. "Now it's my turn to tell my secret." And she turned away from him again.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Zuko…" and she sighed, "I'm bulimic."

He knew it! Of course, that was why she was so skinny! That was why she went to the bathroom after she ate. He couldn't imagine her doing that. She seemed too confident. How could she be in such poor shape? How had it started? An image came into his head of Celeste leaning over the toilet and shoving her fingers down her throat. He knew that that's what she had done in the pizza parlor and in McDonald's. He couldn't imagine what she felt.

"Do your parents know?" he asked, and she shook her head.

"My parents don't know. It all started when Rue said that all singers were skinny and pretty, and that I could never make it if I looked the way I did. At the time I weighed 145 pounds. Since then I've lost fifty pounds. This has been going on for almost a year now." And she turned back to Zuko with tears streaming down her face, "You don't know what it's like. The guilt I feel every time after I eat, and even more guilt after I purge myself. I need help. But I'm afraid to ask for it."

"Why?"

"Because it makes me feel vulnerable. Anyone could take a jab at me and break me easily. I'm emotional." She explained. There was more silence.

"I guess we both aren't doing too well." Zuko stated. Celeste wiped her tears away and nodded. "Not mention that Rue treated you badly, didn't he?" and she nodded again. Zuko thought of something to say to ease her pain. "If it helps any, I think you're beautiful." And she smiled at him and sniffled. "I wish I could be as good looking."

"That scar means nothing to me Zuko." She said to him, "I like you for who you are. I like you for who you are in here." And she touched his chest where his heart was. "There's a big heart underneath all that toughness. And Christmas is the time to let it show."

The words were true, and Zuko smiled at her. Celeste smiled back. He didn't know what to do next, but he knew what he wanted to do. So he took her in his arms and hugged her tight. She hugged him back and they stayed like that for a few moments. But the moment was interrupted when Zula came through the door. "Why isn't there practicing going on?" she demanded. Zuko quickly pulled away from Celeste and blushed. Zula just looked at him and shook her head as she crossed her arms. "You two might as well drop the act." She said. "Start singing Celeste." And Celeste looked at Zuko who rolled his eyes, and it made her laugh.