The twenty third came, and everyone in school was a buzz with talk about Celeste. There was an announcement in the morning, saying that Celeste was going to the State Jingle Jam and wishing her good luck. And all day people walked by and wished Celeste luck when they saw her. People were rooting her on one hundred percent.

Celeste's voice had returned for the most part, and Zula was ecstatic. The plan was still on. Zula was smiling up a storm and walking around bragging about how she was going to be Celeste's manager after she won the competition. Celeste didn't smile much all day, she was way too nervous. However she smiled when she saw Zuko at the end of the day.

"Are you nervous?" Zuko came right out and asked her.

"Yeah," she replied, "A lot."

"As long as you remember the lyrics to Silent Night you'll be fine." Celeste shook her head.

"I'm not going to sing that song." She said.

"What? But Zula,"

"Zula can sing it if she wants to hear it so bad. Like you said, she's not the boss of me. This is my career that I'm working toward." Zuko smiled. "So, I'll see you tomorrow night?"

"Actually," and Zuko rubbed the back of his head, "I might be a little late." He said.

"What do you mean?" she grew interested.

"I have a race." He said. Celeste looked at him surprised.

"A race on Christmas Eve night? Zuko…" she disapproved.

"I already agreed to it."

"But you said you'd be there!" Celeste said, "I don't wanna sing if you're not there."

"I know and I'm sorry, but I'm already scheduled to race." Celeste just looked at Zuko with a sad face. Zuko went to touch her hand, but she pulled it away. He grew shocked and looked at her, not knowing what was wrong. "Celeste…listen…"

"No, you listen! You promised me you'd be there!"

"You don't understand."

"No, you don't understand. I had something planned…I-I can't sing without you there."

"I'm sorry."

"No you're not." She retorted, "I can't believe you."

"Celeste-"

"You don't care do you?"

"No, I do." Things weren't going as smoothly as Zuko had hoped. He knew she would be upset, but not that upset. Katara, Aang and Sokka walked up behind him. "I care a lot about your big chance. I'm cheering you on the whole way. Trust me."

"Than skip the race." Celeste said. "Don't break a promise Zuko."

"You're not going?" Aang asked Zuko surprised. "But we all said we would go and root for her!"

"My whole family is going to be there Zuko. I wanted them to meet you." Celeste spoke again. Zuko just shrugged.

"I can't just pass up the race. I need the money." Zuko told everyone. Katara and Sokka's mouth gapes open.

"You're racing again?" Sokka asked, "You said you'd stop."

"But I need the money." Zuko said. Celeste backed away from him.

"Don't break my heart, Zuko." And she looked at him with saddened eyes. "You promised."

"I'm sorry Celeste, but I don't really have a choice anymore. This is important."

"So you have more important things to do? I thought you liked me."

"I do!"

"You know this is something Rue would do." And Celeste walked away from Zuko. Sokka, Aang and Katara just glared at Zuko.

"That's being a real jerk, Zuko." Katara said.

"Yeah," Sokka agreed and the three walked off. Zuko grew angry and punched his locker. Nobody seemed to understand him. But there wasn't anything he could do now but go home and prepare himself for the big race tomorrow.

Zuko went home feeling like a real heel. He had blown off the competition from some stupid race. But he loved to race, and yet at the same time he loved to hear Celeste sing. He even loved to hear her talk. And as if he was asking for it, the phone rang. He picked it up and answered it. "Hello?"

"Zuko?" It was Celeste.

"Hi Celeste."

"I just wanted to let you know that I ate a full meal today without purging myself after." It was like music to his ears. She was getting better!

"What made you do it?" he asked.

"I thought about you." Celeste replied. Zuko drew in a deep breath. He felt like guilt was crushing his chest.

"Listen, Celeste, I'm really sorry."

"Sure you are, Zuko." And with that she hung up.

He was torn and didn't know what to think. He had already called and confirmed things with Bucky and Cozen. There was simply no turning back. He dug into his bank and pulled out the $100 racing fee and stuffed it in his wallet. He knew Celeste might never forgive him, and it hurt him to the core.