Summary:

Started with an air scooter, ends with a flying bison. From an overexcited history teacher to an angsty classmate, their stay at Republic City High just keeps getting wilder.

Let's get to know more about our young heroes during their first day at Republic City High.

A/N: So this went fast. xD

Although don't expect much of this cadence once January hits. Thank the spirits that Christmas is a thing and vacation is, too. Lmao

We'll continue to look into our three heroes on their first day at Republic City High.

And the obligatory warning: Avatar: The Last Airbender is an original work by Avatar Studios/Nickelodeon and portions of this work have borrowed elements from the show; including concepts, characters, and some dialogue. All of them are owned by their respective owners and the awesome minds they have for the series. :

Now on with the story!

SOKKA

That airbender is crazy! First he sneezed so much it flew him back, then he took them to a ride on his ball of air that might or might not be travelling as fast as light. He doesn't know if he should feel excited or feel scared.

Sokka entered his assigned room for his Biology class. He chose to sit just right before the back of the room, closest to the door.

But before he could reach the seat he wanted, he glanced at what he thinks is the most beautiful woman in the world. She has white, bouncy hair; beautiful sea-tinted eyes, and the face of Tui. He needs to meet her.

As he gazed upon the young 'princess', he bumped onto someone. He was back to reality.

"I'm–"

"Can't you see where you're going?!"

Sokka furrowed his eyebrows and looked at the one he bumped into.

It was Prince Zuko. Well, just 'Zuko' because he was 'banished' from the Fire Nation Royal Family. His face is adorned by a scar on his left eye (right eye?), which makes him easily-recognizable around Republic City High. Sokka doesn't fully know the details, but he was told that Zuko lives with Principal Iroh right now.

He's a jerk. He gets angry at anyone for no reason, and he doesn't have any friends. Good on him.

Sokka just ignored Zuko and proceeded to sit on his chosen seat. He could feel the firebender's glare from behind. He doesn't care. He's able to get lost in thought with that amazing woman from earlier.

"Okay, everyone! Settle down." Their class was sternly greeted by their professor. The students quieted down.

"I'm Professor Hui-ying. I'm from the University of the United Republic, and I'm here today to–Jiro, quiet down!" the professor pointed at two chattering students just in front of Sokka's seat.

The whole class gasped. 'Jiro' was shocked. His eyes grew wide. Does she know all of their names? This class isn't going to be fun, is it?

Professor Hui-ying responded firmly, "I'm not here to blabber about nonsensical things. I'm here to give you knowledge on the things you all should know and that's it. You understand?" The room is eerily quiet.

Yep, this is not turning out to be fun. He wonders how Katara is doing.

KATARA

Just before class began, Katara and Aang walked into their assigned classroom. She doesn't know why, but the young airbender somehow fascinates her. Maybe it's because she liked to travel and air nomad culture literally came to her, or because Aang is the first air nomad she has seen in her entire life. She instantly felt comfortable with the boy.

Aang decided to sit right around the front, and she decided to sit just behind him. Their professor came in Earth Kingdom clothing. He came just in time. The professor has a wide grin on his face.

"Hello, everyone! I'm Professor Zei. I'm from Ba Sing Se University, and was head of anthropology there before I started teaching here at Republic City High. I travel the world to discover its deep history. I have, so, many, stories to tell you all!" The professor excitedly said to them. He seems to be very dedicated to history.

"I was travelling across Si Wong Desert when I came across this–" Professor Zei stopped as he glanced at Aang. His eyes turned wide and he gasped.

He looked back at the airbender, "You, young man."

"M-Me?" Aang pointed to himself.

The professor nodded. He seems to be awestruck at Aang, "A-Are you an air nomad?"

She could feel that Aang was uneasy at the sudden question, "Y-Yeah?"

Professor Zei squealed at the sight, "Everyone," he said as he pulled the young airbender to stand up.

"What we have here is an air nomad from–which temple are you from?"

"The Southern Air Temple?"

"Southern Air Temple, splendid! I tried so hard to travel to the air temples but they can be really arduous to reach without one of their sky bisons. Tell us young man, do you have a sky bison?"

"Uh...yeah? H-His name is 'Appa'."

Sky bison? Appa?

"Truly fascinating. What is the primary agricultural product of your people?"

"W-We bake bread...are fruit pies agricultural products?"

"Oh, that is one for the journals! Tell us your name, son."

The airbender nervously smiled, "I-I'm Aang."

The professor squealed again, "We'll still have lots to talk about you, but you can sit down."

Aang was clearly nervous when he sat down. She is curious about what Professor Zei and Aang mentioned as the 'sky bison'.

Katara quietly called Aang out, "Aang,"

Aang looked behind at her.

She quietly asked, "What's a sky bison?"

Aang quietly replied back, "They're really awesome friends! They are our companions when we travel."

His response just generated more questions, "Do they fly? Why did Professor Zei say that you can only travel to the temples with them?"

He replied back, "O-Oh! Only the Western and Northern Temples are accessible by airship. The Eastern and Southern Temples don't have 'airship ports' yet."

"And yes, they can fly." Aang added. Katara nodded. What would riding a sky bison be like?

Professor Zei continued to discuss fire nation history as well as the history of the relationships between the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation, and how it flourished to what it is today.

It's interesting that the Fire Nation once attempted to conquer Ba Sing Se, but was stopped by the Avatar just in time before the now-vibrant city was destroyed. Sozin's Comet initially meant fear as firebenders were at their prime during that time period, but is now a symbol of peace as Avatar Chesa achieved peace on the same day. It's treated as a holiday in the Fire Nation capital, as well as in a town in the United Republic called Yu Dao. The town's name seems familiar to her.

Professor Zei then turned back again to telling his story of how he was caught in a vine as he travelled to a Fire Nation town named 'Hira'a'. He told them that the town was Avatar Roku's son's hometown.

The professor continued to discuss until the bell rang, clearly frowning.

"Aww, I was just about to tell you all about the time I met the Sun Warriors! Anyways, let's continue our discussion tomorrow." the professor smiled at his students. Katara admired the professor's dedication to history.

The students started dispersing from the room.

SOKKA

His fifth period, which for spirits sake was 'Geometry', just finished. Who in their right mind calculates the length, width, and depth of imaginary shapes? What's next, combining algebra and geometry? It couldn't get any more horrifying, couldn't it?

[A/N: Calculus enters the chat]

Sokka was walking across the huge hall of the school when he was able to glance again at the 'princess' he saw earlier in the morning. She was walking on the opposite side of the hall. He approached her and tried starting a conversation.

"Hi there. Sokka, Southern Water Tribe."

Sokka's 'future love of his life' smiled, "Very nice to meet you, Sokka. I'm Yue. I'm from the Northern Water Tribe."

The young warrior nervously replied, "O-Oh, Yue. What a...uhh...what a nice name!"

Yue laughed at his nervousness. She laughed (at his nervousness)!

He tried asking, "So, you...you're new here?"

Yue shook her head. "I was here last year. I seem to have seen you before."

Sokka is shocked and flustered. How did he not see such beauty for a year already?

"I...uh-we...might had different classes last year? I saw you at Biology earlier, though." Sokka flashed an awkward grin on his face.

Yue nodded, "Professor Hui-ying looks strict, but I've met her once. She's really sweet."

That dark spirit from Biology class is a kind person? Sokka just nodded.

Then, he thought of a plan.

"Uh...so since we have met already, I'm thinking. Maybe we could...do an...activity together?"

Activity?! Out of everything he can pull out of his mouth, it's 'activity'. He is embarrassed beyond belief. He is never having a chance with her.

Yue is slightly confused. She laughed, "O-Oh, sure! Maybe this weekend?"

Sokka's eyes brightened, "Y-Yeah! Sure! L-Let me just get your number so I can just text you."

Yue laughed lightly. The two exchanged phone numbers. There was awkward silence between them for a minute.

Sokka was the first to speak, "Y-You want to have lunch with us? I'm with my friends."

Yue smiled sadly, "Um...I'm supposed to meet Principal Iroh. I hope I could join you and your friends soon."

"O-Oh, yeah. S-Sure." Yue and Sokka waved at each other.

This is it, he's having his first 'friendly' date. A smile was plastered on his face as he approached the cafeteria.

He could see Katara and Aang already seated, waving at him.

Sokka got food and sat down at the same table Aang and Katara were seating, his 'plate' littered with rice, a couple pieces of meat, and beans. He couldn't focus, he couldn't stop thinking about Yue. Sokka continued to softly smile at the wall.

Katara seems to have noticed. "What has gotten into you?"

Sokka dramily said, "I just met the most beautiful girl in the world,"

Then excitedly said, "and we're having a date!"

Aang and Katara looked at each other, shrugged, and proceeded to eat.

As Sokka sat down, the airbender pointed at Zuko and asked, "Who's that?"

"Zuko," Sokka replied with a sour look in his eyes. "He's a jerk."

"I don't think he is," the young airbender stood up and waved at the firebender, "Hey!"

Zuko seems to have noticed, but just looked away with an angry grunt. Aang sat back down, a small frown formed on his face.

"I told you, he's a jerk." Aang sighed.

As the trio ate their lunch, Sokka couldn't help but notice the young airbender's 'plate' only had beans and tofu on it. Sokka raised his eyebrows,

"You didn't get the meat?"

"I-I don't eat meat." Aang nervously replied. Sokka stared at him in disbelief.

"Y-You're saying that, you haven't tasted the delight that is meat?" Aang shook his head.

"Pork?" Aang shook his head again.

"Beef?" Another shake of his head.

"Chicken?" He shook his head again.

Sokka is distraught. He was about to scream at Aang for this type of blasphemy towards meat when the airbender apologetically responded with his hands slightly up, "N-Not all airbenders do it. I just want to follow Monk Gyatso's practices, that's all."

That helped him calm down, somehow. But still, this kid won't eat meat? No wonder he's short.

It was Katara who asked this time, "Monk Gyatso?"

Aang happily replied, "He's the greatest airbender in the world! He taught me everything I know."

The young airbender pulled out his phone (who knew air nomads would have them?), and showed the two siblings a photo of him and an old monk. They appear to be at the Air Temples, posing against a cloudy background. Sokka could see Aang's sincere smile.

"You really seem to love this guy."

Aang sheepishly replied, "W-Well, he was basically my guardian ever since I moved to the Southern Temple. He's like family to me now."

"What about your pare–" Sokka stopped as he realized what he was about to ask. This is one of the few times he hated his blunt mouth.

The young warrior tried to stop Aang, "Y-You d-don't have to–"

The airbender had a pensive smile, "W-We still exchange letters. Mother is in the Eastern Air Temple and Father is in the Northern Temple."

The three have been quiet for some time. The two siblings tried to lighten up the mood.

Katara started, "H-Hey, since you have your phone out, let's exchange our phone numbers so we can text each other!"

"S-Sure!" Aang's smile was seemingly back.

Sokka tried to lighten it up further.

He just couldn't take it anymore. "I just can't help but, why is your phone so pristine?!"

Even without those carrying cases Future Industries sells, Aang's phone is just as new as it was.

Aang nervously laughed, "Oh, we-we don't really use it much on the temples. We play airball almost the entire day, so we only have these in our rooms."

The three continued their conversation about the airbender's life in the Southern Air Temple (peppering in Sokka's 'charming' observations) until the hall bell rang. The three waved goodbye to each other, about to go to their respective classes.

AANG

'100-110'. Aang needs to go to Room 106 for band class. He slowly walked across the hall.

'101'.

Aang couldn't help but pensively smile again after Sokka (accidentally) asked him about his parents. Not that he misses them (and not that he doesn't miss them), he just misses being home. He isn't certain why talking about it was very sensitive to them, he should ask them soon.

'102'.

He didn't really mind being with Monk Gyatso at the Southern Air Temple as early as he was 5 years old. Air nomads did not have a true definition of what a family is. All of the nomads are his family. He did deeply miss Mother the first time when he was sent from the Eastern Air Temple to the South to learn airbending. He was happy to know that they could still write to each other, and still does to this day.

'103'.

The situation is different with Father, though. He is in the Northern Air Temple. Letters only come from and to them just every month and a half, sometimes even two. Even with the existence of airship-delivered mail, the fact that the Southern Air Temple didn't have a place for them to land means that mail would need to be delivered through Omashu, to be sent to the Air Temple through sky bison.

'104'.

The letters he would receive from his parents were mostly about asking his whereabouts. He would happily answer with 'training with Monk Gyatso', or 'playing airball with his friends, and winning'. There's the occasional 'I miss you' exchange with him and Mother, as well as some stories about Father's adventures up north.

'105'.

But when he sent a letter to both of them about him being accepted to Republic City High, only Mother answered back. She told Aang that 'she is very proud of him' and 'hope they can meet again soon'. He hasn't received anything from Father. He was told that air nomads up North are attending a summit at Ba Sing Se, and might not be able to respond for a couple weeks.

It has been a month and a half since he sent the letter to Father.

He sighed. He does miss them.

'106'.

Finally, his destination. He entered the room, and was amazed at the amount of instruments in the room. From the tsungi horn, to the dungchen, the room has all the instruments (or at least one) from all four nations.

Aang decided to sit on the flute section of the room. He wished that he bought the one Gyatso gave him. As he sat, he was greeted by a Fire Nation student about his age. Probably slightly older.

"S-So you play the flute as well?" The kid smiled at him. The airbender hummed and nodded.

Aang replied, "Yeah. My guardian gave me one."

The student smiled, "I'm Shoji."

"I-I'm Aang." Aang returned the smile.

A few moments later, their music professor entered the room. She entered in a grandiose fashion.

"Greetings, everyone. I'm Professor Yuka, and I'm going to be teaching you the art of music for this year." Her voice can be heard across the large room.

"Music is an expression of the mind, an abstract representation of our feelings through sound, a soothing paint of thoughts on a sheet through notes." Aang isn't really sure what that means.

"Today, I want to see how you express yourself through sound."

There was huge chattering in the room. A few minutes in and students are introducing themselves one-by-one through their instruments. Some decided to play their favorite song, some played a lullaby.

The time came for Aang to introduce himself. He grabbed one of the flutes lying around, he wasn't really sure what to play. Aang closed his eyes, blew on its hole, and let his fingers move on its own.

He was playing the lullaby Monk Gyatso and Mother, before he moved to the South, sang to him as a kid to lull him to sleep. It's a well-known air nomad song, and it always reminded him of the days when he was a kid. The melody felt warm and nostalgic, it brought back so many memories.

He couldn't help but allow a tear escape from his eye as he finished playing. Professor Yuka is impressed at the young airbender's talent.

"Magnificent! The soft notes soothes the mind, the melody is melancholic, and the progression is just right. You might have a chance to join Republic City High's orchestra."

The young airbender is flattered at the professor's, rather copious, remark, "Uh...thanks."

He was greeted back by Shoji at his seat.

"Aang, that was awesome!" the boy excitedly say to him.

Aang returned a nervous smile, "Thanks."

"Say, me and our friends actually play some more instruments. Wanna join us after class?"

Aang is happy to join them, "O-Oh, sure! But I don't have my flute with me."

"Y-You can meet us tomorrow instead. We're always at the field after 7th period."

Aang nodded, "Sure. I'll meet you tomorrow. I promise I'll bring my flute.

While their professor discussed, the two talked amongst themselves. 'Hide and Explode' caught his attention. Aang isn't sure what it is and seems to be dangerous, but Shoji told him it's fun. Maybe he should join them soon.

He also discovered new music styles from the Fire Nation. The Fire Nation tried to eliminate music and art from their culture. Since the end of the '25 Year War', scholars have tried to restore them, and artists have tried to make them even more creative. At Avatar Chen's time, the importance of their culture was revamped and added to Fire Nation schools' curriculum. Shoji told him that it's fun, he knew a band called 'The Flamey-O's' that played at their school every week.

Shoji reminds Aang of Kuzon a lot, a friendly spirit with a mischievous side that still manages to be fun. He still remembers how the two of them stole a dragon egg from poachers, something that not even Monk Gyatso knows.

Meeting Shoji couldn't help but make him smile.

SOKKA

Finally, the day is over! It's not over as quickly as he would have liked, but it has still ended. His relief is clearly seen as he and his younger sister walk out of Republic City High. He really hoped that tomorrow was the weekend, but it isn't.

Katara asked, "So, how do we go home?"

Sokka shrugged. Katara angrily sighed and crossed her arms.

The way is probably to the left. He tried to lead the way, "Let's try this–"

A voice from behind said, "Appa and I can give you a lift.". It was Aang.

"Oh, no–"

Katara happily answered, "We'd love a ride, thanks!"

The young warrior looked at his younger sister. The younger sister of his that scolded him for asking about Aang's air mastery tattoos earlier, is excited to ride this 'Appa'. Katara seems to have known this 'Appa' before him.

"So, where's that Satomobile of yours?"

"Oh, Appa is my sky bison."

A sky bison?

"Where is this 'sky bison'?"

"I was about to call him," the airbender pulled out something from his bag.

"With this!" He showed a weirdly-shaped whistle. Seems to be shaped like an animal.

Aang blew hard on his whistle. It didn't seem to make a sound. Sokka and Katara are confused.

He asked, eyebrows raised, "So...where's 'Appa'?"

Aang happily answered, "He'll come soon enough."

The sky suddenly turned dark. Sokka looked up and–

"W-W-What's that?!" he pointed to the huge creature, slowly getting larger as it moved down.

"That's Appa!" the airbender joyfully exclaimed. **Aang really is crazy. That giant monster is his ride?

The creature slowly descended to the ground. Aang's humongous pet loudly groaned, its drool spritzing to Sokka.

It's disgusting! He squeals and tries to remove the sticky saliva from his face, much to his younger sister's amusement.

"Don't worry, it'll wash off."

"Sure." he said sarcastically.

Aang helped Katara climb onto the sky bison's saddle. Sokka is reluctant to ride.

Katara raised her eyebrows. "You're not going?"

You're expecting him to ride this monster that just spit at him a couple of seconds ago?

"I'm not going to ride that fluffy monster!"

Katara shrugged, "Okay, then. At least you know your way home, right?"

He doesn't. Sokka tried to argue, but nothing came out from his mind. He defeatedly sighed.

"Fine."

He climbed onto the sky bison's saddle. He could see Katara's eyes glimmering with excitement. What has gotten into her? Aang flew onto the bison's head.

"Okay, hold on tight! Appa, yip yip!" Aang lightly whips the reins.

The giant animal groaned again, they could feel its tail flapping. In a couple of seconds, the three of them are soaring in the air.

Sokka looked at the side of the saddle. He is ecstatic.

"W-We're flying! We're flying!" the young warrior looked at his sister with a huge grin on his face. His sister is smirking.

He quickly switched back to his aloof tone, "I mean, of course we're flying."

Katara chuckled. Sokka looked back to the bison's side and his grin is back.

The wind blows around his body. He closed his eyes. It feels awesome. He feels free.

KATARA

Katara knew her older brother would love it. Ever since their father joined the United Forces, Sokka dreamt of flying in one of the airships the forces used in their missions. He's finally achieving that dream; well, on a sky bison.

Katara notices the arrows on Aang's bison. She tries asking the airbender.

"Aang?"

The airbender looked at her, "What's up, Katara?"

She asked, "Your tattoos and Appa's fur look the same."

Aang answered with a smile, "Oh, sky bisons were the first airbenders. When we learned how to bend air, we also inherited their tattoos. They are the pioneers of airbending." he said matter-of-factly.

She is amazed to be learning about air nomad culture. She responded with a hum.

Katara was about to move back on the saddle when she noticed that Aang is still smiling at her.

She raised her eyebrows, "Why are you smiling like that?"

Aang's cheeks were tinted red, "O-Oh, I was smiling?" She couldn't help but smile back.

They were flying above Republic City. She could see the sunset through Tui Bay, the orange-tinted sun slowly descending as the day turns into night. She could see the lights on the buildings below starting to turn on one-by-one. It's mesmerizing. She never thought that flying would be this amazing.

They were flying for a couple more minutes until Katara spotted their home, a kilometer or two outside the city.

Katara excitedly pointed to their home, "Aang, right there!"

Aang looked at where she was pointing. He nodded and whipped the reins again and Appa descended back to the earth. The sky quickly got dark as they landed.

Sokka got down first and asked Aang, "Hey, want to have dinner with us?"

Aang nervously smiled, "Uh...I need to go home. Gyatso's probably waiting for me."

Sokka shrugged but smiled, "Okay then, suit yourself." then proceeded to go inside.

Katara couldn't help but frown. She did return a smile to the young airbender.

She thanked him, "Thanks for flying us home. I-I never thought that it could be this amazing."

Aang rubbed the back of his neck, "N-No problem!"

"Maybe this weekend you can have dinner with us? Have your mentor, Gyatso, come with you?"

"Oh, sure! T-Thanks for inviting us."

"I'll make sure Gran-Gran prepares something for you." Katara chuckled.

Aang returned a nervous laugh.

Katara nodded. Silence consumed them for a while. Aang smiled.

"I-I'll just send you a text." Katara smiled. Aang tilted his head.

"On your phone, dummy."

"Oh." He laughed.

Katara then placed a kiss on his cheeks, as a 'thank you'. His face is blushing. She didn't seem to notice.

"I...I should get going." Aang rushed back to Appa.

Katara waved to him, "Bye, Aang. See you tomorrow!"

Aang waved back as his bison flew from the ground, "You too!". He is then out of sight.

She sighed. She doesn't want to admit it, but today has been one of the best days of her life.

"Katara, dinner's ready!" Gran-Gran called out inside the house.

Katara excitedly answered, "Coming!"

AANG

Aang hurriedly ran back to Appa to hide the blush that is starting to grow on his face. Once he is in the air, he couldn't help but dreamily smile. She kissed him, Katara kissed him. Well, it was on the cheek but still, she kissed him. Her soft lips touching his cheeks, it feels like a dream.

He shook his head. What is he thinking? That was just a friendly gesture. They just met today for spirits' sake! Is it? His thoughts continued to circle around on the events that happened today until he noticed that they were near their house, a bakery in the bustling streets of Republic City.

Their bakery serves, among other baked goods, fruit pies and egg custard tarts, two of Aang's favorite desserts at the Southern Air Temple. He has kind of a sweet tooth, largely thanks to Air Nation cuisine being sweet in nature; 'it brings out the sweetness of the person', as the monks back home say.

He landed in a small field at the back of the building. He flew down and led Appa to a makeshift stable he and Gyatso had made. Just before he stepped inside, Aang prepared some hay bales for his companion to eat.

"Here 'ya go buddy!". Aang petted Appa. The sky bison lightly groaned and started munching on the hay bales the airbender gave him.

As Aang entered the house, he was greeted by Monk Gyatso and Momo.

"Welcome home, Aang." The young airbender hugged his loving mentor. Momo climbed on his shoulder, chirping. He petted the lemur.

Gyatso asked as Aang put down his backpack, "So, how was your day?"

Aang's smile glittered with happiness as he turned to the old monk. "It was amazing! I got to meet new friends, and the school is huge!"

Gyatso hummed. "You seem to be enjoying your stay here." Aang happily nodded.

"There are so many kinds of professors, there are many different benders...but I still miss the temple." the young airbender gave a wistful smile, remembering what happened earlier. Republic City High is amazing, although it would be more fun if he could be with his friends from the temple. Gyatso gave him a concerned smile.

"Sometimes the best things come from the most unexpected places. At least, you have made new friends here in the Republic. Aang nodded. He proceeded to sit at their dining table.

Their dinner isn't much, but it feels like he's at home. The steamed vegetables hug his face with delight, the curry made out of mung bean and tofu filling his nose with the scent of nights during autumn back at the temple, and hot rice inviting him to eat. The two thanked the spirits for dinner and proceeded to eat.

"So, tell me more about your new friends."

"They're not a lot. There's Sokka. He's a non-bender, but he throws a boomerang and fights with a club."

Gyatso hummed.

"Then there's Katara. She's Sokka's younger sister..." Aang took a pause and stared at a distance. He unconsciously smiled.

"She's kind, she's caring, she can be a hot-head at times but she is very passionate about things."

"You seem to have taken a particular liking to this girl."

He immediately woke up from his trance, blinked twice, and blushed profusely at the old monk, "I...I-Uh..." Gyatso lightly laughed.

"It's okay, Aang. Young love can truly be exhilarating." The young airbender blushed even further, his face is more like a tomato at this point. Gyatso smiled at his pupil.

"But what seals love best is your friendship." Aang turned his gaze back to his mentor.

"Just like fruit pies, the secret is in the gooey center. Fill your friendship with care, sincerity, and a little bit of fun. That's what makes love sweet."

Gyatso's young pupil nodded at his statement.

"It's okay to take a liking to someone, but don't let it consume your friendship. That's what makes love tasteless."

Aang nodded again and rubbed his neck, "Uh...t-thanks. I guess..."

Gyatso could tell that the young airbender was uncomfortable with their current conversation, so he decided to change the subject.

"Why not tell me about your professors instead?"

Aang's eyes glimmered with excitement. He told Gyatso what happened today.

Aang later greeted Gyatso a good night after their nightly meditation and headed to his room. Just before he went to bed, he checked his phone for messages.

There was a lot, from his friends asking him on how was the first day at Republic City High, to a message telling him that there's a sale on cabbages? He knew he shouldn't have given his number to that cabbage store just for the discount.

But one message caught his attention. It was Katara's.

Katara:

Awesome day today Aang! See you tomorrow at the library?

Aang smiled. He replied.

Aang:

Sure!

He lied down on his bed. Despite his homesickness, he can still find happiness with his new friends. He closed his eyes with a smile on his face.

Today was a great day.

A/N: Huge apologies for the slightly Aangsty chapter, I promise I won't do it again. I think. Somehow. Nevermind.

I planned to introduce the library Sokka dreaded to go this chapter, but it already got very long despite the lack of flashbacks. We're going to see it next time though!

Don't worry about Zuko. We'll have a dedicated chapter, plus a 'redemption arc' for our angry firebender. ;)

Thanks for reading! And until the next chapter, good night and a happy new year!