Chapter Twenty-One

The next couple of weeks was a blur for Katara. At last, her brother and Suki were a couple, and Aang was stronger emotionally. Her crafted jewelry has been selling like mad and she made a little more then $200 altogether. Senior year was getting closer by the day, Junior year beginning. It felt strange; after everything that had happened in the last couple of months, it was hard to imagine going back to High School.

Had it really been only two months ago Sokka had found Aang? Had they really become friends with someone who used to be so afraid of them? So much had changed and now the boy was going to go to school with them. This is their last day of vacation and the group decided to go out for that time.

Hakoda was at work, but the kids were used to that. Katara, Aang, Sokka, and Suki left the house together to bright sunshine and crowds, seagulls swooping in the sky. She could not believe how gorgeous the day seemed to be. With her best friends by her side, nothing seemed superficial. Everything was alive and real.

First they stopped at Rainbow Swirl, a fairly new ice cream shop in town. After getting a strawberry yogurt for herself, that gang sat in a booth b the window. The bay glistened in the distance, throwing sparkling that dazzled the eyes. Aang sat next to her, peach ice cream with sprinkles on it. His thigh touched hers, sending a thrill through her body.

Katara was unsure what to do about the feelings that grew in her chest. So much had changed in her life that she was slightly confused as much as content. When he had first come into their lives, she knew immediately that something was different about this boy, despite what he had been forced to become. Of course the life of a prostitute was damaging and scary, but one wouldn't really be able to tell with him.

Aang had gotten healthier since living with them. He had packed on wiry muscles, not bulky but definitely noticeable. Skin glowing slightly tanned from the sun he had gotten. It was hard to believe that he had lived such a degrading life before coming to San Fran. It seemed, also, that he was here to stay.

Mrs. Windstorm had offered for him to stay, but Aang had declined. Katara was unsure why, though, but the fact that he would rather stay with them was both sweet and sad. She knew Linda was slightly hurt by her son's refusal, but had accepted it.

Sokka groaned, "Oh, man, I can't believe we start school in a couple of days. Isn't there a way to extend this vacation?"

Suki, languishing under his arm, laughed. "At least be glad this is the last year for you." She smirked at him. "Same goes for me," she added in a sing-song voice.

He smirked right back and was about to kiss her when Katara decided to cut in. "Yeah, yeah, it's great to have you guys together, but please simmer down." She rolled her eyes as Aang let out a snicker.

"I agree," he said, smiling. "You two could bake a cake the way you're heating."

Suki gaped at him. "Who are you and what have you done to my brother?"

He laughed, eyes turning hazel, which always mesmerized Katara. But she had to admit it was kind of shocking to hear him talk like that, even though it was wonderful as well. He had hardly ever given indication the he could poke fun in that way. The fact that he was now surprised her in a good way.

Aang shrugged, sitting back. "I'm here!" he called, raising his hand like he was in school.

Katara couldn't help but laugh, and when he met her gaze, that spark, the pull, made Katara's heart gallop so hard she was afraid he could hear it. Trying to push the feelings down, she smirked. "We're not in school yet, goof."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm just practicing," he teased back, taking a bite of his ice cream.

Suki chuckled before turning to Katara. "Back in New York, he got straight A's in every subject because of that brain of his."

Aang snorted in his dessert. "Don't be jealous," he reprimanded. "It's not my fault my brain was born like this." A shadow seemed to pass over his face, and it didn't take much knowledge to know what he was thinking. Though the nightmares had diminished it did not take away the pain of what he had gone through when he was fifteen. Once more she wanted to punch that woman in the face and hopefully it would come to pass.

Sokka cleared his throat loudly, seeming to sense the disaster that was coming. "Anyway, after this, who wants to go to the beach next? I could use some sun."

Katara facepalmed in annoyance as well as relief. The last thing they needed was darkness hanging over their happy day. "You're naturally dark-skinned, Sokka."

He flexed his free arm, revealing toned muscle. What a show-off. "What can I say? The ladies love it."

His girlfriend raised a brow, her face blank. "And what about the lady sitting by you?" she asked slowly.

Blush brightened his cheeks. "Uh, well, I mean I..." He groaned lowly. "You know what I mean," he mumbled.

A chuckle from Aang, though it seemed a little strained. Katara hoped that he could forget about it, at least for now, but she knew well enough by now to know it might not be possible.

Suki shrugged. "I'm game," she said.

Katara nodded. Nothing sounded better than going into clear waters off the bay. "I have my swimsuit on," she said.

Her brother scoffed. "You always have one on."

She glared at him, feeling her face heat up. "At least I don't stare at myself in the water's reflections."

He was about to argue with her, she could tell, but Suki elbowed him and turned to Aang. "What about you? Do you have your trunks?"

Was it just her, or did Aang seem to pale under the question? "Uh, no..." he trailed. "I didn't think I would need it."

It was then that it occurred to her: Aang had never gone swimming with them. They had a pool near the house that their dad had installed when they were younger, as well as one in the gym they went to. But not once had he ever gone out to either one, always saying he was drawing or working on something for school so he could catch up.

Now she had to wonder if there was a more personal reason he didn't want to go swimming.

Sokka didn't seem to catch on, though, because he grinned and said, "There's a store just down the street that sells this stuff. We can get you one if you like."

Aang waved his hands in front of his chest, eyes wide. "That's okay," he said quickly. "I-I can pay for my own." He wouldn't meet Sokka's eyes, so Katara knew something was up, but now wasn't the time to find out. Maybe when they got to the beach.

Sokka stood and everyone followed suit. They didn't need to go far to the shop. Surf's Up sounded like the movie, but inside the clothing store had everything a beach-goer would need in a dizzying array of colors that popped the eyes. Not literally, of course, but enough to send the message. Everything was fairly affordable.

When they got the swimsuit racks, Aang hesitated. "You know what, guys, I think I'll skip out on the beach."

Suki's fell open comically, making her look like a fish about to get the worm. "Why?" she demanded.

He shrugged, feet shuffling uncomfortably. "I'm not much of a swimmer," he mumbled.

This confused Katara. "Are you saying you can't swim?" That would have been nice to know.

Before Aang could answer, Suki did. "That's ridiculous. You swam all the time back home."

Rubbing his arms as if he were freezing he spoke to the floor. "Not anymore, I don't."

Katara wanted so badly to know why he wouldn't. It must have something to do with that mistress person. Maybe she did something to make Aang afraid of the water. But the only way to find out was to dig subtly. "Come on, Aang. It will be fun! There's this cove where not a lot of people go to. If you're nervous-"

"No!" he snapped, making her gasp in shock. It had been a while since he had raised his voice. Shocked sadness enveloped his entire face, tears gleaming in a gaze that had darkened to storm gray. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Unable to help herself, Katara went to him, bringing the distraught boy into her arms. He stiffened by the sudden contact, but then slowly hugged her back. Feeling bad for his reactions, she pushed her questions aside and murmured, "Don't be. I'm sure you have a good reason. We can do something else, if you want."

He pulled back with a shaky, barely-there smile, breaking her heart all over again. Was it wrong that she wanted to kiss him right then? Probably. He shook his head, saying, "That's okay. I'll just look around the block, see what's there. But you guys can go." Patting his pocket he added, "Call if anything changes."

Suki moved toward her brother, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure, Aang?"

He nodded. "Yeah, Suks. Go ahead, I'll be fine." He turned and walked out of the store. When he reached the sidewalk, he gave them a half-hearted wave before disappearing.

The others stood there for a long time after he had gone, trying to process what had just happened. For Katara it felt like their perfect day was bleak now, as if the sun was covered by a shroud. Finally, Sokka sighed. "So much for our perfect day."

Suki nodded. "It wouldn't feel right to go now that Aang doesn't want to, but he wants us to enjoy ourselves while he cools off."

Katara still wanted to go to the beach, but it would feel emptier without her friend/crush there. Still... "We might as well make it count," she said in agreement.

The other two nodded and the trio left. But deep in her belly, Katara felt a fire burn, one of determination. She was gong to find out why Aang was scared of the water. She was going to help him get control over that fear so he could have fun.

Nothing was going to get in the way of that.

(***)

Aang kicked a pebble across the ground, hating himself. He was such a fucking coward it made him physically sick, but the idea of swimming where others could see him and his body, his disturbing memories... Well, it was difficult to put into words.

Sighing he looked around, watching all the happy people. Why did he have to ruin such a day as this? The group had wanted today to be fun and relaxing before going to school on Monday. He had been anticipating it for a while, since now he was caught up on the work needed and was anxious to get junior year started.

However, after what had happened with the gang back at the store, he wasn't so sure about it. Aang enjoyed learning, loved concepts that eluded others, but he didn't want to take anything that involved showing off his scars.

Scars...

He shuddered, though the weather was warm, and was alarmed that the shaking didn't stop. Heart pounding like it was trying to escape, Aang leaned against the wall of an alley, the shadows forbidding and cold. "Oh, no," he muttered thinly. He tried to stop it, he really did, but there was nothing he could do to prevent the panic attack at the memory of why he was scared of water.

The air was gone, replaced by the feel of liquid pouring in his mouth, despite knowing that he was on land. In a far corner of his mind, it somewhat amazed him how the mind could trick a person, like a stranger luring a child away with candy. Only this was much harsher...

Coughing, he tried to breathe, to think, but it was impossible to make his lungs work. Blackness crept into his vision as he fell the ground, gasping and trembling. It was like a monstrous sea creature dragged him into hell.

His phone give the notification sound, but he was weak and too far gone in the panic to move, let alone answer. Every part of him was numb and freezing. All he could think about was the demented amusement of those who had made his life unworthy. That damn chamber, those stupid guards. That fucking mistress who made it her intent to mark him as a slave. Water was all he knew, all he felt as the darkness took over his vision.

The last thing he heard was his phone ringing from a far distance.