The beeping alarm awoke Aang from his deep slumber. Groaning, he reached out blindly to turn it off but only succeeded in knocking it the machine over. Luckily it landed on the top, pushing the silence button so it no longer buzzed. Rolling over, Aang wanted to go back to sleep, but something kept creeping on the edge of his mind. Something important...

In a flash he remembered what the day was and butterflies fluttered inside his stomach. The sensation had his brain on full alert. Excitement and nerves made his body tingle in adrenaline. The day he had been dreaming about for years had finally come to fruition.

Junior year of high school!

Bouncing off of his bed, Aang raced into his bathroom, completely disregarding the alarm clock on the floor. After a quick shower, feeling like he was about to burst at the seams with energy, he dashed to the kitchen after dressing in an orange tee and black jeans. Nobody was around yet, but he could hear the other shower going on and knew it was Katara. She was almost always up before anyone else to make breakfast.

This time he decided he was going to surprise her. He had cooked before, back when he had lived with his parents, but he was nervous she wouldn't like it. However he was so happy for today that he wanted to share it. So, after taking a deep breath, he got started.

(***)

There, everything was complete. A platter of pancakes, bacon and sausage, fruit in leftover cream sauce, and the juice was laid out. The food was hot and plates were set out. Although cooking the meat made him a little ill, it was the least he could do on a day like today. Aang knew Hakoda had been gone before any of them awoke, so it wasn't an issue. He hoped the siblings would like what he did.

Right on time, he could hear footsteps, ones he had heard hundreds of time over the last few months. Immediately Aang's heart started pounding with nerves and an emotion that he dare not name yet. Standing up straight, he waited. Sure enough the face of the girl he was falling for appeared.. Katara beamed at him, her hair still slightly damp from her shower, wearing a shimmer blue/purple tee black knee length shorts. Her mother's necklace was still wrapped snugly around her neck, as was her beaded bracelet.

When she smiled, the room lit up with it, as if it had enough power to light an entire city. Aang smiled back, cheeks flushing.

"Good morning, Aang," she said softly, gazing at him with gentle eyes.

"Good morning, Katara," he said back just as quietly, wondering if she could hear his thundering heart raging. Clearing his throat he turned to the table, more to escape her penetrating gaze than showing her the food. "I made breakfast."

Her eyes widened when they beheld the menagerie of edible delights. "You made all this?" she asked in wonder.

Scratching his neck he said, "Yeah. I figured you could use a break for a change. I wanted to make to make eggs, but-"

He was cut off by the hug she smothered him with. "This was so sweet of you, Aang. Thank you." Raising herself on tiptoes, she kissed his cheek in gratitude.

Now they felt like they were on fire. Was it getting hotter in the room? Heart galloping, pulse racing, he started to say something. "Katara, I..."

He was cut off, however, by someone exclaiming, "Man that smells good!" Sokka came into the kitchen with a wide grin. He looked over at the platters and, impossibly, his grin widened. "Wow, Kat, you've made a buffet!"

Katara shook her head, smiling. "I didn't cook, Sokka. Aang did!"

The older boy looked at Aang, eyebrows raised. "Since when can you cook?"

Modest, he shrugged. "I learned pretty early on." In fact he had known how to cook when he was twelve. Whenever his parents had gotten sick, he would help in making meals for them to get better. It had always felt like a responsibility to Aang to help them because they had always helped him.

Sokka rubbed his hands together. "Then let's not waste it. I'm starving!"

He was about to head to the table when Katara glared at him. "Sokka, where are your manners?"

Looking confused for a moment, he then caught on and looked at Aang sheepishly. "Thanks, buddy."

Amused more than annoyed, Aang, grinned. "Yeah, no problem." On an impulse, he grabbed Katara's hand and lead her over, pulling a chair out. "Go ahead, Katara."

He could have sworn there was a blush on her face, but maybe it was the light. However, she gripped his a little tighter before letting go to sit. After they had settled, everyone began eating. When she took that first, the bliss on her face was enough to make Aang want to jump around in glee. "Hmm," she hummed, slowly chewing, then swallowing. "Wow, Aang, these pancakes are amazing."

Sokka looked up, sausage in hand. "I'll say," he said in agreement, mouth full. "I've never had any like them before."

Aang laughed at the dirty look Katara gave her brother. "I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. It's been a while since I cooked anything like this."

"It's appreciated, Aang," Katara said softly. "So, how are you feeling?"

The question caught him off guard. "What do you mean?"

"It's the beginning of Junior year. Your first real day of high school. You must be excited!" Katara beamed at him, once more lighting up the room with her enthusiasm, God, how he wanted to kiss her.

Shrugging to push the thought away, he replied, "Well sure. I mean, after everything that had happened, it would be good to go to school."

Sokka took a moment to breathe at that point. "I gotta say, I'm looking forward to finishing high school. At least then I can focus more on the future."

It made Aang ask a question he had thought before. "What are your plans for it?"

Sokka shrugged, taking a bite of sausage. "You know, I'm not sure yet. I want to be a technical advisor, but at the same time, being an engineer seems pretty cool, too."

Remembering Sokka's love for inventing and building, it made sense that those would be his two main options. When he was done with high school, Aang wanted to get a degree in the visual arts. Katara wanted to be a jewelry designer ad already had a head start, since she sold hundreds of pieces a year. Maybe he could start by selling his drawings, online, like she does. It would be a start.

After they had eaten, the trio got ready to head for the high school. After he made certain everything was in place, he met the siblings in the front hall and they left together. The butterflies in Aang's stomach went crazy once more as they cruised down Eucalyptus Drive to Lowell High in Sokka's truck. Katara was next to him, twirling her now French braided hair, reading a book. Looking at the cover, he saw it was Percy Jackson and Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

"Good series," he commented, having read the books a lot when he was entering his teens, before the kidnapping.

Katara looked up, startled, then down with a blush. "It's supposed to be for kids, but I like Percy, and Annabeth. Both of them have to overcome challenges in the Greek world."

He laughed, in good spirits. "I'm not criticizing, though I have to say Grover is pretty cool."

She wrinkled her nose, which was cute, but he wasn't going to tell her that. "Seriously?"

Narrowing his eyes, Aang responded. "Yeah. I mean, when you think about what he fears, he's doing everything he can to redeem himself and protect the other demigods on their quest."

Katara thought about that for a moment before conceding. "I guess have you have a point. I will admit at least that much." She must have seen the smug look on his face because she scowled a bit. "Don't get used to being a know-it-all, Windstorm."

That just made him chuckle, knowing that wasn't entirely serious about it. "Already started to."

Rolling her eyes with a little smile, she went back to her book and Aang looked out the window. Even after almost three months, the place was breathtaking. California was a jewel all on its own, but this part of it, San Fran, was where he wanted to be. Not just because Katara was here and he was falling for her, but the place felt like home, as if he belonged there.

It felt like a miracle.

(***)

It wasn't long before they reached the school, which was a large, blue colored building with silver block letters: LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL. Students and teachers wandered the grounds, greeting fellows and friends after the summer holiday ended. Fresh flowers and trees added alluring scents an colors like a prism

Aang couldn't stop gaping at the place. Everything just shined. There was no other to describe what he was witnessing. Surfaces seemed to gleam under the bright morning sun just breaking over the horizon. Most of the people here were energetic, some bouncing around as if they were too full of life to help themselves.

There were some loners, goths, and rocker types too, and some of the older students, like Sokka, who wanted to get this last year over with.

It was almost overwhelming seeing such a variety in one place, but mostly, he was just happy to be here. Sokka parked in the lot and the trio climbed out, taking it all in. Katara, who had been going to this place for years, nudged Aang out of his stupor.

"Are you ready for this, Aang?"

Blinking, he looked at her, feeling a grin come across his face. "I was born ready."

Sokka snorted at that. "How original," he said dryly.

Aang chuckled, but before he could say anything, Katara pulled out her phone, saying, "I want a picture of this moment, guys."

Her brother groaned. "I should have seen that coming."

She pouted at him, blue eyes going huge in a puppy-like manner. "Please, Sokka..." she pleaded softly, hands clasped together. Just the sight made Aang's own chest want to cave in, she looked adorable.

Sokka shook his head, but grumbled, "Fine."

Katara squealed, then pulled the boys on either side of her, and told Aang to hold the phone after the camera was on. "Make it a good one," she said excitedly.

Aang angled the phone so they could see themselves, held it steady, and snapped the photo. In it, he and Katara were grinning like fools while Sokka had a smaller smile and a peace sign up. They are so going to get this picture printed. He gave the phone back to her and said, "I think we're ready."

"I do, too. I like the picture," she said before looking up at him, and before he could react, she kissed his cheek and said, "Race you!" before taking off.

He glanced at Sokka, who looked amused. Aang could feel himself blushing. "What?"

The older boy shrugged, starting for the school. "Nothing, man, nothing at all."

That was a lie and he knew it, but why? It wasn't like Katara felt anything more than a siblings' love for him. Didn't she? He wanted to hope that she was feeling for him what he felt for her, but was it too soon to think they had a prospective relationship on the rise? Or was he being a little too hopeful for something as serious as romantic love?

Katara was waiting for them at the entrance when they arrived. "You guys took your time," she mumbled, rolling her eyes.

Sokka shrugged in a dramatic fashion. "Excuse us, Ms. Impatient Bookworm. Not all of us thrive on academic whatsit."

Aang felt the need to interject with, "Achievement is the word, Sokka."

Throwing up his hands, he said, "I don't give a fig!" Marching into the school he then muttered, "Let's get this year over with."

Katara exchanged a glance with him and they chuckled, heading in themselves.

One word for the school: Crowded.

There were so many people inside it was almost like a concert hall. Different nationalities, race, color, even people from countries across the seas were there. From freshman to seniors, the place was a buzzing hive of activity that Aang's mind almost couldn't process what his eyes were seeing. There were the jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, loners, Goths; just about every single kind of clique most schools had.

Banners and posters for upcoming events, such as the new year dance, election for student board members, and so on, adorned the walls. The bright light from the sun shone through the windows, casting a golden glow ever everything and everyone.

After so many years in the darkness, this place, so ripe and alive, invigorated Aang's soul.

A familiar patch of auburn hair came towards them, and Suki burst out of group of friends, beaming. Sh engulfed him in a hug that was almost too tight, but he didn't mind. It only enhanced the feeling of being home.

"It's so good to see you, Aang," she said as they released the hug.

"But you saw us over the week," he protested playfully.

She laughed, ruffling his hair before going to Katara and giving a hug. "And how is my future sister-in-law?" she asked in a loud whisper, smirking.

Sokka choked, blushing a deep red. "Seriously?" he sputtered, grabbing his chest. It looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

Walking over to him, Suki gave her boyfriend a tender yet passionate kiss. When it ended, Sokka looked dazed, which caused her to giggle. "I expect a ring."

"Uh huh," he breathed before kissing her again. Aang could tell, right then and there, the idea of a ring in the future was sure to happen. Watching his sister and best friend, Aang wished that he and Katara could have a moment like that. Glancing at her, he saw the dreamy, lovesick expression as she watched the couple.

"Thinking of anybody?"he asked, more or less against his will.

Katara blinked, looking at him. "What?" Then his words seemed to register and she blushed, looking away and playing with her French braid. "Oh, no one, not at all."

Disappointed by her words, he turned away to hide the pain his eyes held. "Okay." Putting his hands in his pockets, he changed the subject. "So where do I get my schedule?"

Katara seemed relieved as she said, "In the office. Come on, I"ll take you."

She led him away from the still kissing couple into a fairly spacious office not far from the entrance. The air inside was cool and refreshing, battling away the heat from outside. The furniture was tan, the walls beige, and colorful paintings and still life adorned the walls. In the middle was a rounded desk in half circle form, where a window was open in its exact center. A middle aged man with a balding head of light brown hair sat there in a plaid shirt and khakis.

Something about the guy set Aang's nerves on edge, but he did the best he could at keeping calm.

Katara went to him with Aang following behind. "Hi, Mr. Reynolds."

He looked up, pale watery blue eyes scrutinizing her before he smiled. "Ms. Rivers," he said, his voice strangely high pitched, as if he had swallowed a whistle. "Pleasure to see you, again." He looked past her to Aang. "Who's your friend?"

Grabbing his arm, she brought him closer. "This is Aang Windstorm. He's here for his schedule."

Those unnatural eyes peered into him, and maybe it was his imagination but there was an almost...predatory look within them that raised alarms inside his brain.

"Let me look you up, kiddo," he said in a supposed-to-be kind voice, but it only made Aang worried. After a minute of typing into the computer, Mr. Reynolds printed a single sheet of paper and handed it over. Their hands touched, and Aang had to hold back a unpleasant shiver. Something as definitely wrong with this picture.

"Thanks," he mumbled, backing away.

"My pleasure," he said, but the way he phrased it made goose flesh rise on Aang's skin.

Katara must have sensed his wariness because she gently grabbed his shoulders, smiled at Mr. Reynolds, and walked him out. When they were among the student body, she asked, "Are you okay?"

Taking a deep breath, he decided to be honest. "That guy gives me the creeps."

She glanced back as they walked away. "Mr. Reynolds is creepy to most of us, but he's harmless."

'I wouldn't be so sure about that,' he thought. "I don't know," he said slowly. "There's just...something off about him."

Now there was a more serious look to her face. "What do you mean?"

How could he phrase it without sounding paranoid? 'He has the same vibes as those of others who wanted a piece of me?' Yeah, maybe not the right time for that. Instead of saying what he was thinking, he said, "Maybe my nerves are a little more jangled than I thought. But I'm sure it's fine."

Katara studied him, unsure, but before she could say anything the bell rang, signaling the warning to get to class in five minutes. "Come on, Aang, let's find your locker and get to class." She led him to the Junior hall, where they found his locker. Katara and Sokka had already gotten their schedules via email. But since he was new to the school, they had to register him later on, in which he had to choose which required classes to take, as well as one of interest.

Turned out they were only two lockers away from each other. Looking at the page, he entered the combination, memorizing the code almost instantly, and stashed his backpack inside. The only thing he grabbed from the bag was his box of pencils and erasers, along with a notebook.

"Who do you have first?" Katara asked, looking at her schedule.

"Mr. Gobb, science."

She grinned. "Oh, you'll like him. He's funny and cheerful." Just then the bell rang, signifying the beginning of class. "I have Art III, but Mr. Gobb is just down this hall, third to last door on the right. You'll see his name. See you later!" Katara hurried away in the opposite direction, opening a door on the left and entering the classroom.

Aang followed her instructions to the letter and found the science lab. Upon entry, he saw a man with shaggy salt and pepper hair, a slight dusting of hair around his mouth, and wearing a blue button down and dark gray slacks. He was writing a whiteboard when Aang entered.

Mr. Gobb turned with a welcoming smile and when he spoke, his voice was somewhere between tenor and baritone. "You must be new. I'm Mr. Anthony Gobb." He held out a hand.

Aware he was being watched by the other students, he reached out and shook the man's warm hand. "Aang Windstorm, sir." Surprisingly, there were no weird vibes like there had been with Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Gobb seemed so at ease that it was impossible to be tense.

"Please, take a seat. I was just beginning to write formulas."

"Yes sir," he said, walking to the only front seat available. Next to him was a girl with raven black hair and the most bizarre pair of eyes he had ever seen. One was emerald, but the other was a such a pale green that it appeared blind.

The girl said, "Take a picture, it'll last longer."

Blushing at the way he had been caught, he muttered, "Sorry."

After settling, Aang looked up at the board, pencil at the ready, and began his Junior year.