Chapter 13: Girlfriend

"Here are your teas, your royal highnesses," Jet said facetiously, serving mugs of jasmine tea to the fire siblings in the student center café. He bowed before them in a dramatic, sarcastic manner.

"Royal highness?" Azula asked, smirking. "I could get used to this."

"Yeah," Zuko chuckled. "Me too."

Jet held out his hand. "Alright, pay up."

Azula opened her mouth to protest, but Jet stopped her.

"Not you. Ladies drink for free." He gave her a flirtatious wink.

She rolled her eyes.

"You're seriously going to charge me?" Zuko questioned. "For tea? After I let you play my videogames, use my TV, eat my food, oh, and what about the all the toilet paper I bought after that little incident following the hot sauce challenge – "

"The brown-out," Jet interrupted, shaking his head solemnly. "We said we'd never speak of that day. We had a pact."

"Yeah, yeah."

"I was just joking anyway. My friends always drink for free. Just don't tell anyone." He looked back at the counter and saw a student waiting. "Ah, gotta get back to work."

It was a cloudy Sunday afternoon, and Azula was having another heart-to-heart with her brother in an attempt to leave the past behind and patch things up between them. Uncle Iroh always said that any problem could be solved while talking over tea, so the dysfunctional siblings decided to meet once a week and share a cup of tea, or as Zuzu liked to call it, hot leaf juice.

Before Jet served them their drinks, Zuko had just finished telling Azula more about their mother's background. Some pieces of info he had learned from Iroh and some from Ursa herself. Apparently Ursa did not marry Ozai for love, but for money. Ozai came from a long line of wealthy politicians and businessmen, while Ursa came from next to nothing, although, as Azula had just learned, it was rumored that Ursa was one of the last living descendants of one of the Avatars born to the Fire Nation. She was still trying to wrap her head around the news.

"So, where were we?" Zuko thought for a second. "Oh yeah. So Ozai went through Mother's phone and grew suspicious that she was having an affair with her high school boyfriend."

"Well, was she?"

"I don't know for sure. They were definitely talking. Enough for Father to think that I wasn't his biological son."

"No, th-that's crazy! You look just like him – " She noticed the indignant look on his face. " – I didn't mean that as an insult." She wasn't lying. Of course, she'd never admit that her father was an objectively handsome man. And Zuzu had really grown into his looks too.

"Yeah, okay." He sipped his tea. "Anyway, Father had our DNA tested…"

Azula clutched her piping hot mug. She knew in her gut that Zuko was her brother, but… what if he weren't? Would that matter?

"…and I'm definitely his son."

She sighed, growing somewhat pensive. She decided now was the time to discuss an issue that had been on her mind for years. "Is that why… Father kicked you out? Because he didn't think you were his, or was there something – "

"I don't want to talk about that. Not right now."

Her brow furrowed, but she nodded. She had her suspicions regarding the real reason Ozai and Zuko fought so much, but she decided to respect his boundaries and leave it alone. "I understand, but… you know you can talk to me. About anything."

"Yeah, I just… I'm not ready."

"Okay, well," she smiled, "I'll be here when you are."

Jet was still working his shift after the siblings left. Not that he was trying to snoop on their conversation, but he was happy to hear that Zuko was in touch with their mother and that she was possibly coming to the talent show. If only Azula could come around to the idea…

Ty Lee waltzed into the café with Mai and Katara at her sides, looking like the queen bee of the group. As beautiful as Ty Lee was, Jet found his attention on the other two girls. His heart was clearly still with Mai, but his head told him Katara was probably the better option. She could be good for him, a sweet girl like her. Maybe she'd be a good influence on him.

"Coffee's on me today, ladies," Ty Lee joked, knowing full-well their drinks would be free.

Jet scoffed. "Funny."

"I'll have a double chocolate chip frappuccino with whipped cream," Ty Lee ordered, "Katara will have a vanilla iced coffee, and just one regular dark roast coffee for Mai."

"Got it." He began preparing their drinks, starting with Mai's order since it was the easiest.

"Hey…" Mai said, looking around the café. "Where are Zuko and Azula? I thought they'd be here."

Of course Mai would be looking for Zuko. "Oh, they left maybe a half hour ago." He searched her face for any signs of disappointment but found none.

"What did they talk about?" Ty Lee asked, nosing for gossip. "Anything interesting?"

"Ty!" Katara scolded. "That's none of our business."

"Aww, but I wanna know!"

He placed Mai's coffee down on the counter and started on Katara's drink. "Well… I do have a little piece of information I can share…"

The girls leaned in closer to him.

"Zuko invited their mom to the talent show."

Mai nearly choked on her coffee. She may have been stoic before, but she certainly wasn't now. Her face completely fell.

"He wants to impress her or something. And to meet all his friends, of course."

"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Katara beamed.

"What does Azula think about it?" Ty Lee asked.

"She's not sure if she's ready to have Ursa back in her life yet, but she's warming up to the idea." Jet gave Katara her iced coffee and turned to Mai, who was somehow paler than she normally was. "You know what the deal is with her and her family, right?" He smiled. "It's a little better now. Or getting there…"

"What the hell?" Mai questioned.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you kidding me?! What a load of bullshit."

"Mai, are you okay?" Ty Lee placed a supportive hand on Mai's arm.

"How can you say that?" Jet asked. He had no idea what the hell had gotten into Mai. She should be happy that Zuko and Azula were reconnecting with their mother!

"I've got to wake them up to what's going on."

Katara gasped.

"I have to tell them they can't trust that lousy mother of theirs."

"You what?! How can you say that about their mom?" Jet found himself getting worked up, not really sure why he was feeling as angry as he was. "You're their friend – you should be happy for them!"

"Happy? Me? Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'?"

"I mean why the hell should anyone be happy when their neglectful mom is trying to sneak back into their lives again?!

"Mai," Katara tried to assuage.

"Do you honestly expect me to stand by and watch while their hearts get broken again? She left them! She left them for a new family."

"Their mom's trying to do the right thing – "

"You don't even know her! So how can you even say that? Get real, Jet."

"Get real?!" Jet was entirely losing his cool and he hated it. Especially since he was losing it at Mai. But at least now he understood why she was pissing him off so much. "My parents are dead, Mai! Do you know how much I'd kill for more time with my mom?!

"You didn't see the impact Ursa had on them when she left! I was there – you weren't! You don't know them like I do!"

"I know Azula better than you do," he blurted.

"Come on guys," Katara stepped in, "Stop it."

"Yeah," Ty Lee said, frowning. "We're all friends here. We all want what's best for them."

"I'm done here." Mai turned to leave.

Ty Lee pouted. "Hey, don't worry about my order. You can just owe me one." She left after Mai.

"But it was free!" he called after her. He watched Ty Lee place her arm around Mai to comfort her as they walked away.

"Hey… are you okay?" Katara asked, her eyes wide with concern. "That was pretty intense."

"I'll be fine."

She placed a hand on Jet's shoulder. "For what it's worth, I think it's great Zuko and Azula are reconnecting with their mom. I wish I had that opportunity too…"

"Katara…" That's right. He and Katara were both members of the Dead Mom club.

"I can't imagine what you went through, losing your parents at such a young age." She smiled softly at him. "You're really incredible, Jet."

"Thanks, Katara." He returned the soft smile. "So are you."

The days leading up to the talent show went by in a flash. While Azula didn't exactly struggle to balance all her commitments, between juggling schoolwork, firebending training, practicing the fire dragon dance with Zuko, and getting an acceptable amount of beauty rest, her lack of social life was beginning to weigh on her. Besides lunch and dinner, which weren't always consistent, she barely got to spend time with her friends. And after everything that happened between Jet and Mai, she needed to be there for both of them. Separately.

Azula had never been one to shy away from confrontation, but the tension between Jet and Mai was legitimately stressing her out. They weren't actively fighting anymore, but they didn't really talk either. In a way, the silence was worse. These two just didn't see eye-to-eye. Jet made it very clear that he felt it would benefit Azula to get to know her mother, while Mai reminded Azula of all the pain she went through when Ursa left. Both had valid points. But at least both of her opinionated friends had the common decency to respect and support Azula's and her brother's decisions no matter what, even if they didn't agree.

Leading up to the talent show, Azula felt she had time to make this decision. But now it was the evening before the main event, and Azula had just received some text messages from Zuko that made her stomach plummet.

Zuzu: Mother is here. At the house.

Zuzu: She'd like to take us out to dinner. You, me, and our friends.

Zuzu: Do you want to see her?

After a solid minute of staring blankly at her phone, Azula had reached a decision. Quickly, she texted Jet.

Azula: Are you at the house?

Jet: No. Just getting out of work. Why?

Azula: Ursa is there…

Azula: I think I'm ready to see her, but would you come over with me?

Jet: Be there in five minutes.

Jet: Proud of you.

Azula clung to Jet's arm for security as he accompanied her over to the house. Her stomach churned as she thought about what she'd say. But as soon as she saw Ursa standing there, her mother right there in the flesh, her mind drew a blank.

"Azula…" Ursa breathed, her eyes welling with tears.

"Mother."

"Let me take a look at you," she smiled warmly as she took a few steps closer.

Fighting back tears, Azula looked across the room at her brother and then at Sokka who was right there by Zuko's side, probably giving him the same emotional support that Jet was giving her. They both gave her an encouraging smile.

"You've grown up to be such a beautiful young woman."

"Thank you…"

"Look, I…" Her brow furrowed with concern. "I know how you must feel about me. And I don't blame you. I'm already touched and so grateful that you're standing here right now. I know I don't deserve your time, and I… I'm so sorry, Azula." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Azula clenched her jaw. There was no way she was about to get openly emotional in front of her estranged mother.

"I'm so, so sorry. I know my words mean very little and can't possibly convey how sorry I am, but I hope you will give me the chance to show you and make things right. There's so much I've longed to tell you, so much I have to explain. Maybe… just maybe you'll allow me that time and give me the chance to redeem myself. I want more than anything to be a part of your life. It would mean the world to me."

She cast her eyes away from her mother and took a deep breath. "I don't know what you want me to say." She paused. "You… you left. That doesn't just go away – "

"I know – "

"But… I'm not going to rule it out, your being in my life, I just… I need time to think about it."

"Of course," she nodded quickly, "Of course, I understand. Thank you, Azula. I'm so happy you've come to see me." Sokka handed her a tissue and she blotted her eyes.

"So…" Azula shifted her eyes. "What now?"

"Well I'd love to meet your friends if that's alright. Zuko's told me so much about them. I've already had the pleasure of meeting Sokka."

"Your mom's awesome," Sokka said excitedly. "She stocked our kitchen with baking and cooking supplies!"

"That was generous," Azula smiled, turning to Jet at her side. "Guess you'll be cooking for the house."

"Guess so," he shrugged.

"Are you going to introduce me to this handsome young gentleman?" Ursa asked.

"Of course. Where are my manners? Mother, this is my friend, Jet. Jet, my mother, Ursa."

"Ah, the third housemate," Ursa said.

"It's nice to meet you," Jet said, nodding respectfully.

"It's nice to meet you too."

"Everyone else is on their way," Zuko cut in. "Should be here any – "

Ty Lee and Katara came bursting through the door, with Mai slinking in behind them.

"Oh, good timing."

"We came over as fast as we could," Ty Lee panted, catching her breath. "Hi, I'm Ty Lee! You must be Zuko and Azula's mom!"

"And I'm Katara," the waterbender greeted. "It's so lovely to meet you."

"It's lovely to meet you too!" Ursa smiled. "I've heard such wonderful and amusing stories about all of you – oh, could that be…" She noticed the raven-haired girl standing in the back.

"Yes, you remember Mai," Zuko said walking up to Mai as she met him in the middle.

"Of course," Ursa said. "It's wonderful to see you again, Mai."

Mai nodded. "It's good to see you too, Ursa."

"I remember when you were little and Zuko called you his first friend."

"Well…" Zuko put his arm around Mai and grinned. "…now she's my girlfriend."

Azula's mouth fell open. His what?! Was anyone going to tell her?! She immediately looked up at Jet who was still standing right beside her. She watched his heart break right before her very eyes.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading my story! I just wanted to let you know that I will be taking a short hiatus from this story so I can focus on my Sokkla Saturdays entries (every Saturday in October and November), so please make sure you check those out : )