A/N: Don't ask me what's got into me, because I don't know. I've just been in a mood to write recently and ta da. Not too much happens here, but I'm setting some things up that you prob won't realise until several chapters down the line. Hope you enjoy it anyway.

Wednesday:

Katara's POV:

I chew my lip as I walk mindlessly across campus to reach the med school, my thoughts too caught up with a certain airbender who I haven't seen since our quick pizza dinner a few days ago. I sigh as enter the large building. 'I'm more convinced than before that something is up. I wish he would just open up so I can help.' I shake my head to myself. 'No. I'm respecting his space. If he wants to talk, he will. I only need to make sure that he knows I'm available if he needs it.' With a nod of my head, I slip into the large lecture hall.

My eyes sweep across the room, hoping to spot Yue, but to my dismay the white-haired girl is nowhere to be seen. 'I really need to make more friends.' I think with a disappointed exhale and start trudging towards one of the pews at the front. But before I can take a seat, I spot a hand waving to me. Frowning, I squint up and find Aang seated at the far back with a grin on his face as his arm continues to wave at me. My eyes widen in shock and I quickly make my way to the back and slide into a seat beside him.

"What in spirits name are you doing here?" I ask in bewilderment. The boy shoots me a wide smile.

"Part of my course requires us to learn about human physiology and how it changes on a flight." Aang explains. I blink twice. 'Well, that makes sense. I guess.'

"And here I thought engineering and medicine couldn't be further apart." I joke, eliciting a chuckle from the airbender.

"You'd be surprised at how most subjects connect in some way or another. In a way they're all one big puzzle, each piece is just a different component that fits with another piece." The child genius voices wisely, in a tone that far surpasses his mere 16 years. But considering how sensitive he is with his levels of intellect, I'm just able to restrain myself from gawking at the boy and opt to nod my head in understanding.

"That's very insightful." I say and watch as the airbender rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Oh, I did it again, didn't I?" He mumbles sheepishly, but just as I open my mouth to deny his words, another voice cuts across the room.

"Alright, settle down everybody! We're going to be starting our first lesson on Human physiology." The professor calls out from the front of the lecture hall. I glance to my side to find that Aang already has his notebook open to a new page. I give him a gentle nudge to earn his attention. He flickers his grey orbs to me, an obvious question in them. I lean towards him slightly.

"I personally like hearing your philosophical thoughts." I murmur quietly, eliciting a light flush from the boy as he beams up at me.

"Thanks." He whispers back and together we zone back onto the lecture. As the lecturer continues to ramble about today's learning objectives, I dig into my backpack for a pen and exercise book to place on the small desk in front of me.

"Now, I'm not going to stand yapping at you all day. I want things to be more interactive, so I'll start with some simple questions. Can anyone tell me what's the equilibrium potential of potassium?" The professor queries.

The room remains eerily silent as the man's eyes roam over the room in search of a hand, only to find none.

"Come on people! This is easy stuff and I'm not moving onto the main topic until we have some answers." Again, no one answers. The man releases an audible exhale. "You all are very bright individuals, but if no one says anything I'm going to have to pick people from my register." At this, I notice Aang hunching his shoulders up as he sinks deeper into his chair. I furrow my eyebrows at his behaviour. 'What's he worried about? He probably knows the…oh. Oh, the lecturer will probably end up picking on him because of his intellect.' I swallow and flicker my eyes across the very full room.

Taking a deep breath, I stick my hand up and ignore the many pairs of beady eyes that stare at me.

"Oh good, finally someone brave enough to speak up. Right, what do you have?" He asks, his green eyes set firmly on me.

"It's -90mv." I answer, hoping the waver in my voice isn't obvious, but the beam in his face helps elevate my anxiousness at speaking in front of so many people.

"Excellent! Now, can anyone tell me the equilibrium potential for sodium, calcium and chloride?" Again, the man is greeted to that stony thick silence. I sigh, realising that I'm probably going to have to speak up again, if only to shield Aang from the discomfort of being picked on.

"Sodium is +60mv, calcium is +123mv and chloride is -40mv." I recite, silently thanking the spirits that I decided to do some extra reading. The man nods his head enthusiastically.

"All correct, very well done. Nice to know someone is doing their extra reading. Now, I'll start with explaining the different types of potassium channels, starting with the inward rectifier…" I tune the man out as I slump against my chair in relief, only to be distracted by a pair of eyes on me. I glance to my right to find Aang gaping at me.

"What?" I mouth silently. He opens his mouth, before promptly closing it and shaking his head. I watch as he turns his head to look ahead of him, leaving me confused. 'I hope I didn't screw up things even more.' I think anxiously.

The rest of the lecture goes without a hitch. It seems that once we got going, more people became relaxed enough to answer the lecturer's questions. When he finally announces that the session is done, everyone starts chattering and shuffling out of the lecture hall. I quickly shove my books into my bag and start walking out of the room, with Aang hot on my heels.

"So, what was that?" The airbender asks while shifting the strap of his shoulder bag further up his shoulder. I purse my lips.

"You looked uncomfortable. I suppose the lecturers already know who's in their class and so were likely to pick on you. I just thought to chip in…I'm sorry if I got that wrong." I explain as my blue orbs flicker over to the boy to catch the expression of surprise that flashes across his face.

"You did that…for me?" He echoes back. I shrug my shoulders, trying to downplay my action.

"It's nothing." I lie smoothly, but the child genius sees straight through me if the way he raises an eyebrow is any indication. Instead of calling me out on it however, he fiddles with his shoulder strap for a moment in silence.

"Thank you." He murmurs softly, my heart melts at the gratitude that shines on his face and it makes speaking up in front of a huge audience totally worth it.

"Anytime." I say with a beam. "So, up for another movie night on Friday?" I ask. Again a flicker of hesitation crosses his eyes, but it's briefer in comparison to the other times I've seen it.

"Sure, but I'm picking the film this time." He expresses with a smirk. I quirk an eyebrow.

"Should I be concerned?" I tease, but he shakes his head.

"Nah, it will be good. I promise." He pledges, but the mirth in his eyes makes me think otherwise. I shrug anyway.

"Alright. You're the boss." I joke as I reach my locker.

"Awesome. Well I've got to run for another lecture, but I'll catch you later!" Aang bids with a wave and I watch as he disappears behind a corner. I smile, happy to have got him out of his shell, even if it's a little bit. As I swap some of my books from my locker, I find something rough suddenly shoving me in the shoulder, making me drop my bag onto the ground. I frown and flicker my gaze up to find the brother of that bully from the canteen. I furrow my eyebrows as I try to recall his name, 'Zuko!' I recall and start scowling at his retreating back.

"People usually apologise when they bash into someone." I mutter under my breath. I must've been louder than I thought because the student pauses mid-stride and turns to face me.

"I'm not in the mood." He mutters, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. I snort.

"I don't know why I'm surprised. Are you in a rush to find your sister to terrorise some other poor student?" I quip sourly. This seems to bring the man's attention back to earth as he stares at me for a few moments, before his features contours into a growl.

"Oh, it's you." He mutters distastefully, offending me in the process.

"Well don't sound too displeased to see me." I retort as I put my hands on my hips. Zuko shakes his head and gives me his back.

"I've got better things to do than waste it with someone who sticks their nose into things that don't concern them." The firebender retorts and starts walking away from me, leaving me seething. The temptation to run after him and give him a piece of my mind is overwhelming, but I refrain. Sokka's words are unfortunately still at the forefront of my mind.

"You're not worth the effort." I mumble to myself as I pick up my bag and stuff a few books into it before making a bee-line to the canteen for lunch. My eyes roam over the room and I nearly wilt in relief when I catch Sokka's pony-tail. I order a sandwich and go over to sit next to him, throwing my bag on the chair beside me. My brother glances at me with a frown.

"Someone looks cheesed off." He points out. I shake my head in annoyance.

"That Zuko is just plain rude." I complain angrily as I open up my sandwich packet, ignoring the flash of worry that crosses my brother's blue eyes.

"Oh gosh, please don't tell me you engaged with him." Sokka pleads. I roll my eyes.

"I didn't say anything that he shouldn't already know." I mutter and to my dismay watch as the boy opens his mouth, ready to rebuke me. Fortunately, I'm saved by Teo who I only now notice is seated opposite us.

"Rumour has it that he had a rough childhood." The engineer student cuts in. I furrow my eyebrows, surprised at the revelation.

"Like what?" I question, only for the boy to shrug his shoulders.

"No one knows. Some people say his mum walked out on him. Others say that he's adopted and isn't the real heir to his father's business." The boy rattles off, causing my frown to deepen just as Sokka takes a bite out of his chicken leg.

"Oh! I heard that he was in a gang and that's how he got that scar on his face." My brother adds with his mouth full. I elbow him. "Ow, Katara." He complains as he goes to hold the assaulted area.

"Don't talk with food in your mouth." I berate, sounding very much like our mum. The man grumbles under his breath, but he obeys anyway. My eyes return to Teo just as he glances from side to side before leaning forward.

"One rumour is that his father gave him the scar." The boy whispers from his wheel-chair, prompting me to widen my eyes in shock.

"No way. What kind of father would do that to their own son?" I breathe out, appalled. Teo shrugs just as Sokka releases a snort.

"Nah, I bet he got caught up in some crime that went wrong. I mean, have you looked at him? The guy gives me the creeps." My brother voices with a shiver. I quirk an eyebrow at him.

"You find vegetables creepy." I remind dryly, eliciting a chuckle from Teo while my brother glares at me.

"I find vegetables gross, not creepy. Very different things." Sokka expresses defensively while waving his arm in front of him to emphasise his point. I roll my eyes, but decide not to correct him.

"By the sounds of it, these just sound like rumours and even if they were true, which sounds unlikely, that's not an excuse. You don't treat other people badly because you're having a hard time." I voice strongly, eliciting a nod from the pony-tailed man.

"I agree with you there." He states while taking another bite from his meat, but Teo just shrugs.

"I think people manage trauma differently. People lash out, go into denial, ignore it, forget it, move on or accept it. It's just how they cope." The boy discloses wisely. My eyes accidently flicker to his wheelchair and a rush of shame washes over me when I realise he must be talking from prior experiences. His eyes follow my own, before he shoots me a half smile. "Me? I dealt with it by throwing myself into my studies." I bite my lip at his words.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" I trail off, but thankfully he picks up from where I've paused.

"Hey no worries. It's hard not to ask a kid in a wheelchair what happened. My house used to be beside a river bank. One day it flooded and well…I lost my mum and legs that day." The boy mumbles with sad eyes. My heart lurches into my throat at the sad tale and immediately I rise from my feet to take a seat beside the boy and rest a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." I voice sorrowfully, a flash of pain running through me as I try not to think how I'd react if I lost my mum. Nausea washes over me at the very thought and I'm quick to push it out. The engineer student looks up with furrowed eyebrows.

"No worries, I was very young when it happened. Besides, my dad does a great job in juggling both parent roles." He murmurs with a soft smile, as if caught in a fond memory. I give his shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"I'm sure he does to have raised such a kind young man." I affirm gently, eliciting a slight blush from him.

"Thanks Katara." Teo utters gratefully and I'm relieved to see the melancholy ebbing away from his features.

"That's Katara for you, always bringing in the mushy stuff in some way or form." Sokka jokes in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. I shoot him a glare.

"Hey!" I defend, but stop when I hear Teo chuckling.

"You are very motherly." He affirms with a grin, making my ears pinken in embarrassment and I return to my seat with a grumble.

"You both are terrible." I mumble, prompting a laugh from both men. Sokka throws an arm around me playfully.

"Don't worry, I think it's one of your least annoying traits." My brother teases and I'm half tempted to shove him back, but in the end I just shake my head and continue my sandwich in silence. The conversation soon shifts back to their project and I can't help but wonder about Aang's coping strategy. 'If he's trying to move on, then maybe I shouldn't ask him anymore questions. Heck, maybe I even got it all wrong and he's just slightly apprehensive for whatever reason. Being a child genius can't be easy, right?' With that thought in mind I tune back into my brother's rambling as he excitedly suggests new ideas to add to their biomechanical leg.

A/N: So I thought to pretty much use Teo's backstory from the show because it fits so well and doesn't need changing. He's always been pretty chilled with being in a wheelchair so I thought to continue that same theme. Aang's past still remains a mystery and will remain a mystery for largely most of the story. Sorry. But I'll keep dropping other hints and maybe you'll be able to guess them ;) If not, no worries, I've got some flashbacks planned for him.

I thought it was interesting to touch on what other students thought of Zuko and Katara's thoughts on the matter. I've dropped a super subtle hint of what's going to happen in latter chapters, but it's so subtle that you likely won't realise, well until that chapter drops. My only clue for you? Think angst XD

Med Terms:

-Yes, for some reason we have to learn about equilibrium potentials. Definitely don't get too bogged down with it, but it's related to how an action potential is generated to transmit a signal in the body i.e. to nerves or muscles to cause them to fire or contract. Low levels of any of those ions has detrimental effects on the human body.

-Human physiology = the function of the human body, i.e. how certain aspects work and why they work. Based more on a cellular level usually.

Next update in a month prob, unless I get bored XD

2/3/21