A/N: You know what I won't even go into why I'm updating this now, other than I was at the hairdresser (first time in months bc of lockdown) and there isn't much to do when someone is blow-drying your hair for over an hour XD I had fun writing this chapter so I hope you enjoy.
Wednesday Morning:
Katara's POV:
Chewing my lip, I slip into the lecture hall. My first lecture since that disastrous symposium last week. Both Sokka and Dad kept saying I have to go back and not wanting to worry them, I relented. As my eyes roam over the room, I instantly spot Yue. Unfortunately, this time it goes two ways as her eyes widen at the sight of me. Immediately, she's on her feet and striding towards me. I gulp, already anticipating the imminent backlash.
"Katara! Where in spirits name have you been?! I've tried texting and calling. Heck I was this close to hunting down your dorm!" Yue fires out as soon as she's within a metre of me. I sigh and rub my eyes.
"I'm sorry Yue, something came up and I couldn't bring myself to reply." I apologise regretfully. The girl's eyebrows instantly furrow at my tone as she comes to stand in front of me. Her eyes scrutinise me carefully.
"Are you mad at me? Is it because I disappeared for a week?" The white head queries anxiously. I shake my head and stretch out a hand to rest on her shoulder in an attempt to soothe her.
"No, no. It's not any of that. Although, I am curious about why you were absent." I say, hoping to re-direct the conversation elsewhere. Yue's eyes flicker to the front of the room before tugging at my hand and leading us to one of the empty benches. When I glance up, I realise why - the lecturer is already here, setting up his PowerPoint presentation on the computer.
"I didn't want to be a total downer, so I wasn't going to say anything, but my Dad wanted me back home for my Mum's memorial." Yue whispers quietly. I freeze at her words while my jaw slackens.
"Y-Your Mum?" I echo back feebly, prompting the girl to shift in discomfort.
"Yeah, she died not long after I was born so I never knew her, but Dad always gets super emotional at this time of year and wants the company. So I'm sorry that I've gone AWOL for a week, especially so early on in our friendship..." I cut off the girl's ramble with a hug. "Ooof." She voices in surprise.
"You don't need to apologise. I'm really sad to hear about your mum." I murmur with a constricted throat, as feelings of my own loss rears its ugly head. Arms reach up to encircle around my back as the girl shakes her head.
"Hey don't worry about it. I didn't even know her, remember?" Yue reassures and I bite back the whimper that threatens to escape from me.
"Doesn't it hurt though?" I ask before I can stop myself. A soft sigh echoes beside my ear.
"Between you and me? Sometimes it does. You can't help but wonder what having a mum is like, the memories you miss out on or what she was like as a person. But I be strong for my Dad because he obviously knew her and most of the time it's fine. It's just when it's occasions like these your mind can't help but imagine. Anyway, sorry I'm being a total downer!" The white head expresses sheepishly and pulls back, but I shake my head stubbornly.
"No you're not! Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it, but are you sure you're ok?" I press, scanning the girl's easy expression. I watch as she stretches out a hand to squeeze mine.
"I'm sure I'm alright." Yue utters softly. "Thank you for caring." She continues with a bright smile which finally puts me at ease. "What about you? What's the reason for your mysterious disappearing act?" The white head teases, prompting all the colour to drain from my face. It's just my luck when the lecturer calls us out.
"You two at the back, do you have something to share with the rest of us?" The man booms and I flush scarlet in embarrassment. Fortunately, Yue comes to my aid and shakes her head.
"No, sorry Sir." She apologises for the two of us. The professor shakes his head and goes back to explaining the effect that defects in calcium channels have on a person. I get out my exercise book just as I feel a nudge at my side. Glancing to my right, I find Yue mouth the word, 'sorry', making me smile. I shake my head and mouth the same back to her, watching as she grins before going to scribble some notes down.
I slump slightly in my seat, relieved to have escaped that particular conversation, but I'm well aware that it's not something I can avoid, especially since she already opened up about her own mum...'I can't believe the number of people whose suffered loss. First Teo, Yue and...Aang.'
My heart falls to the pit of my stomach at the thought of the boy, filling me with all kinds of guilt. 'The signals were there and I completely ignored them. Heck, even Yue's overprotective Dad suddenly makes sense but I was just too blind and self-absorbed to notice it. I didn't realise how...selfish I am.' My throat tightens at the thought, especially when I recall how self-sacrificing Mum is...was. My breathing catches at my mental stumble, but considering that I'm surrounded by a bunch of prying eyes, I know crying isn't an option right now.
Instead, I take a deep breath to still my burning eyes and try to re-focus on the lecture and the Clostridium bacteria. But it's only a couple of minutes later does my mind stray once more. 'Spirits, I wonder what Aang's story is? Who did he lose? How did he lose them? And here I was being a jerk about losing Mum when he went through something similar. It's just when he knocked...I had come across that notebook Mum gave me before uni started and something inside me just broke. But that isn't an excuse. I need to find him and apologise, for everything. That's if he'll even be anywhere near me now.' My heart plummets at the possibility. 'So far he's been my closest friend since I started uni and I just drove him away.' The thought robs my lungs of air as I dip my head forward.
"Now what are the two types of clostridium species associated with muscle defects? Anyone?" The man pauses, breaking me out of my thoughts as the room becomes deathly silent. My mind goes blank, not listening to lectures for over a week hasn't done me any good. "No one? Mr Southern, would you like to tell us?" The professor orders and a moment later a quiet voice rings out.
"Clostridium tetani and Clostridium botulinum, sir." I blink twice at the familiar voice and craning my neck behind me to the other side of the theatre, I catch sight of Aang's uncomfortable expression.
"Well done, as usual. Now onto why their mechanisms of action are different..." I tune out the rest of the man's words as I stare at the airbender, not realising he'd be in this lecture, but I almost slap my forehead when I remember that this is a physiology lecture and therefore one of the few lectures that Aang and I share. 'I didn't shield him like last time.' I scold silently. 'I need to stop thinking about myself.' I berate as my eyes keep glancing to the boy sitting by himself.
"Alright, I have a question on the screen that I want you all to discuss in pairs. I'll give you 5 minutes starting from now." The lecturer's voice rings out and soon the room erupts with everyone's chatter.
"Katara?" Yue prompts, shaking me out of all these unhealthy feelings. I jerk my head towards her and spot the worry in her eyes. "Are you alright? You haven't been making notes throughout the lecture. That's not like you." The white head queries in concern. I swallow past the lump that has somehow worked its way up my throat and nod my head.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I wave off, only for the girl's shoulders to sag in disappointment.
"I know that's not true." Yue mumbles, making me feel bad for lying to her. I swallow and try to smile.
"Really, I'm fine." I insist, only for the girl to take my hand in hers.
"You can tell me. I know we haven't been friends for long, but I already care about you. You don't need to hide things." The white head encourages gently. My breathing catches as I look away.
"I...I need some time." I choke out, refusing to hold the girl's eye in case I'll see the disappointment shining through them. A hand cups my cheek and carefully guides my face back to her. Instead of the disappointment I expected, I only see sympathy.
"Take all the time you need. Just know that I'll be here when you're ready." Yue reassures kindly, making me wonder how I got so lucky to have such a patient friend.
"Thank you Yue." I breathe out just as the lecturer calls for our attention once more. The girl drops her hand from my cheek and turns her attention towards the front, but not before shifting closer to me. My heart warms at her attempt to comfort me, even when she doesn't know why.
The rest of the lecture flies by and when it's time to leave everyone swiftly exits the room for a much needed lunch break. As we walk, Yue fills me in on everything I've missed in the past week while I occasionally nod my head to indicate that I'm listening. Until suddenly she pauses and shakes my shoulder.
"Hey isn't that the boy that saved you from that mean girl? What's his name again?" The white head queries as she points at someone ahead of us. I follow her finger and gulp when I recognise who it is.
"Oh yeah. That's Aang." I mumble. Yue glances between me and him several times before pursing her lips.
"Wait, did you two get into an argument?" She asks with wide eyes. Instantly I open my mouth to deny the statement, but end up slumping my shoulders and dropping my gaze to the ground.
"More like I was being a jerk." I mutter. A second later I find myself being pushed forward and when I turn my confused head to the girl I find her waving me ahead.
"Then go and apologise!" She urges determinedly, leaving me gaping at her.
"What?! But he probably hates me now!" I argue and my heart sinks at the realisation that I've been trying to ignore. But now that I think about it, the more it hurts to acknowledge that I've lost a kind-hearted friend.
"You won't know if you don't try." Yue retorts and pushes me forward. "I'll be in the canteen, so catch me there when you finish." The girl states before running off in the opposite direction.
My eyes snap back to Aang's disappearing form and I know if I don't catch up to him now I'll miss him entirely. I chew my lip as our last encounter flashes in my mind. 'But this time there's no door he can hide behind.' My mind reasons and with a swallow I run after him. Somehow it feels reminiscent to the last time he ran after me and the wodge of guilt hits me like a thunderbolt, nearly making my feet falter, but I push on regardless.
"Aang!" I call out and immediately the boy tenses up. He spares me a backward glance and I can see his jaw throbbing from how hard he's clenching them. I bite the inside of my cheek and push on before he decides to bolt. The idea must've suddenly occurred to him as his feet start moving and he sprints.
I slap my forehead, realising that calling his name had to be the dumbest thing I've ever done and race after him. But as I run, I realise the boy is in a league of his own with how fast he is. My lungs gasp for air while my calves burn at the strain, but I can't give up. 'Who knows when the next physiology lecture is or whether he'll leave early to avoid me in future. This could be my only chance.'
I'm so consumed in my thoughts that I don't notice the uneven pavement and my foot ends up catching on the slightly raised concrete. I tumble to the ground before I can stop myself and fall with a thud. Pain greets me the moment my knees smash into the earth and I have to bite my tongue to stop my scream. After a few seconds, I roll over to sit on my behind, my wrists screaming in protest at putting pressure on them.
"Ouch." I mutter under my puffing breath. 'Note to self, join an exercise class.' I think sombrely.
"Oh monkey feathers, are you alright?" My head snaps up in shock at the familiar voice to find Aang standing over me with wide eyes. My lips move up and down several times, unsure what to say now that he's actually here.
"Jeez you can run fast." Is the first thing that comes out of my mouth and at Aang's slack jaws I decide that I want the earth to swallow me up now. Somehow the boy doesn't seem put off by my words and crouches beside me. His fingers gently pry my hands back to check my knees.
"Let me have a look." He murmurs and begrudgingly I release my hold around my joints to reveal dots of blood oozing out from the grazes. The airbender's bottom lip wobbles when he sees them.
"Spirits, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault." He voices thickly as moisture collects in his eyes. I gape at him before realising that I need to reassure him.
"No way! I didn't realise you were on par with those Olympic runners." I joke, hoping to make him smile. He doesn't. Instead he averts his eyes.
"It's my airbending, it gives me a boost." The child genius mumbles and I can't help but look at him in awe.
"Wow, that's amazing. I didn't realise airbenders could do that." I gush in excitement, but the boy only shrugs.
"You just got hurt running after me, I wouldn't be so amazed." The airbender reminds as his gaze flickers back to my cut knees. I purse my lips and glance to either side of me before twirling my hand in the air, collecting the water in the atmosphere. I bend them onto my bleeding knees and a second later the water glows. My gaze flickers up to the boy to find his eyes wide as he stares in disbelief. Moments later the water fades and when I retract my hand the wounds are gone and the skin is as unblemished as it was before.
"You...you can heal?!" Aang gawks. I smirk.
"Who looks amazed now?" I tease, eliciting a sheepish expression from the boy.
"Sorry, I just heard it's a rare ability amongst waterbenders." The child genius voices in embarrassment. I hum in agreement.
"It is. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones." I wave off and now that I'm no longer bleeding the boy seems to withdraw into himself and moves to get to his feet, but this time I'm quicker and snap out my hands to grip both of his wrists, ensuring that he remains in his crouched position in front of me.
"Aang wait." I plead, but he turns his head.
"I should go." He voices statically.
"Please look at me." I beg, but he stubbornly keeps his head turned and the lump in my throat bobs up and down as I realise how much I screwed up our friendship.
"Can you please let go?" The airbender says instead and my eyes burn at the rejection.
"Aang I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like that. I just...Mum means...meant everything to me and I haven't been handling it well, but that isn't an excuse and I really want to be friends again." I implore, hoping he'll forgive me. Finally, Aang turns his head back to me, but his grey orbs are conflicted.
"I need to think about it." He says, crushing any hopes I had of rekindling things.
My burning eyes suddenly blur in pain as I release my hold on him. Moments later, warm fingers brush at my cheeks. It takes a second before I realise that I'm crying as Aang tries to brush the tears away. He opens his mouth to say the last thing that I expected from him.
"I'm sorry about your Mum." He whispers and I don't know what compels me, but I find myself throwing my arms around him in a tight hug. The boy must've not been expecting it as he stiffens and stumbles back slightly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I repeat in a garbed mess. The apologies partly stem from how badly I treated him and partly for whoever he lost. Its several minutes before he returns the embrace.
"Hey don't cry." He says, his tone soothing, but the ball of grief and remorse makes everything undeniably more painful.
"I didn't mean it. I promise, I didn't." I choke out as the boy starts rubbing my back.
"I believe you." He murmurs and I still in his arms. Swallowing, I pull back slightly to look at him in the eyes.
"You do?" I question in disbelief as the child genius scans me closely before releasing a sigh.
"Yes. You were hurting and lashed out. I understand. I just...friends isn't something I allow myself to have usually. Give me some time to get over it, Ok?" Aang requests and I'm immediately nodding my head vigorously.
"Thank you so much!" I express gratefully and pull him in for another hug. Again, the boy tenses up slightly, forcing me to withdraw in embarrassment. "O-oh I'm sorry, do you not like hugs?" I query anxiously, but the child genius immediately shakes his head.
"N-no it's not that. I just haven't had..." He trails off, as if catching himself on the last minute. "...you caught me off guard." He mumbles, but I can tell there's more to it than that. I restrain myself from asking though, not wanting to push my luck with how fragile things are between us.
"I'm sorry." I opt to say as I try to gauge his expression, as if it could provide me answers that his lips won't give. Its only when I notice the light dusting of pink on his cheeks do I realise that I'm staring. I flush and stumble back to give him some space.
"S-Sorry." I stammer in embarrassment.
"I-Its ok." He reassures, but his rosy cheeks says otherwise. I bite my lip, unsure how to break the sudden awkward air, but I needn't worry as the boy rises to his feet and offers his hand to me. Taking it, he hoists me up to my feet with surprising ease.
"The offer is still on the table. If you need to talk." The airbender supplies as he kicks at some invisible dirt on the ground. I feel my heart melting at his selfless offer, even though I've been horrible to him. Not knowing what possesses me, I lean forward and peck his cheek in gratitude, shocking the boy.
"Thank you Aang." I murmur gratefully. This time the child genius' whole face goes red as he coughs.
"Well, I should really be going, lectures and all that. I'll...I'll come to you when I'm ready." The airbender stutters and dashes off before I can say another word.
I stare after him, wondering if I crossed another barrier, 'I guess just because my family has always been affectionate, it doesn't mean everyone else's are.' I realise and decide to dial down the affectionate gestures.
I sigh, happy to have made some breakthrough with the boy, but a part of me worries about how much time will he need to re-open the friendship gate 'and what did he mean by not allowing himself to have friends? Did he have a bad experience? And if so, did I just skewer his outlook on opening up again?' I wonder in self-reproach as I trudge towards the canteen.
A/N: So I noticed in canon we never saw Yue's mum (as far as I remember), only her dad and it made me wonder if her mum died not long after Yue's birth which can occasionally happen from complications like haemorrhage or infection. So this is my headcanon to explain what happened to her.
Anyway I hope you enjoyed those interactions and Katara is trying to mend the hatchet which is good, right? But she's still closed off with regards about talking about her feelings on the matter.
Thank you so much guys for being such awesome readers. I love hearing from you all, it's a real joy. So, no idea when the next chapter will be, my updating is ridiculously weird, but see you when I see you!
Med Terms:
- Clostridium is a general class of bacteria which comes in several subtypes as mentioned above. Clostridium tetani results in the condition tetanus which causes spastic movements i.e. continuous muscle contractions due to the inhibitory signals responsible for stopping contractions being inhibited. Clostridium botulinum results in a condition that prevents muscle contraction, so become paralysed due to a excess activation of inhibitory signals (this botulinum is actually what botox is made of and works by paralysing the nerves & muscles to give that younger look). So it's important to have a balance of these signals, too much or too little will result in unpleasant results.
- Calcium channels and calcium is actually what makes our muscles contract, a defect in either of those will result in a defect in muscle contraction.
16/4/20