A/N: Welcome to, as promised, the once-a-month update, probably going to be at the end/beginning of a month. aLSO, who's excited for Kataang Week? *raises hand* I sure am! The prompts have already come out and plots are a-stirring in my head. ANyways, enjoy this chapter of FETL!

Chapter 22: The Valentine's Dance Part 2

Last Time:

"I see now that you're a little preoccupied with your own lady friend, huh?" Zuko asked.

I blushed under my mask.

"Actually," Aang said taking my hand in his, "Yeah. We're dating. Like, actually dating."

I froze, tentatively wrapping my fingers around his as well.

I couldn't have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes but Zuko actually smiled at us approvingly.

"Good for you, Aang. It's about time you find someone that makes you happy."

And just like that, he ran off to find Mai.

I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

"Well!" Aang said in shock.

I chuckled.

"Well, indeed. Well, indeed."

"So," he pulled me to him and kissed my forehead.

"Is it too much to ask for that everyone's reaction is something like that?"

I sighed, looking at the packed gym and made eye contact with a ruby-masked jet-black haired girl with glittering amber eyes that seemed to see right through me into my soul and deepest secrets.

"Honestly, probably."

The majority of the night swept by like a blur.

Overall, most were skeptical. I heard a few placing bets on when we were going to break up and maybe might have accidentally frozen their punch solid.

"Accidentally," Aang looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Sssuuurrreee."

I blushed, not realizing I had thought that to him as I took a sip of my own scarlet-colored punch.

"Well, well, well. Look what the Avatar dragged in."

We both turned as we heard a familiar drawl, eerily calm in tone.

Amber eyes scanned me up and down.

"So... you're his girlfriend, hmm?" Azula asked, complete indifference in her voice as she stared at her perfectly manicured ruby-colored nails.

I huffed in indignation.

"Yes. Yes, I am. Got a problem with it?"

Azula glanced up at me, as if amused by my boldness.

"No..." she trailed off. "At least, not for now."

"Well, I think it's wonderful Zuli!" A girl in a bright pink poofy ballgown gushed.

What's her name again? Ty Mee? Something like that...

"I mean look at them! Their auras are so bright, almost pink!"

I blinked.

"Do you have any idea what that's supposed to mean?"

"No clue. I've just learned not to question it."

"Oh! Mai- Zuko was just by here looking for you. I think he's near the entrance."

She rolled her eyes.

"Idiot. I told him to stay near the punch," Mai said as she craned her neck.

Now that's someone I could get along with.

"Come on, girls. We've hung around these peasants for too long. Let's go find my dearest brother."

"Well," I said as the three sauntered away.

"They were... interesting?"

I stared at Aang questioningly.

He stared at me questioningly.

We both burst into laughter.

"I guess interesting is one way to put it," he chuckled, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and kissing the top of my head.

"How do you think they're going to react once the mask comes off?"

"Probably not super well," Aang shrugged, leading me to the dance floor.

"But who needs jerks like them," he twirled me around gracefully and pecked me on the lips.

"When I have the Forever Girl of my dreams right in front of me?"

I raised my eyebrow.

"Forever Girl?"

Aang's eyes widened.

"Oh. Uhh..."

I giggled.

"You are such a dork," I shook my head and sighed, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"But you're my dork."

Aang made that crooked grin that I adored so much as he gazed lovingly at me.

Honestly, I sound so cheesy like all the girls at school fawning over celebrities.

"I suppose that's just love," I thought, smiling softly.

"What's just love?"

My head perked up.

"Oh- oops. Nothing, love. Nothing at all."

My airbender quirked an eyebrow at me but nonetheless continued to hold me as we swayed.

"ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!" we heard announced over the loudspeaker as we turned our heads to the source.

"THIS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IS THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR... THIS IS THE MOMENT WHERE WE SHALL FIND OUT WHO IS TRULY WITH US IN THIS ROOM!"

I rolled my eyes. Dramatic much?

"ON THE COUNT OF 3, EVERYONE WILL TAKE OFF THEIR MASKS AND REVEAL THEIR TRUE IDENTITIES."

I felt dozens of gazes fall on me as I tucked my head in. Everyone wanted to know just exactly who the Avatar, the most popular guy in school, had brought to the dance.

"OKAY. 3..."

I snuck my fingers under the elastic bands of my glittery mask.

"2..."

Dozens of eyes were on me, staring into my very soul.

"1..."

I slid the mask up just a mere millimeter.

"0!"

It was off.

The room was silent.

Until...

It erupted.

A/N: aNd WiTh tHaT yOu'LL hAvE tO wAiT TiLL nExT TiMe. Sorry for the short chapter and cliffhanger, guys- but I need to get a move on with Kataang Week 2020 (which is in JUST 2 WEEKS!) Stay safe and wear a mask!