Algebra, Tutoring and Romance: Chapter One: The Flyer
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own anything from the Avatar Universe. Only the plot! Happy reading!
Zuko Sozin stared at the handmade flyer that was hanging neatly in the middle of the student board of the student lounge. He probably read the neat cursive handwriting over a hundred times already, wondering if he should go for it.
He clutched the paper that he was holding tightly in his hand, remembering the words of his professor telling him that he was one grade away from failing the class. His golden eyes shifted down at the paper that details the recent grade he was given which was a C. A low C for that matter, and he needs a higher grade to keep up with his GPA average in order to stay in the business administration program next semester.
He frowned at himself as he stared down heavily at the rumbled-up paper, shaming himself for slipping up in of the hardest classes ever at Ba Sing Se University.
College algebra level four.
Zuko had always struggled with math ever since he could remember. It's just not one of his favorite subjects in school. His most favorite subject is anything that has to deal with history even though unfortunately he doesn't need to take a history class this semester.
There's only a month away before the final exam that would seal his fate and he need to act now before it's too late.
Zuko looked around him to make sure that there wasn't anyone looking at what he was doing before fishing out his phone from his pocket to take a quick snapshot of the tutor flyer, sucking in a deep, tired breath before walking away from the student board. The flyer didn't say who his tutor would be, it just stated that they were offering free tutoring sessions for the upcoming exam that is next month and it's only for the first five people that had signed up. Whoever it was, that person has to be the smartest student of that class in order to attempt at tutoring people.
"I have to pass this class," Zuko muttered to himself, making a mental note to make sure to send a text message that was left at the bottom of the flyer that he was interested in signing up for the tutor sessions. "This tutoring session better be worth it."
It was Suki Kyoshi's idea.
The two life-long friends were sitting around Katara's bed in their dorm room, gossiping about their latest grade that their professor had handed out the week before.
"I can't believe that you are the only one with the highest grade," Suki exclaimed with wide blue eyes in surprise at her best friend, shaking her head that was full of auburn hair in disbelief. "How on Spirits did you manage to do that?"
Katara nervously played with her fingers, looking down on her lap on her bed and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm just really good at math I guess?" she said as if it was a question. She nibbled her lower lip. "It's no big deal really."
She hears Suki scoffed at her words and she lifted her azure gaze to meet Suki's face. "No big deal?" Suki repeated the words, rolling her own blue eyes at her. "Kat, no one has ever made the highest grade in that class in freaking forever. It's totally a big deal! You should be proud!"
Katara could feel her face heat up in embarrassment at Suki's praise, knowing that what she said was true.
It was true, it has been quite sometime since anyone in the algebra level four has made an A. It is a tough class after all, and the only people that takes those type of math classes are usually the ones who are majoring in business or medical.
Math had always been Katara's favorite subject as long as she could remember. She had always loved solving problems and counting. Her older brother Sokka on the other hand, was the total opposite. He hated math and would sometimes get annoyed with Katara whenever she would bring math up in their conversations.
"I enjoy math too, but not that much," Suki explained to her with a small chuckle. "You sure you don't want to change your major to mathematics instead of going to medical school?" she asked Katara with interest in her voice.
Katara pursed her lips at the thought of changing her major that she had wanted ever since she was a little girl and shook her head quickly. "I've always wanted to help people," she calmly said to her friend. "So, I do not want to change majors."
Suki hummed thoughtfully at her answer, sighing when she looked down at her grade that was written on a piece of paper. "Making an 85 isn't that bad. Although," Suki trailed off, tapping her finger lightly against her chin in deep thought. "Pretty sure the exam would be kickass hard."
Katara nodded in agreement with a deep sigh, knowing full well that the final exam is just a month away. She had already started brain storming an idea on how she can prepare herself to study in order to pass. "Not looking forward to it," she muttered with groan.
Suddenly, Suki gasped, causing Katara to look at her worriedly. "I have an idea," she said with a large grin, making Katara to lift a brow at her. "What if you held a tutoring session?"
Katara cocked her head to the side, which caused her thick, brown curly hair to fall over shoulder causally. "Go on," she prompted, waving at Suki to continue with her sudden idea.
"It can be like a small group of us. We can meet one day a week to help study for the exam. You'll be the tutor of course," Suki said with a small hum as her whole idea came together. "You can even hang up flyers across campus!"
Katara pondered at Suki's idea. This could really work out well for everyone. She could really help other students pass the exam that's next month. And it's only one day a week where she can focus on her other classes. She smiled at Suki, feeling so happy that she was her best friend and maybe her future sister-in-law whenever Sokka decides to finally ask Suki to merry him. "I'm in!"
Katara smiled her handiwork as she stapled the last of her flyer on the student board that was located at the student lounge of Ba Sing Se University. He bright blue eyes looked over at her neat cursive handwriting, making sure to add her phone near at the bottom of the flyer. She truly hopes that five people would show up to her tutoring sessions. It could really benefit other students who wants to pass the upcoming exam.
A loud ding sound interrupted her thoughts and she had reached into her pocket for her phone, sighing when her older brother Sokka texted her asking her if she wanted to join him and Suki for dinner later. After texting a quick response, she placed her phone back into her pocket, looking over one last time at her flyer. "Perfect," she said to herself, nodding at her work before walking away from the student board, praying to La that this would work well in the end. It should right? Who knows, maybe she will end up meeting new people.
AN: I always wanted to write a Zutara multi-chapter fic for a while and I finally got an idea lol. Hope you guys had enjoyed the first chapter!