A/N: So for this chapter, Zuko is 17, Mai is 16, and Azula is 16.

I want to say I'm so overwhelmed by the positive reception this has had so far! Thank you for the reviews, I won't ever abandon this story so this will definitely have a resolution.

Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA

Aang and Katara walked out of their math class together into the crowded hallway. Both of their smiles faded as they walked and realized they wouldn't be together again until lunch. "So, where are you headed now, Aang?", she inquired. The airbender pulled out his schedule and read it out loud with wide eyes, "Earthbending Mastery. Looks like it's outside!" She was amazed at how this guy, attractive and powerful, could still be so excited by something as small as class outside. "You are just too cute. Well, if you meet Toph, make sure to stay on her good side. See ya at lunch," she said as she reached up to kiss him on the cheek and walk the opposite way. Aang was left in the hall dumbfounded. His cheeks flushed and his body froze on the spot. He thought, no, he knew, he had it bad for this girl. The sound of the bell startled him from his lovesick state. He bended the air around him to speed down the hall and out to the Earthbending field.

Arriving just a second after the bell, Aang did his best to make a good impression with a respectful bow to the teacher. The teacher, Master. Bumi, was immune to this charming effect, stomping into the ground in Aang's direction. Next thing he knew, Aang was knocked off balance by a rock pillar that sprang up underneath his feet. The class erupted into laughter at the young airbender's expense. As Aang bended himself back onto his feet, he felt his first embarrassment of the day. He tried to remain positive, but his face continued to frown at his classmates. "Ah, you know, I thought it would be harder to disarm the Avatar. I guess maybe being on time next class will serve you well," the Earthbender teacher said with a wink. Although Aang had a great relationship with him while he trained a few months ago, Master Bumi was never one to show favoritism or go easy on anyone. While Aang was a prodigy on bending air, water, and fire, he was most challenged by learning to bend earth, which took three times as long as the other elements did. He struggled with earth because of how stubborn it is. Being straightforward clashed against Aang's personality. He tended to evade problems and chose to find unique solutions. Eventually he did master earth but prefers air above all else.

"Yes, sorry, Master Bumi. I will be on time next class. Sorry for the disruption," Aang said with his teeth clenched. "Good! Now we will continue to work on our neutral jing practice. You will pair up and practice the art of waiting and listening before attacking. Aang, since you are a master and an Avatar, I will give you a challenge. Pair up with Toph Beifong!"

The twinkle in Master Bumi's eyes made Aang nervous until he was standing next to his partner. Toph was almost a foot shorter than him, with pale eyes and bangs that fell in front of her face. Her thin frame clothed with a green hoodie, black skinny jeans and no shoes. He reached out his hand for a handshake, "Hi Toph, nice to meet you! My name is A-," suddenly he was interrupted by his classmate. "Yeah, I know who you are and if you couldn't tell, I'm blind!", she yelled while waving her hand across her face. She saw the wheels turning in the goofy kid's mind and saved him the embarrassment, "And yes, I can earthbend! Probably better than you! I'm the best earthbender in the school so let's see what you got!"

Toph bended a boulder and it flew fast towards Aang's face. The airbender yelled and jumped to narrowly escape the path of the boulder. Landing softly on the ground, Toph grew agitated. "Where did you go? Someone's a little light on his feet. Come on, Twinkle Toes, give me a real challenge!" Aang squatted and attempted to knock Toph on the ground with bending a pillar up underneath her feet. Toph swiftly moved out of the way, "Is that all you got? Don't pity me, I'm just as strong as anyone else!" Aang was taken aback by this, "Why would I pity you? You're really good. I'm getting my ass whooped here." A smile crept onto Toph's face as she continued the battle with tiny boulders flying close to Aang's face. The pair went back and forth until it was a draw, with both classmates trapped by the other in rock handcuffs. Toph cackled as she threw her head back, "Oh, this is too good. You're not a bad match up, Twinkle Toes. More of a challenge than this group of wimps." Exhaling a sigh of relief, he released himself from the handcuffs and sat down next to the blind earthbender. "Well, I'm glad to be on your good side. Katara said that's where I should stay," he said with a laugh. "Oh, you've met Sugar Queen? She's one of my best friends. And she warned you? Oh, she knows me so well," Toph smiled. Aang nervously asked, "So, uh, what's with the nicknames? Twinkle Toes? Sugar Queen?" "It's just what I do. You were so light on your feet I could hardly see where you were. And Katara, well, she's as sweet as sugar," she quipped. Aang had so many questions, one being how she could "see", but he felt that too many questions could jeopardize their cordial relationship and decided to save these questions for another time. His heart felt the possibility of having friends returning again. Real friends, who knew he was the Avatar, and did not seem to care at all. He laughed, "Well, thanks for the nickname I guess. Maybe we could spar more outside of school? I don't get to practice earthbending much." Toph grinned and punched him squarely in the arm, "It would be my pleasure to kick your ass, Twinkle Toes." "Ow, Toph, what the hell?", he asked while rubbing his sore arm. "Oh, that's just my way of showing affection. Get used to it." Before the confused airbender could ask anymore questions, the bell rang.

While the pair walked out of the class, Aang smiled at the thought of making three friends already on his first day. Even though Sokka seemed to roll his eyes in Aang's presence, he could tell Sokka didn't hate him. Suddenly he saw Katara, his unbelievable goddess, passing them in the hall. She smiled and waved at him, causing him to blush. "What's with your heart beating all crazy fast, Twinkle Toes? Don't die on me," Toph joked when she noticed Katara across the hall facing Aang. "Ohhhh, I get it. You have a crush on Sugar Queen!"

Aang wanted to crawl away and die at her loud broadcast to the whole school. "Toph!", he whispered with anger in his tone, "Could you be more discreet? I just met her today and I'd like to try to at least be friends with her." Toph replied back loudly, "No can do, Twinkle Toes! Nice try." Katara greeted Toph and Aang, raising an eyebrow at Aang's defeated body language. "I hope you weren't too hard on him, Toph. It's his first day." "He's a big boy, Sugar Queen, he can handle it," she said elbowing Aang in the ribs. "Ow!" he started while rubbing the back of his side, "Uh, yeah, we're good here. Maybe I could find you at lunch to talk about it?" "Sounds great! Toph, you want to walk with me to History?", she asked. "Let's pedal, Sweetness!"

Aang waved bye to his new friends. He swore he saw a tiny blush on Katara's cheek, but she turned her head quickly so he couldn't be sure. He checked his schedule to figure out his next class. Excitement fluttered in his stomach at getting to be outside for firebending. Even though he had burned himself pretty badly his first time, he felt comfortable now with firebending and genuinely was looking forward to the class. Running with a minute to spare, he made it to his next class on time, and sighed happily.

The class was sitting in a circle on the grass, so he found an empty spot next to some brooding kid. This classmate was lanky and pale, wore a black and red hoodie with black pants, and had black hair that reached his shoulders. To Aang's surprise, the kid smiled at him. "Hey, Air Nomad clothes, you must be the Avatar." "Uh yeah, I don't pick out my clothes. Did word spread that fast?", he asked. "Knowing this school, probably, but my dad is the Principal so he told me you'd be starting today. I'm Zuko," he said as he offered his hand. Aang shook his hand and smiled, "I'm Aang. Nice to meet you." Ending the handshake, Zuko asked, "So, I'm having a party Friday night at my house. You in?" Aang's heart was bursting as he tried to hide his huge smile. He has officially made four friends his first day. Maybe everything will be okay, he thought.

"Sure, that sounds great. What's your address?", Aang asked as he pulled out his phone. Before Zuko could answer, a looming figure casting a shadow on the two classmates cleared her throat. "Well, well, what do we have here? The Avatar? It's a pleasure to meet you," the figure said with a wink. Zuko rolled his eyes, "Ugh, Azula, you're so gross, can you go away please." Aang looked at the two classmates and noticed how much they resembled one another. "Oh, brother, you're such a prude," she chided him whilst sitting on the other side of Aang, "I'm Azula, the best firebending to ever live." At this moment, she was closer to him than he would like, and was unfortunately aware of her eyes looking with intense hunger. "Uh, hi, I'm Aang. Nice to meet you. So, you're Zuko's sister?", he asked, trying to keep the conversation light. Azula yawned, "Oh, yes, that's old news, of course. I'm interested in what you're doing this friday night. We're having a party at our house. You should totally come." Zuko thought he would break his eyes if he continued to roll them any harder.

"Uh, yeah, that's what we were talking about. Just needed that add-" Aang was cut off by Azula snatching his phone. She quickly typed and saved her number in his phone. She placed his phone back in his lap, intentionally lingering there longer than any normal person would. "I put our address in there, too. You're welcome," she said with a wink. Zuko sighed heavily and Aang felt like he would gag. Luckily, the teacher, Master. Jeong Jeong, gave the class instructions on the next assignment so Aang could avoid Azula by pretending to be immersed in his work. While Azula was definitely attractive, her personality seemed cultivated by someone trying too hard. Katara is still way more beautiful and her personality is amazing, he thought.

The rest of the class was uneventful and Aang couldn't have been happier. As he walked with Zuko to the cafeteria for lunch, his new friend had an important question for him. "I could tell you didn't really like my sister, which means you're sane. But, is there anyone you like so far?" Aang's heart sped up as his mind flashed to Katara kissing him on the cheek. "Well..uh...I..do you know Katara?" Zuko smiled with a pat on Aang's back, "Katara Nauyak? Yeah, she's a really good friend. Pretty much every guy has crushed on her but she's never dated anyone."

Aang couldn't help but to wonder if Zuko was one of these guys who had crushed on her. His gut twisted in a knot at this thought. This feeling was scary and new to him. He knew he would have to find out so he took a deep breath. "Oh okay," he considered a roundabout question instead, "So, are you dating anyone?" "Yeah, my girlfriend Mai. We've been together about a year. Unfortunately she's friends with my younger sister, so sometimes we have to hang out together. But she's great." Aang whispered "good" to himself before smiling at Zuko. "That's cool, I look forward to meeting her." Zuko pushed the door open to the cafeteria, "You'll get your wish. She's already sitting down with everyone. I'm gonna grab some food, but come find me, I'll be in the corner over there." Aang looked in the direction where Zuko was pointing. He saw Toph, Sokka, Katara, and a girl he didn't recognize, which he assumed was Mai at a lunch table. His stomach flipped as he locked eyes with Katara. He waved and pointed behind him to suggest he's getting food. Katara giggled and waved back.

After grabbing salad, soups, and dumplings, Aang made his way to the table. Zuko introduced Aang to his girlfriend, Mai, who had a flat expression on her face. "Hello," Mai said to Aang as she brought her attention back to her food. The airbender could see why they got along. Two black hearts in a brooding pod. He smiled at the Water Tribe twins bickering over Sokka eating food off of his sister's plate. Aang remembered he needed chopsticks and excused himself from the table. Katara gazed at the tall, muscular teen as he walked away. Her imagination running wild with him and her in a multitude of scenarios that made her blush. Her dirty thoughts were interrupted by Aang's phone getting a text. She grabbed the phone and read out loud, "Azula: 'Hey sexy, eggplant emoji'? Why is this bitch texting him?" "Wow, Katara, can't keep tabs on your boyfriend?", Sokka asked with a laugh. "He's not my-," she defended before Sokka interrupted her. "Whatever! Anyway, the airhead needs to learn to hide his texts."

Katara grabbed his phone and ran up to Aang, red-faced and eyes furrowed. "Why is Azula texting you? What do you like about her or something?" Aang took a deep breath for a few moments, trying to collect his thoughts. "No! No, I mean, in class, Zuko and I were talking about the party and she kinda just put her contact info in my phone. I didn't really have time to stop her. I was distracted by the rest of the class and forgot about it. My parents taught me growing up and I only really played with boys until about a year ago, so this is all new to me. But I definitely don't like her!" The normal color returned to Katara's face at the sight of him getting flustered. She still had scowl as she replied, "Oh, that makes sense. And that's good you don't like her," she regretted saying that, "uh, I mean, Aang, you can't just let that happen. Now she thinks you like her."

She unconsciously twirled her hair in her fingers as she glanced into his gray eyes, "And you don't, do you?" Aang absolutely loved the way her blue eyes looked at him. He wanted her to look at him this way forever. He relaxed a little bit before answering, "No. Actually," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I was wondering if you would go to Zuko's party with me Friday night?" Now it was Katara's turn to feel flustered. Trying to shake off the blush she knew was on her face, she responded, "Oh! Of course, Aang. I would love to." "You would?", he beamed, "Really?" She shook her head with a laugh, "Yes! Take the win, Aang. Let's sit back down before Sokka comes to interrogate us." Aang had a smile on his face for the rest of lunch. Whatever else happened the rest of the day couldn't erase how happy he was in that moment. Not only was the most beautiful girl he has ever seen going with him to Zuko's party, he finally had friends.

I know this was still Kataang heavy, but we will see more of Sokka and Suki, and Gaang activities next.