"Hello Azula." Dr. Lawton smiled at her. He had taken her to the next room; both of them sitting at the dining table. She could hear Sokka and Zuko playing games in the living room, luckily they wouldn't be able to hear anything, "So you started school this week?"
"Obviously," She stated; she hated these talks. He insisted on talking with her every week, as if she would give him new information. Ursa was currently trying to get full custody of her, but since her grandfather disappeared and her father was on the run, it luckily was proving more difficult than expected. She could tell Ursa hoped that Azula would tell him Ozai was abusive so it would be easier to get custody. That only made Azula hate her more. Her father cared about her much more than her supposive mother did,
"How did that go?" He asked, "Your mother said you used to be friends with the neighbors, did you hang out with them?"
"It was fine, I hung out with Mai and Ty Lee most of the day," She said, "It's just school, nothing difficult."
"I'm glad to hear you're adjusting well," He smiled, "Have you unpacked yet?"
"I don't see why that would be necessary." She said, crossing her arms,
"Well you might be staying here for a little while, you might feel more comfortable that way." He insisted,
"I would feel more comfortable back at my actual house." She stated,
"I know, but it's a crime scene right now," He sighed, looking at her with pity in his eyes; making her want to puke, "I wish we could figure something else out but we haven't been able to contact anyone else in your family. I know you and your mom have a rough relationship but-"
"I don't want to hear it. I'm not a child Dr. Lawton. I'm not going to go and cry because I'm stuck with my mother," She glared, "But that doesn't mean I'm just going to un-pact and pretend to be some happy family."
"I understand, I didn't mean to pressure you," He apologized, "I'm sure this hasn't been easy, you don't have to do anything that would make it harder for you."
"Of course not," She stated, "But this hasn't been necessary hard, just annoying."
"I see, and among the annoying things that includes your mother's requests of you seeing a doctor" He asked,
"My father took me to see one recently, I don't see the point." She replied,
"It's just we haven't been able to acquire the doctor's records." He asked,
"How is that my problem?" She glared,
"We just want to make sure you are in good health Azula," He said, smiling at her. She watched as he wrote something down in his notebook, "I don't think there's anything else I have to ask for now, do you have any questions for me?"
"Yes actually, I was wondering if anything was found out about my father." She asked,
"Ah well- I suppose your mother hasn't told you anything if you're asking." He sighed,
"Why would she," Azula rolled her eyes,
"I'm sure she just wants to protect you," He assured, but Azula wasnt believing any of it, "Nothing was found at your house, but all signs are pointing to him leaving the county. I'm sorry Azula."
"No need for apologies," She stated, "Thank you Doctor, that's all then,"
Azula nodded to him as she got up. She tried to remain as calm as possible as she walked up the stairs. She could hear Dr. Lawton say something to Zuko before he left. Her walk turned into a sprint as she reached the hallway. Azula slammed her door, much harder than she had ment too.
How could they think Ozai left the country, he wouldn't leave without her. She was quickly finding it hard to breathe; she needed to calm down. They have no proof; no evidence; it was a guess. Azula took deep breaths as she sat against her wall. Why was she getting so upset? She had always been in control of herself, but lately it has gotten increasingly more difficult. Maybe her father was testing her? To see if she could find him herself?
Her head rested against the wall. Ursa knew about this news and hadn't even bothered to tell her. Of course she wouldn't tell her! It's not like Ursa cared how her daughter was doing.
She could hear someone slowly come up the stairs. Azula wrapped her arms around her legs; hoping they would just go away. She didn't need to be "checked on''. Her breath held deep in her stomach as she heard them stop at her door; her heart pounding in her chest. They stood there for a while; pacing back at forth. A sigh escaped their lips and Azula's chest fell as she heard them walk away from her door.
They didn't sound like Zuko.
It was sunny; warm; it felt good. Azula was sitting on the bleachers watching Ty Lee and Mai practice. They did cheerleading everyday afterschool, Azula had decided that waiting for them everyday was better than riding home with Zuko.
Ty Lee was now the cheer captain, apparently after Suki transferred schools the honor was placed on her. She was glad to be honest, that Suki wasn't here. Azula had been cheer captain in middle school; Suki always tried to take her place, she said Azula was too "strict" to be captain. They couldn't stand each other, which made them easy rivals.
She shook her head and snuck away from her friends practice; making sure they were too busy to notice. Azula strolled over to the other side of the football field. It was almost halfway through the week and she still hadn't been able to interrogate Chan. She had tried to ask Ty Lee questions but it only made her look more suspicious.
Azula waited in the dark until Chan's friends left him alone; he seemed to be waiting for someone; she didn't have much time. Azula slowly snuck up behind him; not making a sound,
"Hello Chan." She smirked, making him jump,
"Jesus Azula!" He glared, "What the hell is wrong with you!"
"Y'know the usual" She snickered,
"What do you want?" He said, clearly irritated, "You want me to stay away from your little cheer friend or something? I thought you were "too good" for jealousy."
"Don't be disgusting," She interrupted, shaking her head, "What do you know about my father?"
"Wait- you're asking for my help?" He chuckled, "You almost paralized me, you crazy bitch!"
"You're being dramatic," She rolled her eyes,
"I just can't believe it! Why do you even need my help?" He pondered for a second before smirking, "No way, little miss perfect got kicked out of the family? Didn't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous,"
"Then why do you need my help? Hell! Why are you even here?" He glared, "Azulon didn't come to pick you up?"
"Don't act like you know anything! You were to weak and stupid for your father to even look at you!" She glared right back; that pissed him off. His face contorted into pure rage for just a second before completely transforming into something scarily sweet,
"Lee Bear!" He said, making Azula throw up in her mouth. His voice sounded so fake it hurt, but it seemed good enough to fool her naive friend,
"If you hurt her, I will paralyze you. Don't forget that." She whispered to him as Ty Lee ran up to her,
"There you are Azula!" Ty Lee smiled, "and Chan?"
"Zula and I were just catching him!" He said, in his most convincing voice, wrapping his arm around Azula's shoulders,
"Don't you ever call me that!" Azula said, shoving him off. How dare he be so bold. Azula turned from him and saw Mai in the distances becoming for her two friends,
"So are we hanging out today Lee bear?" He smirked, pulling her friend into a hug. Azula could swear she saw his hand move down too his ass before Ty Lee pushed him away,
"Sorry Chan! I have plans with my girls, but I'll see you this weekend," Ty Lee assured; smiling,
"Speaking of which, lets go." Azula said, grabbing Ty Lee's arm and pulling her towards Mai before Chan could get another word out. She watched her friend wave to Chan as they made their way to the parking lot. What Ty Lee saw in that dipshit Azula may never know. They had almost made it to Mai's car before Ty Lee ran toward the last two people Azula wanted to see today.
"Hi guys!" The girl waved as she ran toward Katara, and Sokka, "Did your activities just end too?"
Azula could hear them talk from a distance, as she quickly got into Mai's convertible.
"Hey Ty Lee! Hurry the hell up!" Azula yelled, "We will leave without you!"
She could hear Mai chuckle as Ty Lee ignored her, cheerfully talking to the siblings. Her eyes widened as Sokka looked over to them, and she quickly ducked down,
"Why are you hiding?" Mai asked confused, raising her eyebrow in confusion,
"I'm not," Azula lied, she didn't even know herself,
"You haven't made up with him yet?," Mai asked,
"What are you talking about," Azula sighed,
"Don't play dumb, I know you want too," Mai said, leaving Azula with nothing to say, "I won't make you admit it, don't worry."
"I can't be worried about that kind of thing anyway," Azula sighed, "Waste of time."
Ty Lee came crashing back into the car before Mai could reply,
"I hope it's fine but I invited them to get food with us!" Ty Lee smiled,
"Of course you did." Mai sighed,
"They're what now?!" Azula said, as Ty Lee beckoned her reluctant friends towards the car, "Ty Lee what the hell is wrong with you!"
"You both can be so boring!" Ty Lee frowned, "The more the merrier!"
"You would say that, I thought you were content with just Azula." Mai sighed,
"Apparently not," Azula rolled her eyes; crossing her arms,
"We don't have to come Ty Lee, let's just hang out another time!" Katara pleaded,
"Don't be silly! We haven't all hung out in so long!" Ty Lee smiled, practically pushing the siblings into the backseat. Azula let out a small chuckle towards their sour expressions,
"Ty Lee where are we going?" Mai asked, tapping her finger on her steering wheel. Ty Lee sat and pondered for a while, staring off into the sky,
"Hurry up and decide!" Azula insisted,
"That one place with those really good burgers and the giant sundaes!" Ty Lee Finally blurted out. Azula could have sworn she saw her eyes sparkle. Mai only nodded in response, finally starting the car. Ty Lee was quick to talk to Katara, asking her all sorts of questions about the swim team. Sokka was leaning against the door, staring out the window. Ty Lee tried to invite him into the conversation but he was not interested, why did he even come?
"Azula!" Ty Lee said, leaning over to the front seat, "I meant to ask earlier, but why were you talking to Chan?"
"Why does it matter?" She sighed in response,
"Well it's just he mentioned something about you liking him befor-" Ty Lee started, making both Sokka and Azula turn to her; now he was interested,
"Don't make me sick!" She responded,
"It's just!- you were asking questions about hi-" Ty Lee started,
"I have never, nor will I ever, liked Chan," Azula assured, interrupting her friend who just sat back in her seat defeated,
"Yeah imagine ice queen over here having a crush on someone," Sokka chuckled, making Azula glare at him, "What? Like you'd ever like someone."
Azula just turned away from him; crossing her arms. She didn't want to prove him wrong, that would be ten times worse than just letting him think he was right. She could hear Katara and Ty Lee return to their conversation as Mai pulled into the parking lot. Mai didn't say anything as she parked the car, all she did was nod before stepping out and walking towards the restaurant. Azula followed her inside with the others staggering behind them; still talking.
They found their way to their table. Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula sat on one side; Katara and Sokka on the other. Azula and Mai were still silent as Ty Lee and Katara chatted on, I guess they had become much closer than she thought after she left. It made sense, she supposed. Azula leaned against the booth, maybe this would have been fun with just Mai and Ty Lee, but she didn't know how to act around the other two. Her interactions with Sokka continued to be a jumbled mess, and Katara clearly still wanted to rip her throat out. It was better for her to just be quiet.
"Can I have the jumbo sundae with a side of fries!" Ty Lee beamed at the waitress,
"Are you not going to eat real food?" Mai sighed,
"I'll eat when I get home!" Ty Lee pouted at her friend, "Moms making dinner anyway!"
Azula caught Katara glaring at her as Mai and Ty Lee bickered, but she turned away once she realized Azula had her eyes on her. How irritating; reminded her of why they fought so much as kids. Sokka and Zuko would always have to break them up. That's part of the reason Sokka and her ended up hanging out alone a lot, they would usually go play games in his room after she had calmed down. She found her eyes on Sokka and quickly looked back to Ty Lee. Why couldn't she just stop thinking about him?
The waitress set all their food in front of them. Azula watched her small friend dive into her sundae. A deep breath escaped her breath as she ate her salad, why did Sokka and Katara even agree to come here in the first place?
Stop thinking about it Azula.
Sure Ty Lee is convincing but, they knew Azula would be here, did they not care?
Stop thinking about it Azula.
Katara probably was here due to her closeness with Ty Lee; they probably hung out like this all the time.
I said stop thinking about it.
But Sokka? He was barely even joking around, why was he here?
Azula!
Maybe he wanted to see her?
Stop this instant!
Her back straightened as her father's voice rang through her ears. She could feel Ozai's breathing down her neck; eyes watching her every move. Her teeth sunk into her lip as her heart pounded in her chest.
He was right. He is right, as always. She repeated to herself. No one seemed to notice her slight change in behavior, or the fact she didn't say anything until they dropped her off at home. Ursa didn't say anything when Azula walked by her, why would she? Why would anyone notice? It's good they couldn't tell, they would just ask questions.
Azula stopped in front of her mirror; dropping her bag to her side, staring at herself. her body still cloaked in the darkness of her room. Her breathing slowed as she looked over herself,
"Perfect"