(I forgot that I finished writing chapter 5 on my Wattpad not too long ago, so here it is for you guys! 3)

Saturday Afternoon…

"I'm sooo excited to go to this art launch party with Azula tonight! I finished all my homework earlier so we could spend more time together!" Ty Lee chattered eagerly and searched for something to wear. "Don't you have a psychology paper draft due this coming Tuesday?" Mai commented. As her roomie wandered around in their shared closet, she blushed at an incoming text notification. "Okay, maybe I didn't finish everything I wanted to get done. But I'll still get to spend time with Azula, right?" The brunette pouted and threw an outfit onto her bed.

Mai shrugged. "Probably. I can't really predict what your outing is going to be like since I don't even know what my plan with Zuko is tonight." She answered. "You should take a nap before anything else, Mai. We don't have any classes 'til Monday and you should take some time to yourself!" Ty Lee insisted gleefully. "I wanna choose something to wear for tonight first. A nap sounds nice but I-" The brunette interrupted her with a girly squeal as they started organizing the 'perfect outfit'.

"Okay, so we've narrowed it down to these two options: that black dress or my favorite red skirt you wear more than I do with you one white top." Mai interrupted with a witty smile, "And my skull necklace." Ty Lee nodded eagerly in agreement. "Are you having trouble deciding?" She asked and stood closer to her indecisive bestie. "Ugh, I am. The black dress might be too formal, but the skirt and top might be too casual-" The ravenette grumbled as Ty Lee yanked her phone out of her pocket. "You should ask Zuko what he thinks!" She recommended zealously. "That's actually a great idea." Mai agreed and snatched her phone back from Ty Lee:

Hey Zuko, I'm not usually like this but I don't know what to wear for our date tonight...

That's okay, maybe I can help? :)

I need an opinion on which outfit would be better for wherever we're going later. :) This red skirt & white top or this black dress:

*Pic Sent*

*Pic Sent*

You look so stunning in both but the top & skirt are more suited for where we're going. OwO

Thanks Zuko -/-

No problem. I'll meet you in front of your dorm building 7:50?

Sure ttyl

Ttyl Mai 3

"Aww! He's totally the perfect guy for you!" Ty Lee cooed. "I don't know about that." Mai remarked bluntly. She changed into her pjs for a nap and checked the time on her phone. "I got my purse and stuff for the date on that chair. I'll be up in an hour or so." The ravenette murmured as she closed the blinds and snuggled under the covers of her bunk bed. Mai put her phone on the nightstand and put on her eye mask while Ty Lee got changed.

"Well I'm gonna meet up with Azula for our super fun date! And maybe get a latte after. Do you want anything?" Ty Lee stood up and made her way to the door; slinging a matching crossbody purse from H&M over her shoulder. "Eh, a chocolate chip cookie?" Mai suggested with a groan; lifting her eye mask. "Got it. Now get some beauty sleep for your date! You have to tell me aaall about it when I get back, okay?!" Her best friend chirped cheerily before heading out. Mai smiled slightly at Ty Lee being so happy and nodded before dozing off.

A few hours later...

"Ugh..." Mai groaned as her phone's timer blared as an alarm. She took off her eye mask, got out of bed and checked her notifications. "How is it already 7?! I'm gonna be so late!" Mai gasped with a yawn. Her golden hazel eyes met with a thread of text messages from Ty Lee on her lock screen:

(I decided on making Ty Lee's texting just normal text.)

Hey u up?

Maaaiiii-Maaaiii

I got cancelled on since Azula's dad is visiting. He wanted to see her so now I'm at the library working on my psychology paper draft. Ik it isn't her fault but I still wish Azula told me sooner. :(

Mai frowned sympathetically at the thread of texts as she got raeady for her date with Zuko. She decided not to wear her skull necklace, took her hair out of its usual little space buns and let her hair down. The rubber bands that would keep the space buns in place somethings pinched at her scalp and it felt refreshing to not use them for a change. Mai applied extra mascara and intently stared at her reflection. "I'm gonna send a pic to Ty Lee, see if I should change anything." She murmured to herself and took a selfie:

I'm here. I woke up half an hour ago or something.

Should I change anything Lee? What do you think?

*pic sent*

SQUEEE! 3 3

OMG U look so CUUUUTE!

Much love Mai-Mai!

Thanks but I wanna know if I should change anything?

Idk...lipstick color? Put my hair back in its usual semi-space buns?

No no! Don't change ANYTHING!

Just use one of my makeup wipes to take off all ur extra mascara.

U don't need it 3 3

Tysm for the tip Lee! UwU

You're the best 3 Ttyl

I'll be back the dorm after dinner

Azula and I r going 2 the Korean restaurant by the bio building near the library XD

That's kinda sudden but okay. No drinking tho.

I love you too much. 3 3

K mom Mai ;)

I mean it. Have fun but be responsible, Lee.

I will! You too btw

K Lee, ttyl! Thanks again babes! 3 3 :D

No prob UwU

Ttyl too Mai-Mai

Mai took her best friend's advice and removed her mascara. Her golden hazel eyes intently met with her reflection. "Lee was right, I look better with less makeup. I'm ready." She murmured to herself and left the bathroom. Mai slung one of her purses on her arm and opened the texting app to talk to Zuko.

I locked the door to my dorm room & I'm on my way to the library.

Wait. The library?

Ugh, sorry I forgot we were meeting in front of my dorm building. I'll stick to the plan.

No, don't worry about it. We can meet at the library instead if you want.

I'll just wait in front of my dorm building, it's fine.

Autumn Hall, right?

Yep.

It's all good, I'm just gonna need to pick up my camera from my car. I'll be a few minutes late

I don't mind the wait. :) Btw I didn't know you have a camera and do photography, that's super cool.

Thanks, my uncle gave it to me for my birthday two years ago. I'm more freelance and I take pictures of whatever. Anyway, I can't wait for you to meet him 3

I'm game, but isn't it kinda early?

I hope that's ok. His business is the perfect spot to go UwU

I'll take your word for it ;)

Almost there!

I'm on the left bench in front.

After she saw the word 'seen' beneath her message to Zuko, Mai let a soft sigh escape her lips as she sat down on the bench and opened her favorite game app, Mario Kart Tour. Mai savored the simplicity and adrenaline from moving a finger on the screen while waiting for things; from a coffee order or a phone call from mom and dad. The game wasn't exclusively her favorite because she recently added Bowser to her collection of races.

"Hey, I have Mario Kart Tour too!" Zuko gushed, cheerfully taking a seat next to his date. "Zuko! You startled me!" Mai complained jokingly and paused her game. "I promise I didn't mean to startle you." He apologized meekly. "Don't worry about it. I have a feeling I was going to get fifth place anyway." She reassured him with a smirk. Mai stuffed her phone in her purse after turning it off. "We'll have to exchange user IDs when I walk you back to the dorms." He chirped. "I'd like that. Lead the way." She agreed and stood up with a carefree vibe. "Trust me, you'll love my uncle's business. He's a expert at what he does." Zuko insisted. "I'm sure I will." Mai replied sincerely.

"Uh, can I hold your hand? Zuko asked sheepishly as they strolled down the sidewalk next to each other. "It's a date so I guess you can hold my hand." Mai teased sarcastically. Random bursts of laughter escaped Mai and Zuko's lips as they intertwined fingers. "I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?" Zuko stammered nervously. "I literally just said you're not invading my personal space, Zuko. This is nice, I'm alright." Mai reiterated gently; squeezing his hand as reassurance. "I needed that." He muttered bashfully. The two blushed as they abruptly stopped in front of a grungy store. "Culture Central?! I haven't been to one of these in forever, we have to go in." Mai insisted; eyes lighting up with excitement. "Sounds like fun," Zuko agreed as they entered the automatic doors.

"I just really wanted to browse around this place for a bit before we go to your uncle's. I hope that's okay." Mai clarified. Zuko smiled and sweetly stroked her hand with his thumb. "That's more than okay. We can get a souvenir or two for tonight, and I can snap some pictures in here." He agreed wholeheartedly. "I wanna check out the clearance." She let go of her date's hand and headed toward the back of the store.

As Zuko took pictures of the aesthetically pleasing merch on display, he stopped in front of a rack of jewelry. HIs metallic hazel eyes noticed a cute necklace set. One of the necklaces had a rectangular pendant with 'fluent in sarcasm' on it and the other had the words 'allergic to stupidity' on its matching pendant.

"Hey Mai! I found something cool!" Zuko hollered for his date; who put a Beetlejuice-inspired swimsuit back with the other clearance swim merchandise. "What's that?" Mai peered intently at the pair of necklaces her date was holding. "I was thinking of buying these as a souvenir for us of tonight, or something like that. The price on the back is only four dollars too." He glanced at the necklaces then an attentive Mai. "Looks more functional than a twenty dollar Beetlejuice one-piece. Even some of the clearance products were pretty expensive. You're lucky it's on sale." Mai remarked insightfully. "It's neat how you know so much about the prices here." Zuko mused. "I used to work at another Cultrue Central during my rebellious high school phase, exclusively on weekends so I wouldn't have to go to dinner part is with my parents' friends." She explained, "I'll find someone to ring you up and I'll pay."

Zuko scoffed at the idea. "I should pay!" He fussed. "Because you're a guy? That's ridiculous, I'll pay." Mai insisted. "You want to?" Zuko queried skeptically. "Yeah." She snorted. "Fiiiine." He groaned in reply.

Mai didn't want to keep awkwardly standing in front of the cash register with Zuko a few minutes later. It wasn't that she didn't like him, Mai just couldn't think of anything to talk about while they stood next to each other and looked around inconsistently. "I'll be right back," She muttered and strolled towards the 'Employees Only' door in the back of the store, across from the dressing room. Suddenly she blasted Gasolina in front of the door until a loud groan could be heard from inside. Mai stealthily rushed back to her place next to Zuko; failing to hide a devious smirk. "What did you do?" He stifled a genuinely entertained chuckle, "Also, did you really blast Daddy Yankee?" Her smirk grew. "Well, it worked. Now all we have to do is wait and I'll pay for those necklaces shortly."

"Uggghhh! I told you to stop making Tik Toks in the dressing room SEAHAWK!" The turquoise-haired employee barked and headed to the cash register with a frown. "Oh. He isn't here, but now I can't close up and sleep earlier because of you two." She sneered with a cranky tone before letting out a noisy, dramatic sigh.

"Uh, could you ring me up, Mermista? We're kind of on a schedule here." Mai requested boredly and read the nametag on the employee's Supergirl t-shirt. "I got it. This is a great gift for a blossoming relationship." Mermista commented suggestively as she scanned the price on the back of the packaging. "This set is on sale as the label is marked, so it's gonna be four dollars and eighty cents with tax." She noted aloud. Zuko hesitantly let his date pay for the necklaces and watched Mermista's mood transform. "Thanks for making that fast. You need a bag for that?"

The two shook their heads and Mai let Mermista keep the change. "You'll just stuff it in your purse?" Mai nodded and shrugged. "Okay, stay safe." Mermista trailed off.

"Mermista was like another you." Zuko giggled mischievously. "Oh, shush Zuko." Mai retorted in disagreement. They stopped at a bench and sat beside each other on it. Her date felt his heartbeat pick up speed when Mai took out a pocket knife. He relaxed while she diligently removed the packaging with it and stuffed the blade in her purse. "You wanna wear these together and match better than Ken & Barbie?" Mai offered; holding the unboxed necklaces in her hand with an eager smile. "Hell yeah." Zuko agreed sincerely. He gently took Mai's necklace in one hand and lifted up part of her hair so he could see her neck. She sighed at the feeling of his warm fingers brushing against her skin.

Mai sat still as he attached the clasp of her necklace around a part of the chain so it fit just right. "Turn around a bit so I can put the other one on you." She murmured. Their cheeks flushed as Mai nestled her fingers and held some of his hair up. Zuko involuntarily shuddered at her cool breath against the back of his neck as she put his necklace on him. Mai smoothed down his hair and glanced at the time on her phone. "So it's almost eight-thirty, but we still have lots of time to go to your uncle's and get back to the dorms by curfew." She reported. "Midnight?" Zuko guessed.

"Yeah. Even with the Cinderella vibes, I have a feeling we're going to never forget this." Mai admitted poetically and the two stood up; intertwining fingers. "It's just a few steps away." He mentioned casually. "Mmm," Mai hummed. Her eyes glaring at the midnight blue sky as they ambled to the tea shop, holding hands.