"Sure it's fitting for Toph to have her character this way, but most stories I stepped over the was almost only this part of her character." That's when I feel like it becomes more of a problem. When it's like the only thing that she is there for. Because Toph's character is much deeper than that.

"Azula has also had a bad party experience. First she was so weak, that she almost missed her date with Teo and on the party she had finally lost control over her eating in public." Both of which were awful for her. Passing out was something that frightened her because it was a very blunt awakening. And losing control in public was pretty much her biggest fear realized. "This whole thing is breaking her more and more and until now there is no light to be seen" she feels very trapped and helpless to a degree. "She needs help to learn again, how to care for herself and how to get back a normal and healthy relationship to eating." Exactly, even if it is professional help. "He has seen through her but I think this was the first time he's got an more sound idea how far down Azula might be." Yes, this was a bit of an eye opener. He thought that she simply didn't eat, but he pretty much has the full picture now. "But I'm a fan of her reaction for Jet. Too bad, that she didn't used her knee for her second statement, but it was definitly satisfing to see this bastard smacked for this." xP Still add to add a bit of relief in there. Jet needed a good smack or two. "Maybe this had caught Kataras and TyLees attention and both girls are candidates for supporting her beside their own problems." Unfortunately, it was not. She was pretty much ignored at the party up until the end. "A good chapter, keep on having fun with your stories." Thanks again!

For the billionth time that night, Mai wondered what she was doing there. It was still early and the place already reeked of alcohol and disappointment. She had already seen Aang approach Moo-Chee and she couldn't help but cringe for the both of them. Moo-Chee, despite his adamant denial was emo trash through and through. One of the many reasons she had cut him out. She listened to TyLee talk about what her twin sisters were up to. Apparently, they had this splendid group costume idea; they were dressing as idols from their favorite pop group.

If Mai was being honest, she had little interest in anything TyLee was saying, but she pretended so that the girl wouldn't be offended. The longer she sat with TyLee at this stupid party, the more she realized that they had nothing in common. Their only tie had been Azula.

Truth be told she wondered if she really liked TyLee at all. Even in a gloomier state, TyLee was still too peppy for her. Too bright.

Too optimistic.

She was beginning to figure out why preps and goths just didn't click. It came as a shock to her that it might just lie at the fault of the goth clique and their lack of interest. Granted the preps had their bitchy streaks. Mai almost chuckled; what a shallow thing to think of. Shallow thoughts for shallow events.

"Want to get a drink or something?" TyLee asked.

"Not particularly."

"Please." The way she said it, with some unnecessary desperation, had Mai on her feet.

"I guess, if it means that much to you." She looked over just on time to see Aang leaving with Moo-Chee. Talk about a potential disaster. She almost wanted to warn the poor boy away, but that would require an effort and perhaps some hustled running. Concessions stand, it was.

"Bring me one, will you?" Jet called. To whom, Mai isn't certain. But TyLee gripped her hand and pulled her through the crowd.

At the concession stand, Mai found that she wasn't hungry nor thirsty at all. She tried to eat a cupcake or two but didn't have the drive to finish it. They were too sweet and reminded her too much of more joyous times. "Here, want the rest?"

TyLee took it with a delighted smile and finished it off. She could almost pretend that things were normal. That Azula was off with Usha and Chan with a promise to meet up again before the costume contest winners were announced. And that Zuko was off sulking in a corner with the other stoners, as he contemplated how to make up for being an asshole. She took a moment to let herself truly revel in the illusion but reality seeped right back in.

Azula was not off with Usha, she was next to her, eating as though she hadn't done so in days. Mai had a sneaking suspicion that she hadn't. That wasn't what everyone else saw though. They saw another opportunity to give her former friend hell. Despite the bad blood she had created, she felt a twinge of sympathy for Azula. They were laughing, everyone seemed to have their own remark and she couldn't imagine that her old friend was going to take it well.

It was enough for her. Without a word, Mai wandered away from TyLee. She didn't quite like Azula, but she didn't want to witness whatever happened next. That aside, hearing the Ghost Buster's theme in between ill-fitting hip hop numbers was growing tiresome and she needed some air. In the back of her mind she knew that it was rude to ditch TyLee like that but then she recalled the slew of texts from Toph's parents and her own. She already received several texts asking her how she dared leave Tom-Tom without someone to take him trick-or-treating. How he was bawling because of her and his Halloween was ruined. It wasn't like he had a mother and father to take him. No, it would seem that she was a selfish person through and through, she may as well add one more thing to the list. Let TyLee text her and add to her collection.

She stole away and found her favorite room in the house; a guest room on the second floor. One of the few rooms in the house with a balcony. The chatter from the floor below was still too loud, but at least she was no longer in the crowd. She pushed the door to the guest room open.

She heard two startled cries from the bed and slammed the door shut again with a curt, "you got a room, now go the extra mile and lock the door."

Perhaps it was because they had stolen her go to hiding place, but she couldn't help but wonder why Katara was the slut when Suki was pregnant and banging her man at every chance. She pinched the bridge of her nose, just light enough to not break skin, but tight enough to inflect irritation.

She found herself wondering how she had done this a few years ago. Had she actually enjoyed this scene? Was this kind of thing fun for her at one point?

With a knot of distress forming in her stomach, she realized that she had.

There were a lot of things she used to love…

She wandered down the hall wondering if there was anywhere else that would provide her with a place to think. And it occurred to her, she didn't want to think. No, thinking would only pull her deeper under. What she wanted to do was drink. Drink and forget.

Forget about Tom-Tom, forget about Toph, forget about Zuko…hell she'd purge Azula and TyLee from her mind too while she was at it.

.oOo.

She ignored the constant flood of texts that flashed on her phone. Not only did she ignore them but she turned it off entirely. She chugged another glass and another until she felt her world go fuzzy. Her intoxicated mind formed a perfectly terrible idea.

Mai stumbled her way up the stairs again and in the direction of the bathroom. If things remained as they had, the second-floor bathroom was the place to go if you were seeking free, albeit sketchy, tattoos.

She'd have her fix of pain and something to really drive her parents up the wall.

She could hear the hum of a tattoo gun and knew that she was in the right place. One of her lunchmates stumbled out with fresh ink and something to regret in the morning. She supposed that they could discuss that at lunch. She entered to take his place.

"What are ya lookin' ta get."

"A passing grade in your class." Mai said automatically.

June chuckled. "Don't mention that I was here and I'm sure we can make that work."

"Deal." She probably wouldn't recall having seen the woman at all anyways. "Give me something my parents will hate."

"Oh trust me, darling, they'll hate anything I give you." June drawled. She flicked a cigarette butt into the trash.

"Alright, then…" she thought for a moment. "Just give me a heart being stabbed."

"Ah, a classic." June took a drag. "Who's the unlucky ex?"

She let the alcohol do all of the talking. "He fucking leaves. Just straight up disappears and doesn't say a fucking thing. He texts me when he's down but ignores me when I complain to him." She blabbered on and on, probably slurring the whole way. But that was fine, someone needed to know that Zuko was a jackass. So she threw his name in there.

"Ah yeah, Zuko." June muttered "I saw him at Chitsang's place."

"Who's she?" Mai grumbled.

"He's a…" she trailed off. "Never mind. That boy got himself in trouble is my guess." She brought the tattoo gun down.

Sharp pangs danced over the back of Mai's neck. It was almost euphoric. She savored each prick of the needle. Each prick of ink that brought her closer to watching her mother's face twist in horror. "He deserves the trouble he gets." She spat.

"Mmm…harsh." June cooed.

Mai busted out laughing, forcing June to withdraw that tattoo gun until her laughter died away. She couldn't help it, it was just so funny what she had thought of. She could show Tom-Tom her new ink and help him plan a tattoo of his own. Yeah, that would really send her mother reeling.