TFW when windows updates completely obliterates your laptops drivers and internal hardware and you're stuck using your mom's computer until she needs to take it back.

I present to ya'll Fanfiction: Speed Round. I had to pump this thing out lightning fast so, apologies if the chapter isn't as good. There was some stuff I wanted to add more details too but my mom was practically leaning over my shoulder.

gemsofformenos:

"I think the last two chapters are one of the best you have written." thanks the fist two are still some of my favorites but the last two I thoght were strong as well. "And not only within this story. You have done such a great job in handling this sensible and highly emotional theme." Thanks, it one if those subjects that needs to be handled with care. "The way, how all these things have pulled away the floor under Azulas feet, it's such a careful and respectful dealing with all these problems. My deep respect for this so far." The last thing i wanted (espically when dealing with bulimia for the first time) was to create a disrespectful portrayal.
"Like I feared, Azula has taken sleeping pills to end her life, but Teo and Katara have recognized the warning signs in time. It's so sad, that it needed this on-the-edge-experence for Azula to dare the step to tell Teo how much all of this is hurting her and to realize, that he really cares for her and not only pities her." Yeah she was not doing well. unfortunately she took an extreme measure to reach out. But in that way, the worst is over for her now because she has seèn that at least one person cares. She is very lucky that the warning signs were noticed.

"Especially Teo. It is his big success, that he has reached her and has managed to let her change her mind." At the end of the day she realized that she doesnt want to die, she just wants the pain to stop and a sense of normalcy. "And because she finally dares to open up more, he took the chance to get to know her better. It seems, that he's doing instinctively the right thinsgs. I think it's good, that he's simply acting the way he feels and not tries to disguise his character." Yes, sometimes it is good to just be yourself. The last thing Azula needed was someone else with walls. "Azula is sensitive for this, in my opinion and so I think his ture emotions and his fear and worries for her and the nervousness, these emotions are causing for him, have managed to convince Azula, that he really cares for her." Shes a pretty good judge of character, so she realizes that his intentions for her are good. And she needs that. Because I tried to help people who had no other friends. But like you, I wouldn't give up that part of me. "Azula has started to realize, that he is such a kind of person. And Katara knows this too. That's why she's also searching contact and comfort. And both girls will need a lot of this." Honestly they all could use sturdy support systems. "Katara feels guilty, for what has happened, but the only one to blame is Jet. But the logical part and the emotional are always difficult to separate." Exactly, the only bad guy is Jet here. But as you said, in dark distractions like this it's hard to rationalize things. "The only hope, which I share with Katara, is, that the circumstances would affect the judgement. But it'll also depend on, how much damage Chan and Sokka have done and how permanent these injuries are." Those are all factors indeed so we'll see how things play out. "Teo is one, who shares some of them and his father has reacted great. It's the support, he needed in this moment, to maintain his strength to fight on for Azula." It also helped reassure him of his dads love for him. "It still will be a rocky road, but with this support he has a chance to give her all the comfort and love, she needs right now, to pick up the fight and to keep on fighting." Yeah, she's still got a battle with bulimia, but at least she has some support and love now and at least she knows it. "I couldn't decide, if it would have been better, to move on with Kataras story first. I think you have been in the most comfortable position to have had an absolute free choice. Both option would have been right, none of them wrong." I feel like I made the right choice, I think with this one I was kind of able to work both themes and their impacts at once. "100% true, I think. Life is always worth for holding on. And if someone is in doubt to manage this fight alone anymore, dare to talk with someone. Dare to get support and help." Even the little things are worth fighting for. Unfortunately it could be hard to reach out sometimes, but I agree that its worthwhile to try to ask for help if you need it. "A sad and shocking chapter but with a hopeful note at the end." The last two chapters were pretty rough so I wanted to give it a more optimistic end.

It was all so overwhelming, really. TyLee felt almost as disoriented as she had during the party itself. Sure she had helped Katara but she couldn't help but feel as though what happened had been partially her responsibility. If she would have only found the courage to speak up about her own mishap. Then Jet might have been locked up before he even had the chance to start spreading his sabotaging rumors. She wished that she had told someone, anyone. At least one person. And Katara had almost paid the price for her cowardice. She took a deep breath, she had to think about it different, had to focus on what she had done right, lest she eat herself alive with guilt. She had yelled at Chan, she had recorded enough to prove a case.

She only wished that she had caught Chan wailing on Jet too. Take care of two school terrors in one graceful sweep. But she had stopped recording and hid her phone instead. It was becoming apparent that she wasn't much of a risk taker.

She sat quietly for a long while as the police filled out some paperwork. They let her hang onto her phone but she wasn't in the mood for texting. She didn't really have anyone to text. Mai had left her behind again, the girl was on a streak of doing so. Katara was busy in the hospital, probably still out cold. Sokka was in a holding cell, probably next to the one Jet would fill once he got the medical attention that he didn't deserve. And Suki, she didn't know her well enough to confide in her.

The door opened and she braced herself for a stream of uncomfortable questions. The man entered with a clipboard and a pen. He seated himself at the other end of the desk and laid his papers out. "Are you fine with answering some questions for me?"

TyLee nodded. Better to get things over with.

"From the beginning, can you describe the incident to the best of your ability tell me what happened last night."

TyLee thought for a moment. She just hoped that it wasn't too late. "Last night wasn't the beginning." She took a deep breath. "I'd like to report another incident."

The man inclined his head. "And what would that be?"

"Last year, I was…I was raped during a homecoming party, by the same guy from last night."

"And why didn't you report this?"

Her face crinkled unpleasantly. "I was scared."

The man nodded, "mmhm." The response of a skeptic. She wished that the police officer assigned to her was female. But he surprised her. "That will complicate things some, but if we can prove him guilty of the most recent assault we can probably get him for past crimes." He paused. "Did you, by chance, seek any medical attention after your assault?"

"Sort of." TyLee mumbled. "I bought a pregnancy test. I also went to have a check up, but I told the doctor that it was consensual." She wanted to cry, if anything she had set herself up to fail.

The man nodded. "I'll see to it that someone looks into that. It is my understanding that you have recorded evidence that will help us with the most recent case—and by extension, your own."

"I do." She replied.

"May I take a look?"

She handed him her phone.

"Sokka isn't in too much trouble, is he?"

"He is an adult who had beaten a minor."

"He was defending his sister!" She didn't mean to take her anger out on the man who seemed to be on her side.

"Yes, this case has a lot of layers and grey areas. Which is why I'm going to need a lot of help here. Is it okay if I pull you out of class, on Monday? Perhaps a few other days as well."

"That would be fine."

"For now, we will bring you in as a witness. After this case is settled, we can talk about bringing you to court as the plaintiff."

TyLee nodded, the offer was better than none at all. At least they would humor her.

.oOo.

Monday morning was drab and then hectic and then dull again. She drove herself to school, dwelling all too much on what she could have done. Homeroom with Kyoshi was a bore and did little to keep her mind from wandering. Wandering and replaying things that were mercifully fuzzy and then things that were so very painfully vivid. The sight of Katara laying topless and motionless haunted her almost more than the muddled sensory tidbits of her own assault. Time had taken at least some of the edge off of those memories. And an unhealthy dissociation from the event, did the rest. But the more she thought about Katara laying there, the easier it was to plaster her face and body onto the memory. She bit her lip and tried to focus on the autobiography assignment.

The assignment!

She had written all about the Halloween party in that notebook. For a moment she was thrilled, she had a paper copy of her account already written, and nearly right after everything had taken place. Her mind brightened again, because she recalled her diary. The diary she had been keeping since freshmen year. The diary she had written about her own case in.

She had dates.

Dates and times and details.

She almost wanted to throw her arms around Kyoshi for giving such a practical and useful assignment. Instead, when the bell rang, she settled for a cheerful thank you that aroused a befuddled expression and a very typically stiff Kyoshi-style you're welcome.

As promised, she was taken to the office in the middle of fourth hour for more questioning, with any luck, she'd be free to go by fifth hour lunch. She detailed, to the best of her ability, the events that unfolded on Halloween. She watched officer Yu-Ron jot her words down. On occasions he would glance at his watch until eventually he said, "it looks like I'm going to have to send you back to class now, expect to be back for more questioning on Wednesday." He paused. "Wednesday, we will wrap things up and if we need you for further investigation, we will call." He pulled out a business card of sorts. "And if you need to call us, feel free."

"I have something that could help you with your investigation. It's a diary and it has dates and stuff." TyLee informed. "I'll bring it with me on Wednesday."

Yu-Ron smiled. "Anything helps, you're making this much easier. From the sound of it, this case will go pretty smoothly."

At least on her end and Katara's. She imagined that Sokka wasn't out of the water and she felt awful for the man who should be back at his university.

She found her spot by the rest of her poms team. She was still getting used to their lively chatter and company. A struggle, but one that she needed to endure. She was tired of isolating herself. She hoped that some of their perkiness would rub off on her, help her get back to the old TyLee. With more intensity, she hoped that her dour attitude wouldn't have them pushing her out.

But they bore with her.

They reminded her that she was handling things like a champ until she was beaming from ear to ear. Once again, she found herself glad that she hadn't dropped the poms team altogether.

She did however, drop Mai.

During sixth hour she requested a seat change.

.oOo.

It was nice to not have to deal with police and a barrage of questions. She never thought that she would be so eager to see Zhao for math. Okay, so that might have been a stretch, somehow answering Yu-Ron's questions was easier than answering Zhao's. At least Yu-Ron didn't make her feel like an idiot for wrong or insufficient answers. Zhao had well and earned his reputation as Wan High's most hated teacher.

When the bell rang she kept an eye out for Katara, but the girl proved to be very elusive. She supposed that she didn't blame her for not stopping to talk to anyone. She probably didn't have the energy for it. Hell, TyLee was surprised to see her back in school so soon. But then, it had been easier for TyLee to keep herself busy, and if Wan High was good for anything, it would be that.

She texted Katara to see if she wanted a ride home. It relieved her to find that, in light of things, Katara's mother was able to get off of work early to pick her up from school. She texted back, 'well, if you need a ride to school, let me know.'

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and headed for the door. She had nearly exited the building when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Just the person she didn't want to see. "Oh, hi Azula." She greeted dryly. The only solace was that she wasn't speaking to Mai—the very last person she wanted to see. Granted, Azula was only a hair above her on that list.

Azula was quiet for a long while. A long while that TyLee didn't have time for. But, by all means, she really did want to hear what the girl had to say. She made no comment, instead opting to ask a question. "Why didn't you tell me?"

It sent prickles of irritation in TyLee's belly. For the first time she considered that Azula had the self-awareness of a rock. "Because, you're you." She muttered. "I saw how you treated Katara and you were close to Jet. Why would you believe me? You didn't even answer your phone. You and Mai…you both left me."

"I thought that you were ignoring your texts." A real copout answer.

"You didn't think that something could be wrong!?" TyLee threw her hands up. "You've known me since we were kids and I always replied to your texts right away—because I knew you would get mad if I didn't, by the way." She paused. Feeling particularly spiteful, she asked, "wo, were you?"

"What?" Azula returned the question.

"Were you mad? That night. Were you mad that I didn't text you back right away? Is that why you just left with Mai? Well sorry, I was a little busy."

Confusion and confliction weren't emotions that Azula wore openly. So TyLee was surprised to see such a blunt expression of them. "I don't think that I was mad. I just knew that Mai needed a ride home and that her mother would have a meltdown if I didn't get her home."

TyLee didn't know how to react to it. There was something wrong about the display. At first she thought that it was because Azula was trying to toy with her again. Trying to lie through her teeth. So she just stared at the other girl. Stared until is started to settle that something was off, because the explanation seemed so sincere.

"I wouldn't have talked to him if you would have said something. I wish that you would have said something…"

And she is vexed all over again. Was Azula blaming her? Was she that socially inept? "I wish that you didn't make me feel like I couldn't." She replied with a venom.

"I also wish that I didn't." Her response was so quiet that it threw TyLee off all over again. There was another drawn out window of silence that almost left TyLee feeling bad for having snapped at her former friend. She could swear that she saw Azula crumbling right before her. Something about the way her eyes dulled. She muttered something and made a retreat.

TyLee sighed. There was something about her that looked so broken. So defeated. And perhaps that is what coaxed her to rush to the girl's car and give the window a few knocks. She was half-surprised to hear the door unlock. She slipped into the car. Somehow it felt like home, she had been in it so much. It still smelled like Azula. Like extravagant perfume and a tinge of incense. It put an ache in her belly to think that she hadn't been in this car since that stupid party. It had to have been at least a year and she wondered if Azula was getting lonely. It was hard to imagine someone like Azula getting lonely.

Perhaps one day they could take a drive together, like old times.

Hell, it almost made her want to reconcile with Mai.

Lost in nostalgia, she almost didn't catch Azula softly admit, "I don't want you to be mad at me."

"I don't want to be mad at you…" TyLee agreed. Maybe she was being a little too hard on her ex-friend. No, not ex, she decided to herself. "I. It's not your fault, you didn't know. If it makes you feel better, I was mad at Mai too for a while." What was she saying, she was still mad at Mai. Still furious? At least Azula was putting in some effort here. She couldn't say the same for Mai. But then, she didn't really know Mai to put much effort nor passion into anything that wasn't fighting with Zuko. "It's Jet's fault. All of this is Jet's fault. I blamed Chan too, but he was just the host."

She hoped that, that at least took a little sting off of Azula. One that she had probably created in the first place. She was putting a lot on Azula.

She was putting a lot on herself.

She almost cracked a smile, who knew that talking to Azula would help her realize that she wasn't to blame at all for her own struggling. She was a victim, there were things that she could have done differently, but fear could take away logic. What matters was that she was able to save someone else. Maybe they wouldn't get Jet for what he did to her. But in getting him locked up for Katara, she could have some resolve regardless.

The last of her resentment towards the girl sitting next to her melted away.

There is one thing that she still had to confess. "I think that, that's what Jet wanted. He wanted me to blame you guys because…" That was the one remaining thing that she wished that she hadn't done. "Because that way, I had no one to talk to. The worst part is, it worked. I was so alone…"

"And then…"

TyLee rubbed her eyes and let her smile spread in full. "I found Katara."

"You saved her?"

TyLee couldn't tell if it was a question or a statement so she replied, "I guess you can say that."

She noticed that Azula was smiling. A very soft, somewhat melancholy smile. But it was there no less. "That counts for something, right? At least you didn't let it happen to someone else." She paused. "From the sound of it you were pretty fierce, glad I was able to teach you something."

TyLee had to laugh, it was the kind of ending statement that only Azula would make. She didn't just realize how much she missed the girl and her underlying social-awkwardness. "I guess so."

"Do you need a ride home?" Azula asked.

The offer delighted her. It was the offer she was kind of hoping for and she was ready to take her up on it. Her elated mood dropped at the realization that the school would have her car towed or ticketed if she just left it in the lot. "I would take your offer, but I kinda can't just leave my car here over night." She didn't want to offend Azula or give her the wrong idea so she quickly added, "but, uh, maybe you can come by tomorrow…if the police to pull me in for more questioning again."

Azula nodded, looking wholly withdrawn and she knew that the girl had taken it the wrong way. She wondered if she should let Azula take her home and then get someone else to drive her back to pick up her car. Ultimately, she decided to make a promise to herself to get a ride to school and let Azula take her home tomorrow.

.oOo.

She was eager to hear how things had gone for Katara. Late in the night, the girl had texted her with a promise to tell her about how the investigation was going. She was itching for an update about Sokka too, supposedly he had gone in for questioning right after her on Monday. Hopefully, Katara had some good news.

She had the mercy of escaping fourth hour math again. She held her diary close to her chest. As petty as it was, she almost didn't want to hand it over for fear that she wouldn't get it back. Maybe she should just tear the useful pages out of it and hand those over, that way she wouldn't have to give up her precious and happy memories.

Much of what they talked over was a rehash of the same questions, likely to make sure that her story didn't change. Yu-Ron then inquired more about Sokka and what she had witnessed. She had to affirm that she had indeed saw him slamming his fist into Jet's face and then kicking him a few times. But she reiterated that Chan had actually done most of the work.

To be frank, she was afraid of Chan. The man had an eruptive temper. The temper that only Azula could really control. She didn't know how Azula managed to keep him in check, but then, Azula in her own way was an imposing girl.

The last half hour, which ended up bleeding into her lunch period, was spent discussing a little further, what happened to her at the homecoming party. At which time she had torn the pages from her diary and handed them over. She also turned over a printed copy of her first draft of Kyoshi's autobiography assignment.

Yu-Ron stood and shook her hand. "Thank you, TyLee. You have been very helpful. Between you and Katara, I think that we have a very sturdy case. Believe it or not Chan has helped too."

"You questioned him?"

"I am not allowed to say much, but we had talked to him briefly on the night of the incident."

TyLee nodded, she almost regretted asking, now her curiosity was piqued and it wouldn't be satisfied. She stepped out of the adjoining room and back into the principal's office. She only had the chance to her hand on the doorknob when Bumi stopped her.

"We're under lockdown."

"Lockdown!?" She jolted. "Shouldn't we be hiding."

Bumi shook his head. "Soft lockdown."

So a drug bust, she thought to herself. She looked into the parking lot to see flashing red and blue. A line of police cars and ambulances and even one firetruck. "What's going on?"

"We have a student who needs hospitalization." It was then that she realized that Bumi wasn't being his kooky self.

"Are they okay?"

"It doesn't sound too good." Bumi mumbled and she knew that, that was all she would be getting out of him. Granted news would probably travel around the school pretty quickly.

TyLee glanced out the window just in time to see a gurney being hoisted into the ambulance. Some part of her shuddered.

.oOo.

She found Katara after class. Katara who somehow managed to look more teary eyed and distraught than usual.

"Are you okay, Katara?"

"I…" Katara trailed off. "Too much is happening at once." Her voice cracked.

TyLee tilted her head. "What's going on?"

"She killed herself, Ty." Katara's voice hitched. And with the hiccup in her voice, she was crying.

"Who?" TyLee asked. An awful knot welled up in her belly. She knew what she was going to hear before she actually did.

"Azula."

"How do you know!?"

"Teo and I found her." She replied quietly. "I…she talked to me before…"

"She talked to me too." TyLee replied quietly. Now she had another regret. Another thing she wished that she had done. She should have left her car in the lot and drove home with Azula. "I was going to drive home with her today…" It was hard to speak with tears flowing so freely. "Is she really gone?"

Katara hugged her. "I'm not sure. It sounded like it, but I don't know. They wouldn't tell me anything."

"I was going to drive home with her, Katara. We were going to go to my house and I was going to show her my new hamster and we were going to catch up…" Azula didn't know that, but that's what they would have done. She wanted to surprise her. She even had a little make-up gift. "We were going to be friends again…"

.oOo.

TyLee hugged her pillow close. She was thankful to have Katara. The woman and her mother were so comforting and friendly, and she was lucky that they were so willing to drop her off at home. But her heart ached for Azula. She hugged her pillow even closer. Azula, who she still didn't have news of. It seemed that Katara had none either and she didn't know Teo's number. She'd only ever met him in passing. Despite it all, she texted Azula, trying not to think that she might be texting a dead girl. She thought that it was her turn to ask, 'why didn't you tell me?' Instead she typed, 'I wanted to surprise you today, because you looked so upset yesterday.' She didn't know where she was going with that so she went to backspace it. Instead her trembling fingers hit send. Adds a simple, 'I'm sorry I wasn't a good friend.'

She curled up on her bed and falls to another round of sobs. It was too much, Katara was right. Too much was happening at once.

She woke to the sound of her phone buzzing.

She looked wearily at the screen and the queasiness in her stomach cleared.

'Can you move your surprise to the hospital?' The dots appeared again.

'You weren't a bad friend…'