"Zuko! How was your night?" Uncle asked, jumping up from his seat. Zuko slammed his door behind him. Disappointed, Uncle sat back down and stared at his cup of tea. Seconds later, however, the door slid open a crack, and Zuko said quietly, "It was nice," and shut his door again. Relieved, Uncle and I smiled at each other and took a simultaneous sip of tea. I decided to leave Zuko with some time to think, so I sat out in the kitchen with Uncle and stared out the window at the stars.

Ten minutes later, Zuko yelled through his tinted glass doors, "Sing, are you coming or what?" Surprised and a little embarrassed, I hurried into his room and excused myself for not coming in the beginning: "I thought you'd want some time alone, to think."

"Yes, and I usually think to myself when you're around. Sit," he said, indicating on the floor. I sat on a cushion, and looked up at my master. He alternated pacing, looking out the window, and sitting on his bed. I cautiously asked, "Did you enjoy yourself, Prince Zuko?"

He stopped and said, "I didn't enjoy myself." I grew sad. "But I enjoyed being with Jin, if that's what you mean."

I grinned. "That's excellent. Where did you guys go for dinner?"

"The Snow Pea, I think it was," he said, not caring. He rolled his eyes. "I lied to her when she asked why I moved so much."

"What'd you tell her?"

"I was a juggler in a traveling circus," he said, embarrassed. I giggled quietly, but not quiet enough. "I tried to juggle plates, and they all came crashing down in the middle of the restaurant."

"That's understandable: you've never really talked to girls except me, your mother and Azula," I said, offering comfort.

"Don't mention my sister unless you absolutely have to," he said sharply.

"Sorry, it won't happen again," I apologized and bowed to him. He didn't acknowledge me. Instead, he looked deep in thought, somewhat troubled. I could tell he wanted to put words to his mouth, but it took him a while to start talking. He began: "After dinner, she led me to this water fountain with lanterns all around it. She said it was her favorite place in the whole city, when the candles were lit. But tonight all the lanterns were extinguished. I couldn't stand the look on her face when we arrived to a dark fountain."

"So what did you do?" I asked, urging him on.

"I asked to her close her eyes, and I lit the lanterns," he said.

"With your bending?" I exclaimed, surprised.

He nodded. "There was nobody around except us. I made sure of that." He paused. "Then, she took my hand, and stood close to me," he sighed and sat on his bed across from me on the floor. "I was scared at first, but she moved closer. I panicked and gave her some stupid coupon to the shop Uncle gave me." I stopped myself from giggling and interrupting him. Zuko struggled on, and wouldn't look at me. I knew that wasn't the whole story.

I looked up into his eyes, and complemented him, "That's very romantic, what you did for her at the fountain. The lanterns, not the coupon." I looked for his reaction. "I'm sure she'll remember it." He only looked away from me. I whispered, "Did you kiss her?"

He blushed, and looked quickly at me. "Yes," he whispered, unmoving.

I burst into a smile, and congratulated the prince: "Zuko, that's so sweet! You did great! When are you going to see her again?"

"I'm not."

I stopped. "What do you mean?" I asked nervously.

"Besides in the shop, I won't see her anymore," he said tensely.

"Why? I thought you two hit it off; I don't understand," I said quietly, confused.

"I told her I couldn't be seeing her anymore, and I ran home. I couldn't tell her the truth-"
"Which is?" I asked, a little annoyed.

He looked at me, surprised at my change of attitude. "That I'm a banished Fire prince who is hiding to find the avatar! You can't just tell someone that and expect to be safe and on good terms with you!"

"Yeah well, you could have just not told her," I suggested, angrily.

He stood up and walked straight over to me, standing above me, looking down into my eyes. "Don't you get it? I can't stand lying to Jin anymore. Everything she knows about me is a lie!" He stormed over to his window. I felt scared tears in my eyes, but stopped them. Quit, I scolded myself, you are not one of those over-sensitive girls who get upset over everything. I stood up, brushed myself off, and headed for the door. I turned around and asked quietly, "Forgive me, Master? Can I do anything else for you before you go to bed, Prince Zuko?"

"No," he said loudly.

I sighed, and said one last thing: "Master, I've grown to know Jin as a friend. I will tell you as your honest servant that she would not have kissed you or even gone out with you if she didn't think you were someone she wanted to get to know. Lies won't change who you are, Zuko." I bowed, even though he wasn't looking at me. "Goodnight Master."

I walked out of his room, through the kitchen, and out the front door. I sat on the door steps and put my elbow on my knees and placed my hands in them. I sniffed back a tear; I had so wanted this to work for him. I looked for the moon in the city sky, and said a prayer for my fire prince.