Finally! I have finished this chapter. Sorry it took so long, I was having a bit of writer's block. But not to worry, it's done and here it is!
I learned many things that evening, including that Sokka was very good at parallel parking. He wedged his Volkswagen between a PG+E maintenance truck and a shiny black Jaguar. Every time he backed within a foot of the Jaguar's fender, I winced and Mai gripped the handle of the door so tight her nails left little half-moons in the leather.
Zuko and Sokka argued about the outcome of some football game as Sokka shifted into park. Zuko got out and ran around to get the door for Mai. After standing in front of the car for a moment, Sokka hurried to follow suit.
I laughed.
I also learned that Sokka either was extremely confident, or didn't realize that you usually don't touch a girl who you just met. As our four-some ambled through the parking lot he casually slipped his arm around my waist. I froze for a moment, and then relaxed.
I had been taught at a young age not to let guys get too close, and I knew it was crazy to trust Sokka so soon after I met him, but something about Sokka emanated peace and trust.
"Japanese food?" I inquired as we walked up to the local sushi-bar.
"Can you use chopsticks?" Zuko asked jokingly.
"Of course I can use chopsticks!" Sokka exclaimed, striking a pose. "I am the chopstick master!" Mai rolled her eyes and Zuko just shook his head.
"Suki?" he prompted.
"Yes, I can use chopsticks."
"Awesome!" Sokka yelled. He grabbed my hand and tugged me towards the restaurant. "Come on!"
"Sokka, no one is going to eat all the Sashimi in the next minute!" I yelled. He continued to drag me towards the restaurant. I humored him because after all, what if they ran out of Saba?
At first dinner was slightly awkward. We sat around the sushi bar and watched the boats of sushi go by. We were the first ones there so the chef was cutting up all sorts of stuff for us. After Sokka proclaimed that he was treating all four of us, an eerie silence fell over our party.
I wanted to comment on the convo, (especially why he still even talked to Tai-lee after what she did. I was not feeling too kindly towards her myself) I had earlier with Sokka. However I wasn't sure that he wanted to share that with Zuko and Mai.
"So how long have you and Zuko been together?" I asked Mai. Though I was prying, at least I filled the silence.
"We have known each other since we were little, but-" Zuko supplied then began to fumbled with his sleeve.
"2 years." Mai finished. Then she blushed. Silence resumed.
Hmmm. I was getting no where.
Sokka kept looking up, like as to say something, then jerking his eyes back towards his lap. I wanted to scream at him to spit it out, but I wasn't sure if this was normal Sokka behavior.
Mai sat across from me flipping the same strand of hair over and over.
Flick
Flick
Flick
Flick-
"Sooooooooooooooo," I tried again. "Sokka, Zuko, what events do you do in Track and Field?" Zuko just grunted so Sokka answered for both of them.
"Zuko mostly does the shot-put and the mile." he grinned. "I do the 100m Dash and relays."
"Cool!" I encouraged "Tai-lee told me you did well last year?"
"Yah, Zuko and I both placed at state level last year."
"So, how do you like Arden High?" Mai inquired.
Yes! I had three of them talking!
"It's great! I've met lots of awesome people!" Now, to get Zuko involved… "Especially your sister Zuko."
Sokka and Mai laughed as Zuko snorted in disbelief.
"It's true," Sokka guffawed. "She's pretty special. She's in science with me and nearly leaps out of her seat every time the teacher asks the class a question."
"Show-off," Zuko agreed.
"Ugg, can we talk about something else?" Mai moaned. "Azula spoils my appetite."
We all laughed.
As dinner progressed, so did our conversation. The stories got wilder and wilder.
"Ok, so Tai-lee and Mr. Bumi were calling each other body parts," Sokka began.
"What-?" I interrupted.
"Don't ask why, but anyways they were calling each other body parts and they were going back and forth." Sokka laughed. "Liver, stomach, pancreas, until Tai-lee says testicle!"
I laughed so hard tears were falling down my face and though this was obviously legend at Arden, Zuko and Mai joined in. Sokka was laughing so hard I could hardly understand him.
"And then, when Bumi frowns at her and tells her to go to the office, she says that she meant to say tentacle!" Sokka stopped laughing because he started to choke on some Ahi.
"Wow," I commented when we finally settled down. "What happened to her?"
"She won't tell us," Zuko said. "But I have a feeling it wasn't pleasant…"
When it came time to pay the bill Sokka proudly displayed his credit card.
"Lucky, my parents would never trust me with a credit card," Mai lamented.
"Me too, though Dad might let Azula…" Zuko agreed. I laughed and Zuko made such a long face that everyone else joined in.
"Zuko you're a crack up," Sokka chuckled.
"Glad I could entertain you so, Sokka," Zuko said dryly.
It seemed as though I had know Zuko, Sokka, and Mai my whole life. Everything was so natural. Well, until it came time to split up…
We were standing by Zuko's car trying to think of the least awkward way to split up without implying anything.
"Well, Mai and I are going to her house…" Zuko began.
"Should I pick you up later?" Sokka asked. Sokka obviously didn't understand the meaning of subtle.
"Of course," Mai blushed.
"Well, that was fun," I rambled randomly.
"Yah," Sokka agreed. "So I'll pick you up at ten?"
"Sounds good," Zuko agreed.
And with that Sokka grabbed my hand and walked me towards downtown and Zuko and Mai headed to her house on the outskirts.
Sokka treated me to some ice cream at B+R. They had two flavors for the presidential race: Straight Talk Crunch, and Whirl of Change. I laughed and got Whirl of Change.
We stood outside for awhile, lapping in silence. Then Sokka grabbed my hand again.
"Come on," he urged. "I want to show you something."
Ok, I end this with my traditional "Please don't hate me".
Sashimi is raw fish (sorry if I spelled it wrong), Saba is Japanese for mackerel, and Ahi is tuna.
I apologize for this chapter being so random. I need inspriration! It's easy, just click the review button!
Oh, and don't worry, things will get intense next chapter now that they are alone. giggle