After Five
Chapter 4
Spread the Word
-Zuko-
-
So I went to school next day, the idea of a radio station keeping me happier than I have been since Mai and I were going out. Of course after the fiasco involving noodles, beer and a couple of penguins we decided it would be better if we spent some time apart.
Lunchtime rolls around and we all tromp towards the cafeteria. Warm smells of the daily special greets my nose as I reach the top of the stairs. All around people get settled to eat, talk and enjoying the short break between the bleary morning classes and barely-make-it-through afternoon classes.
I wander over to my usual table where I can already see Azula, Jet, Mai and Ty Lee sitting, all doing their best to be aloof. Sitting down everyone turns to look at me.
Azula says immediately, her tone scathing, "What makes you think you can sit there?"
"Because I've sat here all year. Oh, I'm sorry, is this Jet's spot? 'Cause I'm pretty sure it's closer to your ass so he can kiss it." I reply.
Jet opens his mouth to talk back but Ty Lee's head hits the table and she moans, "Don't fight. I've got such a bad hangover from last night." She continues to hide her head in her arms. Azula gives her an unpitying look.
"Maybe you shouldn't have drank so much." Mai suggests dully.
Ty Lee looks up. "Wow, I never thought of that! Thanks Mai." She sidles over and gives Mai a hug. As this happen I see Mai give me a oh-my-god-she's-hugging-me-again look and I smirk.
"Just remember Zuko, one more slip-up and you can consider yourself out of the group." Azula says.
"Duly noted."
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"That new radio show, "After Four" or something?"
"Yeah, I've seen the posters everywhere, and their Facebook page."
"They have Facebook? No way! So are you gonna listen?"
"Probably. I mean, how bad can it be?"
"I dunno. Kinda seems a bit shifty. What happens if it's one of those weird cults that brainwash you through airwaves and then make you do crazy things!"
"Like?"
"Like, um… Oh! Dressing up and making a fool of yourself in front of the whole school because you thought it was Lingerie Day and then that same day, while in a thong, you found your girlfriend making out with the captain of the football team."
"Dude, that only happens to you."
I shuffle along the sidewalk, shivering in the cold, autumn breeze. Katara told me, covertly (As in she practically assaulted me in the hallway and pulled me into the janitor's closet), that we were meeting at the local park to discuss some final details.
As the park comes into view I see our motley crew assembled. Katara on the swing, Aang hanging upside down while Toph and Sokka seem to be racing down the slides, laughing as the frosted metal made them slide faster and faster with each slide.
"Zuko," Aang says, his face slowly tuning tomato red. "Hey." Toph and Sokka slide to the bottom and we all gather around. I take the swing beside Katara, doing my best to ignore her glaring.
"So, why are we here?" I ask after a few minutes.
Toph speaks up, "Well, I guess we're deciding on names."
"Names?"
"Aliases." Sokka says, "We can't go around using our names for an underground radio station now can we?" He pulls a striped scarf tighter around his neck.
"I suppose not…"
We sit in silence before Aang uncurls from the bar and says, "I'll be Hotman."
"Why?"
He shrugs. "I dunno."
"You can be Stripes." Toph says, pulling Sokka into a headlock and giving him a noogie.
He wiggles out her grip and attempts to flatten his hair. "Fine. But you'll be the Blind Bandit then. Bandit because you stole my cookies way back in grade 3…"
"Blind Bandit? I'm not blind though." She grins, "Those cookies were the best I've ever had."
"So what? You want the Visually Impaired Bandit?"
"Point taken."
Katara talks next, "Who can I be? I was never good at picking names…"
Sokka laughs, "Yeah your dolls were always "Misses Pretty." '
She glares and before the argument can grow unbidden and completely unintentionally I say, "You can be 'Paints' you know, because you're always in the art room."
"Wow, Zuko…" to my surprise, she doesn't slap me, she just blushes slightly, "That's really good… I guess you need one now."
"What about Sunshine?"
"No, that's my nickname for him. Don't worry Sokka, you'll get one soon to. In fact you'll all get nicknames eventually."
"I can't wait." Sokka mumbles, crossing his arms. Toph sticks her tongue out at him.
Katara's fistslam into her palm. "I've got it! 'Black Sheep.' "
"What?"
"Think about it! You're the one It Person who's different. The 'black sheep' as one might say." She says, looking proud at the name.
"Black Sheep…" I mumble. "I guess it's alright…"
Sokka stands up. "I guess it's settled then. Tomorrow we start 'After Five' and make school history."
"Yeah, or get so many detentions we'll still be having them after we graduate." I say quietly.
Author's Note
Yay! Next chapter is the radio show!
Oh, and I have no idea who the conversation is in the middle. TrueThinker says it sounds liked the two guys from 'The Beach'.