Disclaimer – I do not anything except the things I write… uh.. yea
Summary –So far, Kiana, Yue, Suki and Katara are doing a dance for the talent show. They are in high school and freshmen none the less. Katara was asked out by her 'crush' and is going out with him today… Will love bloom or crash and burn?
Thanks for the reviews everyone! I hope you like my story. I'll update ASAP. Please give more reviews! Flames are welcome. Anything is welcome. As long as it's a review! Love it? it? I need opinions people! And don't worry! Zuko comes soon! Just wait and see!! Jet is just here for now.. But he's leaving soon. And MUCH more shipping is to come... DRAMA WILL PREVAIL AS WELL! So REVIEW!
Chapter 4 Work and Play
The sunlight ruins everything. I was having such a great dream too! My mom was back… Never mind. I don't like to talk about it. Anyway it's time to get up. I groan and get out of bed. I go to my closet and pick out some clothes. I need to look good today. This is my first date. Sure, I'm fifteen and most of my friend's had already had boyfriends already, maybe even have been in love, but this is a first to me. I've never said yes before, I've never even thought of dating, I was preoccupied with, other things, but that's beside the point.
I just need to look good. I let my hair loose today, deciding it looked better down today then it usually does. I usually keep it up in a half braid half bun thing. It's an unusual hairstyle but hey, I'm an unusual person. So I comb out my hair, put some light eye shadow and eye liner on and then decide what to wear. I decide to go with flip-flops, a light brown t-shirt with a dark-brown sweat-jacket, matching with my skin tone, and a pair of jeans. I grab my new purse and stuff my cell phone into it. I then go to the bathroom, brush up and go upstairs on the first floor to grab a bite to eat. Sokka's door is still closed meaning he is still asleep. He usually wakes up late around one. He's a heavy sleeper. I usually wake up around 11. The sunlight from a high window in my room sheds enough light to keep me up on days I really wish I could sleep in.
Gran Gran is up already. The kitchen is spotless and there is a small pile of pancakes in the center of the kitchen table. Gran Gran is my mother's mother. Strict but loves us unconditionally. She goes to work often. She works in a sweat shop. She takes the bus to work early in the morning and comes back late at night, leaving me to do all of the house work. Today is special though. On Sunday's she cooks breakfast and goes to work around 10. That's late for her. She usually goes at around 7. She has to keep up this place since my father's work often sends him away for weeks at a time. And my mother, let's just say she is watching over us, supervising in a way.
I grab a plate and the syrup and sit down. I turn on the TV that is in the other room. There is a half-wall so I can still see it. It's not that big so I basically just listen to whatever is on. A beer commercial comes on and I quickly change the channel. I alcohol commercials. They make me sick to my stomach. I watch a little of nickelodeon. Sure, I am too old for it but I still like to watch a few shows. A show about some air bending kid saving the world comes on and I watch a little. Another commercial comes on and I change the channel again. I commercials. I watch MTV until I finish my breakfast. I turn the TV on and put my dishes into the sink. Then, I go back to my room and turn on the computer.
I log in my screen name on aim and look at who's online. Only Suki was on at this time of day. Who wakes up at 10:30 anyway?
wArRiOr xO; Hey! U have ur date today!!! Good luck!!!!
cOoLaSiCeKaT; lol umm okay? Suki, ur scaring me. I'm kinda nervous though… (
wArRiOr xO; don't be!!! Ull do fine. Just be urself! U have work today though right?
cOoLaSiCeKaT; Yea…
wArRiOr xO; U've been going to work a lot lately. R u having money problems or something?
cOoLaSiCeKaT; nope. I'm fine
wArRiOr xO; idts. U also didn't hand in ur school field trip sheet yet. Do u need money for it? It's like $350. can u believe going to New York City is so expensive?!
cOoLaSiCeKaT; I didn't hand it in yet because I didn't have time. I'll hand it in tomorrow. It's due on Friday so I have time. And New York City is an expensive place to go. And also the teachers don't like us.
wArRiOr xO; well that's true. U have work at 11 right? When do u get off?
cOoLaSiCeKaT; yea… I get off at 6 today… and my date's at 6:30!!! Hopefully i can make it back in time.
wArRiOr xO; If u want I'll wait at ur house for u to come back and I can quickly do ur hair and make-up before u go
cOoLaSiCeKaT; alright. Sounds good. U can come by my house at 6 and distract Sokka while Jet comes.
wArRiOr xO; lmao.. I just need to find some random shiny object. That would hold him off! Lol jk
cOoLaSiCeKaT; lmao niiice. Sounds good. Okay well I gotta go to work now… cya xoxo 333
wArRiOr xO; ok cya later xoxoxo 333
Actually, I have been having money problems lately. Since my mom died then my dad had to provide for us. He had to go to the War in Iraq so Gran Gran had to come live with us. She works hard every day to just get dinner on the table. I work on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It gets tiring after a while. My school field trip to New York City is one of the biggest event of the year. Everyone is going. I really don't want to miss out. But it's so expensive! I mean $350?? C'mon! So far I saved up $335 just for this trip. I'll make $50 today, enough for some trinkets and souvenirs. We'll be sleeping overnight in some hotel. It sounds like fun. I'm supposed to room with 3 other people. I don't know who to bunk with though. I guess I'll figure it out sooner or later.
I can't wait till I'm 17... Then I can finally get my license!! Two more years!! But for now, Sokka has to drive me, I take the bus, or I have one of my older friends drive me. Today Haru is driving me since he lives on the block. I hear his car horn and grab my name tag and purse. I run out the door and lock the house up. I run into the car and he starts to drive.
"When do you get off work today katara?"
"At 3. You don't have to drive me back home, I have a ride. Plus, I wouldn't want to take up your time. You have been driving me around these past couple of days."
"No! It's no big deal. Not like I have anything to do anyway. Besides, it's the least I can do. You have always been there for me anyway." I returned the smile.
"I still feel bad. And I haven't helped you that much."
"Oh c'mon you can't be serious. You at least listen to me. You also helped me out with my father."
"Oh right, how is your father? Has he been relaxing since he made it back from the war?" Haru's dad was recruited into the army a few years back. If I can recall, it was 5 to be exact. His father was recently sent back here after finishing his years of service. He came back two weeks ago.
"Not really, he is still set on helping out other war victims and soldiers. We had a long talk yesterday, man to man, about everything basically. He said that he was captured for two years while in service but never told my mother or me. He didn't want to worry us. He said he had to work every day. Many of his army friends didn't make it out in time." I put my head down and soaked up the information. Haru just kept looking straight, his eyes set on the road.
"It must have been hard, for him and for you. Is that all you talked about yesterday?"
"Not really, we discussed some other things too, like what has been happening in school lately, his war times, and just basically got everything out. I'm really starting to get to know my father all over again."
"Well that's always a good thing. It's great that you and your father have talks."
"Yeah, I really am glad he's come back. I've missed him so much. Do you know when your father is getting back?" I shifted my eyes to the side of the road. I did not like talking about either one of my parents. It just hurt too much.
"I don't know. I wish I did. He's still fighting. He became a captain recently and has been moving up in the ranks I hear. I sometimes get letters from him, maybe once every few months." I tried to hold myself up.
"Oh. I'm glad he's moving up in the ranks. But I'm sorry he has been gone so long."
"It's okay. I don't mind talking about it." I try to shake off this feeling. We sit in the car in silence for the rest of the ride. I finally reach the hospital and get out of the car.
"Thanks for the ride Haru. I appreciate it."
"No problem. Want me to drive you when you get off work?"
"No thanks, I have a ride." I smiled and waved as he drove down the road and out of my sight. I walked into the hospital. I signed in my name and walked to one of the rooms. My job is to lift the patients' spirits. I am a helper in a way I guess. I just go around the entire hospital giving the patients food, getting what they need, giving cards, and basically giving them someone to talk to. It really does sadden me that so many people could be hurt. I try to help out as much as I can. I to be paid to do this but I really do need the money and it's one of the only jobs I could get. Sixteen is the normal job age wear places start hiring. So, I was placed here. It's a blessing I guess, but sometimes I get depressed when having to see all these people hurt.
I make my way to the children's wing because that is my shift area on Sundays. On Mondays I have it in the burn center, Tuesdays in the senior wing, Wednesdays in the surgery wing and Thursdays I also have the children's wing. I enjoy the children's wing the most. I put on a uniform, a white one that almost looks like a nurses uniform only with blue edges and less formal. I have in my purse a few more cards that I made. It is two of the kids' birthdays today.
I walk into one of the kid's rooms. This particular boy is 12. Well, actually now he's 13 since his birthday is today.
"Hey Tao! How are you feeling today?" I smile and sit down on one of the chairs in the corner. I take something from behind my back and hand it to him.
"Happy Birthday! It's the big 1-3! You're finally a teen!"
"Thanks Katara! You didn't have to get me anything!"
"I wanted to!" I smile as I watch him carefully open his present. He was in an accident when he was a baby, paralyzing his legs. He stays in the hospital four days a week. The other three days he goes home, visits friends, and hangs out with his dad. His mother was killed in the accident. But, he always seems to keep his head up. That's what I love about working here. I love the spirit these people have.
"Thanks Katara! Wow! You didn't have to get me anything!" He finally unwrapped the gift, taking out an inventing kit. He loves to build things.
"Don't be silly! Just open it up!" He took out the pieces and placed them on the side table.
"Now you have to finish this so I can see what the finished product looks like. Okay?" Tao laughed.
"Thanks so much! Are you leaving now?"
"Yeah. I need to go give some food and things to the other kids. I'll be back next week though and I'll stay longer. We can talk some more."
"That'll be great! See you next week!" I smiled, got my stuff and went to the other rooms. He was always my favorite patient. I often talked to him a lot. He'd tell me about new friends, his father's new inventions and other things. It really is nice. He's also friends with Aang so I often see him next door playing with him. What a cute little kid.
---
I finish my shift in the hospital and sign out. Finally, a job well done. I can't believe another kid puked on me… not to pleasant but that's what I get. Oh my god!!! It's already 6:15! I am so late! I missed the bus! I have to catch the later one and that comes at 6:30! Oh god! I hope Sokka left the house…
---
I reach the house at 7. Oh . Jet's car AND Sokka's car AND Suki's bike is there. Great… just great.
Sokka starts running out of the house fuming… This is NOT good.
"Katara! How could you not tell me you were going out on a date?! I'm your brother I deserve to know these things!" Suki runs out of the house behind him and looks a bit agitated.
"I tried…" She mouths the words. Jet comes out next looking a bit flustered, scratching the back of his head.
"C'mon Sokka! Don't you think You're being unreasonable? It's just a simple date! Sheesh! Don't go being all big brothery again."
"You can go! I'm just saying, you didn't have to hide it from me." He looked away annoyed.
"Well sorry, I just knew you'd get like this."
"What do you mean like this? I just wanted you to tell me instead of making me have a classmate just randomly come up to the door asking for my sister and having to find out from your little date that you're going out with him."
"Sorry Sokka but can we just deal with this later? I'm late."
"Whatever." He turns around and heads back to the house.
"You know, I didn't really notice that you two were siblings. Then, I find him at your house. Strange." Jet walks with me back to the house and I see Suki trying to catch up to Sokka.
"Sorry, I thought you knew."
"You don't have to be sorry. I don't mind. It's just that I think your brother kind of s me."
"Hmm… I don't think he S you persay. Just because you're around me and he gets a little off, you know?"
"Right, and if he doesn't me then that means that he s you. Trust me, I can pick up vibes."
"Oo! Are you psychic?" I laughed and pushed him as I ran inside to go get ready.
---
It's freezing. I'm at the beach with Jet, my feet in the wet sand.
"The beach is freezing at this time of year! How can you stand the cold?" I hug myself, searching for warmth not that I'll find it. He chuckles.
"Oh c'mon it's not that bad! Well, it's not bad for me. I've got a right next to me to keep me warm. He smiles and wraps his arms around me. I smile and laugh it off.
"Yea right. Trying to win me over are you?" It just feels right, me in his arms. I'm so comfortable right now. Who ever knew that I could be with a guy, at a romantic beach watching the sunset? Just a tad bit strange.
"No. I'm just telling the truth. And, I thought I already won you over? You came on this date with me didn't you?" I laugh again.
"I love your laugh. It's beautiful. You're beautiful." He looks into my eyes and caresses my cheek. I blush.
"You're not too bad yourself." He laughs and puts his hand up to his face.
"I know! I'm hot stuff!" He raises his eyebrows and acts like a rapper. "Ssss!" He touches his ass and pretends it's sizzling. We both up laughing.
"You're so full of it!" I laugh and splash him with water. He gets soaked and after his moment of shock, splashes me with water. We both get up and run into the water, freezing as it is. We're knee deep, getting each other with as much water as possible. He lunges for me and pushes me into the water. He falls on top of me and I can feel his breath on my face. We try to stop our panting breath and pounding hearts long enough. He looks into my eyes and leans in. I turn my head and get up.
"We should be going. It's late and we have school tomorrow." He gets up as well and we dry ourselves with the towel.
"Yeah, you're right." I get into his car and we head home.
---
"Well I had a great time." We walk up to the door.
"Me too. I'd like to see more of you." He smiles at me and I return it.
"I'd like that." He leans in and picks up my face. I turn around swiftly and open the door. I smile as I notice now he wants me more.
"Goodnight Jet." I smile and lock the door.
I hope you guys enjoyed! I love this story. I'll update soon. Don't worry. Way more drama is coming up! Just wait and see! Review please!! I feed on reviews! And when I don't get fed then I get hungry and angry!! So REVIEW!