Candrala: Obviously, I do not own Avatar or the ideas from Harry Potter tied to this story.
Chapter 4: If I Had You
Sokka lulled lazily against the table at lunch that day, the autumn chill making him tired. Aang muched happily in his litchi fruit while Katara talked to the new girl that had joined their table. Her hair often fell into her face and her eyes were muggy. Katara wasn't fond of her, because the girl, who had introduced herself as Toph, acted hardly like a girl.
Toph was a part of the Earth house and she had the vigor and mouth of the strongest male earth bender.
"Are there anymore new kids?" Aang asked excitedly between mouthfuls of fruit. Sokka looked up, vaguely interested. His best friend had abandoned him for tea with Iroh.
Toph wiped her nose, ignoring the on slaught of questions Katara was throwing at her. "I heard something about a few, but so far I'm the only one to make an appearance, Twinkle Toes."
Aang blinked, slightly confused as to who she was talking to. Toph sensed his confusion, sighing heavily in frustration before flipping her head to the side to glare emptily at Aang. "Air bender equals Twinkle Toes. Sounds way better than Aang."
Aang threw up his arm, fruit littering the floor behind him. "OH! That's awesome!" Sokka rolled his eyes, shifting to look away from the group and curl against his arm tucked neatly under his chin. His eyes scanned the room, vaguely showing interest on what was going on around him.
That's when he noticed someone staring at him.
The boys hair was heavily mused, the color of muddy straw, and he nibbled on a long piece of grass. His gaze was jet black and intense. He smiled slyly, noticing he had caught Sokka's attention. Sokka blushed a little, continuing his scan of the room.
Sokka heard the smooth voice hit his ear before he comprehended the boy from across the room had walked over to him. "Well aren't you pretty." He was leaning with his palms on the table, smiling.
Sokka leaned up, slightly uncomfortable from the comment. "Urh... Thank you."
The boy nodded, flicking the piece of grass around with his tongue. "The names Jet. What's yours?" Sokka glanced over at his friends, praying silently for help. "Sokka."
Jet leaned back, shoving his hands into his back pockets. "Nice. You been here long?" Sokka cringed gently. "Sort of." Jet leaned down again, smiling widely. Before he could say anything, a pebble collided with his forehead.
Jet scoffed slightly, holding his forehead and stepping back. Toph smirked at him, twirling pebbles in her hand. "Pretty boy doesn't want to talk to you. Back off."
Jet growled quietly, glaring at Sokka. "We will speak again," he stated before turning away and walking back to his table.
Sokka turned, showering Toph in praise. Toph crossed her arms, propping her bare feet up on the table. "Yeah, yeah. You owe me." She pointed behind Sokka. "Fire boy ain't too happy about what he just saw."
Sokka whipped around, Aang peering curiously and wide-eyed over Sokka's shoulder. Zuko was standing in the entry way of the dining hall, his vision focused clearly on Jet. His fists were clenched and Sokka knew that wasn't good.
He sprang from the table, rushing over to Zuko. He pressed his hands against his friends chest. "Come on! Let's leave Zuko!" Zuko's lip curved angrily over his teeth but he allowed Sokka to push him into the main hallway.
Sokka finally stopped pushing when the were standing in an arch created by the pillars that lined the main hallway and lead outside. Zuko still glared towards the dining hall. Sokka lowered his hands, looking at the floor towards Zuko's feet. He knew Zuko would speak when he was ready.
"Who was that?" It came out in an almost snarl.
Sokka looked up at him, taken aback slightly by the fire burning hotly in Zuko's golden eyes. "He... He was some new guy. I've never seen him before." He waved his hands, trying to make it seem like no big deal.
Zuko leaned down to the younger boys height, his lips pulled tight against his teeth. "Stay away from him. He isn't good news, Sokka." Sokka gazed at him innocently, slightly terrified at the strength of Zuko's anger. "Oh.. Okay." He nodded, affirming he understood.
Zuko ran his hand along his face, calming himself. "I just.. don't want you to get hurt." Sokka nodded again, gazing down at his hands and shyly pressing his fingers together. His eyes widened slightly when he felt warm lips press into his forehead.
He gazed up at Zuko in shock. Zuko was equally surprised, clearing his throat and turning away from Sokka. "Urh... Just promise me you'll be more careful?"
Sokka continued to gaze at him. What had just happened? How did this make him feel? He shook his head, clutching at his hair as his pony tail fell loose. "Zu... Zuko!"
Zuko turned sharply, alarmed by the sharp cry that had leapt from Sokka's voice. Sokka stared up at him, his brown hair hanging around his face. Zuko looked back at him.
They stayed like that for a long while, well passed the time everyone filed back to classes.
Candrala: I apologize for the shortness.
