Candrala: Obviously, I do not own Avatar or the ideas from Harry Potter tied to this story.

Chapter 7: Love The Way You Lie

Sokka had audibly groaned when he walked into Pakku's math class that morning. When the house masters didn't have hold of their house students, they taught the general education subjects. He didn't mind; his groan was more centered at the tangle of mud colored hair that had perched itself in the chair next to his.

Grudgingly, Sokka sat down and slammed his book on his desk. He knew showing his frustration was undeniably giving Jet satisfaction, he just couldn't help it.

Jet smiled down at him, that same annoying piece of grass twirling between his flashing teeth. "Sokka," he cooed. "You look lovely today." Sokka rolled his eyes, praying that any second now Pakku would walk in and demand the class begin. For once Sokka wanted to focus on math. Jet slunk closer to him, now perched on the tables edge.

"What?" Jet pouted, mock hurt making his lip quiver. "No thank you? No returned compliment of my awesome beauty?" Sokka rolled his eyes again, his head shaking slightly. Man, this guy really knew how to irritate people. Sokka decided though that ignoring him was probably his best bet.

Jet leaned down, the stupid piece of grass that Sokka loathed so much brushing against Sokka's ear. "Good boy." He barked a quiet laugh then slid into his seat beside Sokka, just in time for Pakku to walk in.

Sokka faced forward through the class, clearly focusing and partcipating yet still somehow aware of Jet leaning casually back in his chair, making it sway on two legs. Sokka wanted to kick out the legs and hope that Jet's head would collide with the desk behind him and he'd end up in a coma or something. He restrained himself, though, smiling in small pride in himself for thinking up such a great idea.

By the time the class had finally ended, Sokka was barely aware of the dark eyes leech that followed him out the door with his arm casually thrown behind his head.

"So, Sokka," Jet started. "What do you think of Zuko?"

Sokka almost turned around, suddenly curious as to why Jet was interested in having a civil conversation. He didn't though, turning his head curiously over his shoulder. "He's a.., good person." Sokka finished awkwardly.

Jet smirked, stretching his fingers over his head before returning his arms to his sides and passing Sokka in the hallway and disappearing in the swarm of students.

Sokka came to a halt, blinking rapidly as he tried to process what had just happened while his arms hung limply at his side. He swayed slightly as someone brushed against him. Sokka was caught by the elbow before he could fall over and be trampled.

Sokka looked up into his savior's face, thankful yet unsettled to find it was Zuko. Things hadn't exactly been easy since they had admitted having feelings for each other. Zuko smiled sheepishly at him, quickly lowering his pale hand from the younger boys elbow.

"I know daydreaming is kind of your thing, but in the hallway?" Zuko teased, lifting his book to rest it on his shoulder. He smiled at Sokka, an affectionate and kind smile that made Sokka's stomach heat up slightly.

Sokka shook his head, ridding his stomach of that feeling. "Thanks," he murmered, forgetting completely that Zuko had insulted him. Zuko blinked, his eyebrows raised. "Are you alright?"

Sokka pressed his books into his chest, cradling them to him like they were some sort of treasure. He stared absently at the stone steps. If he told Zuko, it would seem like he really couldn't handle the Jet situation on his own. Sure, Zuko may be the case of the freak's harrassment, but Sokka was the main target.

Sokka swayed onto his toes, looking up at Zuko with a gride on his face. He was positive it appeared to be genuine. "I'm absolutely perfect," Sokka flushed, settling back onto his heels as he realized the many reasons Zuko could tie to his statement.

Zuko nodded, not thinking too much about what Sokka had said. His focus was now on the boy leaning casually against the stone wall with his foot propped up and his arms across his chest, a fresh piece of grass dangling from his lips. Jet smiled softly at Zuko.

Zuko cleared his throat, glancing down at Sokka. "You should be getting to class," were his words of his dismissal as he began his trek towards Jet, gently brushing his fingers against Sokka's tanned skin before he was out of reach.

Sokka followed after Zuko with his gaze, startled to find Jet was what had captured Zuko's attention. A new feeling bubbled up in Sokka's gut, one he had never experienced before. It burned and made him want to punch Jet in the face more than he had already wanted to. Sokka was sure if this feeling had a color, it would be green.

Obediently yet completely unwillingly, Sokka made his way to his next class.

Jet watched over Zuko's shoulder, his eyes following Sokka's exit. When the hallway was quiet, Jet removed the piece of grass from his mouth, flicking it onto the floor. He wanted to speak clearly with Zuko. "I spoke with your boyfriend today," Jet kept his eyes on Zuko's, praying for some sort of reaction.

Zuko just smiled, not willing to play into Jet's stupid games. "Oh? He didn't seem to mention that earlier," He commented, resting his book against his hip. His fingers strummed at the edges of the pages, thankful for the roughness of the pages. "He must not think much of your company." Zuko added.

It was silent again, but it wasn't awkward. These two had held many silences together, before. Zuko closed his eyes at the thought, Jet's voice seeming to echo in his ear. "You can't say you don't miss me, Zuzu." His voice was surprisingly quiet, thoughtful.

Zuko grit his teeth at the horrible petname his sister had given him and Jet had picked up. Jet only used it when he was trying to be convincing, though. Azula used it constantly because she enjoyed the twitch it brought to Zuko's eye.

Zuko sighed, running his hand over his face. He looked at Jet, hoping the seriousness of his statement would be conveyed in his eyes. Jet needed to take him seriously but it was always a 50/50 shot. "Listen..." He started slowly, all his thoughts muddling together then seperating then mashing together in one big cluster of confusion. He rested his hand on the wall beside Jet's head, steadying himself.

Zuko's eyes remained steady on Jet's, contradicting the battle that was warring inside himself. "Jet, it's... different now. Your father was able to climb the social latter in my father's business. Because of what we..." He waved his free hand around, making it clear he didn't exactly want to voice what Jet used to be to him. "Father wasn't too happy. I was diswoned because of you."

Jet stared at him quietly, his grip tightening on his arms. Jet hated being reminded of his mistakes.

Zuko continued. "Some sick part of me does miss you." He finally admitted, his insides seeming to explode with the sudden release of what he had been warring with since Jet's sudden return. He hated that it was true but Zuko made a point not to lie. His uncle had taught him better.

Jet's face remained smooth, his eyes gleaming with the only sign he found gratification in what Zuko had said. "What about Sokka?" Jet asked unwillingly, secretly wanting to continue the moment of Zuko admitting he missed Jet's pressence.

Zuko smiled affectionately at the mere mention of Sokka's name, leaning back to shove his hand in his pocket. "Sokka... is Sokka." Zuko added, a mere shrug adding to his nonchalance he was trying to fake.

Jet's thin brow arched. He knew there was more, so he waited.

Zuko leaned back on his heels, keeping his eyes on Jet's. "I like him. A lot. But Sokka is Sokka and Jet is Jet," he knew this is why Jet had asked, so he continued. "You are two different people with whom I will experience two different relationships with."

Jet scrubbed at the side of his face with his knuckles, lowering his foot from the wall. He supposed that was a good enough answer. For now. Jet pushed away from the wall and passed Zuko. As he entered the hallway, he turned to walk backwards, smiling wryly at Zuko. "I'm not giving up, yet." He proclaimed then faced forward and continued on as the hallway flooded with students ready for lunch.

Zuko chuckled, finding himself in the middle of a current of children. Somehow he knew it wouldn't be Jet if he gave up that easily.

When Zuko entered the dining hall, he only found Toph and Sokka at their typical table sharing a bit of friendly banter. Sokka had his hands spread widely out on the table, his mouth hanging open as if in utter shock as to what Toph had told him.

Toph looked over his head. "Well hey there, hotpants," she blew her bangs out of her eyes.

Sokka turned slightly, glancing over Zuko for any sign of some sort of dishevelement and when he found none, he turned back around to face Toph. Zuko pulled his eyebrow up in mild bewilderement. "Hi," he regarded Toph's greeting, choosing to sit on her side of the table today. "Where are Aang and Katara?"

Toph was surprised that Zuko had decided to sit next to him, sensing Sokka almost curl in on himself, but she didn't say anything about it. "They said something about eating together," she shoved her finger in her mouth, pretending to gag. "Speaking of which," Toph stood from the table, stretching her arms over her head and letting out a large yawn for her small frame. "I needed to talk to Boomie anyway."

She scuttled away from the table in her blind girl grace.

Zuko watched her walk away, disturbed at how much the girl could read into just through a small vibration that had passed with Sokka shifting to face away from him. He sighed when she was gone, settling his attention onto Sokka. He knew eventually Sokka would voice how he felt.

He was surprised, however, when Sokka rose from the table and left without a word of departure or a bothered excuse to Zuko. Zuko watched Sokka exit the dining hall and his was scanning his glance back to rest on the table, he noticed Jet peeking curiously over Pipsqueaks shoulder.

Zuko raked his fingers through his shaggy hair his elbows gritting into the table. His decision in talking to Jet had been in hopes in deepening his and Sokka's relationship. He had only made it worse.

As usual.

Candrala: A little dabble into Jet's issue with Zuko. Thank you all for your support with this story. Read, review, enjoy.