CHAPTER FOOOOOUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRR. 8D
READ AWAY. I don't own… THESE THINGS. D= LIEK SRSLY.
I never knew just what it was
About this old coffee shop I love so much.
All of the while,
I never knew.
Aang and Katara both knew that everyone in the bus had seen them; had seen that kiss—both strangers and kids from school, but the pair paid no mind. They broke apart slowly, not saying a word and staring dreamily into each other's eyes for a few moments as another autumn wind picked up around them. They held onto each other like leeches, not wanting but having to pull away so Katara could get home. He eventually let go of her, but still no words were exchanged as she approached the bus' open doors. She constantly kept looking behind her shoulder, even as she got on the bus. They waved to each other before the doors closed, her still standing behind them and watching as Aang's figure grew smaller and smaller, the bus leaving him behind. When she saw that he was completely out of sight, she finally walked to a seat near the front and sat alone. She heard "popular girls" from school snickering in the backseat and even with her gaze focused forward, she could almost feel their pointing fingers behind her head and she could hear the gossip in whispers. Still, she remained silent.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Aang watched the bus get lost in the line of cars. Realizing what he had just done, he lost his footing and stumbled back against the wall of the bus stop, and he stayed there, reaching up to touch his soft lips. The taste of her peppermint hot chocolate still lingered. He blushed, looking up and grinning like a fool—a job well done.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The next day in school, Aang and Katara no longer viewed themselves as just great friends. They were a couple, and they were more than ecstatic with the thought of it. Through the halls, they always had their arms around each other. Often times they were so happy, they took large steps at the same time, left and right in the halls and giggling together at how silly they looked. And the popular girls had to agree, snickering as the couple passed by and pointing rudely at them. Still, Aang and Katara paid no attention.
When it came to lunchtime, they sat side-by-side, dangerously close to each other but thoroughly enjoying it as they gave random kisses or snuggling and playing with their food, much to the dismay of Toph and Sokka. Sokka especially.
"Would you guys quit being so mushy around each other in front of me?" He frowned. "Otherwise I'm moving."
"Oh pay attention to your food and quit whining. You always do this with Suki in front of me and I don't care." Katara glared at her brother.
Sokka blushed. "Shut up." He mumbled, taking unusually large bites into his meat.
Toph rolled her eyes, taking a bit smaller bites of her mashed potatoes, her head resting on her hand. "By the way, Sugarqueen, I know Aang is going to not remember telling you, so I will. Get off my back about how your so in love with him."
Katara blushed, smiling and looking away. "Sorry." She murmured and Aang laughed, kissing her cheek and in turn receiving a groan from Sokka.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
When it was time to meet at the coffee shop yet again, Aang was waiting with his rare cup of coffee and a donut in the comfy chair in the corner. He was reading a book, and was pleasantly surprised to feel a pair of arms wrap around his torso. She had arrived.
"Hi, Katara." He said with a smile, still looking down at his book as if he was still reading, but in actuality, hardly.
"Hi Aang." Katara replied. He knew she was smiling without even looking up. She wrapped her arms around him tighter, and he got the hint. He closed his eyes, looked directly up and pressing his lips to hers for the third time that day. He felt her smile wider within the kiss.
"So, what'cha readin'?" She asked when they pulled away. She was now resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Nothing." He said, closing the book and hiding it in his jacket.
"Is it a romance novel?" She smirked.
"Maybe."
She laughed, making him smile. She released her grip from him and pulled up a nearby chair, sitting in front of him.
"How was your day?" She asked.
"Heavenly." He grinned, and she giggled. "You?"
"Amazing." She replied.
Aang took a good look at her now, admiring how she looked today. She wore a knit hat that sagged down the back of her head, which was black. She had a black sweater that reached down to her knees buttoned up (under it was a long-sleeve shirt and a skirt that could be seen at the bottom), some white stockings and black converse to match her coat and hat. Her hair was the same style as every day before. She was glowing with beauty.
Aang smiled. "You look like you came from the 1930s or 40s. Besides the shoes."
"That's the style I was trying to go for. I think I was born in the wrong century."
They both laughed at this.
"But if you weren't born in this century, I wouldn't have met you and life would have been boring."
"That's quite true," She agreed. "I like this century."
Aang laughed, taking a sip of his coffee. Suddenly, his shoulders sunk and his smile faded. He was looking over her shoulder. "Oh no."
"What is it?" Katara turned to look and there, ordering at the counter, were the popular girls from school that teased just about everyone.
"Oh no," Katara echoed. She looked back at him with a little fear in her eyes as to what to expect, but then she was stern. "Just don't pay any attention to them. Don't look at them. They won't notice."
"They're coming this direction." Aang said quietly.
Katara started panicking. "Follow my lead." She whispered. Then she was louder:
"I know, American cheese tastes so good!"
Aang looked at her puzzled, and she nodded to him vigorously as she bit her lip. He blinked, still slightly confused, but followed along:
"I like cheddar, cheddar is good!"
"Why are we talking about cheese?"
"I don't know, but it's a subject worth discussing, I daresay!"
"Well what about blue cheese, that stuff is totally—"
"Well, well, well! Look who we have here!" An all-too-cheery voice spoke behind Katara. Aang bit his bottom lip and Katara slowly closed her eyes, having failed acting like they were different people.
"Hello, Susy." Katara grumbled, her eyes still closed as she tried calming her nerves.
"Hey freak, dork," Susy nodded to Aang who was sitting back in his chair, saying nothing. She laughed briefly with her little group of followers. "Aren't they just perfect for each other? The water freak and arrow head, also known as dork."
"His name is Aang." Katara spoke a little more loudly, her hands balling into fists in frustration. Just get through it, Katara, they'll leave soon.
"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to insult your weakling and dork of a boyfriend." Susy spat, frowning.
Katara couldn't take it. She jumped out of her seat and pointed her finger to the door. "LEAVE!"
"Booo-hooo, leeeave!" One of the followers mimicked in a whiny voice. "You're picking on my boyfrieeend!" Suddenly they started making kissy-faces and sound effects at the pair.
Aang was against that.
He got up from his chair and placed a hand on her shoulder, making her calm down. Once he was satisfied that she was not going to hurt anyone, he looked into Susy's taunting eyes and frowned. "Don't make me tell the principle at school tomorrow that you went into the school computer system and switched all those D's and F's to A's. In other words, the fact that you cheated."
Susy was twirling her light blonde hair and frowned at Aang, looking over them and then protruding her lips. "Whatever. Let's go ladies. Why waste our time here with these losers?" Susy and her followers turned around sharply and out the door.
"Katara."
She stood still, staring where Susy once stood, remaining mute like the first time they met.
"Katara!"
She turned to face him abruptly. She had tears in her eyes and Aang looked at her with profound love and sadness. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. She didn't sob, though. The tears didn't fall down her cheeks. She just stood there in his arms, not doing or saying anything.
People were starting to notice the drama, and they looked over in Aang and Katara's direction, making Aang especially uncomfortable.
"Come on." He whispered, taking her hand and leading her out the door.
"Aang," Katara finally said. "You are none of the things that Susy called you. You're not a dork like in the way that she puts it, nor are you a loser."
"Don't let it get into your head, Katara. You're better than that, and you don't need to go down that lower vibration. There's no need." He said, leading her to the bus stop. He leaned against the glass wall like yesterday, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers when she wouldn't stop frowning. She closed her eyes and responded immediately, kissing him back.
"You're a wonderful person, Katara. Despite what they said and what they will continue to say in the future, there's no need to be allow yourself to go down to their level of immaturity. Look at me, I'm still happy. I don't care," He smiled brightly down at her, making her smile a little. "I'm loving life. You make it perfect."
Katara looked down at his coat-covered chest and lightly pounded it with a fist and smiled sadly. "You dork," she whispered and they both giggled. "In the good way."
The bus began to arrive and Aang kissed her one more time. "Okay. Again, don't let it get to you. We'll get through all that drama together. Everything will be okay. Now off you go." Aang said, smoothing her hair with one hand and she nodded, pulling away and waving.
Aang sighed, watching the bus leave once again. "Don't worry." He whispered. If anything, it was more of a reassurance for himself.
Oooooh, dramaaaaa. Heheheheheeee… -smirks- AHEM. Yeah. Don't worry, more fluffiness will make up for this in the next chapter. =D
