A/N: YAY! I finally got this chapter done. I did the whole thing in like 5 days and I'm pretty proud of myself. Sorry for the long wait, but I had a lot to do…but now that it's summer I'm going to try and update a little more frequently. I don't think it was my best –there are certain parts of it that are better than others but whatever. Enjoy!

At 8:00, the party was in full swing. Music was blasting in the living room from a guy claiming to be the DJ and the snacks were always in need of a refill. Zuko was loosing count of how many times he poured snacks into the bowls. The worst part of it was the guests of honor hadn't come back yet and Zuko couldn't take this much longer. Occasionally he glanced at his watch only to be slightly disappointed. He felt like it had been at least 10 minutes since he checked his watch before, but it hadn't been. His clock read 8:03. On his way through the kitchen to check on things, the phone rang signaling the hiatus of the noise. Zuko yelled to gain control until everyone was as quiet as they could be.

"Hello?" Zuko answered regularly.

"Hey Sokka, this is Katara. I wanted to know if you were home right now."

Zuko smiled. Though Katara had been completely wrong in her address to him, it was part of the plan.

"I'll make sure everyone is quiet and the lights are off."

"Great! Jet and I are on our way back there now. I'll see you later then."

"Okay bye," Zuko answered then hung up the phone. He quickly entered the living room and asked for everyone's attention.

"Katara and Jet are going to be here in 10 minutes! That means everyone has that much time to find a hiding spot on this floor and stay hidden until they come in. I'll make sure the lights are off."

There was a scramble for people to hide away from windows but close enough to where the action would be. When everyone was settled, Zuko turned off the lights and hid near the door. Footsteps were heard and everyone became totally silent. When the door creaked open and the lights flicked on, everyone shouted out as loud as they could.

"SURPRISE!!"

Jet's face was totally shocked, which Zuko hadn't seen in forever. Katara was grinning happily as people cheered and clapped and bellowed Happy Birthday. When Jet finally recovered, he swung Katara close to him and kissed her quickly. As the cheering started to die down, Katara spoke out:

"Thank you everyone for coming and supporting Jet. There is food to be put out and later we will have cake but for now please mingle and enjoy yourselves."

The music was turned back on, and people dispersed away from the door. Zuko stayed put, feeling the need to be one of the first to greet Jet. After all, he is his best friend and the co-planner of the party.

"Happy Birthday man." Zuko announced when most of the people went back to what they were doing. Jet genuinely smiled at Zuko and thanked him. This shocked Zuko but he didn't show it. Normally Jet smirked at Zuko especially with Katara around and generally he never smiled. But Zuko reasoned that this was an exception; nobody had ever cared enough to throw him a birthday party.

"Zuko helped with setting things up and with the invitations." Katara stated, helping out the conversation.

"Actually Duke and Pipsqueak did the invitations. I just made sure that people didn't destroy Katara's house while she was gone."

"Thanks for helping- I really appreciate it." Jet turned to Katara. "Did you know I've never had someone throw a party for me before?"

"You must have had someone give you a party when you were younger." Katara tried to reason but Jet shook his head.

"It wasn't until I was old enough to be on my own that I had my own parties. A few friends and I would just eat at a restaurant or something."

"Well I'm happy to be the first person to do it."

"I'm glad too."

The two of them were silent and Zuko looked away from their moment. "I'm going to go around and get something to drink. I'll see you guys later."

After Zuko got his drink, he went around and said hi to people he knew. Many people weren't sure who he was, so he had to clarify by saying he was Jet's friend. After that, most people would realize who he was. It annoyed Zuko to no end that he had to clarify who he was by using Jet's name, but what else could he do? If he stopped being friends with Jet altogether no one would know who he was or care either. A few minutes later, Pipsqueak and Duke entered the room. Zuko didn't see them before, so he assumed they had just arrived.

"This is a nice place," Duke stated when Zuko came over to him. "I could get used to partying here."

"I don't think Katara has lots of parties here. She says she lives here with her grandmother."

"That sucks. This house does have a lot of potential," Pipsqueak replied looking around once more. "When do you get a chance to talk to Jet's girlfriend anyway?"

"Jet hangs out with Katara and her friends after school at the Jasmine Dragon. She sits at the counter where I work and waits for him."

"Niiice," Pipsqueak declared. "No offense to Jet, but she is hot!"

Duke snorted. "I don't think Jet would take offense to that. But you are really lucky to be able to see her everyday, even if she is taken."

"Too bad Jet doesn't fully appreciate what he has." Zuko mumbled.

Suddenly Duke and Pipsqueak were really interested in what Zuko had to say. "What was that?" Duke asked concerned.

Shit, Zuko thought. This is not good. "Nothing. I didn't say anything." Zuko replied loudly.

Pipsqueak looked at him critically. "Yes you did; it sounded like you said that Jet doesn't fully appreciate Katara."

"And why would that be?" Duke challengingly asked.

"It doesn't matter. Let's just enjoy Jet's party."

"Don't you think Jet would want us to know what's up? It's not like we're going to tell anyone else."

"Fine!" Zuko practically shouted. "Jet's cheating on her."

"Wow, that's what you didn't want to tell us?" Pipsqueak laughed. "What else is new?"

"Who is he doing it with?" Duke inquired.

"I don't know her name, but whenever he says he's meeting his 'tutor' he's with her."

Duke and Pipsqueak laughed. "I'd sure want her to tutor me in something." Duke joked.

"Yeah, she could teach me chemistry… or anatomy." They high-fived each other as they laughed.

"This was fun Zuko. We should do this again sometime soon." And with that, they both walked into the kitchen to go survey the food.

Zuko breathed out a sigh of relief. That wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. Zuko walked around a little before taking a seat in the living room. There, Katara was talking to a group of people and Jet was no where in sight.

Zuko watched Katara as she listened to one of the guys and then responded. He thought it was interesting how well she got along with people. Zuko knew that a few of them were kids from his school, and Katara didn't know any of them, and yet she was talking to them as if she had known them forever. Zuko wished that he had those kinds of skills. Maybe then he would not have to rely so much on Jet and become friends with other people. Katara's eyes glanced over at Zuko and he quickly looked away, so she wouldn't know he had just been staring at her. Before he knew it, she was walking away from the group and coming towards him.

"This party turned out really well," Katara said once she situated herself next to Zuko. "All the people I talked to said they were enjoying themselves."

Zuko nodded. "You did put a lot of work into this. I'm glad it worked out."

Katara smiled then changed the subject. "I was surprised to see you sitting over here alone. Most of these people are from your school, have you talked to any of them?"

Zuko shrugged. "I talked to a few people but then I gave up afterwards."

"And why is that?"

"Because most of them don't really know who I am. All they know is that I'm a friend of Jet's and then there isn't anything to talk about after that."

"It's not that hard to find things to talk about. You go to the same school as them; that should give you plenty to talk about."

"Easy for you to say."

"Oh please." Katara nudged him in the arm. "The only things I have in common with them are this party and Jet. That isn't much to go off of."

"But you're doing pretty well at it anyways."

There was a short pause between them before Katara started the conversation up again. "Did you invite Mai? I haven't seen her here."

Zuko shook his head. "Why not? You guys are dating and if she was here you would have some one else to talk to."

"We're not really dating anymore. I broke it off."

Katara frowned. "Why would you do that? You two were so cute together."

Zuko snorted. "Not really. She didn't really talk very much."

"Well you don't talk that much either."

He shrugged. "We didn't have very much in common. We've known each other since we were little but that's about it."

"Katara!" Jet called out as he came closer to them. "I'm going to get everyone to the kitchen so I can make a speech and then we can do the cake."

"Okay. I'll get the cake and the candles." Katara stood up but didn't move just yet. "Come on Zuko, you can help."

Zuko stood up and the two walked towards the kitchen, beating most of the rush of the others. Once Katara took out the cake from the refrigerator and Zuko had successfully found candles, everyone was crowded in and around the kitchen.

"Thank you everyone for coming," Jet started out as people started to quiet down and listen. "I really appreciate you all for arriving here tonight to celebrate my birthday. I was telling Katara a while ago about how I never had birthday parties thrown for me before. When I was younger my parents never did that kind of stuff…" Everyone nodded and smiled, having some clue about what he was talking about. Zuko could see out of the corner of his eye that Katara had reached for his hand and squeezed it. "Anyways, this is my first party being thrown for me, and by the best girlfriend a guy could ever ask for," There were awws heard as Katara grinned happily. "So I want to make this the best party ever so enjoy the food and drinks and have a good time!"

Cheering was heard from all around, and Katara began to put the candles in the cake and Zuko helped to light them. When everything was ready, Katara started the group off with singing happy birthday. Once it was done, she and Zuko quickly cut pieces and handed them over to people. After everyone was taken care of, Zuko grabbed a small piece for himself and hurried back towards the living room to capture his seat.

As he ate, Zuko watched groups of people eat their cake and listen to the music. When he was finished, he discreetly checked his phone to see the time. It was 9:45. It seemed late to him, but Zuko wasn't exactly sure what time the party was supposed to end at. He wondered if he could leave early or if he should stay behind and help clean up the mess. But Zuko didn't have much more time to mull it over before a flash out of the corner of his eye came and almost knocked him out of his chair.

"What the hell was that for?" Zuko roared as he steadied himself and put his finished plate on the floor.

"Don't even try to act all clueless," The voice above him stated, and Zuko knew exactly who it was before he looked up at him. He stood up from the chair so that he could be eye-to-eye with him. "Because you sure as hell know what you did."

'What are you talking about Jet?"

Jet's voice lowered slightly, but he still stood close to Zuko, trying to intimidate him. "I know you told Pipsqueak and Duke about me cheating. They came up to me to joke about it."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "So? You would have told them anyways. Besides, it's not like it's a big surprise."

"I don't care about them, but I know those weren't the only people you told. Did you tell Katara?"

"No matter how much I wanted to and should, I didn't. It would ruin her whole night- especially since she planned a party for you."

Jet looked slightly more relieved but still pissed. "Well I'm glad you didn't tell her today, but can I trust you to not tell her at all?"

Zuko took a small step forward, even though they were already close together and both of their tempers were rising. "I can't guarantee anything…Maybe I will, Maybe I won't."

Jet brought his arms up to shove Zuko hard, making him stumble back a few inches. If people hadn't stopped talking before, the whole room was definitely silent then. "That's not a good enough answer. You better not tell her about it. Or else."

Zuko couldn't take this anymore, and he was starting to not care about the consequences of what he wanted to do to further piss of Jet. He shoved Jet back hard –harder than he had shoved him before. "Or else what?"

Jet's eyes looked like they were burning. "Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have to squint in both eyes?"

Zuko was about to attack him, but someone yelled at them as they came rushing over. "Zuko! Jet!" Zuko stopped and stood there, content with just staring Jet down.

"What's going on? You guys can't be having a fight right now." Katara pleaded.

"I believe Zuko had something to tell you; Zuko?" Jet ground out, as he smiled menacingly.

Katara's eyes slid to him, waiting for a response. Zuko wanted to come out and say it so badly, but he knew he couldn't do this now, during this party. Most of his anger slid away as he mumbled to her that he forgot what he had to say. She bought the excuse, but still looked concerned.

"Well can you guys please be nice for the next hour or so, until the party's over? It is your birthday Jet."

Jet smiled as if all the anger he had ten seconds ago had completely disappeared. "Sorry babe. I wouldn't want to ruin any of this."

Katara sighed with relief. "Thanks babe." She hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Do you want to dance? I could have the DJ put on some music and dim the lights. We can make this the dance floor."

"Sure. Go ahead and tell him what song you want him to play. I'll be over there in a minute."

Once she left, Jet turned to Zuko. "That's what I thought. Besides, if you did get your right eye to match your left, I don't think anyone would want to look at you then. I sure as hell wouldn't."

Zuko lunged for him, but Jet had already slipped away to Katara. The lights had dimmed and per Katara's request, her and Jet were dancing. Not wanting to get in the way, Zuko walked over and got a seat near one of the walls enclosing the room. His anger had dissolved and in its place, Zuko became focused with things he could do in order to get back at Jet.

Though Zuko thought thoroughly about it, he couldn't seem to come up with any good ideas. He could expose Jet as a cheater, but then severe consequences would follow. He would get beat up, and Jet could get the whole school to turn against him. And even if he did do the plan, he was pretty sure that Katara wouldn't suddenly start dating him, even though that's what he wanted her to do. But wouldn't it be better that she was away from someone who didn't treat her right? Even if he didn't get to be with her afterwards?

"You look bored."

The statement jolted Zuko from his thoughts and to the person sitting next to him. He had no idea who she was, but he felt like he should respond anyways.

"That's because I am."

The girl smiled at him and turned to look at the other couples that followed Jet and Katara and danced to the music too.

"My name's Jin." She was still smiling as she extended her hand out towards him. Zuko, still looking at the dance floor and not her, responded but didn't grab her hand.

"Zuko."

Jin discreetly withdrew her ignored hand but still kept the conversation going. "Are you a friend of Katara's or Jet's?"

Zuko shrugged. "A little of both. But I have known Jet longer."

She nodded. "Katara goes to my school. We aren't really good friends, but she still invited me to come. It's not like I had any other plans anyways."

Zuko nodded but he wasn't looking in her direction. Jin kept talking anyways.

"Do you know how long they've been dating?"

"About two months."

"They're like the cutest couple ever. I've only seen them interact for a few hours but I feel like the fit each other really well."

Zuko wanted to laugh at her last comment, but then he would have to explain himself. He settled for a cough and a nod.

They talked –Jin talked for a few more minutes about pointless stuff. The subject of tea and the Jasmine Dragon came up, and Jin went on and on about how she loved tea, and how she would try and come by and try some of theirs.

It was silent for a few moments, much to Zuko's relief. The song that was playing ended and a new song started up, though this one was a slower beat.

"Do you want to dance?" Jin asked brightly.

Zuko didn't answer right away, but knew what his answer was going to be. He reflected on another way to say his answer politely.

"No thanks."

"Are you sure? You've been looking at people dancing for a long time now. I'm a really good dancer I promise."

"I don't like dancing."

Jin frowned at his answer but recovered quickly. "Okay well, about the Jasmine Dragon, I was thinking of trying the tea there but I'm not exactly sure where it's at."

Zuko shrugged, he wasn't very good at directions or street names. "I'm not sure either. I'm bad at that sort of stuff."

Jin looked a little happier. "Well if you could maybe text me the answer when you ask your uncle, which would be great. I could put my number in your phone."

Zuko was a little confused as to where this was going. He didn't really want to go out on a date with her, but she had only asked for him to text her directions.

"Sorry, my phone died about an hour ago." He lied.

"It's okay; I'll right my number on a piece of paper." Before Zuko could object, Jin had pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from her bag and was hastily scribbling her number on it. She placed it delicately in his palm.

"Here it is. Make sure you don't lose it." She smiled once more before getting up. "I have to go now, but I'll be waiting for your text." She waved at him and walked slowly away. "Talk to you later!"

Before Zuko could make any comment, she disappeared through the people. Zuko sighed and looked at the number. He didn't feel right about this, but he couldn't just not text the address. It wasn't like she wanted them to date; it was just so she could try the tea. Right after he pocketed the number, Katara came over.

"I saw Jin giving you her number. Are you guys going out now?"

Zuko shook his head violently. "No, she just wants the address of the Jasmine Dragon and that's it."

Katara laughed. "Oh please, she could have looked that up on her own. She wanted you to have her number for other reasons. You should ask her out."

"I don't really want to."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't."

Katara frowned. "She's a really nice person. She can come on a little strong but you'll like her. You should at least give her a chance."

"I'll think about it." Zuko mumbled, but Katara knew that he wasn't going to think about it at all.

I hope you guys liked it. I have the plot figured out for the next few chapters so I think it will be easier to write. Also I'm happy to say that in about 5 more chapters there's going to be a lot more Zutaraness in the story, so get pumped! Thanks for all of the reviews so far, it's really kept me going. Don't forget to review this chapter also!!!!!