A/N: A big thanks to my first two reviewers: nerf-or-nothing and PsicKat. Now I understand how authors live for reviews. It is like crack!

Just want to credit shinigamiKLOU over at Deviant Art for getting my brain pumping on an 'alternative' style Sokka. shinigamiklou.deviant art/ Avatar-Punk-Rock-Sokka-47147124

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Sokka made his way down to the parking lot. He mentally rehearsed the speech he planned to give his sister. He was almost to his beat-up black pickup truck, when he heard a voice call out his name. He cringed inwardly, and kept walking.

"So… You going to Iroh's to pick up a sandwich? I'll come too." It was Hahn, a first class jerk and third rate moocher. When Hahn wasn't making snide remarks about Toph, he bummed rides from Sokka and trying to talk him into fixing his scooter that he repeatedly crashed.

"Actually, Hahn, I am going home. "

"Ok. You can drop me at Iroh's on the way." Sokka shrugged. It would be easier to just drop Hahn off than to tell him off. He could always take it out on Hahn later, at Kendo practice. Hahn let himself in the passenger side. "So, are you ready for the rank tournament Friday? I am looking to pounding Suki into next week."

"Dream on, Hahn. You know the competition is for second place. And it is going to be between me and Scary Goth Girl." The Kendo team always staged a practice tournament to determine the order in which they compete. Suki was world class – a San-dan, which was comparable to a 4th degree black-belt, and planning to test for her next degree very soon. No one on the team held a rank even close. Sokka thought he was next best on the squad and could probably qualify for Sho-dan, which was two grades below Suki.

"Scary Goth Girl? You mean Mai? She is hawt."

"There is no accounting for some people's taste." Sokka rolled his eyes.

"Says the guy with a blind freshman girlfriend."

"Whatever." Sokka growled and glared at Hahn. "She's my best friend." Hahn gulped and changed the subject.

"How do you think the new kid will place? He's pretty good." Sokka just shrugged. He was done talking. Hahn looked nervously around. Glancing at the hole in the dashboard, he whined, "No tunes, yet? It has been like a month since your radio was stolen."

"I have better things to do with my money." Sokka grumbled, and thought. When, I actually have money.

"Dude, you girlfriend is rich. She could at least get you one – she should be grateful that you even look at her. I don't know what you see in her, but her connections are some serious perks." Sokka stomped on the brake and turned to scowl at him.

"Usually, Hahn. People don't insult the friends of the person giving them a ride."

"Chill, Dude. Just sayin'. You are a senior and captain of the Kendo team. Girls flip for guys who fight. You don't have to settle for some blind freshman – no matter how long she has been in your auto-shop classes."

"Out."

"C'mon dude." Hahn put up his hands in an appeasing manner.

"Get out. I'll kick your ass later in practice"

"Can't you take a joke?"

"About my friends? No." Sokka poked Hahn in the chest. "Out."

"Ha-ha. Sorry. You made your point. Me bad." Hahn looked concerned. Looking out the window, "It is a long way to Iroh's."

"You better get walking." Hahn slowly slid out of the pickup. The second his door shut, Sokka gunned the engine and pulled away.

Sokka was fuming, but he did reach below his seat to flick a switch. All the sudden his vehicle was awash in a guitar solo. He smirked – Hahn couldn't even find the radio. He listened to music and tried to readjust his mood. He was just passing Iroh's when his cell phone rang. He pulled in the parking lot, flipped off the stereo and flipped up his phone.

"Snoozles! Sugar Queen decided to grace us with her royal presence today after all. She is right here, sharing a pizza with Twinkletoes!"

"Katara is with you!?!"

"Uhm, that's what I said."

"Toph, do you think you could pass the phone to my poor, sick baby sister, so I can scream err… talk to her?" Sokka's voice sounded eerily calm.

"Why did you think I called? Can I put it on speaker? I don't want to miss this."

"I'll fill you in later, Toph."

"You are not fun."

"If you pass the phone, I'll tell you what I did to Hahn…" Sokka immediately heard Toph yell.

"Katara – phone."

"Hi, this is Katara."

"I thought you were sick." Sokka's tone came out more heated than he meant.

"I see you are ecstatic that I started to feel better." Katara snapped. "and I have a test in History today. I'd come if I were dead."

"But I am on way home to check on you."

"I appreciate your concern."

"Will you be going to swim practice this afternoon?" Sokka heard Katara gasp over the phone and then thought he heard her eyes narrow. The next words were spoke as if spilled on brittle ice.

"I can take care of myself, Sokka."

"That's not what I asked, sister. I know you quit swim team and I know you haven't been yourself lately. Katara, I am worried. Okay? We'll talk later. We need to talk."

"Fine." Katara added distantly, "Here's Toph."

"So, what unfortunate event befell Senor Hot Air?"

"I'll tell you next hour, Toph. I am at Iroh's so I am going to grab lunch."

"Later, Snoozles." Toph hung up.

Sokka walked into Iroh's – a local coffee/tea shop that had recently opened. They sold large sandwiches for a good price and had fast become popular with the students in the area. Iroh the proprietor's friendly manner and thoughtful advice were even better than the food. As usual, the place was packed. Sokka ordered and then looked around for a seat to wait for his takeout. There were only two seats empty - one next to a frumpy older woman who was typing with one hand and holding a latte in the other. The other was next to a familiar looking boy with unruly black hair and a red hoodie sweatshirt. He was bent over a book. Sokka recognized him as the new kid from the Kendo team. He went over and sat down.

"Hey."

"Hey." The gravelly voice answered back. The guy looked up with startling golden eyes. Sokka felt a jolt of intensity as they pierced his blue ones. Sokka knew about the scar that covered the left side of his face, but it shocked him just the same and unwittingly his eyes flicked towards it.

"You're Zardo…? No, Zimko…."

"Zuko."

"Oh yeah, Zuko." Sokka laughed weakly. "Never can remember names." An uncomfortable silence passed and Zuko brought up his book again.

"You ready for the rank tournament tomorrow? Lots of people are curious about where you are going to place. Most of the Seniors have been on the team for a while and we know where we all stand, ya know? You are really the only unknown quantity."

"I know I am ahead of you." Zuko rolled his eyes and went back to his book. Sokka just stared at him in shock. He had been trying to be friendly.

"It was fire."

"What?!?"

"You are staring at my scar. I'm answering before you ask in an attempt to avoid further conversation."

"Whatever. Have it your way, you arrogant angry jerk." Sokka got up, and walked over to the counter to wait for his sandwich. While he waited, he caught Zuko giving him an angry glance every so often. He subconsciously tugged at his earrings. His right ear was pierced up the back of the lobe. It gave him an idea; an idea to get the last word. He tried not to snicker out loud. After his sandwich came, he walked towards Zuko. He leaned over and whispered.

"Seven." Zuko looked up, startled. He scowled in confusion.

"Piercings. I saw you counting. Five ear. One eyebrow." Sokka smiled evilly, and leaned into Zuko. "An one you can't see." Zuko sputtered and turned the color of his shirt.

Sokka chuckled and walked out the door.