Stop staring at me

Author's note: Sorry for the late reply. I have exams coming up so I'm busy with revision but here you go. Thanks for reading. Reviews would be nice.

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. I wish Zuko was mine though…..

I was in the small market to get some fruits. Our stash was running out. Sokka was at work. Oh my God! It is the first time he got a proper job! Ordinary as the job is at least he has one. He is the manager of the local restaurant. On my way, two old ladies stopped and stared at me. They whispered amongst themselves. I looked away and pretended not to care. But I could hear them saying my name as they gossiped amongst themselves.

The fruit stall was in the heart of the market so I slowly slipped away and turned a blind eye on every pair of eyes that gawped at me. The apples looked juicy red and ripe. I put ten of them in the basket. My blue eyes lingered on the kiwi fruits. Should I… or should I not? Hmm...fine, only a few. I added some oranges in the basket too then went to pay for them. The grizzly old man at the cashier knit his eyebrows together when he saw me. He mumbled a price and I swiftly gave it to him and left.

I was walking back through the market when someone shouted, "Look it's her!"

I looked at who shouted and saw a short man with a goofy smile who was standing with a friend of his. I would have said it was almost cute but before I could think that he said, "I bet she's sold the thing for cash."

It took me a moment to realise they were talking about me. The man and his friends started laughing at me. A few more crowds gathered and there they were pointing at me and taunting me. They were scrutinizing me. I felt like a laughing stock. My eyes brimmed with tears. I noticed someone right behind everyone. It was him. Zuko. He was with some girl. Probably his younger sister, I guessed. He was laughing too. Tears spilled down my cheek and I ran away into the darkness of a nearby alley.

Even he was laughing. I'm so worthless. I've disappointed everyone. Now he's laughing too. What an embarrassment I am! I cried for a while in the darkness. Just me and my loneliness. Story of my life.

"Go home," a voice whispered. I think it was me. I needed to get home before Sokka arrived.

I started going back the way I had come. A figure blocked the way. It was a tall figure. I couldn't make out his face. My heart was beating fast. I didn't know what to do. I had to get home. The figure was closing in.

"Katara," he whispered. That voice was Zuko's. My heart stopped beating for a second. The street light painted his face in light hues of yellow. "What are you doing here alone?"

"I was…I was just about to go home," I said quietly.

"Let me walk you ho-," started Zuko.

"No," I cut in sharply. His laughter was still ringing viciously in my ear.

"Fine, but I have some-"

"I have to go," I said as I began walking. He grabbed my wrist. My eyes were shut tightly. I knew if I looked in his eyes I would be entranced.

"Katara," he said in his heartbreakingly husky voice. He pulled me closer. His warm hands cupped my cheeks. He wiped a tear that ran down my cheek. I could feel him close. So close.

"Home!" my mind was screaming. My eyes flew open. I pushed Zuko away and stepped back.

"Zuko, I have to go please," I said as I fled clutching onto the bags tightly.

My heart wept as I had just missed a chance to be so close to Zuko but my mind reminded me that he was laughing at me. I ran down the street. As soon as I reached inside my home I shut the door quickly and let go of the bag. I took deep breaths.

"Katara," I remembered his husky voice that melted my heart like a knife through butter. Oh Zuko!