I never liked Fire Nation theatre, so why did I think it was ok for Sokka to drag us all to an Ember Island Players performance? Yes, it was about us, but even Zuko agreed that the Ember Island Players were terrible. Well, I guess that argument wasn't much to my advantage.
So here I was, awkwardly sitting with Sokka on my left and Zuko on my right. Zuko slipped an arm around my shoulders, and Suki leaned forward from the other side of Sokka to give me a thumbs up. I covered my eyes with my hands and groaned.
"Are you ok?" Sokka prompted, at which received a glare from Zuko and a tighter arm around my shoulders.
"Fine." I replied curtly.
The lights dimmed and the play began. I couldn't help but giggle at the display of an obviously not funny Sokka and an over-dramatic Katara. Even though the looks were dead on, I cringed slightly when I appeared, and I automatically became defensive.
"I'm not that feisty!" I glared as the actress portraying me made a snappy reply to Sokka.
Zuko and Sokka turned to look at me simultaneously and I slumped back into my seat.
"Alright! Whatever!"
The play droned on, and I could feel myself getting all fidgety as the part about me and Sokka and the tent thing came up. It was Suki's turn to glare as my character threw herself all over Sokka's character. I covered my face with my hand, but continued to watch through the slits my fingers created.
By the time it covered what had happened to Zuko and I, I got up. I couldn't take sitting there any longer. I headed out to the balcony to get some fresh air. I turned when I heard footsteps following me. Zuko had left with me.
"Are you ok?" He echoed Sokka.
"I'm fine." I said, but I knew he could tell I was lying. He could always tell.
Zuko was quiet.
"I couldn't watch that anymore." I said at last.
"I know! The Ember Island Players are terrible!" Zuko exclaimed.
"That's not what I mean. It reminds me too much of things I want to forget." I whispered.
Zuko appeared next to me, copying me by leaning on the balcony railing. "Hikari, it's ok, and I forgive you. You forgive me. Why is this still bothering you?"
"It's not…I just…I don't know." I replied with a sigh.
"We'd better head back in before the others miss us." Zuko suggested.
"I'll stay out for just a little longer." I said, and he left.
It wasn't long until I heard another set of footsteps. I turned and glared, ready to tell Zuko that I didn't feel like coming back in. But Sokka appeared in the doorway, concern plastered all over his face.
"Hikari? You've been gone for a while, and Zuko came back without you. Are you ok?" He asked.
Seemed like that was a popular question for me tonight.
"I'm ok. I just don't want to watch that anymore." I said.
"Sorry, I thought everyone would enjoy seeing it." He said quietly.
I nodded, agreeing that his intentions were good. "It's just that not everyone wants to revisit their past."
Sokka's face was grim. "So it's Zuko who made you the betrothal necklace?" He asked suddenly.
I looked at him surprised. "Yes." I whispered, fingering it.
"I see how it is now. It really was just a little affair." He turned to go back to the theater.
"Sokka! Wait!" I reached out to stop him, and he caught my hand, pulling me to him.
"Sokka I—" He cut me off with a kiss.
It was a bittersweet moment that ended too quickly. He left without another word.