Hi again! Wow...You read this far without getting bored? Awesome. This chapter is a little longer, so that's better, but, again, please PM me or review this story if you have any advice or suggestions. R&R! -Katybug
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Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. (Stupid Mike and Bryan. They won't let fans do anything...)
Chapter Three: The Cold Shoulder
"Now I want to show you how to freeze the water once you've gotten it in the air. Watch closely." Katara stretched out her nimble fingers and dragged her hands slowly towards the ceiling, lifting water above her head. Liz's eyes were glued to Katara's hands, eating up every move she made. The skilled bender bent her fingers, then quickly straightened them, freezing the water hanging above her. "Try it out," she said.
Liz took a deep breath, then focused her attention to the water. Her fingers shook as she pulled water up, then tried to freeze it. Unfortunately, things turned on her, and the water fell back into the fountain below it, splashing Katara and Liz. "Dang it!" Liz groaned.
"Don't worry. You'll get it," Katara comforted. Liz smiled, but, suddenly, realizing how much time had passed since her arrival, ran towards the hallway. "Liz, where are you going?" Katara called out, racing after her.
"It's almost nightfall," Liz said, trying to find a balcony. "My parents are probably worried. I need to get back home." Katara caught up with her. "Where's a balcony? I need to find out what time it is."
"I'm sure they're fine," Katara said, trying to calm Liz down.
"I doubt that."
"You're not really ready to go home, are you? I wanted to teach you some more skills."
Liz looked at her new friend, wanting to stay. She sighed. "I guess I could stay a little while longer, but shouldn't we ask Aang first?" Katara nodded, and she and Liz walked back to the main room that was attached to a balcony. Aang was sitting, watching Sokka start a fire.
"Aang, can Liz stay for a little bit longer?" Katara asked.
"Sure," Aang answered. "It'll be fun having someone else here. We're gonna eat as soon as Sokka starts this fire." Katara and Liz watched as Sokka took two pieces of flint and rubbed them together, attempting to get a spark. Suddenly, one of the rocks slipped and hit his finger.
"Ouch!" he shouted. The others giggled.
"Why don't you let me help," Aang offered. "I am a firebender, after all."
"No, no. I can get it," Sokka whined. He hit the stones together again and again, but no spark appeared. "Ugh! Stupid rocks. Stupid universe..." He got up and walked away, calling after him, "I'm gonna go get some more flint. I'll be right back."
Once Sokka was out of sight, Aang said, "Watch this." He sparked a fire in his palm and lit the wood in the fire pit. Liz raised an eyebrow, wondering what Aang was doing.
After five minutes, Sokka returned with three huge rocks in his hands. He saw the sparkling fire and smiled. "See! I told you the flint would work!" Liz cupped a hand and put it to her mouth, hiding her quivering lip.
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That night, everyone sat around the roaring fire and ate fruit that Haru had found while practicing on the cliff. Liz wanted to hear some stories from the kids, so The Duke decided to go first and told some tales about his days with Jet. Liz clung to every word the young boy said, fascinated by the freedom-fighter life.
While The Duke was talking about catching a platypusbear, Aang looked around and noticed someone was missing. "I'll be right back," he announced.
He walked around the deserted temple, and finally found the missing person firebending on a balcony all alone.
Zuko shot a fireball at blank wall, trying to blow off steam. "Ugh! I'm so stupid!" he yelled, upset that he made a fool of himself in front of Liz.
"You're not stupid." He turned to see Aang sitting on an air scooter. "Why would you say that?"
"None of your business," Zuko replied harshly. "Go back to the little campfire you and your friends set up."
"No," Aang said in an innocent voice. "You're mad, and I want to help you. I'm the Avatar. That's what I do."
"It would help me if you'd leave," Zuko said coldly. He continued to bend, not paying attention to Aang.
"What do you think of Liz?" Aang asked, annoying the sixteen-year-old.
"Why do you care?"
"Well, everyone else seems to like her. I just wanted to know what you thought of her." The air scooter disappeared, and Aang's feet hit the ground with a thud.
"She's great. Now leave."
"Okay then." Aang began to walk away. With a sly smirk, he said under his breath, "I bet she thinks you're cute, too."
Zuko flushed and ran up to Aang, pinning him against a wall. "What?" he asked without letting go.
"Nothing," Aang said with a smile on his round face. "It's just that you acted pretty weird around her, and-"
"I was just trying to be polite to her," Zuko insisted, Aang still in his grip. "And, I'm not very good at that." He drop the tattooed boy. "Now go!" He watched as Aang slowly marched back to the group.
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As Aang arrived back to the others, everyone was getting their sleeping bags ready, except for Liz and Katara, who were still sitting around the fire. The Avatar couldn't help but notice how beautiful Katara looked in the light of the fire. The way her blue eyes shined created butterflies in his stomach, and the way the breeze hit her made her hair blow, slightly. He sighed, staring the waterbender.
"Well, guys," Liz said, getting up and stretching, "thanks so much for the stories. It was fun, but I really need to get home. My parents must be going out of their minds."
Katara got up as well. "But you can't go," she said, giving Liz puppy-dog eyes. "We're having so much fun, and I love having another waterbender around to practice with."
Aang cleared his throat. "What about me?"
Katara rolled her eyes. "Well...Another girl waterbender."
Liz grinned, happy to have made such a sweet friend. "I really appreciate it, guys, but I think I should really-"
"Don't go." Aang, Liz, and Katara turned to see Zuko walking towards them. Liz, once again, cringed at the sight of his scar. "You could be a valuable addition to the Avatar's team. We need you to help overthrow my father."
"Who's your father?" Liz asked, a bit confused.
"Zuko is the Fire Lord's son," Katara explained. Liz stared at the prince, mouth agape.
"R-Really?" Zuko nodded. "Oh...Okay. I'll stay." Liz looked around for a vacant sleeping bag. Not one could be found. "I guess I'll sleep on Appa tonight."
Aang walked to Liz and smiled. "Thank you," he said. He turned to Katara. "Katara, you and Sokka need to get some sleep. We're going to the market tomorrow to get some supplies."
"And food!" Sokka called from a distance.
Aang laughed. "And food."
Liz yawned and approached the furry giant she was slumbering on that night. She rubbed his side, then climbed on. Liz looked down below her, watching Aang as he walked to his sleeping bag. He looked up at her and waved goodnight. Katara did the same, and, soon, the fire was put out, and all was silent.
Making a pillow out of her hands, Liz laid down and closed her eyes. Sleep quickly found her, and her dreams were pleasant.