Friday night came faster than I imagined. Zula and I were getting ready for the football game in when my mom knocked on the door.
"Yeah?" I responded as I drew our mascot on her cheek.
"I know you're excited about your last homecoming so just email the photos to your father. I'm sure you'll be lovely."
I nodded as if I cared about what she said but on the inside I was furious. I was beginning to realize my parents cared more for Sokka than they did me. I began to go over my life and little 'mistakes' they made looked purposeful.
"Ursa is gonna take pictures before we leave, so I'll make sure she sends me some." I said, my voice void of emotion. I was still pretty ticked that my parents, a mixed nation couple, had an issue with Zuko and me together.
I saw her nod in the mirror and then she left the room. I quietly continued to paint Zula's face until I heard the garage door and close.
"Someone is upset." Zula said when I moved the paintbrush from her face, admiring my work on the tiger on her left cheek.
"My mom has been attacking me lately. This week, she called Sokka and then yelled at me for a good 10 minutes because I wouldn't talk to them. I mean my brother had sex my best friend, got her pregnant and then decided to wait at least a month to tell me. How else was I supposed to react?"
"You're nicer than me. That is all I have to say."
I rolled my eyes and tied a pompom in her hair. The red and blue contrasted nicely against the ink colored backdrop that was her hair.
"What are you wearing?" she asked before shimmying into a cute pair of red skinny jeans.
"The red sweater Zu gave me with his soccer number on it and a cute blue puffy vest. I wanted to wear something of his since we can't hang out in front of people tonight, but I also didn't need people asking me whose number that was. Ya know?"
She laughed and nodded. "Makes sense to me."
We quickly finished getting ready and tossed my sleepover bag in my trunk. "Do you think you could get my dad's company out of the coronation. If they figure out who Zuko is, all hell will break loose."
"Already taken care of. My mom called our uncle the other night and explained the situation. He will tell your parents that their trip is simply a trial to see if they have what the Fire Nation is looking for. Then he is going to tell them 'thanks but no thanks'. So you are all set!" Zula replied before climbing in the passenger's seat.
"I love you." I screamed before grabbing her and pulling her into a huge hug. When I let her go, I opened the garage door.
A white car was sitting in my driveway blocking me from leaving. I honked my horn and the person got out.
Mai strolled to my window and motioned for me to roll it down. "Hey loves. Throwing a party at my place tonight. You're both invited. I better see you there."
My mind briefly flashed to that scene in Mean Girls when Cady tells Aaron that he is invited to her party in math class. I swallowed a laugh and focused on Mai.
"Thanks, we might stop in. We planned on having a low-key kinda night since the after parties tomorrow are supposed to be insane." I said before grabbing my favorite sunglasses.
She blew me a kiss and then smiled. "Okay girls. I really hope you decide to come."
I waited until she was in her car and driving away before I commented.
"What the hell was that?" I questioned.
"I have no idea."
"I wouldn't go to a party she was throwing if my life depended on it. She would probably pour pig blood on me like that old movie Carrie."
Zula started laughing. "Ewww that is gross! We should watch that tonight."
"Says the girl who just complained about how gross it is!" I laughed.
After stopping at Starbucks, we headed to the Pounch High School football field. We were a little early so we managed to get a great spot near the front entrance.
Ursa and Zuko were sitting near the top by the parent section. I smiled and pulled Zula towards them.
"Hey Ursa!" I said before giving her a huge hug. Zuko took my coffee and took a sip. I pouted and took it back.
"Mine."
"Okay. I guess you're a seagull now."
I rolled my eyes and sat next to him. I was sandwiched between the siblings and quite warm despite the 40 degree temperature.
"Why are we one of the only schools with such a late homecoming?" I questioned.
"It goes back almost 30 years I think. Pounch is our rival but we never get to play them on a Friday night during the actual season. So the schools got together and decided to have a post season game. The winner gets this old log. Sorta like the little brown jug with Michigan and Minnesota."
"Ohhhhh okay. Makes sense to me. Even though the log is a lame prize." I remarked before sipping my coffee. Sighing happily as it warmed my insides.
"You're telling me." Ursa said, jumping into the conversation.
Before I could respond to her, Zula sat up straight and leaned over to the left, practically hiding in my hair. Then she stood up and handed me her coffee.
"I'll be back." she said, her voice full of anger.
I gave Zuko both our coffees and quickly followed after her.
Mai was standing with one hand on Aeron's chest and the other was twirling her hair. He was backed into a wall and looked genuinely confused.
Azula pushed her way through Mai's friends and grabbed his hand. He visibly relaxed and then he noticed the look on Azula's face.
"Incase you didn't know, he is going to Homecoming with me. So take your skinny ass back to the student section and leave him alone."
I prepared to defend her incase Mai tried anything but she surprised me and backed off.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know he was taken." she replied with a sickly sweet voice. I swear my eyes rolled to Africa and back. I wanted to just shove her and beat the heck out of her, but I didn't. I let Zula handle it.
As Mai and her ugly cronies flounced away, I followed Aeron and Zula back to the top of the stands. From our seats, we could see Mai sitting in the center of a group of guys from the other school.
Zuko gave us our coffee back and didn't say a word as I silently sipped it. The sun had already set and the game was to start in 3 minutes. I pulled out a blanket and tucked it around me, Zula and Aeron.
I felt Zuko shift next to me and then I felt his arm wrap around my waist. I smiled at the sweet embrace and bumped him gently with my shoulder.
By halftime, we were ahead by one touchdown but the cold had become too much for me and my blanket was not thick enough. Zuko stood up to stretch and then sat back down. He reached under the cover and wrapped his arm around me. Once he reached my back, he warmed up his hand and moved it around my back in an effort to warm me up.
"How'd you know I was cold?" I asked coyly.
"Please Tara, you're always cold." he said with a laugh. "This weather doesn't make it better"
I stuck my tongue out at him and pouted at his laugh. "Do you want to leave after the 3rd quarter? Zula, Aeron and I are making all types of junk foods tonight."
"I guess I'll chaperone y'all. Speaking of Aeron, could you and Azula stop sneaking kisses."
They both turned bright red and I laughed at their discomfort.
"S-sorry man." Aeron stuttered.
"Ignore him, he is just upset he can't see his gf right now." Azula said before smirking at me and Zuko.
It was now our turn to be uncomfortable.
"Screw you." Zuko said before thumping her on the forehead.
Miangus was winning by so much by the end of the third that we decided to leave. I walked behind everyone else and linked arms with Ursa.
"I'm happy you're going to be in my family." She said softly. "I like you for my boy."
I smiled graciously as we walked out of the stadium. "I feel as though I should apologize for our ... 'differences'."
Ursa shrugged delicately. "I know what the law says, but I don't plan on telling. You're a great girl and Agni really blessed me with having you as a daughter. Plus the year is almost over."
"Thank you." I said softly, smiling brightly at the amazing words that she just shared with me.
We were silent until we reached my truck.
"Can I ride with you guys? My brother is home from school and has my car." Aeron asked.
I smiled at the picture he and Zula made. They were such a cute couple.
"Of course!" I said as I unlocked the door.
"We will see you all soon!" Ursa called before climbing into the door Zuko opened for her.
"See you soon!" I replied. Zuko winked at me and then got in on the drivers side.
I smiled and giggled softly. Here I was 18 years old, and I still giggle like a little girl when my boyfriend winks at me.
The ride back to their house went by pretty quick. Aeron and Zula talked the entire time and I offered my two cents whenever it was needed. But for the most part, I was silent and concentrated on navigating the dark streets until I reached our subdivision.
It wasn't until I turned onto Zula's street that I noticed Mai's car behind me.
"Hey, does one of the girls that Mai hangs out with live over here?"
"Not that I know of, why?" Azula questioned before turning around. "Oh my gosh. Is that her car?"
"Yes, I'm pretty sure. Why would she follow us?" I questioned as we turned into Zula's driveway. Zuko's car was in the garage, leaving the driveway free for me.
As we all got out the car, Mai and her friends got out as well.
"Hey guys! What about my party!" she screamed as she walked closer.
"I told you that we might stop by." I said as I took my bags out the trunk. "The key word was might."
"But we have something really special for you!" Her short blonde friend said.
I rolled my eyes. "That is more than okay. I'm going to make brownies, eat ice cream, wear my footie pajamas and watch a movie."
"Whatever. You're missing out on a real treat. I invited your friend Aang. He came by the school earlier looking for you. Really nice guy." Mai said while pretending to inspect her nails. "No worries. You'll see him tomorrow. I invited him to be my date our homecoming."
"You're lying." I said, feeling my throat closing and my courage shirking.
"Am I?" she said before walking up to me. Once she was about 2 inches away from my face she smiled.
"I do not like you. I will ruin your pathetic little life. Stay the hell out of my way." she said coldly.
My courage grew tenfold in that moment. The girl I had tried to suppress emerged with a vengeance. "No. You won't. And this is why. You're a bitch. You're the type of girl to pull herself into her own pathetic attempt to ruin someone's life. So if you ruin me, just know we will go down together."
She chuckled and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I never make a mistake. You're finished."
"Oh honey, I'm just beginning. If I were you, I'd quit while you're ahead. This is me giving you an out." I replied in a voice I saved for special occasions.
"I don't need an out. I'm going to slay you."
Her friends shared hi-5s and laughed at her remark. They couldn't see the fear in her face like I could though.
I laughed softly and then smiled as the fear she showed on her face quickly grew to terror. "You were warned. I don't make threats, I make promises. And I promise you, I will lose."
I turned around and walked towards Zula. "Ready?"
She nodded and unlocked the door. I locked my car and turned around.
"Bye ladies." I said with a smirk. "Good-bye Mai."
She slammed her car door and backed out as fast as she possibly could.
Once we got inside, Zula and Aeron stared at me like I was growing fins on the side of my face.
"Yes?"
"What just happened?" Zula questioned.
"She just started war. She can't just ruin my life OR use people I care about to do it. She asked one of my oldest friends to homecoming and I'm pretty sure she's doing that to hurt me. There are too many important people in my life. If she ruins that, she ruins y' will not happen. I'm not a fragile as I look. I know how to fight my own battles."
"That's a good quality to have in a Fire Lady." Ursa called out from the kitchen.
"Fire Lady?" Aeron said.
"Aeron?!" She said before coming into the foyer. "I forgot he came over."
"Shit." Zula mumbled as she turned red.
"I guess we need to have a talk."