Don't cry for me tonight
Chapter 9
"Excuse me, can we get some more napkins?" Mai asked a waitress during dinner.
"Oh yes coming right up." The woman rushed over to the kitchen.
Aang took a sip of his cold drink. "This kind of place wasn't really something I'd expect to see you in Zuko." He said looking around at a commoner setting. They were sitting outside in the cool night air surrounded by the common people. There was upbeat music playing and dancing couples laughing and moving lively to the song.
"What do you mean?" Zuko asked.
"I think he means that you look more suited for a more…refined place. After all your royalty." Katara explained while watching the dancers. She remembered her dance with Aang.
"We didn't want to two to feel uncomfortable with the high class. They're all pretty rude and would just be looking at us anyways." Mai said. "Besides over here we can have more fun."
"Yeah I think so too." Aang smiled.
"Here's some napkins. Is there anything else you need?" the waitress returned.
"Nothing now thanks." Zuko sent her away.
A new song started playing. "Aang want to go dance?" Katara asked.
He nodded. "Sure let's go!"
The two ran off to the floor the other couples danced and joined in.
Mai laughed a bit at them but kept eating. "They look happy together don't they?" She asked Zuko in between bites.
"Yeah. Do you want to dance later?" He asked.
"Nah. What's the point to get sweaty for nothing?" she said in a plain tone.
"I guess." For the duration of the song he watched the dancing. It wasn't like he was too interested in it but he did feel a bit envious that Aang had a girlfriend who was lively and who tried different things. He wouldn't blame Mai for it though. After all, her self esteem issue is an issue of her own. He cant force her to change.
Mai sighed. "I'm getting bored. When they get back lets go somewhere else?"
"Wait here then. I'll go pay up at the front." Zuko took another look and then walked away.
As the night grew darker the four teens found themselves in a small park. Aang and Katara sat alone on the grass while Zuko and Mai wondered off alone near a fountain in the middle of the park.
"Its so beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Katara smiled at the air bender.
"Yeah. Did you have a good time?" He asked holding her hand.
"Of course I did." In the distance she could see Zuko and Mai. He scooted closer to her and wrapped one arm around her shoulder. Their faces kept close as they spoke with one another. Katara felt embarrassed watching but she felt it would be nice if Aang would do something like too.
Aang yawned, bring Katara's focus back. "Sorry, I'm getting tired."
"I'm tired too. We did a lot of walking." The two of them laid on the grass and gazed at the stars.
"Ah! Katara! A shooting star!" Aang exclaimed pointing up. "Make a wish!"
She shut her eyes. She listened to her heart to hear its silent desire but there was nothing it longed for. She opened her eyes.
Aang was sat up beside her and looking down at her. "What did you wish for? Do you always close your eyes? I thought you fell asleep." He laughed.
She smiled. "It's a habit. And I cant tell you what I wished for."
"Well I hope mine can be answered soon." He blushed.
"What was it?"
He looked back at her. Both stared quietly for some time into each others eyes. She knew what was coming and welcomed it. Aang leaned down and slowly shut his eyes. She did the same as his soft lips touched hers.
"Are you still cold?" Zuko asked Mai.
"No. Zuko I wanted to talk to you about something." She stared at the floor.
"Go ahead."
"It's about my parents again." Her voice sounded annoyed.
"What happened now? Are they still giving you work to do?" He asked concerned. He and Mai hadn't been able to spend time together since he returned because her parents decided to train her to become a more proper lady so that she could make a good wife. She was also unable to attend the festival the other night due to her 'duties'.
"Yeah, but there's more to it now." She moved away from Zuko and stood in front of him. She put one hand on his cheek and he put his over hers. "Zuko, they want me to get married to a nobleman's son on one of the islands in the east."
His mouth opened but he couldn't speak.
"I told them I was still with you but they don't think I'm worthy of you. Their own words. I'm supposed to leave in three days to meet them. Father told me if I purposely mess up the meeting that he would consider disowning me." She put another hand on Zuko's face. "But I don't care. Because the one thing in this world that I don't hate is you and I don't want to lose you."
Zuko removed her hands and held them tightly. "No Mai. I cant let you do that."
She raised her eyebrows. "why not? Zuko I don't mind. I love you more and I-"
"I don't want to make you give up your family for me." He interrupted.
"Don't you love me?" Mai asked.
"Of course I do but Mai I don't want to rip you from your family." He tried to explain.
"So you would rather have me marry someone else?" Her voice rose. She was beyond anger at this point.
"No! Just try talking to them. Maybe they'll change their minds."
"They would have done that already! Zuko the only reason I was allowed to leave home today was because they wanted me to break up with you!" She began to cry. "The engagement is already set. As long as the meeting goes well I'm marrying that other guy. But you don't even seem to care!" She pulled her hands away and ran off.
"Mai! Wait!" He chased after her but before he could get close she turned around and flung her daggers at him pinning his sleeve to a nearby tree. "Mai wait! Why does she carry these around?" he said trying to pull them out.
"What's going on?" Aang rushed to Zuko helping him pull out the daggers. "What happened?"
"Nothing just get these off me!" together they were able to pry off two but it still left four.
"Arghh! She really pinned you deep!"
"Shut up. She must be long gone by now." His words saturated with regret.
"I don't know. Katara went after her before I came here though. They might be talking somewhere close by. Otherwise she would have came back by now." Aang told him.
"Then lets give them some time. Being the person Katara is, she might be the only one who can help Mai." Zuko said pulling out another.
"Did you two get in a fight or something?"
"Sort of."
"Mai! Are you ok?" Katara said approaching the crying girl who sat near a back door to a store in the dark part of the alley.
"Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone!" She hid her face with her hair.
Katara sat down with her. "Are you sure? Then I'll just wait until your done crying so then we can go back with the guys and go home together."
"Are you stupid? Do you think I would after I just ran from him?" She glared at Katara.
"Can we talk about it?" She asked softly. "I'll listen."
She looked away again. She wasn't used to having someone who'd listen. It was a huge difference compared to Azula. "you wouldn't understand." She finally said.
"Try me."
Mai said quiet hoping maybe Katara would just leave. However part of her actually wanted her to stay. She sighed. "My parents want me to get married. I broke up with Zuko."
"What did he say?" Katara realized this kind of conversation was one she had no place in. She wouldn't know how to help her.
"He doesn't want to stop it. He must think I'm not worthy of his time either." She put her head back against the wall.
"I don't think he'd think that way. He really loves you."
"It doesn't matter if he does or not. I don't think I can get out of this marriage." Mai explained her situation to Katara. "So if I get disowned then I'm even more unworthy."
"If this other guy cant love you like Zuko does then your parents shouldn't push you in the relationship." There was a short silence. "I thought I could help and give you advice but I don't know much about arranged marriages. I'm sorry."
"I didn't think you would." She took in a deep breath. "But telling you helped me think. Mostly about what Zuko told me. So…" She turned her face away, "thanks."
Katara smiled.
Zuko and Aang waited at the front of the palace gate without much talking. Both were worried about the girls but knew they were strong enough to protect themselves.
"Katara's back!" Aang announced when he saw the water tribe girl walk slowly back.
Zuko rushed up to her. "Where's Mai? Why isn't she with you?" He asked.
"She went home. Don't worry, I walked with her. She needed time to think." She told him. She could clearly see the sadness in his eyes. She put her hand on his arm. "She'll be fine. She told me to tell you that she'd try to see you tomorrow."
"Come on guys. Let's get inside. Its really cold now." Aang suggested while rubbing his shoulders.
"Well its about time! Where have you all been? Do you know what time it is? Why didn't you call? Its so late! You should have been back hours ago!" Sokka bombarded them with questions as soon as they entered the door.
"Sokka not now." Katara rubbed her temple, "I'm tired. See you in the morning." She made her way up the stairs with Zuko following close behind quietly.
"Night everyone." Aang said going another direction to his room.
"Wha-but… don't ignore me!" Sokka chased after Katara.
"Zuko." Katara called out before he opened his door. He looked over at her and she instantly felt tongue tied. She didn't know what to say. "Uh…um. I-uh. don't feel too bad about this Zuko. Get some rest so you can face her tomorrow."
He gave a weak smile. "Yeah." then he disappeared into his room.
"What was that about?" Sokka asked.
"Nothing important. Its none of our business anyways." She answered then went off to bed.
Katara's dream
She kept falling. She tried and tried to chase after the figure who ran off after she tried taking a look at his face.
"Wait! Please wait!" She called out but he just wouldn't stop running. "Ah!" She screamed when she tripped over again. She closed her eyes in pain and moan loudly. "Ouch!" she cried.
The figure finally stopped at the sound of her screams. He slowly started walking back but like a deer and a hunter, he kept his distance.
She opened her eyes and the pain was gone. She stood from the ground and saw that the forest was a bit brighter than before. The man ran away again but this time Katara could see everything in her path. She was able to keep up with him and eventually caught up with him. She pulled his arm back and when she looked at the face she froze. Tears invaded her eyes again. Her arm dropped back to her side.
"Mai?"
"You are the one not worthy."
End of chapter 9
Review! I love to hear what you as the reader has to say. And because I do I feel like asking a question. Actually maybe two questions. First, would you watch the spin off of Avatar? I think its true but I don't 100% trust wiki. But by reading the article and from what you already know about it, would you watch this new series? I guess it kinda seems interesting but idk. If its wayy to similar like Avatar I might not waste my time watching it.
Secondly, are you interested in me putting up an extra chapter up about what Sokka did during the double date? It would be pretty short, but I'm just wondering cause I thought it might be kinda fun to do.
Review! 3
Oh yea sorry I forgot something else I wanted to hear from you guys. Would you prefer me keeping chapters short or is it ok how it is?