Ratatatat.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

I woke up in the middle of the night to pebbles hitting my window.

Pebbles?

I got up to see where they were coming from, and got a surprise.

"Skoochy? How did you get here? What are you doing here?"

It had been a few days since I met him.

The full moon shone on him. He looked.. marvelous. With a boyish grin, he answered me. "I just wanted to see you. Is that so bad?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Then what's the problem?"

"Its the middle of the night!" I tried to stay as quiet as I possibly could.

"I thought that maybe you would enjoy a little... midnight adventure.."

"And just what did you have in mind?" I questioned him.

"Haha, I'm not telling you. What would be the fun in an adventure if you knew what was going to happen?"

"No. I cannot leave." I wasn't about to get in trouble.

"Why not? Please, Jinora? I thought of all people, you must want to go. I imagine you are pinned up in this place all of the time." Its true, and he is very persuasive.

After some more pleading from him, and realizing that he had to sneak all the way here(which was a difficult feat, given all the guards), I gave in. "Fine, but I'm not going too far." I slipped on a pair of thin, black slip ons and a black robe that Gran Gran made me and flipped the hood over onto my head.

I jumped out of my bedroom window and landed softly on the ground, despite the two story drop, thanks to my airbending.

"Great! You're going to love it." He was enthusiastic, which in return, made me, too. He must of noticed my nervousness. "I promise you won't get caught."

Almost to the boats that left the island, a thought entered my mind.

"Wait, what about your parents? Wont they be worried?"

Blankly, he said, "don't have any. I'm an orphan. Have been all my life."

It never occurred to me.

I changed the subject quickly. "Well if we are gonna do this, we better do it quickly."

When we were off of the boat, he didn't hesitate for a second.

"This way!" He grabbed my hand and led me through the dark streets. We went far. Further than I usually go away from the air temple.

I haulted. "Skoochy, I'm getting worried... Please tell me where we are going."

"What's going to happen? We are two benders. Someone against us wouldn't stand a chance." He sounded so sure.

"Don't be too confident.. have you forgotten about the war with the equalists? Have you forgotten about Amon?"

His voice turned soft, and he delicately took both of my hands into his. He looked me in the eyes. "Nothing is going to happen. You are safe with me, I promise."

My heart sped up.

A few more minutes of walking down the dark, damp roads and Skoochy spoke. "Follow me, and be very quiet."

We came to a satomobile with a large back portion on it that looked as if it was used for transporting items. Without saying a word, he jumped into the back and signaled for me to follow.

I didn't move. I dont dare stowaway in that.

I heard someone coming, and as if it were instinct, I jumped into the back next to him.

The person got in the front and started driving away.

"He goes out of the city every night to deliver items to the farmers that live on the outskirts." He informed me.

"We're going out of the city!" I couldn't believe him.

This is bad. Sooo bad.

"I did say we were going on an adventure, right? Well, here's your adventure. This isn't what I wanted to show you though."

"How will we get back into the city?" I was worrying.

"The truck goes back into the city an hour later, when hes finished with his business. We simply sneak back on and then I will take you home, where you will be safe and sound. Even though you're already safe here, with me."

The truck came to an abrupt stop next to some farmland and Skoochy helped me off. We ran off to some nearby cherry blossom trees where he stopped.

"Behind these trees.. Follow me."

He led me through the trees and we came to a brick pathway.

"I cant see a thing!" I told him.

"That is why I have these." He pulled some matches out of his pocket and struck one against a cherry blossom tree. Careful with the fire, he lit the torches along the pathway until we came to a pond. There were several lanterns around it, and he lit those, too. The light revealed a red brick bridge that went over the large pond. We walked to the middle of it and I observed the beauty of it all.

"This is what we came for."

The water was crystal clear and pure, and lily pads gently floated with the water of the pond. The lantern light reflected in the water and revealed every ripple.

"I love it!" I announced.

"I knew you would."

I could see my reflection, and it made me notice how close I was to Skoochy. I didnt move, though. I liked it. It was nice.

We looked up at each other and turned to face each other. He grabbed my hand and our fingers entwined. I could feel my face get hot as I blushed.

"Its beautiful," I whispered.

"You're beautiful, Jinora." His voice was sincere, and honest.

'You're beautiful, Jinora.'

Did he really mean that?

We laughed and talked for a while, then we got back on the truck. On the way back to the city he told me of the other boys he lives on the street with, and how they are like family to him. He asked me about the air temple and if I liked it there or not. I told him yes, of course I do. Especially with Mako, Bolin, Korra, and Asami.

Once we were off of the truck, we started heading back to the air temple.

I grabbed his hat and placed it atop my head. "So, how do I look?" We both laughed lightheartedly.

"Haha, I think it suits you. So did you have fun?" He asked.

I smiled widely. "Are you kidding me? Of course I did! It was the most fun I've had in ages!"

He laughed. "I'm really glad you did."

"So am I."

We approached the boats and I sighed. "Well I suppose I have to go home now." I climbed into the boat.

"I'll see that you get there," he said as he joined me.

When we got back to my bedroom window, he hugged me. "I'll be around. Goodbye for now, Jinora." He tipped his hat to me and was off. I jumped up to the window and quietly creeped in. I slipped off my shoes and my robe, and silently got in bed.

Tonight was wonderful.

No, tonight was perfect.

I thinking back on all that has happened tonight, maybe Asami was right, maybe I am smitten.