a/n: longest chapter yet! I'm not sure how I feel about it, it seems to be in a thousand different places at once, if you know what I mean. I'm sick of reading this chapter over and over again to figure out what exactly is bothering me, but I figured I haven't updated in a while, so I might as well. Thanks to every review and subscriber and favorite-er, (...? you get the point) you guys are such great motivation!

PS- I figure this takes place when they're like 15, 16ish.

First Date

"I've never been here before!" Jinora squealed as the couple walked up to a nice restaurant in the center of downtown Republic City.

"Me neither. It's always been too expensive, but I decided you're worth it," Skoochy said, shrugging his shoulders.

"…we really don't have to eat here if it's going to break the bank for you. Or better yet, I'll pay!"

"That's a horrible idea."

"No, it's sensible."

"Since when is sensible fun, huh?"

"Who said sensible can't be fun?"

"Me. Whatever, we're eatin' here no matter what. I made reservations, after all." Skoochy smoothed out his shirt, and then offered his arm for Jinora to take.

The host led them through a winding sea of shining tables, fabulous people, and outrageous tableware before they came to their table at the back of the large room.

"You really didn't have to do this."

"I did, doll. You deserve the best." Jinora put down her menu so she could look him right in his bright green eyes.

"No. No, I don't. Especially if it's trouble."

"It's not! I've got a steady job now! I can't afford to take you out like this regularly or anything, but today is special, love. It's our first actual date, isn't it?" Jinora just blushed before staring back at her menu. "…Incoming waiter." Skoochy mumbled without looking up from his own menu.

"Good evening, madam," the man bowed his head to Jinora, "sir," he bowed to Skoochy, "may I get you two anything to drink?" The waiter looked towards Jinora first, lingering a little on her. He was probably somewhere in his twenties, but apparently didn't notice the age difference as he flashed her an overpowering smile.

"May I just have a water, please?" Jinora politely smiled back at the man.

"Of course, ma'am," He reluctantly turned to Skoochy, "And for you, sir?" Skoochy finally put his menu down and looked at the guy. The waiter's eyes widened, and his previously stupid smile turned genuine.

"Is that you, Skoochy?"

"Wait- LING?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Why are ya' working here?" Skoochy was half out of his seat with his big eyes open wide.

"I, I got a job here a few days ago!" Ling gestured to the restaurant, "Why are you here?"

"I'm on a date, obviously," Skoochy finally seemed to remember Jinora, who was still sitting patiently at her seat, casually looking over the menu.

"Wait, you snagged, her?" He turned to Jinora, "No offense ma'am, but you look like you could do a lot better than 'im."

"Why, you sound like my father. It's a pleasure to meet you," Jinora stood and held her hand out to the man.

"Name's Ling, but I guess you know that," they shook hands.

"Jinora. It's a pleasure to meet you," She smiled sweetly before adding, "I have to use the ladies' room, so I'll let you two catch up! Excuse me," Jinora smiled and stepped past the two still-stunned boys to the restrooms.

Skoochy stared off after her before he turned his attention back to Ling.

"Is she the one I've been hearing about?" Ling asked.

"Uh, I guess. What've ya' heard?" Skoochy crossed his thick arms.

"Just that you've somehow managed to snatch up councilman Tenzin's daughter. There's a few bets about what you've had to do to get 'er. My money's on blackmail," Ling winked, laughing.

"Idiot," Skoochy laughed and ran his hand through his messy hair. "Believe it or not, she actually seems ta' like me."

"Not to mention she's probably swimming in money up on that island."

"Not the point. At all. I like 'er, and I don't want any of you bastards showing up and ruining things."

"By 'you bastards' you mean 'friends.'"

"Yeah."

"Well, fine. I'll try and make tonight as," Ling winked, "romantic as possible."

"Don't do that. It'll look stupid. All I'm askin' is that you don't embarrass me, kay?"

"Yes'sir!" Ling saluted, "By the way, I never got your drink order."

"Water."

"Of course, fine gentleman." Ling walked off, and he almost bumped into Jinora, who was just coming back from the restroom.

"So, how do you know him?" She asked as she sat down again.

"He's an old friend. He's an idiot, but he's good to have around." Skoochy shrugged and sat back down.

By dessert, Skoochy was just itching to get out of the restaurant. Sitting still for so long had made him anxious, but he was still enjoying himself. Jinora was fun to talk to, and the time passed quickly. Not to mention she looked gorgeous in a new dress, and there was even hints of makeup on her face. So far, Ling hadn't done anything weird or embarrassing, but Skoochy still had a bad feeling that something was going to happen. The second dessert came, he asked for the check, praying to every spirit he knew it wouldn't be too high.

Jinora was focused on something melty and chocolaty as Skoochy assessed the damage to his wallet.

"Not too bad…" He muttered to himself.

"Hmm?" Jinora looked up from her food.

"Ling gave me a discount, so the bill isn't bad at all," Skoochy counted out the yuans for the bill. "We still have some time, so when you're done do you want to walk to the park?" He hoped she would say yes. He didn't want to part from her yet, and besides, he desperately needed to stretch his legs and work off some nervous energy,

"Sure! I'm done already, if you're ready to go." She pushed away the tiny bit of cake left and stood up.

"After you, miss," Skoochy motioned for Jinora to walk ahead, back through the shining tables and the bustling, buzzing people.

Skooch and her walked through the park for a little while, just talking. He surprised her by hesitantly grabbing her hand about halfway through the walk, but she quickly tamed the raging monster of nerves in her stomach and soon she was just happy. When they came to the fountain, they found that there was a fundraising event being held there for "one of Republic City's most exciting venues," which, upon further inspection, turned out to be a big event hall. They had set up a dance floor around the fountain, and for a donation, a couple could participate in the dancing. Skoochy looked kind of excited, so Jinora offered to pay for a dance. He didn't like the idea of her paying, but she eventually convinced him to let her pay for something so small.

They walked onto the dance floor hand-in-hand, and Jinora's nerves were getting the best of her. She had never been all that great at dancing, but Skoochy looked like he liked it, so she tried to swallow her fear and just have fun with him.

It turns out that she had nothing to worry about with such a great dance partner.

The song ended up being extremely upbeat, jazzy, and fun. And Skoochy ended up being a great dancer. He gladly led her through the song, and by the end she was laughing and giggling with joy. Sure there were a few times that she cheated by airbending herself up a little so she wouldn't step on his toes, but she found that she wasn't that bad. Or at least better than a few struggling couples around her. Skoochy and Jinora were twirling and whirring around, and it made her laughs feel like bubbles of joy escaping from her mouth. Jinora had never danced like that in her entire life.

All too soon, the song stopped and she was left breathless, but beaming in Skoochy's arms.

"They better play a slow song next," He said, wiping his brow. Jinora didn't say anything; she just rested her head on his chest. Her eyes were closed, and her head was down, so she couldn't see the surprised look in his eyes when she wrapped her arms around his neck, and she was too much in her little world to register the tingles when he rested his hands around her hips.

When the music started, smooth and slow, Jinora finally looked up and right into Skoochy's eyes. They didn't say anything for a while, they just moved in circles to the music. She had one hand on his shoulder, and the other on his hand, and prayed to the spirits that that was what she was supposed to be doing.

"I've never danced before. Or at least, not like this." Jinora said eventually.

"You're a natural," Skoochy smiled.

"You're pretty good yourself. Where'd you learn to dance like that?" Jinora asked.

"I've been to too many parties, is all. Dancin's free, all you need is a radio."

"Good point,"

"Why haven't you danced?" Skoochy asked as they twirled again.

"I never had many friends my age. I've been to parties, well, I guess they're more like balls, but the only other kids my age were always other council members' kids or other kids of important people. I preferred to read quietly at a table or something,"

"…I've gotta' get you out more!" laughing, he added, "From now on I refuse to let your only friend be a book and me. You're gonna' come with me to parties and dances and bars and we're gonna' have the time of our lives every night," he looked so hopeful that Jinora almost didn't think about what her father would say.

"I wish my dad would let me," She sighed, " but he barely let me come tonight. Maybe if he got to know you better he'd trust you and then he'd let me out with you more!"

"Get to know your old man?" Skoochy didn't look too pleased by the idea.

"Yeah, he's really not so bad, just protective."

"I don't think there's anything I could do to get him to trust me."

"I don't know…"

"Anyway, we'll figure something out, 'cause there's no way I can go very long without seeing you," he blushed and looked at his feet, "i- uh, I mean, uh… damn..."

Jinora couldn't help but laugh at how flustered he was. "How do you go from a charming lady's man to an embarrassed kid so quickly?" She laughed again, and his blush deepened. "For the record, though, I don't think I could go very long without seeing you, either." He looked back up at her and smiled, his cheeks still rosy. They were quiet for a few minutes and just looked at each other.

"The music stopped," Jinora pointed out.

"So?"

"We're still moving."

"So we are. Do ya' wanna' go sit down?"

"Sure."

They walked to a bench by the fountain that faced the dance floor. New couples were streaming onto the floor and a record started playing again, but Skoochy and Jinora were in their own little world. He still held her hand and as they sat there he let his arm drift over her shoulder.

"You know we're gonna' be late if we don't leave now," he said, thinking of the bad impression it would leave on her father.

"It's ok, I'll blame it on the ferry. It's not like I have my glider tonight."

"Are you sure? It won't upset your old man?"

"Of course it will, but he won't blame you."

"I just don't want him to hate me."

"He won't. He's really not as bad as you think."

"I, I just couldn't stand your family hating me."

"Why? Jinora turned in his arms to look at his face.

"They're important to you, so they're important to me," He looked down at her face, into her eyes.

"That's sweet," She smiled, leaned in, and for a second he swore she was going to kiss him, but she stopped a few inches from his face.

"I try," he said, another blush creeping up his neck. He wondered why he couldn't stop blushing, it's not like Jinora is the first girl he'd ever been with, or the first girl to tease him like this. Jinora didn't move. She obviously wanted him to close the small space, but he just sat there, wide-eyed.

"For the love of…" Jinora muttered right before she connected their mouths. It seemed to break the spell on Skoochy, because he immediately reacted and began kissing back. After a few seconds, she pulled back and rested her head on his shoulder, her brain fuzzy and light. Skoochy absentmindedly drew circles on her arm with his fingers as he tried to understand what had just happened.

"I guess I should be getting home," Jinora said after a few more blissful minutes.

"I, uh, guess so."

"I'm hooooome!" Jinora yelled as she walked into her home on airtemple island.

"You're late," Tenzin appeared from around the corner, his face stern and his arms crossed.

"Blame it on the ferry. They took forever to get going, and I didn't have my glider," Jinora crossed her arms, too. There's no way she was letting her dad ruin such a great night.

"Tenzin," Pema walked up and put her hand on her husband's shoulder, "she's only fifteen minutes late. That's not really a big deal."
"You better not be a second late next time, young lady!" Tenzin pointed his finger at Jinora before stomping off to his study.

"He's worked up," jinora stated.

"What else did you expect?" Pema smiled and stepped forward to hug Jinora. "How was your night?"

"Good!" Jinora smiled, but apparently a little too wide.

"You look… happy. What'd you two do?" Pema was still holding Jinora.

Jinora rolled her eyes. "Mom, it was just dinner and a walk in the park."

"Ooooh. Romantic," Pema winked. "Well, I'm sure Ikki will interrogate you, so I'll let you go and get ready for bed. G'night!" Pema kissed Jinora's forehead, and then was off down the hallway to her and Tenzin's room.

Jinora tucked herself deep under the covers, enjoying the warmth. Never mind the repercussions of being late, she had had the guts to kiss him, and she was so glad she did. Her very first kiss, and it was great. That was a good start… Jinora thought to herself as she fell asleep.

a/n: I CAN'T END THINGS AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AWKWARD, CHOPPY ENDING IS AWKWARD.