Katalina was walking at a very brisk pace, causing Jet to practically jog just to keep up with her.
"Lina, why are you freaking out so much?" he asked.
"I can't shake this feeling that Zuko doesn't know I'm here," she replied.
"Well, yeah, it's not like Iroh had any way of telling him. But now that he's back I'm sure Iroh has told him."
"Iroh didn't even mention Mai to me."
"Right. Who is Mai?"
"Someone else from the Fire Nation. She was friends with Zuko's sister, so I'm not sure how she ended up with the group. But she's always had a crush on Zuko ever since we were little."
"Much like you have?"
She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks now causing him to run into her.
"I do not like him that way."
"Bullshit. If you didn't you wouldn't be freaking out so much."
"I'm freaking out because it's been three years."
"You're freaking out because you don't want him to see you as the same little girl, but you still want him to see you as that same girl."
"I really hate you right now."
"Why? Because I'm right?"
She rolled her eyes and started walking again. He continued to follow after her and keep up with her.
"C'mon Lina, there's nothing wrong with liking him."
"There is when he has a girlfriend."
"You don't know how serious it is, though."
"Did you not here me before? Mai has liked Zuko ever since we were kids."
"That means nothing when we still are kids."
"Oh, shut up."
"Avoiding him isn't going to solve or fix the problem."
"Who said anything about avoiding him?"
"You're not the only one who talks to Iroh."
Once again, she stopped dead in her tracks. He managed to stop himself before running into her this time, though.
"He told you about those conversations?"
"He's worried about you. He wants you and Zuko to be able to still be friends. He doesn't want you to let it all go."
"Why would he tell you?"
"He thinks you're closest with me."
"Why? Because we live together? That doesn't mean anything."
He shook his head at this. "Why do you feel the need to be so impossible all of the damn time?" He sighed. "That's another thing Iroh mentioned to me; Zuko was the only one who could ever handle you. And he said that was impressive since he could barely handle himself."
"Zuko didn't handle me. I handled myself."
"Not according to Iroh."
"Well, Iroh's wrong."
"Lina, I can already tell that you need Zuko in your life."
"You don't know anything, Jet. So don't even try to tell me what I do and don't need."
"Just let me help you."
"I don't need your help!"
"Well, that's a damn shame because I am going to help you."
"You can't!"
They fell silent, staring at each other intensely. Then all of a sudden, Jet began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Katalina questioned.
"I have no idea," he admitted once he calmed down. "What are we even arguing about?"
She shook her head. "This isn't funny." She turned to leave. "Go find the others and go to the teashop."
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Back to the apartment."
"Lina, he's gonna ask about you."
"So what if he does?"
He sighed. "Fine. What should I tell him, though?"
"Just bullshit something. Like I'm not feeling well or whatever. I don't know and I don't care."
"You don't care?" he repeated. "So I could tell him you didn't stop by because you found out he's dating Mai and that upset you?"
She turned back around and glared at him darkly. "That's not what I meant and that's not how I feel."
"Actually, I know what I'm gonna say to him," he then stated.
"You will not tell him that!"
"No, I won't."
"Then what—?"
"Don't worry about that."
"Jet—"
"I'll be back later tonight," he continued cutting her off. He then turned and began to walk away.
"If you tell him anything, I'll have the same conversation with Jin!" she called after him. Then she sighed. "What is wrong with me?"