"Skoochy?"

"So it is you, then," Skoochy said, sounding not amused. "We have met, haven't we?"

Jinora nodded. She had not realised her fingers were running through the rough wood of her staff. Glancing at her staff for a brief moment, Skoochy sat himself beside the young airbender, albeit a safe distance away. "I haven't found out whats your name, 'ya know."

Jinora gritted her teeth. She wished that the council meeting would be over as soon as possible- she wasn't here to have some conversation with a street urchin. "My name is Jinora," she let out. Curse Tui!

"Finally. I had to wait three years just to know that, eh?" Skoochy uttered. "You're that old monk's child, aren't you?" he asked rather rudely, or as so Jinora thought. She was trying really hard not to send this kid knocking back a few metres back with an airbending blast.

"Don't you dare call my father old monk," anger boiled inside the usually calm girl. "Years on the street hasn't taught you much, hasn't it?" she blurted out. Did I just say that...?

Skoochy broke out in laughter, as if someone had just cracked a hilarious joke. "Years on the street? Teaching manners?" he chuckled. "Young one, you truly haven't been in this city for long."

"Argh!" Gripping her glider, Jinora growled, "can you just shut up? Fine, I haven't been in this city for long- at least not much. But at least I grew up properly. Unlike you, growing up with a bunch of street children, what end will you ever come to?"

"Whoa," Skoochy scooted a few inches away from the studious girl. "Chill, I was just joking. Is this how you repay someone who had defended you from that Katyin?"

"I suppose..." Jinora felt her anger soothing down. "Thanks for that, anyway. Now its my turn to ask questions- what are you doing here?"

Skoochy sighed, like he was disappointed by some exam results he had received or something- not that he had ever taken one before. "Ran out of yuans, duh. Its not easy to get money, but its hard not to spend it."

"Hmm..." Jinora suddenly realised she had an extra five yuans in pocket. She quickly took out the note and placed it on Skoochy's outstretched palm on the concrete ground of the steps. "Here, take this, it should last you for the rest of the day, right?"

Skoochy looked at Jinora, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Jinora nodded rapidly. "Of course, silly. Just take it. My father won't find out. He would only worry when I don't read a book for one whole day."

The earthbender smiled. "Thanks, I owe you."

Just then, the grand doors of the City Hall creaked- the council members were on their way out. "Go!" Jinora whispered to her newfound friend. Skoochy then fled off to a side of the building. He watched as the powerful figures of the city walk out of the hall, a few whispers among them. He spotted the young airbender then running off to her parents, hugging them both.

She's rather cute.

Jinora? Hellooo. Jinora!

"HUH? What?" Jinora was shot back into reality by a loud clap. It was Korra, who was still waving her hand in front of Jinora's face. "What?" Jinora groaned.

"I called your name five times; you didn't flinch or respond once!" Korra exclaimed. "What were you thinking about?"

Suddenly, Ikki popped out from behind the Avatar. "Is it about that saga you just read?"

"Or about your recent airbending forms?"

"No and no." Jinora grumbled.

Then, Ikki jumped a few feet in the air before landing down. "Oh! Oh! I know!" she piped. "Its about that boy, whats his name? Skoochy, isn't it? You're thinking about Skoochy!"

Jinora felt her cheeks turn hot. Gripping the handles of the armchair, she looked around the room. "What? No!" she denied.

Korra frowned, as if she had heard of the name "Skoochy" before. "Skoochy?" she hung her head down, as if trying to recall who was he. Then, she had a bewildered and surprised look on her face after a few seconds. "Oh, its that street urchin, Skoochy! I've met him once. That boy has eyes on you? Or is it the other way?" Korra teased. She began to make lovesick poses in front of the ten-year-old along with her seven-year-old sister.

"NO! I don't like him, or neither does he!" Jinora screamed. Her voice had raised by several decibels, and she sent a wave of air that blew Korra and Ikki to the back of the room.

"Fine!" they both said in unison. With that, they stormed out of the room, giving Jinora some space to think.

No way would I like Skoochy. No way would I like Skoochy. That sentence kept repeating itself in her mind. I mean, he's cute and all. But really, why would I like an orphan. They're talking nonsense. They're talking nonsense. Jinora, this isn't like those teen romance books you've read. This is real life. Real life.

"Skooch! You coming?" Katyin yelled from a distance.

Skoochy turned around and shook his head in silence, and watched as the group ran off to scam some people. He thought about that girl, Jinora, he had met today. Sure, she was kind of pretty in her own way, and was definitely a powerful airbender, being one of the last in the world.

But really, why would she go for him? He wasn't even sure Jinora knew where was his usual hangout. Her father was a councilman, for La's sake! He would probably be executed or something lest the old monk sees him interacting with his daughter.

Skoochy looked up at the sky. Red tinged the horizon, and twilight was already setting in. Wolfbats snatched (or at least tried to) some food away from the commuters, mostly unsuccessful. Just as he was about to walk off to the alley where he spent the nights in, Skoochy saw a figure approaching him.

As it neared, he realised it was the Avatar.

"What are you doing here?" Skoochy asked as the Avatar stood before him.

"I can bring you to Air Temple Island tomorrow morning."