Book 1: Freshman
Chapter 5: An Avatar's Schedule
"The Avatar is of the Shuǐ House. Please join me up here and bow to your peers Avatar Aiyoku Huóshuǐ."
Those words rang in Aiyoku's head. I can't be the Avatar, I just can't. But she did as Headmaster Roku asked and walked up to his side. The whole way she could hear the whispers of both amazement and disgust
Aiyoku felt all eyes on her. She was never one to be the center of attention Frozen on the spot when she turned to see all the faces of the students looking at her.
There has to be some mistake I can't be the Avatar. She thought trying to convince herself of this all being a bad dream. It can't be real, yeah, soon I'll look down and realize I'm naked too.
"Now may we have a word from our new Avatar." Headmaster Roku said placing his hand on her shoulder.
Aiyoku felt like she was going to be sick. But she sucked it up to make a statement, "Thank Headmaster for giving me this title it is an honor. Students of Legionis High I hope that I not only will be able to live up to the expectations of my elders and the Avatars before me but to be able to make you all feel safe in this world. I promise to make you proud to call me your Avatar." Aiyoku said with the most confidence she could muster.
There were many applause from the Shuǐ, Kōngqì, and Dìqiú tables. The Huǒ table didn't seem to be quite as happy.
"Now that we have our new Avatar we must celebrate." Roku announced. He clapped his hands together. The room was full of blue lights, fur pelts and sparkling water and ice droplets hanging from the ceiling, casting rays of light everywhere. It looked like the inside of the Shuǐ Houses' common room.
The whole time people kept coming up to Aiyoku congratulating her. Aiyoku felt very uneasy. Her friends tried to push away some of the hoards that came at her. Soon Jet guided her back to the Shuǐ common room.
Once they were inside Jet asked, "You okay? It's probably a big shock for you. Do you want to talk about it?" Aiyoku shook her head. "Everything is going to start changing. I don't know if I can do this. I know I'm going to let everyone down." Jet pulled her closer, "No way, babe, you'll be great. Best Avatar ever." "Thanks Jet." Aiyoku smiled slightly.
"There's that smile." Jet said leaning in and kissing Aiyoku.
Jet stayed with Aiyoku till the common room started to get filled. He kissed her goodnight and left. Aiyoku walked straight to her room but when she got to it her stuff was gone.
"Where the hell?" Aiyoku said looking for a trace of her things.
"Sorry Aiyoku," Came a voice from behind her. "But the Avatar gets her own room." Yue said sitting on her bed.
"So only two months into the year and now I get my own room. What is with that?" Aiyoku said sitting on what was her bed.
"My father said that the Avatar has a more hectic schedule than the other students. You'll have more classes and more studies and work to do. It is probably considered a disrupting experience for the roommate. That or the regular students aren't allowed to see the teachings of the other houses." Yue said smiling to make the tension go away.
"I'll miss having you as a roommate, Yue." Aiyoku said. Yue nodded, "Me, too. But we are still friends and we'll see each other all the time." Aiyoku smiled, "Right. Well, best get going to my room."
Aiyoku walked to the door, but before she opened it the door swung open to reveal Don.
"Brother you can't be in the girl hall!" Yue said jumping up.
"Aiyoku, Headmaster Roku is waiting for you down stairs." Don said in heavy breathes.
"What?" Aiyoku said in shock. "Yeah no kidding." Don grabbed Aiyoku and dragged her down the stairs.
Sure enough, clad in his usual red and gold robes, Headmaster Roku was standing at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up at Aiyoku and gave a warm smile.
"Miss Aiyoku, I wish to speak with you about the changes in your school life. Will you come with me." He said gesturing to the door.
"Of course Headmaster." Aiyoku said walking alongside him out the door and down to the main hall.
When they approached a statue of a dragon that looked to be sleeping Roku raised his hand and said, "Awaken mighty warrior." Suddenly the dragon came to life and blasted fire in a vortex around them.
When the vortex cleared they were in a different room. The walls were covered in fabric hangings with the fire symbol on them. The room was covered in the colors of red, gold and even brown. Roku almost seemed to disappear in the room.
"Now Aiyoku if you would please sit down." Roku said sitting at his desk. Aiyoku complied.
"I want to give you this spell." He waved his hand toward a tall stack of drawers. One of the drawers opened and a piece of parchment came out. It landed in front of Aiyoku. "This spell will help you get to all your classes in the day. You will get your schedule in the morning. Now get good sleep and eat a hearty breakfast. And feel free to come here anytime and ask for advice or help. Trust me when I say I know what you're going through." And with another warm smile a fire vortex consumed Aiyoku.
When it disappeared she was in her new room. Her stuff had even unpacked and everything was setup for her to stay for awhile. The room looked like it was designed for Water tribe royalty with baby blue silk curtains on the windows as well as hanging off the canopy above the bed. There was a mountain of silk and furred pillows on the bed and the long lounge chair sitting in front of the window. It was so … not Aiyoku, but she could get use to it.
When Aiyoku woke up the next morning she changed quickly and headed for breakfast. She opened the door and a slip of paper floated gently to the floor. When Aiyoku picked it up she saw it was her new schedule.
Elemental World History. Healing Spells 101 and Earth Spells 101 at the same time! "What do they think I am!" Then Study Hall and The History of the Earth Kingdom also at the same time. "I can't be in two places at once!" Mystic Animals, The History of the Air Temples at once,and after lunch Water Spells 101 and Fire Spells at the same time. The History of the Water Tribe, Air Spells 101 and The History of the Fire Nation at the same frickin' time now it's just getting ridiculous. Dueling and Defense, Basic Spells. "Well at least those are the same."
Aiyoku made her way to the stairs still scanning her new crowded schedule. As she descended the stairs Aiyoku spotted Yue and Don waiting in the empty common room.
"So how is the new room?" Yue asked as Aiyoku joined her and Don.
"It's fine. It's quiet with out you." Aiyoku smiled. Yue giggled in response.
Breakfast came and went like normal. It seemed the uproar of the new Avatar was still the biggest news in the school to Aiyoku's dismay.
After breakfast Aiyoku, Shu, and Mokka headed to Elemental History. Yue, Jet, and Don started toward Basic Spells class.
When everyone sat down in the class the professor sat for a moment writing on a parchment.
Zuko tapped Aiyoku with his book. She calmly and begrudgingly turned around. Zuko had been nicer than Aiyoku first thought and so far there were no real problems between them. His sister on the other hand was a different story. Their eyes met he smiled slightly, you almost couldn't tell he was smiling at all.
"I wanted to say that I believe you will make a great Avatar." Zuko said. His words were as warm as a fireplace on a cold day. "Thank you Zuko." Aiyoku smiled back. She turned away.
"That wasn't all." Zuko blurted. "A lot of the Huǒ students do not agree with me. I think you know who I'm talking about." He inclined. Aiyoku nodded without turning back around. "I just wanted you to know they won't be so easy to win over." Aiyoku shrugged it off. "Thank you again Zuko."
When Professor Lee Chang started to speak everyone's attention changed.
Shu lean closer to Zuko to whisper, "Aiyoku really appreciates the nice words, but see, her and Jet have been a little estranged with each other lately. And then there is the whole Avatar thing it's just too much for her. But she will cheer up soon it's not her style to be so down and indifferent." Zuko thought for a moment. "What's going on with her and Jet?" Shu sighed, "Where do I begin." Zuko arched his only eyebrow. "Please short and sweet." Shu nodded.
Shu told Zuko about what happened at Omashu Sunday and how Aiyoku didn't believe him and him and Mokka's play into her denial.
"You guys must be really close to put up with her denial and play it her way instead of trying to make her believe." Shu nodded, "Well she's my little sister. I want to protect her but she is so stubborn sometimes." Zuko looked at him questioningly. Shu saw this, "We should have a longer talk sometime. Then I can explain things better." Zuko nodded in agreement.
"I wish there was something I could do to help." Zuko said. "Me too. The more help the better." Shu added.
After a few minutes of listening to the professor talk about the first war of the Elemental World. A light bulb went off in Shu's head. "You like Aiyoku!" He whispered harshly. Mokka turned her head to their direction. Aiyoku seemed too lost to hear anything but her own thoughts. Zuko stared at his hands resting on the table. Slowly he nodded.
The class was dismissed and Aiyoku quickly got up and walked out of the room without a 'see ya later'.
Mokka and Shu lingered a bit. They stopped Zuko outside the class. Mokka rocked on her toes, "So you like Ai. That is so awesome!" Zuko looked away from her. "Don't say that too loud." Zuko said quietly. "If certain people knew it be a problem."
Mokka and Shu nodded in an understanding. They then parted ways.
Aiyoku pulled out the parchment Headmaster Roku gave her. She scanned the words on it and repeated them. "I wish to be in more than one but I am only one." There was a cracking noise then a bright light. When Aiyoku could see she thought she was looking in a mirror. There was another Aiyoku standing in front of her.
"Sweetness!" Aiyoku exclaimed. The other her smiled back. "Okay you go to Healing Spells 101 and I'll go to Earth Spells 101. After that you go to Study Hall than Mystic Animals. After that meet me outside the Dining Hall." Aiyoku informed her. "Gotcha." The other Aiyoku said and walked off toward Healing Spells 101. Aiyoku looked at the map and found her way to her new class.
When she walked in she wanted to sit down quickly but it was too late. The professor was the woman who was head of the Dìqiú House, Professor Kyoshi.
"Avatar Aiyoku. Please come sit here, if you will." Kyoshi gestured to the closest open seat.
Not happy that she couldn't sit with either of her friends she sat quietly and listened to the lesson already in progress. She had already planned to burrow any and all the notes Shu might've had.
Once class was dismissed she almost ran from the room. She scanned the map and found a fast route to her next class. However it wasn't as fast as she thought. She barely made it on time.
The hall that lead to the class was painted with earthy tones of different greens, browns and yellows. On the mural were Badger-moles, Dìqiú people and wonderful grassy fields.
When she walked in she immediately saw Jet and Shu. She smiled to herself at her luck that on her first day in a new class she was going to be with her boyfriend and brother. She quickly noticed as the class sat down that they were not sitting next to each other. Does Shu still not believe he has changed? She thought even though recently she started doubting him as well.
Aiyoku then took notice to the fact that all the girls in the class seemed centered around Jet. She saw an opportunity to make many girls jealous.
"Jet, honey! I totally forgot you had this class in the morning!" Aiyoku exclaimed as her hands wrapped themselves around his neck. She took a quick scan of the girls in the nearby seats they all had different expressions of anger, envy and sadness.
Jet snickered, "Nice to see you babe." He pulled her down and smashed his lips to hers. For an extra extended time they made out till the professor walked in.
He was tall clad in bright yellow and green robes, a long black braid and small round glasses that sat low on the bridge of his nose. As he pushed his glasses up to his eyes he spotted the tonsil tennis game occurring in the third row.
"Well it seems the new Avatar has made friends quite quickly." He chuckled slightly.
Aiyoku's face turned redder than the fire nation robes. As she pulled herself from Jet she turned to see her new professor.
He was quite young to be a professor. "I am Professor Kuei. I hope you will have a nice time in my class." He smiled warmly.
Aiyoku smiled sheepishly than sat down next to Jet.
With it already being two months into the year they were in the middle of a lesson. Aiyoku did her best to keep up. I guess I can barrow notes from Shu.
After class she said goodbye to Jet. With her nose in the map of the school she headed to the next class, The History of the Air Temples.
I think I'm lost. Aiyoku followed the map but had no idea where she was going. Then there was a flash of pink.
"Oh! Aiyoku are you lost?" Mokka asked stopping in front of a set of stairs. Aiyoku looked up from her map. "Yeah, I can't figure this out."
"That is so weird. I was just talking to you in Study Hall you headed toward Mystic Animals." she laughed. Aiyoku chuckled nervously back, she wasn't sure if she was allowed to tell people that she has a duplication spell.
"Yeah, I was then I remembered that I had to go to a new class today." she lied. Mokka nodded, "So what is the next class?" she looked at the papers in Aiyoku's hands. "Ah, that is my next class! Just follow me."
Mokka lead the way with her usual bounce in her step. She told Aiyoku about some of the stuff they've learned so far. She showed Aiyoku some of the paintings that were on the walls.
There were monks and flying bison and lemurs all over the walls. The colors were bright and warm with yellows, oranges and mahogany-brown.
"It's different then it is in the Shuǐ history hall." Aiyoku said in amazement at the beautiful artwork. "Really? You don't have paintings on the walls?" Mokka asked taken a back. Aiyoku shook her head, "No, we have paintings but there so cold looking." Mokka burst out laughed. "Aiyoku, the people of the Water Tribe lived in the North and South Poles. Of course it would be cold."
Aiyoku laughed along with her friend. Mokka walked along, "We are so late. Oh, Professor Ko Mae will understand." she giggled.
When they entered the class it looked like the inside of the Air Temples themselves. At the head of the class sat a bald man with a long beard of pure white. He like the other male professors for the Kōngqì house had a blue arrow on his scalp. He looked at the two girls as they entered and smiled.
"Avatar Aiyoku. What an honor it is to have you in my class. May I ask why is it that you two are so late?" He said bowing his head.
"Sorry Professor Ko Mae, we … well, I got lost and Mokka found me and helped me." Aiyoku said bowing back to the man. Aiyoku followed Mokka to her seat. These desks and chairs were different from the others. The chairs were pillows and the desks were so low they practically touched the ground.
"You'll get use to the tables, trust me." Mokka whispered. Aiyoku nodded.
During the lesson whenever Aiyoku didn't understand something Mokka would explain it to her; she caught on quickly.
Before lunch Aiyoku found her other self. "How was classes?" The original asked. The other shrugged. "Fine. Now that the deed is done I must be one." With a cracking sound the other disappeared.
Suddenly there was a flash of pictures going through her head, the memories of the last three classes swarmed her brain and flooded it with information like a water balloon. She was quick to notice how friendly Zuko was during the day. And the distance of her and Jet hit her like a brick.
Before her absences was realized Aiyoku quickly joined her friends at the Dining Hall. Though this time they were sitting at the Shuǐ table. She sat next to Mokka and Jet. "Why are we all sitting at this table?"
"We were asked to." Shu huffed.
Aiyoku cocked an eyebrow, "Really? By who?"
"The head of Shuǐ House, Professor Pakku." Mokka said.
"That's not fair to make all of you move."
"He said it was so you would sit at the Shuǐ table as some sort of, like, representative, or something like that." Jet sighed. Aiyoku pouted as she toke a bite of the chicken that appeared on her plate.
After lunch once again Aiyoku used the spell to double herself. The other went to Water Spells 101 and the original headed for her new class Fire Spells 101.
By the time she found the class room she was very nauseated at the idea of going into a class of fire monsters.
When she walked into the classroom everything was silent and all eyes were pointed at her.
"Ah, The Avatar. I was wondering when you'd be in my class." Said the man in front of the class. It was Professor Ozai, the Head of the Huǒ House.
Why am I not surprised. Aiyoku groaned.
"Come, sit here, Avatar." Ozai said pointing to the closest desk to him. "You'll sit next to my son."
Aiyoku had started walking to the desk, but when he said 'son' she froze. Her eyes widened as she spotted the scarred teen.
She did as she was told anyway and sat in the seat next Zuko. She looked over at him and smiled. He stared at the desk and didn't look up to respond.
When the class began Aiyoku was caught off guard. The spell they were working on was an explosion spell.
"Avatar, why don't you show us how this spell works." Ozai asked.
"Um, Professor, I have yet to learn how to access my fire spells. I should be taught that first." Aiyoku said.
Ozai glared at her in response. "Are you refusing to do as your professor asks, Avatar"
"I'm not refusing. I'm saying that since I just started today. How can I even attempt to do a fire spell? Not to mention it's my natural opposite." Aiyoku said hitting the desk.
"I will not tolerate backtalk in my classroom, Avatar." Ozai exclaimed.
"My name is Aiyoku." Aiyoku exclaimed standing up.
Ozai glared at her. "One more outburst and you'll be writing 'I will not backtalk my professor' 200 times for two weeks."
Aiyoku was about to say something when she felt a hand on her arm. She was pulled back into her seat. She looked over to see Zuko, still staring at the desk, take his hand off her arm.
After the class was over she had seen a demonstration of the explosion spell. When the class was dismissed she quickly headed for the door.
As she hit the hall she heard a familiar voice. "Please forgive my father."
When she turned around she saw Zuko. She looked at him confused.
"He doesn't like that you are the Avatar. He thinks since you're a girl and not from the Huǒ House you won't be able to live up to the tile." Zuko said.
Aiyoku looked at her feet. Well no wonder he was picking on he and singling me out.
"Here." Zuko handed a notebook to her. "It's notes on the spells we've learned so far. Study them; practice them. You can give it back whenever."
Aiyoku in shock took the notebook. "Why are you helping me?"
Zuko shrugged, "I don't know. Guess I'm the only Huǒ student who actually believes that you will succeed. But still a little helping hand won't hurt." He smirked.
"Thanks, Zuko." Aiyoku smiled.
Just before Zuko walked away Aiyoku thought she saw him blush a bit.
Okay, now time for my next … "Oh no! I forgot I have three classes right now. But there are only two of me." Aiyoku reached for the parchment that had the spell on it.
She looked at it for a moment. Then repeated it. Crack! Another Aiyoku appeared.
So I can do this more than once. Sweetness.
The original decided to go to Air Spells 101. The second other went to The History of the Fire Nation.
Looking at the map the original determined that the History class was down the the hall and pointed the way for the second other. Aiyoku headed for where the map said the spells class was.
Aiyoku groaned when she saw the class was up five flights of stairs. Not to mention the long halls in between.
Once the original Aiyoku got to the classroom she was exhausted. Aiyoku opened the door a crack and could hear wind blowing. When she opened the door she saw that the class was outside on the tower's balcony.
It was very easy to spot Mokka in the crowd of Kōngqì students
"Oh, Avatar Aiyoku. It's nice to see you in my class." Said the professor. It was Professor Gyatso the Head of the Kōngqì House. "If you would please come join us here we are learning the air scooter spell. It is a wonderful and fun way to get around."
Aiyoku smiled, I like this teacher.
Elsewhere, The second other headed for The History of the Fire Nation class. Stomach twisting again in fear of the next professor that she would have to face Aiyoku's other walked into the hall that lead to the room. The colors of many reds, oranges, blacks, dark browns and golds; the paintings of fire, dragons, Huǒ people and rocky-evil-looking terrain covered these uninviting walls.
When she walked into the class she saw that everyone did not stare this time. Thank god.
"Avatar Aiyoku. How wonderful to have you here please sit wherever you like." The man at the front said. He had white hair that was sticking out in every direction. He had two scars over his right eye. He had a thin long mustache and small white beard. He wore the usual red, dark brown and gold robes.
Aiyoku noticed even though he was alone, Zuko was being ogled by girls. She decided to have fun with the Huǒ demons and Zuko made for the perfect bait and hook.
"Zuko!" Aiyoku exclaimed and threw her arms around his neck. "Why is it that we have, like, every class together."
Zuko recoiled in the shock before he argued, "That is not true, Aiyoku."
Aiyoku sighed, "Zuko the only class we don't have together is our 2nd class. Other than that we have more classes together than me and any of my friends. Not even me and Jet have that many classes together." Aiyoku said smiling and tightening her hug.
Zuko pondered the thought then whispered, 'What are you doing?'
Aiyoku lowered her mouth to his ear, 'Just having fun with the other fire monsters and you.' she giggled.
Zuko pushed her off him. "Don't do that." Aiyoku laughed again.
During their little performance the class had begun and it was also clear that none of the girls there liked Aiyoku any more than they did before.
"Seems I didn't make any new friends, oh well." Aiyoku giggled and shrugged. Zuko rolled his eyes. "Oh, and thanks again for helping me. It's hard for me to play catch up, you know."
Zuko shrugged, "It's no problem."
"You know compared to your sister and her friends you are just a nice guy. I don't get it." Aiyoku said.
"It's complicated." Zuko sighed.
Aiyoku rolled her eyes. "I guess that's the 'bad boy' response for why they act the way they act. Boy, I know that all to well."
When they appeared in front of the Dueling and Defense class the second other told Zuko she'd be in after she found Don. When he went in the other two Aiyokus came and the original recited the reverse spell and there was a crack noise and only one Aiyoku was standing in the hall.
The memories of the other two classes rush into her head. When her head stopped spinning she walked into the class and stood next to Don.
The last two classes were no different then ever. It almost seemed boring compared to the day Aiyoku had been having.
When she went to her room to sleep she never thought she could be so exhausted in her life her head hurt; her feet were sore. The only thought she had was that she would have to do this everyday for the rest of the school year.
This whole Avatar thing is going to be hard. An Avatar's schedule … no human can do it for long.
As sleep took her she felt clarity about something what it was she wasn't sure about.