Authors note: Some of the words in a different language in this story are in Cherokee & Potawatomi and will be translated at the bottom of the chapter and hinted meanings will be in the sentences.

Chapter 8 Kowabtan

As the week progressed there was a break in the tension between the majority of the Local school population against the minuscule handful of natives. This was mostly due to the news of the huge Friday beach party that almost everyone was attending.

It was after classes and Katara took Suki to her house where she planned to sleep over for the weekend.

"I'm so excited for tonight. I didn't know what to wear so I packed a lot." Suki laughed. She wasn't exaggerating either. She had rolled around a mini suitcase all day at school full of clothing for this one party.

Katara joined her laughing. "If you're missing anything, I have tons of stuff you can borrow."

Arriving to the residential area used mostly by the natives, Suki looked around in awe. She admired the way the trees kept the area shady and how its leaves hung over many roofs, almost making it seem that the homes were part of nature. It was different in comparison to her neighborhood were many trees were cut and replanted in a more organized manner.

Katara opened her front door and was greeted by her mother who sat by the kitchen window reading. Kaya's warm smile reached her eyes as the girls walked in.

"Hello." She said to Suki.

"Mom, this is Suki."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Katara's friend from school."

"Are you? How nice. Are you two going to start getting ready? It's almost four."

"Yeah, we are. Come on Suki, let's change in my room."

Katara led her to her spacious and beautifully decorated room with an amazing view of the ocean from the window at her bedside.

"Whoa." Suki was stunned. "This place is amazing." She walked to a woven blanket hung up on the wall. "Is this handmade?"

"That? Yes, my gran-gran made it for my mom when my parents got married." She explained. "So let's see what you brought."

"Ok. Check it out. Shall I model for you?" Suki laughed. She excitedly showed off her tops first but all seemed too dressy for the beach.

"They're really cute," Katara began, "but we're surfing too aren't we? If I were you I wouldn't want to get those shirts wet."

Suki's face fell. "That's true. I forgot."

"That's ok. I can lend you one of mine. Your shorts are fine though." Katara looked through her dresser and then closet before pulling out a blue v-neck tank top with a see-through cream colored woven back. "This matches your shorts."

"This is cute! Is it really ok to use it?"

"Yeah of course."

Suki gave her a quick hug and then started changing with her bikini underneath.

Katara left the room to give her privacy and to find her wetsuit. She reentered her room with the suit on and Suki gave her a confused look.

"You're wearing that?"

She looked down at the suit. "Yeah. I always do."

"But why? You should wear a bikini with me." Suki encouraged.

Katara looked away uncomfortably. "Actually… I don't own one. I never liked them."

"What? Why?"

She sighed. "it's a stupid reason."

"You can tell me. We're friends, aren't we?" When Suki saw she wasn't giving in she added, "I'll tell you my own secret after. Then we'll both have something against each other."

"Alright, but don't laugh or tell anyone."

Suki smiled widely. "Promise!"

Katara sat on her bed. "The truth is that I feel ugly with a bikini on. I had one years ago and the boys all teased me saying I didn't have the body for it. Even to this day they say I'm doomed to only using a wetsuit because I'll look like a boy wearing girl clothes. But I feel more comfortable with the suit on. So it's ok."

"No it's not! How could they lie to you? Katara you're so beautiful! You're going to look amazing tonight because I'm lending you one of my bikini's. And I'm not taking no for an answer."

Suki forced Katara into the bathroom to change. She came out wearing a long thing black skirt with blue flowers printed on it with a black top that revealed stomach. It was sleeveless with black straps from the bikini shown wrapping around her neck as though it were part of the shirt. She wore her wavy hair down with a decorative white flower clip that matched the red borrowed one that Suki wore.

Suki looked at her with a proud smirk across her face and said, "those boys won't know what hit them."

"Wait Suki! Before we leave, what was your secret? We made a deal."

"Oh that. It's nothing really. Except, well, I was going to ask for your help about that tonight. I guess I sort of fell for your brother."

"What?!"

Suki blushed and held her arm like a wounded solider. "He's cute. And sensitive. There's just something really attractive about him. Even if he likes the princess. I can like him too, can't I? I just want to get to know him better."

Katara rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, I don't really know what to say, but if you're really serious about him then I guess I can try."

Suki reached for another hug. "Thank you."

Sokka and Haru laid shirtless on the beach beside their boards. They watched the ferry dump a large crowd of teens who came joining the already large amount of people on the beach. Jet, along with his crew, approached Sokka.

"Isn't this a great turn out? Crazy, huh?"

"It's crazy alright." Sokka agreed.

Haru crossed his arms. "Probably wont be that much fun either."

"Lighten up. If you don't like it then leave." Jet said bluntly. The two weren't always very friendly and today was no different. With a swift motion of his hand, he signaled to his old friend Chan, who sat waiting behind a large stereo, to start the music they had hooked up to speakers. "Let's get this party started."

Author's note:

It's been a while since I wrote anything to this story. I've been so busy with my new classes that I had no time to write. To make up for it here are two chapters.

Review and leave opinions/criticism. Feedback is very important to me.

Translation

Kowabtan: Let's see