Got a full-time job. Life rules right now. =)

Prom Pt. I

"You are going to look…fabulous!"

"Sokka, please stop saying that." Aang didn't make eye contact.

"So…" The tailor working at the suit store looked at both of them with shifty eyes. "…is this for both of you?"

"Actually, it's just him." Sokka patted Aang's back. "Prom is coming up."

"Uh-uh. We get a lot of orders for that this time of year." He took out a roll of measuring tape and approached Aang. "Anything you prefer?" He began to measure his right arm.

"I…" Aang started, but Sokka interjected.

"Give him silk. And a vest underneath the blazer."

"What?" Aang's head turned quickly.

"Okay." The tailor smiled. "I'll be back with something that might be just right. One second." He disappeared into the back room, practically skipping.

"Sokka, I can't afford that! Not even for one night." Aang whispered, not wanting to offend the tailor.

"Aang, shh. Don't worry about it."

"Don't worry about it? Easy for you to say. I don't have a job."

"And I do." Sokka pulled out a roll of fifties and stuff them into Aang's hand. "So don't worry about it."

"What is this? I can't take this." Aang tried to give it back.

"It's just a little extra. Ya know, to buffer the sting of the cost of prom and what not."

"Dude, no. Seriously, take it back. I'd feel bad."

"No, no, no. You're taking it. You can still pay for whatever you want, but take some of this too. I want you too. My own prom cost me every penny that I had saved up when I went to it."

"That's because you took three girls to three different proms."

"And I was just as pimp then as I am now. Look, take the cash. This is just something I wish someone had done for me when I was in your slick black shoes. By the way, we gotta get you some slick black shoes."

"Sokka…" Aang smiled, "…I…this is really nice of you."

"I'm just trying to help you…ya know."

"Have good memories?" Aang smiled.

"Well, yeah. Of course. And…the other thing."

"What other thing?"

"You know."

"Um…dancing?"

Sokka paused. "…seriously?"

The tailor returned with two suits on his arm. Both black and shinny. "This one will really get you some attention."

"It's kind of flashy." Then Aang looked at the price tag. "What the fu-"

"It looks great. Can he try it on?"

"Sure. There is a changing room back there. But, only one person goes in at a time." The tailor coughed.

"Uh…well duh. We know that." Sokka said.

"Yes, well, I know that teenagers sometimes can get…I mean, I have no problem with…ya know, young couples of any kind…"

"WHAT?" Aang yelled.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hang on pal. We are not a couple."

"Oh. Well…uh…I am sorry. But you are paying for a suit. With him. And you are talking about prom night."

"Ha." Sokka laughed. "Yeah, I can see why you'd think that. But we aren't…"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"No, no. It's okay. No harm, no foul."

"Am I missing something?" Aang asked, face still red, awkwardly holding the silk suit.

Aang stepped out of the changing room in the rented tuxedo. It fit him well but didn't seem to match his demeanor. A life time of cheap clothes made the fancy silk an oddity on his skinny shoulders.

"So…what were you guys talking about before?" Aang asked. His necktie fumbled through his fingers.

"What?" Sokka asked him through the closed door.

"Earlier. You were talking about 'making memories' or something."

"Uh, yeah…about that. You know what happens on prom night, right?"

"Yeah. Dancing and expensive food. Lots of limousines and stuff like that"

"You think that is all?"

"Well, yeah. What else could there be?"

"Oh boy." Sokka face-palmed himself. "Okay, Aang…I think we gotta talk about something. It's not absolutely gonna happen, but there is a very good chance that it will…ya know what? I'll wait till you come out."

"Fine." With that, Aang walked outside of the changing room. His tie was tied loosely, his shirt wasn't tucked in and his vest was misbuttoned.

"You look like I do after a night of binge drinking." Sokka smirked, but then started straightening Aang's tie.

"So…about prom."

"Yeeeah. Okay, here is what happens…" Sokka whispered into his ear.

"…say that again?" Aang said, expressionless. Sokka repeated. Aang looked at him, then back at the ground.

Aang gradually started to hyperventilate.

"Aang, breath. It's no big deal." Sokka tried to assure him. "It's a good thing."

"I know, I know. It's just…whoa. This is…I mean, this is…BIG. Really big."

"Yeah, but if you make a big deal out it, it might not happen."

"What am I going to do!" Aang paced.

"Crap. I shouldn't have told you."

"Of course you should have told me. This is…this is huge! I mean, what if I mess up or she doesn't want to or if I have to do stuff but don't know when is the right time or whatever."

Sokka grabbed Aang and shook him till his head bobbed. "Get a hold of yourself man! Pull it together!"

Aang pulled Sokka off him, but calmed down. "I…am nervous." Aang sighed.

"Look, Aang all you have to do is just stay aloof."

"Oh, here we go."

"Practice maximum aloofness. Just act like you don't care."

"I do care!"

"She doesn't need to know that."

"What is going on in there?" The tailor heard them talking loudly. "I thought I told you two not to…"

"We aren't! He'll take the suit." Sokka said as he pushed Aang out of the room. Aang kind of froze up as Sokka paided the tailor, who still thought they were gay.

"Sokka…" Aang started.

"No." Sokka said. They had been driving in silence for five minutes.

"I didn't even say anything yet."

"I'm amazed you guys haven't done anything already."

"Well…it's hard sometimes."

"That's what she said."

"You're not helping."

"Yes I am. You can't over think these things. You do that a lot. Sometimes you just gotta say 'screw it' and just go with the flow. Actually, I think you should always do that, but that is just me. Look, you've got a great girl and all you gotta do is have a good time. Don't worry, just enjoy yourself. Laugh! And whatever happens, happens."

Aang paused. "Did you practice that?"

"I repeated it. My dad told me that last time he was state-side."

Aang sighed again. "Okay. I'll try to be calm."

Sokka glanced at him. "Buddy, she loves you. You got nothing to worry about. I'm sure you'll both have a wonderful time."

"Okay. Thanks Sokka." Aang smiled.

"No problem champ. Now let's get some jerky."

To Be Continued