So, there you go! There was no Internet connection to have indeed, but I don't need it to write. ^-^
There are a lot of chapters incoming, at least after I double-checked them. There is something I feel that it needs to be done, I just can't put my finger on it yet...
Anyway, third chapter for now! Have fun!
Back home, Mimi and mum are waiting for me already. Mum has made some tea and set up a game of Pai Sho. I know the rules, she knows the rules, and together, we're trying to teach them to Mimi, but my little brother isn't exactly interested. He's bored by it, and I believe him. He's just too energetic to sit down and push around Pai Sho tiles.
Which is why I end up playing against my mum while Mimi practices his firebending in the yard. I like the game, you need brains to play it, not brawns. Maybe, if I challenge Hide to a game of Pai Sho...?
"Haha, I won!" I state smugly, pushing one of my tiles forward and raising my arms cheerily. My mum smiles mildly.
"Nice move, sweetie. You're in such a good mood today, did something happen?"
My arms fall down immediately and I start twiddling my fingers, betraying fluttering nerves. My mum is not going to approve.
"Well, I sorta met that colonial girl at the market. She was very nice and I only talked to her for a short time, but... it made me really happy, you know? I think she could be an amazing friend."
Mum sighs. "Listen, Kami, I know it's not easy for you, but you shouldn't talk to the colonials. They are a bad influence. They..."
"I know, I know..." I cut her off surly. "They are thieves and beggars, and if they aren't, they are snobbish and lazy, and they poison the love we feel for our country. But mum, that's the point!" I pull at the skin beneath my eyes to emphasize their color. "I look like a colonial! What do you think how many people actually find me worth talking to? At least Kari didn't judge me by my face!"
"You were with a colonial?" my brother suddenly materializes next to the Pai Sho board. When did he enter the house? I don't have much time to wonder, because Mimi continues, "What if she led you into an ambush and robbed you?"
"Rob me of what?" I sigh exasperatedly. "My braid?"
"I don't know. But I know you can't trust those colonials. Maybe she's waiting for you to take your pocket money with you when you meet her!"
I run a hand through my hair, loosing some strands in the process. A part of me wants to believe in Kari, but what if Mimi is right? What if she's just taking advantage of my insecurities, like Hide does?
"Fine. I'll avoid her if I see her again."
"That's what I like to hear," my mum says proudly, reaching out to ruffle my hair. I'm not exactly sure whether I like it. It makes me feel all warm on the inside, causing me to giggle like a little girl, and that's both nice and embarrassing at the same time. And all the while my brother is beaming like the sun itself, probably happy to have prevented his big sis from doing something incredibly stupid.
They're right. Colonials cannot be trusted. But family can.
"I love you guys," I suddenly feel the urge to say. I wouldn't have thought that Mimi's smile can still broaden.
"We love you, too!" he proclaims, my mum not saying anything at all. She doesn't have to. Her own smile says everything. It makes me feel all fuzzy on the inside, at least for a moment. As soon as I snap out of it, I rub my hands, preparing for evil.
"So, who wants a loving butt-kick at Pai Sho?"
"I think you do, sweetie," my mum retorts. And that's a challenge!
I can't sleep during the night. I'm lying on my back, staring out the window at the stars above. I keep thinking about my current situation. About Hide, about Kuzon and Kari.
Even though I try my hardest to forget the colonial girl, she keeps drifting through my mind. In the dark silence of the night, it's hard to keep track of my thoughts and I wonder how much is true about the way everyone talks about colonials. She was nice. She didn't try to keep me around, that was my initiative. So gaining my trust couldn't have been her motive, right?
Unless she knew I'd stick around. I'm told I'm relatively easy to read, and then she could have used reverse psychology on me. Or maybe she really was just being nice because she is. Am I overthinking things? My brain ties itself up in a big knot just trying to make sense of everything.
And then, of course, Hide and Kuzon. There is something about Kuzon's behavior... I can't put my finger on it, but Hide is the kind of person you automatically shy away from. Kuzon just seemed completely oblivious. Maybe he is too dumb to live. Or maybe he's a teacher's pet as well? It would be an explanation how he can keep his belt headband on. Brr, what a disgusting thought! One of them is definitely enough!
Hmm, Hide is probably going to beat me up tomorrow, because I didn't wait for him and receive his homework. Great.
Again, I wish I were stronger. I wish I were a firebender. Instead, I'm a wimpy airbender, predestined to be dominated by those born to the fire. What did I do to deserve it?
What did I do?
"KAMI! WAKE UP!"
I jerk up and spot my brother standing at my bed.
"Mimi!" I gasp. After the initial shock is overcome, I notice he's already fully clothed and his school bag is slung over his shoulder, causing the shock to return full force. "Don't tell me I've slept in?"
"You did. Mum's wondering what's holding you up. I can't believe you're still asleep!"
Mind switched off by rising panic, I propel myself up with my arms. Turning around in mid-air, I smoothly land on both feet next to my bed and take off to my dresser.
"Hey, Kami! Calm down!" my brother calls me to order. "It's not so urgent that you have to resort to means so far beneath you!"
"What are talking about?" I ask, wondering if he could mean the vicious way I rip fresh clothing out of the drawers. Probably not? Wait... "I just used airbending, right?" I ask the question for which I actually don't need an answer. "To get out of bed."
"Well, I've certainly never seen anyone else just jumping up from a sitting position by using their arms. Normal people use their legs for that."
I roll my eyes and growl, "Yeah, and I'm not normal. Just keep rubbing it in!"
There is a short pause and I turn to face Mimi. He looks hurt.
"I'm sorry," he says, while I'm already feeling guilty for yelling at him.
"Me too."
"Don't be. Now hurry up, mum's waiting!"
"Okay." I hastily grab fresh underwear and my school uniform, then I rush to the bathroom for morning routine. My mum, thinking ahead, has assembled some vegetables and meat on two small wooden skewers for me to eat on the road. The vegetables aren't even overcooked for once and don't crumble to pieces. Hurray!
I gulp down the food and throw the skewers into the next trash can. My stomach doesn't like eating and running at the same time, but I don't have much of a choice. Can't afford being late!
It's a close call, but I'm on time to throw down my satchel and pant the Fire Nation oath together with my classmates. Once finished, I remain standing while the others sit down, so I can bow to Mr. Gao and apologize for missing out on it. Luckily, Mr. Gao is somewhat relaxed in that way and dismisses the whole thing as a one-time slip-up. After all, I'm usually in school ten minutes before the lessons start.
We have biology and history and in between, I make a point of apologizing to Mr. Gao again. Mostly because it's an excuse to hang around him during break time and be safe from Hide. I'm dreading the break between the second and third period, though, since the students are send out the yard for this one. And no teacher in the hallway. I try sneaking out with the crowd. Sometimes, it works.
Today is not one of those times. A hand is placed on my shoulder, causing me to freeze up. "Where do you think you're going, airhead?"
The kids who notice send me pitiful glances, before turning away and pretend they didn't see anything, lest they be next. A pang of anger rushes through my veins, but it's quickly snuffed out. I wouldn't behave any other way.
Well, here goes nothing. I face Hide, trying to look braver than I actually am. And failing miserably. I hunch my shoulders and hang my head low, staring at my shoes. This is humiliating!
"Looking ashamed now, huh?" Hide sneers. Out of the corner of my eyes, I detect a fist coming from the left and automatically raise an arm to deflect it. A mistake. The blow is just a faint, intended to direct my focus away from my feet, which are promptly swept from under me. I barely manage to keep my airbending from activating itself and cushion the fall, so my rear crashes to the ground painfully. Revealing that curse to Hide would be just the thing to perfect my misery. And it's bad enough as it is.
I look up fearfully. Hide raises a hand, palm up. A little flame springs to life and a gasp escapes my lips. The corners of Hide's mouth lift into a smug smile.
"You're lucky that I have a colonial to take care of. I won't be this kind the next time you try to give me the slip," the tall boy threatens. I can only nod, my eyes glued to the flame. So destructive and yet so beautiful. It keeps me from thinking straight, all I know is that I really really don't want it to lick at my uniform. Or anywhere, actually. That flicker of light promises a world of hurt far exceeding anything I've been through yet.
Suddenly, Hide closes his fist, essentially quenching the fire. Without wasting another word, he strides out of the classroom, leaving me in a wheezing, trembling heap.
Don't cry, Kami!, I tell myself over and over again. Don't cry!
Uhm, so much for that. I don't really like describing this kind of scene from a first person POV. Fear usually switches the brain off, which makes a realistic depiction hard. I tip my hat at anyone who manages. u.u
Well, hope you enjoyed anyway~