Chapter Five: Peach-eyed, Damnations and Animosity (PDA).

"You're literally the cutest!"

"Your hands are so soft? Do you use moisturizer?"

"Your hair's so soft!"

"I bet you're the smartest person here!"

Aang turned red at the attention. He wasn't used to being present in a lot of people's consciousness at once. The only times he was ever thought about generally was when Earth Kingdom towns ran him out for being an Air Nomad. Other than that, he was pretty much invisible. He'd gotten used to living amongst the crowd that grabbing the crowd's attention scared him.

After escorting Toph to her class, he made his way to his. He expected to be in the 9th grade but was bumped up to the 12th because apparently, that was where he belonged. He didn't argue with the admissions officer because he couldn't care less what grade he was assigned, so far he got to attend school with his best friend.

With the help of bitter students and curt replies, he found his class. He'd heard through badly whispered gossip that his class, 4B, was reputable for housing the school's most powerful, wealthiest, and sometimes smartest seniors. He'd heard the name "Azula" repeatedly, said in a fearful and glorifying manner. The students seemed to fear her but love her at the same time. How those two emotions went hand-in-hand? He had no idea.

He stood nervously in front of the tinted glass door, inhaling and exhaling shakily. This would be the second school he attended in his entire life. The first one was when he still lived in the Temple. It was a communal learning environment that was available to anyone, regardless of age or gender, to learn. After his shameful departure from the temple, he hadn't really attended school. The only form of education he practiced was accompanying Toph to school everyday, doing her homework, and that of her seniors. It became kind of like a business for him – or rather, Toph. Students would pay him (Toph) to complete their assignment, projects and whatever form of schoolwork. He only did not gain money, but also expanded on his knowledge. That was probably what made him so smart.

Never attending real school like a normal kid, with only circled classes of different ages as experience, made him feel out of place in this environment of kids his age and proper learning patterns.

He sighed and slid the door open.

Earsplitting silence followed suit, all eyes turned to him, and he held his breath. His smile betrayed the anxiety he felt and he recoiled from all the judgmental gazes.

Monkeyfeathers! He inwardly cursed and flashed a toothy grin to hide his self-conscious feeling.

He scanned the classroom, trying to avoid looking back at the soundlessly still students who just stared at him unimpressed. Just then, his eyes met – by accident – a shade of peachy burnt orange ones. If those weren't the most unusual eyes he'd ever seen, then he didn't know what was.

A cold gaze that pierced through his self-esteem, filling him a feeling of foreboding. The person didn't blink, eyes like fiery ice, giving him a dominating, controlling look – or they both blinked at the same time. He wanted to look away but the eyes were tantalizing, drawing him with every jerk or shift of the eccentrically coloured orbs. He couldn't. He wanted to, but he just couldn't. It was near impossible.

But it wasn't impossible.

He awkwardly averted his gaze and looked towards the small population of well dressed students. The smile that he didn't know had faltered, returned and he introduced himself.

His name seemed to intrigue them because as soon as he said it, all the students – majorly female – overwhelmed him with their compliments and cheek pinches. They had led him to a seat in the middle and forced him down, playing with his short hair and touching him all over. He smiled sheepishly at their displays of affection, subtly pushing their arms off himself.

"Um, I'd rather you not—

He tried protesting but was cut off with more questions and compliments than he could count being thrown at him.

"So, Aang~" one dragged. "How old are you?"

"Yeah, you don't look like you're supposed to be in this class? Are you lost?" another asked, playing with the tip of her ponytail.

Aang chuckled nervously. He was getting more than uncomfortable now. "Um, I'm four—

He was cut off again but this time by an authoritative voice that spoke loudly. "Alright girls! Play time's over, scram!"

As the girls scrambled away, he sighed and released the breath that choked him since he stepped foot into this class. He looked up to thank his defender and met those eyes again. The ones that enticed him a bit too much for his good. Their eyes met and they lingered, observing each others eyes before one spoke up.

"You. Explain yourself." Her voice was domineering. And kind of attractive, he thought.

A commanding voice for commanding eyes and a beautiful face, free of blemishes. Her face reminded him of Katara. But her features were stronger, sharper than Katara's soft ones. They were both flawlessly beautiful girls with features only unique to each of them. He'd describe Katara as beautiful and cute and this girl as bewitching and hard.

He stuttered, avoiding her eyes. They scared him and intrigued him at the same time. It was an uneasy feeling. "Uh, I'm- I'm um, I'm Aang. I was told this was my class."

Azula stifled a smirk. "You're new."

Aang nodded slowly, still avoiding her piercing gaze.

Finally, she let herself smirk fully. A plan had played in her mind. She looked at the younger boy skittish in her hands and potentially in her control. The boy that looked exactly like her best friend, the boy that commanded the attention of everyone in the class without having to wear a look of impertinence. The boy who had the audacity to not wear his hair in the traditional topknot. The boy whose sparkly grey eyes she couldn't get enough of – it irked her how she loved staring into them. Ty Lee had those same eyes, why didn't she find hers so captivating?

The boy with the eyes, Aang. She wanted him in her possession, as part of her entourage. She found him valuable for some reason. Like he could be used as a trump card, a secret weapon later in her life. She didn't know in what scenario? When or why she'd felt that way, she had no idea, but whatever it was, she wasn't going to let it fly by. This non-Fire Nation looking boy would be of great significance to her later. She knew it.

The peach-eyed beauty leaned on his desk and gestured to her golden badge. "Azula, head girl."

The bell rang and students shuffled out of their classrooms in an orderly manner. Katara released a sigh of relief as she distanced herself from the classroom she'd been trapped in for three long hours. A break was what she needed along with food. Food was a necessity.

After putting away her blue backpack, she trudged to the cafeteria. She entered the large room among the bustling students that chatted about, she spotted a certain green-eyed beauty. Something between a smirk and a frown played on her lips as she debated whether to approach the girl or not.

The black-haired freshman sat alone on an empty table, feeling for her straw before guiding it into her mouth and taking a sip of juice.

Alone? Why's she alone? Katara thought. Where's Aang? As she remembered him, all her reasons for sitting with Toph were suddenly nullified and she turned to her heel, ready to avoid all encounters with him.

Except she ran directly into him.

Rushing out of the cafeteria, she accidentally ran into him, pushing him slightly and causing the person he was walking with to stumble.

She gasped and stared at him for not more than three seconds before apologizing frantically. She bowed bashfully and turned to his walking partner. As she laid eyes on the familiar orange ones, she scowled. How? What? Why?

Her eyes darted from Aang and back to Azula, as if she were searching for an explanation for why they were together. Her eyes finally landing on Aang, all her feeling of embarrassment replaced by that of inexplicable anger.

Why was he with Azula? More importantly, why did that snake have such a smug expression on? It was just his first day, there was no way he'd already acquainted himself with her. She had to get him away from her. She had to protect him from Azula's manipulative tactics. He probably thought she was a good person, just like the rest of them. He probably thought Azula was just like her: nice and— wait, was she even nice? Would a nice person shy away from doing the right thing?

No, not now Katara. She reminded herself.

"Oh, hey Katara." Aang said quietly, avoiding her blue orbs.

She smiled lightly. "Hey Aang." She stole a quick glance at Azula who was oddly quiet, watching the two of them barely converse.

Aang gestured to Azula, a smile finally playing on his gentle features. Katara noticed that he didn't smile at her but to that- that- that one!

"This is Azula. She's my classmate and," he looked softly at Azula. "Friend." He finished.

Katara gaped at him. Impossible! She screamed in her head. How? Why? What?! She didn't take him for the gullible type. Azula must've have deceived him, she concluded. There was no way Aang would willingly add Azula to the short list of friends he had. When she wasn't even on that list.

Azula smiled back at him. Her voice came out sweeter, less dominating that it usually was. What was this façade? "I told you Aang. I don't just want us to be friends."

Aang rolled his eyes playfully. "And I told you, I don't know what you mean by that."

The hell?! Katara flared. This bitch! She gritted her teeth and glared daggers at the black-haired dictator exchanging pleasant looks with the boy that – that was meant to be her friend.

Azula eyed Katara slowly then flashed Aang another smile. "Who's this?"

What?! This was getting on Katara's nerves seriously now. What was Azula playing at? Why was she acting like this in front of Aang? What was her goal? And how dare her act as if she didn't know who she was?

Aang faced Katara, his soft smile faltering slightly. It felt like a pang on her heart. "This is Katara. My, um," he delayed. He searched her eyes as if he were trying to find the name of their relationship.

Friend, say friend. Katara begged inwardly.

"We met earlier today. She's really nice."

Pang! She nearly tumbled over. She'd just been damned to be nothing. He didn't see her as a friend. He saw her as just 'someone he met'. It hurt. It hurt badly. Why though? She didn't even know him at all. Plus, she'd been mean to him earlier anyway. She shouldn't give a shit about him. But she did. She wanted to know him so bad. She wanted to be called his friend by all means. And no, it wasn't because Azula had become his friend. It was because since she first met him four hours ago, something stirred up in her that she couldn't explain. She wanted to explore that unknown feeling a bit more, which was why she needed his friendship. She also thought him appealing.

No, she wasn't going to give up. She wasn't going to lose to Azula either. Azula had bewitched his innocent mind and she had to free him.

"Nice to meet you." Azula smiled at her. Tch! I'll wipe that fucking smile off your face, bitch! Katara cursed again.

As much as it pained her, as much as it conflicted her and as much as she loathed it, she smiled back at Azula. Her smile was crooked but it was the best she could muster. She wasn't one for faking smiles.

She turned to Aang and an apologetic look spread on her face. "Aang, I'm so so so sorry for earlier. I was being insensitive and I didn't think. I was such an idiot. I should've—

Aang stopped her, placing a lanky hand on her shoulder. What did that gesture mean? "Hey, it's fine. You were just shocked and I can't blame you. It's okay, I forgive you." Then finally, he smiled at her. A real one. That genuine one that he gave her when they first met, it returned to his lips.

A wave of relief washed over her and it was like a burden has been lifted off her back. She didn't know how heavily the guilt and regret of earlier weighed on her. She felt freer. "Thank you." She whispered, returning the smile. She opened her arms. "Hug it out?"

Aang nodded and embraced her gently. She instantly relaxed into his arms, sighing contentedly. He was warm and welcoming. They remained like that for a while, hugging affectionately at the wide entrance of the cafeteria, ignoring an exasperated Azula.

Azula coughed, gaining their attention finally. Her fake smile wavering. Aang released Katara, mumbling an awkward apology. She smiled warmly at him, muttering, "It's okay."

Now they were free to be friends, she thought. But that didn't satisfy her.

Azula

"What does Azula think she's doing?"

Ty Lee sat cross-legged on the soft cushioned bench, eminently segregated from the rest of the students, a frown staining her dainty face. She folded her slim long arms, jealousy written all over her face.

She watched from the table as Azula and Aang conversed with that Water Tribe lowlife. She expected the conversation to be curt and for Azula and that new guy to be back by now. Why were they taking so long? Why did they exchange pleasant glances as if, as if they were friends?

She was Azula's closest friend. She was Azula's best friend. She knew Azula best. And she knew how long it took her to get a smile and approval from Azula. Why was she being easy for this boy?

She'd been her friend since they were six years old. They gossiped together. They bullied together. They laughed together. They were like two peas in different pods. Her with the nice, bubbly, submissive and welcoming attitude and Azula with the hard, uncompassionate, deceitful and dominating attitude. They balanced each other out. Azula didn't need any other friends apart from her. They usually walked to the cafeteria together, ate together and talked together – without a third-party.

But now, Azula had taken a strange liking to this new guy, who also happened to have her face, and she felt discarded, left out…abandoned! Azula laughed with him, let him in so easily, why?

After what felt like hours of glaring at the three teens, her expression softened as they walked away from the Water Tribe girl. Finally, she sighed.

It hardened again at the sight of Azula taking the boy by the hand.

Pang! She'd just been usurped of her position as Azula's best friend. Her heart ached at the sight of them holding hands. Why was Azula doing this to her? Why was she betraying her like this? The only person to hold Azula's beautiful hands was her. Ty Lee!

"Looks like you're being replaced." Mai's voice said, trying to snicker.

Ty Lee pouted angrily at her expressionless friend but didn't say anything because it was true. Azula had found another cute grey-eyed partner. Her tenure was over. She'd been dishonorably discharged. Her expression saddened as Azula sat the boy down…by her side!

She ordered their lunch and gently slid Aang his perfectly presented meal, that knowing smirk never departing her lips. Azula watched him eat, engaging in an annoying small talk as she ignored she and Mai's presence completely.

Ty Lee coughed unnecessarily loudly, gaining the attention of not only those at her table but the whole cafeteria. She giggled nervously at the embarrassment and ignored the silence. She looked at Azula, her smile bright.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" she gestured to Aang. The new guy was in Azula's class, although it seemed quite odd that a boy his age was in the senior class.

Azula set down her cup of tea and placed a slender arm on Aang's shoulder. "This is Aang. He's my classmate and newest friend…or at least that what he calls me." She looked into his deep grey eyes. "I just don't want us to be friends."

Aang and Azula were trapped in each others gazes, no one moving an inch. He was enticed by her burnt peach eyes and she was lost in his dark grey orbs. Azula then shut everyone out, imagining only her and Aang in the room, speechless and enjoying each others presence.

There's something about him, she thought. Without thinking, she began leaning in, ready to lock lips with him. She leaned in closer and their lips brushed, then suddenly, she heard her name being called and their secluded space was broken.

She found herself back in the cafeteria and Aang awkwardly averting his eyes elsewhere, breaking their everlasting gaze.

"Azula?" Ty Lee gave her a worried look, leaning forward and over the table. Azula wasn't the type to just zone out of a conversation. She was alert and assertive, not lost and slow. What was this new guy doing to her?

Azula blinked and stared back at Ty Lee. She fixed her expression and replied, "As I was saying, he's new and I want us to give him the best experience and Caldera Academy."

Mai just shrugged, ignoring Azula's strange behaviour. After exchanging several dissatisfied glances, Ty Lee leaned back and accepted Azula's explanation. For now.

Aang was doing something to this girl. Was it planned? How could he just swoop in and steal her best friend and trick her into forgetting herself mid-convo? Ty Lee officially disliked him. No she didn't dislike him.

She hated him.

A/N

The next chapter will focus on all the characters I've introduced so far.

Thanks for reading. I'd love some feedback 3