Chapter 3: Fine

"Hello! How are you doing today?"

Azula shut the car door, a little too aggressively. "I'm fine."

"Is the temperature comfortable for you? Feel free to let me know if you'd like me to adjust the air conditioning or the music. I've also got snacks! I'm here to make your ride enjoyable, so just relax and – "

"Everything's fine." She knew she was being unreasonably snippy, especially at this total stranger who was driving her on the hotel's dime, but the last thing she wanted was to be told to relax. "Sorry…" She sighed. "I'm just in a bit of a hurry."

"Not a problem! Let's get to it then. Where are we headed today?"

"Umm…" She didn't even know. How pathetic. "…the nearest phone store? Hawk Wireless."

"You got it. There's one not too far away. We'll be there in no time."

"Great. Thanks."

"So… why do you need to go to the phone store?"

"Don't worry about it." Spirits, he was nosey. She really wanted to tell him it was none of his business.

"Well, I am worried. It's not every day I get a request from a hotel concierge. You know, I almost didn't even accept this ride. But she said you needed help. So here I am."

"I don't need help." She gritted her teeth, sensing his pity. She despised being pitied. "I'm fine."

"You keep saying that… but I just don't believe you."

She sucked in a deep breath. "I was robbed, okay? I'm stranded here alone in this stupid city without my phone and any money. But it's fine. I'm fine. Everything's fine."

"Spirits, I'm so sorry. That's terrible." He was quiet for a moment. "You know, it's okay to not be okay sometimes. You can talk to me about it if you want. I've been told I'm a pretty good listener."

"I really don't."

"That's fine," he chuckled. "Things might seem scary right now, but we're gonna get you all sorted out."

She nodded. Not that he could see that from the driver's seat.

Eventually, he pulled over in front of the Hawk Wireless store. As she stepped out of the vehicle, she heard the soft creak of his window.

"I'll be right here when you get out," he assured her.

It was the first time she had gotten a good look at his face, having only glimpsed the back of his head and the occasional flash of his blue eyes in the rearview mirror during the ride. He was really quite handsome. Young too, probably about her age.

"Thank you. You really don't have to do that. I'll be – "

"Fine, I know," he interrupted with a warm smile.

She smiled back self-consciously. Probably her first smile since the robbery. "Exactly."

"I know you'll be fine. But just in case anything unexpected pops up, I'll be here."

"If you say so." She turned to head into the store, but his voice called after her.

"The name's Sokka, by the way!"