A. N. : Writing Aang isn't exactly easy to me, especially now that he isn't under as much stress. Positive characters are hard. Die-hard optimistic characters who refuse to give up their faith in the world are even harder. (I'm more of a 'imagine the worst case so you won't be disappointed' person myself.)

Aang is in school.

He has never been in one before, has no idea what to expect – and isn't that exciting ?

For the first time in forever, he feels like a normal kid.

At the Air Temple, there was no school – or not like that at least. One of the masters would stand in front of everyone and tell a story – sometimes about the old gurus, sometimes about spirits, sometimes about something else entirely. And everyone would listen, other masters included. Or sleep, that happened too. The stories weren't all very interesting.

There weren't many books, not like here, and especially not when the master was talking. What was said orally was more important than any written thing. Not to say there was no writing but – it just wasn't used except to communicate with the outside. And in really old texts that the monks copied and used to teach reading.

And yet, even though things aren't the same, Aang keeps being reminded of how things were. And it hurts, but it also feels nostalgic. Good memories of things he won't live again, people he won't meet again – but he still has the memories, and he cherishes them.

The teacher told him to sit and hasn't called him since. Aang doesn't think she likes him too much, but she isn't being mean and she actually teaches well. Right now they're learning about how the capital was built – in a volcano ! How cool is that ? He'll have to ask Zuko about it.

Right. Zuko. Aang isn't quite used to him being here yet, but it's nice. Even though Aang has so many questions – Katara told him the basics but there's still a lot he doesn't understand. Like the baby – Lin. Her name is Lin. Or Fire Turtle since that's how Toph calls her. He wonders why.

Oh and there's Jet too, who is not only there, but is also friends with Zuko. Although he calls him Li. And he disappeared, which is how Aang got enrolled in school while looking for him. Aang hopes the others found him because there's no way this is going to end well otherwise. Or – maybe Jet changed now that he's friend with Zuko and he just got lost. Yeah. That'd be good.

Aang wants to believe people can change. All people have the potential to be good, and just because they got lost on the way doesn't mean they are irredeemable. That's true for Zuko, that's true for Jet, and that's even true for the Fire Lord – even if making him change won't be easy, that's for sure.

Yes, Aang is angry and sad, but hate never solved a thing. He wants to believe – in people, in life, in the potential for change in everything. The sky is never even once the exact same, and neither are people. That's what the monks used to say, and Aang chooses to believe them.

That way hope is never lost.

The class ends too early to Aang's taste. He would've loved to learn more. And make more noodle portraits.

It's better for Momo though – the second they're outside and no one looks at them, Momo puts his head out of the shirt and closes his eyes, feeling the air. Aang would do the same, but a girl sees them – ooops – and tells him he should hide his – monkey. Sorry Momo.

Aang smiles. The girl – On Ji – is pretty nice, and she even likes his headband. Well, she likes Kuzon's headband. Aang is sure Kuzon would appreciate if he was here.

Speaking of which – what happened to him anyway ?

That's one more thing to add to the things to do after the world is saved list, Aang supposes – said list also includes trying to find other airbenders because surely some of them fled and hid, asking Katara out, and learning how to play the tsungi horn correctly. Among other things.

On Ji has a boyfriend apparently. That's nice. Or it would be if he – Hide – didn't looks so mean. Sort of like Jet before, arrogant and all that, except On Ji doesn't even seem to like him. That's weird. Why would you go out with someone you don't like ?

At least Jet appeared to be nice and made efforts for that – until he didn't and blew up the dam and tried to kill Aang and Sokka and all these people. Eh… maybe it's best that Hide only has the same the world belongs to me attitude and not also the lying eyes.

It would be even better if he had neither and was popular and nice, but Aang can't really do anything about that, so there's no point focusing on it.

Let the things you can't change flow without fazing you, like the summer breeze. Or if the wind is strong enough to push you around, go with the flow and wait for better days.

Hide's attitude is the first case, and Aang smiles at him.

Another boy arrives – Shoji, he says he's called – and he seems surprised Hide didn't hurt Aang. Beginner's luck, probably – Shoji laughs at that. He seems like a nice person. That's good.

He offers to play hide and explode with Aang and – Aang remembers the days with Kuzon, chasing him around, or never being able to find him because he was just that good at hiding.

Aang accepts.