Tales of Ba Sing Se High Chp 7

Chapter 7: Good Morning...Or Not

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Katara's POV


I woke up this morning with a big smile on my face. I kept thinking about what Toph said yesterday.

"You could end up teaching Zuko…"

Wow... I wonder what it would be like to teach him. How could I even concentrate on the lesson with him right beside me? I bet all I would be able to concentrate on is his face...and his hair...and his smile...and his big biceps...and how his scar makes him look so rebellious...and his eyes. Oh, those hypnotic golden eyes... They could make anyone swoon. It's a wonder he was still single.

Wait a minute, who said he was? For all I know, he could have a Fire Nation girlfriend waiting for him back home. But if he did have a girlfriend, why was he flirting with me? Oh god, he can't be one of those guys, can he? Well, why am I so sure he was flirting? Maybe he was just really friendly...

Damn. I have to stop thinking about him so much now or I'll be late for school. I just have to think positive...but not too positive.

I got up from bed, took a shower and brushed my teeth. I put on my baby blue and white striped tank top and my dark blue cardigan. I decided to wear my denim shorts and black flats today to give myself that studious but fun student look. After all, I could still be meeting Zuk – er...someone hot today. I still dressed for success. I brushed my hair until I was content with its waviness and put my loopies in place. After a quick swipe of lip gloss, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs to grab a bite to eat. When I walked in the dining room, I saw Sokka, Toph and Aang already eating.

Toph and Aang live next door. The Air Nomads provided a house for Aang when he moved here. Since he was alone in the house, he invited Toph to stay with him. Nevertheless, they're still here all the time, not that it bothers me. It's nice actually. I feel like they're my brother and sister. Plus it's always nice to see Toph humiliating my brother.

I don't hate Sokka or anything. Somebody just has to put him in his place once in a while. I'm glad it's not me. I'm having enough trouble as it is trying to tolerate the stench coming from his room. He should have a biohazard warning hung up on his door.

"Good morning, everyone!" I said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Took you long enough..." Sokka said with his mouth full of waffles.

"I'm sorry but some of us here actually take a shower before we go to school. Are you even familiar with that term?" I smirked, taking a bite out of an apple.

"Hey, I shower every morning!"

"Could have fooled me..." said Toph, eating her cereal

"I can prove it!" Sokka stood up and walked in between Toph and Aang. "Smell me! Come on!"

"Sokka, please," Aang said, wincing "We're eating!"

"Just do it! I don't smell!"

"Snoozles, go back to your seat before I take your waffles."

Sokka rushed back and blocked his plate from Toph protectively.

"NO! My waffles...mine" He glared at Toph who just smirked in return.

I took the last bite from my apple and waited for my friends to finish.

"Hurry up, guys. We're going to be late!"

"Chill, Katara. It's still early." said Toph

"Yeah, we still have 45 minutes left and it's only a 20 minute walk to school."

We said goodbye to Gran-Gran and started walking to school."

"I know what this is all about." said Toph. "I know why she's all excited and happy about going to school today..."

"And what might that reason be?" I said

"Let's just say someone's excited for school because someone is tutoring someone today and that someone might be the one she wants that someone to be." She beamed proudly.

God, that kid is smart. Or am I just that obvious?

"I don't get it." said a confused Aang

"I'll make it simple for you, Twinkletoes. She wants to go to school early because she wants to see the person she's going to be tutoring and that person might be Zuko."

"Oh yeah! Nice one, Toph."

"Whatever, guys." I said. "Let's just make it fast."

We spent the rest of our walk to school listening to Sokka's bad jokes. I swear, that was the worst 20-minute walk of my life. At one point, I was ready to dig a hole and bury myself in the dirt forever.

I just hope that Toph's right about the tutoring thing.

~~

Zuko's POV


"Good morning, nephew."

The sound of my Uncle Iroh's voice woke me up from my sleep. I rolled over and saw him peeking from my doorway and smiling.

"Rise and shine, Zuko. You'll be late for school."

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Great, another day in school...

"Oh, and please put some clothes on..."

I blushed and looked down at my boxers. Could you blame me for sleeping in my underwear? It was really hot here and there's no one around anyway. He chuckled and left me alone to get ready.

I walked to my mirror and took a good look at myself. I looked really groggy. My hair was messy, just the way I like it. I think I needed a tan. My body's really pale... Note to self: go to the beach soon...Unless Katara likes pale guys...

Oh right! I'm getting that tutor today. I really hope I won't get a freak teaching me. I seriously won't be able to learn anything. I hope it's Katara... I don't think I'll be able to learn anything too but that's for an entirely different reason...

I would drown in her enchanting azure eyes... I've never seen anyone with eyes like hers. I would imagine myself holding her and burying my face in her wavy brown locks... My heart would skip a beat whenever I would hear her sweet voice...

But those eyes... They definitely took the cake. I sighed, thinking about how beautiful she is.

Oh right, I have to get ready for school.

I brushed my teeth and showered. I put on my red shirt and black shorts that ended below my knees. I wore my sneakers and a hoodie. Even if it was hot outside, it was really cold in the library. I didn't want to be shivering all throughout my session. I tousled my hair a little and I was good to go.

I ran to the dining room and saw my uncle sipping his tea at the table.

"Would you like some ginseng tea?" he said

"No, thank you, Uncle. I'll just eat my toast."

I really appreciate my Uncle Iroh being here with me. When my father sent me away, he offered to stay with me. He even bought a house near the school so I would be completely comfortable. On top of that, he cleans and cooks for me. Sometimes I wonder... what if I was his son instead?

I spread some butter on my toast and ate it slowly.

"Is something bothering you, nephew?"

"Nothing..."

"I know that look, Zuko. Tell me..."

"I'm failing Literature..."

"Oh, dear...Does your father know?"

"No. Luckily, Mr. Pakku decided to help me with it. I'm getting a student tutor today."

"That's good. What worries you then?

"I might get a weirdo for a tutor, Uncle. I really need to pass. I can't fail my father again... Not again..."

I hated thinking about my father. I didn't hate him. It's just that whenever I think of him, I remember how much of a failure I am in his eyes.

"I know that even if you get a 'weirdo' for a tutor," he said, making air quotes, "you will still pass. You're not stupid, Zuko."

"I know, Uncle..."

I stood up and started to leave for school.

"Thank you, Uncle. I better go to school now."

I was about to step out the door when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Remember Zuko," he said, with a small smile, "keep a balance between your mind and your heart. Without it, you will only end up getting hurt."

I smiled and nodded. That's one of the things I loved about my Uncle. I never needed to tell him anything. He always just knew.

It was a short walk from the house to the school, only 15 minutes. I went to my locker and fixed my things inside. I really have to clean this up more.

Suddenly, I heard a voice that chilled me to bone...

"Why, hello Zuzu... Miss me?"

Azula... She hasn't changed a bit. She still wore her hair down, with a small topknot. She was wearing a red tank top, black jeans and red sandals. She still had that annoying smirk on her face. It pissed me off like anything.

"Azula? What are you doing here?" I felt my blood boiling.

"Oh, nothing. Dad just sent me to see how you're doing." She said with an evil look.

"I'm doing fine. You can go now."

"I'm afraid not, Zuzu. I'm here to stay..."

"What? Why!"

"Dad wants to make sure you're not out here embarrassing him even more... Naturally, he sent me. After all, he does love me more than he loves you."

God... She knew where to hit me where it hurts the most...

"Shut up. Just leave me alone, okay?"

"Are you sure? I brought Mai and Ty Lee with me..."

"So?"

"Don't you want to see Mai?"

"Why would I want to see her?"

"Oh please, Zuzu... I know you like her..."

"I liked her... Not anymore."

"What a pity..." she said, not even sounding like she actually did care. "You were so perfect for each other..."

"Yeah, whatever." I started to walk away but she kept blocking me.

"Could there be someone else?"

I just glared at her. I didn't think she needed to know about Katara. She'll just ruin it for me.

"Make sure you introduce her, Zuko. I'm sure father would love to know all about her..."

She finally walked away. I saw Jet and Haru walking towards me and passing by Azula. Jet's eyes scanned her up and down and he smiled. He blocked Azula and tried to talk to her.

Haru arrived at my side and we both watched Jet.

"Hey you...Are you new here?"

Azula looked at him like he was a bee buzzing around her head.

"Uhh...yeah. What's it to you?" she said, frowning

"I'm Jet. You need someone to show you around? It would be a pity if someone as pretty as you got in trouble..." He did his signature wink.

Oh god... The thought of Jet and my sister made me want to barf up that toast I had for breakfast...

"You'll be getting in trouble if you don't get out of my face now..."

"Oohh... I like 'em feisty..."

He stepped closer to her. Damn, this guy's in trouble... You do not want to get on Azula's bad side.

Suddenly, a loud slap echoed through the halls. I saw Jet rubbing a really red spot on his cheek and Azula walking away. She got him good.

Everyone stopped to look at the scene. Jet looked up and glared at the people.

"What are you all looking at?" he snapped. The people immediately went back to minding their own business.

Jet walked over to us and kept rubbing his cheek.

"Geez..." he said, "That bitch can slap hard..."

"Don't you need ice for that?" said Haru

"I'll get some later."

"Did you know who she was, Jet?"

"No..." he looked at her as she walked away from sight. "But she's hot."

Haru and I looked at him like he had just grown purple horns and silver wings.

"What?" he said

"You do realize she just slapped you and embarrassed you." I said

"I know, I know. But I love a challenge..."

"Good luck with that. Haru, remind me to buy some crutches later. Jet's going to need them if he keeps this up."

Haru and I both laughed at my joke. Jet just raised his eyebrow at us.

"Oh yeah? How do you know she's that bad?"

"After living with her for 15 years, you kind of catch on."

"What! You lived with her?"

"Jet, you're slower than a snail-sloth, you know that?"

He still looked as baffled as ever.

"What? Can you please just tell me what's going on?"

"Look, in short, I don't really like the idea of you and my sister together, okay?"

He chuckled.

"But Zuko, I don't even know your sis- Oh..."

His eyes widened as he realized what I meant.

"Finally..." Haru said, rolling his eyes and smirking

"Zuko," Jet said. "Don't worry about it. I'm not going to hurt your little sister, okay?"

"Okay, first of all, I really doubt that. No offense." I said

"None taken."

"Second, it's not her I'm worried about. It's you. One slap to your face and you became redder than an apple. Personally, I think you just bought your ticket to your grave."

"Stop overreacting, Zuko. I can handle it."

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you."

We started walking down the hall.

"I can't believe you didn't know." Haru said, snickering at Jet. "Didn't you see the family resemblance?"

"Are you saying I look like a girl?" I said

"No! That's not a bad thing. I mean Jet called Azula hot so technically, he also called you ho- Wait... That came out wrong."

Jet and I gave him a what-the-hell-dude look. There was an uncomfortable silence before Jet spoke up.

"Congratulations, Haru. You've officially made this a really awkward situation."