Tales of Ba Sing Se High Chp11

Chapter 11: Chatting

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Zuko's POV


Zuko, seeing he was left alone in the library, did a little victory dance. He was interrupted by the teasing voice of Katara, who peeked at Zuko before she exited the library.

"Nice moves, Hotman."

I turned and saw Katara giggling at me before she left. I was so embarrassed. I wonder how red my face was.

Well, that doesn't really matter since I'm technically going on a date with Katara tonight. Woohoo!

I ran to Jet and Haru and walked alongside them.

"Well, well, well..." Jet said, smirking. "Looks like you and Katara are really hitting it off. Have you asked her out?"

"Uhh...Define 'asking out'" I said

"As in have you asked her to the movies or something?"

"No, but I asked for her number and her chat ID."

"Are you at least going to call her?"

"Actually, we're going to chat tonight with the webcam."

"I guess that counts as an online date."

"At least I'll still see her."

"What do you think, Haru?" said Jet, nudging our friend

"Ty Lee's so amazing." Haru rambled. "She's so pretty... and fun...and sweet...and cheerful... and nice...and-"

"Haru, you have got to snap out of it!" said Jet. "Why don't you just ask her out?"

"I invited her to the barbecue, didn't I?"

"I meant, on a real date."

"I will on Saturday."

"You better...A girl like her doesn't stay single for long, you know."

"Jet, don't tell me you're going to ask her out?"

"I won't. Chill, Haru. She's all yours."

"Good...Good...Do you guys really think I have a chance with her?'

"Why not?"

"Well... I don't know. She seems...out of my league."

"Dude, are you kidding? She's not!" I said, patting Haru on the back.

"Thanks, Zuko." Haru said, smiling. "So how about you, Jet? How's it going with Azula?"

"Well...I think I'm making some progress. A while ago, instead of slapping me like she always does, she just kicked me."

Haru and I exchanged worried glances while Jet looked as us expectantly.

"Come on guys," Jet said. "That has to count for something, right?"

"Sure..." I said, worried about my friend.

We left the school and went our separate ways. I arrived home and saw my Uncle trimming a bonsai tree.

"Hey Uncle" I said, walking to the kitchen and checking the fridge. Ugh...No food yet except a sandwich.

"Hello, nephew." He replied cheerfully. "How was your day?"

"It was...fine."

"Have you met any girls you think you'll like?"

How the hell did he know?

"Uhh...Yes, actually. How did you know?"

"With age comes wisdom, Zuko. Besides, I know you too well not to notice."

"Uhh...sure, Uncle."

"Oh by the way, Haru's father dropped by earlier. He's inviting us to a barbecue at his house on Saturday. Are you interested?"

"Yeah. I already told Haru I'd go."

"Perfect. I'll tell his father then."

I grabbed a leftover sandwich and headed to my room. I had to go online as soon as possible. Katara might think I blew her off.

I changed my clothes and turned on my computer quickly. I logged on and added her to my contacts. It still awaited her approval though.

I did my homework in front of the computer, occasionally looking at the screen to check if she had approved yet. I also ate dinner (the sandwich) in front of the computer, staring at the screen the whole time.

It was already 6 PM. Where is she? Is she blowing me off? Damnit... She better arrive soon. I really need to use the bathroom! Oh god, oh god... What if I go to the bathroom and she arrives, thinking I blew her off? She'd hate me! On the other hand, what if we're using the cam and I accidentally pee in my pants? She'd think I'm a total retard. I'll just go for one minute. One minute...

Ahhh.... relief...

I walked back to my room and looked at the screen.

Katara Mizu has been added to your contacts list.

I saw another chat box. It was Katara.

sugarqueen: Hey Zuko!
sugarqueen: What's up?
sugarqueen: U there?

I quickly typed in my response.

hotman: Sorry I replied late. I used the bathroom.
sugarqueen: That's alright. Sorry I didn't go online right away. Tons of homework.
hotman: That sucks. Are you still busy with homework? Cuz I don't want to bother you.
sugarqueen: Nah, I'm good. How bout you?
hotman: Everything's taken care of.
sugarqueen: cool
hotman: Hey, do you want to use the microphone and the cam?
sugarqueen: sure! How do you work this thing? I've never tried before.
hotman: You just press the button with the phone and then you can talk to me then you press the button with the cam and it'll send a request.
sugarqueen: Gimme a sec

I patiently waited for her to send her requests. I arranged the microphone and the webcam.

Katara Mizu has requested to view your webcam. Would you like to Accept or Decline?

I clicked accept and requested for her webcam.

Katara Mizu is calling you. Would you like to answer?

I answered her call and tested the microphone. I saw two new windows pop up at the screen. One was Katara's cam and the other was mine.

Katara still looked the same, except she was now dressed in a shirt and shorts. Wow...even through webcam she's really pretty...

"Hello?" she said through the microphone. She sounded really cute. "Can you hear me, Zuko?"

"Yep. Zuko here" I smiled goofily at the cam and raised my hand to acknowledge my presence.

She giggled softly and continued talking on the microphone.

"So...what do you want to talk about?" I said

"Umm...how's your literature thing going?" she said

"It's alright. I still suck at it though."

"I'll help you get better, I promise. I just hope we don't get interrupted every time."

"That's very unlikely. My sister's out to get both of us."

"Why?"

"I don't know. She just likes sucking up to my dad, I guess."

"Do you really hate her?"

"Well...deep deep deep deep.....deep down inside, I don't. I mean, who could truly hate their own family, right?"

"Right. I guess she has issues of her own but what about that Mai girl?"

"I don't know with her. She likes me, I guess, but I don't like her. She's just so cold and uncaring. It's a big turn-off for me."

"So you like the warm nurturing type?"

"Yeah, I guess. But hey, I already have a type..."

"Really? What is it?"

I blushed a little and looked away from the cam as I answered her.

"My type is...someone like...you."

"That's really sweet, Zuko..." she said, smiling. "But you really have to pass that test before I go out with you..."

She grinned playfully.

"Yeah, I know." I said "I can do it."

"You're pretty confident, huh?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I mean, I've got a great tutor to help me out."

"It's not going to be much help if Azula keeps butting in."

"Well, she can only disturb us in school..."

"Go on..."

"I'm saying...what if you came over to my place to study? Or vice versa?"

"Do you mean study or study?"

She winked at the camera for emphasis on the second "study." I laughed a bit at this.

"I mean actual studying... There's nothing to worry about."

"I'll have to ask my Gran-Gran first. Is there going to be someone there to chaperone us? She's really protective of me and Sokka."

"Actually, my Uncle's here."

"Great. He'll be there to make sure there's no hanky-panky. Or at least too much."

"I don't know about that." I said, smirking. "He wants grandchildren soon."

"Well are you that kind of guy?"

"I'm not."

"Good. Because if you were, I would have to knock you out." she said laughing

I laughed back and stared at her cam window.

"Like what you see?" she said deviously

"I could say the same to you, you know." I replied

"Well...uhh..."

"Admit it, I got you there."

"Whatever, Zuko!"

We stayed up late, chatting the whole time. She was really great to talk to. There weren't really any awkward silences. It felt so natural but my heartbeat sped up every time she would reply.

She had to go because her grandmother was telling her to go to sleep. It was alright with me. She did need her rest and I didn't want her to get in trouble because of me.

That night, I lay down on my bed. I didn't sleep right away. I kept wondering what it would be like if she was here, cuddled up to me with my arms wrapped around her as she slept soundly.

I sighed, closed my eyes and tried to sleep. Someday...Someday, I'll be able to do that and there would be no ringing bells or meddling sisters to ruin it...

"Good night, Katara." I whispered. "Sweet dreams."