Tales of Ba Sing Se High Chp15

Chapter 15: D-Day

~*~*~*~

Zuko's POV

As soon as I woke up and looked at my calendar, I gulped. Today was the test. The test that would affect my grades for the year. The test that would affect my relationship with Katara.

It was a good thing I studied and read the book again last night. It was also good that Katara gave me a really intense review yesterday.

Okay, I better get ready.

I went about my usual morning routine. I ate a bigger breakfast than usual. I had 2 eggs, pancakes, sausages and a piece of toast. My Uncle stood open-mouthed and wide-eyed at me.

I looked up at him and uttered a single word with my mouth full.

"Test."

He simply smiled, nodded and continued drinking his tea.

I finished my food and brushed my teeth. I was about to leave when Uncle stopped me.

"Zuko, wait!" he said.

I turned around and saw him holding a cup of tea.

"What is it, Uncle?" I said

"Drink this. It's chamomile tea. They say it's for good luck." he said, offering me a small cup of tea

I smiled and drank from the cup. I thanked Uncle for his gesture and made my way to school.

When I entered, I passed Azula and Mai in the hallway. They both looked at me with their smirks.

"Good luck on your test today, Zuzu..." Azula said, snickering

I rolled my eyes and continued walking down the hallway.

Suddenly, I heard a loud yelp from behind me. I turned around and saw that it was Jet who made the sound. Obviously, he pissed Azula off again.

"Hey!" he said, rubbing his head. "What was that for!?"

"I don't want your pathetic flower, idiot." Azula snapped. "Now get out of my way before I give you a scar to match my brother's!"

"Oh come on...At least give me a chance..."

Azula cracked her knuckles and raised her hand to hit Jet when he started backing away.

"Okay, okay. I'm going..." he said, walking away. "This isn't over!"

Azula and Mai walked away laughing while Jet headed my way.

"Are you okay, dude?" I said

"Yeah, yeah..." he said, still rubbing his sore spot. "I'm just...peachy."

"Dude, I swear to Agni, you could seriously get hurt doing this."

"I know..."

He seemed quite sad while we talked. Jet, Haru and I have been friends since forever and I know that Jet isn't sad very often. When he's not happy, something's very wrong.

"Dude, what's wrong? Tell me. I know that look." I said

"What look?"

"That look. I know you're sad so tell me what's bothering you already."

"Fine, fine... It's your sister."

"What about her?"

"I feel like I'm never going to get a chance with her..."

"Dude, why do you even try? Do you really think she's worth it? Look what she's doing to you..."

"I know, I know. It's just...I've never had a girl say no to me before. I guess it just affects my self-esteem..."

"Look, Jet. I know this isn't your style or whatever but I think you should do what Haru and I are doing."

"Growing facial hair? You're getting a slight 5 o' clock shadow there..."

"What? Seriously?" I said, as I felt my chin for signs of hair. "Wait, wait. We're getting out of topic here. What I mean is maybe you should start looking for the special girl now..."

"Go on..."

"Find that girl who makes you want to do whatever you can just to make her smile and laugh."

"Uh huh...But what if I do find that girl but she hates me?"

"She won't...Why would she?"

"Well, I don't exactly have the best reputation here..."

"The right girl will see through that. Trust me. Just promise me one thing..."

"What is it?"

"When you find that girl, don't ever let her go. You'll be ruining one of the best things that ever happened to you."

Jet smiled and patted my shoulder.

"Thanks, bro." he said. "That really means a lot. But how come you're in such a good mood today?"

"It's that Literature test. I have to stay positive so it'll help me pass." I said

"Oh...we have a test?"

"Uhh...yes?"

"Oh..." he started laughing. "I get it....You're just messing with me..."

Then, Haru and Ty Lee came over and we exchanged greetings.

"Hey, Haru, Ty Lee..." I said, "We have a Literature test today, right?"

"Yes..." they replied at the same time and the three of us looked at Jet, who was clearly shocked at what he heard.

"What!" he said, freaking out. "Oh my god! How could I forget!? What's it about!? Do I need to- Oh, never mind. I'm sure I can pass this without studying..."

I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Dude, in the last test, you thought Shakespeare was a fruit." I said

"Well, I'm sorry but a guy with the word 'pear' in his name deserves to be called a fruit."

"Whatever, dude. I suggest, if you want that dream girl, you better start hitting the books."

"Fine, fine. This better be worth it..." he said, grabbing his book and walking to the library.

When Jet was gone, I started talking to Haru and Ty Lee. The former was holding hands with the latter like it was completely natural.

I smirked and asked them what was going on.

"So...you two...what's that all about?" I said, pointing to their joined hands

Haru turned a deep shade of red while Ty Lee just giggled.

"Haru-bear and I are dating!" she said, hugging Haru. "Isn't it exciting?"

I snickered at Ty Lee's nickname for Haru, who was avoiding my look.

"I'm really happy for you and...Haru-bear."

"So how about you, Zuko?" Ty Lee continued. "How is it going with you and Katara?"

I smiled and thought about the time when she came over to my house. Thank Uncle for the spaghetti... She looked so cute when she was slurping her pasta. I like her hair loopies too... They're so...loopy. No one else wore their hair like that, not even the other Water Tribe students.

And her laugh...Oh, her laugh...

Oh wait, I better answer Ty Lee already.

"It's going great, actually. We're hitting it off..." I said

"When's your first date?" Haru said, the blush finally disappearing from his face

"Well, if things go well today, we're going out tomorrow."

"What things?"

"I have to pass this test so Katara would say yes."

"Really? What subject?"

"Literature..."

"Then aren't you supposed to be running to the classroom now? You've got about 2 minutes."

I checked my watch and my eyes almost popped out in surprise. Holy shit, he was right!

"God, I better go guys!" I said, running to my next class. "See you!"

"Good luck!" they said

I finally arrived at the classroom just as Mr. Pakku was entering with the test. He glared at me again before I sat down.

"Ready for the test, Mr. Agni?" he said sternly

"Sure am." I replied, taking my seat and taking out my pencil

He gave out the tests and I started working on mine right away. As always, it was full of essay questions. I hated essay questions.

God, help me...

~~

Katara's POV

I knew Zuko's test was today. I was so nervous I could barely focus on anything.

It was already lunchtime and I haven't seen Zuko all day. Where was he? God, this is killing me...

"Hey Sugar Queen," said Toph, "What's gotten into you?"

I was too distracted to actually think about my reply.

"No thanks, please pass the salt..."

"Huh? What's up with Sweetness?"

"Katara? You okay?" Aang said

"I said with wings! Extra absorbent pads with wings!"

Oh shit. Did I just say that? Out loud?

Okay, snapping out of it.....now.

"I'll show you how to take advantage of this, guys." Sokka said. "Hey, sis...Can I have your chicken wings?"

"Sokka, I'm not stupid. And no, you can't take my lunch." I replied.

"Aww, man. Are you on your period or something?"

"No! I'm just worried, that's all."

"About?"

"Zuko. He's taking that test today."

"I don't really see why you care about him so much..." Aang said.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He wasn't even kidding when he said that. What was up with him?

"What are you trying to say, Aang?"

"I don't know...He just seems like spoiled prince to me, that's all."

He did not just say that...

"How could you say that?" I snapped, standing up from my seat. "You don't even know how much he's been through!"

"I just don't think he's good enough for you." Aang said calmly.

"Yeah? Well, who is?"

He stayed quiet before uttering a single word.

"Me..."

I was speechless at his answer. I looked at Toph and Sokka, hoping they can help me make sense of things. Sokka was just as shocked as I was and Toph had an indecipherable look on her face, just like she was about to cry...

"Aang...what are you-"

"Forget it, Katara. Go be with Zuko." Aang said, interrupting me and walking away.

I was about to call out to him whe Toph stopped me.

"It's okay, Katara. I'll handle this. Don't worry. Stay with Zuko. I'm sure Sokka and I don't think he's that bad..."

"Thanks, Toph. For the record, nothing can stop me from being with Zuko even if I wanted to, not even you guys..."

"No worries. Now go find Zuko..."

She ran off in Aang's direction while Sokka lined up again to get more meat. I sat back down with my head in my hands. Was Aang serious? I never realized...

What was I supposed to do now? I don't want to ruin my friendship with him but I only liked him as a brother and I certainly don't want things with Zuko to end...

I guess if Aang really did care, he would let me be happy...

I sighed, stood up and walked out of the cafeteria. I suddenly lost my appetite.

I walked to my locker and got my books ready. When I closed the locker door, I saw Zuko leaning beside my locker with a big grin on his face.

Despite what just happened, I couldn't help but be cheered up when he was around.

He fished for a paper in his bag and surprised me for the second time today.

"So Katara, shall I pick you up at 7?"

~~

Zuko's POV

I finished my test 10 minutes before time was up but I decided to check it over and over again to make sure. I was too engrossed in my work that I didn't notice that Mr. Pakku had walked over to my desk.

"Ahem..."

I looked up and saw him standing in front of me. I looked around and saw I was the only one left in the room.

"It's time, Mr. Agni. Are you done with your test?" he said

"Uhh...yeah." I said

I handed it to him and started to leave when told me to stay. Does this have to happen every time?

"Zuko," he said, "Would you like me to check it now?"

Might as well get this over with...

"Sure..."

He sat down on his desk and started going over my test. I watched him nervously as beads of sweated started to trickle down the side of my head.

After what seemed like forever, he wrote my mark on top and gave it back to me. I gathered up my courage and took the paper from his hands. I turned it around and looked at my grade.

I was so shocked at the letter that sat in red ink on my paper. Was this real? Is he kidding me?

A

"M-Mr. Pakku? Are you sure you checked right?" I said, feeling that an A was too good to be true

"Why yes, Mr. Agni." he said, with a small smile. "Good job. Congratulations on officially passing my class..."

I had to tell Katara now. Oh, right! Now, I can ask her out! This is officially the most awesome day ever.

I started running out the door when I heard Mr. Pakku call out behind me.

"Mr. Agni, please tell Ms. Mizu that she gets her extra credit."

"Sure will! Thanks so much!"

I ran and ran until I reached her locker. Perfect. She was already there. I stood beside her locker door and leaned. I couldn't get the goofy smile of my face. When she closed it, she saw me there and smiled.

I took my paper from my bag and showed it to her. I saw her surprised but happy look.

"So Katara..." I said, "Shall I pick you up at 7?"

"Oh, Zuko! This is so great!" she said, hugging me. Naturally, I hugged her back, inhaling the scent of her hair. Mmm...jasmine...

"So will you go out with me?" I said, reluctantly breaking the hug

"Of course! I'm so happy for you!"

In my head, I was doing my victory dance. She said yes....

"How did you get the results right away?" she asked

"Mr. Pakku offered to check it on the spot." I replied. "Oh yeah, he says you get your extra credit."

"Really? That is so great!"

She hugged me again and jumped. Normally, I wouldn't but I started hugging and jumping at the same time. I mean, come on... It was a great day!

I loved how she smelled and how soft her hair was...I could do this all day...

I broke the hug again. I had to confirm our date. I can't do that while feeling like I'm on a pogo stick.

"So, seriously... at 7? Or 8? 9, maybe?" I said

"Morning or evening?"

"Make it morning... I have a lot planned out..."

I smiled playfully at her and she returned the smile.

"Pick me up at 8. Can I ask where we're going?"

"It's a secret..."

"Well...look who's got things planned out..." she said, smirking. "I gotta go, Zuko. Don't want to be late for class... Want to walk home together?"

"Of course...See you..."

She smiled one last time and walked away. I sighed and watched my date go.

Wow...Date...It felt nice to call her that...

I guess the "secret" thing was a nice touch.

Too bad I didn't know what we were doing either...

I have to plan what we were going to do for our date tomorrow.

Damn...I really should have thought this through...