AtLA Modern: Year 1, Gen. 1

Chapter 33

The next day, they all had to get ready for school. Zuko had gone ahead of Athlea, who was running late. 

Their break was over and classes were settling in to begin second period. Dai walked into class, her eyes on the ground, before settling into her desk. She was wearing a cropped white tee shirt with a pale blue collar and shoulders, as well as a two angels with clouds on the chest paired with the words "heaven sent." Her eyeshadow was blue with a white inner corner and a dark blue winged eyeliner. She pulled her light blue sweatshirt over her shoulders. It was matched with a light blue plaid skirt. Leaning over her desk, she put her head on her desk. Something small and light hit her, but she simply growled, not responding otherwise. A few moments later, another hit her, then three more, one after another. Dai took a deep breath in, clenching her fists. She slammed her hands on the desk, whipping around, then stopping and blinking at Sokka, who was writing and balling up paper. She frowned and furrowed her brows, turning and smoothing one of the pieces on her desk out. 

The teacher entered as the bell rang, frowning at Sokka. "No seniors," she said. "Now you've lost your break, Sokka." 

Sokka raised his head, an eyebrow lifting, a stupid grin on his face. "Sorry, teach, I guess I forgot what class I'm supposed to go to."

She furrowed her brow, leaning over and picking up a paper ball. She read it and arched an eyebrow, looking between Sokka and Dai. "I assume you'll clean these up before you leave," she said, her words clipped. Dai was pretending to be upset at Sokka, meanwhile sliding the note into her pocket.

"Not really," Sokka said, standing and shrugging. Dai watched him, brows furrowed. He stretched his arms up above his head before lowering them, scratching his head. Her icy eyes darted to his stomach and back up "What I write is private, by the way." He put a hand in his pocket, walking to the door. He stopped and looked over his shoulder, his lips pressed together. "Enjoy!" he cooed before leaving.

The teacher simply shook her head and thanked Dai as she picked up the papers, frowning. Dai bit her lip as she threw away the papers in the garbage by the door. "Can I use the bathroom?" she asked quietly. The teacher nodded. Dai furrowed her brows again, stepping into the hall and quietly leaning against a locker, watching Sokka walk away.

Sokka slowly came to a stop, putting both hands in the pockets of his blue jeans. He tilted his head back, studying the lights on the ceiling, his shoulders appearing broad through his gray tee shirt. She watched him calmly. "Well," he said suddenly, "are you going to say something or just stand and watch me?" He turned to look over his shoulder, his blue eyes meeting her gaze as her face immediately turned bright red. She turned away, crossing her arms. "I assume you read the papers and that's why you're here. I don't expect anything from you, really, just for things to go back to normal after fighting last night. Or, if you really want to hate me, go ahead, just don't hate on Katara." He let out a sigh, facing forward again. "And if you want an apology from my mouth, I am sorry."

"I'm in love with you."

His lips parted and he stood there for a moment. "Do you truly, or do you just love the idea of me?" he finally asked, slowly turning toward her, taking a hand out of his pocket and starting to walk toward her. "Because I've been in love with you for quite some time now." He came to a stop, looking down at her. "So, do you truly?"

"The idea of you?!" Dai asked sharply, grabbing his collar in a hand. "No, if I was in love with the idea of you, it wouldn't make me so... ugh, irritated! I get that you're funny a-and whatever, but no, I'm in love with the stupid Sokka who held me all night and got me to stop crying after I couldn't bring back my first friend," she said, her voice holding a surprising amount of anger. She let him go and looked away, taking a breath, crossing her arms. Then she blinked, as if just hearing what he'd said, her cheeks turning red. "Oh... oh." She sighed and leaned her head against his chest, looking down and playing with the hem of his shirt in her hands. She sighed again.

Sokka let his arms down beside him, closing his eyes for a second. Upon opening them, his hands moved to cup her face, tilting it up toward him. "I love you, Dai," he repeated calmly, a smile on his face. He leaned down, pressing his lip against hers.

Dai leaned onto her toes, kissing him softly, one hand on his neck and the other gripping her own collar as she leaned against him lightly. She broke the kiss after a long moment, blinking and looking away, sighing. She shook her head and turned back to him, making a growling noise and grabbing his collar. He raised an eyebrow as she pulled him down to her and kissed him harder. One of his hands moved to her shoulders, the other to the side of her neck as he started kissing her back just as desperately. Her face flushed again, and she broke away, panting slightly. She bit her lip before speaking. "I have to go," she said quietly, tilting her head, then furrowing her brows. "And you have to go to class, stupid!" She leaned onto her toes, nibbling his ear before kissing his cheek and turning back to her classroom door, giggling at him with one more glance over her shoulder before going inside.

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A/N gooooood Lord these two are my favorite. also his little notes just said "hi. please talk to me. i like you. hi. im sorry."