AtLA Modern: Year 1, Gen. 1

Chapter 7

Athlea exited, her keys in her hand as she walked to her car. Zuko followed her, shutting the door behind him. "You're still an asshole. Decided to remind you in case you forgot." She shrugged, not looking at Zuko, before suddenly tripping. She half-steadied, then fell forward.

He grabbed her arm, rolling his eyes and pulling her back onto her feet, spinning her so that she faced him. "I know that. And I'm not ignoring you. I'm just quiet. I don't understand why you're so upset." He raised an eyebrow, his hand still gripping her arm firmly.

Athlea's eyes widened, her cheeks bright red. "You were ignoring me. I hate it when people ignore me." She rolled her eyes, glancing at his hand. "You can let go. I can stand. Thanks for catching me."

"I wasn't ignoring you!" Zuko's voice rose as he protested. Athlea flinched, taking a half step backward. "Sometimes I study in study hall. And I didn't know that I was supposed to give all my attention to you while I was hanging out with the new friends you told me to get." He let go of her arm, blinking, half-pushing her away before walking to his own car.

"...Right," Athlea muttered. She ran a hand through her hair, taking a few deep breaths before walking to her car and sliding into the seat. Her hands gripped the wheel tightly before she inserted the key and started the car.

***

"Man! I don't know. I like all of these!" Aang glanced over at Katara. "What are you joining? I think I might join basketball or volleyball!" He smiled. "I didn't do any sports last year."

Katara bit her lip. "Swimming, of course."

Sokka rolled his eyes. "Basic."

"I already chose," Athlea announced, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Ooo. What did you choose?" Sokka leaned over her paper. "Bending volleyball. Nice."

Dai was laying on her back, her legs up the wall showing the shorts under her skirt, and her arms crossed over her chest. She was sitting next to Toph. "You're not tall enough for basketball, Aang. They'd absolutely fuck you." She was wearing a lettermen jacket, a bit like the one Zuko had worn the day before. Hers, however, was light blue, with white sleeves, pocket linings, two stripes on the hem and collar as well. The D on the left of the chest was white as well.

"I think I'll manage."

Dai shrugged. "That's fair." She glanced at Katara. "I'm going to be captain."

Katara frowned. "You're a second year."

Dai raised an eyebrow, rolling onto her knees. "Watch me get captain," she repeated promisingly.

"That'd be a great achievement, Dai," Athlea said, nodding and smiling.

"Tryouts are soon. We'll see if I get it."

"Maybe."

"I do track in the spring. Toph, are you able to do any sports?" Dai asked.

"Mmm? Me? Nothing, really. I mean, technically I could, but I'd prefer not to. Nothing is better than just sitting around and listening to everyone get exhausted." Toph giggled. Dai slid onto her elbows, resting her head on Toph's arm and laughing with her.

"I'll go with basketball!" Sokka finally decided. Dai glanced at him. "Where's Zuko? I ordered this new game last night. We gotta play! It arrived this morning and I'm excited."

Katara lifted her head as Sokka spoke. "Zuko's already on the men's volleyball team. He doesn't want to try for captain, so he doesn't need to sign up again." She nodded at Dai. "Dai told me. Since she's already on the team, she just needs to sign up for captain tryouts." As she spoke, Dai was checking the captain box under swimming (bending). Katara glanced at her brother. "You should sign up for swordsman classes, too, Sokka. They're for the nonbenders."

"What?!" Sokka's eyes shined. He pulled his paper closer, flipping it a few times. "I am ticking the hell out of that!" he said, grinning. "I, Sokka, of the Southern Water Tribe, will be the best swordsman this school has ever seen!" Dai raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly.

"Watch him fail," Toph laughed.

"Oh, please! You'll admire me."

Dai rolled her eyes. "Ha! Toph, admire you!" she laughed. "She's the head of the earthbending class as a sophomore and invented metal bending. Please."

Sokka jumped to his feet, paper in hand. "I'm ready to submit my paper. Come on, what are we waiting for?"

"Wait for me!" Aang ran after him. Dai stood and stretched, shaking her head and following more slowly. She glanced over as Azula and her friends approached, narrowing her eyes.

Athlea stood slowly, paper in hand, watching as Ty Lee, Mai, and Azula walked by. "Look, Mai," Ty Lee giggled. "It's the girl who stole your boyfriend."

Soon enough, the others returned. Dai flipped her keys around her finger. "I drove today. Who's coming with me?"

Katara hopped to her feet. "Sure. I'll text Zuko that Sokka got a new game and we're on the way home."

"Really? Him again?" Athlea crossed her arms.

"Great," Dai said, sarcastically perky. "He's living with us now, then?"

"He really does live with us now, huh." Athlea shook her head.

Dai raised an eyebrow at Athlea. "He's friends with Sokka," she pointed out.

Sokka punched the air. "Oh, hell yes! Come on! What are we waiting for? Let's go home. I have to play."

"He's so addicted." Toph shook her head.

Athlea did the same. "Way too much."

Dai pressed her lips together, glancing at Sokka. "Sorry, my car only holds five. Athlea, Aang, Katara, Toph, and myself..." She smirked, patting his head. "Looks like Zuko will have to bring you."

***

A/N did Dai... smile... at Sokka?!?!?! he's making progress! also my girl just really left Sokka at the school alone HA