THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 3)

(X) Air

As awkward as the Lake Laogai scene was, the one that truly takes the cake is the scene where Zuko, Katara and me were imprisoned in the Crystal Catacombs in Ba Sing Se. Given how they had the audacity to write me out of my own life, I am not surprised at just how horribly they've twisted what happened in there.

"I have to admit Prince Zuko, I really find you attractive!" Actress Katara says in her usual overly dramatic performance.

"You don't have to make fun of me," Actor Zuko tells her.

"But I mean it! I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me!" Actress Katara says, and I briefly glance at Zuko and Katara, who awkwardly look at each other.

"The ironic part is that I'm the one who holds the record on being captured by Zuko," I note.

"Wait, I thought you were the Avatar's girl!" Actor Zuko says, and suddenly, the play becomes a lot more interesting. Or, more accurately, the reactions of my teammates become more interesting.

"The Avatar? Why, he's like a little brother to me! I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way," Actress Katara says, and I notice Aang, who is sitting beside me, look rather concerned. "Besides, how could he ever find out about... this?"

I can't believe the audacity this people have. Not only have they gotten pretty much everything wrong, completely eliminated me from the equation and made my friends feel bad about themselves... But they also have completely made me lose my interest in watching this until the end.

I stand up, walking out of the theater without a word to anyone else. Sokka whispers something about fire flakes and fire gummies, but honestly, I don't care. I'm too annoyed to care.

The night air helps, but not that much. Maybe I should just go back to Zuko's beach house and call it a night. It's not like anyone cares that I'm not here, anyway.

"Alya?" I recognize Aang's voice as he joins me outside, slightly startling me.

"Oh. It's you."

"Is everything alright? You kind of stormed out without saying anything and I—well, Katara suggested I come and check up on you."

"Of course she did."

"Is something bothering you?" Aang asks, as he walks next to me. "Look, this play is dumb. They barely have any details right. Don't be bothered that they didn't include you in it."

"I'm not angry about the stupid play."

"Then what are you angry about?"

"Nothing! Alright?!"

"Alya..."

"I'm fine. Just go back to Katara and let me be alone."

"Why are you bringing up Katara? What does she have to do with anything?"

"She has nothing do with this, but everything to do with you."

"I don't understand..."

"What don't you understand, Aang? Gosh, sometimes you can be so... So..."

"So what?"

"SO DISAPPOINTING!" I yell, finally letting my frustrations out. It's probably not the best time to be telling him everything, but honestly, if it's not now, then when? "The truth is... I like you, alright? And not just in a friendly way. I like you... The way you like Katara."

His eyes suddenly widen, and I can tell he's having trouble gathering his words. "Oh. I... I had no idea."

"But that's not what upsets me the most. I get that you like her, and I'll accept that somehow. But what I don't get is how, if we're supposed to be best friends... How can you forget about me so easily?"