Scandals (ZUTARA)

Chapter 9 : Zuko 🔥| Injustice Won't Leaf Me Alone

"Ok so I can't remember how it goes but the punch line is LEAF ME ALONE! I'M BUSHED!" I chuckle. To my surprise, Suki, Toph and Aang just looked at me, unamused.  "It's funnier when Uncle says it," I justify. 

"Yeah, I wonder why," Suki laughs, looking over at Sokka, who's sitting on another table, stuffing some chocolate pudding in his mouth. 

"Is he okay?" I ask cautiously as I watch Sokka roll his eyes. I'd invited Suki, Aang and Toph to the Jasmine Dragon in order o bond with them , but Sokka's presence made it awfully difficult because I was constantly reminded of my mistakes, and Katara.

"He's just like that," Suki says. "Takes stuff personally."

"I still don't believe you and Zuko saw dragons,"  Toph tells Aang, trying to change the subject. 

"Me neither," Aang chuckles. 

"Maybe if you and Sokka go on a mini adventure, he'll forgive you and sit with us again," Toph advises.

I ignore her. "This is so out of subject but, have you guys seen Katara?"

"No," Suki sighs before exclaiming. "Look! There's General Iroh!"

"Hello," Uncle says, laying down a tray of cups filled with bubble tea. "Which one is Katara?"

I blush. "Katara's not here Uncle," I say in my rusty voice, passing Suki her drink. "This is Suki, Toph and Aang."

"Wow!" Suki says , shaking Uncle's hand. "I'm so honoured to meet you sir."

"Me too," Toph squeaks.

"Thank you for coming here!" Uncle replies before walking away back to the kitchen.

"You're Uncle seems nice," Aang comments after a sip of his bubble tea. "Looks like you told him about Katara."

"Yeah," I respond, watching Sokka curiously as he walks towards the restroom. "I'm gonna go."

🔥

"What are you doing here?" Sokka asks as I meet him by the sinks.

"This is my Uncle's shop," I reply simply.

"I know but, were you following me?" Sokka says, hiding something in his hand.

"What's that?"

He opens his hand to reveal and a precious pendant made entirely of gold.  "Something of my Dad's. He's a military man so I haven't seen him in 10 years."

"I'm so sorry," I mutter.

"What's your problem Zuko?"  Sokka asks, turning to me furiously. "You've stolen all my friends from me like you don't already have a gang of losers to hang out with."

"I'm not stealing your friends," I say defensively. 

"Yes you are," Sokka snaps, walking to the door.

"Wait! Look, I'm sorry," I manage to mutter. "Can we talk?"

🔥

There's an awkward moment of silence as we both head outside. Suki tries to communicate with us with hand signals but she gives up when we give her a look of plain confusion. 

"I'm sorry if you thought I was stealing your friends," I tell Sokka. "I just thought you'd like me  if I talked to them."

"Well you thought wrong," Sokka says, just as a man bumps into him.

"Sorry dude," the man says casually, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Sokka, where's your pendant? " I hiss, giving the man a look.