Recovery: Modern Azulaang AU

Christmas With The Gaang

Azula

Christmas. I always hear about how it's the most wonderful time of the year. Not like I'd know. Dad always said celebrating Christmas was a waste of time. So, I'm pretty much celebrating Christmas for the first time this year. Aang had texted me last week inviting me over to his to celebrate. I was reluctant at first, seeing as I still don't feel too comfortable being around the others except Suki and Zuko. Plus, he's invited some other people I haven't even met yet. But I quickly realised that he wasn't really giving me a choice, and neither was Suki or Zuko.

Right now, I stood in front of my mirror, scrutinising my outfit. I had decided to go with a red and black flannel shirt, black tights, and black combat boots. Instead of putting my hair up in my usual bun, I decided to braid it. Just trying something new. I was pretty nervous about all the gifts I got everyone. Suki helped me get them so I hope it goes well. I had gotten Aang's gift on my own. I got him this trippy skull tapestry that I noticed him looking at when we had our adventure.

I hope he likes it...

Zuko called out to me that it was time to get going, so I threw on my coat, grabbed my phone and purse, and headed out the door.

I hated being late. I've been told that I had a small problem with perfectionism but that still didn't help my nerves as we enter Aang's apartment, a whole bunch of people already partying. It was just so awkward, arriving to a party with people I barely knew, whispering about everything I'd been through. It's hard for them not to know, though. It was all over the news. Aang took my coat for me as he greets me with a smile.

He gestures for me to meet his friends from school,

"Guys, this is Azula, Zuko's sister," I give them a timid wave,

"This is Lee, Alec, and On Ji," they greet me in a manner that seemed friendly but I couldn't escape the feeling that they would be judging me as soon they're out of ear shot. On Ji seems to be friendly though, giving me a genuine smile and complimenting me about my hair.

The group had decided to give gifts once everyone else had left since not everyone had a gift, so Aang proceeded to hand me a drink.

"What's this?" I ask, eyeing the colourful drink,

"A margarita. Try it! I made it myself," he says with a smile,

I've heard of this drink before, not that I had ever tried it. So I take a sip and my eyes widen as I look at Aang to see that his smile had now spread all across his face,

"This is good!" I say, starting to drink it faster,

"Whoa, slow down, princess, that's how you get yourself drunk," I hear Sokka say from behind me,

"Hah! I'd wanna see that," Toph says, making the others laugh.

My heart drops to my stomach for a split second before I realise, this is how friends are with each other. And that's what I wanted; friends.

"Sokka's right though. Take it easy, at least until after dinner, Azula," Aang says, making me stop chugging my drink through the straw.

After dinner, the house pretty much went into party mode; several different groups of people talking, dancing, and drinking. I was starting to get a little tipsy now. I had been on the couch with Suki, Sokka, Aang, Toph, and Katara. Zuko had gone somewhere I don't know where. Aang's friend On Ji was here too but she was quite drunk, talking to some random dude who I don't think knew her judging by his uncomfortable face.

"Aang, you owe me a carnival day!" Sokka exclaims,

"What? Why?"

"You went without me!" Sokka continues to whine,