Scandals (ZUTARA)

Chapter 16 : Katara 🌊 | As Cold As Ice

NOVEMBER

In case you're wondering, I still like Zuko. He's funny, talented, and mega hot. I would try to win him back but,  not only do I have a lot of respect for myself, I also have a very big ego.

In pro-bending practice, I've embarrassed my self tons of times, but today sucked.

"Katara, throw over!" Coach Jha yells as I try to control the over-flooding water in my hands.  Without thinking twice, I chuck the water towards Zuko. "KATARA!" 

"Yes coach," I answer innocently.

"Zuko is on your team! Why would you do that?"

"I-"

"I said throw the water over to the other team, not soak Zuko!" Coach Jha continues angrily. "You're a pro-bending fan aren't you?" I nod. "Then why aren't you familiar with these terms?"

"I've just, never heard that saying before. Sorry Coach," I reply guiltily. 

"You should be apologising to Zuko," he snaps, handing Zuko a towel. 

"No thank you," I grit my teeth.

"Then you can retire by the bleachers like Miss Azula here, who think it's funny to make comments on how people dress," Coach Jha exclaims.

"Sir I was helping her," Azula interrupts. "That sweater is ugly."

"Azula, you will be kicked out of the team if you continue to say things like that," Coach Jha threatens. "Katara, I'm very disappointed in you." 

"Fine," I mutter under my breath.  Azula patts a seat beside her, smirking. "Hey," Azula she says as I settle beside her. "Why didn't you apologize? All you had to do is say sorry."

"All you had to do is zip it," I return rudely.

"You're indecisive," Azula says, ignoring my previous comment.  "You're ruining my brother's life. If you would just date him and then break his heart he'd realise you're bitch and move on. But instead, you're leading him on, making him think there's something special about you, when sweetheart, there isn't. "

Before I can say anything else, Coach Jha calls me. "Katara," Coach Jha calls. "Come here."

"Okay," I reply instantly.

"The list," he begins and I nod. "It hasn't been finalised yet." I gulp.  "That means if you don't change your attitude, you will be removed." My whole world collapses before me. "But-"

 "You're a really good water-bender, Katara, but, you're perspective of things is not something that I want on my team."

"But Coach-" I beg desperately. 

"Katara please, don't make this any difficult then it has to be," Coach Jha sighs.

"Am I off the team?" I manage, tears flooding down my cheeks.

"Not yet."

🌊

When I arrive at the cafeteria,  I notice Zuko, Toph, Aang, Suki and Sokka sat together on a circular table in the back. Without hesitation, I approach them. If I don't want to get kicked off the pro-bending team, I have to make friends with Zuko. 

 "Can I sit here?" I request politely.

"Sure," Toph replies suspiciously. 

I take a seat beside Suki, who stuffs some rice in her mouth to avoid talking to me.  "So, how was pro-bending practice?" Sokka asks, trying to make conversation, but when he sees Toph glaring at him, he gulps. "I never said that."

"Let's talk about the movie," Aang offers but Suki shakes her head.

"Is there a problem?" I ask finally and they all turn to me anxiously, panic in their eyes. 

"No," Suki says immediately before turning to Zuko. "You wanna talk about how you escaped prison."

Zuko open his mouth to speak but Sokka cuts him off. "Not now," he says cheekily. 

"Okay Mr"the reason ATLA lost against Ba sing se High"!" Suki snaps .

"Hey! Why does everyone call me that?" Sokka asks, his eyes bulging with fury. "I didn't even make us lose. That was all on Nulak!"

"It's me and Mai's nickname for you," Suki explains.

"I have something to talk about," Zuko says all of a sudden and we all go quiet. "Why don't we all go watch the next of episode of Nuktuk together?" 

"That's an amazing idea!" Sokka exclaims. "Katara, you have to watch Nuktuk! It's like the greatest mover ever made!"

"Well I've never heard of it," I reply bitterly, feeling quite left out. "What's it about?"

"The last water-bender in the Southern water-tribe," Aang explains.

My eyes light up with excitement, "No way!"

"You can watch the first few episodes at mine if you want," Toph offers. "I have a mover player."

"Same," Zuko exclaim. "What size is yours?"

"60 inches," Toph barks and the two then start to argue about who's mover player is the best. "But anyway, it doesn't matter if yours is better than mine because Katara won't want to watch it at yours because, you know." She gives me a weak smile.

"Maybe I will watch it at Zuko's."

 "You-what?" Suki chokes on her taco.

"I said I'm happy to watch it at Zuko's," I repeat, turning to Zuko. When we make eye contact, I feel faint. "Are you free tonight?"

"Y-yeah," Zuko stutters. "But when do you want to-?"

"Here," I say, sliding him a piece of paper with my number on it across the table. I then get up. "It was lovely talking to you."

Coach Jha better let me stay now.