Scandals (ZUTARA)

Chapter 20 : Katara 🌊 | That's A Wrap

DECEMBER

It's fourth period and I feel like absolute sh*t. I can barely feel my bones from the cold and my eyes suddenly weigh a ton I can't help but close them every once in a while. 

Winter is a mix of ice and sugar. The moon becomes soft, and snow falls elegantly. Gran Gran takes me and Sokka to Ember Island every Winter Break, and it's a magical experience. The sand is rich, golden and soft, the perfect exfoliating scrub for my skin as I cruise on the beach, watching the wave slowly wash over my feet; the colour is endless, and so is the variety of vegetables and fruits. I think I like it because it's very different from my home town Kya. My mother was named after the city, but now, it feels like the city was named after her.

"Don't the air-nomads want their land back?" a random boy in the back asks, causing me to wake up in an instant.  

 "The air nomads are strictly against the idea of a city as chaotic as Wefarangi. It seems as though they have not heard of Kya," Miss Yagoda, my history teacher, comments. "Do any of you know why our city is called Wefarangi?"  I raise my hand. "Yes Katara?"

"W-E-F-A  stands for water, earth, fire and air," I say, holding back a yawn. "And Rangi is the name of Avatar Kyoshi's partner."

"Excuse me."

Immediately, I turn to face the door. A tall woman with odd looking brown braids and aggressively dark brown eyes, drags two boys in to the classroom. I quickly realise that they are Sokka and Zuko. "Yes Miss Vasquez?" Miss Yagoda politely inquires.

"These two have unfortunately been misbehaving. I was hoping you could handle. If not, do not worry, I will simply send them to the Principal."

"They may stay in my class," Miss Yagoda says and the woman leaves after pushing Zuko and Sokka on the floor. "You gentlemen can take a seat beside Katara," Miss Yagoda says, pointing to me.

"Our lesson today is all about the History of the Republic. Sokka and Prince Zuko, as seniors, what can you tell us about the economy?"

Sokka and Zuko share puzzled looks before turning to Miss Yagoda, simply clueless. "I-uh," Zuko begins frantically, scratching his head.

"Well, the Republic is split into four areas?" Sokka guesses on the spot.

 Miss Yagoda raises a brow. "If you say so," she replies and Sokka straightens his posture, clearly pleased with himself. "Prince Zuko, what about you? What can you tell us about the economy?"

"Only the rich and important can afford to live in Wefarangi. Everyone else lives on the outskirts of the Republic," Zuko says to my surprise.

"Unfortunately this is true," Miss Yagoda says,  feigning sympathy. "Even though the Republic is meant to be a nation of mixed backgrounds, you would never come across a water-bender living anywhere that isn't the Souther Water-Tribe, or Wefarangi ofcourse." 

  "What about Avatar Aang's incredible changes?" I ask without raising my hand and Zuko and Sokka nod in agreement. "The four houses are finally getting along with each-other."  

"Are you sure?" Miss Yagoda dares to question me.

"Ye-yes," I stutter.

"Well then I pity you, Miss Hakoda, as the four nations will forever be separated, no matter how much you force them to be united."

🌊

SUKI'S POV

"Cute," I say as Toph shows me a picture of her dress.

"Thanks," Toph chirps, and i instantly, glance over at the VOTE FOR TY LEE posters stuck around the back of the cafe.

"Do you girls want to meet up before the dance to get ready?" Kat asks and I shake my head.

"Sorry, I already told Meelu and my other Kyoshi friends I would get ready with them," I say apologetically. 

"Zuko," Mai snaps from behind him. "I need to talk to you." This is it! She's breaking up with him!

"Sure," Zuko replies wearily and Mai grabs his wrist without hesitation, pulling him outside.

"Should I go?" Kat asks, vaguely getting up to leave and I can tell she wants them to break up more than I do.

"Kat-" I begin sharply and her crystal coloured eyes fearfully focus onto me.

"Yes?" Katara asks, goose-pumps prickling on her skin.

"Go already!" I exclaim playfully and she smiles, running out of the cafeteria.

"What's Mai going to tell Zuko?" Sokka asks me, clueless.

"They're breaking up dumb ass!" me and Toph say in unity. I'm starting to really like her now. It's a shame we don't hang out more.  

"I didn't know," Sokka says, embarrassed.

"Well don't feel bad Sokka because I didn't know either," Aang says, placing a hand on Sokka's shoulder.

"What happened?" I ask Katara as she sneaks back into the cafe.

"Mai broke up with Zuko," Katara says happily.

I can't help but smile.

"What's wrong Honour Boy?" Toph inquires strictly as Zuko dramatically sits on the bench.

"Me and Mai decided to call it quits," he explains and we all pretend to be shocked. "Mai says she has feelings for someone else. A girl."

I gulp and go red. What if she likes me? What if I'm that girl?

"Anyway, I'm not sad about it you guys so you can just chill," Zuko continues, biting his lip.

"Ok," we all reply grimly, shrugging our shoulders.

Suddenly, the school speakers around the cafe turn on, and Yue's voice is projected across the room. "Good afternoon ATLA High. This is Princess Yue. As you all are aware of by now, this is the last week of School before Winter Break," Yue announces, some people cheer. "Our annual Winter Formal is this Friday, 6pm to 9:45 pm."

"How can we get ready if there's school?" Toph asks sensibly and Yue's voice comes back to haunt us.

"We will also have no school on Friday, so you'll have plenty of time to get read!"

"I seriously can't with Yue," I groan and Aang scoots closer to me. "She's even worse than Azula, no offence Zuko."

"None taken," Zuko scoffs, looking up from his phone.

"The seniors nominated for Ice Queen and King are Ty Lee from Drákon house, Kashmere from Fengaró, Rosana from Asvón, Kiss from Drákon and me from Fengaró," Yue informs us. "As for the boys, we have Prince Zuko from Drákon, Chan from Drákon, Hahn from Fengaró, Haru from Asvón and Jet from Asvón."

Immediately, we all cheer for Zuko. "You guys are so embarrassing," he whispers, blushing violently. "Oh look, there's Kiss!"

I spin around to face Kiss, who walks to our table like a model from Victoria's secret fashion show. "Hey you guys," she says and Sokka and Katara immediately smile.

"Hi Kiss," Katara greets. "I didn't know you and Zuko knew each-other."

"I model for him sometimes," she replies quietly, taking a seat beside Toph. What did she just say?  "I'm sure you guys have heard of his family's brand, Lo and Li."

I nod, relaxing a little. That makes a little more sense; Lo and Li are famous fashion designers who also pose as Azula's fire-bending mentors.

"That's how I know you!" Toph shouts randomly. "You went by the name Kristina at a Muchi runway show!"

"Mr Hiroshi liked it when models use their full name on runways," Kiss explains casually as if modelling for designer brands is a nothing special. "Personally, I prefer working with Lo and Li as they allow me to go by whatever I please. Besides, Zuko's there most of the time, which is way fun."

"Thanks K," Zuko mumbles shyly. K? I'm surprised Katara isn't furious right now.