The Next Avatar (On Hold)

Chapter 8

Heading back to the house, Andrew was more than happy to introduce himself to the family. I, on the other hand, was horrified. What is he doing!? All through the household he introduced himself as my "boyfriend." I had tried to deny it countless times but Andrew always stated I was just shy and didn't want to admit it.

Don't tell me anyone actually believes that he's my boyfriend. I've never even had a boyfriend. W-We just met today...it's basically impossible. My thoughts swirled. I-Is he up to something? I immediately grew suspicious.

I sat down in a chair with the ferret in my arms. Suyin brought back a few medical supplies such as bandages, alcohol, and a few needles used for numbing. She handed me a white folded bedsheet and I carefully placed the ferret on it.

Suyin cleaned the small animal and stitched up the large gash that cut across its stomach. It whimpered as she finished and looked over at me. "Will you keep it? It needs to rest and the wound will take awhile to heal. It's too bad we don't have a water bender that can heal nearby."

I thought about what she said. ....Katara. Toph used to talk about her when she told me stories about Aang. She was Aang's wife and mother to his children. Is she still alive? Suyin stood up and smiled. "If you'd like, I can watch over the animal so you can relax a bit." Just as I was about to reply, I heard someone open the door.

"Oh Olive! There you are! I was looking for you. Come on. I need your help with dinner. We do have a special guest." She winked and smiled.  I internally sighed as I carefully placed the ferret in Suyin's outstretched arms. I left the room with Opal and we headed to the kitchen.

Opal decided that my job was to chop the vegetables and make the stew while she prepared the main meal. I chopped the vegetables slowly, because frankly, I haven't used a knife before. In the swamp we used a sharpened rock.

While we cooked I could hear the laughter of the twins and Andrew just beyond the dining room. Along with that, Kali and Conner seemed to be fighting over something in the dining room. I tried to focus on chopping the vegetables but my hand slipped.

Pain spread through my finger and I let out a shriek. Opal quickly turned around. "What's wrong!" She said loudly and looked at the bloody finger. "I-It's nothing. I just cut my finger a little." I winced as I held my finger, blood now dripping down to my forearm. The door opened and Andrew rushed in.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He came over to me and tugged my hand in his. He looked a little startled at the blood and looked worried. I-It's really not a big deal. It's just a little cut. He turned to Opal. "Do you have first aid?" Opal nodded and called Kali. "Kali go get the first aid, Olive hurt her finger."

Kali nods and walks away. I'm still not sure what Andrew's up to... Suddenly Andrew is pushed away from me. When I look down I see Conner hugging my waist tightly. He looks over at Andrew and glares. Andrew raises his eyebrow but shakes his head.

I look down at Conner and gently shake him off of me. I go to the sink and run the water over my finger just as Kali comes back with the first aid kit. I quickly patch my finger up with a white bandage. "Olive, thank you but I can finish the rest by myself. You hurt your finger pretty bad."

Oh... I feel a little disappointed but I nod my head. I would just get in the way. I head to the previous room where I left the ferret in Suyin's care. I enter the room to see the ferret asleep on a pillow. I shouldn't bother it.

I leave the room and start to wander around the house. Along the way I stop to look at a few metal sculptures and paintings on the walls. "Dinner's ready!" I hear Opal call out. I walk back to the dining room slowly. As I open the door I see the table is full except for one seat. The seat next to Andrew.

I walk over and sit beside him. Everyone is talking and laughing as the chef comes and serves us our food. I didn't know they had a chef. Why didn't he just make the food? Opal comes over and sits down across from me. "Since we have a special guest, I decided to cook a homemade meal tonight."

Wei and Wing raise their eyebrows and start poking the food with their forks. After a few minutes of poking, Opal grows annoyed. "Will you guys just try it?" They hesitate and then begin to eat. Immediately they smile. "Hey, this is pretty good. Didn't know you could cook sis." Opal ignores them and we continue to eat.

After dinner I help Opal wash the dishes and clean up. As I leave and start to walk down the hallway I see Andrew walk into a room down the hall. What is he doing? I decide to follow him. Pressing my ear to the door I try to listen for his voice.

I don't hear anything... Then, suddenly, I fall forwards as the door opens quickly. Someone grabs my arm before I hit the floor and I look up into his hazel eyes. Andrew. He's holding me up and I scramble away. "U-Um." I feel guilt and embarrassment wash over me.

He looks confused. I look down to see a toolbox in his hands. So that's what he was doing... "I was just getting Baatar Jr. his toolbox. He was working on a new invention." He pauses "Why were you listening by the door?"

I look down in shame. "I-I was...." I trail off. I have to tell him. I sigh and begin to speak. "I'm sorry Andrew. I-I was suspicious and I thought maybe you were..." To be honest I don't really know what I thought he was doing. Andrew realizes where I'm going and looks a little hurt.

I quickly look up. "Andrew I'm really sorry I didn't mean-" I stop when I feel a weight on my head. He's stroking my hair softly. "It's okay, I'm just glad you told me." He laughs and starts to walk away.

I follow him and walk in a daze, confused by his actions. My cheeks feel a little hot as we walk through the hallway. "I-I should get to bed. I'll see you tomorrow Andrew." I say softly and he chuckles. "See you."

I walk back to my room, and get ready for bed. As I lay in my bed and burrow beneath the covers my thoughts drift off to Toph. It's always the same. Even after 3 years, the memories never fade do they.