𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑪𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒘𝒔

Chapter Ninteen
Elora

A few days ago, we found ourselves embroiled in the drama of the Chin Village celebration, Avatar Day. Turns out, they were not big fans of the Avatar, believing Kyoshi had offed their leader four centuries ago. Long story short, we cleared the Avatar's name, saved the village from Fire Nation trouble, and now they're Avatar enthusiasts. Leaving the village behind, we set our sights on Gaoling, a bustling stable town on our journey deeper into the Earth Kingdom. Ba Sing Se was our ultimate destination, but finding an earthbending teacher for me seemed to be as elusive as a flying bison wearing a top hat. Nevertheless, I clung to hope like a lemur clings to a tree branch.

In Gaoling, Katara was on high alert, hoping to spot a potential earthbending master. But, alas, our mission was sidelined when Sokka caught sight of a bag he deemed "pricy but irresistible." For the next 20 minutes, we were stuck in a retail time loop, Sokka oscillating between "I deserve it" and "It's too expensive." My patience wore thin, and I swear I could feel steam coming out of my ears.

Just when I was about to deliver a swift justice punch, Aang intervened with a firm grip on my collar his face looking unimpressed. Sokka, sensing the tension, made a decision – he was getting the bag! Finally!

As Sokka dashed back to make his purchase, a shady flyer distributor approached us, whispering conspiratorially about earthbending and rock-throwing. He handed me a flyer for Master Yu's Earthbending Academy, complete with a tantalizing coupon for a free first lesson. Excitement bubbled within me like a pot of boiling noodles.

Katara, ever the optimist, suggested that Master Yu might just be the earthbending mentor we'd been searching for. With Sokka's bag secured and my flyer clutched tightly, we made our way to Master Yu's academy, hoping this could be the breakthrough we needed.

✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾

I emerge from Master Yu's academy, my clothes dirtied and my spirits dampened by my lackluster earthbending performance. I couldn't move anything more than a pebble – it was beyond pathetic, utterly embarrassing.

"He's not the one," I sigh, my disappointment palpable as I approach my friends, shaking my head in defeat.

"I'm sure we'll find someone soon," Aang offers words of reassurance, Sokka attempts to offer comfort by reaching for my hand, but I instinctively pull away, guilt gnawing at me like a relentless fire. Sokka looks hurt and confused once again, but before he can say anything, his attention shifts to two boys exiting the academy.

"I think The Boulder is gonna win back the belt," one of the boys declares confidently, prompting his friend to chime in with a remark about the tough competition.

"Excuse me, but where is this earthbending tournament exactly?" Aang's curiosity is piqued as he approaches the teens with a gentle smile.

"It's on the Island of Noneya none o' ya business!" the first kid quips, the pair walking away with laughter trailing behind them.

Okay, that was funny.

Sokka bursts into laughter as we join Aang, Katara and I share a knowing smirk, silently acknowledging the humor in the situation. I place my hand on Aang's shoulder, offering him a small, grateful smile.

"Katara and I will handle this one," I announce, shooting Aang a confident grin as we set off after the two teen boys.

"Hey, you strapping lads! Hold up!" Katara calls out, her voice dripping with sarcasm as we round the corner to catch up with them. They turn, smirks plastered across their faces.

"Why are two stunning girls like you hanging around those losers back there?" one of them quips, oozing with arrogance.

"Oh, you know, just killing time until we stumbled upon some real eye candy... like you two," I retort, laying on the flattery thick. Their egos inflate faster than a hot air balloon.