Best Friends Forever?[SPORATIC UPDATES]

22: The Invasion

I duck behind a pillar and hold my breath.

I've been avoiding Zuko ever since we got back from the island. If anyone asks it's because Mai refuses to believe that I won't steal her boyfriend.

I count to 35 before peeking around the corner. We the coast is clear, I keep walking.

I don't really know how to... talk to Zuko now. He did something pretty awful to me...

That's it. That's as far as I get in the thought. Thinking about really just gives me a headache, so I try everything in my power to absolutely not.

Strange enough, I've been hanging out a LOT more with Azula. She hasn't given up on trying to figure out what my whole affinity for lightning thing is, but... she has been a lot nicer to me. 

I think we're actually kinda friends now.

"Hey, Zula." I say. Entering the area we'll be training in. "What are we working on today?"

"Zea." Her typical cool voice sounds warmer than usual. "Today, since you still cannot bend, we will be working on your evasion."

"Ah, easy."

"Really?" She raises a dark brow. "We'll see."

I have nearly been singed 4 times.

And it's only been 5 minutes.

"Do you.. do you think... you could... pull back... just a bit?" I say between breaths. I take back what I said about her being nicer to me. She is clearly still trying to kill me.

She sends another stream of fire at my head. "I thought you said this would be easy." 

I fully believe I only dodged that because my leg gave out.

I look up at her with a frown. She looks down at me with her head tilted to the side and a small pout on her face.

I give her my best attempt at an adorable, begging face.

She sighs. I win.

"Fine. I'll be less... harsh." She rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders. "But we start now." She punches another flame at me.

We kept at it all. day. 

By the time the sun went down, I managed to go a full 60 minutes with out collapsing.

Think I'm finally getting used to these intensive trainings. 

I flop onto the floor. 

Zula gives me a light kick. "Get up. Dinner will be ready soon."

"Uuuuggghhhhhh."

"... I heard they're serving smoked elephant koi..."

I sit up so fast, I didn't even feel the pain.

Until after.

"UUUUGGGHHHH!"

And flopped forward instead.

◇◇◇◇◇

I.

Am so.

Bored.

"Nope. Nope. I can't take it anymore." I stand up from my failing attempt at meditating and stretch out. "I'm leaving. There is no way I can stay cooped up in here."

I don't know why, but I feel particularly antsy today. I can't stay still and I can't stay here. 

"Azula told us to stay here." Ty says. Bending over backward and to grab her ankles. Looks like she can't stay still either.

"Relax... it's not like I'm a bender anyway. What'll the sun do to me?" I wave her off and walk out of the door.

It's... oddly quite. Almost creepy that no one is around.

Definitely not helping my ever growing anxiety. 

As I listen to the rumblings of battle above, I can't help but wonder: what if they win? What if they are successful in their invasion of the Fire Nation capital? Of the Palace?

I wonder what'll happen to me then. 

I did aid in an attempt to capture the Avatar. Nearly electrocuted his friends.

Even helped take over Ba Sing Se.

Sure... I didn't do MUCH, but... 

I mean... I doubt they would even recognize me.

Maybe I can get away with saying I'm just some basic noble who has never left the capital a day in her life?

"Azeala?"

I look forward when I hear my name. "Zuko...?" I look him over. "Where are you... going..."

"Azeala..." He reaches for me.

I take a cautious step back. "Are you... are you defecting...?" Woah. I did not see that coming. "That's..."

"Azeala, you- you don't..."

"Nah. I get it. Believe me, I completely understand wanting to leave a awful father behind. Wanting to flee from a bad situation." I straighten my posture, but still maintain caution. "I know we aren't friends anymore. Zuko, but I still have something you need to tell me: Why did you lie about my parents."

"Azeala, I don't have time to-"

"Please, Zuko." I smile sadly at him. "A parting gift."

He sighs heavily. "I... I didn't know how to tell you. We had just met after a long time, and you opened up to me, and I thought we were becoming friends so... I didn't want you to be sad."

"Didn't want me to be sad... thanks, Zu." I lower my gaze and drop my shoulders. "You can go now."

He hesitates, but continues running down his path. I watch him as he goes. Running into a hopeful future.  

I don't even know what I expected. Malice? A plan? Some secret revenge plot? It almost feels worse to be upset because someone 'didn't want me to be sad'. 

I sigh before continuing down the hall.

I guess that's what I was anxious about. I only feel a cold abyss sitting where my nerves had once been. 

... so... I forgot July existed...

My mom had a birthday party... and I was wrestling death... and I was living so day to day that I COMPLETLY forgot to wish a good friend of mine happy birthday...

And I honestly... just forgot about this chapter. It is a little shorter than I typically write, but I hope you'll forgive that in light of the super long chapter before this one 😁.

I plan to release the August chapter a week at MOST after this one.

(Don't hold me to that 💀)

ANYWAY,

Hope you have a good stretch, a nice nap, and sweet dreams.

P. S. I didn't proofread this. I am too tired and am sorry.