𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅

               Chapter Forty Five
Elora

I smiled, feeling the pen glide over the paper as I sketched the scene before me. Sokka, Aang, and Zuko were sitting under the sun, engaged in random conversation. It was a sweet moment of bonding, and I wanted to capture it as a reminder.

"If you keep doing the workouts I taught you and add to them as you build your strength, you'll be able to see your abs," Zuko said, his tone awkward yet encouraging. Sokka tilted his head back, eyes closed, soaking in the sunlight.

"I thought god didn't give me those," Sokka replied, making Aang chuckle as he tossed another berry for Momo to catch.

I held in a laugh, not wanting them to hear me, as I continued to sketch. With the ongoing war and the constant need for training, I hadn't had much time for simple enjoyments like sketching or reading. But today, I decided to steal a moment for myself, even though I was supposed to be training, as Zuko had instructed. Instead, I was hiding on the roof of the beach house, watching them a few feet below me on the porch, savoring this rare, peaceful moment.

I was too focused on my drawing to notice Momo spotting me. He flew up to me, chittering loudly and giving away my hiding spot.

"Hey!" Zuko shouted, making me jolt. I tried to back up and hide further, but it was too late.

"What are you doing up there? I thought I told you to practice your forms!" Zuko demanded, his voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. Realizing I was caught, I sighed and jumped down from the roof.

Just as I landed, Katara walked out, holding a tray of watermelons with straws sticking out of them. "Who wants a nice cool glass of watermelon juice?" she asked, her cheerful tone contrasting sharply with Zuko's earlier reprimand.

"Ooo, ooo, me, me, me!" Aang exclaims, running over to Katara with excitement. Seizing the distraction, I attempt to slip away from Zuko's impending wrath. If there's one thing I know about him, it's that he's as uptight and angry as he is awkward.

"Hey, your lesson's not over yet!" Zuko shouts after me. "Get back here," he demands, grabbing onto my shirt to stop me from running any farther.

Sokka, noticing the action, glares at Zuko. "Come on, Zuko. Just take a break," I tell him calmly, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Yeah, what's the big deal?" Suki asks, stepping out with more watermelons.

"Fine! If you want to lounge around like a bunch of snail-sloths all day, then go ahead!" Zuko snaps, finally letting go of me.

"Maybe Zuko's right. Sitting around the house has made us pretty lazy. But, I know just the thing to change that," Sokka says, standing up with a sudden burst of energy. He takes my hand and twirls me around. "Beach party!" he announces, a wide grin spreading across his face.

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I'm all out of breath as I land outside the beach house, having blasted Zuko away after he attacked me. Our friends arrive just in time, their expressions a mix of shock and anger.

"What's wrong with you?! You could have hurt her!" Katara exclaims, her eyes blazing. Sokka marches toward Zuko, fists clenched, but I quickly put a hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with all of you!" Zuko shouts, standing to his feet, his face twisted with frustration. "How can you sit around having beach parties when Sozin's Comet is only three days away!" He looks at each of us in turn, his anger palpable. We exchange glances, the weight of his words sinking in, but none of us can find the right response.