Set My Heart On Fire (UPDATED AND CONTINUING!)

19. The Aftermath and Other Disasters

The hallways of good ol' Omashu High were once again filled to each and every corner with smirky students on their way to their second class of the day. Katara felt the cold iron handrail that hugged the linoleum staircase graze her fingers as she made her way up to the third floor of the school. Her eyes glued to her black ballerina flats and her chest heaving in fatigue, Katara felt herself beginning to collapse. Half the school day wasn't even over yet. A lot was on her mind, including her school work.

However, the lingering thought of her sub-standard lab report for Biology getting marked down as well as the English test anxiety were the least of her problems. What really weighed her down was the guilt, the betrayal, all the crappy feelings that strangled her spirit since Saturday night.

Everything happened all at once and so fast too. She played her song with Zuko, and everything was going great. But then she got rejected before she could even ask that one fateful question to Zuko, then she proceeded to accept the boy she didn't even like anymore all cause she felt vulnerable and hated looking vulnerable too.

"I don't like Aang. I know that. I just didn't want to look so pathetic and lonely to Zuko, so I said yes to him." Katara admitted in her thoughts.

"This is wrong, very very wrong. I should just call it off with Aang." Katara debated as she sauntered to class, bumping her shoulder occasionally into incoming students then mumbling apologies. Yeah, she was a wreck.

"But how could I turn him down? After I said yes so 'wholeheartedly'? It would crush him. Rejecting him like that, what would that do to our friendship?" She asked herself.

Katara managed to ruin both friendships all because she felt for one and didn't feel for the other. And she didn't know how to face either of them.

Fortunately, she hadn't caught sight of Zuko the entire morning, and she didn't have Aang in her first class. However, Aang was definitely in her next one and she could feel her head spin at the thought of seeing him.

The brief walk to class finally ceased as she pulled open the wooden classroom door. The class was scattered among the room, chatting for those last few minutes before the bell rang.

Aang, however, who would normally be up and about conversing with his fellow classmates, was sat perfectly still in his seat with a huge smile on his face. Katara could tell his eyes were already trained on the door since his gaze immediately met hers.

"Hey, Katara!" Aang said brightly from his seat at the far right side of the room. Katara noticed Aang's buddies occasionally glancing at Aang, wondering why he didn't try to talk to them. Katara was wary as she approached her friend.

"I know you usually sit behind me, but you can sit next to me if you want! Pipsqueak's not here today." Aang said enthusiastically.

"Umm, sure Aang." Katara replied. She took the seat at Aang's right, politely smiling at him as she sat down. Aang grinned.

The last bell finally rang and the students all scrambled to find their seats.

"Okay class, settle down!" said Mr. Kuruk as he positioned himself in front of the board.

Suddenly, Pipsqueak bounded into the room, his cumbersome frame barely making it through the doorway.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Mr. K!" Pipsqueak said in his low voice. His eyes landed on Katara who was sitting in his seat. He looked confused then suddenly scowled. Katara was nervous now, seeing how she had just taken his seat without permission.

"Take a seat, Mr. Pipsqueak." Mr. Kuruk said authoritatively. Pipsqueak continued to scowl at Katara before taking his seat at the back of the row, where he then frowned disappointingly.