Set My Heart On Fire (UPDATED AND CONTINUING!)

2. Life is Full of Surprises

Katara walked along the hallways of her new school. Despite being the second week there, she still couldn't quite get used to the environment yet. Aang was also beside her, which made her feel at ease. The pair were talking about some random thing, like they usually do.

"It's so easy to talk to Aang..," Katara thought, a smile on her face.

While glancing around the hall, the girl stopped when something caught her eye. Backtracking a bit, she surprised Aang and he followed her as well.

"Music club...auditions next week," Aang read aloud from the poster stuck on the wall. Turning to her, he shot her a grin. "You interested in this kind of stuff?"

"Yeah! I love to sing and I can play the piano a little bit too. I'd really like to try out," Katara said thoughtfully, her eyes glued to the poster.

Studying her face, Aang could see the nervous look in her eyes.

"Hey...don't be nervous, okay? I'm sure you'd be great," Aang smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. Katara felt at ease with Aang's reassurance and beamed back at him. The two spent another few seconds looking at the poster, then continued to walk each other to their last classes of the day.

After English class was finally over, Katara felt relief wash over her as she stepped out of the drab classroom. The days were long and the work seemed to just pile up more by each week; her teachers were not very kind to her. Nonetheless, she could now focus on something more exciting than factoring or studying rhetorical terms: music. Today were the auditions for Music Club and Katara couldn't contain her excitement.

The girl headed over to the auditorium, where the auditions were taking place. She was terribly nervous, but also excited, especially since Aang said he'd be there to watch. Not only did that excite her, but the music as well. She could hear the beats of drums and feel their unmistakable vibrations coming from the large theater across the courtyard. The sounds sent her own beats of her heart into overdrive; the sound of music always entranced her. The way notes would flow like water and engulf the ears with sweet sound. Her eyes closed as she finally reached the metal doors of the auditorium and pushed them open with one huge swing. The cold air blew her chocolate hair behind her as she stepped into the theater. She scanned the auditorium for any familiar faces, when suddenly, her eyes did fall upon on a familiar face...but it was not Aang.

Stepping back slightly, Katara's eyes widened when she saw none other than Zuko sitting on a small wooden stool in the middle of the stage, carefully strumming a guitar in his large hands. He hadn't seemed to notice her yet, but the girl was entranced by his music and the peaceful, genuinely happy look on his face. He seemed almost one with the music that streamed out from his instrument. His calloused fingers moved surely from one string to another, the tone rustic and flawless. Katara was captivated by Zuko's performance; she couldn't move or think, just let him serenade her.

She almost jumped when she realized that Zuko had stopped playing and people were applauding.

One man jumped on the stage and patted Zuko on the back.

"Great performance, Zuko," he said, grinning widely. The appreciation seemed to really make the boy happy, and, believe it or not, a smile found its way onto his face.

Katara blushed when she realized that her heart was pounding extremely fast. For some reason, Zuko's guitar really affected her. She realized that she had been standing in the entrance for quite a while, so she descended the steps and entered through the backstage tunnel. The backstage was a different world compared to the front lines. It was faded, dark, and unimportant. Nothing but the show stopper's shadow...

The other students there for auditions were all chattery as Zuko casually strolled out from his spot on stage. He looked so in control, his toned arms loose at his sides, one hand grasping the neck of his acoustic guitar. A black V-neck clung to his lean torso, while his wrists were tied with bands and woven bracelets of dark hues. His dark blue jeans, slightly faded, loosely encircled his waist and he wore a disinterested look. His jet black hair covered his amber eyes as he crossed the stage.