𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 ᵃᵗˡᵃ

Chapter Nine: Community Servi- Nope, Boiling Oil

   "Tell her how you feel, and it'll work out!" the prisoner urged.

I groaned and rubbed my face. Aang had made friends with the prisoners, and they were giving him dating advice.

"Seriously, Aang, I can't believe you're letting convicts give you dating advice," I grumbled, my eyes on my book and a bag of popcorn in my lap. Yeah, I was able to pop it using my firebending. Who needs microwave ovens?

One of the felons turned towards me. "What about you? You need any help?"

"I'm good," I replied, popping a piece of popcorn in my mouth. The man frowned.

Aang patted his shoulder. "Hey, buddy, it's okay. Don't take it personally." He smirked at me. "She already has a boyfriend, that's all."

I choked on my snack. "I'm sorry, what?!" I felt myself blush.

"Yeah," Aang said with a triumphant smile, "that Jacob kid you told us about."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Jacob is my best friend, not my boyfriend," I growled. He raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Then I must have imagined that dreamy look on your face when you talked about him."

The prisoners all leaned back, saying, "Ooh, burn!"

I spluttered for a few moments, then slammed my book closed and stood up. "I'm gonna go find a library," I grumbled and stomped away. I could hear Aang snickering behind me.

*****

I leaned against the wall, watching the exchange between Katara, Sokka, and Tong. Katara and Sokka had found evidence against Chin Village's claims.

"Sorry, but that's not how we do it here," Tong sneered.

Aang frowned, "Then how am I supposed to clear my name?"

Tong smiled, "Oh, that's easy. I'll tell my side of the story, and you tell yours, and then I decide who's right and who's wrong."

We all gasped, and I growled, "That's not fair! Aang has the right to an unbiased jury and a lawyer!"

They stared at me blankly. "I have no idea what you just said, but that's how it works," Tong smirked. "Good luck!" He skipped out of the room, laughing like a maniac.

"What's a jury?" Katara asked.

"What's a lawyer?" Aang questioned.

I smacked my forehead and turned to Sokka. "You better have some strong evidence," I murmured.

*****

Tong stepped into the center of the amphitheater. "Chin the Great was great, and we all loved him for it. Then Avatar Kyoshi came and killed him! The end." He walked over to the bleachers and sat down, an evil smile on his face.

A guard pushed Aang into the center. "You got this, buddy!" I whisper-yelled.

Aang swallowed. "Okay, um ... I have, uh, evidence! That, um, proves that I didn't do it! So, um, first of all ..." He trailed off, trying to remember what to say. I heard Sokka whisper something about a footprint. Aang nodded, "Right, uh, you see, that footprint you have is small, and, uh, I have ... large feet?" He gestured to his small little feet. "Next, uh ... your statue is ... the same as your temple. And, I'm in a painting that's at sunset!" He smiled wide. "So, yeah, I'm innocent!"