ATLA: Book Two: Earth {Makki}

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven: Cresent Moon Necklace

Makki |~|

Today was one of our few days off from the tea shop. I usually spend these days lying around since all the other days I'm up on my feet the whole time, but I decided to get up today because something strange happened... Zuko woke me up. I always just wake up on my own and get ready, but this time, Zuko knocked on my door and asked me to get up.

I hope everything's all right...

After getting dressed in my casual clothes and getting the knots out of my short hair, I walked out of my room to see that everything was fine. Iroh was making some breakfast (and tea) and Zuko was sitting on the couch, but he looked a bit tense.

"So, where's the fire?" I asked him. "Why'd you get me up?"

"I wanted to ask you something," Zuko shot up from the couch and up to me.

"Breakfast is served!" Iroh called as he placed all of our breakfast on the kitchen counter.

"...Uh, sorry, can it wait?" I asked, eyeing the food on the counter.

Zuko lightly nodded and the three of us dug into Iroh's delicious food. Meals together always went by fast, considering that there were three of us, but also because Iroh... well, he's a food lover. When the dishes were all cleared of food, I took them to the sink to start cleaning them.

"So, Makki..." Zuko approached me.

"Yeah. What did you want to ask me again?"

"I just... I wanted to, I mean, if you want to, I would like to take you..." Zuko's faces slowly started to turn pink. "Ugh, look! I remember you saying that you wanted to explore Ba Sing Se, so I want us to walk around the city together..!"

I felt my whole body stop in shock.

Did he just... ask me out on a date..? Zuko, the boy that I have feelings for, asked me out... on a date..!

"Uh, um, y-yeah..." I tried to say. "er, yes, I mean, yes. I would like that..."

"All right! Sounds-- sounds good," Zuko said before clearing his throat. "How about we leave when you're, uh, done with that?"

Zuko motioned his head towards the dishes in the sink. I smiled and nodded.

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After cleaning, drying, and putting away all of the dishes, Zuko and I spoke with Iroh about us leaving for the day. He seemed very happy about the idea and the two of us began our date by walking through the market place.

I feel nervous... but also very... excited.

The two of us walked through the market, occasionally stopping to window shop and eye a few products. There was one small place that caught my eye. It was full of jewelry. And I'm not one to decorate my body with silver and gold, but it's still nice to look at.

"...Is there anything you'd like?" Zuko came up beside me in the store.

"No, I don't need anything," I waved him off.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Now come on, let's go do something fun..!"

Zuko shyly nodded before I started to lead the way out of the store. I thought he was walking with me, but when I turned at the sound of footsteps coming towards me, I was surprised to see Zuko having to catch up.

"What? Where were you?" I asked.

"I was... talking with someone. I heard them mention that a zoo opened up just outside of the wall," Zuko explained. "Would you like to go?"