THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 1)

(XII) Air

"I just want to try this one move first and then it's all yours. Here, hold it open for me. The single water whip. Looks doable."

Sokka and I sit side-by-side, having spent the past hour watching Katara try out some new movements from the scroll. Clearly, she has pretty much taken over it herself, and Aang has done little other than hold the scroll up for her to read. I'm starting to wonder if she really meant it when she said that it was for the both of them.

Katara attempts to pull off the move, but ends up whipping her own forehead. "Ow!"

"Ha, ha, ha!" Sokka laughs mockingly.

"What's so funny?" Katara glares at him.

"I'm sorry, but you deserved that," Sokka replies, before turning towards Aang. "You've been duped; she's only interested in teaching herself."

"Aang will get his turn once I figure out the water whip," she attempts it once again, but this time, I'm the one that gets hit by her whip. I wince back in pain, but honestly, I'm too afraid to complain out loud. Katara seems to be getting more upset by the second. "Ugh, why can't I get this stupid move?"

"You'll get it," Aang reassures her, but all he earns is a glare. "You just gotta shift your weight through the stances. There, see, the key to bending is—"

"Will you please shut your air hole? Believe it or not your infinite wisdom gets a little old sometimes! Why don't we just throw the scroll away since you're so naturally gifted!" Katara yells at him angrily, and we all stare back at her blankly. She angrily turns to Sokka, who is the only one either brave enough or stupid enough to glare at her. "What?" She then looks back at Aang, who is on the verge of crying. "Oh my gosh, Aang, I am so sorry, I don't know what came over me. But you know what, it won't happen again. Here, this is yours. I don't want to have anything to do with it anymore."

"It's okay Katara," Aang forgives her almost immediately.

"What about Alya? She's the real victim here," Sokka points toward the red mark on my forehead, which still hasn't disappeared from her failed water whip.

She then turns to me and glances down sadly. "I'm sorry, Alya. I should have been more careful and apologized before."

"It's alright, Katara," I assure her. "Accidents happen. That's why we're all still learning."

"And what about me? There was that time you—" Sokka begins, angering her all over again.

"No more apologies!" Katara snaps.

+++

When night falls, I can't help but feel slightly uneasy. For some reason, I get the feeling something really bad is about to happen. After the others fall asleep, I am suddenly startled by Katara, who sneakily slides out from her sleeping bag and grabs the infamous scroll, quietly walking away. I follow her, just wanting to make sure that she's alright. I soon realize why she took the scroll as soon as she starts attempting the water whip again.

"Ugh, ugh, ugh! Shoot! Come on water, work with me here! Okay, what if I just, ow! Stupid scroll!" she complains. "Okay Katara, shift your weight through the stances."

I walk out of my hiding spot, earning a surprised gasp from her. I clear my throat awkwardly. "Katara, isn't it a little too late to be out here practicing on your own?"

"I was just..." she glances around, futilely trying to come up with a believable excuse. "I... Well, I just wanted to train some more. Since Aang's resting and he doesn't need the scroll—"

"I can tell that you're struggling," I note. "Look, I know how you're feeling. I've been having some trouble with airbending myself. But we have a great advantage: we have Aang. Even though he isn't a master waterbender... He can still help you, Katara."