THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 1)

(XIV) Earth

"So how did you guys sleep last night?" Katara asks, as she and I are joined by Aang for breakfast. "You guys should really try out this lychee nuts, Jet said they're the best."

"Not really in the mood for nuts right now. I just think we should get going soon," I reply with a sigh.

"What? Why?" Katara frowns. "I know that we still have a long way to go to the North Pole, but Jet says that we can still make it as long as we fly overnight."

"Well, I appreciate the input, but I don't think it's good for Appa to fly that much with no rest."

"I don't know, Alya, I kind of like this place, too!" Aang replies with a smile. "Besides, Jet mentioned that he needs me and Katara to help out with something."

"I'm really starting to get tired of hearing about Jet."

"What? I thought you liked him."

"Not as much as you do, Katara," I retort, raising an eyebrow. She immediately blushes and clears her throat.

"What! Don't be ridiculous."

"You think Katara likes Jet?" Aang asks, and I'm pretty sure I can hear the disappointment in his voice.

"That's crazy! I think you like Jet!" She replies, sounding rather immature, if I may say so myself.

"Really? How old are we, seven?" I raise an eyebrow and sigh. "Look, I understand the appeal. Jet's a bad boy with a mysterious past and all, nobody is judging you for having a little crush. But we need to focus on getting to the North Pole and you both learning proper waterbending."

"You're just jealous that a boy is showing interest in me and not you," Katara retorts, making me gasp with surprise. I hear Aang coughing, almost choking on his food, probably just as shocked to hear this as I am.

"That's not true at all," I snap back.

"Really? Because you showed this same attitude back when we met Haru," Katara raises an eyebrow suspiciously.

"You had a crush on Haru!" Aang asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

"NOT THE POINT!" I yell back, suddenly unable to contain my anger any longer. "You know what? Do whatever you want, Katara. You clearly know what you're doing."

"Yes, I do," Katara says.

Sokka thankfully joins us, stopping us from any further confrontation. I immediately notice the worry in his face, though. Something must've happened out on the mission with Jet.

"Sokka! Look what the Duke gave me!" Aang shows him the pellet Jet gave him, before tossing it next to Momo, making it explode. Momo is clearly startled, hissing and scratching at Aang angrily. "Ow! Quit it!"

"Hey, Sokka. Is Jet back?" Katara asks, as Aang continues to try and pull Momo off him.

"Yeah he's back. But we're leaving," Sokka replies with a frown.

"What?" Aang asks with confusion.

"But I made him this hat," Katara says, showing him the hat she made for him out of leaves.

"Your boyfriend Jet's a thug," Sokka adds.

"What? What do you mean?" I ask him.

"No, he's not!" Katara replies bitterly.

"He's messed up, Katara," Sokka replies.

"He's not messed up, he's just got a different way of life, a really fun way of life," Aang suggests.