The Girl and the Fire Lord

17 Sapphire Dress - Zuko's POV

"Are you almost ready, Zuko?" She yelled from my couch. I was rummaging through my closets looking at different outfit possibilities. I liked to wear different things each day. 

"What do you think of this?" I asked, holding up a deep, rich black robe. "Does this look powerful? Kind of sleek? Sharp enough to pierce a fire nation battle ship?" 

Hiromi rolled her eyes. "It looks just as well as the last ten did, now come on! We need to get going." She looked at me so intently, urging me to hurry up. I slipped the black robe on and walked to her, pulling her up off of the couch and into my arms. 

"We'll be there on time, don't worry." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist. She had such a strong, sharp body. Her head rested on my shoulder.

"I love how strong, but soft you are. You're so comfortable." She said, and I held her tighter. Most people didn't see me as 'comfortable', and it made my heart quicken to hear her say it. I was really growing to like this girl. 

We left the room and headed to the theatre, which was about a half mile from the palace. When I went alone, I rode my komodo rhino, but I wanted to enjoy the walk with Hiromi. It was a gorgeous night, and the walk went by quickly.

When we got to the theatre, we went immediately up to my box seat and enjoyed the refreshments that had been placed for us. Just as the show was about to start, someone in the audience below our box caught my eye.

She was kind of small, with long, rich, dark brown hair that had subtle waves and three flower buds for embellishment. Her dress was a deep sapphire blue color and fit closely to her figure until it reached mid-waist, when it flared out and trailed behind her. She walked with such grace... the delicate kind of gracefulness. She sat down in one of the edge balcony seats and crossed her legs daintily. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. 

Then he walked in. 

One of my newer guards - Yao? Yoko? Something like that - walked behind her and took the seat beside her. I watched, eager to see if he was a friend or a date. Something about her was so special, and absolutely intrigued me. I hoped he was just a friend.

"What are you looking at?" The girl sitting beside me asked. I snapped my head back to Hiromi and put on a quick smile.

"Just trying to see if one of my guards has a new girlfriend. I know he has been very interested in one girl in particular, but I don't know if his is the one or not."

"Oh! I know almost all of the female staff. I can look and see if I know her." She offered, standing and looking throughout the room. "Where is she?" 

I thought about it for a moment - did I keep my strange infatuation with this random girl secret, or fess up now and avoid consequences later? I didn't feel right about lying, so I just spoke what was on my mind.

"The girl with the flowers in her hair down there - next to that tall guy with the broad shoulders." I said, pointing downwards. "She's extremely beautiful, and I was wondering if he was able to get someone like her." I said. Wondering if I'd be a contender to get someone like her.

"The girl in the blue dress?" Hiromi asked, now pointing to the girl as well.

"Yes, her."

"Ah - yeah, she and that guy have been dating for a little while now. It seems pretty serious between them. She and I are really close friends. My roommate met her when she first came to the palace and took her under her wing. She's cool, but she and that guy are pretty tight." Hiromi said, and I felt my heart drop down to my stomach. I wanted so badly to talk to her. 

"That girl there? Near the side of the balcony?" I pointed my finger more directly at her, and Hiromi grumbled.

"Yes, I'm telling you, she's dating your friend." 

The girl turned and looked up directly at me.

"Jeez Zuko, don't point!" Hiromi said grabbing my arm. My cheeks felt hot. The girl cocked her head to the side and then looked back to her boyfriend. I made a promise to myself to stay focused on Hiromi and put the girl out of my mind. She had a boyfriend, so she was completely unavailable. Even if I wanted to go talk to her, I couldn't. 

I reminded myself of that over and over the rest of the night.