Chapter Twenty-Two

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                        Mr. Basco didn't expect to see a lengthy stack of papers plopped out on his desk accompanied by a smirking Katara and Zuko, his body fidgeting out of a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety of being critiqued so quickly. The classroom was bare save for the three of them and it was that sparsity that both soothed and worsened the growing unease that became hard for Zuko to swallow upon watching his teacher pick up their work. Katara quickly nudged Zuko giving him a small calming smile as Zuko deeply inhaled knowing that would please her. Zuko silently released his breath and quickly nudged her back in thanks feeling his heart steady once again as they watched him read over their works.

"This is...so well done." Basco finally said slightly amused at the slumping relief of Zuko's shoulders as Katara perked up.

"You really like it?" She asked. Basco nodded.

"I can tell you both worked really hard on this despite your...setbacks." A humble smile crawled across the young man's lips. "And you two really played to each other's strengths." Zuko chuckled rubbing the back of his neck.

"I mean, she really has a way with words." He stated with a small shrug. Katara chuckled softly and nudged him again with a growing smile.

"So do you, I don't even know how you can make dark tones work the way you do." Zuko kept his gaze off her, his cheeks starting to tint as she smiled at him. The teacher watched a little bewildered trying to keep a straight face before letting out a soft chuckle.

"Glad to see you two finally got along, at least for the project." The two of them now realizing how they were acting forced a blush on both sets of cheeks forcing their eyes to be cast away from each other and their teacher. Basco kept his smile on his face and continued to read. I had just hoped they would get along. I didn't think something more would develop. He thought to himself as he continued to read over the work. He noticed the shy side glances passed towards each other and the comfortable body language that had now overtaken them. I wonder how this story will go.

~~

Mai watched Zuko throughout the day when she could. Tightening her grip on her fork at lunch over the way he passed glances the other girl's way and the way she hid her blush from her friends as they passed by each other. The shy way he would rub the back of his neck around her if she got close enough to him passing by while getting to their classes. But what irked her the most was the extra energy in his step when he got to the class that he and Katara shared. It baffled her how much their relationship had changed over time, how one heated kiss could mean so much between them, and at the same time, it hurt her. It hurt to know that she was no longer in his thoughts, it ached to realize how quickly he left her behind and by the lovestruck smile on his face, it seemed to be without remorse. The glint in his eye when he sees her, how his posture straightens a little more, how she keeps her head down for only a moment before giving him a smile that always seems to take his breath away. It's the little things like that she found that hurt the most. A newfound empathy was found for the younger boy who followed Katara, seeing the lovesick eyes following her around only for her to cast eyes on Zuko. She knew well how it feels to be ignored in that regard. She became distant and colder towards her small group of friends, watching the two siblings argue constantly now though noting that Zuko had now reprimanded her without fear now. Much to all of their surprise. Once the girls were alone, Azula often worked on plans to get her brother back under her control. Mai had trouble not rolling her eyes at those moments, realizing how much the determined girl needed to feel like she had control. She gleamed in pride with Ty-Lee's enabling comments and savored every moment of those who began groveling under her and scowled at the thought of anyone defying her. As Mai picked at her food, when she passively listened to Azula and her plans to reign over the school, she wondered how she could follow someone like her for so long. A small wry chuckle came from her. Just raised to be like dear mother and father, I guess. She thought to herself. A weak and spineless follower. That thought made her just as angry as Zuko drifting away from her.

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