CHAPTER TEN

After Zuko left that night, I felt different. It was the same feeling I felt when Sokka left for collage. Most people deal with loneliness by hanging out with friends, drinking, going out to clubs but when you can't do any of that, it's easy to distract yourself with other things like working which is what I have been doing for the past two weeks. I wasn't able to do much with my broken ankle. I wasn't aiming for that. I just did enough to distract myself. I scrubbed the floor twice today. Uncle Iroh wouldn't let me do much. He tried to stop me but I wasn't having any of it. He would walk by every now and then with a worried look on his face. I would always give him a smile just so he would know that I was okay. "Katara, can I have a word with you." He said as he sat behind the kitchen counter. I used one of my clutches to walk over to the chair behind the counter, taking a sit beside him. "What's bordering you? If this is about Zuko, then you should know that it's not your fault. My nephew does these things to get a little freedom from his Father. I was fine with it at first. He started following his father's words and in return he'll come here and spend time with Shaun, get a break from things. Two years ago he had an accident. He pulled a stunt on his motorcycle, he almost got himself killed. He was in a comma for nine months. I thought he'll never wake up. I blamed myself for what happened after all this time, I still haven't forgiven myself for what happened to him. If only I didn't encourage such behavior, he wouldn't have ended up in the hospital. It's a good thing I found out that he was using one of thoes motorcycles again." As I watched uncle Iroh try to justify his actions. I couldn't help but wish that I had someone like him in my life, someone that really cared for me. I broke my ankles and none of my family members came to see me. I was the burden they wanted to get rid of. "Uncle Iroh, bad things happened sometimes. It's not your fault. Zuko is just very stubborn and hot headed." I said giving him a warm smile. "You like my nephew don't you?" He's question caught me off guard. I can't possible have 'feeling' for Zuko. Even if I did, it was of no use. I'll end up heartbroken or worse I'll end up like my mum. She sacrificed everything for my father but he went and hurt her with that walking manikin presently known as Donna, my step mother. I would never forget how heartbroken she was when she found out about my father and Donna. She was already dying from a complicated pregnancy. The least they could have done was to let her die in peace.

"No. I don't like him like that. It's complicated." I couldn't explain how I felt when it came to Zuko. Every time I set my eyes on him my heart starts beating fast against my rib cage that I sometime felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. "He doesn't make this place feel like a punishment…. It feels like I swallowed butterflies and I start to feel nervous whenever he's around me.'' I said the last sentence so quickly I didn't think that uncle Iroh heard me.

"You have feelings for my nephew. I'm not surprised. You kept yourself in isolation after he left and I have seen the two of you together." He was right but I can't allow myself to fall for him. I can already picture him leaving me for someone else. I always end up being alone.

"Even though I have... feelings... for him. I know he doesn't feel the same way. Everyone I have ever known always ends up leaving me though matter how hard I try to please them." I said as I played with my fingers. Iroh looked at me with sadness in his eyes. I knew he felt sorry for me but I didn't need him to pity me. Life isn't always rainbows and sunshine. I have experienced it, learned it and accepted it. "I'm sure my nephew feels the same way. I have never seen him have so much patience with anyone like he has with you."

"Even if he does, he'll leave me eventually. They always do. I better get to bed. We have to go to the hospital tomorrow to finally get my cast removed. "I was finally going to be able to get rid of this cast. "It wouldn't hurt to tell him. Give it a try." He insisted. "Good night uncle Iroh." I said as I got up, heading to the stairs. "Good night, katara."

TOPH'S POV

I love you too, bye'' I said as I quickly shoved my phone under my pillow before my bed room door flew open. ''sweetie, what are you doing?'' My mother said as she walked into my room with her arms folded. ''I was just putting my books away mum.'' I said offering her the biggest smile I could pull up. ''Oh really? Why are your hands shoved under your pillows? Are you hiding something?'' she said as she walked into my room and sat at the edge of my bed. ''What? No …. I'm not hiding anything.'' I said as I quickly pulled my hands out from under the pillow. ''Give it here sweet heart.'' She said as she stretched her hand out to me. ''What are you talking about?'' I said as I avoided eye contact with her. She could read me like a book. ''I heard you talking on the phone sweetie. I'm pretty sure you're meant to read a book and not tell it how much you love it. You aren't allowed to have your phone till next week. You're being punished. We want you to stay away from him. You need to concentrate on your education and not on that boy-'' she started to say but I cut her off. I was tired of them thinking that Aang was a bad influence. '' His name is Aang and he is a really nice guy once you get to know him. He's been helping me in school and he loves me more than anything, I love him too. I love him so much that it hurts when I don't see him every day. It hurts every time you and Dad try to separate me from him.'' I said as I blinked away my tears. Though matter how much I told them how I felt about Aang, they still won't change their mind. "Someone convinced me that he wasn't all that bad. We shouldn't have judged him so quickly. '' I stared at her with wide eyes as she said that. I just couldn't understand what made her change her mind about Aang. I have been trying to convince them ever since they found out. "Why did you change your mind? Don't get me wrong or anything I'm glad you changed your mind but why did you do it?'' I said as I sat straight on my bed, watching her every move, trying to make sure that she wasn't pulling my legs. ''when your father comes back home today, I'll talk to him about inviting Aang over for dinner next weekend.'' I felt myself floating on thin air. They were finally going to give Aang a chance, I won't be punished anymore and I get to see Aang again. "Thank you…. thank you.'' I said as I wrapped my arms around her. '' Don't get your hopes up, I haven't accepted the young man yet.'' She said as she pulled away. ''You're giving him a chance and that's all that matters right now. I promise you won't regret it." I watch her get off the bed and straightened her dress before heading for the door. She suddenly stopped in her track. '' That reminds me. Katara is here to see you. I don't approve of her recent behavior and I definitely don't want her to influence you. I'm giving you five minutes to talk to her.'' Katara was here. My fists clenched by themselves as I glared at the wall. I knew my mother could sense some hesitation. She shouldn't expect me to run to the front door and welcome katara. Even after what she did. I still miss her. She was my best friend after all but she had managed to separate me from Aang and got me into a lot of trouble with my parents. "Go on, you only have 5 minutes and you're back up in your room." She said sternly. I sighed out loud and she gave me a warning look that immediately stopped me from giving her attitude. I went down stairs heading over to the front door. I opened it gently and there she stood. I had missed her dearly but I was still angry with her. "What are you doing here?" I said as I closed the door behind me, breathing in some fresh air. I haven't stepped out of the house after i got caught climbing into my bedroom window weeks ago. Katara looked different, no hair extensions, no makeup and she's not even wearing something expensive. Wait is that my shirt? Damn Suki, she borrowed some of my stuff and gave it to katara. My eyes flew to her feet. She doesn't have any cast on. Suki tried to get me to visit her but I wasn't ready to see her face again after what happened. "Toph, I know you hate me right now. I... I didn't do it. I swear, I didn't do it." She said as she took a step forward but stopped when she saw me take two steps back. "You told my parents about Aang. You even admitted to sending them a massage. You got what you wanted. You always do." I said as I watched a tear roll down her cheeks. "I'm really sorry Toph. I honestly didn't do it. You know I would never hurt you." I had to really watch her closely. Katara is a very good liar. If she was doing it right now then I guess she was better than I thought. A part of me felt like she was telling the truth. "If that's true then I need you to tell me who did." I said as I folded my arms and leaned on the wall. "I don't know. Strange things have been happening. I got drugged that night. I fainted in the bathroom and someone kept trying to get in. I'm guessing the same person was the one who burnt down the kitchen and sent that massage to your parents." Everyone knew katara had a lot of enemies. She always had to get whatever she wanted at any cost. "When I got into uncle iroh's house it didn't stop there. I got framed again and this time I got a note. I brought it with me because I thought you could help me find out who it is. "I took the paper and read it out loud. ''It's about time you start paying for your sin, sighed T. Who's T?'' I said as I handed the paper over to her. ''I have no idea. I was hoping you could help.'' She said as she shoved the paper back into her jean pocket. ''how I'm I supposed to know the people you have offended. It's not like I keep records of stuff like that.'' I said but regretted my words when I saw how it hurt her but she quickly covered it up. '' I didn't come here to ask you to solve my problems. I just wanted you to know that I'm innocent. I think its Leo Turner. He's the only one who could do such a thing and one of his initials has a T." My eyes widened when she mentioned his name. After what she did to Leo, he won't spare her. Leo is katara's step brother. He came into her life when Donna married Hakoda. Leo was obsessed with Katara. I had lost count of how many times I had to make up stories just to let her spend the night at my place instead of staying home alone with him. He wanted her for himself. He was very possessive of her. Nobody understood why until he kissed her and confessed the feelings he had for her. I still remember how terrified katara was that day. We were only fourteen at the time. We tried to tell Hakoda and my parents about this but they didn't take it seriously until he was found in his underwear chocking katara on the bed, blood was everywhere. She managed to stab him in his left eye before he could take off her clothes. She had stabbed him in his right eye with a pen out of self-defense. She never told anyone the details of what happened in that room, she was too scared to say anything for months. Leo was eighteen at the time, he was considered an adult and was supposed to be sent to jail but Donna claimed that her brother was mentally deranged and pleaded for him to be sent to the mad house instead of jail. Katara and I knew she was lying to save her brother from the law. "But he's in the mad house and it's been three years now." I said as I watched the colors drain out from her face. It took her a very long time to finally sleep alone in her room after that incident. "If he got out somehow then I have to tell my father about this." She said as she folded her shacking hands. I wanted to hug her and tell her that everything was going to be okay but I was still mad at her. I still needed to know if this was real or she was just making this up. "Tell me what happened at iroh's house." I said as I lead her over to the garden behind the house and sat on the bench, tapping the spot beside me. She sat down and told me everything. It was strange how her eyes would always light up when she mentioned Zuko's name. There was something she wasn't telling me about him. "Who's this Zuko?" I asked. Pretending not to know him. Zuko was Aang's best friend. I have hanged out with them multiple times. "Its…it's the guy from school. The one we had a bet on." She said as her cheeks turned scarlet.

KATARA'S POV

"You most really like him huh?" She said with a playful smirk on her face. "Are you guys dating yet?" She asked as she nudged my shoulder with hers. "No...it's nothing like that. We're just work mates. We just became friends before this stuff happened." I said as I looked at everything except her. "Did you guys kiss yet?"

"Toph!"

"Answer the question." She said with a smirk on her face. "Ye... yes." I said as I felt blood rush to my cheeks. "You like him don't you." She asked with a hint of sadness in her voice "I kind of figured that out last night. He might not say much but he can be really sweet and understanding." I said remembering all thoes times he helped me after all the suffering I put him through. "Not to mention he's really good looking."She said as she nudged my shoulder with hers. "Yeah." I said as we both laughed. "Now you know how I feel. I really miss Aang." She said with a sad look on her face. I had separated her from Aang.

"I promise I'll fix it. You know your parents love me. They'll definitely give Aang a chance. I'm really sorry Toph. Even though I didn't do it, all this happened because of me. I shouldn't have done what I did to Leo. I was just scared and -" I started to say but she cut me off. "He deserved what he got. He was a sick man katara. You had nothing to do with it. He tried to kill you." She said as she held my hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. After that experience, I couldn't let anyone hold me or kiss me without thinking of Leo. That was why I couldn't blame any of my exes for leaving me. ''where's your cast? I guess I'm too late to sign it.'' She said as she stared at my feet. ''I got it off this morning.'' We were always the first to sign each other's cast. Nobody was allowed to sign hers until I sign first, the same with mine.

"Your time is up, madam." A man in a black suit said. This security man was new. "it was up five minutes ago. Thanks for the extra time Steve." She said as she stood up. "Bye katara. I need to return to my cell."

"Hopefully it will end today." I gave her a small smile. "I'm really sorry; I hope you can forgive me. I really want us to be friends again. ''I said as I headed for the car but then I felt Toph's arms wrapped around me. "I missed you so much. We're practically sister's katara; sisters get mad at one another sometimes. We will talk once I get my phone back, Steve is losing his patience." I quickly headed to the car and waved Toph good bye as she got into the house with Steve following closely behind her. "How did it go?" Iroh asked as I got into the car. "It was great. Thank you uncle Iroh." I put on my sit belt as he started the engine. He turned the car around and headed straight into town. The restaurant was in the outskirt of town. "Why aren't we heading back?" I asked as I watched a small smile form on his face. "I thought I should visit my brother and his wife to see how they're doing." I tensed up as he mentioned visiting his brother that meant that I'll see Zuko again.

"I don't think I can face Zuko right now."

"My nephew isn't at home katara. He sometimes accompanies his father on a few business trips." He said as he headed straight to Zuko's house. I could only hope that what he said was true.

Sorry for the errors and wrong grammar. I'll try to proof read it soon. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I really want to know what you think about it. Please send me a review. I'll really appreciate it.

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