I really shouldn't start a new fic but I really like this one :)

Enjoy

The Meaning of Life

Chapter 1

Shot Down

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The music thrummed, his glass on the bar actually shuddered to the rumble of the bass. He glanced over his shoulder but quickly snapped his eyes back to his drink - her pale emerald eyes had slid his direction. He wrapped his fingers around the lowball glass and drained all the liquid courage it held. It burned as it slid down his throat. He embraced the feeling, took a deep breath, and then headed for the clique of girls.

"Hey ladies." he approached smoothly pushing his hair back attempting to catch the pale eyed girl's attention.

"Sokka!?" one girl squealed, he blinked, the alcohol-induced confidence slipping slightly.

"'Tara? Watcha doin here?"

She placed hands on hips; "Dancing." was the curt response

He shrugged, he'd give her a talk later, there were more pressing matters at hand, he turned to the dark haired girl "Why haven't we met?"

She kept her eyes down, bangs falling into her eyes; the youth seemed confused beyond measure.

Taking pity on the older sibling Katara stood on her toes and whispered in his ear, "Her name's Toph and she's blind."

Toph, sensing her name, turned to face the brother arms crossed, "So this is the sexist slob of a brother you've been telling me about?"

Katara clutched her sides from laughter while Sokka blushed. He knew that all those years of making fun of his sister would catch up at some point.

By why today?

"Toph this is Sokka, Sokka Toph." Katara introduced them, mustering as much seriousness as she could.

Toph stuck out her hand; grinning crookedly Sokka took it and lifted it to his lips and gently kissing it. Toph's eyes opened wide and Katara gazed opened mouthed, "Perhaps you would grant me a dance?"

That's right Katara, I've got the skills, he thought triumphantly.

He took her hand back and crossed her arms again, "Sorry, it's a bit past my bedtime." and with that she sauntered off Katara following behind waving a goodbye,

"Smirnoff. Please." He was back at the bar, drinking his embarrassment away.

"Oh Sokka, Sokka, Sokka." Came the familiar drool from beside him.

He grunted and placed a fiver on the bar in return for the liquid.

"What you're not going to say hi? I mean that little blind girl shot you down! It was brutal!"

The only response was the clink of glass hitting the counter, "Zuko."

He raised his hands in mock celebration, "It speaks!"

"Bugger off." He moaned rubbing his throbbing head.

Zuko looked slightly affronted but masked it quickly, "That's no way to talk to your roommate!"

He waved a hand shooing the pestering Zuko away.

"You're going to be hung-over tomorrow." Zuko scolded, arms crossed as Sokka down another drink.

Before Sokka could reply, his eyes shut and he fell forward onto the counter.

"Tut, tut my friend. Jeong can you call a cab?" The bartender nodded and made his way over to the phone.

The sun shone through the curtains and for a moment I was content, until last night hit me. I groaned in pain, the liquor stabbing every thought. The pain of drunkenness was soon replaced by my embarrassment for being shot down last night.

She was so pretty…I was so drunk; I should've predicted the outcome.

Luckily enough my oh-so-charming roommate came in at that very moment.

"Good morning Sunshine!" I knew he was a morning person, but how could he possibly so…awake?

"Mfmgh" I mumbled into my pillow trying to ignore the rhythmical throbs of pain going through my head.

Zuko just laughed and pulled the covers off my bed. I curled into a fetal position while Zuko left for the kitchen.

Stretching I walked over to my closet. Jeans…blue sweater…sandals…and I was ready. Still yawning I walked to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on my face, I gasped as it woke me. I rubbed my face on a towel before combing my hair into something half decent and brushed last night's alcohol away with the power of Crest Whitening Action.

"Ready?" Our apartment was small containing only 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a living room decked out with a PS3 and Wii and a large flat screen, courtesy of working many late nights at MacDonalds.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I swung the messenger back onto my shoulder.

Zuko was dressed in skinny jeans, a dress shirt artfully half untucked and his hair messy but still holding some preppy qualities.

How he does it? I have no idea. At least this was better than the ponytail he had…

We walked down the stairs a silence between us Zuko was reviewing his notes from Law.

The first stop on our way to school was the Jasmine Dragon; it was a tiny bakery just below our building. Zuko's Uncle owned it so we got free bread in the mornings.

"Good Morning!" he called across the room.

Zuko waved while I shrugged my shoulders, trying to not move my head.

---

"He's drunk?" Iroh asked Zuko as he handed over a package.

Nodding, "Oh ya, and he got shot down last night."

Iroh flinched, "Well keep an eye on him."

"I will. Thanks."

---

We left the tiny bell tinkling as we shared a loaf of fresh bread with peanut butter. Starbucks was next, for me a Grande Latte and for Zuko an Americano. The cute barista smiled at us while Zuko just looked awkward.

"She likes you." I acknowledged sipping the drink.

He just blushed and downed the caffeine, "I'm off girls for a while..."

"The whole, Mai/Song/Jin incident?"

He sighed, "ya."

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By the time we reached the school I was functioning a bit better. I was walking in a straight line and the throbs were smaller and less frequent. When we reached the large hallway we parted, Zuko going down Hall A while I trudged down Hall C for my first class.