I am SO SORRY you guys. Marching band season started, and we have three practices a week that last until 6:30, football games on Fridays we have to go to, and band competitions on Saturdays. Sundays I'm at church, and Wednesdays I catch up on my schoolwork. Band has left me with no life whatsoever.

But now that marching band is over, I can have a life! :D So be expecting more chapters.

Wooo! The reviews have gotten into the two hundreds! I'm so glad you all like my story, and I'm very excited for the sequel, and I hope you are, too.

Listen. There is something I want to discuss with you all. The moment Aang and Katara finally get together and confess and all that jazz is already planned out. EVERYTHING is planned out. So, if you are impatient for to get Katara and Aang together… just trust me. You'll love what I have planned for you, I promise. *pats head*

Okay! I would like to thank Zarina3908 for a stupid flaw I've made. Thank you so much, Zarina. Though, Zarina, I would also like to hear your thoughts on the chapter.

Speaking of which, here is a message to you all. I don't mind if you tell me a flaw through a review, I'm completely fine with that. Though, I would like for you to also tell me what was good and what you liked. I love you all, don't get me wrong, but it kind of brings me down when you just point out mistakes. I'm sorry if this sounds offensive.

ANYWAY! Just had to get that out there!

Oh! And a word really fast so you guys didn't think I made a typo—the word "milkglass" is a word, despite what the computer says. It's a type of dish.

Alright, I hope you enjoy this chapter! (It's pretty long in the beginning. Sorry. XD)

Xxx

'Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

Xxx

Open Doors

Chapter Eighteen: Sequined Bikinis and Lost Necklaces

It was now June. Aang's sixteenth birthday was approaching, and his friends were constantly making plans for him in secret. They decided on something huge, something they knew he would enjoy—but it was still a week until his birthday, so they were very well organized for what they had planned.

For Aang, however, his birthday was the last thing on his mind. He was too busy trying to unravel the mystery of his past—and his parents. The one thing he couldn't figure out was what actually happened to them. He knew they had died in a plane crash of some sort, but he didn't know the details. He often looked through the shoebox labeled with the name Anala; rereading postcards, letters, anything he could find to uncover what had happened to them. And what of this name—Anala? It could be anybody; an aunt, a cousin, even an older sister… or maybe his mother. What he did know, however, was that in some way, Gyatso was linked to the intricate chain of Aang's past.

But the worry of his childhood was not the only thing bugging him. There was the matter of Katara as well.

He couldn't figure out whether she really did like him or not—well, of course Katara liked him, she would like anybody. He meant like-like him. Sometimes she just treated him as a friend, most of the time as almost a brother of sorts, but there were those little moments that she had that made him feel as if he was drowning in a vast, stormy sea of love and affection.

Aang loved her so much it hurt. He didn't know if that was a good thing, or even a bad thing, for that matter.

While Aang was trying to untie the knot that was his heart, other people of the group had their own relationships flowing slowly but surely. Sokka and Suki weren't exactly "together" yet, but sometimes they snuck little kisses when no one was looking, and were planning to become a couple and make the news public. Suki had stolen Sokka's heart right out of his chest—of course, he still had love for Yue, but she was gone, so what could he do? He loved Suki.

Haru and Kohana spent a lot of time together. When Haru was working in his dad's shop, Kohana was always there to talk with him while he did it—he had to be warned a few times by his father not to get too distracted, but after a while, Haru did a good amount of work while Kohana was there. When Haru wasn't at the automobile repair store, they did things that couples do; take walks in parks, go to movies, and much more. Haru often bought her flowers, which Kohana proudly displayed in a beautiful white milkglass vase inside of her bedroom, which she had redecorated.

Kohana had very much changed after the courtyard kiss. She was kinder, gentler; she and Katara were growing closer by the day. Kohana had discovered that if she gave Katara a chance, that she was a very good person that she needn't be jealous of.

Kohana's overall taste for things had changed as well. She completely ditched her designer wardrobe, and replaced it with floral, flowy clothing that she loved. It suited her well. She stopped straightening her hair after she had cut it, so now tight ringlets framed her pale, heart-shaped face. She continued to wear makeup, but not nearly as much. She had, indeed, redecorated her whole room in a Victorian kind of style. She was pleased with herself—she was more confident and self-assured than she ever was before.

Haru had changed her life.

Things with Zuko, however, have not been very eventful. He had been more involved with the Kuruks in the past than he had been currently—mostly because he used to have a big crush on Katara. It had faded, however, when he met Mai. Ever since then, he hung out with Katara, Sokka, and Toph less and less, and had begun to drift into the group with his sister Azula and the ever-hyper Ty Lee, along with his girlfriend.

The sudden heat of summer hit everyone quickly—quicker than usual. There was a very horrid heat wave in California, so bad that there have been seven people that had died from heatstroke. People of the Clearwater, Stone Bridge, and Agni Kai districts often went to the nearby public pool, as it was a refreshing break from the pounding heat of the California summers. However, the residents of Windy Vale had ceased, as jobs had dropped quickly for them due to the new mayor. After Yue's death, Mayor Arnook, her father, had resigned his position of mayor in March. Ozai had abandoned his job as the principal of Davis Districts High School, and had taken up the job as the mayor of Davis, California.

The public pool, located in the Clearwater part of the city, was where Aang, Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Toph were going to spend their day. Kohana and Haru would have come along as well, but had already scheduled plans to go to the movies. The group was completely fine with this, as they were happy to let the couple spend some quality time together.

They were all heading through the gate and into the pool area, towels, sun lotion, and beach bags piled in their arms. Aang was wearing his swimming trunks and a t-shirt, the latter of the two he regretted putting on, given the temperature outside. Sweat pooled down his neck and made the fabric cling to his chest. He pulled at it, annoyed, only to have it stick back onto his skin.

It was crowded in the public pool; Aang wasn't surprised, given the scorching heat. He couldn't imagine what it would be like in July and August. Families were scattered around, little kids laughing and splashing in the shallow baby pool while parents sat lazily in the cool water, watching them diligently. Older kids and teenagers goofed off in the deep pool, tossing around footballs and squirting water guns at each other. Teenage girls in skimpy bikinis with tan skin slicked up with oil lazed in lounge chairs, listening to music and the powerful rays of summer reflecting of off their sunglasses, while guys goofed around and acted stupid, showing off in front of them in hopes of getting their attention.

The three other girls still stuck in the locker room, Aang and Sokka tossed their stuff onto a picnic table, talking and laughing. Soon enough, they had jumped in the water and were having a dunk war, when all of a sudden Toph erupted from the locker room jumped on top of the boys, forcing them both underwater.

But while Aang was having a fantastic time with underwater karate fights and having splash fights, the he was oblivious to who was watching the two girls inside—and what was going to happen.

Xxx

Xxx

The women's locker room was sinfully crowded, disgustingly dirty, and reeked of clashing scents of lotion and bug spray. Azula sat on a bench and was silently watching the array of various females swarm in and out of the crowded public pool through her dark, red-rimmed sunglasses. Her arched eyebrows rose as she watched Katara walk unknowingly in front of her, carrying a white beach bag and dressed in a childish blue cover-up; accompanying her was a stocky, black-haired girl they called Toph, and a tall, graceful, auburn-haired teenager she heard of as Suki. Azula watched them prepare themselves for going out on the hot, steaming pavement, slicking their backs and arms with coconut-scented sunblock and slipping their feet out of cheap, K-Mart flip-flops. The short girl Toph didn't even apply sun lotion- she simply kicked off her shoes, shoved out of her shorts, and ran out the door in her bathing suit.

Azula eyed Katara inconspicuously as she untied the necklace from around her neck and slipped it quietly into her bag, before stuffing the purse clumsily into a locker. That girl made such a big deal out of that stupid necklace. Sure, it was pretty, but not Azula's taste and she couldn't figure out why it was so important.

Mai, who was beside her and looking down at her Blackberry, her slim, pale fingers adeptly typing out the message she was sending to Zuko, sighed. "When is Zuko going to get here? The movie starts at four-thirty. He said he would meet us here twenty minutes ago." She flicked an annoyed glance over at Ty Lee. "You weren't supposed to go with us in the first place. We just so happened to see you, and you insisted on coming. Why are you even here?"
On the other side of Azula was Ty Lee, who giggled. "Why, to tan, of course! That's why I bought a new bikini. Do you like it?" She giggled again, and gestured down to her tight-fitting, bright pink swimming suit that was dotted with silver sequins.

Mai glanced at it, and raised a black eyebrow. "It's… flashy." Azula wasn't surprised by her tone of voice; Mai was not the kind to particularly like pink, and you could tell by the clothes she was wearing. A dark red pinstripe vest, a grey, form-fitting t-shirt, and black cutoff shorts didn't exactly scream girly.

Ty Lee giggled happily. "I didn't get in the water, though. I don't want the pretty little sparklies to come off." She picked at a loose sequin on her chest with enthusiasm, and grinned.

Mai then looked back up at Ty Lee, studying her for a minute. The girl's hair was completely dry, and not a single droplet occupied her skin; her story was true. Ty Lee didn't swim, not even for a little while. "Okay, so, wait a second," Mai pressed. "You bought a new bikini to swim in, you made the trouble to go all the way here, and you didn't even get in the water?"

Ty Lee smiled widely, her eyes shining with excitement. "That's right!" she exclaimed happily.

Mai puffed her cheeks out, as if she was stressed. She began to type a response to Zuko on her phone. "Wow, you are such an idiot."

"Hey!"

While the two girls bickered, Azula slid off her sunglasses calmly as she watched Katara and her friend walk out of the locker room, chattering and giggling away. Her rusty chocolate eyes flashed as they followed the brown-haired girl's hideous blue cover-up.

When Katara and Suki had disappeared behind the big swinging iron door, Azula folded her arms nonchalantly, twirling her sunglasses in her perfectly red-manicured fingers. "Relax. While we're waiting for my darling brother to arrive, we can simply see how people act, and why they act that way. It passes the time. Besides, that's how we become cunning." Her lipstick-touched mouth curled into a devious smile that displayed more than just being observant.

Ty Lee giggled. "Like you, 'Zula?"

"Yes, just like me."

Mai rolled her silver eyes up to the ceiling at Ty Lee's absurdity. "Suck up," she muttered. Her phone buzzed loudly. She quickly checked the message, little beeps echoing from her fingertips and through the air.

Ty Lee started to pout again, folding her arms and slumping haughtily. "Meanie."

Azula couldn't help but sigh the slightest bit. "Come now, ladies. Quit bickering." She folded up her glasses, and slipped them into her purse. Then she eyed them both inquiringly. "Now, I have a question for you two."

Ty Lee leaned forward in complete and total interest, showing off a good amount of her cleavage. Mai leaned back into the bench, and tucked her cell into her pocket. "Shoot," Mai replied, throwing her arm over the back of the chair casually.

Azula flashed an amused look at the locker Katara had stuffed her bag in. "Have you ever wondered of the value of necklaces?"

Ty Lee's brows furrowed in confusion. She pursed her lips, thinking hard. "What do you mean?" she asked. Mai was just as bewildered as Ty Lee, yet her expression remained straight and unfazed. Mai was not one to express her emotions as freely as the bouncy, hyper Ty Lee; but Azula knew her inside and out. There was a reason Azula called herself a "people person".

Azula sighed heavily, as if the very question was a huge burden. "What I mean is that they hold a great importance in many things. You see them everywhere: in movies, stories, TV shows, commercials. Stuff like amulets and charms. Why do they mean so much?"

Ty Lee nodded as if she understood. "Ooohhh… well, I don't know, Azula. Do you have any idea, Mai?"
Mai shrugged, seemingly indifferent by the situation at hand. "Not really. I wouldn't care, anyways." She pulled out her phone again and stared at it blankly, the glare of the screen gleaming in her sharp grey eyes.

Azula gave a little crooked smile. "Well, they also hold a great importance to people, as well." She gave another obvious glance toward Katara's locker. "Can you think of one in particular?"

Ty Lee thought hard, looking down at her sandaled feet as if they held all the answers. She bit her thumbnail in wonder, her eyebrows furrowed with concentration.
Mai glanced over at Ty Lee and snickered at her idiocy. "How about Katara's necklace?" she asked, as if it was obvious.
Just then, Ty Lee gasped. "Oh! Katara's necklace!" she giggled happily. Then she looked around, a big smile plastered her heart-shaped face. "Wasn't she just here? She's such a nice girl, I wanna say hi."

Azula smirked. "Yes, she was just here. And can you figure out why that necklace is so important to her?"
The other two girls looked at each other and shrugged in unison, one just as absent-minded as the other. Mai was the first to speak, her gravelly voice standing out among the many varieties of laughs and chuckles in the crowded locker room. "No, I have no idea. She's never really talked about it."
Azula smiled slyly, stood up, and brushed off her dark skinny jeans. "Then let's find out," she replied, turning her head and eyeing Katara's locker once more.

Xxx

Aang ducked his head underwater with a splash, letting the blue mass surround him and caress his skin in a wave of silky pleasure. He looked around him, watching the small alabaster bubbles dance between his fingers and skitter throughout his stark black hair, determined to make their way to the surface in a cloud of miniscule, snow-white orbs.

When he resurfaced, he shook his head back and forth, whisking the droplets from his hair. The water felt nice and refreshing, especially compared to the humid climate of that hot summer day. "God, does this feel good."

Toph chuckled, her dark hair down opposed to its usual sloppy excuse for a bun, fanning and curling through the water surrounding her little body. "You're not kidding. It's like we were in the burning fires of hell, and then just jumped in a tub of ice water. It's like heaven surrounded by half-naked women and lifeguards."

Sokka was floating on his back, a huge goofy smile on his face. He was obviously happy for the break from the harsh beams of the California sun. "Ahhhh…" he sighed in satisfaction. "I think this is even better than a tub of ice water and half-naked women."

Toph snickered, the corner of her mouth pulling up into a snarky grin. "So having teenage girls who are pretty much stark naked with tiny bits of cloth over their nether regions surrounding a lukewarm pool is definitely better to you?" She shook her head in mock disappointment. "What would Suki think of that?"

Aang couldn't help but give a little chuckle, attempting to cover it with his hand.

Sokka huffed, and thrust his lower lip out in a pout. A bright red color peppered his tan face despite the forces of the humid, hot air as he whipped himself into a standing position, water splashing about. "Tha—it—You know what I mean."

Toph rolled her eyes, shoving a lock of thick black hair out of her glazed eyes. "Sure, Snoozles. 'Cause you're just so easy to understand."

Aang snorted a laugh, trying to contain his guffaws to no avail. He wanted to keep the peace between the two teenagers, but it was getting harder and harder with Toph's constant jokes.

Sokka just slapped the water in irritation, the clear blue ripples from the impact licking and kissing his skin. "Ugh!" He snarled, annoyed. "You guys are total jerks."

Toph grinned widely, showing two rows of pearly white, even teeth. "Love you too, Meathead."

Then they heard the soft lapping of water not far away, slowly getting louder and louder, accompanied with the sound of familiar giggles. Suki danced up to them, Katara not far behind. She was laughing merrily; probably at something Suki had said; and tying up her hair in a high ponytail. Aang felt a blush rise to his cheeks at the sight of her.

Suki smiled happily, leaning back in the clear blue water. "Doesn't it feel amazing?" she sighed.

Toph smirked mischievously. "As amazing as a tub of icewater surrounded by naked women." She chuckled, and flashed a glance at Sokka.

Suki gave a confused look when Sokka whacked Toph's arm as hard as he could, huffing. All Toph and Aang could do was laugh, the other girls staring at them in complete and utter bewilderment.

Xxx

Katara, Suki, and Toph walked back into the nearly-empty locker room; they were laughing, soaked, and exhausted. A trail of bare liquid feet formed a path on the grey cement behind them, along with the midnight spots of droplets that had escaped their sopping hair.

Suki rubbed a towel across her auburn locks roughly, trying her best to dry the strands. "That was so much fun. We need to do it again."

"I'll say," Toph answered, slipping her feet into her sandals. "It was a great way to cool off. It doesn't feel so hot anymore."

Katara smiled, and nodded in agreement as she shoved her cover-up over her head. "Sokka acted like he didn't want to leave. When I told him that we had to get back to the house so I could do laundry, he looked like I just killed Appa." She giggled happily.

Toph chuckled along with her. "Sokka can suck it up. If he's going to whine because you need to do laundry, then don't do it. He'll have to reuse his underwear." She grinned with a devious, evil look in her glazed green eyes.

Suki wrinkled her nose, as if repulsed by the very thought. "Gross!"

Katara laughed merrily, taking her bag out of her rented locker. "I wouldn't do that to him. Besides, that's really nasty." She dug through her purse in search of her necklace, casually giggling at the thought. She knew Sokka would flip out of Katara did that.

Her laughing ceased when she couldn't find her mother's treasured piece of jewelry. Her eyebrows drew together in concern, and she quickened her movements, worry growing inside her chest at an impossibly fast rate.

Toph was talking to Suki about different pranks she's played on Sokka. "One time I replaced all of his Metallica CD's with kiddie sing-alongs, so when he had a party and picked up the Metallica CD case and put the CD in the radio, Old McDonald played." Toph laughed at the memory. "It was so funny, and he was so mad."

Suki giggled, and looked extremely amused. "That's hilarious…" Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Katara's frantic movements. She suddenly looked concerned. "Katara? What's wrong?"

Katara's answer was turning her bag upside down, and letting its entire contents shower to the floor with a million different clatters and thumps. Suki began to look very worried, as well as Toph. They knew Katara worried a bit too much, but not enough to dump all of her stuff onto an unsanitary locker room floor.

Katara frantically looked through all of her belongings scattered across the cement. There was vanilla-scented lotion, her wallet, an Ibuprofen bottle, saltwater taffy, a notebook, a pen, her extra toiletries bag… but no necklace.

She skimmed over all of her things again hurriedly. It had to be here. It had to be. She was very good at keeping up with it; but now that she had lost it, she felt as if she had failed her mother.

It couldn't just disappear! she thought, tears coming to her eyes and her face burning. Her throat knotted up to the point where she could hardly think… she had lost her mom's necklace. The last thing that Katara had of her.

"Katara?" Suki asked again, her voice urgent and worried. "Katara! What's going on? Why are you crying?"

Katara sniffed. "N-Nothing." She began to place her things back into her bag. "Nothing, i-it's n-nothing." A tear silently slid from her cheek. She quickly wiped it away with the back of her trembling wrist, in fear of Suki spotting it.

Toph straightened up, and suddenly looked a little angered. She reached out and grabbed Katara's shaking shoulder, and pulled the girl closer to her forcefully.

Katara was surprised, and her quiet sobs ceased for a minute. What was Toph doing?

Toph let her mouth inch toward the girl's ear. Katara could feel her warm breath on her face. A chill sneaked up her spine in a silent torrent of shock.

Toph parted her lips. A whisper was emitted from her mouth, in a slightly irate tone. "You're lying."

Xxx

So there you have it. I brought some more Azula & Co. into the mix, so I hope you're happy with it.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to add anything about Aang's past in this chapter, but I was rushing to get it done, since I know you guys are itching for another chapter. Questions will be answered in the next chapter, along with Katara's necklace problem.

And just to get the point across, Toph isn't mad at Katara. She's mad at the fact that Katara's trying to hide her problems from her friends; she acts like she doesn't care, but she really does.

Once again, I apologize for being gone so long. You'll see more chapters now that marching season is over. Speaking of which, guess what? MY BAND WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. We are officially the State Champions. Isn't that great? :D I'm so happy.

I hope all my fans haven't completely ditched me… because I love you guys to death. *hugs all of you* FO EVA AND EVA.