"and this is why, ladies and gentlemen and everyone in between, the live action movie Avatar: The Last Airbender is the worst movie ever made in history", said Sokka, a bit too dramatic, revealing the last slide of the presentation.

"um.... wasn't this project supposed to be about our favorite movie?" asked a kid in the class.

"oh... it was? haha" said Sokka, rubbing his neck and nervously looking at Zuko.

"uhm, yeah, we obviously knew that. pfft." said Zuko, doing the gay hand gesture (i have no idea what it's called). "we uhm... decided to bring our own twist to it."

"yeah. totally."

they smiled nervously.

"well i personally loved your little twist", exclaimed the teacher. "because you know what's best than a favorite movie? a least favorite movie! great job, boys! now, does anyone have any questions?"

"were you two high when you wrote this?" asked Mai.

"does anyone have any relevant questions?" she said, glancing at Mai.

"it's a pretty relevant question" she shrugged.

"no, Mai. we. weren't. high. we worked very hard on this and i think some appreciation is in order", Sokka said, rubbing his tired eyes.

"yes, boys, you did an amazing job. congratulations, you get an A+", said the teacher, applauding.

"but.... they didn't even follow the instructions properly", said another kid.

"are you talking back to me?"

"how could i be talking back when you weren't even talking to me in the first place, Mrs.?"

"now you're talking back!"

"i-"

the bell rang.

"don't listen to them, boys. your project was great!" the teacher patted them on the back while they were exiting the classroom.

"thank you, Mrs.", they said in unison.

"what the fuck is wrong with her? our project was terrible?" said Zuko as they headed towards the cafeteria.

"dunno. but who cares? we got an A+! it's like the second time i ever got an A+ in my entire life"

"oh... what was the first one?"

"blood type."

Zuko laughed and time stopped for Sokka.

he had never heard him laugh. it sounded like the angels from heaven came down and blessed him with the most beautiful laugh a human being could have. and his smile... it was the cutest thing he had ever seen.

he could stare at him forever, but unfortunately, that wasn't really an option.

they sat down at the cafeteria table, next to each other.

"so uhm... i was thinking", started Katara, "my birthday is gonna be two weeks from now, on march 17th, which is on a saturday, and you're all invited."

"of course we're invited", said Toph. "who else were you gonna invite? Momo?"

"who's Momo?" Zuko whispered to Sokka.

"oh, he's just Aang's lemur."

"Aang has a lemur?!"

Katara cleared her throat.

"AS I WAS SAYING, you are all invited and i was thinking we could go to this new virtual reality thing that recently opened. it's gonna be so fun! i heard you get these glasses and you see everything around you differently."

"yes, Katara, we know what virtual reality means" said Sokka.

"no but this one is different, you see-"

"um. what about me?" said Toph.

oh shit i totally forgot, thought Katara.
what do i do? what do i say? think, Katara!

"um, maybe they can do something to your feet?" she said, nervously.

"maybe they can do something to my feet?"

"if not, we can all go to the amusement park", said Aang.

"but we went there last year, Aang", said Sokka. "we rode EVERYTHING."

"Zuko hasn't!", Aang said, victoriously, like the fact that Zuko hasn't been to the amusement park somehow meant the whole situation is saved. "so, Zuko, what do you say?"

"uhm... it's not my birthday. it's Katara's. she should decide."

"you know what? we can go to both!" Sokka exclaimed.

"but they're on opposite sides of the city. look guys, i don't wanna ruin your fun. you can just go without me", said Toph.

"what-"

"oh we would never!"

"Toph, we would never go without you! i'm not letting anyone feel excluded on my birthday. i'm sure we'll find a way, we always do."

"wait, Katara", started Zuko. "you mentioned this place was different. different how?"

"well you have to choose an element to bend. i mean, you don't choose it. you take a personality test and see which one best suits you. and then you duel someone. and it's different because you get to wear these costumes with sensors everywhere and you can actually see the other person and not only that, but you feel it. like, if, for example the other person chooses fire you can feel the heat without someone actually burning you, it's really fascinating-"

"WAIT, THAT'S IT", Sokka exclaimed. "ZUKO, YOU'RE A GENIUS!" he said, and gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

"i- i am?" he said, blushing.

"if you can actually feel everything, not just see it, there's no reason why Toph couldn't go!"

"you're right, Sokka", Katara said. "but to be sure i will call and ask if there's any problem with Toph being blind. in fact, i should call right now."

"right here?", asked Sokka. "in the loudest place in the entire school?"

"good point. i'll just call when i get home and i'll let you all know."

everyone started eating, happy it all turned out okay. Zuko gently placed a hand on the spot where Sokka kissed him.

he.... kissed me. well, not a real kiss.
wait, why do i want him to kiss me anyway?

it's not like i have a crush on him or anything. that'd be so dumb.

we're just friends, right? just guys being dudes. homies. we just enjoy each other's company, like any friends would.

"what class do you have next, Sokka?", asked Zuko as they all left the cafeteria.

"history. just like you, hehe. let's go." said Sokka, awkwardly waving to the rest of the group.

"Sokka... i don't have history next", said Zuko as they left the group.

"i know, i know. but don't you think Katara is acting a bit.... i don't know, odd?"

"odd how?"

"like.... distracted?"

"she seemed pretty focused to me."

"yeah, that's how she gets when she's distracted."

"that makes no sense."

"it's a Katara thing, whenever she gets distracted she gets super focused at the same time. it's weird, i know."

"well, i don't know. maybe she has a crush on someone."

i hope it's not that Jet douchebag.

speaking of the devil...

"would you look who's here?", Jet appeared in front of them and blocked their path. "be careful with your boyfriend, Zuko. you wouldn't wanna get the other side of that pretty little face of yours burned."

"what do you want, Jet?" asked Zuko, trying to push him away.

"yeah, Jet, more like Jerk amirite?" asked Sokka in an attempt to insult him. "go away."

"all right, pretty boy. just be careful-"

"is that supposed to be an insult or something?"

"what?"

"no, literally. how is pretty boy an insult?" asked Sokka, pointing his finger at Jet's chest. "i wanna know. how. is. calling. someone. pretty. a. fucking. insult?"

"i... i need to get to class", Jet said, pushing them apart and leaving.

"what did he even mean by 'be careful'?", asked Sokka. "be careful about what?"

"dunno", Zuko shrugged. "i need to get to class as well. see you after!"

"byee", Sokka said, as he sadly walked away.

he felt sad that Zuko wasn't in the same class as him. he felt... bored. how did he even cope with school before he met Zuko? he couldn't really answer.

oh my god. i'm not starting to fall for him, am i?

Zuko decided he was gonna skip history today and went into the bathroom.

he told Sokka he had no idea what Jet meant, but he knew very well. it was his and Jet's photos that his dad found on that day. THAT day.

when was he finally gonna have the courage to tell him? maybe never. maybe it was best not to tell him. maybe he'll think he's a freak.

maybe he'll react just like Jet.

nah, Sokka would never.

or would he?

he couldn't shake this feeling that everyone he knew was gonna leave him. that they all secretly hated him and laughed at him behind his back.

it seemed too good to be true that he found such nice people that were willing to hang out with him.

and Sokka-

he blushed at the thought of Sokka.

maybe i do like him as more than a friend. but it doesn't matter. it's not like i would have any real chance anyway. i mean, look at Sokka and look at me. he's perfect. i'm mediocre at best.

he sat down and leaned against the bathroom wall.

his eyes started closing.

i really should stop going to sleep at 5 AM was his last thought before he fell asleep.

"um, Zuko? are you in here?"

"what-"

"phew. i thought aliens kidnapped you or something."

"Sokka, what are you doing here?"

"well you kinda missed all your classes and i got a little worried and someone said you entered the bathroom. are you ok?"

Zuko opened the stall door, still half asleep.

"i'm sorry. i must've *yawn* fallen asleep. what time is it?"

"4:30 PM. it's not late. Katara and the others already went home for some reason. they said something about giving us alone time or whatever."

"i see", Zuko said, getting out of the stall. "we should go get our stuff."

"Zuko, when was the last time you properly slept? like... a full 8 hours."

"hm? well, around last year, i think. i don't remember. why?"

"LAST YEAR?"

they started walking towards their lockers to get their stuff.

"Zuko, please do me a favor."

"anything, Sokka."

"please just get some sleep."

Zuko turned around and glanced at him.

"no."