The first day of school is always, to some extent controversial for everyone. Some students adore seeing their classmates and friends again or even maybe they missed a few of their favorite teachers. On the other hand, some students are a bit pessimistic about their first day back. Halfheartedly, returning to Capital City High School (CCH) is a bittersweet moment for some — only because it was their final year in the hellhole of a school as others may call it. Especially with the promotion of the new Capital City High principal, the students figured that things were going to change for the worse.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, the city began to bake under its unrelenting heat. People stumbled out of their apartments, and houses, already sweating in the early morning. The birds were silent, and even the trees seemed to be wilting. It was going to be a hot, sticky day, and everyone knew it.

Despite the heat, one familiar yet enormous mansion at the edge of the city looked cool and inviting. The white walls gleamed in the sunlight, and the pond was headed by a canopy of trees. The pool glistened, and the tiles beneath its surface shimmered. The pool's original color changed from a dull-chloride blue to a beaming turquoise. The estate was a stark contrast to the neighborhoods that surrounded it, which were made up of small, cramped houses. The green of the gardens stretched out of either side of the house with fountains and statues dispersed throughout. It was a different world and one could not help but to feel an ache of envy for whoever lived there.

Looking out from the kitchen window stood the Mayor's daughter Azula. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Apart from her usual updo, she wanted something new for the first day. It was an exceptionally good day for Azula, although you could not say the same for her older brother Zuko. The boy's dark, choppy hair covers his amber eyes which are focused on the breakfast on the marbled bar in front of him. Zuko's enthusiasm was low — it has always been from the moment he was enrolled in kindergarten.

"Oh, cheer up, Zuzu. Capital High isn't that bad. I actually love it, honestly. Take my word."

"Of course, you would say that, Azula. You practically have the entire school bowing down to you like you are some sort of princess." Zuko hands his empty plate over to the hired maid of their home, Iya, then quietly thanks her.

Azula flips her long locks over her shoulder, smirking at her brother's words. She stepped forward, pulling out the bar stool, its metal scrapes against the modern floors. The younger adored her beloved high school. "Well, obviously you are right. But maybe if you'd take the time to pick out some clothes that look halfway decent or maybe consider not being completely depressed for once, you could actually make some friends for once in your life. I mean, hasn't it been exhausting being a loner your entire life?"

Zuko shrugged, checking something on his cell phone. "I have friends," he lied.

Azula rolled her eyes, clearly not amused by her brother's lies. "Whatever," she nudged her plate of bacon and eggs aside. "What time is it anyway?"

"7:24," Zuko countered.

The girl sprang quickly to her feet, snatching her red backpack off the counter. "Chan told me to meet him outside around 7:30. Can't keep my prince charming waiting," she beamed.

"Can't you go one day without talking about your egocentric boyfriend?"

Zuko set down the glass full of orange juice and let out a heavy sigh in response to his sister's words. When it came to Chan, Azula was relentlessly talking about the football star, to the point of obsession.

"You're just jealous of our relationship, Zuzu. Maybe you would still be in one if you hadn't let your jealousy get the best of you. Mai complains all the time about how bad of a boyfriend you were." Azula shot back defensively.

Zuko gave his sister a dirty look in annoyance. Honestly, he was sick and tired of her rude remarks. He's dealt with Azula his whole life, but the older she gets, the colder she is. To the boy, it is like she was almost born a cold-hearted person. Which doesn't surprise him, considering their father is practically just as bad. Like father like daughter.

"I gotta go," Azula breezed past the housekeeps, disregarding their presence as the women cleaned the area. "Are you riding or not?"

"If I ride with you, Chan's car would be in flames by the time we get to school. So that is a definite no," he noted. Two firebending siblings in one car at once was a terrible idea considering it almost happened once before when they were nine and seven years of age.

"Suit yourself."

Azula left the kitchen without saying another word, leaving Zuko alone with the sound of the housekeepers putting away the household cleaning materials and the washer rotating in the laundry room. Zuko's eyes scanned the marbled table, where his new semester schedule was folded and untouched since the open house two days ago. He reached out and picked up the paper, feeling the weight of the smooth, crisp paper in his hand. As he unfolded it, he heard the faint rustle of the paper. Skimming over the schedule, his eyes darting over the black ink printed on the white paper. A smell of fresh ink filled his nose as he took in the details of the five classes he would be attending for the next five months. Zuko looked down at the paper, and his eyes scanned over the details of his new schedule. He saw that his first class of the day would be chemistry.

• • • •

The world was captivated by Avatar Aang, who was indisputably a crowd-pleaser at Capital City High. With only three and a half hours into the school day, he had already become the center of attention, not only in his local high school but also across the globe. His popularity and influence had spread far and wide, making him a beloved figure to many.

The young airbender strutted through the halls as students happily welcomed him to their institution. Eyes studied the avatar's every move as he moved past them. Aang knew that his arrival has caused quite a stir around the city. Times have changed drastically since the war and Aang was lost in the aftermath. But he was here to learn, to grow, and to become the best version of himself.

It had taken several minutes for Aang to make it to his locker after socializing with a few of his new classmates. The airbender proceeded to unlock the combination lock on his assigned locker, stuffing his English binder inside. As he did so, he noticed the cool metal of the lock against his fingertips and the satisfying click as it opened. From the corner of his eye, he spotted his friend Katara walking in his direction from afar. He couldn't help but notice the way her dress flowed around her as she walked, the cerulean fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. As she approached him, he could smell the faint scent of her perfume, a delicate freshwater fragrance that seemed to suit her perfectly. She twirled in her dress, and Aang couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at her beauty.

"So..." Katara trails her speech as she fixes the small creases in her clothing. "...how do I look?"

Aang scratches the back of his neck nervously, feeling flabbergasted by his best friend's attire. He's had a crush on the Southern Water Bender for almost a year, and no other girl had caught his eye since moving to Capital City. Katara was different from other girls, and that's what made her special to the avatar. As she twirled in her dress, he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his chest.

Aang inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, before telling her, "You, um, look great. I mean, you always do, but today I really like your dress." The boy couldn't help but feel his cheeks flush as he spoke, hoping that she didn't notice how flustered he was.

But before Aang can finish his sentence, a certain Freedom Fighter detaches the airbender's words mid-sentence. The older teen's slender body is fitted with a plain brown shirt and rugged blue jeans. "Wow!" Jet exclaims, bushing back his brown hair. "You look great, babe. Is that a new dress?" He pecks Katara on the lips and scoops her into his arms.

Aang can feel his heart sink at Jet's words, and he can't help but wonder if he's the only one who sees through the older teen's flattery. He knows that Katara is smart and independent, but he worries that Jet might be trying to manipulate her in some way.

"You really like it, Jet? I figured I should change my style a bit for my sophomore year," Katara says.

Jet chews on his wooden toothpick and smiles. "Of course, I do," The senior's tall frame hovers over Katara's smaller one. "You never looked more beautiful."

Aang hides behind the door of his locker, listening to the repetitive words of Katara's boyfriend. Jet was truly a supportive person when it comes to his relationship with Katara. But at times, too much support seems almost a bit fake in Aang's eyes. Katara's older brother Sokka could agree.

"Thanks, sweetie," Katara acknowledges, her voice soft and sweet. She checked the time on her phone, feeling the cool metal of the device against her fingertips. Only five minutes left before the second period started.

"We gotta get to class, Aang. I'll see you at lunch," she added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"See you later, little man," Jet teased Aang, using his usual nickname for the airbender. Aang could hear the playful tone in his voice and the sound of his footsteps as he walked away.

The couple waved goodbye before walking away from the monk. Aang mentally banged his head on the tin locker, feeling extremely ashamed of himself for not complimenting his crush the way he had planned.

"Idiot." Aang could hear the sound of his own breathing and the thud of his head against the metal. The airbender now had an infinitesimal amount of pain above his eyebrows.

About a few seconds later, the monk stares blankly ahead before finally turning back to his locker to gather his textbooks. Lately, he's been dumbfounded by the Water Tribe girl and he did not know why. Since the first day he met Katara, he's been able to hide his feelings. But now, he feels like he is constantly embarrassing himself every time she's around. All Aang could blame it on was his new wave of puberty that had hit full force earlier this summer.

• • • •

In the past, the second period was always the worst for Sokka. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a harsh glare on his desk. The classroom smelled like stale coffee and chalk dust, and the drone of the teacher's voice was like a lullaby, making it harder for Sokka to stay awake. Sometimes, he was too hungry to concentrate on class because lunch was right before everyone's third period of the day. It was torture.

Luckily, this time was different for the teen. Instead of a boring teacher or even a complicated class, Sokka had neither one of those to worry about this semester. In fact, to make this by far his favorite period, he spotted his girlfriend enter the classroom with her Earth Kingdom cropped top and plaid skirt. The rustle of her skirt as she walked, the scent of her perfume, and the warmth of her smile as she greeted him all combined to make Sokka's heart race. This was the highlight of his day.

"Suki, over here!" Sokka waves her over to the back of the classroom, his heart racing with anticipation.

The red-haired girl grins, moving past a few students to reach the empty seat beside her overly excited boyfriend. The wooden desk only seats two people so everyone in the class will have a person next to them. Suki assumed that there would be a lot of group projects and activities due throughout the semester. She can feel the rough texture of the desk against her palms as she settles into her seat.

The duo embraced each other for the first time in almost three weeks. Suki's hair tickled Sokka's nose as they hugged, and he breathed in the scent of her shampoo. The two literally could not go weeks without each other. Or mainly Sokka was the one that couldn't handle the separation between them. Sokka was a clingy boyfriend from what he was told by his younger sister, Katara.

"I've missed you so much," Suki passionately kisses her boyfriend on the lips. The taste of her lip balm, the warmth of her breath, and the softness of her lips all combined to make Sokka's heart race.

Sokka goofily smiled in return, fitting her hands within his. "Me too, babe. How was your trip?" He referred to the vacation Suki's parents had planned for months now. The sound of the other students chatting in the background was a dull hum, and the walls were decorated with colorful posters about the importance of studying.

"It was okay, you could say. Mom and Dad got some alone time to themselves. I mean, it was their seventeenth wedding anniversary. So I was basically on the cruise by myself half of the time."

She continued. "You really should have come with me."

"Nah, you needed time with your family. I didn't want to get in the way," said Sokka. "Besides, I had to work anyway." Sokka's fingers traced circles on the back of Suki's hand, and he could feel the warmth of her skin.

"Maybe next time." Suki casually propped her legs in Sokka's lap, while everyone's eyes followed the young woman that trailed towards the desk across the classroom. The sound of her heels clicking on the linoleum floor echoed through the room.

"Welcome back, students. I am Mrs. Sela and I will be your geography teacher this semester." Mrs. Sela's voice was smooth and clear, and the scent of her perfume wafted across the room.

Mrs. Sela began to lecture the class about her rules and what to expect from her class. The class truly seemed to enjoy their instructor. Some, maybe a bit too much. Sokka and Suki came up with this theory after overhearing a few seniors near the side of the room bickering about how hot their teacher was and how they would love to explore all the parts of the world with her, which visibly made the duo cringe. The sound of the students' hushed whispers filled the air.

About five minutes into the lecture, the side door swings open revealing a Fire Nation teen with a brutal scar that covered nearly most of the left side of his face. A few girls whispered amongst themselves as they laid eyes on the mysterious student. The sound of his boots clacking against the floor echoed through the room.

"Ohh, look who it is," Ruon-Jian, one of the seniors from the group of teens laughs out loud. "How's it going, Zuko? I haven't seen you in months, bro!" The sound of his obnoxious laugh echoed through the room.

The new boy looks annoyed and clinches more onto his backpack straps. The teacher frowns, motioning the students to settle down. "Quiet down now," Mrs. Sela turns her attention back to the teen. "What is your name, young man?"

"Zuko." His raspy voice is heard and the girls coo, biting their bottom lips in sync. The sound of the girls' giggles filled the air.

"Nice to meet you, Zuko. Please take a seat. You can sit anywhere." She extends her right arm out, showing the few empty seats left next to a couple of students. The sound of the students shuffling in their seats filled the air.

The boy was dressed in a basic red T-Shirt, worn-out black jeans, and black boots. Zuko's style was quite basic compared to others in the classroom, yet, the female students were absolutely fascinated by his character. Zuko's face was stoic as he made his way to the front of the classroom. The sound of his boots lightly boomed throughout the room as he took his seat. Sokka and Suki whispered to each other, trying to figure out what was going on.

"What happened to his face?" Suki asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It looks like he might have been in a firebending accident or something," Sokka replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Probably," Suki said, glancing over at Zuko once more. "I've never seen him around the school before."

"Neither have I. How does Ruon-Jian know him?" Sokka asked.

Mrs. Sela's voice boomed across the room, causing everyone to quiet down. Sokka and Suki didn't want to get on her bad side by talking, so they remained quiet.

"No clue," Sokka whispered. "But he doesn't seem too thrilled to see him."

• • • •

"Hey Toph, how's school treating you? Are you getting more freedom in your classes than you did in middle school?" Katara asked.

Toph took a deep breath and let out a sigh, her hand resting on her forehead. She took a bite of her turkey club, the crunchy lettuce and juicy tomato waking up her taste buds, but it didn't make her feel any better.

"I guess," she said, feeling doubtful about her first day at the new school. "The teachers here are definitely cooler than in middle school, but they're still treating me like a helpless little girl. I know I can learn this stuff on my own without their extra guidance."

"Don't worry, Toph. Just give it some time. The teachers will see your true potential if they get to know you better. Just be patient," Katara said, her reassuring smile making Toph feel a bit better.

"Katara's right, Toph. Your abilities helped me learn earthbending in only a few months. You're literally the greatest earth bender I've ever met. Don't let those teachers underestimate you." Aang said, pushing his steamed carrots around his lunch tray.

Toph nodded, feeling grateful that her friends understood her situation in her private classes due to her blindness. As an only child raised in a wealthy household, her parents forced her to be homeschooled for almost her entire life. Her friends would never fully understand what she was experiencing, but their support made her feel stronger. Luckily, Toph was one of the strongest and most straightforward people they had ever met.

"Hey guys," Sokka said, plopping down next to his sister with his lunch tray. "What's going on?"

"We were just asking Toph about her teachers," the Avatar replied. "Where's Suki?"

"She's talking to the gymnastics team about their upcoming competition on Friday," Sokka said, taking a bite of his sandwich. "It was supposed to be on Wednesday, but one of the girls on the cheerleading squad begged the school to postpone it to Friday."

Katara frowned, recalling a rule that stated that competitions could not be postponed unless there was a legitimate reason. "I don't think they're allowed to do that."

"It's Azula's doing," Sokka said, rolling his eyes. "Being the mayor's daughter has its perks."

Toph snorted. "She's such a bitch."

The group scanned the cafeteria and spotted Azula in her boyfriend's lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. Chan was the captain of the football team, while Azula was the captain of the cheerleading team and a prodigious Firebender. The two were practically made for each other. They were both cruel, self-centered, and rich. Both are a perfect match for each other.

"Don't remind me. She's in my Pre-calculus class and she's already trying to seduce the teacher. Like seriously, the man is literally over sixty. That's sick," Katara informed.

"It runs in the family, apparently. Mayor Ozai was seen with another girl half his age just last week," Sokka added.

Toph chokes on her drink, having a slight coughing fit. "Again? Seriously? Honestly, what is wrong with that man?" she gasps.

Aang shrugged. "He's the mayor. His city. His rules."

"But that doesn't mean that he can make a mess of the city," Katara argued. "Ever since he was re-elected, the city has been out of control. He sends people to jail just for speaking up. I heard his own wife left him because he was abusing her."

"I'm not too sure about that one. If Azula was raised in an unsafe household, she would not be this happy and unbothered. The girl brags about how great and influential her dad is," Aang exclaimed with a skeptical look.

Katara nodded in agreement. "That does make sense."

"What makes sense?" The group's close friend Haru pops up behind Aang, plopping down next to him with a wide smile. As Haru sits down, the soft rustling of his clothes fills the air and the sound of his movements is barely noticeable but adds to the atmosphere of the scene. The bright sun illuminates his tan skin, making it glow with warmth. As he speaks, his voice is deep and soothing, like a warm blanket on a chilly night. His wide smile is infectious, and it lights up his face, making his ember eyes sparkle with joy.

"Hey, Haru," Aang greets him with a smile.

"Sup guys, what are you all talking about?" Haru asks, completely confused about everyone's serious facial expressions. His brows furrow, and he tilts his head slightly, trying to read their expressions.

The four eye each other to see which one will commence and inform the senior. Katara mentally volunteers first, turning her attention across the table. "We were talking about how ruthless Azula is."

"Oh yeah. It's only the first day and she already has offended multiple students around the school." Haru closes the cap on his water bottle, and the sound of it clicking echoes in the air. "But have you met her brother?"

The group of teens stared blankly, quite confused by Haru's words. "Brother?" Toph questions, raising an eyebrow in confusion. The sound of her voice is clear and crisp, cutting through the silence like a knife. The air around them is loud, and the only sounds are mainly the soft rustling of the plastic wrappers and the distant chatter of other students.

"Yeah, her brother." Haru motions over to the table, and the sound of his chair scraping against the concrete fills the air as he stands up to point in their direction. "That's him, the one talking to Azula."

"That's her brother?! He's in my geography class." Sokka is surprised, and his voice is filled with disbelief.

"His name is Zika" — Haru paused. "Zoko."

"Zuko." Sokka corrects him, and his voice has a hint of annoyance. Haru was still a bit out of it due to the grassy substance still present in his bodily system.

Haru laughs. "Right. Yes, Zuko. He's Azula's older brother."

"I've never seen him before. Even when Mayor Ozai hosted that charity event earlier this month, I only saw Azula on stage with him as support. I've always assumed she was an only child." Aang states, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Exactly," Katara speaks. "I'm pretty sure we would have seen him at one of your parties."

"He's a new student, specifically a transfer. He got expelled from that academy for boys on the other side of the city. They say he's troubled." Haru explained, his eyes darting back to the table crowded with jocks and cheerleaders.

Toph sighs and proceeds to pick a few pieces of food from between her teeth. "My cousin attends that school. I heard the students there are assholes. So, I'm not surprised that he's related to her."

"Why would he go to a private school while Azula is here at Capital High? It doesn't make any sense." Aang asks, and his voice is filled with confusion.

From their lunch tables, the students could see Zuko and Azula in the midst of an argument. Zuko stands in front of Azula, who is still seated in Chan's lap. The siblings' raised voices carried over to their table, drawing the attention of Azula's friends. The tension between the siblings was palpable, and the group could feel it in the air. Despite Zuko's angry outburst, Azula remained calm and collected, her smirk betraying her true feelings. Zuko who is now embarrassed, drags his younger sister out into the courtyard for a more private conversation. Azula's friends tried to muffle their laughter, but their waves of mirth were unmistakable.

"Definitely intense," Katara remarked, rolling her eyes as her brother crammed a handful of crinkled fries into his mouth.

"No kidding," Toph rises out of her seat, ready to make her way over to the snack line. "I could feel him panicking. His heart rate is through the roof." she finishes.

Aang frowns as he continues to watch the group of juniors and seniors laugh hysterically at the situation. As the Avatar, he knows that he has to learn how to deal with conflicts professionally. Despite his dislike of conflict, he can't help but feel intrigued by Zuko. There's something off about him, and Aang can't shake the feeling that he's seen Zuko before. He makes a mental note to investigate further.

____

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