AN: Hey guys, sorry this one is so short, I promise they will be longer later! :)

DISCLAIMER: I unfortunatly do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, or it would have ended differently.

Chapter 1

Katara woke up on her first day of 11th grade. This is it, she thought. Her 16th birthday was 2 days ago, and she couldn't have been more ready. She heard bison-like snoring coming from the room next door and giggled softly. Her brother Sokka, a senior this year, would not wake up easy.

After attempting to wake Sokka, Katara went downstairs to greet her father and eat breakfast.

She found her father Hakoda in his usual morning position: a mug of coffee in one hand and the newspaper in the other.

"Good morning, Katara," her father said with smile. "Did you sleep well?"

She yawned before continuing. "Yeah. Although waking up at 6 again is going to take some getting used to."

Hakoda chuckled and said, "Well think about your brother and your predicament will lessen."

Katara laughed and agreed. After eating, she and her brother grabbed their bags and walked outside to the bus stop. She began to bounce up and down on her feet; a nervous habit she'd had since she was little.

"Katara, stop worrying so much." Sokka looked like he didn't have a care in the world; a trait worrisome Katara wished she'd inherited. "It's going to be fine. Promise."

"How can you say that? We haven't even gotten on the bus yet!"

"Trust me. I know these things. I was a junior once too, remember?" These words were accompanied by Sokka's "award-winning" smile. At least, according to him it was.

Sokka's over-confident attitude was annoying sometimes, but helpful in situations like this. Katara depended on it for reassurance. When the bus pulled up, Katara took a deep breath and steeled herself for the din. She and Sokka walked over to Suki, Sokka's long-time girlfriend.

"Hi, Sokka! Hi Katara!" Suki said with enthusiasm.

"Ugh, Suki," Sokka groaned. "How can you be so energetic this early?"

Suki just laughed and kissed him, lightening his attitude immediately. Katara went to find her friends Aang and Toph, also juniors this year. She found them in the back, holding hands and talking excitedly. Katara smiled and sat next to them.

"Sugar Queen! How ya been? It's been too long." Toph hugged her friend after not seeing her all summer.

Katara grinned. "I've been great. How was Europe?"

Toph's face lit up. "It was so cool! I've never seen so many impressive buildings! It was amazing!" Toph's face tenderized and she looked at Aang. "Although the 3 months away from Twinkle Toes here weren't too great," she said looking down rather sheepishly. Aang just smiled as they stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. It was cute at first, but then Katara felt she should bring them back to earth. She snapped her fingers in Aang's face and said, "Hello! Aang! Wakey wakey!" He looked at her as if he was resurfacing from a deep pool.

"Oh, sorry, Katara. How was your summer?"

"Boring. I missed seeing you guys everyday!"

They all laughed and sighed with contentment. Just then the bus creaked to a stop as they pulled up to school. Katara fell silent, which didn't go unnoticed. Aang carelessly threw an arm around her shoulders and said, "Katara, relax. It's not like you haven't seen this place for the last 2 years. Breathe."

Katara tugged on her jacket and steeled herself to walk through the doors. As they walked up the sidewalk, Katara was startled by suddenly brushing the quiet boy Zuko's shoulder by not paying attention. He glanced over at her stuttering apologies before mumbling, "It's fine," and shuffling away. Katara felt her eyes following his retreating figure before being called back by Toph.

"Hey, daydreamer, your turn to wakey wakey! Its just Zuko!"

Katara shook herself and forced a smile back on her face. "Yeah, you're right. Let's make this day a good one."