THE SPECIAL GIRL

As Rosh and Macai get their orange soup and a plate of bread to go with it, they head to their lunch table with two other friends, Barge and Spengi. Barge is a heavy-set child with curly black hair, a long plump nose, hazel eyes, and tan skin. Spengi has olive skin, light brown hair, light blue eyes, and a small soft nose.

Rosh interrupts his friends, "Macai has some news." Then Rosh giggles.

Barge: "Well, spit it out."

Rosh: "Macai has a massive crush on Azula. Ozai's daughter."

Barge's eyes widen and Spengi chuckles. Then Spengi asks, "Does he know her?"

Macai: "Yes, I met her at the park."

Barge takes a deep breath and clinches his hands. Spengi stares at him. Then Spengi asks, "Why are you acting like that?"

Barge: "Because I heard she is crazy."

Macai protests, "Who told you that?"

Barge: "I have heard from some guys. They said their sisters said that Azula excels in EVERY class she is in."

Macai laughs, "Sounds like me."

Barge: "Noo, I mean EVERY class. Not MOST classes. Do you know how obsessed you have to be in order to be the best at every class? Only thing she sucks at is music, but I can see how a crazy person sucks at that."

Spengi: "Actually she isn't the best at gymnastics, not even the tenth best. Ty Lee runs that. She also isn't a track star like Mai or Sorra." Macai shakes his head and Rosh shrugs his shoulders.

Macai: "So that's it? That's why you think she's nuts?"

Barge: "It's not just that. I heard she has slapped another girl in class and didn't even get suspended because of her dad. I heard she spilled her soup on another girl one day because she said it was gross and she didn't like that girl anyway. I heard she beats up and bullies her older brother Zuko, who is still a year older than us."

Macai: "I'm sure I could take Zuko and I heard that he is a total kiss-up."

Spengi: "Who told you that? I heard Zuko is very honorable and kind."

Macai: "Too kind, he hasn't the temperament of a great fire nation warrior and leader. He is soft mentally. I talked to Azula a couple of times, found her a couple of times." Then Rosh looks at Macai with his mouth wide open.

Rosh: "You didn't tell me that."

Macai: "I know, I didn't see you this morning and I would always make sure that I saw her when I got out of school but right before sunset. That's why I haven't played with you as much in the last few weeks. I tried to find her several times, at first I didn't. I've been with her about twice and missed her at least four or five times now."

Barge: "For how long?"

Macai: "Around 10 to 15 the first time and about 35 minutes the second time."

Spengi: "What did you guys do?"

Macai: "The first time, we just talked and shared some jokes. The second time we talked a bit and then went on an adventure. She and I stole some apples from the Apple Lady and she never caught us."

Rosh's jaw drops in surprise, "You did what now? Eyre HATEs thieves. He would have blown a fuse if he knew that."

Macai: "I know, she dared me and I just did it. It was a lot of fun. Then I asked her to not steal anymore. So she agreed and we did something else instead."

Rosh shakes his head, "I don't think I even want to know."

Macai: "We bothered a Fire Nation guard. She threw a pebble at him and I snuck behind him and touched his suit. We moved so fast that he didn't see us. He broke out in a fit of rage in confusion, then his boss yelled at him."

Rosh: "Now, THAT is stupid. You both could have been scorched or caught. That girl sounds like trouble."

Macai grins, "You know you have a sharp sense of humor and a knack for adventure. She has a knack for adventure but is more daring than you. She has wit but is not as funny as you. I think your personalities will balance out."

Rosh: "I don't, I like responsible fun. And she sounds messy. We should find Zuko, he doesn't have our lunchtime but we see him every now and then when we are heading to class or leaving."

Macai: "No, Zuko is irrelevant. We don't need to see him and we don't need his opinion on anything. He is a momma's boy and he is jealous of her."

Rosh: "You just believe everything she tells you, huh. Have you not thought about testing her claims? Meet him yourself?"

Macai nods his head, "Ok, we can try that after class. But I am going to see her again today or at least I'll try. She is going to be around a couple of friends I think, this time. I think it is that Ty Lee girl that you guys heard about and maybe some other girl that's a bit older."

Barge: "Aww, but I have band practice right after class."

Macai: "No one plays the trombone like you, don't let anything get in the way of those skills. My dad always said a strong man never lets anything stop his growth. Especially when it relates to natural talent."

Rosh: "Your dad is over-the-top Macai, but I agree."

Spengi: "I can come."

Rosh: "Oh, this will be interesting."

The lunch bell rings and students quickly throw away their trash. Trays are stacked in the tray bins. Classes continue and the school bell rings again. Macai, Rosh, and Spengi walk through a crowd of students. The team notices Zuko exit the building and Spengi runs towards him and shouts: "Hey, Zuko!"

Zuko freezes in his tracks then quickly shifts his body, looking at Spengi in surprise. Zuko: "Yeah?"

As Macai looks ahead he suddenly turns to Rosh: "Zuko hates Azula, he will try to sabotage everything. This was a bad idea."

Rosh: "Relax, it's too late now and he would have caught us anyway. He already saw you with her once, he may not know at the moment that you are still seeing her but he would have eventually found out."

Spengi: "My friend Macai likes your sister, Azula."

Zuko looks at Macai, "Yeah, I've seen him once before. Good luck." Zuko turns around and starts walking away.

Spengi: "Wait, we heard all kinds of bad things about your sister. Are they true?"

Zuko turns around, "Yes and I bet most of the bad things you heard about her are true if not all of them. But don't worry, I won't stand in his way if he likes her. I have no doubt that he would have heard at least some of the stories by now. Who knows? Maybe she'll grow out of it one day. Not anytime soon."

Macai then confronts Zuko, closing the distance. Macai: "Perhaps what you say is true, but she is respectful to me and many people misunderstand her. She has little patience for weak people."

Zuko: "Weak? My mom taught me that being compassionate is not weak. Some people are weak, but you'll see. You think she likes you so much because you have something to give her that she doesn't have. One day, if she realizes that you are more of a burden than a tool, she will ditch you. As long as she continues to act the way she does."

Zuko points his finger and continues, "But don't think this means I will let you or anyone disrespect my sister. I will always have her back when times get tough even if we don't personally get along. I do it on principle, but I will not lie for her. She will lie to you though, I'm sure you heard about that."

Macai looks at Rosh. Rosh: "No we didn't hear that specific story."

Zuko: "She is a compulsive liar. Gets it from our dad. Don't tell anyone I said this though or we will forever be enemies."

Macai: "You have earned my respect with your honesty. At least to some degree. Thank you." This reminds Macai of his father's lesson to not fully trust anyone. Though he doesn't fully trust Zuko, he knows to not fully trust Azula either.