Chapter Text
Katara
Katara woke up Thursday morning with ample time to get ready, eat a nutritious breakfast and organize her school bag.
Her brother on the other hand had stumbled out of bed twenty minutes before they had to leave, threw on the same outfit he wore on Tuesday and grabbed a candy bar for breakfast. She unfortunately could not leave without him as she only had her permit so she needed him to take her to school. She loved her brother and he was one of her best friends but he could be so infuriating sometimes too.
While she was in the kitchen waiting on him her dad came in to gather his lunch for the day.
“Are you excited for your first student council meeting today, Katara?”
She plopped down on one of the bar stools in their kitchen before answering. “yeah but I'm also a little nervous, I mean it is my job as parliamentarian to make sure everyone has a chance to share their opinions and that everyone is represented equally. What if I don't do a good enough job?”
He looked at his daughter with love in his eyes “ Katara, you are a caring person with a strong moral compass. I have no doubt in my mind that you will do an amazing job”
“Thanks dad” she smiled
Sokka came out of his room in a hurry “ come on Katara, we have to go now otherwise we are gonna be late.”
She instantly gave him a death stare. He was acting like it would be her fault if they were late and not his, even though he spent twenty minutes on his hair.
“It won't be my fault if we are late, '' she huffed as she grabbed their lunches from the fridge and brushed past him and out the door.
Sokka made an offended sound before quickly following her out the door and to his car.
The ride to school was mostly silent as Sokka had broken the radio on his car while trying to “upgrade it”. Katara’s annoyance with Sokka had already faded because in all honesty he was probably her best friend.
Sokka was not on the student council with her but he was going to stay at school so she could ride home with him after the meeting.
“what are you going to do while i'm in my meeting this evening?” she inquired while rifling through her school bag to make sure she had everything.
“I'm probably going to go to the robotics club meeting.” he answered.
“Ok, I hope you have fun tonight. She said as they pulled into the school parking lot and parked. “here’s your lunch, Sokka”
“Thanks, Sis. have a good meeting tonight and come get me if anyone gives you any trouble.”
“Thanks but you do know I can handle myself.” She said as they got out of the car.
“I know, but the offer still stands.” And with that the two siblings parted ways for the school day.
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Katara's first class of the day was Anatomy, which she loved because she aspired to become a great healer and eventually become the Lead Healer for one of the big hospitals in the city.
Her family had moved to town her Freshman year when she had tested into the academy. Sokka had tested in and joined her a year later. She did have to admit that her first year here without Sokka was kinda miserable. She had not made a single real friend so it was a huge relief when Sokka had enrolled.
It also didn't help that her first year nasty rumors were spread about Katara and her family by some girls that she thought were friends. They were some of the same girls that Katara was on student council with. One, Azula was in fact the president. She felt very outnumbered going to the meeting tonight because she knew that Azula's brother was the Vice President and that Mai and Ty Lee, Azula's friends, were also going to be there. She knew Mai and Ty Lee enough to know that they would go along with whatever Azula wanted.
She did not know Azula’s brother, Zuko, that well but she assumed that they were probably pretty similar as they were siblings after all. She had done mock trial with Zuko last year and he actually seemed pretty nice, quiet but nice, but on the other hand Azula had also been pretty nice to her until one day she did a total one-eighty.
She really had no idea of what to expect tonight and it was starting to stress her out.
In anatomy they were partnered up to dissect frogs. She was working with her friend Yue. Yue had started here last year as a Sophomore and her and Katara had become pretty good friends. She knew that Yue and her brother had dated briefly last year but it had ended abruptly and neither one would tell her why. As they began their work, Yue noticed Katara’s distracted demeanor.
“Is everything okay, Katara?”
“Yeah, just a little nervous for the student council meeting tonight.” she said while putting on her gloves.
“Don’t worry, you’re gonna do great” she said with a comforting smile “ It is mostly just school spirit stuff anyway and you’re awesome at inspiring people.” she paused. “And if this is about Azula, don't let her get to you.”
“Thanks,Yue” Katara picked up the scalpel feeling a little better than before and began dissecting while Yue recorded their findings.
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Before Katara knew it the school day was over and it was time for the dreaded Student Council Meeting. It was taking place in the school's huge library that was modeled off of Wan Shi Tong’s Library. There were rows upon rows of books but the meeting table was set up close to the front of the library so it was easy to find.
She had arrived twenty minutes early so there were only a few people there already. The table was set up in a U shape with seats for the president and faculty advisor at the head of the table. On the president's right side was the Vice President's seat, and hers was across from that. Ty Lee, the Treasurer had already taken her seat next to Katara’s and next to her was Aang, the Student Council Reporter. The two were talking up a storm. As Katara approached to take her seat she offered a brief greeting to the pair.
Ty Lee responded in her bubbly demeanor “ Hi Katara, It’s good to see you again.”
Kataara could not swear to it but she always thought that Ty Lee had seemed at least a little remorseful about how things had played out freshman year.
Katara responded simply “ Same to you” with a small reserved smile. She then looked to Aang who she had never met before and introduced herself as she sat her books at her seat. “Hello, my name is Katara. You’re the Student Reporter right? What year are you?”
Aang smiled at her brightly before replying “Yes! My name is Aang and I’m a Freshman!”
Katara was very surprised as she thought he was quite young to be on the student council. “Well, it is very nice to meet you and I look forward to working with you.”
Slowly more people began to come in and take their seats. Haru, the Historian sat across from Aang, Mai, the Secretary sat across from Ty Lee, and eventually Zuko came and took his seat across from her. He looked multiple different shades of green to Katara, but it looked like he was trying to hide it.
About five minutes before start time, Azula confidently walked in and took her seat at the head of the table. At this point there was only light chatter between a few of the students and it was too quiet for Katara’s liking.
Right at time Mr. Ozai strode into the room and sat next to his daughter at the head of the table. At this point Zuko looked incredibly uncomfortable. Obviously Katara had heard the rumors of how Zuko was kicked out by his father because he was a delinquent but judging by Zuko's demeanor she seriously wondered if there was more to the story.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Azula called the meeting to order. They began running through the typical opening. They discussed account balances and listened to reports from last year, etc.
When it was time for new business, Azula began “Today we have an exciting new proposal that will benefit the school greatly. If we pass the proposal it will move on to the school board for a vote. The proposal would reallocate 80% of the funds from the scholarship programs to updating the schools technology and facilities. This proposal will truly bring Wan Shi Tong’s Academy into the next generation.” There was a heavy silence over the room as everyone was in shock.
Suddenly the silence was broken abruptly “We can't do that! Taking away that much of the scholarships would mean that a large portion1` of the student body would no longer be able to attend the Academy! It would completely change the makeup of the student body and make this place nothing but an elitist facility that only the most wealthy could afford!” At this point Zuko was standing and staring straight at Azula and his father. Everyone was again dead silent as Zuko stared straight at them. It already looked like his confidence was wavering.
Suddenly Katara felt herself shoot up out of her own seat. “He’s right, that would do nothing but hurt the student body.”
“Well I suppose those affected would simply have to work something out. If they truly want their children to attend here they will just have to figure something out.” Azula replied smoothly.
Katara was ready with a rebuttal when Ozia cut in “Silence! I will not have disorderly conduct in these meetings. Both of you will be excused for the rest of the meeting and I expect you to behave better next week or else you will be relieved of your duties”
“You can’t do that!” Katara practically screamed outraged. “We are legitimate members of this Student Council.” He simply stared at her and Zuko malevolently with a look that said he could absolutely do just that.
Katara felt herself grasping for words. She could not believe what was happening. She was getting kicked out of her first meeting and on top of that her and her brother were here on some of those scholarships. After a moment of unwavering silence, Katara and Zuko began gathering their books and heading toward the door. What else could they do?
They stood just outside the door to the library in stunned silence as it slowly fell closed and latched.
Katara eventually broke the silence “We have to do something about this!” Zuko slumped down against the wall before only nodding his agreement, obviously still deep in thought.
“Well, we have to figure out what gets disscused in the rest of the meeting, are you friends with any of the other members?”
“No”
“Well we have to do something, maybe you could try being a little more helpful,” Katara snapped. The gravity of the situation obviously weighing on her.
Zuko looked annoyed now “Well whatever we do we cant do it here, they will be adjourning soon. The one thing on our side is that without us they do not have a quorum and cannot vote”
“Oh, so your dad isn't just going to overrule that too?”
“Why are you acting like this is all my fault?” Zuko asked with a defensive look.
Katara stopped to consider his question for a second. She did not truly know why. After all, he had stood against his father and sister and gotten kicked out of the meeting for it, so why was she lashing out at him? Her face softened. “ You're right, I'm sorry for lashing out at you”
Zuko looked surprised at her genuine apology “It's okay” he said much calmer than before.
“No, it's not, that was very unfair of me. Can we start over?”
He paused for a second “Of course.”
“Do you know a place where we can decide on a plan?” she asked.
He thought for a second “We could meet at my uncle's tea shop.”
“That should work. What's it called?”
“The Jasmine Dragon.”
“Okay I will meet you there in half an hour?” She began to head down the hall to look for Sokka to explain the situation. She stopped and turned back to Zuko “Thanks for actually saying something in there.”
He shrugged “It was the right thing to do”
Even though the current situation seemed slightly daunting and helpless she did have to admit that Zuko was not like she thought he would be. She was also thankful to know she had someone on her side.