Wind Sprints
During the remainder of the day Azula stays in her room, she cleans up all the things she flung to the floor in rage earlier that morning. As she picks things up from the ground and puts them back on shelves, in drawers and into boxes tears roll down her eyes.
Silently crying she finishes tidying up her entire room. The book she had checked out from the library with Ty Lee rests under the desk. Bending down to grab it Azula thinks about how nice the trip to the library was, the way Ty Lee seemed so happy to be spending time with her, so happy to be friends.
Maybe she actually wanted to be friends maybe the only part that was fake was the more romantic parts of it, thats wishful thinking, none of it was real. Azula puts the book in her backpack, knowing she probably will need it for school. Earlier that week she had prayed that whatever was going on was real. For even though she denied it all the time, she had fallen for the bubbly cheerleader.
And that was the biggest mistake I've ever made the reflection in the mirror is a girl with a topknot thats falling out of place and extremely puffy red eyes. Azula frowns at her sad reflection, how did a simple school project get her into this state. Washing her face with freezing cold water soothes her puffy red eyes and Azula silently fixes her hair.
Maybe if she pretends to be okay then she eventually will be. Which one of Ty Lee's friends ended up getting the money from the bet? the two did make out after all, maybe Sokka has a new copious amount of cash. Feeling humiliated Azula opens the door to her room so she can clear her mind.
Hoping to find the kitchen empty she instead finds her brother and Mai talking in the kitchen over a bag of chips. Both of them fall silent when they see Azula walk into the kitchen. Mai turns and stares at the marble counter, refusing to meet Azula's eyes. I suppose he must have told her about me making Ty Lee leave the house. Azula smiles coldly and opens the fridge to get herself some juice "No need to fall silent when I enter, I'm fine" Azula declares.
The tone in her voice sends a shiver down Zuko's spine, causing him to turn back to the bag of chips. Azula knows that she has frightened her brother and his girlfriend but she doesn't really care right now, caring got her into this mess in the first place. Her phone is buzzing rapidly when she enters her room, she has three unopened messages.
The first is from Ozai who informs Azula that she has track practice today that she is not allowed to miss. Perfect I need to get some of this anger out through physical activity...Ty Lee has my track shirt. Annoyed Azula puts on her spare track shirt and running shorts. Her hair is back up in a firm topknot, and her eyes are no longer puffy.
The other two messages on her phone are from Ty Lee
Ty Lee: Hey Azula ik you don't wanna talk to me rn for some reason but I just wanna say i'm sorry for kind of making a move of you so suddenly today. Maybe you didn't wanna go that fast pls text back so i can know whats going on :(
Ty Lee: Azula it's me again you haven't answered are you okay I'm getting worried if you could just talk to me i bet we could work through this :(♥
Azula scoffs at her phone does she really think i'll still fall for this nonsense after what i saw. She throws her phone in her track duffel along with her car keys and heads down to drive to school. Zuko waits for her at the door "Listen Azula i don't know if going to a track practice is what you need right now, let's sit down and talk-" he starts reaching out to touch his sisters shoulder.
"shut it Zuko, i'm not some weak little girl you have to look after now kindly leave me alone" Azula warns slamming the front door behind her. Zuko turns to a concerned Mai and he worries that his sister may be spiraling.
It's a brisk winter day even though there is more sunshine peeking through the clouds as usual. Azula marches up to the field where the other girls were sitting there waiting for her arrival. She smiles feeling back in her element and feeling some sort of control.
"Line up" she demands as the track team lines up shoulder to shoulder, Azula stands in front of them crossing her arms across her chest. Her eyes scan every team member making sure they aren't snickering or not paying attention.
"Alright thank you all for coming, as you all know we have a track meet coming up and I expect you all to be on your A-game just as I am. And If i sense any resistance or disobedience then I will not hesitate to kick you off of this team, IS that clear?"
"clear" the team members say at the same time, Azula grins. "Good now remember we have to win this meet, run like your life depends on it, because so does your spot on the team" she says cooly to the other teens who look a little frightened.
Ming kicks at the grass which catches Azula's eye "Ming your shoe lace is untied fix that now" she orders. This is nice I should just focus on this, because here I am in control. Clapping her hands together twice Azula and the others start running wind sprints from one side of the field to the other.
A full hour and a half go by and Azula has managed to make one of the team members cry because they tripped during the run around the track. But nether-less the team is in good shape to outrun the other school that will be at the meet. Azula is contempt and nods signaling that practice is over and the others can head home. Ming stays behind Azula raises an eyebrow hoping that the girl won't come to critique her training technique. She won't if she knows whats good for her
"Azula we have a problem, I was going to schedule the field for practice again tomorrow like you told me to. But the cheer squad had already reserved the field for tomorrow I don't know what to-" Ming says weakly
Azula feels anger boil in her chest, she swallows her rage and looks at Ming "It's fine i'll fix this, now go get changed and go home" she says waving Ming away with her hand. The cheer squad? they can't take our practice slot, not with the meet coming up. Someones gonna pay
Azula stomps to the front desk office and requests a meeting with the football team coach, he runs the field and decides who gets practice slots. Glowering down at the timid woman behind the desk Azula impatiently taps her nails on the counter. Before she can tell the woman to hurry up Coach Sozin walks into the office.
"There you are, now the cheer squad has taken my teams practice slot. I advise you to return it to the track team because with a meet coming up we need all the practice we can get" she says putting her hands on her hips. Sozin frowns and looks at the bulletin board with the practice slot times.
"Hm I guess I'll change it back, it's just the cheer captain insisted that her squad couldn't practice in the gym anymore so I obliged" Coach Sozin says wiping the words "cheer" and replacing it with "Track" in the slot for tomorrow. Azula sighs in relief and turns to leave the office. Really Ty Lee? Your squad can't practice on my field anymore so enjoy your pathetic little gym
Rushing into the locker-room to put her running shoes back in her locker Azula is surprised to find the cheer squad getting changed in there. They seem to be practicing today too, how silly don't they know it'll be dark out soon so they won't be able to see what they are doing.
She tries to avoid eye contact with any of them and she starts to change out of her track clothes, but she hears a familiar voice from behind her.
"Hey Azula" Ty Lee says quietly, Azula whirls around to face her startled just a little. Ty Lee has her cheer uniform on and her arms straight at her sides, she nervously scratches her head as Azula glares at her. Ty Lee's eyes wander down but just for a second. Is she being serious right now?
"Can I please put a top on before you start badgering me" Azula groans pulling a hoodie over her head. Ty Lee nods and steps back giving Azula some space. Once Azula has shut her locker the cheer captain finally speaks
"You didn't answer any messages so I just wanna ask if you're okay..."
"I'm fine Ty Lee, now get out of my way" Azula shoves past her and walks toward the locker-room doors. Ty Lee jogs after her
"So thats IT?" she says throwing her arms in the air as Azula ignores her. Is she really going to make a scene here?
"Listen Azula I don't know what I did, but i don't think it's the whole make-out incident that has you upset because you were enjoying that just as much as I did!" Ty Lee huffs pointing a finger at Azula. Azula turns red realizing the other girls in the locker room are staring. Great now they all know
"Stop it Ty Lee, i don't want anything to do with you. And you're right this isn't about that but since you brought it up aren't you surprised?" Azula asks sharply. Ty Lee furrows her brow in confusion.
"You know cause i'm not someone who would know how to make out" Azula quotes the message from Suki that was on Ty Lee's phone. Ty Lees mouth hangs open as realization sets in. Now she knows that i've seen the messages. Azula storms out of the locker-room not wanting to hear the cheerleaders whispering or whatever excuse Ty Lee was going to make up. Cursing as she walks to her car Azula feels tears brim her eyes again I am not going to cry at school Azula gets in her car and slams her hands on the steering wheel.
A small part of her hoped that maybe Ty Lee wouldn't know about messages, but she did see them. What am I even saying she had to see them since she's in that groupchat Azula burns with hatred for that friend-group until something clicks in her brain. That friend-group, Zuko's a part of it. I can't believe I didn't think of this before HAS ZUKO KNOWN ABOUT THIS? Stepping on the gas Azula grips the wheel so tightly her knuckles turn white, breaking every driving rule in the book Azula makes it home in record time. Stomping up to the house door she realizes she must look like a madwoman, slightly sweaty from practice and an enraged expression.
Zuko let's her inside and the second he closes the door behind them Azula whips around and shoves him into it. Zuko's head hits the door "AH OUCH WHAT THE HELL AZULA?!" he screams rubbing the back of his head. Azula shoves him again "did you know about the stupid bets, did you place money?!" she shouts her hands balled into tight fists that she has to contain from smashing into Zuko's face. Zuko runs his hands through his hair in frustration.
"Azula what are you talking about, have you gotten sick again do you need to go back to the doc-" He steps forward with his hands up eyeing Azula with caution. She groans in frustration and grabs Zuko phone typing in Mai's birthdate as the password. Zuko says something in protest but Azula shoots him a glare willing him to even try and stop her. He falls silent and sighs crossing his arms as Azula heads to his messages, he's not in a group chat on messages. She goes to snapchat and realizes he is on a group chat there.
Azula scrolls through it seeing no mention of her name or anything about bets. Slamming the phone down on the table she turns and jogs her way up the stairs. Zuko follows her confused and concerned about her sudden behavior "Can you please stop this, just tell me whats going on I can help you-" he pleads
"I DON'T NEED ANYONES HELP" Azula shrieks from the top of the stairs. Hearing a door slam Zuko slips his phone back into his pocket and tries to think about what Azula was shouting about.
Azula gets in the shower a little relieved to know that her brother wasn't against her the entire time. The water is soothing, Azula shampoos her hair letting herself relax under the water and she breathes in the steam. I don't know whats gonna happen after this unable to come up with a plan Azula decides to just leave it alone for now. She can get revenge later but for now she will go to school and pretend that Ty Lee and her awful friendgroup don't exist.
Later when she is doing her homework her phone buzzes again
Ty Lee: Please let me explain i'm sorry, i care about you just call me ok?
Azula doesn't respond and turns back to her homework and watching the track meets of the school they are going up against so she can learn which members of their team are the weakest and which ones pose the biggest threat. Azula eyes a girl who can jump over hurdles like it's nothing thats their captain, thats who i'll be going up against. However she's no match for me so clearly not a threat.
Ozai has gone on yet another trip for work but he texts Azula letting her know that he needs her to keep up on her studies. "no distractions" the message reads Don't worry the only distraction I had was a traitor.
The remainder of the week goes the same way, Ty Lee trying to find Azula and talk. On Monday Ty Lee waited at her car after-school and Azula didn't even look at her, Tuesday Ty Lee left class so she could talk to Azula during her free period which led to Azula pretending to not see Ty Lee standing in front of her. Similar events occurred on Wednesday
Azula used her whiteboard to sketch out a plan, she would get revenge but she didn't know how. No opportunity presented herself so she decided to do tiny things to make schooldays harder for the gang and Ty Lee. Azula didn't do anything to hurt Aang or Katara because she knew that Katara and Aang were both against the bet thing.
Azula jammed Suki's locker with gum and she made sure to pop Sokka's favorite soccer ball in the sports closet. When she saw Suki and Sokka sneak off together during Science class Azula tipped off the front desk. Getting the pair detention for a week for skipping class and for hooking up at school.
Walking by the detention rooms Azula made a point to stop at the tiny window outside the classroom and wave at a very annoyed Suki. From the way Suki looked at her Azula knew that Ty Lee must've told her that Azula knew about the messages.
These little pranks made Azula feel better, but she still hadn't gotten back at Ty Lee. However she has no time to plot, the track meet is growing nearer. And Ozai made it clear that he will be checking to see who won.
Before Thursdays track practice Ming is waiting in the locker room for Azula. Azula frowns and starts tying on her running shoes. Ming bites her nail nervously and waits for Azula to finish tying her shoe. "Spit it out Ming what's going on?" Azula says shutting her locker. Ming nods
"So we were setting up for practice on the field, and the cheer girls are on there...."
"WHAT?!? but we have the slot for today" Azula objects tired of the cheerleaders trying to take up the practice space. She turns to leave the locke-room with Ming trailing behind her. Azula jogs up to the grassy field her eyes filled with rage. If anyone saw her right now then they'd think she was about to commit mass murder.
The cheerleaders are stretching next to the track hurdles. The rest of the track team are eyeing their captain as she marches up to the cheerleaders. Ming catches up and stands behind Azula who narrows her eyes at the cheer team. Ming looks like she's going to pass out but Azula is only looking at the cheerleader doing back handsprings on the grass.
"TY LEE" Azula shouts. Ty Lee lands the back handspring and smoothes out her skirt. She approaches Azula warily as if she's afraid Azula will strangle her to death. "how can i help you?" Ty Lee says nicely ignoring the murderous look in Azula's eyes. So she just wants to pretend like she hasn't stolen my field.
"We have the slot for today, get off my field" Azula fumed.
"I understand why you're upset but we got here first and the gym doesn't have enough space for our routine" Ty Lee sighs meeting Azula's eye. Ty Lee looks at Azula with something similar to pity?
Why is she looking at me like that? Does she not understand what i'm saying?
"I don't care about you and your silly routine we have the slot today"
"Azula we can share the field today"
"No we cannot"
"Girls keep stretching cmon let's go" Ty Lee says ignoring Azula's protests. Azula steps in front of her blocking Ty Lee's way. Ty Lee steps closer to Azula, almost pressing herself up against her. Is she really trying to do something like this right now?
" Listen Azula since you don't want to have a civil conversation, me and my girls will use a corner of the field, we won't get in your way. IF you want to discuss this later we can" Ty Lee says finding herself nose to nose with the track team captain. Azula narrows her eyes a little upset that Ty Lee hasn't backed down.
"fine" Azula hisses walking away but not before roughly bumping Ty Lee with her shoulder, Ty Lee grabs her upper arm.
"Can you please be civil" she begs not releasing Azula's arm. "Of course I can" Azula scoffs. Clapping her hands twice the track team starts running sprints again.
The Cheerleaders play their music during their warmups. Making Azula scowl in disgust Really they are gonna blare Doja Cat as they exercise, hardly appropriate. Ming smiles "oh i really like this song she says sprinting besides Azula, Azula shoots her a look warning her to stop talking. The cheerleaders hoist each other through the air and do their spins and cartwheels and flips.
Ty Lee praises the girls on the squad whenever they do the routine right and whenever they mess up she reminds them that it'll be okay they just need to try again. "Your doing so great girls! Keep up the amazing work!" she gushes to the cheerleaders. Azula rolls her eyes and turns back to her team doing hurdles.
Viola almost trips over a hurdle and Azula picks up her megaphone "VIOLA KEEP YOUR LEGS TUCKED STOP BEING SLOPPY" she boomed. Viola turns red and fixes her form when she jumps over the next hurdle. Azula scans everyone on her team waiting for one to slip up, the megaphone gripped tightly in her fist.
Ming is doing insanely well she leaps over each hurdle perfectly and she outruns everyone else. Azula notices "strong work Ming, learn from her the rest of you!" she yells clapping her hands together. Ty Lee tilts her head confused by Azula's aggressive coaching.
Ty Lee gives a thumbs up to Haru as he manages to jump over a hurdle cleanly. Azula turns to Ty Lee raising the megaphone to her lips.
"FOCUS ON YOUR OWN DAMN SQUAD TY LEE" she yells. Ty Lee turns back to her cheer girls.
"She's running that practice like it's a military base" Yue says holding her pom poms.
Ty Lee nods along with Yue's statement but keeps her eyes on Azula who is bellowing orders into a megaphone. Despite recent events Ty Lee can't help but feel the corner of her mouth twitch into a smile at the sight of Azula acting like a track practice is the end of the world. Seeing her dash around in her track uniform as she yells at literally everyone is somehow more cute to Ty Lee than it is scary.
Azula continues until everyones form has improved. Susan sighs and stops doing push ups she frowns at Azula
"You make us do all of this but you aren't even doing the drills" Susan retorted standing up to face Azula. Azula frowns at the sudden defiance coming from Susan of all people, Susan isn't even a good runner. Azula smiles sweetly "I do the drills as well, what are you upset about?" she asks
"I bet I could run faster than you" Susan says waving her hand in Azula's face. Azula continues smiling at the childish remark "I bet I could run faster" what is this preschool? Azula sighs and starts walking to the running track Well i hope Susan can back up her claim
"Okay Susan! cmon let's race since you bet you'd be faster" Azula says plainly beckoning to the starting line. Susan looks around not expecting Azula to actually want to race her. She won't chicken out though, she has too much pride for that even the cheerleaders have walked over to see whats going on.
"You're only captain because your daddy is a big name around here" Susan spits meeting Azula at the starting line. Azula smirks "Okay Susan, three times around the track. Let's see if you can do what you say you can" she chides.
Ty Lee meets Azula's eye for a second her grey eyes gleaming. Hmph so now she seems to have no problem stopping her cheer practice. Susan and Azula take their places on the starting line and Ming starts the countdown. When Ming gets to one, the two girls jet off the starting line running as fast as they can. However Azula is running considerably slower than Susan but it's all part of a plan.
Of course she's sprinting right now her first mistake is putting all her energy into the first lap Azula stays on Susan's tail. Susan finishes the first lap in the lead. Azula tries to suppress a smile as she watches Susan slow down as Azula keeps a steady pace. Now the two are going the exact same speed.
"I'm still going to win" Susan says as the two girls fly over the starting line completing their second lap. But halfway through the third Azula starts to sprint using the energy she stored up "are you sure about that Susan?" she laughs as she passes the other girl and makes it to the finish line with Susan far behind.
Cracking her neck Azula waits until Susan makes it to the finish line panting and scowling. Azula beams Ah the feeling of winning is absolutely my favorite. Ming almost looks like she's going to smile and some of the cheerleaders are laughing. Susan crosses the line and turns to Azula her face red and sweaty.
"Okay Susan, do you take it back?" Azula asks handing Susan a bottle of water. Susan hits it out of Azula's hand this sparks some gasps from the cheerleaders. The bottle hits the track with a thunk, Azula watches it hit the ground and her smile fades away. Susan stares at Azula her teeth clenched in what appears to be a growl.
Sore loser Stepping back Azula turns to pick up another bottle of water but this time for herself. Susan answers her question from earlier "I don't take it back but I was wrong about my running..." Susan groused.
Azula frowns and turns to face Susan "thats too bad, well Susan I hope you enjoy your last practice" Azula trilled twisting her bottle cap. Susan opens her mouth in shock "What do you mean?" she stammered. Azula takes a sip from her water eyeing Susan carefully.
"You're kicked from the team, your running has never been promising and you have a pattern of insubordination" Azula explains Susan opens her mouth to protest but Azula cuts her off. "Get off my field" Azula warns, I am in no mood to fight with someone as stupid as Susan
Susan runs off the field wiping her eyes frantically. Ty Lee watches her run off with a concerned look in her eyes, Azula spots this and rolls her eyes at Ty Lee's empathy for such an annoying girl. However she still has to deal with the rest of her team
"alright everyone, you saw what happened when you try and challenge me. Now you all trained sufficiently today now, home and rest"
Clapping her hands twice to signal the end of practice the rest of the track team jog off to the locker-rooms. Azula stays behind and pours some water over her head, running that fast made her break a sweat. Ty Lee watches her empty the water bottle over her head and decides to approach. "Azula did you really have to treat her like that?" Ty Lee probed. Azula turns and looks at Ty Lee so clearly worried for Susan.
"It's awful when people choose to hurt other people for amusement isn't it?" Azula says walking to the locker room I know that one had tohurt. Ty Lee walks next to her "AZULA I LITERALLY DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY WERE PLACING BETS, I THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE I PROMISE I WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO SOMEONE" Ty Lee yells. Azula can't help but wonder if what Ty Lee is saying has truth to it. But I know I can't trust anyone, i don't know I DON'T KNOW. Ty Lee waits for Azula to answer and for once Azula says exactly what she's thinking.
"I don't know" Azula released trying not to look at Ty Lee because she feels a lump in her throat and she knows if she looks at Ty Lee and those grey eyes she will cry. Ty Lee reaches out and squeezes Azula's hand, comforted by her touch Azula sighs. I don't know I don't know I don't know at first I thought she was doing this for homework then I thought she was doing it as part of a bet.
Becoming overwhelmed Azula turns to go into the locker room feeling Ty Lee's hand slip off of her arm and Ty Lee turns to go back to her cheerleaders. Going two separate ways Azula can't help but feel lonely, things were easier when she would pretend to be annoyed with Ty Lee and Ty Lee would ask her about the project. Changing out of her track shoes Azula peels off her nicotine patch. Did I bring any extra? where are they?
She realizes that she must have left some at home because they aren't in her track duffel bag. Well i have to get home quick Azula jogs out of the locker-room and towards her car, wanting to leave the school and get away from Ty Lee. She passes Susan who is crying by the parking lot gate. Pathetic honestly. Ready to unlock her car door Azula takes a look at Susan who manages to walk up to drivers side shooting daggers at Azula using her eyes.
"Is there something you need Susan?" Azula says dryly eager to just leave and go home. Susan doesn't say anything however her eyes flash with rage and she spits in Azula's face. Agni give me the strength to not run this stupid girl down with my car Susan flips Azula off and runs away."SUSAN WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU" Azula screams watching Susan Flee the parking lot. Azula could let her anger overtake her, she could get out of the car and kick Susan to the ground. But Azula has changed, she's grown.
She swipes the spit off of her face with a tissue from the glove compartment. Yuck Azula drives home even faster now eager to get home and shower. But when she gets to a stoplight she spots the cafe she and Ty Lee went to. The pink cafe doors so familiar. Her chest feels tight and her eyes well up. It was nice to have Ty Lee around her all the time and have somebody who cared about her a little bit. Azula pulls into the cafe parking lot just for a second so this feeling can pass.
Her mother's voice plays in her head "there is something wrong with you Azula..." the words that Azula can't ever forget. Ty Lee said she didn't know about the bets, but how do I know they weren't all playing a game to mess with me-No Ty Lee didn't really know about the bets because she isn't that cruel Maybe it started out as a partnership for a project, but it grew into something more I've ruined everything though, her friends hate me and i've shown her my true colors.
Her mother's words replaying in her head Azula cries in her car trying not to make a scene so passerbys don't stare. Wiping her tears and grabbing her wallet Azula decides to go into the little cafe, unsure of whether she will buy anything. Pushing the pink doors open she is met by someone she wasn't expecting, Suki. Azula holds her breath, turning to leave quickly so she doesn't have to interact with the girl
"AZULA WAIT" Suki shouts. Azula considers dashing out the door Ugh running away like a coward will be even worse than whatever she wants to talk about She turns slowly to face Suki trying to appear calm and collected. Suki approaches Azula and points to a table next to the cafe window. "Can you please sit, we have some things to talk about" she says to the dark haired girl.
This is just great