She didn’t believe it when she first saw him in Spanish 101 nearly two months ago. She had thought that it was a dream, which her mind was playing tricks and that she had officially cracked and gone insane.

But, nope! She wasn’t going insane, she didn’t crack, and he was there in the flesh staring at her as if no one else existed within that classroom. Now they nearly spent all their free time together, trying to make up for four years of lost time. He, catching up on her life and she catching up on his life in New Jersey; nearly two thousand miles away from her.

It felt good. It felt like they were reborn again. Like that day had never happened. They lived for it; it was what kept them sane.

“ Really, Zuko, you didn’t have to walk me back to my dorm.” Katara said, chuckling. She sipped from the green straw, loving the Venti Vanilla Bean Blended Crème he had bought her after their get together at the Starbucks two blocks from the school’s campus. Zuko waved his hand, as if it was nothing.

“ Nah, I wanted to.” He blushed slightly. “ After being here a year, I know that this side of the campus isn’t as safe as the other section.” Katara grinned, elbowing him.

“ Awww, little Zuzu is worried about me.” She mocked. “ That’s so cute!”

“ Stop that…!” Zuko looked away, trying to hide his blush. “ Good friends do stuff like… that.” Katara paid no attention to his weak defense and returned to drinking her frozen drink, smiling to herself. Zuko looked back at her, taking in her beauty.

Since when did she look so beautiful? Where did the tomboy go? Why did she look so… womanly? He quickly turned away; as if he saw something he shouldn’t have, mentally kicking himself for his silly thoughts. No one should think of their best friend in that way, nope, no one should. She’s just a friend. Friend. Only a friend.

“ Well, we’re here. Thanks again, Zuko.” Her voice took him out of his mental delimma and he turned to face her, finding it hard to look at her without his mouth going dry and his mind running crazy with thoughts. Since when did he ever began feeling like this around her? When did her lips look so beautiful and full? When did her nose look so cute? When did her eyes look so seductive and alluring? When did her wavy hair look so inviting to touch?

“ I really appreciated you treating me to Sbux tonight. Sure was great listening to the poets ramble about random tress and stuff.” She laughed at her own satirical joke and then stopped when she noticed how Zuko was looking at her. “ … Hey… are you… oka—!!“ He kissed her, cutting her off. She looked at him, wide eyed as he kissed her, unsure of what to do. Then, slowly, she gave in. Dropping the melting shake onto the concrete surface and wrapping her arms around his taller frame, bringing herself closer to his body. She responded to the kiss, closing her eyes and allowing him to deepen the kiss, one arm wrapped around her waist while the other entangled in her chestnut colored hair.

Breaking away, both of them breathing heavily and shaking, she felt tears falling… his hand slowly coming to brush them away softly with his thumb. Foreheads together, she closed her eyes again and sniffled.

“ When….?” She asked, nervously, emotions tearing her apart inside. Her stomach fluttering with love. He softly laughed and caressed her cheek, his hand shaking slightly from the rush of emotions.

“ Since we first met.” He whispered, and kissed her again. That’s all she had to hear from him.