At the Jasmine Dragon 2

At the Jasmine Dragon
Chapter Two: History

"So much has happened in the past year," Katara reflected as she and Aang washed the dishes at the end of their shift.

"I know what you mean, us leaving home to come to school here, getting jobs and an apartment. I mean, I always knew I was going to leave Chicago for school and the University of Hawaii at Manoa had a great ocean and earth science and technology program," Aang gushed, clearly happy that his late grandfather had given him the means to get the education required for running Avatar International.

"I know right? The arts and humanities program is amazing too."

"You and Sokka can both work at Avatar with me when we're done school. You'll have so much to offer the company."

"Maybe, we'll see what happens," Katara said, flicking soap bubbles at her friend while her mind wandered. Living in Honolulu was so different from her home in Churchill. She was still getting used to all the weather differences. She was fortunate that her mother's side of the family had saved so much money for school for her and Sokka, though she missed her father and Gran Gran a lot.

Both she and Sokka had agreed that the money they had been given would be used for school only and Aang had suggested that the three of them get an apartment together to cut costs. Aang was lucky that his position as heir to Avatar International left him with plenty of money to take care of things while they looked for jobs.

Sokka had managed to get a part time job at a 7-11 and Aang did odd jobs for people for a while. Katara drained the sink and left Aang to finished the drying while she went to the back to change. She passed Zuko as he mopped the floor and she offered him a small smile. If it wasn't for him, she never would've gotten her job at the Jasmine Dragon and neither would've Aang.

***

She had been looking through the classifieds in the library when she noticed someone sit across the table from her. She glanced up, surprised to see the boy with the scar from her history class. She didn't know him well, just had seen him around and had heard about him. Katara gave him a small nod in greeting and went back to looking for a job. The two sat quietly for some time, she was absorbed in her things and he in his.

"You looking for a job?" he asked suddenly. He didn't sound very friendly, if anything he sounded a little grumpy.

"Oh, um yeah."

"You're in my history class, aren't you. Kat?"

"Katara," she corrected easily. "Katara Amarok."

"You any good with customer service, Katara Amarok?"

"I'm a people person if that's what you mean." She frowned, she wasn't sure if he was insinuating she couldn't work or if he was just curious.

"And what's your schedule like?"

"I'm free most evenings and weekends. Why?"

"My uncle runs a tea shop called the Jasmine Dragon. It's not too far from here. I'm the manager there and we're really short staffed. Our cashier gave her notice the other day. She's moving back home she says. So how bout it? We can work around your schedule."

"Really? Yeah, that would be great." Katara said with a smile, surprised at her luck, though a little wary of him.

"Great, here's the address," he said sliding her a piece of paper. "If you have any friends who are looking bring them along too. The more help the better."

"Sure thing. Thank you." The boy nodded and got up to leave, he had only gone a few feet when Katara realized something and she called after him. "What's your name?"

"Zuko Ahi'haku."

***

"Zuko Ahi'haku, what would I have done without you?" she mused as she marveled a bit at her own personal history. So what if Zuko was a little grumpy sometimes? So far in the months that she had known him he had brought nothing but good for them.