Chapter 28

Episode 14, City of Walls and Secrets

Zuko was looking at me wide eyed as my jaw dropped. This can't be happening.

"That's Lee?!" I asked way too loudly and whipped my head in Jet's direction as I pointed at Zuko. Guess I wanted him to tell me that's not the Lee he was talking about

He nodded and my eyes widened. My life must be kidding me. It can't be that I see Zuko right here in front of a small teashop. What is he even doing here?

I never thought I would see him in normal Eartkingdom clothes in a teashop. What is happening to this boy?

Jet narrowed his eyes at me, "Do you know him?" He came closer to me, "He is a fire bender, he's danerous you should stay away from him."

My shocked expression fell and I laughed awkwardly and decided to save our asses again even though I was still angry at Zuko for rejecting me and my help just like that.

"Yeah, of course I know him," I said when I saw police approaching. I walked up to Zuko without making eye contact and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Zu- Lee... is just a usual guy who wants to start over after having experinced a lot of stuff," I said and the other people around us seemed to like Zuko even more now, "He's not an angry and impulsive firebender."

I could feel Zuko giving me a 'really'-look but I ignored him. What can I say, he was angry all the time.

"No, the Fire Nation won't ever be able to silence me. Now get out of the way you naive girl. Don't you see? They're fooling you too," Jet shouted and jumped towards me and Zuko.

My jaw dropped and I slighlty knitted my eyebrows. That boy is crazy. But now his tea story actually makes sense; that's such a Iroh thing to do.

Suddenly, Zuko grabbed my arm and pushed me behind him before Jet's sword could hit me and the two boys continued fighting.

"These idiots," I mumbled when the police came through the crowd.

"Drop the weapons!" one of the two officers said. The two stopped fighting and the crowd was silent. The tension was growing.

"Arrest them, they're firebenders!" Jet demanded and pointed at Zuko. I saw his shoulders tense and I gulped. I hope the police doesn't believe Jet.

"This poor boy is confused," Iroh spoke up from beside me, "We're just simple refugees."

I looked at Iroh who shot me a warm smile before turning back to the police. Iroh was someone everyone needed in their lives. Zuko was really lucky to have him. But that idiot still hasn't realised that.

"This boy wrecked my teashop and assaulted my employees!" the owner of the teashop exclaimed. Other people in the crowd agreed with him.

Then the police took Jet with them. I kinda felt bad bad for him. He was a bit too obessed with the Fire Nation.

The crowd of people slowly disappeared and before I had to talk to Zuko or Iroh again, I walked away.

"Hey, wait!" Zuko called after me. I stopped and turned around to look at him with a blank expression.

Iroh briefly nodded at me and showed me a thumbs up before disppearing back into the teashop.

Zuko stopped in front of me and was silent for a few seconds. It seemed like he was thinking about what to say.

"You knew that guy?" he asked and I raised an eyebrow. He can't be serious, that's what he has to say to me after this.

I only nodded and crossed my arms over my chest, shifting my weight on one foot.

He clenched his teeth and gluped. "How did you meet?" he asked me after a couple of seconds.

"We met in the train to the city," I briefly answered. Who does he think he is, asking me all these questions?

He took a deep breath before asking me another question. "Is he... you know, uhm... do you...?"

I knitted my eyebrows. "Do I what? I asked getting irritated by his questioning.

He took another deep breath. I took a step back. Zuko was getting angry. I knew because the body heat radiatng from him was getting hotter and he balled his hands in fists.

"Why would you hang out with that guy?" Zuko asked with more anger in his voice.

My mouth slightly opened and I looked at him with wide eyes. "I don't think it's any of our business!" I countered with the same amount of anger, letting my arms fall to the side and balling my hand in fists.

The audacity this boy has! First he kisses me and tells me to go with him then he rejects me and my help and now he is asking me all these questions.

I've been an emotional wreck since we parted ways and he gets angry at me.

"Who do you think you are, hm?" I asked him before he could say anything, "You don't have to know everything about my life."

I don't know why he was getting so angry about Jet. I haven't even known him for a day.

"It looked like he liked you or something and he's crazy!" Zuko almost shouted, "You should have stayed away from him!"

I opened my mouth to answer him when realisation hit me. I froze and took a small step back.

"Wait, are you jealous?" I slowly asked and slightly raised an eyebrow.

His shoulders tensed and his face went from angry to no emotions. It was silent for a few moments with me looking at Zuko waiting for an answer and him looking deep in thought.

"N-no, of course not," he told me, interrupting the silence. He shook his head quickly and blushed slightly.

An awkward and unbearable silence consumed the two of us. I didn't know what to say. His body language definitely affirmed what I said but he didn't admit it.

Maybe I was just mistaken and it was only my imgination. I thought being away from the prince would make my feelings go away. But I somehow still liked this guy with his anger issues.

Zuko eyed my face and I slightly bit my lip not looking at him.

"You look paler than usual. Are you okay?" he asked me, coming closer to me. I took a breath, briefly looking at the sky.

I've been sleeping less in the last few days. The war and especially my mother being on my mind consantly. I still don't know if or how I should tell my siblings that we're half Fire Nation.

"I'm fine," I answered shortly and crossed my arms over my chest.

Zuko only raised an eyebrow and looked at me pointedly. Of course he wouldn't believe me.

Before he could say something, Iroh came out of the teashop and walked over to us.

"Jasmine, it's nice to meet you here," he engulfed me in a hug. Iroh looked between us and he noticed the tension.

"What brings you here to Ba Sing Se alone?" he asked me to ease the tension.

I let out a quick sigh, "We're looking for someone." Iroh nodded at me while Zuko only looked at me the whole time.

"It's late, you shouldn't go back alone," Iroh said and glanced at Zuko, "I think it's best if Zuko walks you back to your family."

I tensed, remembering that I don't even know where they are. "That won't be necessary, thanks. You must be tired as well," I declined with a small smile.

Iroh insisted and he wouldn't let go. "No, really. It would take too much time," I tried to reason but Iroh only shook his head.

"I'm not lying," I chuckled awkwardly and slightly blushed, "Because I have to find them first."

Iroh blinked at me while Zuko knitted his eyebrows at me. "You see, they kind of sent me off alone and we didn't agree where to meet again," I explained, "So I have absolutely no idea where they are. I am officially lost."

"You can't sleep out here. You can stay with us," Iroh said and I froze, "And don't try to refuse. You have stayed with us before."

I bit my lip and looked at Zuko. He looked away from me and I let out a breath before nodding.

Staying with them was a better option than staying out here somewhere. I gulped. This would get interesting.

A/N - hahaha sorry, I kinda updated the wrong chapter. Oh my gosh, that's embarrassing. Sorry for everyone that already read the other one. I'm so stupid sometimes or always. Anyway, sorry again, here the right chapter. Hope you enjoy it :) Guess that's an double update today then. The people who already read the next chapter, that I had updated earlier, don't have to read the next chapter again of course. :)