Chapter Text
The campus looked nothing like Zuko expected.
Not that he was expecting much- just… it was fucking huge.
the front lawn was crawling with students. Freshman’s freaking out over where to go, teachers being crowded with questions, everyone basically pushing past eachother to get their schedule, it was a mess.
this was one of the reasons why he tried to not to come day of initiation.
His Uncle pulled into the drop-off. Zuko looked over to him, unable to mask his nerves.
Iroh reassured him, and Zuko got out of the car, rounding to the back to get his luggage. He yanked out his duffle and backpack and closed the trunk. Stepping into the whirlpool of chaos.
He just wanted to get his schedule and hurry into his dorm for the rest of the day.
As he got closer, he saw that there were plastic tables set up in a line, all consisted of letters. Zuko found the one that matched his last name and got into line. Looking around, nobody really stood out to him. Nobody he remembered. To him, that was the best part.
he retrieved his dorm number, key, and schedule. The lady explained to him that classes would start next week.
glancing at the piece of paper, he took in his classes. It was generally empty.
1st period-9am-no class
2nd period-11am-orchestra
3rd period-1pm-advanced English composition 3
4th period-3pm-no class
5th period-5pm-advanced neutral sciences
6th period-7pm-no class
he scanned it and sighed. He really needed to figure out what he wanted to do as a career. Finishing math early should have put him on some kind of track… but if he was being honest, he didn’t enjoy doing it or anything. He was just really good at it.
He walked to his dorm. The hallways cramped with all the extra luggage and people in them. He found his room number, 358, and opened it.
looking inside, he saw that half the room was already decorated. White walls nearly all the way covered with colorful posters and tapestries. The bed covered by a netted canopy, whoever he was going to be stuck with for the next year, definitely had a weird vibe in his opinion.
the room was empty, and Zuko suspected that his roommate had gone to meet up with friends or something. So he took the free time to set up his side of the room.
He put on his bedding, put up his posters, unpacked his clothes into the dresser, and finally took his turtle-duck plushie out. Setting it on his bed. He really only felt comfortable doing that because of his roommates strange and almost hippie-ish aesthetic.
Taking a step back, you could really tell the difference between the two. His roommate's side was colorful and welcoming, while Zuko’s side consisted of two colors. Blue and black. Multiple posters from his favorite band- The Blue Spirit, decorated his wall. His bedding was gray and boring, but it was comfortable. He debated getting up to walk around and possibly meet people but decided against it.
Zuko laid down on his bed, and he must have been tired from the trip, because before he could tell his body otherwise, He was drifting to sleep.
Zuko was jolted awake by the opening and closing of the shared rooms door. In walked a kid who appeared to be much younger than him, looking to be around the age of a sophomore in collage.
He sat all the way up, letting his feet touch the ground as he kicked his legs over the side of the bed. Zuko was never good with talking to people outside of his friends and family. It was always to complicated to learn everyone’s thoughts and opinions and what their humor is… he very much just chose solidarity. But if he didn’t talk to this kid, the rest of the year would just be boring and awkward, so he swallowed his pride.
“Ahem…” he tried catching the younger man’s attention. The boy while his head from where he was focused on kicking off his shoes and zuko could tell that he was judging his side of the room.
“Oh!” He seemed to snap out of his trance, turning to face him fully with a toothy grin. “Sorry, I was distracted! I didn’t see ya!” There was an awkward pause. “I see that you’ve decorated already!” The boy exclaimed, walking over to Zuko. Gesturing to the posters.
”ah… yeah… I’m Zuko…” He extended his hand for the boy to shake. My god he hated conversation. He didn’t really know how to make small talk.
the other boy took it gleefully, unintentionally moving both of their arms up and down rapidly. “Nice to meet you, Zuko! My names Aang! I’m a sophomore!”
Zuko politely ripped his arm away. “Okay…. I’m a junior…”
”woahhhh a junior!! I got someone to show me the ropes around here then, huh?” He attempted to tease.
”uhhh no… I don’t really know this place to well… it’s my first year at this campus….” He averted his eyes from the grey ones that felt like they were staring directly into his soul.
”oh… well… I guess we’ll struggle together than! Anyway- I gotta to head out! I was just grabbing something in here.” The boy quickly ended the conversation. Leaving just as quickly as he came.
”yeah… okay.. bye…” Zuko mumbled, watching him leave and making sure to hear the door click shut before sprawling out on his mattress.
In his opinion, that kid was so fucking weird. I mean- what college student is bald for Christ's sake! And the strangest thing was- this kid had a fucking tattoo on his forehead!! What the hell?
Zuko rolled onto his side. Pulling out his phone. He opened his group chat with Mai and Ty Lee, scheduling a meetup. He needed to tell them about this weirdo. Plus, he wanted to see if they had any classes together.
The day of the meetup- Wednesday came around. They had planned to meet in a park about 10 minutes away from campus and then grab coffee. Zuko was waiting for the pair on a wooden bench. He picked at the peeling paint as he zoned out. He hardly got any sleep last night. This Aang kid failed to mention how loud of a sleeper he was. That kid snores like a dinosaur in heat. It wasn’t even funny. He wanted to rip his ears off.
his mind was pulled out of his trance as he heard two familiar voices drawing near. He stood up and started walking to meet the two, eager to reconnect with his childhood friends.
Ty Lee ran over to Zuko, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Zuzu!!" She exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
Zuko wrapped his arms around her waist. "Heyyy.. I missed you guys." he admitted. it wasn't easy for him to admit things like that. especially after all that happened between him and his father.
They pulled away from each other. Zuko, with embarrassment on his face turned to Mai. Pulling her into a brief and awkward side hug. It was familiar sure, but he still didn't know how to act after the breakup.
The trio eventually settled on walking to the coffee shop. The three of them wearing light jackets to try and fend from the biting breeze.
"God, it's way to fucking cold." Mai shuddered. Zuko remembered how she was never a fan of cold weather, choosing to vacation in very tropical climates. He always found it cute, but now he just found her complaining and attitude annoying. time does change people.
"I know right! It sucks how they start so late in the season!"
They continued on their tread downtown. Zuko didn't really speak, just listened to the two girls talking about their schedules. admiring the scenery. The old looking shops, built with brick. The hanging plants, the lights, the setting sun. He felt peaceful. This was what he wanted his year to be like. Simple and familiar. They eventualy made it to the shop. Zuko ordered an Iced latte for himself and sat in a booth next to the window. Ty Lee and Mai sat across from him.
"So, what do you guys think about your roommates?" He sparked up conversation.
Ty Lee nearly cut him off. "I actually love my roommate! She's so niiicceeee, and preettyyyy." She said in a singsong tone. Batting her eyelashes.
"Oh suck a cock." Mai rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her frappe, probably kicking her under the table. Ty Lee giggled and turned her attention back to Zuko.
"Turns out, me and Mai are actually rooming together!' She exclaimed.
"Lucky! I'm stuck with some random freshman!" He sunk back into the booth, bummed that he didn't get to dorm with his friends.
"ppft- really?" Mai chuckled at his reaction.
"yes really! And he snores so fucking loud! i can hardly sleep at night!!"
"yeeeshh.... sorry for your loss, dude." Mai smirked, feeling amused at Zuko's discomfort.
A thought came to Ty Lee. "Oh my God!! Did you guys hear about Azula!"
Zuko Snapped out of his small 'fit' at the mention of his little sisters' name. "No. What about her?" Worry creased his brow.
"She's also going to school here!" Ty Lee seemed absolutely joyous over this. Zuko and Mai looked to each other, unease washing over both of them.
They finished their drinks and headed out. Walking home to the dorms together, splitting up once they reached the dorm buildings. one of them being for the girls, and the other for the guys. Zuko continued to his dorm alone. Thinking of what Ty Lee said. The last time he has seen Azula, was when he left her alone to take care of their father. It was something he felt Guilty about, of course it was. She was only 16 at the time. In no financial place to take care of a demented old man.
He walked into his room, Aang out, probably at a friend's dorm or something. Zuko just decided to sleep. it was already 6 anyway. might Aswell.