Kapitel 18: The Gift(5)

It was the morning of the 25th of June and I woke up with a wide smile on my face because today is my birthday.

I got out of my bed and went to have breakfast.

"Morning birthday boy!" Said grandma after she kissed me on the forehead.

"Morning grandma!"

We chatted for a while then I left for a walk. I was in a good mood and not only because is my birthday, but things just work for me, I'm one of the best chi blockers in the city and probably in the world, my suit and gloves are almost finished, I have friends I can count on, some of which are the future friends of the avatar. Life right now is sunshine and roses.

I stroll across the street trying to find Mako and Bolin. I promised them I was going to lend them some money to enter the pro-bending circuit and I wanted to give them today because tryouts were soon.

"Hey Bolin, Mako, what's up?"

"Not much, not much, we're trying to get the money for the tryouts." Said Mako.

"I wanted to talk to you about that." I pull the money out and give it to them. "Here, I promised I would give you some."

They look in the bag and see the money.

"Man this is the amount we need for the tryouts and then some." Sayed Bolin looking excited at the bag.

"We can't take it. It's too much for us, but thanks for thinking about us."

"Mako, you don't need to do that, I gave you the money because I wanted to, you can pay it all back when you become a pro bender if you want. By the way, the extra amount of money is for the protective gear you're going to need, you can't go there unprepared."

"But..."

"No buts. It's my gift for you. I gave it to you because I believe in you. Just remember when you become a pro bender to invite me to the matches once in a while."

"Will do." Sayed both.

"See you tonight guys."

And so I left to go talk with the others. In a few minutes, I got to Kai's house where Kai, Nya, and Zane were waiting for me.

"Hi, guys!"

"Hi Ethan, what's with the good mood, it's rare for you to be so relaxed."

I listen to Kai's words and try to think about and he's right. From the moment I was born, I worked to improve myself in order to achieve my dream.

"I just figured out that I should be more grateful for the small things and to stop running once in a while to smell the roses."

"Who are you and what did you do to Ethan?!"

"Hahaha, nice joke sister!"

"Guys I'm serious, from as long as I can remember I've been in a constant rush to get better, to be better. I was in such a rush that the only thing I saw was the thing I wanted to get and didn't see the things around me. Now that I see them I'm grateful that I have them."

"That's very poetic... What's the thing you wanted?" Asked Nya.

"That's a secret."

"Come on!" Sayed all three of them at once.

"Ok, ok, the thing I always wanted was a life full of adventure, but in pursuit of it, I didn't realize that I already have that and more. I have friends now, people that I trust and that trust me, people that care about me and I care about them, people with who I can go on adventures."

It took a few seconds of silence for someone to do something and that person was Nya that came and hugged me and then the rest followed in a group hug. There were no words because there was no need for them. We knew how we felt about each other. We knew each other for a long time now and we went to good and bad times together, we trusted each other and cared for each other. We stayed a few seconds in that embrace.

"Ok, guys I have to go see you at the party."

So I left and went home to do the last preparations.

Night came and my friends came to my house where grandma and I greeted them we entered the house and the party began. We laughed we talked we ate meat and cake, then grandma said she needed to go somewhere very fast and she left the house. When Kai saw this he came to me and said.

"Ethan I have something special for you."

He pulled a bottle out of the bag he came with. I take a good and see that is the same drink that we drank with Master Wu.

"Is this?"

"Yes, it is."

"Then what are we wasting time for, let's drink"

I got cups for everyone and we started to drink the alcohol. I think this drink is stronger than the drink we had with Wu but has the taste. After a few cups, we started to sing and dance. I don't know when exactly but at some point, Nya came to me and asked if we can talk in private. We went to my room. She went in first, I entered as well and when I wanted to close the door behind me I felt her delicate lips pushing against mine in a passionate kiss. After we separated I was lost for the first time in this life. I didn't have the slightest clue on what to do or what to say, I suddenly become lightheaded and I was hot and my heart started to beat faster.

'Is the alcohol finally getting to me?'