Are we still strangers?

Soon, Aria was all patched up with her little cuts cleaned and the slightly larger ones bandaged.

Though Aria had opposed the bandages, Miss Anhao had insisted and told her they were there only to prevent exposure of the wounds and infection.

As she sipped on her hot chocolate sitting on a bed, Joseph sat across her on the adjoining bed. Aria looked at him and said, "Aren't you going to fight?"

Joseph shrugged, "I'll do it tomorrow. I won't feel good with myself if I fought the Professor when he was all beaten up by another student."

Aria raised and eyebrow. Joseph continued, "Moreover, the fights will obviously not finish today. It's almost time for lunch."

Aria was dumbfounded, "Lunch?!?!? For how long was I fighting?"

Joseph: "A little over three hours. I'm surprised you didn't collapse."

Aria said as she marveled at her own strength, "Yeah. I am too. I guess the training sessions with Zach are really doing their trick."

Joseph seemed taken aback, "You're having training sessions with Zach!?!?"

Aria said nonchalantly, "Oh yeah. It's nothing official. Just little sparring matches when I feel like blowing off steam."

Joseph's expression had now changed to one of disgust, "You could spar with me!! I never thought you would train with Zach Mellon."

Aria looked straight into his deep blue eyes and said, "Joseph, you really need to stop judging people by their bending skills. Actually, judging might be fine, but you really need to grow out of your prejudices and understand that there are things other than bending."

Joseph's eyes dimmed and his expression changed to one melancholy. Even after a year, Aria still seemed so distant. It was like she had a wall around her emotions that no matter how much he tried to climb, never seemed to end. Just when he thought he had reached the top, he would look up to see the wall still stretched on and on.

He said bitterly, "Why are you talking like we're strangers?"

Aria was surprised, "I'm not talking like anything. I was just saying Zach is a great person too."

Joseph scoffed, "What's so great about him? His bending skills are...." But he stopped, sensing he had just said what Aria had told him not to emphasize so much on.

Aria sighed and shook her head, "Don't be so stiff. But, Zach is a really great fighter."

Joseph: "I've seen him fight. I could beat him anytime."

Aria: "Of course, if you're bending. Just try fighting him without bending. His hand-to-hand combat skills could even rival Professor Thomas."

Joseph stuttered, "Wh-what.....? Without ben-bending? Why would..."

Aria shrugged with a slight smile on her lips.

As Joseph was deep in thought, Aria finished her hot chocolate and smacked her lips sitting the cup down, "Ahh! That was great. You know Joseph, one of the reasons I love the recovery ward? Miss Anhao's hot chocolate is just amazing!!!"

Joseph raised his eyebrows and said in a surprised tone, "One of the reasons? You like the recovery ward?"

Aria crossed her legs, "Of course I would not like to stay here permanently. But coming here once in a while, is great."

Joseph: "And can I ask? What else do you like about the recovery ward?"