Howdy y'all! Welcome to my story. This is an AU high school fanfic, just to warn you, but I hope to keep it as realistic and in character as I can. I will not reveal the pairings, but I hope at least some of them will surprise you. Another warning, the first chapter's pretty boring, as I needed to introduce the main characters in a basic way so I wouldn't have to awkwardly insert them in later. However, I promise that things will pick up after this.

Toph is not blind in this, just sickly.

It doesn't take much to change a person's life. A simple breath can shatter bones, but a smile can change someone's dreams. The little moments, the tiny glimpses of emotion and wonder people often glance over, are the most important, because they influence the subconscious without anyone knowing. Sure, the big events in a person's life ultimately shape who they are, but it's the little rarities of happiness that make everything worth it. So, my dear friends, let us give our cheers to the little things.

"Katara!"

The blue-eyed girl shut her book and glanced around for the voice. Across the field, she saw her best friend, Aang, waving at her and walking towards her. Though she'd seen him frequently over the summer, she couldn't get over how much he had grown. She was even willing to bet that he'd finally grown taller than her.

"Hi, Aang!" she said, smiling as he sat down beside her.

"What are you reading?"

"A motivational book my grandpa gave me. It's not really that interesting, but I had nothing else to do."

Even though it was only the first day of school, Sokka had to go early for a fencing meeting. Because he was her only ride, she was left to roam around the school for an hour before her classes started. Luckily, most of her friends came early as well, as it was a tradition for those who did not have morning sports to hang out around the flagpole twenty minutes before class.

"Can you believe we're already sophomores?" asked Aang, "Seems like just yesterday we went to preschool together."

"Sentimental, enough?" she teased. "Normally, that's my job."

He smiled, and she realized his face was losing its boyish charm, and instead looking more mature. Scarily, he was right; they had grown up fast. No longer were they children that absentmindedly pushed each other on swings, but teenagers who were making decisions that would affect them for the rest of their lives.

"What are you two doing out here alone?" asked a voice from behind them, putting a particular emphasis on the last word.
"Toph," said Katara, turning to face her smirking friend. "It's not like that."

"Those are the words I'm going to quote at your wedding."

Before Katara had a chance to make her retort and add in the fact that she was already dating someone, Ty Lee ran up to the group. Katara honestly had no idea how someone could pull off wearing so much pink, but somehow the giggling gymnast managed to make it work. Besides, everyone knew better than to make fun of her for it, as Azula would surely come after them.

"Hey, guys!" she said, practically skipping. "Can you believe it's already the first day of school? I'm so excited."

"Summer went by fast," said Katara, smiling at the girl's enthusiasm.

"By the way, Toph," said Ty Lee. "The girl with the month name is looking for you."

"Jun?"

"Yeah, that's her name! She wanted to ask you a question or something. She's by the cafeteria, hanging wither her friends, and they kinda scare me, but-"

"I'll go find her," interrupted the younger girl.

As she walked off, Katara added, "I need to go find Teo. I promised I'd meet him before school."

Aang's face fell slightly as she left, but he was used to Katara dating other guys. In fact, she had dated a considerable number of guys, but seemed to deliberately avoid any romantic contact with him. He didn't understand what he was doing wrong, or what made him different from the rest of the male population.

"So, it's just you and me, huh Aang?" said Ty Lee, placing her hands on her hips. "Let's go walk around the school together! I did a lot of cool stuff over the summer, and Azula won't listen to me when I talk about shopping, so I'll just talk to you instead."

Oh, high school

Most everyone has a way to deal with stress. Some people take long walks, others watch television. For some, eating is the only way to calm down their anxiety. A select few even use physically harming habits to calm down. Sokka and Suki's preferred method was hitting each other with swords.

Fencing swords, to be exact. The two were on the school's fencing team, so it wasn't against the rules or anything. For an hour after school each day, the two would come to the gym and spar to their hearts content, before heading over to fencing practice. If neither of them were too tired, they would even spar after that. Dedication didn't even begin to describe their love for the sport.

At the current moment, they had chosen to meet before school. It was a tradition for their group of friend to go out for ice cream after the first day of school was over, so there wouldn't be an opportunity for them to practice any other time, except for lunch. However, Sokka refused to miss lunch.

"You've gotten a bit rusty over the summer," she said, taunting him as she lunged forward, getting close to hitting him.

"We practiced almost every day of the summer," he reminded her.

"Not long enough."

He smiled, determined to beat her. Returning the confident look, she lunged at him once more. He missed the days of elementary school when things were so simple, and the two would do nothing but practice for days on end. However, before they could get into it and Sokka continue to ponder over his nostalgia, the door of the gym opened and Yue glided in.
"I'm really sorry to bother you two," she said. "But can I borrow Sokka for a moment?"

"Sure," he said, following her out of the gym. "I'll be right back, Suki."

"Fine," she said, clenching her teeth.

If looks could kill…

"Finally," said Mai, as they arrived at the school parking lot. "You drive slower than my grandmother, Zuko."

"If you didn't wreck your car," grumbled Zuko. "You wouldn't have to ride with me in the first place."

"Stop arguing like an old married couple and get out of the car," said Azula, rolling her eyes at her brother's idiocy.

Mai shrugged slightly and did as her younger friend asked, running off to go find her boyfriend, Jet, before school. On the other hand, Zuko was blushing furiously, causing Azula to smile maliciously. If anyone showed any sign of emotion or reaction, Azula could find a way to use it against them.

"Zuko, what Song say if she saw you blushing over Mai?"

"It's not like that."

"If you say so," she said, jumping out of the car and still smiling.

Both of the siblings knew the war was far from over. Zuko had some of his own tricks, as even Azula had weaknesses. However, starting a war of insults, blackmailing, and intellect with Azula was like walking through a pit of lava without any shoes on. There were certain buttons one didn't push with her, or else…

Zuko would be a dead man.

Hope you liked it thus far! As far as years go, Zuko, Mai, Song, and Jet are seniors. Azula, Ty Lee, Sokka, and Suki are Juniors. Aang, Katara, Teo, and Toph are Sophomores. Don't be afraid to review. Critiques of all kinds welcomed.