summary: Toph's exactly what everyone would call "in." But, she's "out" and she knows it. Her goal? Getting other people to realize it, too. /AU/

a/n: the song verse at the beginning is just the inspiration of this fic, that's why it's there.

and now i can say "I POSTED TWO, COUNT 'EM T-W-O, FICS ON MY BIRTHDAY! WHO'S THE AWESOMEST?!"

DISCLAIMED!

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Confined No Longer
Prologue

You've got your dumb friends
I know what they say
They tell you I'm difficult
But so are they
But they don't know me
Do they even know you?

"My Happy Ending," Avril Lavigne

"Toph!" Ty Lee called from across the room. "You look absolutely fantabulous!"

I scowled. Not because I wasn't quite fond of what I was wearing, even thought I was, but because Ty Lee said that every day - every freaking day. But she was right. I did look good, even if it was in frilly skirt - a freaking skirt. Aren't those, like, so third grade? And yet, everyone of my friend's wear them.

Ty Lee strolled over to me and pecked me on either side of my face - what is this, the freaking 1800s? - and joined the rest of us the floor of my room. By "us," I mean the clones I call my friends. The other three looked exactly like Ty Lee; perfect hair, expensive clothes, dangling jewelry, and - we musn't forget this one - a freaking chest. Of course, each one of them has their own opinion or taste or personality or whatever you wanna call it, but the only problem; it hardly made a difference.

"Doesn't she?" Star squealed.

Bah, Star. Cue the growling. I don't even now how she ended up in our little "group." The first time she saw me with make-up - freaking make-up - she called me a poodle-monkey - as in cute like a dog, but not like a monkey. But then she found out I was a Beifong - a freaking Beifong. She quickly explained that monkeys were her favorite animals; "They are so cuuute!" She left her friends for me. How considerate right? Wrong-o. I think they're out to get me now.

"Totally!" Jun agreed.

What's there to say about Jun? Nothing, nada, zilch. She's just a girl who befriended us and because of that, made one of the most popular girls in school. From what I know, she doesn't have all that much to her name, that's why she "needs" girls like us; to freeload off of.

"Yep," Song - the last of our group - said quietly.

Out of the five of us, she's the most timid, the least showy. She's got everything we have, she just doesn't "flaunt" it all the often. She's the voice of reason. The good girl. She tells us when to stop one of Star's stunts. She advises us on everything we need to be advised on - fashion sense, boys.

Speaking of which...

"Ya know, Toph," Star started, "you should go over to the basketball courts more often. You know whos play over there." She smiled, revealing her straight, white teeth.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't get me started on them again, Glint." She says it means Star. Good thing she doesn't know my definition.

"Why not, Toph?" Jun questioned. "Aang, Sokka, and Zuko are the hunks of the school. One of them's bound to like you!"

The others agreed with her, while I didn't.

"Just one problem, Upstart," - I'm glad she never bothered - meaning; too ditzy - to look up why I nicknamed her that - "I don't like them. None of them."

Each one of their faces was of a look of disdain and surprise. Of course they'd be stupefied; what girl wouldn't like the hottest guys around? I guess it's just me.

"Why?" Song asked, the first one to crack the silence.

"Because, Zipper, they're not my 'type,'" I explained, complete with air quotes - which, just like skirts, are so third grade. "All they do; it's just for show."

I gotta be the biggest hypocrite alive. I say those guys are "fake," when here I am, performing the same show! I'm not the "girly girl" everyone thinks I am. I'm not fragile or weak. That's why I hate stereotypes so much - judging a book by its cover was always one of my favorite quotes - people take one look at you and know exactly what kind of "clique" you belong in. It's isn't fair. All they see is a girl in a skirt and her friends who dress identically. I want them to see the girl who can get down and dirty. The girl who can curse and swear all she wants without even caring if she blemishes her record. The girl who normally doesn't even like people like her so called "friends." The girl who could shove all the clothes and shoes and necklaces and every other piece of crap in her closet down the toilet.

The girl who, as of right now, is on a search. For a new life.

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a/n: ya know, this started out as a oneshot, but now it's gonna have more chaps. hopefully, i can pull it off. x-x;;

so, if you're reading this, please, please, PLEASE review and tell me what you think. i have no idea if it's even worth spending time on. also, if you do believe i should continue, which guy would you like Toph to end up with; Aang, Sokka, or Zuko? i havent decided if she will end up with anyone, but i'd like to know what other people think. thanks!