Nothing

I lay down on the ground, taking in my surroundings. Around me are the familiar grounds where I grew up. After a long session of earthbending I often like to just lay on the ground, and observe everything in my own way. This is relaxing to me.

Then, suddenly, I couldn't see anything. I feel no vibrations, because there is no earth beneath me. I can only feel the wind rush against me, fluttering my sleeves as I fall. I keep falling endlessly into nothing, there was no earth bellow, it had simply disappeared. It's not like me, but I can't help but scream and shriek.

"Toph, Toph!" Katara shook me awake.

I come back to consciousness. It had just been a dream. But just the same, I had been sweating, then turned cold from evaporation. I tremble, shiver, turn and, still laying down, press my feet to the ground. I notice I'm in an unfamiliar place, but still on solid ground. I'd had these kind of dreams before, but not since I started traveling with Aang. It was embarrassing.

"Are you alright now?" a sweet voice asks me.

"Of course I'm all right!" I snap at her.

"It seemed like you were having a bad dream."

"Gee, I wonder how you figured that out," I say.

"Toph, I've had lots of bad dreams before, too. Sometimes it helps me when I talk about them," Katara says to me. I could feel she had lain down next to me.

Ug, I hate it when Katara gets all motherly. She isn't going to make up for anyone's lack of parents around here, why is she trying? I thought about her offer, still. I never talked to anyone about these nightmares before. I think now... It wouldn't hurt. It's just Katara. "In my dreams... There's nothing."

"So you don't want to talk about it?" Katara asks.

"No! I am talking about it. In my dreams, all of a sudden there's NOTHING around me. I'm just falling, into nothing, until I wake up."

"That doesn't sound so bad. Now, if you were falling into a pit of fire or something-"

"You don't get it, Katara! I couldn't see what was around me at all. There was nothing beneath me. I was all alone."

"But it was just a dream, and now I'm with you."

"I know that. You wanted to know why I got all scared, and now I told you. I hope you're happy."

"As long as you are. I know you're really tough, Toph, but everyone needs to talk sometimes..." Katara mutters. I can tell she's falling back asleep. How very unlike my mother, for Katara to admit my competence. I guess it was nice of her, to come and see what was wrong. I'm actually glad it was her, and not one of the boys. But since she's falling asleep, shouldn't she go back to her spot?

"Katara," I say to her, a little annoyed.

"Hmmm?" Katara says. Mostly asleep, she moves a little and puts her arm around me. My face flushes.

"Nothing," I mutter. I clasp onto Katara's hand. I think my dreams will be very different for the remainder of the night.