With the recent lack of Avatar fanfiction, I began to miss it. I started to write this.

It's the first fanfiction I've ever written that actually has a plot. Cliche and fluffy though it may be, it will keep me entertained for a while at least.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Kyoshi Island

Wedding present… wedding present… wedding present…

I chanted to myself as I browsed the bustling marketplace for an appropriate gift, like I was afraid I would forget what I was shopping for.

Ha! As if.

The upcoming wedding had been one of the only things on my mind ever since it had been announced and I had been whisked away to this godforsaken island. Of all the places to have a wedding, it had to be here. Of all the beautiful, romantically cliché islands for my sister to get hitched on, it had to be this one. There were plenty of other, better islands. Islands without Ty Lee or golden fans or…

No, I thought. I wouldn't even allow myself to think her name, lest it curse me with her presence. I had been doing well to keep her out of my thoughts given the circumstances, and I wasn't going to let my irritation ruin that good streak.

Wedding present… wedding present… wedding present…

"Sokka?"

Please don't let that be who I think it is.

I turned around toward the voice. I'm sure the expression on my face was one of sheer pain. I think I may have even winced.

"Oh my God, Sokka! It's been forever!"

God, indeed, I thought bitterly, more than a bit pissed of at that one particular deity.

"Hey, Suki," I choked out. My voice sounded scratchy and unstable, like I was about to cry.

Which I definitely was NOT. Because warriors don't cry. Especially not over girls.

"Wow, you look so different. I know it's only been a few months but…" I squirmed uncomfortably as she looked me over. "Is that a beard?"

I touched my chin self-consciously. It was true, I had been trying to grow one. I just wasn't sure that the hair inhabiting my face could legally be called a beard. I honestly wasn't sure how to answer her question.

"Erm, you look different too, Suki."

But truthfully, she didn't. She looked exactly the same as she had when I had last seen her. Just as deceptive. Just as hurtful. And just as beautiful.

She laughed.

"So, you here for the wedding next week?" I nodded. "Aang and Katara are so cute together!"

I thought of the couple in question momentarily. I guess they could be considered "cute together," maybe. If you squint your eyes and tilt your head ever so slightly. I just nodded in agreement. My god, the powers this chick had over me!

A man standing next to Suki cleared his throat. Had he been standing there the whole time? His bright blue eyes were squinted ever so slightly, as if he were irritated. He definitely wasn't the only one.

"Suki, who is this? You haven't introduced us." His voice had a slight twang of gay in it, and I almost started laughing. Almost. And then he put his arm around her shoulder. I wasn't sure how to react.

"Oh," Suki said, blushing slightly. "This is Sokka. Sokka, this is my boyfriend, Ren." The way she exaggerated the word "boyfriend" made me want to shrivel up and die. "Ren, Sokka's an old friend of mine. We haven't seen each other in a while." My desire to shrivel up and die intensified.

"Ah." Ren raised his eyebrows and looked –glared- down at me as if I were something stuck to the bottom of his shoe. I avoided his gaze and proceeded to examine my feet as if they held the way out of this situation.

"So…" Suki attempted. "Sokka, do you… have a girlfriend?"

Great conversation starter, Suki. That's sure to make things less awkward.

"Er,"

No. I'm a pathetic loser. I haven't had a girlfriend since you dumped me over a year ago, despite the fact that you've clearly had no trouble moving on.

"Yeah, I do, actually." Her eyes widened.

"Really, now?" I was almost offended by how shocked she seemed. On the other hand, it was somewhat comforting to finally have the upper hand in the conversation. "Anyone I've heard of?"

"Uh,"

Think fast. Don't say anything stupid.

"Yeah. Ty Lee."

Good one. She raised an eyebrow.

"Ty Lee." It wasn't a question. It was a statement. Like when you do something wrong as a kid and you come up with some elaborate excuse and you know it sounds stupid but your mom repeats it back to you just to make you realize again how stupid it was. Yeah. That tone. My ex-girlfriend was using that tone with me. I can't say I didn't deserve it. Still, it was unnecessarily degrading at that point; I couldn't possibly get any lower.

"Er, yeah. Her." She scrutinized me in disbelief for a moment longer. And then something amazing happened. She seemed to believe me. Her expression turned to an amused smirk and she shrugged.

"Well, she did have that huge crush on you a while back. I'm not surprised." What the hell was that? Was this chick just messing with my head or what? I gulped. I needed help, answers, and maybe a few comforting lies. And I didn't think Suki was willing to provide me with any of those things.

"Well it was nice talking to you, Suki. I guess I'll see you around. And Ren. I'm so glad to have met you. Honestly, absolutely thrilled."

And with that I walked away.

Smooth…

I hushed my internal criticism and went to go find my living, breathing, earth bending conscience and best friend; Toph.

Yeah. Toph can fix this.

I wasn't too sure at first about Sokka having internal dialogue, but I used it a couple of times and liked the way it looked, so I kept it.

The whole story isn't going to be from his perspective though. I think I'm going to alternate between his and Toph's POV every chapter.

Anyway, comments and crits would be greatly appreciated!