A/N: Huge fan of ATLA! First Fanfiction. I do not own the characters, and I'm planning on following the plot but just filling it in and focusing on Toph's view of everything. So review, if you like it and even if you don't I'd love constructive criticism! Thanks a lot :)
I press my ear against my door and listen quietly for any sound of movement. Nothing. Slowly, I open my door hoping it won't creak, and then I carefully close it, not wanting to slam the heavy wooden door. Grabbing the rail of the staircase, I make my way carefully down - I've tripped more than once and let me tell you, tumbling down into a tangled heap on the floor hurts pretty bad. I turn, accidentally knocking into a table and wince at the dull pain in my shoulder. But never mind that, I continue down the hallway, and I'm about to slip past the large door leading to the garden, eager for the feeling of grass between my toes when a soft voice stops me dead in my tracks.
I thought mother was asleep in her room for her midday nap, she must have heard me knock into that table. What was that table doing there anyways? There was never anything in it, it was completely decorational, in other words, useless. It doesn't matter why she's come down, she's found me and my hopes of escaping into the garden to play were gone. Perfect, now I'm really going to be in for it in 3...2...1...
"Toph, you know your father and I don't want you promenading through the gardens alone. Besides, its stifling hot outside and you could get a heat stroke" There was real concern in her voice, it's almost funny to think she's seriously worried about me getting heatstroke, there's a breeze blowing and it's not too hot. Despite the angry frustration I'm starting to feel, I know she is being so overprotective because she loves me. That's what I'm trying reminding myself when I reply.
"But mother –."
"No objections," her voice cuts through mine, "You should go to your room and I'll call your nanny over to keep you entertained. Do you want me to call a servant to fetch you tea?"
"No thanks mother, I'll go now." It was no use upsetting her, than I'd be in trouble and I'd feel guilty.
"Trust me Toph, a proper young lady shouldn't be tramping around a garden like a peasant." She must have heard the annoyance in my voice.
"But why?" I already know the answer. I've heard it plenty of times.
"Toph, we've been over this. Just go to your room, I'm having a headache."
"Yes mother, I'm sorry." She often did get headaches which was her reason for never playing with me. To be honest, I think she just didn't know how to play.
Closing the door behind me, I trudge up the steps to the second floor, my head hanging low. Now what am I supposed to, stare out the window? I already did that for five minutes before finally deciding to try sneaking out. What am I doing? I'm six years old and I can't go into my own garden to play. I know I can't live this life forever, everyone coddling me all the time, not letting me do anything. Sometimes, I feel like someone is choking me underwater, I can't breathe with the weight of everyone's expectations and limitations on me.
You can't do this. Don't do that! This is just the way things are, you have to accept it.
Words I have become used to hearing often.
Softly humming an old song I lean my head on the ledge of the open window and let out a frustrated sigh. The slight breeze shifts the lace curtains causing them to flutter around my face. Then, a drop of water falls on my forehead and slides down to the tip of my nose. Another drop falls on my lap, droplets continue to fall faster and in a matter of seconds I am soaked from head to toe. But I don't move, I am completely silent. My once beautifully embroidered dress is clinging to my skin, my hair has fallen loose and strands stick to my face. The gentle breeze feels cool on my wet skin and I sigh, breathing out deeply. I'm not thinking about the fact I may get sick, or that I definitely will be in trouble, because I'm trying to listen. If I listen hard enough, if I wait for the quiet pauses in the rain, I can hear the faint sound of a girl's laughter coming from nearby, perhaps by the river that flows outside of the walls.
Listening to the laughter is making me sad, I want to be her, whoever she is, so badly. I'm waiting for my chance to experience the world, but for now all I can do is listen to the sound of her laughs and imagine what it must feel like to run in the rain.
In a matter of minutes the rain stops and I feel the sun shining on me, soon drying my skin.
I turn away from the window and walk to the closet and change into another gown. My etiquette lesson with Miss Shan is going to begin soon, so I can't stay any longer, or else they'll find me soaking wet.
For my parents, I try my best to follow the rules and do what is expected of me, but I hate it. They think I'm just their blind, vulnerable six year old daughter, and for them I try my best to play along, and they never try to see if there is more to me than what they expect.
Sometimes I wonder who the blind one really is.
