AN: Avatar:TLA is property of Nickelodeon - this story is written for fun.

Chapter 1

"Earth to Sokka! Sokka!" Toph followed up her bellow with a quick jab of a screwdriver to Sokka's All-Star sole.

"Hey!" Sokka's voice was muffled. He was still underneath the small Chevy, changing the oil. He slid out and glared at Toph with a grease smeared scowl. "What?"

"Snoozles, the bell has rung. As much as you'd like to mess with contraptions, I know you aren't going to miss Pizza Day in the cafeteria." Sokka grabbed a rag and wiped his hands off. He started to whoop with delight, but then stopped. He looked at his best friend.

"Actually, Toph – Katara isn't feeling well. She didn't make it to school this morning. I was going to run home during lunch and check on her." He threw his tools in the box on the floor, stood up and walked over to the sink to wash his hands. And stop at the old Mechanists shop and see if I can pick up some extra hours. I don't care what the doctors cost. She needs to see one. Toph grabbed his wrist, she swiveled her head listening for other students. And waited until the last one's footsteps started to fade.

"Spill it, Snoozles."

"Well, I am a big brother, and my baby sister…."

"I may be a 'clueless freshman', but I know a very worried Sokka voice when I hear it. What's up, Meathead?" Sokka let out a sigh.

"Katara quit swim team."

"Huh? Is that it? Sweetness bailed on team? Sounds like more her issue than yours. Or is your Kendo team thinking you are going to bail too?"

"Do you really think Katara would just arbitrarily quit swim team? She's been training for the team since before she could walk. She prefers swimming to walking, actually. And.." Sokka paused, surprised at how hard the next words were to form. "…she didn't bother to mention it to me."

"Well, it isn't like you are her dad. She didn't have to ask permission." Toph sometimes found the big brother routine tiring.

"She didn't want me to find out. She's been still packing her swim bag and leaving at practice times. You know how I found out? That new kid – the one who is on both the diving team and is on the Kendo squad? He asked me why Katara quit, since most people though she had a chance to medal this year!! Something's not right. Usually, she is always at Aang's or Suki's house or with her swim friends. But now she is always begging off sick and spending time alone in her room." Sokka took a deep breath and let it out. " So you want me to get you some pizza before I head out? I'll make sure it is onion free."

"Nice change of subject, Meathead. Yeah, you can or talk Twinkletoes into fetching it. . Don't worry about next period. I'll finish the Chevy and you know Mr. Quin won't even notice." She let go of his wrist and punched him the shoulder. "Now c'mon let's get to lunch."

Sokka and Toph walked down the hall. Toph carried a white cane, but grabbed Sokka's shirt at the elbow rather than use it. Sokka was one of the few people she ever let guide her. But that way he could whisper where her cane would be of more use. It was October, and most students learned to give them a wide berth for fear of the mysterious tripping accidents or the way hats usually went flying when the duo walked past.

"You know, blue is your color. It matches your aura." A brown haired girl in a cheerleading uniform bounced up to them. "And your eyes, Sokka."

"Not in the mood, Ty Lee." Sokka growled. She just smiled and put her hands on his shoulders and then reached back to tug playfully on his ponytail.

"I know something that will change that frowny face. Let's ditch short stuff, and I will show you. I don't see what you see in her, anyway – she's a freshman. And blind." The last part was said in a loud stage whisper that turned in to a high pitch whine. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" Toph had put her cane down on Ty Lee's foot, twice.

"Geez, sorry Loopy. I forgot I can't see." The cane found Ty Lee's shin. "Oops! I just have such a hard time getting around." Toph managed to get a few more wacks in before Ty Lee retreated. As she flounced back down the hall, she called "Later, cutie!" Sokka just snorted. Toph brushed her long black bangs that fell into her eyes.

"What a psycho. Even if I pretended to be your girlfriend, I doubt Loopy there would get a clue and back off."

"You can be my girlfriend anytime, if I get to see that cane connect to her shins again. You really should think about Kendo – I think you'd manage to kick some butt." Toph let out a chuckle.

"Hey Sokka! Toph!" A bald boy in a bright orange t-shirt, un-buttoned white dress shirt and brown cargo pants ran up. "Suki and Haru have managed to hold on to the picnic table under the big tree outside. I am supposed to track down you and Katara. We can all have lunch over there."

"Aang, Katara's sick… " Sokka started. Aang's face pulled into a worried frown. He opened his mouth to ask a question. Toph took a $20 bill from the back pocket of her jeans and shoved it into his stomach. He made an "oof" sound. Toph ordered,

"Twinkletoes – Pizza – pepperoni, no sausage, no onions – NOT a single one, got it? And a soda. Put your speedy little legs to good use. Move!" She turned to Sokka. "The picnic table is on the other side of the grounds from the parking lot, so I will say hi to Suki and Haru for you." She walked away, yelling over her shoulder in a mocking voice. "Later, cutie"