Replacing my random AN with chapter 2. It was too annoying for me.
I was not expecting so many people to like this story, so thank you :3 I hope I can keep you interested! And don't be afraid to toss out some nice, helpful criticism! It's one of the reasons I'm sharing my stories again LOL
This chapter is basically how this plot came to be (besides my obsession with an idol). The whole flirting scene actually happened to me. Too bad the rest didn't happen to me as well!
I don't own ATLA. All that belongs to Bryke.
…
Aang yawns loudly, scratching the back of his head as he comes to a stop in front of a small store. He looks around before him, eying the almost-empty small parking lot, and then he looks behind him inside the store and the few people milling about. When he woke up this morning he had decided that he would go to his all time favorite place and hopefully scope out some hotties: so far no luck.
After showering and a good late breakfast, Aang had driven his sleek, orange Kawasaki Ninja downtown to the small cove area with tiny shops. There's a large bowling alley, and to the left of it is the stores: a sports bar and a sports store; a fabric place; Dollar Tree; a beauty salon; a women's workout center; and an independent book place. He had parked in his favorite place, right beneath some cherry blossom trees in bloom. The ground beneath Aang looked as though pink snow had fallen just for him. He had sat beneath the trees for a bit, just watching the cars drive by on the main road.
Back in the present, though, Aang is rather bored. He's been to all the stores except for the bowling alley, bar, and women's fitness club. The bookstore had been his first place to visit, considering it was his all time favorite place on Earth. It was small and quiet, and he knew everyone that worked there, sometimes working there himself in the busy seasons. The owner was like the grandmother he never had. When he went in, he had stayed there for about 2 hours, chatting away with his good friend Naruto who worked there almost full time. They caught up, and Aang ordered a few books. On his way out, he had bumped shoulders with an attractive dark haired, pale skinned man wearing dark shades. Even though Aang found him to be extremely attractive, he kept his distance: the hottie was Naruto's alone.
After that, he roamed the various places in roughly an hour and a half. No hotties anywhere, except for Naruto and his lover, and they were taken. Maybe I should just go eat lunch at the bowling alley. Mull it over with some fat fries and a parfait. He sighs heavily. So much for a fun weekend.
"Hey, can you help me?" A muscular, familiar accented voice calls out from the parking area.
"Huh?" Aang is always the type to look around when someone calls out, even if he doesn't know the voice. He looks over to a dirty, small pickup truck and the man in the driver's seat. The truck is parked illegally in front of the newspaper stands on the sidewalk, but everyone does it. The man has dark sun glasses on, and a beat up baseball cap. His clothes look worn as though he's on lunch break from a construction gig. From a few yards away, it's hard to tell if the man if younger or older, or even if he's good looking.
But he needs help, not flirtatious townsfolk, so it wouldn't matter if he's hott or not.
Being his helpful little self, Aang trots over to the truck with a smile. As he nears he notices the dark skin and hair, and the body that must be hiding beneath those clothes. Mmm. So much for the innocent approach. He's too good looking to pass up a flirt repertoire. No, try to stay innocent!
"I'm pretty bad with directions, but what do you need?" He asks nonchalantly, hands in his pockets.
The man, probably only a couple of years older, smirks. "You're number."
Aang's cheeks grow hott and he can't seem to think of anything. He talks big about being a flirt, but when it comes down to it, he's shy and flusters easily. But wait, isn't this why he came down here today? To flirt and hopefully find someone?
"Um, are you sure?" He asks, embarrassed. Aang looks down at his clothes: simple jeans with Chuckies poking out and layered sleeveless shirts, with his trademark black and blue arrow beanie. "I'm pretty boring. I just read, play games, and those types of things."
"Yeah, I'm sure. It's cool. We could do those things together, or something," the man replies back suavely. "I like to do them, too."
Aang's smile is sheepish yet excited. "That could be fun, then. I'm Aang."
"I'm Lee." He pulls out his phone. "What's your number?"
"I'll enter it if you enter yours in my cell," Aang says with an extremely innocent lilt in his voice, cell phone in hand.
"Alright, I like that." Lee hands over his phone, taking Aang's, the smirk still on his face. They exchange numbers and after giving their phones back a conversation strikes up. They exchange professions and background stories, Aang keeping up his innocent act and Lee smirking and loving every minute of it.
"So, my lunch is almost over and it looks like everyone else's is just starting up." Both boys look out at the parking lot, seeing cars pulling in to grab a space. "I should probably get back to work, but umm… Call me, ok?" Lee gives Aang a sexy grin that almost knocks him off his feet.
"Can and will do. Bye, Lee."
"Later, Aang."
As Lee and his dirty truck drive off, Aang walks back to the sidewalk, trying to keep himself standing. His knees are so weak, and his cheeks are so hot! When Lee said his name, it was breathtaking! Just wow! Oh, and that accent! It was almost exactly like FireLord's! Too amazing!
After a few minutes of letting the last half hour sink in, Aang runs to his motorcycle, a goofy grin on his face as he leans against the cheery tree and looks at the cars drive by. He covers his heart, feeling the quick beat of it, and it makes him giddy all over again. He feels as though he could fly, like his body has been taken over by a jitterbug!
Taking deep breaths, he calms himself down again. He waits until he isn't shaking with excitement. A huge grin still plastered on his face, he gets on his bike and heads for home, trying his hardest to not pop a wheelie or weave through the cars at a fast speed - he doesn't need another ticket for fancy driving.
Ahh, home sweet apartment! Aang's place is at the very top of the building structure, floor 7. It's cheap and not the most beautiful place, but it's affordable and not in a bad part of town. On his way up (no elevator, only stairs. Did I mention the building is also really old?) he passes Toph's room. She's on the first floor, too scared to go any higher.
What a scardy cat of heights! She doesn't even visit Aang's room; he has to always go to her.
He shakes his head, imagining Toph as a little kitten and then cringes when he imagines what she'd do if she ever found out he just thought that about her.
Tossing his keys into a bowl by the entrance, Aang stands in the doorway of his apartment. As happy as he is, his mood suddenly lowers when he realizes he needs to clean his place. Dirty clothes are littered here and there, and dirty dishes are starting to stack up in the sink. Speaking of, it's about lunch time. He heads for the kitchen on the left only to stop in the doorway in shock.
"AHH!"
There in the middle of the kitchen stands Toph. Her arms are crossed and her expression is sour. She never comes to his apartment. She's too afraid. With wide eyes, Aang realizes something important must be going on for his best friend to be here.
"Toph, what's wrong? Why are you in my kitchen? My apartment?"
If looks could kill then Aang would have never been born. She may be blind, but her expressions tell all. She walks straight to Aang, jabbing his chest with an angry fist as she yells, "Did you really forget? About my birthday?"
Silverish eyes are the size of saucepans as Aang stutters, trying to excuse himself. He waves his arms, eyebrows crinkled in sorrow. Her birthday is a big thing for the both of them. They both have no family to speak of, so they're like siblings almost. But his brain starts to slowly process what she just said. He comes to a slow stop, brows furrowed in confusion now.
"Wait. Your birthday? Today? It can't be. We just celebrated your birthday a few months ago…" Removing his beanie, Aang scratches at his bald head.
The petite woman suddenly hits him hard in the shoulder with perfect aim, an award winning grin on her face. "Gotchya!" She yells as she heads out, waving a hand over her shoulder.
Aang sputters, mouth open agape.
"WTH?" D: