DISCLAIMER:

I do not own ATLA.

Uhh, thank you guys for reviewing and I'm sorry I made you wait, T__T i couldn't access the net since i was in the province these past few days. But i'm back so here it is, ^_^ review!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Zuko's POV

I was led to the banquet hall by Mai but my thoughts were still left with the waterbender. Why was she crying? Did she break down? Will she be okay during the party? What happened to her? I thought.

"ZUKO!" I was removed from my reverie when Mai shouted in my face. She is getting really annoying these days. I glared at her. "Yeah! Glare at me immaturely." She said in her usual tone, bored. "You were so lost in thought that I had to shout at your face. Weell, I'm sorry for wanting you to be mentally present right now. I called your name five times!" She said her voice dripping with poison.

"You're right..." I sighed and looked down. I still have to do this. I must learn how to prioritize and take things with care and consideration and not act based on my emotions but that doesn't mean that I'm worried sick about her.

Mai cupped my cheek and forced me to look at her. She was hurt that I cared so much about Katara and I can see that pain in her eyes. She forced a smile on her face but I can see the unshed tears twinkling. "Don't forget the names of the guests." she reminded me.

I took her hand and entered the hall. All eyes turned towards me as I started my welcoming speech.

...

I tried to find Katara in the midst of the crowd. I thought she would be Aang and the others but when I found the gAang talking and laughing to themselves, she was nowhere to be seen. I headed towards them. They were talking about Sokka meeting the moose lion cub. Mai left, apparently uncomfortable with their presence.

"Sparky! Come 'ere!" called Toph out. "Why did Doom and Gloom leave?" she asked, still a little irked with Mai.

"Uhh.. she had to meet with some of the noblemen." I quickly lied now wanting them to know that she doesn't want to be with the gAang. I knew Toph could feel me lying but she didn't say anything more about the subject. I looked around. Teo, Haru and the Duke were playing some sort of drinking game. Sokka was trying to find some meat at the food table. Toph and Aang were with him, also trying to find something suitable to their taste. "Where's Katara?" I asked casually.

"Ayrurow..." replied Sokka, his mouth full of food but still trying to find more to fill his bottomless stomach.

"Ew! Snoozles, you sound gross and I know for a fact that everyone who can see you are wanting to puke right now, and I can't see." Toph said, waving her hand in front of her eyes, proving her point.

"Yeah Sokka. If Katara was here, she would swat your head off." Aang said while laughing. I noticed him looking down at the floor then slightly blushing. I wondered why. Probably because of Katara. Everyone knows he has a huge crush on the waterbender. Truth be said, I'm surprised Katara didn't show any emotions towards the topic. I know Toph is irritated with Aang trying to make a big deal about it and wanting everyone to know, although I think Toph is just jealous but she won't admit to it, probably oblivious to the word. I mean, it's Toph. Toph.

Out of nowhere, Toph punched me in the arm, her way of greeting. I growled, knowing it would bruise later.

"Calm down, Sparky. What's wrong? Your heartbeat's a little fast and I'm guessing you're worried about something," Her blank eyes staring straight at me. "And hey, I'm an earthbender not a mind-reader so tell me what it's all about." she said frankly. I sighed again. Sometimes I hate her way of saying things so frankly, especially when you're denying everything about a certain thing only to have it being said to you in a no-nonsense kind of way.

"You do know that you can't punch the Fire Lord, right?" I asked, mocking. She just raised an eyebrow, obviously noticed the way I tried to evade the subject.

"Come on, then."

"Where?"

"To the balcony where it's a little private." she pushed me to the place where she wanted to talk. I noted Aang watching. When we were far from the eavesdroppers, she went straight to the point. "Look here, Sparky. I know you love Sugarqueen. I know your hearts go all frenzy and everything when you're near each other-" My heart skipped a beat, leading her on, "-and I know right now that you're worried about her. So what's wrong?" She blew her bangs from her face then leaned against the railings, staring blankly ahead.

There's no point in lying. I'll probably end up with more bruises if I will. "I found her crying in the hallway before I went here." I confessed. She just nodded, wanting me to continue. "I'm just worried about her, okay?!" I said exasperated. "I think she needs someone to talk to and this time, I can't be that someone." I whispered as an afterthought. Toph was silent, all the while. Then she blew her bangs again and shook her head.

"Okay, Sparky. She just needs some time. Apparently she's having a hard time choosing..." she said thoughtful. "... but it's not that hard. She's just worried of someone getting hurt... but she deserves her happiness after all that's she's done for us.." she looked like she was talking to herself now. She remembered I was here and stood in front of me. "I just wish she would choose the right one so we could all be happy." she sighed and left. I didn't know what she was talking about. I sighed, too.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Toph's POV

I left Sparky on the balcony and headed off to the party. If I were Sugarqueen, I would pick Sparky. I mean, they're like jigsaw pieces, made to fit each other. They're complete opposites. They complement each other. Katara's so lucky she's got two guys chasing after her. I wished I was like her. If only... I headed to where I think Aang is.

"Hey Toph! What did you and Sifu Hotman talked about?" Aang asked a little too excited and heart thumping like whatever. He's a little giddy, I thought.

"Nothing. Just some private heart problems," cluing him in, wanting to let him know that Katara's taken. Somehow, I felt angry at Katara for kissing him at the balcony when she knows she loves Zuko! I sighed. The more that she waits, the more she's leading Aang on to nothing BUT they need to learn. I looked down, dejected. "How does it feel?" I asked, a little curious of how Aang's mouth would feel like against mine.

"About what?" he stopped, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. I sighed again.

"Don't play dumb with me, Twinkletoes. I know you kissed-" this time, it was my heart's turn to ache. Why? "-Katara this afternoon here." My voice hiding what I truly feel, hurt, and I don't know why. Maybe because Aang's my friend and I care about him. Zuko once pointed out to me that I was jealous because Aang always notices Katara first, always never noticing me, probably thinking that I'm too tomboyish to like guys.

It's true, I am a little jealous at Katara because all the guys' attention are directed at her. Why couldn't they notice me? Is it because I'm blind. I sighed for the umpteenth time today. I felt tears threatening to fall so I turned around and left. I need somebody's advice but I couldn't find Katara and Zuko's troubled so I wouldn't be getting a decent answer from him soon. Instead, I wandered the halls, wanting to find a good solid earth to bend. I felt Katara's footsteps nearby and I followed it, still wanting to talk to her. She entered a room, probably hers. I wanted to follow her but I heard her crying so I let her be. Like Zuko, I was worried. I felt the earth close to where I am so I let my senses lead me to my element.

Outside where it's peaceful, I'm able to think clearly about certain things. Why do I want Katara to pick Zuko? Why am I jealous of Katara having boys chase after her when I didn't care that much before when we were traveling? Or is it because I'm jealous of Katara having all Aang's attention? I'm sure it's Aang since I'm always with Zuko before and I've never felt any racing heartbeat or flushing face or whatever. What's wrong with me?! I crushed a boulder with a punch in irritation. Pebbles now scattered the ground.

"Grrr..." I built my own rock tent and slept, trying to sort out my thoughts. The last thing I recalled before falling asleep was the jealousy and ache I felt when I 'saw' Aang kissing Katara. Yes, I was listening to their conversation. Yes, I felt her hesitate, and yes, I know she regrets it.s

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Please, please, please review!! T___T ,, ^___^ ....