I've surprised myself. I'm going faster on this story than I thought I'd be. Hm...
I dont own Avatar or Juno, but I wish I did!
I ran all the way to Katara's home, praying that Sokka wasnt home.
My prayers were answered. Thank you, The Universe!
I knock on the door loudly and without stopping. She answers with a face that displays worry and confusion. "Toph? What are you doing here? I was supposed to pick you up in, like, thirty minutes."
"I couldnt do it. I just couldnt do it. Su Chin was there talking about fingernails and babies have them."
"Gross."
"That was my reaction. And this receptionist was babbling about lotus berry condoms."
"Yum," she deadpans.
"Yeah."
"Well what are you gonna do? I mean, your parents are gonna notice when you start showing."
"Yeah, I know, Katara. I was thinking I could have this thing and give it to someone who totally needs it, y'know."
"You should look in the Gaoling Times!" Katara says.
"They have ads for parents in the Gaoling Times?" I ask skeptically.
"Yeah-ah. 'Desperatley Seeking Spawn'!" she says before grabbing my wrist and pulling me to the park with her.
"How bout this one?" Katara asks as she reads yet another ad to me. I flick my pebble halfway across the vast park. "It says 'Family of five searching for their fourth and final kid. Very wholesome family. Help us complete our circle of love'. That sounds nice."
"They sound like a freaking cult. Besides, they've already got three kids. They're just being greedy little bitches," I say rejecting another family. "And I dont want a family that calls themselves wholesome."
"Well, what do you want?" she asks, annoyed.
"Something cool. Like a tattoo artist with some nice girlfriend who kicks ass, late twenties. Preferably poor...but not too poor. But I dont want to be too specific."
"Well you gotta pick one, Toph."
"I want a sparrokeet."
"Toph." She sounds exasperated. However, I get a kick out of annoying her.
I groan and set down my bowl of fire flakes before falling back onto the grassy ground of the park. It's so freaking soft, I could fall asleep on it. Outside, its warm and the sun is shining. I can tell. I hear the low rumble of kids playing Earth Soccer nearby.
"Hey, how about these two?" Katara's liquid sweet voice asks from beside me. I perk my head up as she reads the description. They were Zuko and Mai Azulon.
And they were perfect.
"What does it say?" I ask.
"It says they've been married for about four years and they've been trying to have a kid for a while now. She's like, infertile or something. He's a song writer and it doesnt say what she does. Aw, all that's missing is your little bastard."
I smirk. "A songwriter, huh?"
I take a deep breath. Moment of truth now. I pace back and forth in front of my parents.
My step-mother, Poppy, is a business owner. She owns this incredibly girly spa and nail salon. She's always telling me about pores and pimples and being more lady-like. Sorry, Pop, but lady-like isnt my 'forte'. And she has a few uhealthy habits, like burning sandalwood and flowers. If it wasnt for my little brother Teo's wicked allergies to flowers, my house would be a greenhouse.
My dad, Iroh, is a retired war general. He used to fight in Ba Sing Se and the Fire Nation but retired after his nephew, Lu Ten, died. Anyways, no he owns a tea shop frequented by old people and hipsters...or people who just like tea. Besides, his tea is amazing.
They're sitting in a new living room set as I pace around and Katara sits on the staircase behind me.
"I think it's best to just come out and tell them," Katara says with an edge of nervousness in her tone.
I nod.
"Tell us what?" Poppy asks.
"I'm pregnant," I huff, staring at the ground, my shoulders sagging.
Silence.
"You're what?" Poppy asks.
"Dont make her say it again. Who is it, Toph?" Iroh asks.
"I'm not sure yet. Its a little early to tell if its a girl or boy yet but-"
"No, Toph, I mean who's the father?" he asks again.
"Its, uh, it's Sokka Kuruk."
"You're brother?" Poppy asks.
"...Didnt think he had it in him," Iroh says, sounding surprised.
"I know right?" Katara chuckles.
"This isnt time to laugh," Poppy tells her sternly.
"No, its not. B-but, you dont need to worry because I've found the perfect adoptive parents and they said they'd pay for it and herbs and medicines."
"Have you considered...you know?"
"What? Yeah, and its apparently got a litte heart or something and fingernails-"
"Fingernails?" Poppy asks perking up.
"Yeah."
"Well, Toph, I'm disappointed," Iroh tells me from his cushioned chair.
I'm silent as I wait for the rest of my lecture.
He goes on. "I alsways thought you were the type of girl who knew when to say when."
"I...I dont know what kind of girl I am," I tell him plainly and quietly.
There you go, the dreaded 'tell the parents' scene!
Next, we'll meet the Lorings-er- Azulons!
Peace, L.