Sokka sat at the edge of the dock, ignoring the world. Ignoring everything. Ignoring his mind.
At least, until a huge furry flying thing scared him stiff. Katara and Aang hopped off, and Sokka stood up, preparing to yell at Aang. "WHY did you take my SISTER on this big FURBALL? I can handle the arrows on your head and your special Avatar Magic, but a BIG HUGE FLYING COTTON SWAB? I don't think so!" Sokka kicked the animal, which growled at him and smacked him with his tail.
"Sorry, Sokka," Aang said.
"It's fine. I'm just pretty upset right now."
"Wanna talk about it?" Katara asked.
"Not really..."
"C'mon, buddy. You can tell us anything," Aang smiled his goofy smile.
"I said, I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" Sokka got up and marched off to his house. Sitting on the porch was Toph, crying.
"Sokka, I'm sorry. I was shocked by what you said in the cave. I really do-MPH!" Toph exclaimed as Sokka kissed her on the lips. She loved it. She loved him. Whenever she was near him she felt safe. Safer than safe. Like nothing could tear them apart.
When they finally stopped kissing, they realized Aang and Katara were nearby, watching the two. Toph was so mad she sent a wave of earth their way. "Who ARE you, are you STALKING me?"
"No," Aang said. "I can see you're an earthbender. Hi, my name's Aang." He stuck out his hand friendly-like, and because Toph was blind she didn't see. "I've heard much about you. You'd be a great teacher, if you were willing."
"Why would I need to teach you? Sokka told me all about his sister, who's been teaching you waterbending. You're a waterbender."
"No, I'm the Avatar."
Toph blushed with stupidity just as Katara had and agreed. "We start training tomorrow morning, by the beach." Toph began walking to her house when she turned. "By the way, I'm Toph." She then continued walking.
"Toph," Aang whispered to himself. "What a pretty name."
Toph, hearing Aang, replied, "It means sandstone."
"Wow. My name just means... well, I don't really know what it means."
"Maybe it means Twinkletoes. I can barely see you!"
Aang scratched his head in confusion. "What do you mean? I thought you were blind."
"I am. I can "see" by feeling the vibrations in the ground. I can tell that Katara is standing next to a large furry thing and that Sokka is between the hedges and that you're sitting on the bench over there."
Leaving Aang to try and figure out what she meant, the earthbender ran off to her house.
And Aang knew that was the start of a long, loving friendship.