(A/N): And here it (finally) is, Chapter 8! Sorry that it's taken so long. I've kind of been putting it off D. Anyways, I don't own Avatar or its characters, or the movies mentioned. Please read and review!

The rest of the day went by all too slowly. Aang wasn't required to go to any of his classes so he spent the day just wandering around the school. Most of the time, he was wondering what to do about Toph but he pushed it to the back of his mind to think about later. After all, Saturday was still a couple of days away. He had plenty of time to think it over. As the bell that symbolized the end of the day rang, Aang met up with his friends. They had planned to go over to Sokka and Katara's house for a movie marathon.

"Alright guys, which movie do you want to watch?" Katara asked.

"My vote's in for Mean Girls." Everyone stared at Sokka in response to his choice. "What?" he shrugged. "It's a good movie!"

"It's not that. It's just...never would've thought that you of all people would pick that." Suki replied.

"What can I say? I'm a mysterious guy."

"Sokka...you love meat and sarcasm. That basically sums it up. Nothing mysterious about it."

The gang ignored the couple's argument as they tried to decided on what to watch.

"Well, I'm going to go with The Fugitive." Zuko said. "What's better than a movie with a total badass on a mission to kill a dude? I mean--oh god! Sokka! Suki! Would please get a (insert word choice here) room!?"

The two teens seperated immediately and flushed from embarassment. Zuko slapped his forehead. "How in the world can you guys go from fighting to making out in a matter of seconds?!" The next sentence he whispered for only Sokka to hear, "Please teach me how you do that!"

"What was that?" Katara asked with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

"How about we watch that new Batman movie that just came out?" Aang cut in before things started to get out of hand. "I think there's one showing at the theatre pretty soon."

"I agree." Duke said. "I heard it was pretty damn amazing."

"Alright then, it's settled. To the theatre!" Sokka shouted pointing his finger in the air and marching out the front door. But not before poking his head back inside to ask, "Uh...guys? Where is the movie theatre?"

"Wait for it." Aang started.

Zuko groaned and slapped his forehead.

"There it is." Katara finished.

After a long car ride, the gaang somehow managed to arrive at the theatre on time even with their little directional driving mishaps, courtesy of Sokka.

"I still can't believe you missed the exit three times! And people say that I'm the stupid one." Ty Lee giggled.

"It's not my fault that no one told me where to go." Sokka complained.

"Are you serious?! Do you not remember all of us yelling for you to make that turn? Or do you need to get your hearing checked?" Zuko had lost his patience after the second time the exit was missed and he was already fuming.

"Hey, all I'm saying is that I could use a little more support from you guys. Anyone could've missed that." he shrugged.

Katara grabbed Zuko by the ear before he could attempt to strangle Sokka right on the spot. "Don't even think about it."

"Suki? How on earth do you deal with this buffoon?" Duke asked.

"I think he's cute." she kissed Sokka on the cheek.

"I swear the whole world is out to get me." Sokka said.

"That's my line." Zuko mumbled.

Aang sighed. "Alright guys, enough with the trashing of Sokka's intelligence, we don't want to make him think to hard. He might hurt himself."

"Someone's been hanging out with Toph a little too much." Sokka said. "You like her or something?"

Aang's cheeks began to turn bright red and he prayed that no one noticed. "N-no! We're just friends, nothing else?"

The older boy smiled and wrapped his arm around Aang's neck. "Are you suuuuure? You have been spending an awful lot of time with her lately. Trying to get some action before you leave? Aang, you sly dog!"

Much to Aang's gratitude, Katara stepped in to get her brother off his back. "Sokka, leave him alone! And keep your nose out of other people's business!"

"You know guys if we don't hurry up...we'll miss the movie." Duke pointed out.

The gaang rushed inside to get their tickets and were incredibly lucky to find seats to fit all of them next to each other in the same aisle. The theatre grew quiet as the movie started, grabbing everyone's attention. Aang was thankful that it took his mind off of Toph and he was able to just spend time with his friends like any other day. Two and a half hours later, the movied had ended and the credits began to roll. Everyone made their way out of the theatre and into the parking lot to Sokka's car.

"Man, that was so awesome!" Longshot exclaimed.

"Hey if it can get you to raise your voice above a whisper, then it must have been good." Duke laughed.

"I never knew Heath Ledger was such a great actor." Aang declared. "He did the Joker's character perfectly. Even made me laugh at all the slightly disturbing yet funny moments."

"You've got that right." Zuko agreed. "Best movie I've seen in a while."

"Better than The Fugitive?" Katara asked.

"Without a doubt." he answered.

"It's even better than Mean Girls!" Sokka exclaimed. Everyone laughed as he looked around questioningly at his peers. "What?"

"Nothing dear." Suki laughed.

The group was in good spirits on the way back to Sokka and Katara's house. Any tension that was left from that morning had left everyone's minds. Aang's conscience finally felt at ease for the first time since he had been told of the trip. Before long, they had gotten back to the house and spent the last of the time they had reserved for that evening making conversation about nothing in particular. Just hanging out like all friends should.

Aang took a look at the clock and noticed it was getting rather late. As much as he regretted having to leave after having so much fun with his friends, he spoke up. "Alright guys, I need to head back home. Gyatso will want me back pretty soon."

The group said their goodbyes as Aang left out the front door. Everyone lived pretty close together in their city since it wasn't very large, so it only took a short fifteen minute walk for Aang to reach the apartment complex that he called home. He entered his apartment to find that Gyatso was there to greet him at the door.

"I trust that you have said goodbye to all of your friends Aang?" the old man inquired.

"Yup, just about all of them...why?"

"There has been a slight change of plans and instead of this Saturday, we will be leaving in two days. As for tomorrow, I will need your help packing up all of our things and you will need to find someone that would be willing to hold onto Appa for us while we are gone. I presume that will take up most, if not all, of the day."

"Aw man, you've got to be kidding me!" Aang threw his arms up in the air.

Gyatso raised one eyebrow. "Something wrong my boy?"

"Toph is sick today and her parents wouldn't let me see her when I stopped by this morning! I still have to tell her I'm leaving!"

Gyatso sympathized for the boy in front of him. Whether Aang knew it or not, Gyatso was aware that his foster son had grown a rather strong bond with the brash, blind girl. He had seen them together on occasion and had begun to wonder how much more powerful that bond would become as they grew older. Although they were complete opposites, Gyatso believed that despite their differences, Aang and Toph could potentially form one of the strongest bonds of all. However, it was up to them if they wanted to choose that path or not. Only time could tell. He tapped his finger to his lips in a thoughtful gesture. "Hmm, that would be a problem indeed. Have you tried the old-fashioned way?"

"Yeah, they have guards posted outside of her bedroom window so I couldn't climb in." A frown spread across Aang's face as he let out an exasperated sigh. He let his face drop into his hands. "What am I going to do? She'll hate me forever if I just up and disappear like this."

Gyatso put his hand on Aang's shoulder in a fatherly manner. Even though he wasn't always around these days, Gyatso was very much the father that Aang never had. Just watching the two together could make one believe that Aang never lost a father. That he's had one all along.

"Aang, I know that this is hard for you and it is not exactly occuring at the best time. But this is something that you have to do. It's part of growing up. And it's not like this is forever. You will be able to see all of your friends again, including Toph. And who knows? Maybe I can do some of the packing myself." Aang's head shot up to look at Gyatso to see a smile on his face.

"You really mean it?" he asked.

"I think I will be able to let you get away from me for a few hours. I'm not that old yet."

Aang instantly wrapped his arms around Gyatso in gratitude. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best, Dad!" Gyatso's heart soared when he heard those words. After all, it was the first time that Aang had ever called him "dad".

(A/N): I wanted Gyatso to get some showtime in this chapter. He is Aang's guardian/father after all, I think he should have an important role. And a shout out to Heath Ledger as well. He did an awesome job in The Dark Knight and it's really quite the shame that he's passed on. May he rest in peace. Oh, and if you haven't seen the Dark Knight yet, I highly highly recommend it. It's really that great. Anyways, I'll go ahead and get started on the next chapter soon. Aang still has to tell Toph that he's leaving and who knows what will happen? Please let me know what you guys think of my story, it really helps me to want to keep writing!