I would like to thank everybody who reviewed. :) You guys helped! I'm glad I can write again knowing some people still read this and are kind enough to give their thoughts on it.

A promise is a promise, so sorry if it's late, but here is the next chapter, people!

Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA

Secret Music

Chapter 20

Toph and Aang's apartment 0:10 before dinner

"Psst, Toph!" Zuko hissed from the window. He tapped it with his index finger. He looked around the dark apartment and squinted. "Toph?"

Suddenly, the windows were opened forcefully, revealing a pale girl. Zuko jumped back and nearly fell off the fire escape.

"Zuko? What are you doing there?" she asked, perplexed. She looked straight at him. It's as if she wasn't blind.

Well, it was actually a funny story.

When he dramatically exited Katara's apartment from the back, he landed on a fire escape. Confused, he looked down and stepped back. It was rusty, so he wasn't safe there.

He looked around and saw the fire escape on Toph and Aang's apartment building. Quickly but carefully, he jumped off the one he was standing on and grabbed the ladder. He looked up and started looking for their apartment. It was kind of hard because he didn't know where the two lived.

Swearing under his breath, he climbed up, careful as to not ruin his outfit for the night. He went up until he was just below Katara's apartment, and the platform he jumped off from. He looked across, and then on top of him. It was directly across Katara's, and he guessed it belonged to the earth bender. The platform and railing wasn't as rusty, but he was cautious nonetheless as he swung from the ladder.

Now back to the present.

"Well?" Toph was waiting, as usual impatient.

"Can I have the necklace now?" he asked, not answering her question.

This seemed to irritate the little earthbender. She turned around and headed into the dark.

Zuko climbed through the window and sat on the frame. "Why is it so dark in here?"

Toph stopped, and a thud was heard. "Really, hmm, I didn't notice."

Zuko smiled sheepishly. "Right, sorry. So, did you stub you toe?"

She turned around, carrying a small box with her. "What?"

"There was a thud…" Zuko felt stupid all of a sudden.

"Oh, that," she said, a little bit distant. "I kicked the table so I would know where the box was with the vibrations."

"Oh" he replied. He was feeling very stupid, like he was rude.

She handed him the box and he took it. Looking at it intently, he slid it into his pocket and looked at her again. He didn't know why, but he felt obliged to clear the air. "That's a nice dress." He said, not thinking over his words.

She lazed her eyes and turned around, uttering a thanks over her shoulder.

Once again, he felt stupid.

Katara's Apartment 0:05 before dinner

She paced nervously back and forth in front of the door. What is taking him so long? she thought furiously, thinking of her brother. Just then, the doorbell rang, and she jumped with the sound. She walked over to the door, expecting her brother, but she saw Suki. She had a shocked expression on her face.

"Hey." Suki said, giving her a weird look. "I was invited, right?"

Katara shook it off. "Uhm, yeah. I'm sorry, I thought you were Sokka." She said, giving her friend a hug.

After they pulled back, Suki asked worriedly, "You mean he hasn't arrived yet?"

The waterbender shook her head and sighed. "He was supposed to be here at least 5 minutes ago."

"Oh, you know Sokka." She jabbed. "Come on, you don't expect him to be on time, do you? Much less early."

Katara smiled, calming down a bit. "Yeah, you're right." She gave a genuine smile at her friend, then her smile turned into an O. "Woah! Suki, you look…"

"Too much?" Suki said, widening her arms for emphasis. She was wearing a sleek evening dress in a dark shade of green. The dramatic drapes of the dress complimented her figure well, and the color was perfect for her hair and eyes. She was sporting a pair of strappy heels, the same color as her hair.

Her mouth was still an O. "I'm… speechless. You look… dazzling, Suki!" she grinned, a knowing glint in her eye suddenly visible.

With that, her friend blush. "You said dress up."

Katara just nodded innocently. "Ahuh, yeah, whatever."

Suki gaped, looking indignant. "Hey! Stop what you're thinking right now!"

"What?" she asked innocently, blinking her eyes for effect.

Just then, the doorbell rang again.

Katara walked past Suki, uttering an "excuse me". Then, she opened the door to find Toph and Aang.

"Good evening, Katara!" Aang politely greeted. Toph was at his side, with lazed eyes.

Something was different, but she couldn't place it. She gave them a weird look.

Toph sensed that she wasn't letting them in. "Yes, I'm in a dress, Sugar Queen, get over it!" she huffed and crossed her pale arms on her chest. "Now can you let us in?"

Katara blinked back. It seemed all her friends are shocking her somehow. "Oh, yeah, of course," she said absently, stepping back to let the couple pass.

Couple! Realization dawned on her. Of course!

A grin was on her face as Toph and Aang walked past her, and it was like Aang had his hand on Toph's back as if ushering her in. Just then, Toph's back stiffened, but not because of his touch, but because of Katara.

She swiftly turned around and narrowed her eyes at her. "Whatever you're thinking, stop it!"

Katara blushed.

"That's exactly what I said when she gave me that look." Suki added.

The waterbender stammered. "But, uh, I, come on guys! You're all full of surprises today!"

Toph and Suki rolled their eyes. "Yeah, whatever," they said in unison.

Aang was silent today, but he had a big grin on his face and a glint in his eyes that made him glow.

"Where's Sokka?" Toph asked, not feeling his familiar footsteps.

"He's not here yet." Katara sighed.

Suki sighed with her.

After a few moments of silence, Katara ushered them into the dining room.

"Toph, did you get the take-out?" she asked, suddenly noticing how empty the dining table looked.

The pale girl's head snapped up with wide eyes. "Oh, uhm…"

Katara's eyes also went wide, but it turned into narrow slits as soon as she heard Toph's guilty voice. "Toph…" She crossed her arms over her chest. "You did get the take-out, didn't you?" her words were like venom.

"I…" Toph began, feeling sheepish, and then she elbowed Aang. "This is all Twinkle Toes' fault!" she began, albeit desperately.

"What?!" Aang argued, clutching his stomach. "No it's…" He trailed off, seeing Toph's angry eyes. He sighed. "Yeah, it's my fault."

Suki raised an eyebrow at his submissiveness and looked at Katara for enlightenment, but the waterbender seemed dazed.

She then snapped out of it and began panicking. "What?! But… what are we supposed to eat?! You can't call it dinner if we don't have anything to dine on!"

"Chill, Katara!" Toph said. "Aang, go pick up the take-out now."

"Yes, ma'am!" he saluted and headed for the door, but before he got there when doorbell rang.

Everybody gulped.

The Park 0:02 before dinner

Zuko was sitting on the park bench. He looked at his watch for what seemed like the 7th time in under a minute. He was irritated with himself. Why was he being nervous? It's just a peasant! He reminded himself. So she's helping me. That doesn't mean I should be in love with her… He stopped, looking up suddenly.

He knew this peasant for 2 days and he thinks he's in love with her? I must be going out of my mind, he convinced himself. Maybe the deprivation of all things he was used to was messing with his head.

He couldn't possibly fall for her that fast. I mean, she's irritable. And she's loud mouthed. She has a short temper and she's over dramatic about everything.

He kept on pondering on all the things he thought negative of Katara.

Let's see. She always gives that death glare. She thinks she knows everything. She's quick to judge people. His flashback shows the first time she insulted him. He barely did anything and she snapped at him. Well, so he called her a peasant… it's not his fault he was blunt.

His memory roamed until he saw her with her hands on her hips. He caught his breath, both in the memory and at the present.

She was glaring straight at him, but he didn't move from it. He was caught up with her eyes. Never has he seen such blue eyes. He finally turned away when he felt the blood creep up to his cheeks.

A blush was on his face now, but it wasn't visible in the dim lighting of the park. He looked once again at his wristwatch. His entry wasn't for another 25 or so minutes. What was he going to do until then?

He ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back on the bench. When he dropped it to his side he felt a box in his pocket. It's the engagement necklace they bought. Well, technically Toph bought it, because it was her credit card.

He took it out of his pocket slowly. He looked at it for a while, looking at the deep red box it came with. It just bordered on Chinese, but it had a different touch to it.

Opening it gently, he took a peek inside. What he saw wasn't what he expected.

It was the wrong necklace.

What an evening of tragedies… And what happened to Sokka?

Please review! No, really, PLEASE REVIEW!!

~kalyn19