I only have six weeks left of senior year! I'll never go back to high school again. This is really it. Its so unbelievable to me! Can't wait til graduation. I don't own Avatar. FF fixed the damn problem so the name will be changing to 'The Good Times' after the next chapter. But at this point I'm not feeling the name change. Thoughts?
~!~!~~~$~$~*~*~*
Toph layed down on her floor, staring at her ceiling. She looked at her comforter and grimaced, turning back to the green paint. She looked at her cell phone again. It was almost four-thirty. She sat up and glared at her bed, anrgy for what could have happened. She stood, ripping the comforter from her matress and dragging it downstairs. She opened a cabinet in her kitchen and grabbed a box of trash bags, shoving the blanket inside. Poppy was sitting at the kitchen table with a confused expression on her face. "Something wrong with your sheets, Toph?"
Toph ignored her, tying the bag shut and shoving it under the counter to be taken out with the trash. "I want a new one," she said storming upstairs. She slammed her bed room door and locked it, still not looking at her bed. She contemplated burning it and starting over from scratch. Toph picked up her cell phone and called Aang's number. He picked up on the first ring. "Toph?" he said. "Is everything okay?"
Toph relaxed immediately at the sound of his voice. "Do I have to be in trouble for me to call you?" she joked. She heard Aang sigh with relief and laugh. "No, I guess not. What's up?"
"Can I come over? We really need to talk." There was a moment of silence on Aang's end before he answered. "Sure. Meet me in our secret spot at the park."
XXXXXXXX
Toph broke through the trees and hopped over the small stream that bubbled through the tiny clearing. Aang was already there, the picture of ease, sitting against a tree with his hands folded behind his back. Toph sat next to him. "So what did you need to talk about?" he asked. She smiled. She could tell when Aang was playing dumb. "You know what we need to talk about, Aang. Today? After school? Ring any bells?"
Aang pretended to ponder her question. "Nope. I got nothing." Toph playfully shoved him and sat back up against the tree. "You kissed me."
"Correction!" Aang interrupted. "We kissed. You could have pulled away or hit me at any time, but you didn't."
Toph shrugged. "It was kind of unexpected. Why'd you do it?" Aang stared down at her hand resting on her lap. He picked it up and laced his fingers through hers. "The moment called for it, I guess. Why, you didn't like it?"
Toph pretrended to be intrested in the grass. "So, you just spontaneously do things in the heat of the moment?"
Aang smiled. "Admit it, you liked it!"
"Aang, shutup."
"It's okay, Toph. I'm not going to tell anyone that we kissed. You can if you want, but my lips are sealed."
Toph shook her head. "You'd better watch that ego of yours. You're starting to sound like Jet." Toph stared at their combined hands. She'd waited for years to have this moment with Aang. For him to kiss her and be there for her. So why did it feel wrong some how? She loved Aang, she was sure of it. But there was something gnawing at the back of her mind. "Onji," Toph said.
"I know."
"Are you going to tell her we kissed?"
Aang sighed and rubbed circles on the back of Toph's hand with his thumb. "Eventually, I'll have to. But for now, I want to enjoy this." he said, bringing her hand to his lips. Toph felt her heart pound in her chest. She gulped. "You've got to stop doing that," she managed to say. "Doing what?" Aang asked, playing dumb again. He kissed every one of her fingers. Toph felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Heat radiated from the bottom of her stomach and spread to her finger tips, all the way down to her curled toes. Aang moved closer, tilting her face up and closing the distance between their lips. Toph relaxed into him, enjoying the softness of his mouth on hers. And all too soon, Aang pulled away.
"Stop distracting me," Toph stuttered. Her mind was foggy from that heart stopping kiss. "We need to talk about what's going on. I mean, what does this mean? Are we friends with benefits now? I may do crazy things, Aang, but the one thing I'm not down for is cheating."
Aang smiled at her. "I'd never do that to you, Toph. You are my friend. It doesn't need to mean anything. It could have just been a simple kiss. Friends kiss all the time, don't they?"
Toph raised her eyebrow at him. That kiss was anything but simple. Sinful, maybe. Definitely hot. But simple? Not so much. It was the hottest moment of her life. She didn't think such little contact could made things spark and heat up all over her body.
"I just need to ask you a favor," Aang said.
"What?"
Aang stared ahead. He took a deep breath. "Time. We'll keep being friends. But I won't keep 'distracting' you. I'll talk to Onji. All I need is a little time to get things in order so we can figure out where it leaves her and I. Okay?"
Toph nodded. She felt a little saddened that she was making Aang choose. And a little stupid for not shutting up and enjoying what ever they were while she had the chance. On the other hand, she felt better about getting some things off her chest. Though all her feelings weren't out in the open, it eased her some. She wondered how lucky she was to have shared her first kiss with someone like Aang.
XXXXXXX
Katara banged on the bathroom door. "Sokka, come on! I have to pee!"
"Go pee in the sink, Katara. You're the one saying I should pay more attention to hygiene!" he shouted back. "Sokka, that's gross! I'm not doing that!"
"Then you're gonna have to wait, baby sister. Sorry!" he sang from inside the shower. Katara hopped from one foot to the other, trying to hold herself together. She really had to go. She groaned and ran downstairs and into the kitchen. Luckily, the dishes were in the dish washer so she pulled down her shorts and hopped up on the edge of the sink. She couldn't believe she was doing this. It was so embarassing. Katara heard the front door open. "I'm back!" Zuko called. Katara's eyes widened. She still wasn't done yet! She could hop off the counter, leaving a trail of pee behind her and hide, or she could convince Zuko to stay away from the kitchen.
"Hey, Zuko? Wait for me upstairs." Katara said, trying to hurry herself up. "Okay," he replied from the living room. She heard his footsteps begin to fade, then turn back around. "Uh, It's a suprise. Just go upstairs. Right now," Katara called, trying to get him away. "Let me put the food in the kitchen first. I went to pick up some lunch. I though you'd be..." Zuko stopped when he walked into the kitchen. "What are you doing?"
"I had to pee and Sokka won't hurry up in the shower!"
Zuko bit his lip, obviously trying to hide a smile. "So, the sink was the second best option?" He burst out laughing, holding his sides. "Oh my God! Where's my phone? I'm recording this!" he said, pulling out his cell and recording his girlfriend. "It's not funny!" Katara said, hiding her face. "Seriously, stop! I really had to go!" She finally climbed down from the counter, still shielding her face from Zuko's camera. She turned on the faucet and drizzled dish detergent in the sink. "Leave me alone!" she said, pushing the phone away. "Are you ready for your close up, babe?" he teased.
"You better delete that," Katara warned, turning off the faucet. "What was I supposed to do? Pee my pants?"
"I was about to pee my pants from the look on your face when I walked in! That was priceless." He hugged Katara from behind and pressed his face into her hair. "I wouldn't want to go in that bathroom anyway, since Suki's in there."
Katara turned and scrunched up her face. "I thought Suki left?" Zuko shook his head. "She's still here. Her car's still parked outside."
Katara grimaced. "Ew."
"Tell me about it," Zuko agreed. Zuko began to casually stroke Katara's arm, raising chill bumps. "Quit it," she said, playfully shoving him away. He growled and heaved her over his shoulder, then dumping her on the couch. "Make me," he challenged. Katara giggled and kissed him full on the lips. Zuko deepened it, laying completely on top of her. "Not here," Katara panted. Zuko kissed her jaw, making hims way down to her collarbone, gently biting it. "Why not? They're pre occupied. Maybe we should make ourselves busy."
XXXXXXXX
Onji paced her bedroom. She couldn't understand how something like this could have happened. After hiding when Aang entered the building, she walked the short distance back to her home. She couldn't believe Aang would do that! After things were going so well! It seemed like everything in her life was finally in order. She followed after Aang and Toph, wondering if there was any way she could help. There wasn't, obviously. She continued to pace her room, checking her phone. There was no way Aang could have done that intentionally, she thought. It was definitely an accident. I mean, it's Aang and Toph! The most opposite people on the planet! It was an accident. Maybe she just needed him, for that one moment. That has to be it. They're probably avoiding each other right now. It has to be embarassing for them.
Onji checked her phone again. Aang usually called by then. "He probably can't even face me! Poor Aang. I know he didn't mean it. I won't even bring it up. He must be so filled with guilt right now."
XXXXXXX
Aang tossed the football over his head, caught it, and threw it again. It was going to be a boring weekend, he knew it. There were so many things he needed to do. Tell Toph the truth about how he really felt (without kissing her senseless), tell Toph about the party he went to without her, tell Onji about the kiss with Toph and Katara, and break up with Onji. He smiled when he thought of Toph. He tossed the football again, thinking of those wide green eyes, that beautiful skin and dark hair. He shook his head. He would have to tell her soon. Does she even want to be with me? What if she's not over Long Shot? What if she thinks Onji is in the way?
He wished he had confessed everything to her. But he couldn't without making sure that's what she wanted. He wanted to give everything he had to Toph. He didn't have much, but he could make her happy. That was enough for him. Aang's phone buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Aang," Onji said.
"Oh, hey Onji. What's up?"
"You wanna come over? There's this show coming on tonight. Me and my parents watch it every week."
"I can't," Aang said sadly. He didn't want to hurt her. "I'm grounded, remember? I wasn't even supposed to stay after school today. Sorry."
"That's alright. It was pretty boring anyway. So, what are you doing?"
Aang tossed the football and caught it with one hand. "Nothing. Dying of boredom."
Onji was glad he couldn't see her faace become slightly confused. She thought Aang would be begging for her forgiveness by now. "Is Toph okay?" she said, trying to drop a hint. "Yeah, she's great. She just needs some time to herself, that's all. What she went through was pretty traumatic."
"Yeah, I know," Onji agreed. Why isn't he saying anything? He must want to tell me when he's ready.
"Well, I hope your not still grounded when prom comes around," she teased, trying to lighten her own mood. She relaxed when she heard Aang laugh. "Nah. Gyatso's pretty easy with the whole thing. I scared him pretty bad, though. He just told me to never do it again."
"He's such a nice person. You really do take after him. Well, I guess I'll let you stay grounded. Sorry you can't come out tonight. Wait, what did he ground you for anyway? Did you get home too late?"
Aang sat up, trying to think of a quick lie. The football dropped onto his head. "Uh, yeah. I had to help clean up. I didn't get home until the middle of the night."
"Wow, bummer. Anyways, I'll talk to you later. Let me know when you're off lockdown."
Aang relaxed. "Alright, bye Onji."
XXXXXXX
"Toph?" Poppy asked. She thought her daughter was coming down with something. When Toph returned home, she had a dreamy look on her face. "Are you feeling okay sweetie? You look a little...dazed."
Lao looked up from his dinner. He hadn't noticed toe look on Toph's face while she picked at her food. "I'm fine," Toph said.
Poppy and Lao glanced at eaach other. "Do you need to go to the doctor or something?"
Toph sighed. "No, mom. I'm just not that hungry. There's a lot on my mind right now."
"Like what?" her mother pressed. Toph sighed again. "Like graduation and stuff. There's not a lot of time left in high school, you know. Plus prom is coming up. And I still need to pick a college."
"Saint Ummi's is still willing to let you in," Lao said. He wanted the best possible education for his daughter. Toph rolled her eyes. "Dad, I don't want to go to some stuck up private school. What if I want to go to Ba Sing Se University?"
Lao chuckled. "Toph, that school is so common. You don't want to be in those over crowded class rooms. Saint Ummi's is the perfect learning environment. It's small, and you'll be able to get hands on learning. They'll really challenge you at that place."
Toph rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with Ba Sing Se? Zuko goes there. And his family is just as rich as ours. Maybe even more." Poppy and Lao looked at each other again. "Toph, you know their family has...issues. I mean, do you remember what happened to that poor boy after his mother left? Absolutely tragic." Poppy shook her head.
It make the local news that Zuko was in a grease "accident". His father was investigated. He hired the best lawyers on his defense. Eventually the state had to drop the charges because the had no real evidence and Zuko was still in a coma. When he woke up, Ozai had a restraining order put over his family against the police department. The most the state could do was send Zuko to live with his uncle nearby. Azula refused to be moved.
"Every family has issues, Mom. I mean, look at us. We aren't exactly ideal."
"She has a point, Lao," Poppy agreed. Lao shook his head and turned back to his pork tenderloin. "Just give it some thought, Toph. You still have all the time in the world."
Poppy smiled at her. "Oh, and since we're all together, Toph, why did I find my Romanian crystal vase under the sink?"
Toph froze. "Uh...I found this super ball and I didn't want to break anything."
"Oh. Well, that's very responsible of you, Toph," Lao smiled at his daughter.
She was growing up so fast. It seemed like yesterday that she was just a pudgy eight month old, moving around, getting into trouble. He remembered watching her sleep, thinking nothing in the world was as perfect as that little girl. He remembered when she first learned to walk. She only had a few baby teeth and her dark hair was in short pig tails, sticking out from her head. She grinned at him, slowly moving at first, still finding her balance. She walked a couple steps, then stopped, still smiling at her father. She walked faster, stumbling into him. He picked her up and spun her around, so proud he could cry. He'd read her stories and she'd try to read along in her baby gibberish. He'd tuck her into bed each night and pretend to fight the monsters in her closet and under her bed. Eventually, his job took it's toll on him during her pre teen years. He began to work more, and they'd talk less. When they were talking, it seemed like they couldn't get through a single conversation without fighting.
It got to the point where he left for his job before Toph got up, and came back home, tired and exhausted after she was in bed. He would still sit in her room sometimes and quietly read her favorite story. She was still so perfect, even at seventeen. He wondered what he did in life to have the perfect wife and child.
~!~!~~~*!*!*!*~*~*~*
Zuko = yum. Also, you guys have gotten me hooked on updating. So here's what's what. I NEED my weekend. Please at least let me have saturday! My back is killing me from hunching over my laptop. I'm pretty sure my carpal tunnel is coming back. My room is a mess and it's my dog's seventh birthday. He's getting so old! Yes, he was born on April fools day. He's officially a senior now, just like me! That's where the part with Lao came from. I miss having him as a puppy :( Review!
