This chapter is a bit short, sorry about that. :)
Katara laughed and danced as the music blasted through the crowd, Aang joining her, and Sokka running off to do unspeakable things to Suki in an alleyway.
Zuko stood awkwardly with Mai at his arm, her face pulled into an annoyed expression.
"I hate it here." She sighed for the 3rd time.
Zuko closed his eyes for a bit longer than a standard blink.
"I know."
"Then why'd you bring me here?"
"Because Aang and Katara like it." Zuko repeated.
She sighed heavily. "I'm going to go get some food." She pulled slightly on his arm, but he didn't move.
"Alright."
"Come with me."
"I'm not hungry."
She glared a bit, releasing him. She turned her back and walked away.
He sighed.
"Why aren't you dancing?" Toph asked, running her bare souls over the paved floor.
"I don't dance." Zuko replied, squinting his eyes at the sunset, as firebenders lit up the lanterns.
"Neither do I." Toph grinned her usual smile, though it came out weak.
Zuko's eyes followed Katara as she twirled, moved, swayed, almost as if bending.
"She's pretty huh?" Toph asked, feeling Zuko's heart pick up, knowing exactly where his stare was.
"Who?" Zuko asked, turning to the blind bandit.
"Sugar Queen." Toph's smile turned sad as she flipped her bangs out of her face, her long hair grown to her mid back swayed.
"I guess." Zuko blushed, his gaze turning to Katara.
His eyes widened slightly. "Wait, how would you know that?" He asked, suddenly remembering that the earthbender was blind.
"I can tell by the way man's heart rates pick up around her." Toph hung her head slightly, her raven locks falling like a veil around her face. "I noticed because it's different with me, you know?"
"What do you mean?" Zuko leaned moved back to lean against the brown wall behind him, suddenly tired of standing for so long.
"I thought it was weird, that no one really noticed me like that. I mean, I don't care or anything, but…it must be because I'm not pretty…" She bit her bottom lip, the pink skin turning almost red.
Zuko slumped his weight back, watching the earthbender curiously.
The girl had grown to about 5'4'' making her about the same height as Katara. She'd even developed her figure just as much as her. He found it funny, how she acted like a boy, still wearing her blind bandit costume, yet it fit her tight; her curves showing so clearly under the green fabric. She'd grown her hair out, she said because she didn't want to bother cutting it, but it framed her delicate feminine features well. She still wore that band in her hair, with the little white pompoms at the ends. When she was twelve, it was childish, but now, it seemed cute, girly. Though it didn't match her personality, personally, Zuko found Toph beautiful.
"It's not like I care." Toph spoke, causing Zuko to listen again. "I really don't. But. Still. I wonder what it's like, to be so loved…" Toph admitted.
'To be so loved'
Zuko sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Yeah…I sometimes wonder to." He said turning his attention back to Katara, just as Aang wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him and smiling.
"I don't like these types of things." Toph sighed.
Zuko turn towards her, "Then why'd you suggest it?"
"Because Aang and Katara like it." She echoed his words.
He let out a dry chuckle.
"It's too many smells, too many noises, too many heart rates." She panted her feet firmly on the ground, her ears twitching slightly. "It hurts my head."
"Wanna get out of here then?" Zuko asked.
"Actually, that'd be nice. Just get away for a little bit." Toph admitted, feeling Katara and Aang's bodies wrapped around each other.
"Alright, let's go for a walk." Zuko stood up straight, stretching a bit.
"What about Mai?" Toph asked.
"What about her?" Zuko smirked a bit.
She laughed. "You're a horrible boyfriend."
"I know." He responded, walking out of the festival behind Toph.
And that's it. until next time :) make sure to review :D