"I think I found a way to teach you how to swim." I said,
"I'm listening. I still doubt it though." Toph replied,
It was mid afternoon. Toph and Aang were still where they first left off and it was time for Toph's swimming lessons. They were still in the river part of the waterfall.
"Anyways," I continued, "When you swim, there arent any vibrations right?"
"Yeah. That's the problem."
"So I was thinking, that you shouldn't concentrate on the vibrations in the water but on the waves. The waves make a pattern and if the pattern is out of balance you can tell that someone got in or out of the water. That way, you know what's coming at you the whole time."
"You sure about that?"
"Trust me."
I smiled and led her to the water knowing I was going to be with her the whole time. I took a few steps in until the water was up to my waist.
"Okay, now you come in." I said. I was paitent but she could of came a little faster. "Toph, come on."
"I'm coming!" Toph shot back feeling frustrated.
"Take your time."
She managed to step into the water a few steps and then she looked at me.
"Dont you think it's too cold?" she asked obviously to get out of the lesson.
I grabbed her hand so she could feel warmer. Even I found myself getting warmer. I led her in and that's when the lesson finally began. I let go of her hand.
"Okay, first thing is to completely wet your self so that you can get used to the water."
I demonstarted by going underwater first. I came up and accidentaly splashed some water on Toph. She crossed her arms.
"Now you try." I said.
It was fairly easy for her to do it since it was a simple order. Or it was just for her to get it over with.
While she was underwater, I saw bubbles coming out of the surface until Toph came out of the water. I couldn't help but to stare. The way the sun reflected on her, her bun had gotten out of place and her hair hung below her chest. I never get to see her hair down very often and it was very beautiful.
"How come you never leave your hair down?" I curiously asked.
"Guess it just never occured to me."
"It looks really nice."
"Thanks. I kinda knew you were staring."
"What? How could-- I mean you dont-- I..No... I---" I stuttured like mad. "How'd you know that?"
"It was how you would be like when you would like Katara." Toph said turning her head the other way.
"Yea, about that.." I said alittle embarresed, "Dont worry, im completley over her, honest!"
Toph laughed. "Speaking of Sugar Queen, where is she?"
"Uhhmm, she said she had to have her space."
Toph just looked at me in response.
"What did I say?" I asked her
"Aang, look. When a girl says she needs her space, well there isn't going to be a happy ending. Listen. What did you tell her?"
I thought back for a moment. "I just said that you and I have a relationship and that she is just hurting yourself."
Toph continued to stare.
"I had to tell her the truth!" I said,
"You're lucky she didn't either slap you or break down crying."
I shook my head. "Ugh, I'm so confused right now!."
"Twinkle Toes, girls can get a sensitive about the littlest things. But this was a big thing for her. You should of put her down more...carefully."
I thought of what might happen next. "What's going to happen when Sokka finds out what I did to his sister?"
"He'll smush you for sure." Toph said smiling.
"Yea thanks for the encouragement." I sarcastedly said,
"Just make sure he doesnt find out." Toph suggested. "Okay now, swimming lessons."
"Oh yea, I forgot." I said. "Now, concetrate. Can you feel the water's motion?"
"I'm trying." Toph said with a struggling face. "All I can feel is water."
I laughed "Try to relax."
"It's like the water is pushing and pulling me."
"Good. Those are what you need to concetrate on. It has a pattern and if it is interrupted--"
"Then it means something happend." Toph finished.
"Great! Now I'm going to get out of the water but I'm not going to tell you when. That way you need to concetrate to feel it when I'm getting out. It'll be your first test."
She put her head down and her fingers touched the waters surface. She closed her eyes and I could tell she was concetrating.
After a minute of complete stillness I began to head to the ridge of the river.
"Caught You!!" Toph said pointing her finger at my direction.
"Good job. Now that you know how to do that, its time for the swimming lessons to officialy begin."
"Finally."
"Okay all you gotta do is--"
Thunder crackling in the sky got in the way of me speaking. The once blue shy has turned into a dark gray that threatened to pour on Toph and I.
"Guess the lessons over." Toph said getting out of the water. "We better leave before we get sick."
"Yeah, besides we can finish tomorrow."
I noticed that when Toph was puttting on her clothes that she had an uneasy look on her face.
"What's up?" I asked,
"It's just," Toph said while draining her long black hair, "What do you think Katara is gonna do when she comes back from need her 'space'?"
"I'm not sure." I stopped to think. "But since she's not here..."
I got in front of Toph and lifted her chin with my finger. I leaned in but Toph placed her finger on my lip.
"Not now." she took her finger off my lip then pointed in another direction."I feel that Katara isn't to far from here"
I looked at where she was pointing but didnt see anything. I squinted my eyes and sure enough I saw a small blue figure in the distance.
"Heh heh..." I sighed. I was embaressed but luckily Toph was already headed back to camp so I just followed her. I went beside her. I wanted to come up with something to say because when no one says anything it makes everything uncomfortable.
"So...what are you gonna do tommrow?" I asked,
"Hmm...nothing much, why?" she asked in response
"Just wondering."
We made it back to camp only to find a very upset Sokka.
I really hate this chapter but it had to be w ritten. I promise the next chapter will be way better! Now please gimme a review!! please??? please? please? I would go on for ever but I have a story to write. Next chapter will be coming up soon.