Harder Than You Think

Welcome one and all to another exciting chapter of the modern times. I know I know what happened. Well, I don't know I already wrote this just decided not to publish it. Never again will I ever do that but here we go!

Aang's POV

I'm not sure if I can really do this. I don't know if I can really call her. I mean she did treat me like crap earlier. You know what, I'm not gonna call her and wait for her to apologize. Yea that sounds good.

Normal POV

Aang soon drifted to sleep and didn't even think of Toph. Going back to school, he noticed that he didn't see Toph. She didn't come in the rest of the week or the week after. Katara and Sokka came up to Aang numerous times asking about her but he always answered with a puzzled look. How should I know where she is? Aang always thought. Then, he knew what he had to do. He left school and headed straight for Toph's house.

Aang knew the way and, surprisingly, spotted no guards near the gate. Aang cautiously and curiously walked inside. There he heard maids talking as he hid behind a door.

"I can't believe I actually saw that little brat cry." One of them said. Aang felt offended that they would speak of Toph in such a way. Yet, he kept silent and continued to listen.

"What I can't believe is that she won't even say why." The other one said. Aang then knew that somehow, he would have to get to Toph. No matter what it took. While running outside, his anger quickly faded. He ran outside and went to the spot near her room. It was pretty high up and he felt a bit discouraged. How am I going to get up there now? Just when he was about to leave he heard a very small sound. It sounded as if something fell and he saw that a latter fell out of Toph's window. Convenient he thought as he climbed up.

Toph's POV

I haven't been to school in days. I can't bear to see Aang's face. He probably wouldn't ever want to talk to me after what I said. My parents, maids, even my guards come into my room trying to comfort me and find out what's wrong. They don't understand me like Aang does. I miss him so much.

"Toph, dear why are you so upset?" My mom asks me. I can hear the care and love in her voice. Yet, it isn't enough so I just turn my head from her. I hear her sigh and she walked out my room. Glad that she was gone, I sat up and looked in the mirror. My eyes were red, my hair a mess, and my clothes wrinkled. But, the worst feeling I had was my broken heart that not even a mirror could see.

I knew that I had to eat. So I snuck in chips and soda while my parents were sleeping. The guards never caught me and I was able to survive. I bathe every night and I refused to speak to anyone. I know that the maids and guards are talking about me but I don't care. They are all fags anyway. Those bastards don't deserve to work under me.

Then, one day while I was eating some Oreos, I heard someone outside my door. Not sure who it was, I looked out the window to see Aang. My heart skyrocketed. He actually came to visit me. What could I do besides let him in? Luckily, I always kept a ladder in my room just incase I needed a quick escape. After opening my window, I throw the ladder down to him and heard him climb up. I knew that I would have to talk to him but I wasn't sure what to say. Then, I saw his head come through the window.

Normal POV

Aang and Toph sat there, face to face in a very awkward silence. They just stared at each other, not sure what to say that wouldn't start another fight.

"Hey" Aang said with a smile trying to break the silence.

"Hey" Toph said in a shy way. Aang noticed she looked at the ground as if her feet were more interesting than he was.

"I'm sorry" Aang said walking closer to her. Toph didn't step away so he kept talking, "I shouldn't have walked out on you-" But he was cut of by Toph's finger to his lips.

"No, I was the jerk who made fun of your social status which is disrespectful and I shouldn't have said anything hurtful to you." Toph said taking her finger away. Aang stared in shock. Here he was trying to find the right words to say to her when she seemed calm and talked to him. That's weird he thought.

"Well I except your apology and I'm sorry too." He stated looking directly in her eyes. He felt his cheeks grow hotter and then she began to blush as well.

"You don't need to apologize to me because you didn't do anything wrong." She told him and then she sat on her bed and patted the spot next to her. He then sat down next to her and she looked up at him. "Do you hate me?" She asked him. Aang felt like smacking himself. He didn't understand how he could upset this beautiful girl so much.

"I could never hate you." He told her. "You're my friend and even friends sometimes have their…differences." He told her and he wrapped his arms around her. Feeling very much unlike herself that day, she returned the hug and squeezed even tighter. Aang thought that his back was going to crack and snap into little pieces. But, he would bear it anytime if it meant that he would get hugs more often from Toph.

The two of them sat there in that position for a good five minutes before separating. As soon as they were separated, Toph punched Aang in the arm as hard as she could. Aang leaped with pain and began to clutch his arm.

"Never speak of this to anyone." Toph said seriously. Aang noticed, however, that she was smiling just a bit. Now that they were on better terms, the two of them left Toph's room through the window and the ladder.

"How are you going to get it back up to your room?" Aang asked curiously. Then, Toph took the ladder and through it into a thick bush which satisfied Aang's question.

"Now, let's get outta here before those bastards come back and try to get me in trouble with my parents." Toph stated. But before she could even move, she heard a wail that came from her room.

"Toph is gone!" screamed her mother.

Zuko's POV

I don't understand this. I asked Katara out the first day but we really haven't gone anywhere. What the heck am I suppose to do? Maybe I should just talk to her. The worst thing she could do is break up with me.

I decided to walk over to Sokka and Katara's home where they lived with their father Hakoda. I was a family friend so their father knew me pretty well. I rang the doorbell and waited patiently. Then, Sokka answered the door with a frown turned smile when he saw me.

"Zuko, buddy, how are ya?" Sokka asked in a very merry tone. He must be up to something.

"Just fine Sokka, where's Katara?" I asked him remembering the reason I came by in the first place. Sokka's face then turned a bit on the sad side and he allowed me to walk in. We sat on one of his couches and Sokka began to speak.

"Well, you're a bit late coming here." Sokka said with a grim look. That look wasn't very appealing to my eyes. "She just went over to visit Suki." Now I understood. Sokka was feeling lonely as well.

"Well, it seems both of our girls have left us hanging." I said trying to lift the mood even if it was only a little. It worked a little because Sokka started to smile.

"Yeah, I guess your right Zuko." Sokka said to me. So, we decided to just wait for them to return.

"I can DEFINIETLY beat you in Madden 10." Sokka screamed definitely trying to make me feel insignificant. It was on now.

"Fine let's see who could win, Chargers or Patriots." I said and then it was on.

Aang's POV

It's almost time for school. I know Toph and I made-up but will it feel awkward with her around? Will I say something stupid? What if she's still mad? Man I should have this all up earlier wit her. I'm such a queer.

Normal POV

Unlike Aang, Toph was feeling just find about going back to school. She was looking forward to seeing Aang and all her friends again. She wasn't concerned with their fight and was ready to talk to him again.

Aang walked to school seeing Zuko along the way. The two friends joked around and they walked in together. Seeing Katara, Zuko dashed off to her joking and blushing of the time they had together when she and Suki came back. Aang just smiled and continued walking towards his homeroom. Well, he went to his locker first of course and then the bathroom. Now he's going to homeroom.

When Aang got inside, he noticed all the teens talking amongst themselves and his usual seat was still open. He decided to go and sit when he sees Toph. Nervousness filled his whole body but he went over to her and sat down.

"Hey Toph." He said in his normal happy tone. Toph turned her head and punched his arm. Hard.

"Sup Twinkles." She said with a slight smile. Even though he tried not to show it, she could see that the punch really caused him pain. Good she thought.

"I'm doing fine actually just thinking about yo-I mean uhh…"and Aang stopped right there. Toph giggled a very un-Toph like giggle which made Aang blushed a bit. He really needed to stop being such an idiot in front of her.

"Well, I was thinking about you too." She said and took her place as the teacher started talking.

Aang and Toph had a pretty good day. Toph told the gang that she was a bit sick and she felt better. Katara nor Suki bought her lie but didn't push while Sokka ran away screaming "SICKYYYYYYYYY". Other than that, their friends didn't bother them much and Aang felt relieved. He wanted to spend as much time with Toph as possible.

Yet his happiness didn't last. Aang never realized how complicated girls could be. He noticed that Jet, a boy in his Spanish and History class always eyed Toph. He heard rumors that Jet was known for making girls lose their virginity and Aang was not going to let that happen to Toph. So, that day after Spanish class, Jet went over to talk to Toph.

"Hey there pretty mama." Jet said with his face being very close to Toph. Aang could see Toph smile and he couldn't tell if that was a good thing or a bad one.

"Hello there Jet" Toph said in a very girlish tone. Aang was taken aback by her tone.

"You know you and I could do a lot of…fun things together." Jet said getting closer. Aang was surprised. Toph stood there and let Jet make his sexual advances. What the Hel…? Aang didn't even finish his thought because Jet and Toph started to do something unspeakable. They were kissing. Almost as if it was instinct, Aang grabbed Toph and pulled her away from Jet as hard as he could and ran straight out the class with her.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Aang screamed. Toph just had an angry expression on her face.

"I just wanted to know something that's all." She then looked Aang straight in the eye.

"WHAT COULD YOU HAVE POSSIBLY LEARNED FROM JE…?" Aang was once again cut off but this time it was Toph's lips. Toph could feel Aang's surprise and she pulled away.

"I was comparing who was a better kisser and you win by a longshot." Toph said kissing his cheek and leaving Aang standing there feeling stupid. His face still showed surprise and his mind couldn't even contemplate what just happened to him. Toph came back, grabbed his hand, and pulled him out the door with her. She had a lot of explaining to do.

So what you guys think? Kinda long right? I'll explain Toph's motives in the next chapter. Until then, may peace be with you.