RHYTHM, Chapter Two

See You Smile

Author's Note: To be honest, I didn't really know if I was going to actually go through with this story! I mean, I had a base idea for it and everything, but I didn't know where I was going. Then, a few nights ago, I decided to actually sit down and plan it out. So, I have a plan now, which means updates WAY more often for all of you. C:
And… Heavy Heart is on a brief hiatus, in case any of the readers here read that as well. I seriously need to plan that one out better. D: Gosh, I'm so lazy…

As I gazed upon what my parents had set up, I realized once again that my parents really do live up to their reputation. That's right, it was the dreaded gala day.

At first, my parents had wanted to rent out the entire floor of the hotel for their party, but I had convinced them against it. Instead, they rented out the largest ballroom the hotel had. They had modified it to their liking, adorning it with banners bearing the family crest, placing working fountains everywhere, and importing a small garden in the corner. The use for those things I will never know.

The spat between my mother and me had been resolved, luckily. However, as an extra way of saying that I was sorry, I pretended to enjoy myself as I was getting dressed and groomed. When my mother saw that, her face lit up and she looked much happier than when I had poured my heart out in an apology last night. That figures, considering her personality and ideals.

The Christmas gala was, regrettably, almost exactly the same as last years (and the year before, and quite possibly even the year before that): there were still no kids, I still looked like a clown on her marriage day, and there were still tons of old people. Actually, I'm not that sure if the old folks were exactly the same, a few may have died off from last year, but that was of no real concern to me.

"Oh, Toph!" I heard someone call to me from behind. As best as I could, I put my manners to work.

"Hello!" I said cordially, putting on a smile that made my new guest seem like an old friend.

"Toph," the woman said, almost breathlessly. "Toph, dear, you're so beautiful!"

Dear Lord, not another one. I had no idea who that woman was, and I was willing to bet my life she only knew my name. Every once in a while, someone would come up to me, give me a farce compliment, which in turn would impress my parents, and that person would ultimately land a huge business deal. Honestly, I would be impressed with that little scheme if it weren't me in the middle of it all.

I flashed her another smile, doing well to hide my disgust. "Why, thank you! Are you enjoying the party?"

"Of course," the woman gushed, obviously sucking up to me. "This has got to be the finest party I've been to in a long while."

It wouldn't be a lie if I said that I wanted to punch her each time she emphasized a word.

She was looking at me eagerly, seeing if the compliment was enough to merit her an introduction to my parents. Not even close, lady. "Thank you," I said, not hinting to anything else.

The woman looked slightly dejected, but kept up the conversation. Points to her for that, I guess. "You look absolutely radiant! How old are you now?"

Why the hell should I tell you? "I'm fifteen, but I'm about to turn sixteen."

"Oh!" the woman exclaimed, obviously faking her excitement. "How fun! What are you planning for your sweet sixteen?"

I hadn't really put much thought into that. "I don't know, really," I replied honestly. "I'm thinking of maybe doing something—"

"We'll be planning the event for Toph." I was cut off by my father.

The woman I was talking to looked upset by the interruption, but after realizing who had interrupted, began beaming. "My, she's so lucky to have amazing parents like you!"

I can't believe my parents were actually impressed by all her fluff. They took the pair of seats next to her and, much to the woman's enjoyment, began chatting with her.

I was finally alone. After an excruciating hour-and-a-half of listening to mindless rambling and being forced to nod at all the right places, the three of them went into private to talk business.

Sadly, my silence and peace were soon interrupted by a new, unrecognizable voice.

"Hey there," a male said, talking the now empty seat next to me.

I looked up, party smile already on my face. When I realized it was only the help talking to me, I wiped the smile from my face and allowed both the boredom and anger I was feeling to show.

"Woah, what's up with you? What'd I do?" he responded to my apparent "mood-change".

I chose not to respond, looking over the boy instead. He seemed to be a little older than myself, but I wasn't sure if that was just because he was dressed in the standard catering tuxedo. He had dark skin and hair pulled into a high ponytail. On his face was a goofy grin. I didn't normally associate myself with people like him.

"Sokka," a female voice interrupted just as I was about to speak. The owner of that voice was a teenage girl clad in the female version of the catering outfit.

The boy looked up, leading me to believe that he was "Sokka". "What is it, Katara?"

"Remember, we're here to work, not so you can socialize." The girl, dubbed Katara, had a sharp, almost motherly tone. She didn't look like his mother, sister perhaps; she was much too young to be his mother.

Sokka lifted his hand as if he was dismissing her. "Is that all you wanted to tell me?"

"'Warn you' is a better term to use," Katara said. She let before their banter had a chance to make a scene.

"Geez," Sokka sighed as soon as she was out of hearing range. "Do you have any siblings?"

"No, I'm an only child."

"Count your blessings," he sighed again. "Ya love 'em and everything, but they're just so damn irritating sometimes."

I couldn't help but laugh at the strange boy. I enjoyed his company, unconventional as he did seem. His genuine speech was a refreshing change from the adult drawl I was forced to put up with.

"So, what's a girl like you doing here?" he asked.

I smiled, for real, pleased that he didn't know who I was. This meant he was treating me like a normal person and not like royalty. When I told him the truth, I was sure that his opinion would change. "I'm the daughter of the people hosting this event."

Sokka let out a low whistle and smiled apologetically. "It must suck for you… You're forced to be on your best behavior at all times, I bet. It's probably really rough for you."

"Think before you speak, boy."

My head shot up, though I already knew who's mouth the words had come from.

"You have the gall to interact with the guests, especially my only daughter, while you're working?" my father continued, venom pulsing through his words.

My mother shook her head and made reprimanding tsk-ing sounds with her tongue. "It does serve us right, though, dear. The catering company we chose was complete trash."

When my mother spoke like this to others, I normally felt no pity for them. When she spoke like that to Sokka, though, I almost wanted to stop her. If not for our little upset yesterday, I think I would have.

I watched Sokka's cheeks fill with a reddish tinge as he blushed. He scrambled quickly to his feet as he began to leave.

Before walking away, however, he whispered to me, "I think you look beautiful dressed up. The eloquence suits you well."

It was now my turn to blush. He didn't turn back to look at me as he walked away.

"The nerve of some people these days!" my mother exclaimed. "Toph, sweetie, you don't have to pretend to be nice to people like that."

Truth is, I wasn't pretending. No way would I ever tell either of my parents that, though.

"You're in a completely different class from the working slime," my father explained. "You're at the top and he's at the bottom. You don't need to be polite to trash like that. They just don't deserve it."

My father continued speaking on social casting, but I was no longer paying attention. Instead, my mind was wandering back to Sokka. What he had said to me, short as our interaction had been, was exactly what I was feeling. It was amazing that someone spoke to me with such honesty. I liked it, and it didn't matter to me if he was at the bottom or the top.

The party was a little more bearable after that. Whenever I felt like I couldn't take another swarming idiot, I looked over at Sokka, who always met my gaze with his aloof smile.

End Note: YES. WE HAVE INTERACTION! The plot only picks up from here, guys. ;D