I still don't own anything. Avatar belongs to Nickelodeon.

Thoughts still in italics.

Let me know what you think!

His normally agile steps were subdued. His shoulders were tense as he meandered through the theater halls. Gray eyes were glossy with thought and pent up emotions. If the waterbender didn't like him, who could she like? His eyes narrowed and steps halted when one name ran through his mind. Zuko. It all made sense, they would often go collect firewood together, or get water. The monk's fist clenched as he remembered the blushes, the subtle glances. It was all so obvious to him now. That's when he heard Katara's laugh echoing through the halls. Eyebrows furrowed and his lips formed an angry frown. Betrayal shot through him. It's not fair, I was the one who let him join the group. Why did he take her? The young Avatar felt tears well in his eyes.

"Calm down Twinkles." Aang jumped at the voice behind him and quickly got into a defensive stance. "Easy, it's just me." The monk huffed at his friend.

"Stop doing that!" The girl smirked and gestured for him to follow her. He did so slowly, his anguish washing over him.

"Look Aang, Katara is not the girl for you. Let her go." The words of a certain guru rang through his ears. The only way is to let her go. He shook his head, there had to be something else.

"But… It's not fair. I let Zuko into our group after mostly everyone said no. I-I was the one who saved her from him. We've been through so much together and she's just going to lead me on by saying she's confused? I thought she was my best and closest friend." The dam had broken and Toph found herself face to face with a sobbing avatar. "How can she just let me go? I didn't let her go for the Avatar State! I chose her over cosmic energy and she won't choose me over a hot headed prince?" The earthbender felt the way his heart raced, the way his shoulders shook with emotion. She listened to his ragged breaths as he slid down a nearby wall. Cautiously, Toph made her way to her broken friend.

"I liked Sokka." The monk heard her quiet admission and glared over at the blind girl kneeling beside him. Was she really comparing a small crush to love? "No Twinkles, I am not saying it is as bad as what you're going through." Aang scoffed and buried his face in his knees. "But I did like him. I did for quite a while. Then he goes off and kisses another girl at the Serpent's Pass." The young boy's head rose from against his pants, his hand brushing the tears off his face.

"Like you didn't exist? Weren't important?" Black hair rustled slightly as she nodded.

"All of the above. He never knew how I felt but we had been through a lot together. He was always the one there, offering me an arm when I couldn't see. I trusted him to be there for me. Then he ditches me for the girl that keeps leaving him. How do you think that felt?" Sightless eyes glared straight ahead and Aang found himself swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Like I do now?" He questioned, his head cocking to the side like a dog. He was surprised when she smiled slightly.

"Kinda, only I wasn't blubbering like a baby seal-turtle. I got over it. C'mon Twinkletoes, where's that Earthbender fight you had when you faced down an angry moose-lion?" He knew he should feel upset at her insult, but she was right. And oddly enough, bringing up the moose-lion incident made his sadness disappear slightly.

"I'll be okay, won't I?" She couldn't tell but his eyes shone slightly, wanting nothing more than the soft part of Toph to return for a minute.

"Of course you will, Aang. You're only twelve, did you really think you would end up with Sugar Queen forever?" He was ashamed to admit he had. "You're a great kid, and I know you can do better than her." Aang's smile returned and was brighter than ever.

"Thank you, Toph." And without any further warning, the airbender threw himself at the small earthbender. She swayed but didn't fall as his face buried itself in her shirt. A few more tears fell out of the boy's eyes. After all, he had just lost a lot more than his love for Katara. He found his trust was also waning, as well as his respect. Oddly enough, there was no place he would rather be than in the awkward yet strong embrace of his earthbending master. Toph waited a few minutes for the boy to finish being over emotional before pushing him away and punching him on the arm. "Ouch! What was that for?" Aang rubbed his arm with a large pout.

"That's how I show affection." She acknowledged the way his heart leapt at her comment and then quickly added on, "Tell anyone I liked Snoozles and you're dead." She quickly stood up and turned away. She felt how hot her cheeks had gotten and knew it was because of the lanky monk still lying on the floor. "Let's see how this play ends, you up for it Twinkles?" The nomad looked up at her, a slight smile imprinted on his face. A hand was offered, and though the boy didn't need it, he still grabbed it and was surprised at how quickly she pulled him up. Tingles danced along his hand from where it touched hers. It's because I want to be with YOU. His earlier words changed and he realized just how true that statement sounded. Don't be silly, it's because she helped you when you were sad, it's not attraction. Gray eyes met sea foam green and he felt his heart beat faster.

"Calm down, your heart is going crazy. No need to be so nervous, you don't have to face them if you're too chicken." He nodded quickly, happy that she didn't catch the real reason. She swiftly dropped his hand and continued towards the door. He followed after her, swallowing the fear of seeing Katara with Zuko and ignoring his newfound feelings for the earthbender walking confidently in front of him. When they reached their seats Toph sat down next to the firebender and Aang sat next to her. Sure it meant that Katara and Zuko were next to each other. But at least the monk didn't have to watch it.

"I'll have you know Aang, I'll always love you. AS A BROTHER."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." He watched with embarrassment at the actress Aang flew off. He felt a strong hand grasp his forearm and he smiled at the attempt to calm him. Slowly he moved his head until Toph felt his warm breath in her ear.

"I'm okay, don't worry about me." Pale cheeks flushed as his words washed over her. She smacked him right in the stomach and the air was knocked out of him. He sputtered, trying to regain his breath. He felt her head get closer to him and he stopped breathing entirely.

"I'm not worried, Twinkles. I simply don't know where anything is." It was a lie and Aang didn't need to read her heartbeat to be able to tell. He laughed humorlessly and averted his attention to the stage, feeling the stares of Sokka and Suki burning into the back of his neck. The actor version of him was fighting the firelord, and losing pretty badly. He watched himself as he died with a stunned expression. It was the one thing he feared more than anything. Losing to the firelord meant losing the war and the world to flames. He walked back to the vacation house in a daze. A cool breeze danced across the balcony he found himself standing on. What he would give to be a normal kid sometimes. With a dramatic sigh he hoisted himself up on the railing before jumping up onto the roof. Sometimes, he just wanted to be alone.