This is an Avatar the Last Airbender FanFiction. Disclaimer: I do not own the characters but I use them because I enjoy it.

This chapter was tough to write. I'm a sensible person so it's hard to write about people's irrational conversations.

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Splitting Of Two Worlds

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"Are you two fighting?"

"No." Both answered in unison, directly going back to what they were doing before. Toph was busy eating her lunch while Aang read a novel.

"Well you two haven't said a word to each other all day." Katara continued "Frankly, it's worrying me."

"There is nothing to be worried about, Katara." Aang didn't bother raising his eyes from his book.

"Yeah, we're fine." Toph's focus was concentrated on her spaghetti and meatballs, but she didn't seem to enjoy it very much. Both looked heavily depressed. Katara gave up and hoped they'd talk to her when the time came, but the two of them dragged it on for an entire week. It was beginning to get on her nerves. The forced attitude between wasn't making anyone feel comfortable.

"I need something from my locker. I'll be right back." Aang couldn't take it anymore. He had to get anyway. He took his time getting to his locker. It's not like he needed anything from it. He just needed the time away from Toph.

"45…12…34…51" Aang recited his combination dully. It had been a week since he had a full conversation with Toph. He didn't enjoy the atmosphere but what could he do? That was the problem. He didn't know what to say to her. There was nothing he could say to her.

Get away from me! I don't need you around 24/7! I don't need you at all!

These words had been plaguing his mind each and every day. When she said it, Aang's entire person shook. He couldn't believe she said that. After all he did for her. So he left. He refused to be in places that he wasn't needed. He didn't know why but those words were like a deadly poison that drained away his happiness.

I don't need you!

Stop it. She didn't mean it.

He kept repeating that in his head. But the more he did, the more he believed. Rather than keep his mind on it any further he tried to keep his mind off it by indulging in school work. That didn't work either. As if Toph's words weren't painful enough, there were more people who wanted to hurt him.

A small group of large boys circled around Aang, all with displeased looks on their faces. They were the kind of boys who had a reputation for doing anything they wanted, get caught, get out and do it again for the heck of it. Basically, they were future criminals of society.

"Hey you, the Asian nerd!" One of them sneered. Aang turned around reluctantly only to be pushed against his locker "You and your girlfriend double teamed my good buddy a few days ago. I don't like that, not one bit."

Their buddy? It couldn't be Hide. Oh, it must have been the guy Toph took down on her first day.

"Oh god not again…" Aang sighed "Look we didn't double-" Before Aang could respond, the boy launched his fit into Aang's stomach multiple times before they tossed him to the ground. From there the group proceeded to kicking him while he was down.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" A small girlish voice rang through the hallway. The boys stopped momentarily when a small girl flung herself in front of Aang's downed body spreading her arms as to protect him "He didn't do anything to you!"

"Another one? Jesus kid do you enjoy having girls protect you?" The boy laughed.

"Shut up! Now leave him alone or else!"

"Or Else what?" he called her bluff.

"I'll…I'll call the principal!"

"Oh, the principal! I'm so scared!" The bully mocked before he stretched his hand out for the girl. Before he could Aang grabbed his wrist tightly "Hey, what the hell! Let me go man!"

"Leave her alone." Aang released the bully's wrist. Aang glared daggers at the boys causing them to take a small step backwards. Aang seemed like a new person. It was like his aura went through a dramatic change."Last warning. Get away from us."

The bullies didn't respond they glared angrily at him. A few of the boys pulled out their pocket knives that caused the girl to cringe. Aang was perfectly calm. By now the hallway was flooded with students in anticipation or what would happen next.

"Get back," Aang spoke lightly to the girl who nodded and moved back to the crowd. It was there that they began their attack.

The first boy lunged forward with a small knife aiming to stab but Aang simply slapped the knife downwards with lightning speed and with his left fist he punched the boy directly in his gut with the right. The boy winced in pain and Aang used this moment to grab him and throw him with all his strength knocking him into the other boy; knocking them both into the crowd.

The third boy slashed horizontally with his knife, but unluckily for him Aang didn't miss a beat. He ducked quickly and swept the floor with his right leg tripping him into the air. He connected with a straight kick launching him into his friends. The fourth boy stood there mortified that such a small boy took down all his comrades.

"What are you doing? Get him!" the apparent leader ordered. The boy charged pointing his knife forward as he yelled. Aang simply side-stepped and tripped him without a second glance he proceeded to the leader. "What…what the hell are you?" The boy stuttered as he backed away slowly.

"I'm in a bad mood. Get out of my face." Aang's voice was dark and grave. The boy fell on his bottom in fear, quickly got up and ran away.

"Teacher!"

Suddenly someone shouted and the crowd of teenagers scattered like bees from a flower. Aang noticed that the girl who had come to his rescue was lost as what to do next. He instinctively grabbed the girls hand and ran. On his way, he couldn't help but notice Toph, with her back against the lockers with none other than Hide beside her. Both looked into each other's eyes for a quick moment before Aang quickened his speed.

"Wow. I had no idea that Aang could fight like that…" Toph had watched the entire fight. By the time she had gotten there Aang had already began beating on the thugs. This only reminded her that she knew little about him. She had sparred with him a couple times but he had never fought like he did just now. Was he holding back with her? And that kick when I fought Hide…Aang was resting against the fences how did he get to Hide so quickly? Mysteries of Aang just kept piling up in her head.

"Obviously," Hide scoffed "No one without any form of training could give me a kick like that." Hide rubbed his face remembering the painful blow had given him. He didn't say anything that day because he wanted to act cool but now that he thought of it, it hurt like hell.

"And who is that girl he took with him?"

"That was On Ji. Nice girl." Hide responded non-chalet.

"You know her?"

"Tried to date her once. Didn't go so well."

"I wonder why…" Toph rolled her eyes.

"Shut up. I should warn you now though." Hide looked where Aang and On Ji had disappeared.

"What?"

"That girl is everyone's type. If you don't keep a close eye on your boy toy, he'll be gone in a matter of minutes."

"Gone?"

"You know, off the market, taken. It's only a matter of time before they'll be all over each other."

"Where would you get that idea from?" Toph blew out her bangs "Besides Aang and I aren't like that!"

"Right." Hide chuckled "You're fighting with him right? Since he spent all his time with you, and you aren't talking anymore. He'll naturally spend more time with someone else."

Toph didn't reply. She didn't like the fight either but she didn't know how to apologize to him. She didn't mean what she said at all and she knew that Aang had been hurt by it. But he wouldn't just start hanging out with another girl because their relationship was a bit rocky, right? Maybe she shouldn't have dismissed her bodyguards. They would have talked her out of fighting Hide…like Aang did. Ugh! Dammit Twinkle Toes! Before Toph knew it she began to run where she last saw Aang.

Aang still sweating from the run stretched and wiped the salty water off his forehead. He noticed that the girl was dreamily staring at him and it was beginning to freak him out.

"Um…hello." Aang smiled nervously. She smiled back. Her soft hazel eyes, filled with warmth, scanned Aang's clothing. Her long brown hair was tied up into a ponytail that swayed with each of her movements.

"Hi, my name is On Ji." She smiled brightly, showing that she wore braces as she held her hand out.

"Hi, I'm Aang." Aang gently shook it "Nice to meet you."

"Um…I just wanted to say thank you for saving me from those bullies."

"I should be thanking you! You stopped them from kicking me to death. You're really brave to stand up to guys like them!" Aang smiled genuinely.

"You're welcome! It just sort of happened. It's not like I could just let them beat you up like that."

"I'm glad you did. It would have been problematic if you didn't."

"Maybe it was fate that we met, don't you think?" Aang's smile didn't fade and that caused her blush to deepen.

"Yeah maybe it was," Her eyes trailed down to their hands "Umm…your hand…"

"Oops! Sorry," Aang released her hand and scratched the back of his head. Now it was his turn to blush. "Since we're out of trouble, for now I guess, want to walk back to class?"

"Sure, I'd love to."

Little did Aang know that Toph was on the other side of the Gym wall and she had heard everything. She didn't know why exactly, but she didn't like it one bit. Maybe it was fate that we met. Geez twinkle toes you really know how to be sappy don't you?

Over the next few days, Toph noticed that On Ji had been following Aang around more and more frequently. Toph noticed that from wherever she sat during lunch she was always watching. Aang didn't notice her staring at all. He began hanging out with her when they walked to and from classes Aang didn't have with her. It was beginning to get on her nerves. She didn't know why it was infuriating her that much but it did.

Thinking that this had gone on long enough, Toph thought that she should make the first move towards fixing their friendship."Hey Twinkles you coming or what?" The bell rang for lunch and Toph was already heading out the class door.

Aang was clearly surprised that she even said more than two words to him. Well there's a shocker. "Oh sorry Toph, I promised On Ji that I'd help her out with her Science project today." Aang didn't want to shun her attempt but he did promise On Ji. He turned away and rushed to gather his things "Tell everyone I said Hi!" And with that, Aang practically ran out the door.

"On Ji, On Ji, On Ji!" Toph groaned as she stomped to the lunch table "Stupid Aang…Stupid happy grin…stupid girl…" Toph muttered under her breath. Everyone turned their eyes to her and avoided talking to her before she broke something. Katara tried once or twice but Sokka immediately stopped her. He valued his sister's life.

After school, Toph didn't find Aang in their usual sit on the bus. Thinking that she should give the friendship another try she got off and went looking for him only to find him in a class with On Ji.

"Twinkle toes the bus is going to leave if you don't hurry up!"

"Oh, you can go without me. I'm just finishing up the project with On Ji here," On Ji meekly waved at Toph who only gave an exasperated look before she walked back to the bus.

"What's up with you?" Sokka plopped down in the sit next to her. It didn't take a genius to sense the negative mood she was in but he couldn't leave a friend hanging like that.

"On Ji! It's like all Aang cares about lately, I don't even spend time with him anymore!" Toph complained without really looking at him.

"Well after what happened on the track you should be seeing a lot more girls hanging around him. You just have to get use to it." Toph didn't say anything. As the bus was leaving, Toph caught a glimpse of Aang and On Ji laughing outside of the school. It grated her nerves.

Toph had to admit that Aang looked good when he ran and it did bother her when he was swarmed with giddy fan girls but it's not like Aang didn't have any female friends. I mean he is surrounded by girls everyday at lunch so why is this On Ji girl so special? Toph mulled over the thought until she saw the two talking the next day. She poked her head out and listened in.

"On Ji! What's up?" Aang smiled.

"Hi Aang. I have to study for the biology exam on Friday other than that nothing much really. What about you?"

"I'm thinking about joining the track field! I don't know though. I love track but I love having free time too."

"You should definitely join! You're an amazingly fast runner!" She smiled brightly, revealing her braces. On Ji noticed and covered her mouth.

"Hey the braces kind of suit you. I mean not that you're a geek or anything! They just look good on you. They make you look cute." On Ji's face reddened like a tomato, she played with her ponytail and said the first thing that came to mind.

"I…have to go to the bathroom." With that she ran away. Again. Toph's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe that Aang said that to her. With a straight face even! She waited until On Ji had gone to confront Aang.

"What do you think you're doing?" Toph yelled at him as he closed his locker door.

"What!"Aang's eyes grew wide with surprise. Toph practically appeared out of nowhere.

"That On Ji girl you've been hanging around with! What's the deal with her?" Toph kept yelling.

"What about her?"

"You've been with her almost every day of the week. You talk with her 24/7!" Toph shoved him.

"What? What's the big deal? I talk to you a lot too you know." Aang raised an eyebrow at her questionable actions. She hadn't talked this much with him in a while and the first thing she bothers to ask about is On Ji. That slightly ticked him off.

"The big deal is…" she paused "…she's been stalking you! I've seen her at lunch time just gawking at you."

"Umm…ok? Wait…aren't you using the word stalking loosely? Maybe she just looks over my way and you just happen to see it."

"What is wrong with you?" Toph raised her arms into the air "She has a crush on you idiot!"

Aang's eyes momentarily widened "Really?"

"Wait…you didn't know?"

"No Idea." Aang answered honestly.

"Oh…" Toph turned a deep red. She slapped her hand to her forehead, Great now I feel like a moron.

"Besides, why do you care so much?" Aang asked.

"No reason!" Toph raised her voice due to her embarrassment.

"Wait before we even move on, aren't you spending more time with Hide? Did you two get passed your differences or something?"

"Hide? What does he have to do with anything?"

"If you're so bugged about me hanging out with On Ji go hang with him! You seem to be doing that just fine with the guy that got us both into trouble!" Aang couldn't help but raise his v1oice. Toph was angering him.

"I just talk with him occasionally. I'm still mad at him! You want to know why I talk to him. Because lately, he has been a better friend than you are!" Toph just spoke. She let her mouth take over for her again.

"What? Do you actually know what you're saying? I've been looking out for you from the day we met! So a guy who hits on you the moment he sees you, gets us sent to the principal's office and almost hit you in the face is a better friend than me?"

"At least he talks to me! You've been avoiding me ever since that they on the roof!"

"Whose fault do you think that is? I don't know how to talk to you anymore! What do you think I'm supposed to do or say, when you scream out that you don't want me around!"

"I never said that!"

Aang's eyes narrowed. "'Get away from me. I don't need you around me 24/7. I don't need you at all!' ring a bell?"

"Fine I did say that but I didn't mean it! I thought you'd have the brains to figure that out!"

Aang rubbed his temples "I don't need this right now. I'm going to look for On Ji. Later Toph."

"Aang I'm telling you to stay away from that girl!" Toph latched onto his shirt.

"Calm down, Toph! You're getting worked up over nothing!"

"Nothing?" Toph screamed pushing his back away "I'm not stupid twinkle toes! It's not 'nothing'! I've seen the way she looks at you and even the way you look at her! That stupid grin of yours when you're around her! You're so into her aren't you?"

"The way I look at her- What is your problem, Toph?" Aang was a pretty laid back kind of guy but Toph was pushing it. "I don't look at her any differently from any other girl! God, you're acting it's like you're jealous or something! If you're so jealous just run over to Hide, I'm sure he'd love your company!"

Toph's mouth was already half opened ready to scream but when her brain finally put two and two together she stopped. Was…I jealous…?

"You know what Aang? Forget it!" Toph yelled again glaring daggers at him. "I can see how much you two are into each other. If she wants you she can have you! See if I care!"

"Fine!" Aang yelled at Toph as both of them stomped away.

With their friendship dwindling, the two managed to get into another fight. What could they do when Aang didn't believe he was wrong and Toph refused to believe he was right?