-Locks-

"Toph, open the door," Katara yelled. "It's been hours since anyone last saw you!"

"Katara go away!" I screamed.

"Toph what's wrong?"

"Nothing, leave me alone!"

That was a terrible lie. I'm a wonderful liar, which brings me to another rule;

Rule #15

When something is bothering you, don't tell anyone what is wrong. What can they do to enrage your when their attempts to help, if they don't know what's wrong?

"Toph, let me in, or I'll break down your walls!"

"Don't you even dare Sugar Queen, go start your stupid party!"

"How can I do that without the birthday girl?" she pleaded.

"You're… smart, I guess. Figure it out."

"Toph," Sokka said, "Open up."

And then I thought, this must be a direct violation of almost every single one of my rules.

Not to let people know how you feel was a big one. And don't give in to what people want so easily, because this is exactly what Sparky wants! I thought he wants me to feel so bad that I don't go. Not in a million years Princess.

I wiped my eyes, I put on one of the silky dresses that one of the maids brought up, and came out of the room.

"Move," I said emotionlessly to Katara and Sokka.

They did as they were told and walked down the stairs. When I walked into the garden, people were hiding, like I couldn't feel their vibrations and/or knew about the party anyway.

"SURPRISE!" they screamed.

I humored them by smiling and walked around, greeting people like I knew I was supposed to, living as Miss Toph Bei Fong did teach me something's, that I cared to remember.

After greeting almost everyone, I sat down on the ledge of the fountain, making a tiny mountain go up, and down by my feet, with my feet.

I'm not one to feel sorry for myself, but this was possibly the most boring party in the history of the world. The fact that it was masquerade didn't even make a difference, since 1) I didn't know half of the guests, and 2) last time I checked, I could even see their faces, let alone their masks.

"Stop being so sad and pathetic looking," I thought, I standing up.

"Enjoying yourself?" Iroh asked.

"Nope, not in the least," I said, turning to face him, only out of respect.

"Well, I am, you should be too."

"Don't you have any of your old man wisdom to share?" I asked, not caring about breaking the rules with Iroh.

He smiled, "Not tonight Toph, except for one small thing."

"What?" I asked, breaking yet another rule, 'Never let anyone in on the fact that you really want something, - Rule #8'

"Try to enjoy yourself. Your good friends threw a party in your honor!"

"A masquerade ball," I corrected, "Where people get to dress all fancy and wear masks. Maybe Katara doesn't realize, but I can't see their masks, nor can I see their lovely dresses. What's the point?" I asked the old man, now visibly irritated.

"You tell me," he said, and then disappeared into the crowd.

"Toph," Katara said from behind me, with an apologetic sound to her voice.

"Yes?" I said, turning to her and almost smiling, ready for her apology.

"You're wearing the wrong dress."

That one was really just a filler chapter. R&R as always, but most importantly, where is Zuko?