Dear personal thoughts,

This chap's a bit longer than the rest. So I hope you guys can take time to read it.

Chapter 3: Meatballs

Today's lunch is the same clichéd lunch like any other day. It's meaty, tasty, and absolutely juicy. Drum roll please, insert a fanfare here and there; put your sorry hands together for . . .

Tantarantaaaaan!

. . . Meatballs.

. . .

Standing ovation.

Aang sighed. Since the first day of school, the school cafeteria hasn't served anything else but meat. He was sick of it. Sick. Of. It. Today's special was every day's special; It doesn't seem so special anymore. Heck, it doesn't even deserve the title for the so-called 'specialty dish'.

He stared at his food. Resting on top of his mashed potatoes were three giant balls of meat staring back at him. Aang could've sworn, it almost felt as if his food started talking to him.

So . . . 'sup?

Nothing much, you?

Dude, we're bored. Aren't you gonna eat us? Or are you just gonna sit there so we can entertain you?

I have absolutely no intention of eating you three, so good luck on the entertainment part.

The seventh grader rested his cheek on top of his hand. If he was really going to have a conversation with three giant meat balls, then he was sure that he was going crazy.

Sokka and Katara, the two siblings, who had been sitting there with him pretty much acted like their usual selves during this time of the day. Katara's just sitting there looking pretty and reading a book, not even bothering to touch her food. She's a really smart eighth-grader and a good friend of Aang's. Sometimes she'd glance once in a while at her brother to make sure that he's not doing anything stupid like shoving the whole tray down his throat, and when she sees that nothing bad was happening, she'd go back to reading. Sokka on the other hand, feeling discontented with his lunch, would ask for their food, and then he would start ranting about Katara wasting her allowance on something she was sure she wouldn't eat when she wouldn't give him her lunch. He kept on telling her that she should just give him her allowance 'cause it's a total waste for her to not spend it for food.

"If I were you, you should just give me your allowance." He'd say. "Besides, Katara, I'm the one who's always hungry."

"I'm not that stupid," She'd argue. "And besides, I'm saving for something more important. Just like what dad told me to do; unlike you who never does." She emphasized 'never' for him to hear loud and clear. Sokka narrowed his eyebrows. His sister smirked because she knew that she was right.

"Then how come you're still buying food from the cafeteria that you're sure you wouldn't eat? Hmm?"

"I have my own reasons. And it's one-hundred percent none of your business."

"Ooh, so why keep it a secret?" He'd taunt her.

"It's no damn secret!"

"Okay, so let's hear them." Sokka would usually challenge.

If it were up to Aang to decide on what to describe the both of them when they're together, whatever word he'd come up with wouldn't make any sense. The same cliché thing happens every day: He'd start ranting, she'd debate on whatever there needed to be debated on, and poor Aang would just sit there, resting his cheek on top of his palm.

Aang sighed again and picked at his food. He just noticed that Toph wasn't there at her seat right next to him. He didn't even notice her absence ever since he got to the table. Where could she be? It's lunch time for Pete's sake! She never misses out on lunch. Especially if there's such a thing called 'good food' on the menu. No wonder why he felt bored. Normally, she's the one he always talks to at the table. He was never bored when she was around him. Even though at times she gets a little off the edge and he wanted her away. . .

Aang gasped. What in the world made him think that? He was shocked at his own thoughts. He couldn't believe he just admitted to himself that he wanted Toph to go away. No, that's not true! He argued with his own mind. We're inseparable and we'll remain that way. She's my best friend and I would never think that.

Unfortunately, he just did.

He groaned in frustration and buried his head in his hands. Why do I always have a war with my own thoughts? He lifted his head up a few good seconds later, frowning at his own little problem.

Sokka noticed the frown on Aang's face and turned his attention to him. "Hey, buddy. You okay? Are the meatballs making you mad?" He joked in between chewing half open-mouthed which seemed to disgust his sister who was sitting next to him.

"Sokka, do you mind?" she asked him as patiently as she could. "Could you at least close that ginormous mouth of yours when you chew? The bits of food are getting on my book and it's absolutely disgusting."

She rolled her eyes at him and turned away.

Although he heard her, he obviously, being as stubborn as he is, didn't care. He blinked twice and found himself thinking of an evil plan (which, by the way, was going to get him in so much trouble). It was so mischievous that it caused him to rub his palms together and grin devilishly. Instead of just listening to his sister who, by the way, asked him as patiently as she could muster, he did the complete opposite. He wanted to have a little fun in this, so he opened his mouth for another meatball and started chewing twice as loud as before.

"I'm . . . sorry, Katara," When she turned to him, he began chewing even louder. "What was that?"

His poor sister was forced to watch in full horror at his mouth as he chewed in front of her delicate face. She felt herself going sick and nauseous. Tiny, wet chunks of meat and saliva fell on the page of her book that was on her lap and Katara had only less than two seconds to move her hand away from being hit by her own brother's disgusting spit.

Realizing that the book she held was covered with multiple tiny (but visible) splats of saliva and chunks of meat, she nearly went hysterical. "Sokka! My book!" she cried, worriedly. This book wasn't even hers. It belonged to a girl she knew from the school's volleyball team. She promised that she's return the book to her without a single damage. Not even a speck of dirt. And she had kept it that way ever since she borrowed the book which was last week. Now because of her stupid brother, the promise she had made failed. I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm so, so dead . . .

No, he's dead. He's gonna pay. . .

Sokka stopped chewing for a second and raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "Didn't dad tell you not to read when you're eating because he knows things like this would happen?"

She gritted her teeth furiously. "Only because dad knew that you always have accidents when you eat and you were eleven when he told me that! And you never do this on purpose. NEVER."

"Well, as you know, I'm a messy eater." He shrugged harmlessly, making his sister want to claw him.

"Oh you are so dead!"

Sokka would normally be scared due to the acid he heard in his sister's voice, but strangely, the only thing that his mind was telling him to do right now (even when he's trying his best to hold it in), was to laugh.

And so he did.

Katara was so frustrated that she nearly exploded. She tried counting to ten to calm herself down. But it obviously didn't work enough for her. Aang even had to grab hold of her before she starts clawing on Sokka's face. Her brother knew he was scared. Heck, he wanted to run to the nearest exit right now. He knows that Katara is scarier than the scariest monster he's ever heard of when she's something just doesn't seem right.

Why the hell can't he stop laughing?

He continued to laugh until he was clutching his stomach.

Sokka imagined his sister's eyes turning blood red and her mouth full of venom, about to breathe fire and disintegrate him whole right on the spot. As for Katara, that was the one thing she wanted to do right now.

"I'm gonna kill you, Sokka!" his sister screamed and lunged at him.

Sokka braced himself for impact. But Aang had yet to grab hold of her. He turned to look at whoever was watching and gulped at what he saw.

"Katara, wait!" Aang said gripping her wrist. "We're at the cafeteria! Everyone's watching; you're making a hell of a scene here."

Katara froze and turned her head to face the other half of the cafeteria. For a moment there, the murderous look on her face started to fade away as she saw that what he said was completely true: Every soul in the cafeteria had their faces turned right into their direction with their mouths wide open. Shock was written in each and every one of their faces. The place was unnaturally quiet that you could hear awkward cricket noises (Even though it was mid-noon). Katara gasped, totally embarrassed at what she did. She lowly sunk into her seat and buried her face in her arms.

Oh God, this is not happening, this is not happening, this is not happening! She repeatedly said.

The kids who witnessed the scene she made, after a few more seconds of total silence and an awkward hiccup, dispersed and went back to whatever they were doing before Katara had started to yell. Soon, the cafeteria was noisy again.

"Umm, Kat?" Aang placed a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"

No. . .

She started to sob.

Stupid Sokka.

Once he heard his friend sob, Aang turned to Sokka and frowned. "Now look what you've done, Sokka. You made her cry. You took it too far." He gestured towards the sobbing Katara.

Sokka didn't know what to say. All he wanted was a little fun. But it seems as if he's gone way of the edge. No, he really did go a little too far. So what he wanted to do next was get the nerve to apologize. Hopefully, she'd forgive him.

Pssh, it would take a miracle for her to forgive me.

"I'm so sorry, sis," he said. "I guess I got a little carried away." He the back of his neck and reluctantly placed a hand on her arm even as she continued to cry softly.

"You . . . owe me . . . another book," She sneered menacingly which made her brother gulp.

Sokka turned to look at the now damaged book wet with his saliva, resting near her hand.

"Yeah," he sighed. "Sorry about that."

Katara lifted her head up so that she was now facing him. Her eyes were red and her face was still full of fresh tears. She didn't cry that much, but her eyes were puffy as if she has been crying for hours.

"What the hell possessed you to that?" she said to him as calmly as she could, even though she felt that her voice was rising.

Sokka rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, not knowing what to say.

She shook her head at him in disappointment. "You know, I was actually beginning to think I'm the older one here. You're so immature, it's a complete shame."

Aang just sat there silently. He knows he should say something, but he kept his mouth shut knowing Katara might get mad at him too if he'd interrupt. She's such in a bad mood right now and he wouldn't want things to go from bad to worst. So instead, he quietly and absentmindedly played with his meatballs.

Katara took the book and slid it towards her brother slowly. "You better replace this," she said. "I should've told you this before you started spilling your dog spit on it: this isn't mine."

". . . What?" Sokka's eyes widened upon hearing what she just said. "You said it was your book!"

"Yes, I did. But I said that because it's with me for now."

"That doesn't make any sense at all. I mean, who the heck owns this?" He lifted the saliva-contaminated book to have a better look at it.

"I borrowed it from Suki."

Hearing who it belonged to, Sokka forgot how to breathe. His eyes widened to the size of saucers and he nearly dropped the book he was holding. "S-Suki? You mean that chick from t-the volleyball team?"

"Well, duh," Katara scoffed, already feeling better despite the fact that she just cried and was embarrassed in front of the whole cafeteria. "Who else would it be? The old lady who lives next door? "

". . ."

Her brother nearly fell out of his seat.

"Whoa!" Katara exclaimed. "What the heck is wrong with you?"

Sokka tried to regain his balance and settled himself on his seat in a proper manner as to avoid falling over again. "Please tell me you're joking at what you just said," he begged.

"I'm not, I swear," she admitted. "Why? Is there something wrong?"

She watched as her brother slapped himself on the cheek, hard.

I'm dead, I'm dead, I am so dead. . .She's never gonna talk to me again! She's gonna think that I'm a disgusting jerk not worthy to be dated by any girl. Oh God, what did I just do? How could I be so stupid?

He banged his forehead on the table continuously, hating himself for being such an idiot.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!

Aang and Katara watched as Sokka continued to torture himself with a bewildered look on their faces. They didn't even bother to stop him. Katara silently found it entertaining to watch her brother torture himself even if the damage was mild. What matters is that she didn't need to lift a finger just to give him karma. She's still mad at him, but she learned to control that her fury.

"Yo, guys," someone called from behind Aang. "Hey, sorry I'm late." Toph took her usual seat next to Aang, setting her books and backpack on the empty seat beside her. Only when she finally sat down did she notice what was happening. She froze and raised a questioning eyebrow at the two of them. "What the heck happened to him?" she asked pointing a slim finger at the still head-banging ninth-grader.

"Hey, Toph," Aang smiled. "Ignore him. He's been acting really stupid lately." He chuckled a bit. "So, where've you been?"

"Running a few errands, that's why I was late," she brushed her bangs from her eyes, all too naturally.

"Hey, Tophy," Katara said giving her a smile.

"Don't call me that, Sugar Queen."

"I don't appreciate the nickname but you could've at least said a 'hi' in return," she said.

"Right . . . hi," Toph said nonchalantly.

"It's a little too late for that, now that you've started a conversation," Katara said. "So, what's up and what's for lunch? You owe me one, you know."

She remembered the other day when Katara actually bought her lunch for her just because she forgot to bring her wallet. She made a promise to the older girl that she's return the favor. And since Toph has been feeling good and fresh lately, Katara found it the perfect time to ask for some food.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. No need to remind me."

Toph's hand dug into her backpack. "Well, my mom insisted that I should bring my own packed lunch here when she discovered that I've been eating too many carbs lately," she told Katara who looked quite excited. "I blame the canteen and their oversized meat balls." She pulled out a green Tupperware that must have contained her lunch. She unlocked it slowly to reveal the most beautiful yet simple fresh salad complete with assorted vegetables that Aang has ever seen. Just the sight of it made his mouth water. "Today's menu," She continued. "I have to admit is something I don't usually eat. But since this one's still fresh, mouth watering and perfect, yeah . . . looks absolutely de-lish, right Twinkletoes? I see you drooling there."

She smirked at Aang who was still staring at her lunch in awe. "I hate you for being so rich," he said.

"Hate me all you want, cause I don't care," she shoved some salad in her mouth, leaving Aang looking disappointed. Toph reached into her backpack again and pulled out another Tupperware containing the same type of salad. She handed it over to a very eager and grateful Katara. "Consider yourself lucky, Sweetness," she told her. "The chef made a mistake and had me bring two of these."

"Hey, no fair!" Aang cried. "I'm the vegetarian. And plus, I'm your best friend, remember?" He tried that oh-so cute and charming puppy dog eyes (plus the pouting) that never actually works.

"Well I, on the other hand owe Sweetness here," Toph gestured to Katara who was now devouring her salad, savouring the moment.

Katara groaned. "Uhh . . . sooo goooood . . ." She began to shove more of the green stuff to her mouth.

Aang started to frown. "Don't be so sad, Twinkles," Toph said all too innocently. "You still have three mashed up balls of meat waiting for you."

Aang stared at his tray and nearly puked at what he saw. He didn't notice until now that the three meatballs that he picked on and played with his fork as if they were modeling clay fused together with the mashed potatoes and turned to an unhealthy shape of what he believed was definitely crap.

Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. . .

The word echoed in his mind like a continuous dial tone.

The meat must have mixed with the mashed potatoes that used to be there. Now it turned to an unhealthy color of light brown – the color of crap.

Katara, who was still sitting there savoring her lunch would've felt disgusted when she laid her eyes on Aang's tray. She would've puked right on the spot. But instead, she found herself laughing at his little misfortune.

Toph laughed too, only that she was laughing a little louder than Katara. She clutched her stomach, thankfully not falling off her chair when she saw the funny look on Aang's face. Sokka eventually gave up on trying to crack his head by banging it against the table, so he sat up when the girls started to laugh at Aang.

Katara froze and saw that her brother's forehead was red from all that head-banging. For a moment there she felt concerned and wanted to help out; his forehead was a very, very unhealthy color of red – almost like a bruise. But the thought of herself feeling concerned about whatever bad thing happened to him only made her laugh some more.

After what he did to her a few moments ago, why bother?

Besides, that's one of the only ways she could put her revenge on him.

Indirectly. Not violent, and it won't kill him.

Once Katara started laughing and pointing at her brother's bruised forehead, Toph and Aang realized what was happening and laughed in as well, leaving Sokka feeling out of place.

"Damn," Sokka said. "You guys look like a drunk trio." He shook his head the three of them.

Lunch has always been like this. But somehow, this day felt strange and surprisingly different . . .

We all have these random moments. XD

To Be Continued . . .