A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the horribly long wait, but I'm back and hopefully for a while. Thank you to those that stuck with me when I was gone for what…5 months? Last months of school, vacation, and computer troubles kept me from writing. I hope this chapter makes up for the wait. Probably won't, but here goes.

On with the story!

Now we're at the house and this time, guess what?

SOKKA HAS THE KEY!

"See? Is it so hard to remember to put your house key in your pocket?" I ask flopping down on the couch.

"…yes. It really is." Sokka replies sticking his tongue out at me.

"Put that tongue back in your mouth before I use it to drag you in that closet over there, Snoozles." I shoot back standing up quickly.

Haha, coward…

Zuko sends me stern look.

Right. The Bet.

I can't believe I forgot about that…

Since the whole apologizing episode, my minds been rushing with All Things Sokka.

Can't say I hate it, but seriously.

My brain's turning to mush!

"I mean…we all make mistakes, right?" I look up at Sokka. He looks …shocked to say the least. "What? I can't be nice and get away with it?"

"Huh? Uh, no. It's just…strange…maybe you've been hanging out with my sister too much…" He gets into his deep thinking mode.

"Well I'd hate to interrupt this…interesting conversation, but… I'm bored!" Zuko steps in between us. "So, what are we gonna do now?"

"Well we could-" I stop short.

Naw. That would cut into his Suki Time.

Can't do that now can we?

"What?" The two guys ask at the same time.

"Nothin'." I sit back down quietly.

Why did I have to end up liking Sokka of all people?

Why did I have to end up liking anyone?!

No one likes me. I'm too stubborn and…aggressive.

…

…

But it is fun!

"Hellooooo? Toph?" I see Sokka waving a hand right in my face.

"Huh? Oh. What?" I push his hand away from my face.

"Are you okay?" He puts on his detective face and gets right in my face. "You kinda zoned out for a bit…"

"I'm fine, Sokka. Just thinking of something to do. I'm bored."

Hah…nice save.

With a doubtful look he backs off, "Well you seemed to have an idea before you started thinking. What was it?" He sits next to Zuko on the table across from me.

"…we could…start that band…we were thinking about starting…" I manage to offer.

They both start to smile.

"But I know how that would mess up your Suki time and not everyone is around-"

Sokka's smile fades and he looks almost…sorry…

Great job Toph!

You just lost the only point you had.

"Well you know I'm up for it. I'll just go call them." Zuko replies, taking out his phone and leaving to tell the others.

I get up quickly to try and escape with Sparky, but of course Sokka's reflexes are magically enhanced.

"Come on, Toph, what's up?" He sits me back on the couch, making me face him. "First, you thank me for helping you from that movie theater guy, then you apologize for your daily, demeaning comments, and then zone out with a sad look on your face and bring up the ditching concept again…" I roll my eyes and try to turn away.

No such luck.

"And to top it off, you called me Sokka. Did that movie mush-ify your brain or something…?" He remarks, turning me slightly and peering into my ear jokingly.

I push him into the couch (softly!) and we laugh.

"No. Well…I don't think so. I just…I guess I was still a bit mad that you ditched me." He arches and eyebrow at me. "I mean the band?" I offer.

"I knew it!" He sits up straight with his pointer finger sticking up in the air.

Haha dork.

"Knew what?"

Suddenly I wish I didn't ask.

"You are jealous of Suki!"

My mouth drops open slightly.

Great. Sokka's got a brain now.

"Who said I was jealous of Suki?!"

"Please Toph, just tell me what's going on. I'm your friend, right? Don't you trust me?"

Ugh.

The guilt trip!

But he's right…

Maybe I should tell him…

I let out a sigh. "Look. I'm only going to say this once so pay attention, got it?"

He nods.

"Okay, I-"

"And they are on the way to your house, Toph. I said we will meet them in a couple minutes so we have to leave. Now." Zuko strolls on in, oblivious to what he interrupted.

Sokka and I both palm our foreheads and stand up.

"I'll go get my guitar…"

And with that he heads up to his room in search of said item.

I turn on Zuko and cross my arms.

"I told them that you already have all the supplies, so your house would be… Uh, what's with the death stare?" He asks backing up slowly.

So close!

Stupid Sparky.

"I was this close!" I emphasize with my fingers, holding them right in front of his face. "This close to telling him. And you have to be oblivious and stupid and-,"

"Um…?"

I release him from my chokehold in order to turn to Sokka.

"Oh, hey. What's up?" I ask stepping away from Zuko.

"I was just wondering if I needed to bring any equipment…" He replies taking a couple steps back up the stairs.

"Right. Um, no. I have all the stuff at home. You just need your guitar."

"Ok." With that, he takes off to his room.

"Haha… Sorry about that. I didn't know…" Zuko offers, walking behind the couch.

I guess to put some kind of obstacle in between us.

Hah. That'll stop me.

"Whatever. Let's just get ready to go." I say, pulling on my shoes and throwing Zuko his.

"Ok…"

After Sokka gets his guitar, we head to my house.

Ah…

I can't wait to see how good we are.

A/N: And that's a wrap. Haha…right. Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll try to post the next one soon. Oh yea, anyone have song requests for their first practice? Please review!

Until the next chapter,

-The Runaway