Sokka's hand stopped as he came to a certain page. "Ugh, listen to the title: Let Me Kiss Your Eyes. That's a cheesy romance story if I ever saw one."

"Just because the title doesn't sound appealing doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. And who said anything about you narrating?" Katara snatched back the book from her brother ('Hey!') and studied the story on the page. Her eyes widened. "Hey, the main characters listed here are Toph and Zuko!"

Toph almost fell off the couch she was sitting on. "WHAT?!"

On the other hand, Sokka's eyes were alight with excitement. "Then what are we waiting for! Start the story!" he urged Katara as he sat backward and grinned smugly, ignoring Toph's sightless glare.

The door creaked open as he entered the empty house. He set his bag on the coffee table, then slumped onto the sofa with a tired sigh. The exams were coming soon, and the teacher had been heavy on the homework lately. He knew he would have to sleep later that night, as he had to finish the project that was due the next day.

"Assuming 'he' is Zuko," Sokka began, "that still doesn't explain why a Fire Lord is taking exams or having homework. And what sort of project is he supposed to work on anyway?"

"Maybe Iroh's the teacher in the story, who can't resist the chance to give his nephew an assignment on researching tea leaves," Toph grinned.

"Please no," Zuko groaned.

"I think this story takes place in the author's universe, which has these sorts of things," Aang suggested.

"Makes sense," Katara agreed.

Suddenly he heard the running engine of a car stop outside the house. He looked out the window, curious to know who would call on him at this time. He saw a black shiny Mercedes, and immediately knew who it was.

"Never mind what are cars," Sokka said quickly as Aang opened his mouth to speak, "we'll just assume we know what they are."

"Funny how you always know what Aang was going to ask," Toph observed.

"It's not that hard, really; I was wondering the same thing as well, only I didn't want to wonder aloud, since that won't bring any answers anyway."

"Pity you don't have the same common sense in other things," Katara smirked, causing her brother to shoot her an annoyed glance.

He walked out to the car which had one of its windows open. A petite girl sat inside, fixing her sightless stare on him. He leaned over the window. "What's up?" he asked.

The girl just shrugged. "I want you to take a ride with me," she said simply.

He didn't say anything, but opened the car door and got in.

"I'm guessing a 'car' is a kind of transport," Aang said, "sort of like a carriage, I suppose."

"I can drive?" Toph grinned. "Cool."

"But you're blind; there's no way you'd be able to drive a vehicle," Katara pointed out.

"Hey, I'm just that awesome. Now get on with the story, Sugar Queen."

Several minutes later, they were seated on a park bench facing the setting sun. As the wind blew her fringe over her face, he just stared silently at her. Finally he asked, "You had a fight with your parents again?"

"What else?" she answered as she blew off the hair framing her face. "I'll probably feel freer in a birdcage than in there. They keep on trying to imprison me in my own room, like some poor thing who can't take care of herself."

"Looks like the me in the story has a lot in common with the real me," Toph sighed. "That's sad."

He shrugged. "Well, I guess that's how people see you. They always want to protect you because they think you can't do it for yourself."

Her hands hardened into fists. "But they're wrong. I can take care of myself. I can do anything other people can. In fact, I can even sneak out of the house time and time again without my parents' even knowing! Not even once!" She threw her arms in the air to emphasize her point, and then let them fall back to her sides.

"You tell them, Toph," the blind earthbender said as she nodded.

He slung an arm around her. "But sometimes you do need help. You need help to appreciate the beauty of the world around you that you can't see. And your parents need to learn that too."

She finally smiled a small smile. "I guess that's why I always come to find you when I'm upset. You always seem to know what to say."

Toph raised an eyebrow. "Hey, I got a question: since when did Zuko and I become such good chums?"

"Well, you're the main characters in this story after all; you two might be dating already," Sokka pointed out.

"I don't really want to date Toph, actually – no offense though," Zuko said hastily as he glanced at Toph, who simply shrugged. "I just think we're not meant to be together in a romantic relationship."

"Considering that he accidentally burned my feet the first time we actually met, I'd agree with him," Toph added with a grin.

"There's no romance mentioned in the story so far though; it seems pretty normal to me," Katara remarked.

"Maybe Zuko's just really good friends with Toph, like his uncle was with her," Aang suggested.

"Oh, I don't think so. There'll be romance in here, just you wait and see," Sokka smirked.

He smiled back at her, and squeezed her hand gently. She sighed. "But still, I can't see you. I don't even know what you look like, and I guess I never will. That's probably the one thing you can't help me with."

"I don't need to know what you look like though," Toph said. "Sokka already told me you were an angry jerk with half a face deformed and a silly ponytail."

"Do I really look that bad?" Zuko stared pointedly at Sokka, who raised his hands in defense.

"Hey, that was back before you turned good, okay? Besides, that hairstyle of yours really sucked."

"Thanks, Sokka."

He remained silent for a while, then suddenly he leaned over and gently kissed her eyelids.

"Aha! I told you there was romance!" Sokka was grinning like he'd just won a gold medal.

"Yeah, yeah, we get it Snoozles. Now pipe down so we can get on with the story."

"Sure, sure. I'd love to know how this ends anyway," the Water Tribe teen smirked.

She immediately sat up straight. "What was that for?" she asked, blushing slightly.

He just smiled. "I know you can't see me, but I hope at least you can see my love for you," he said.

"Wow, never knew Zuko was capable of spouting mushy lines," Toph grinned.

"Oh, I'm sure he has a lot of things to tell Mai when they're together," Katara smiled coyly.

Zuko squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. "Um, let's just drop the subject of my love life and continue the story, okay?"

"Okay, Zuko," Katara answered, although she sounded like she was trying to keep herself from laughing.

"That's such a cheesy line," she laughed, playfully nudging him on the arm. Then she leaned against him. "But thanks anyway," she said softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know what, I think I can really see your love for me now."

He smiled again as he brushed a hand through her hair, and they sat together while the sun set in front of them.

"Well, that's the end," Katara said as she closed the book. "I have to admit, the story wasn't as sappy as its title sounded."

"It was actually pretty sweet," Aang added.

Sokka shrugged. "Meh. At least I get to see Toph put together with someone else other than me and Aang," he grinned.

"It's not fair. Why do I always end up with one of the three of you while Sugar Queen just goes with either Twinkletoes or Zuko?" Toph protested.

"Because I'm her brother, and we've had the good fortune not to run into any incest stories yet," Sokka replied. "Still though, I think I've had enough of romance stories. Say we change the genre, Katara?"

"Okay," Katara agreed as she opened the book again and started browsing through the pages. Suddenly she stopped. "Hey, there's a new chapter of The Tale of Kara!"

Let me get something straight first: in the story Toph shows up in front of Zuko's house in a Mercedes, but I didn't mean she was driving it. Rather, I envisioned her in the passenger seat driven by a loyal chauffeur who keeps his young mistress' secrets - every rich man's daughter has a character like them with them in the TV dramas, right? By the way, you guys are going to have to wait a bit for the next chapter of The Tale of Kara, because I'm finally getting my holiday like I hoped and I won't be back for a week! Don't miss me though (okay, please miss me), and I'll be back before you know it! See you next time!