Bus Ride I

"Sit here." Toph demanded when she saw Aang head for the front seat. Always his opposite, Toph wanted to sit way in the back.

The heavy engine huffed out a cloud of smoke and the school bus began to move. Every child on the bus was bouncing up and down. Cliques had already formed and the young people were were talking to the new friends that they had made in a few hours. Most were over stimulated from an incredibly busy day, while the rest were just exhausted and needed to sit down.

"Not a bad first day." Toph said. Aang sighed. "What's wrong with you?"

"Mine didn't go so well." Aang rubbed the top of his head, which was still covered by his ratty wool cap with the old blue arrow on it.

"I thought you were the kind of guy who loves school?" Toph shoved Aang with her elbow, trying to cheer him up.

"I thought so too." He slouched.

"Oh, come on skinny. It's just the first day. No one remembers what happens on the first day of school anyway."

Aang looked at her. "I thought you said that the first day of school is the most important one?"

"What? I didn't say that." Toph insisted.

"But you…never mind."

"Trust me Aang. In like a week, no one will remember the stuff we did today."

"Thanks." He said. She still sounded sad, but Toph sensed a spark of happiness in his voice.

"Meet any new friends today?" Toph asked.

"Not really. There's this one kid in my Biology class. He's cool."

"What's his name?"

"Teo. I think you'd like him."

"What's he look like?"

"Well…he's kinda in a wheelchair."

"Oh! That crippled kid. Yeah, I saw him. He seemed really nice."

"Toph, he's handicapped. Not crippled" Aang looked annoyed with her.

"Sorry." Sensing the mood behind his voice again, Toph apologized quickly. "What's the deal with that jock with the sunburn on his face?" Toph asked about Zuko.

"I don't know. He's just some jerk. I know his type."

"Yeah. I do too. They think they are so tough until someone stands up to them." Toph slapped Aang on his back. "Don't worry. Stick with me kid and I'll watch out for you."

Aang finally smiled.

"What about you?" He asked Toph. "How many enemies did you make today?"

"Why did your mind go there? How do you know I didn't make a hundred friends yet?"

"Cause you're…Toph."

"Uh… touché. You like that word? I learned it last period. It's Spanish. It means 'good point'." Aang slapped his forehead. "But we may have some trouble from these upperclassmen…or upper-class-girls…whatever. There're three of them."

"Are they hot?" SLAP. "What was that for?"

"You've been talking to Sokka again, haven't you?"

"Yeah, but you didn't answer my question." Harder SLAP. "Stop that!"

"You men are all alike." Toph paused. "Okay, one of them is really good looking though."

"Sweet." Aang covered his head, expecting Toph to hit him again.

"Just stay away from them. Their leader…wow, she looks crazy."

"How can I stay away from them if I don't know what they look like?"

"Are you even listening? There's three of them, all girls, one's really hot and another is insane."

"Alright, alright. Calm down."

They didn't say anything for a few minutes. Toph counted the lines in the middle of the road as she waited for Aang to speak. She got to 46 before growing impatient and spoke up herself.

"You get homework tonight?"

"Nah. You?"

"Nope." Toph laughed. "Hey…there is this guy named Pakku. He's a real hard-ass."

Aang's head jolted in her direction. "You have Mr. Pakku too?"

"Yeah." Toph sounded surprised. "Oooh, wait! He's the teacher we both have. I didn't know who it was. He's such a jerk, am I right?"

"I thought he was okay." Aang shrugged his shoulders.

"You can't be serious." Toph's jaw fell open.

"I am serious. He just wants you to do your work. What's so bad about that?" Aang shrugged again.

"Guys like him shouldn't be teachers. I mean, come on. He's such an old prune. How is an uptight prick like him supposed to relate to a bunch of kids?"

"I liked him. Maybe we are just not relating with him." Aang raised a good point, but, as usual, Toph had a comeback.

"Last time I checked, he was the teacher and we were the students. It should be his job to relate to us.

"Whatever. I guess you're going to be using me for the book projects?"

"Duh." Toph wrapped her arm around his neck and gave him a nuggie.

"Stop! Stop! Karate knuckles! Stop it, Stop it!" Aang struggled to get free.

"You're such a baby." She let go when she was sure he had enough. "I gotta give you a nickname for that."

Aang didn't hear her. The bus had come to a full stop outside of Aang's stop.

"This is me. See you tomorrow?" Aang asked.

"Yeah." Toph nodded. "Call me whenever."

"Kay." Aang said as he left her. When he had gotten on the bus, Toph noticed how glum and unhappy he looked. As he left, Toph saw that goofy grin find its way back on his face. All he needed was someone to talk to, Toph thought…and then she smiled herself.

I have a question! Who thinks that it would be a good idea to repost some of my MD stories from Air and Stone? Not a lot, just the ones that have importance to the story. Give me your opinions in your reviews or PM me.