Great Stroke of Luck

Aang watched the envelope. It sat on his desk, ominously looking back at him, begging to be opened, mocking him silently.

"It's not gonna fly away if you look away from it." Toph reminded him.

"I know. I know. I just don't want to open it just yet."

"Just do it already. I wanna know if you got in."

"It's a state school. I'm sure I did."

"But we won't know unless…"

Knock-knock "Aang?" Gyatso called out. "You have two more letters here. One is from school and the other is from NYU."

"Thanks Gyatso. I'll come get them in a second." Aang shouted back.

"You applied to NYU?" Toph's eyebrow rose.

"Yeah, our guidance counselor made us apply to at least one really prestigious school. To take a chance, I guess. But forget it. NYU is super selective. There's no way I got in. And even if I did, I could never afford it."

"Whatever. So come on, open the first letter!" Toph shook Aang's shoulders. "If you got in, then we'll both go to the same college."

"I don't know why you want to go to lame state college."

"State college is not lame! Not when my boyfriend is going. Besides, it's closer to this tiny town than other schools. We can hang out with Katara and Sokka whenever we want."

"That's true. I guess that's...not so bad" Aang inhaled. "Okay. I'm going to open it."

"Bout time."

Aang peeled back the envelope and let the letter fall out. He waited.

"Forget it. I can't do it. You read it." Aang shoved the letter into Toph's chest.

"So much for Mr. Big Shot." Toph held the letter up to the light and read slowly. She didn't say anything for a while. Then she sighed. "…oh no…"

"What?"

"What was the name of that actor from the Hangover? The Doug guy. Hmmm."

"Toph!" Aang paced, not thinking it was funny. Then Toph looked at him and smiled.

"Aang. You got in."

"I…did?"

"Yeah." She rubbed the top of her boyfriend's head. "Looks like you've got me chained down for another four more years."

"You...Toph, you could have gone to any other school in the country. You know that know?"

"Eh. I never liked school much. I'm more of a visitor." They shared a quick kiss.

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK "Aang, I think you should come out here." Gyatso sounded excited.

"Uh…alright." Aang opened the door slowly. "Is everything…Principal Roku?" Aang's principal was standing with his adoptive father, both looking down on him, both looking serious. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Nothing is wrong Aang." Gyatso reassured him. "I invited your principal over here because I thought he should share the good news with you in person."

"You know each other?" Toph asked.

"Yes." Roku nodded. "Gyatso and I are old friends, from long ago. Now, Aang...I have some wonderful news. We have overlooked your academic performance for the past four years. You have a 4.1 GPA Aang. You haven't missed a single day of school in the past four years. As your principal...and as a friend of the family...it's my honor to inform you that the staff has named you valedictorian of your graduating class.

"What?" Aang yelled.

"Holy crap! Way to go twinkle toes!" Toph hugged him from behind. "I knew that big sexy brain was good for something." She power-nuggied him and Aang yelped.

"Now calm down young lady.' Roku waved his hand. "There is more to discuss. Aang...there is this little surprise." Roku held out the unopened letter from NYU, the one with Aang' address in the center.

"What is that?" Aand asked, doubting himself.

"You know what it is."

Hesitating for a moment, Aang took the letter from Roku. Gyatso and Toph both stared him down. Gyatso looked happy. Toph did not. Aang quietly read the magic words on his acceptance letter.

-We are pleased to inform you that you have been approved for a scholarship to New York University, effective as soon as next semester begins for four years of study.-

"I…I got in." Aang's eyes widened and the letter trembled in his grip. "I got a scholarship. Housing…food…this is almost all of it. How...how is this even...this isn't possible."

"I assure you, it is very possible Aang." Roku said with a proud smile. "I saw that you applied to that school. I knew of a scholarship with prerequisites...and someone in admissions there. I spoke with Gyatso. You will be able to afford, I promise."

"Gyatso?" Aang's knees were so wobbly that he could barely stand.

"Aang..." Gyatso smiled warmly. "I know you are made for great things. I can't allow you to go to just any school. I want you to...be something I never could be."

"Well? Will you make your guardian proud Aang?" Roku asked.

"I…I….yes! Absolutely! This is…wow, this is NYU! I got into NYU! This is the greatest thing that ever happened to me!" Aang jumped once. "Toph, did you…Toph?"

Aang heard his front door slam shut as a pair of feet march down his creaky steps. His girlfriend left.

"I…" Aang got choked up. Gyatso and Roku looked at each other, sensing that something was wrong.

"This is a lot to take in Aang." Gyatso knew something was up. "Maybe you should go see Toph."

"I think that's a good idea. Principal Roku…thank you so much." Aang hugged both of them.

"You will do great things there Aang. I can sense these things."

"I know I will. I can't wait." Aang smiled and left, not letting go of the acceptance letter.

Aang wandered to the empty field, where Toph's wall used to be. It had been torn down earlier that year. Now only a small patch of growing grass was in its place. Toph stood over the fresh patch like it was a grave.

"Toph?" Aang approached her carefully.

"They took down my wall Aang." Toph's fist clenched. "I liked it. It wasn't perfect, but I liked it. They didn't need to destroy it."

"I'm sorry?"

"Dammit, why do people think they have right to change things without asking anyone else? Why does everything in my life keep changing? Every time I get used to something, it goes away. Sometimes it feels like I can't hold onto anything for more than a few seconds." She kicked a rock away from her. "I hate growing up. I don't have time to just enjoy what I have anymore."

"Aw, Toph. I didn't mean to…

"Are you going to go?" Toph turned to Aang.

"…yeah." He frowned. "I'm sorry Toph. I have to. It's…it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have to go. Gytaso…he called in a favor and…"

"You can't turn it down. Right?" Toph looked away.

"I'm so sorry." Aang said.

Toph, with her eyes fixated on her feet, walked up to Aang and slowly put her arms around his waist.

"I'm going to come with you."

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Toph. It's not…GAK!" Toph pulled on Aang's shirt, choking him, then pressed her finger on his nose.

"Look, I told you! I love you twinkle toes. I didn't go through all of that crap this year just say goodbye. Not because of one lousy acceptance letter. You've got me in your life and that is final. I am not losing you too. That is the bottom line." She let go of his shirt. Aang rubbed his neck.

"How are you going to go? Do you have any idea how expensive New York City is?"

"I don't wear green all the time just because it matches my eyes airhead. I wear it because I am made of dollar bills."

"Your parents might cut you off if you just leave home. In fact, I'm sure they will."

"Well, whatever. I'll find a job or something. You said you got free housing?"

"Well, tell them you want to live off campus. Something with a view. Say you want a roommate and ask for them to pay for your rent. Be creative."

"They won't…"

"Use my name. Tell them the daughter of the Bei Fong family wants it done and they'll do it. I'd bet my eyes on it."

"Living together? You and me? Really?" Aang smiled at the idea.

"Yeah. Screw college. It wasn't for me anyway. Besides, I can do that stuff online if I feel like."

"Wait, wait, hold on. I can't ask you to give up your education. Not for me. I don't want to ruin your life."

Toph sighed. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her letter of approval from the state college they had both applied to.

"Look here." She showed Aang her father's signature by the bottom of the letter, with her family's seal next to that. "I never got in. My dad made sure I was accepted. I never had the grades to go to college. Or the ambition. Just the connections. But you got it all right now Aang. Everything you've ever wanted, it's right in front of you. You gotta go for it."

"Toph…"

"Just stop thinking for once Egghead. Look, there are two options for me. I can go to some small time state college and major in I-don't-know-what, probably flunk cause you're not there to help with the math classes, and be alone till you maybe decide to come back to town. Or, we can stick together and I'll help you with school for once. Hell, if you're heading for the Big Apple, I'm in. How could I not be in? It's New York City! It's like the center of the world. I'm not giving you a choice. I'm going to New York."

Aang smiled through her speech. "God, I love you."

"Of course you do. And don't you forget it when I am buying you lunch over there. I hear they have awesome pizza."

"I…yeah. Yeah, for sure. Let's do it. This could be awesome."

"It is gonna be awesome. Cause I am there. When is it not awesome when I'm around?"

"Never."

"Damn right. And don't you forget it."

The tomboy had made up her mind, and that meant it was finalized. The two of them were leaving. Together.

South New York State is an awesome place to live. I can vouch.