Another Day in the Life Pt 6
Lin was on edge the entire ferry ride to Air Temple Island. She was still very unsure about the motives of this impromptu dinner invitation and she hadn't heard from Tenzin since he climbed out the window early that morning.
She had hoped that no one would notice, but Lin had actually put a good amount of thought into what she was going to wear that evening. She chose to put on a dress that her grandmother purchased for her the last time she was in Republic City. It wasn't too fancy, much to Poppy's dismay, but Lin thought it was okay - for a dress. Generally, she was more comfortable in pants, but she thought that maybe Tenzin would notice if she looked...pretty.
Now, on the way to the island, she regretted her choice to dress up. Of course they were all going to notice. When they left the house before, Su was the first one to say something.
"Why do you look like that?" Su asked mockingly.
"Like what?" Lin responded defensively.
"Like a girl?" Su laughed.
"I am a girl, nitwit!" She said with frustration and popped her sister on the head. "And I can dress however I want."
"You did not just hit me." Su countered and retaliated by shoving Lin straight into their mother.
"Knock it off!" Toph shouted. "Can't we get through one day without you two fighting?"
And that was the end of that.
Finally, they arrived at the island and the three ladies made their way up to the dining hall.
Before entering the building, Toph turned around and pointed her finger at the girls. "I don't want to hear any more bickering from you two. If you embarrass me tonight, you will think the time I found your babysitter tied up in the closet was a freaking picnic. Understood?" She said in a threatening tone.
"Yes, Chief..." The girls mumbled simultaneously as they entered through the door.
"The party has arrived!" Toph exclaimed to Katara who was setting the table across the large room.
"Ooooh! I'm so glad you all could come!" Katara rejoiced and rushed over to them with open arms. "We ordered meat for the party last night and the only person who didn't eat like a turkey-chicken was my brother. Aang, Tenzin, and the acolytes won't eat it, so I had to call in my backup plan," she said through many hugs.
"I gotta say, it's nice to be away from the city for a change." Toph replied lightheartedly.
"I'm sure you need the break. It feels like it's been ages since you last came out."
Lin just smiled as Katara talked thinking, she seemed chipper and happy. Maybe everything was fine.
"-And Lin, I just love that dress on you. Changing your wardrobe I see."
Embarrassed, she replied, "Uh, yeah. I guess..."
"The gang's all here!" Sokka's voice called as he and Aang entered from the kitchen.
"Food's going to be about 20 more minutes." Aang said as they approached. "Nice dress, Lin."
"Very pretty." Sokka added.
"Please stop it." She pleaded through a clenched-teeth smile and crossed her arms.
"How about we go take a seat in the kitchen while I finish preparing our meal?" Katara suggested and ushered everyone toward the kitchen.
Lin and Su exchanged a glance - it wasn't exactly fun being the youngest person at a party full of adults. Everyone entered the kitchen and found a stool or a place to stand before delving in to conversation about the party from the previous evening. Lin just sat there awkwardly, too much on her mind to engage in idle chit chat. Plus, she had already heard most of the story from Tenzin, who was at this point, no where to be found. She sighed, and just when she was about to chase all of these ridiculous Tenzin thoughts out of her head, he entered the room.
"Hey Dad, I just have to -" Tenzin froze momentarily upon seeing Lin, who was blushing furiously at his gaze. Her heart began to race, and the sure redness in her cheeks made her definitely regret pinning her hair back. "I - I just have to feed the sky bison and then I'll be ready. Hello everyone." Tenzin said politely with a smile.
"You need any help, son?" Aang asked and patted him on the back.
"No. No - I got it." He responded nervously and made eye contact with Lin for only a second before scurrying out of the room.
It was definitely a good sign that Tenzin was so flustered, Lin thought. She was sure that this exciting feeling was mutual, but at the same time, it was difficult to tell. Maybe Tenzin told his father he wanted to feed the bison alone so that she could meet him and they could talk. If that was the case, than Lin needed to get out of the kitchen and down to the caves without seeming too eager or obvious.
She cleared her throat after formulating a plan, "Not to - interrupt, but would you all mind if Su and I took a walk?"
"And so proper too. Who are you and what have you done with Lin?" Sokka joked, but was met with her devastating glare.
"Of course, sweetie." Katara said after smacking her brother upside the head. "We'll call you when dinner's ready."
"Thanks." Lin replied and motioned for Su to follow her outside.
"So... I guess we are taking a walk?" Su asked unenthusiastically.
"Not with me, but I thought you could use an out." Lin said as she looked around for signs of her friend.
"Whatever." Su responded and sauntered away. "I didn't want to walk with you anyway."
Lin ignored this comment and made her way down to the caves where the bison slept each night. She quickened her pace, wanting to get at least a few minutes alone with him to talk before dinner. As she rounded the corner to the caves, there was Tenzin carefully using air bending to dole out piles of fruits and vegetables to each of the gigantic animals.
The teenager smiled and looked him up and down - Yes, she was definitely feeling something new toward him. She walked up slowly, but he didn't notice until she was almost right behind him.
"Need some help, airhead?" She asked.
Alarmed by her voice, the airbender jumped and and dropped the pile of veggies he was floating through the air to the last bison.
"Lin! I - I didn't see you there." He said sheepishly and looked down at the wreckage.
"Sorry. Now I'll help."
Together, they picked up each piece of food trying to get it back into a neat pile. Unsure of what to do or say, they worked in an awkward silence, paying special attention to not get too close to each other. Lin was the first one to make a move toward conversation.
"So, how come you weren't in class today? You didn't miss much, but Bansu did give us a pop quiz on the rise and fall of Fire Lord Ozai. Not anything we wouldn't have aced anyway."
"Well - after I - got home this morning, I went back to sleep and didn't wake up for class." Tenzin said, only half lying. What actually happened was he got home, lay awake for hours contemplating his feelings for Lin, and eventually drifted off. When his mother came in to check on him, she decided to let him sleep because he never overslept in unless something was wrong.
Another dreadful silence passed while Tenzin created a wind tunnel that funneled the food into the bison's open mouth. Afterward, they just stood for a few moments, undecided about how to proceed from there.
"I guess we should return for dinner now." He said without much conviction and began walking to the pathway.
Having enough of this, Lin took a deep breath and said what Tenzin wasn't bold enough to say. "Or we can talk about what happened last night." She called after him urgently.
"Nothing happened! But at the same time -"
"I know..." Lin responded with understanding. "I've been feeling weird all day about it."
"Me too..."
"Any idea why?"
"I don't know, Lin. I - I mean, we have never - slept in the same bed before." He said, getting quieter by the end of the sentence.
"Sure we have." Lin joked, to try to lighten the mood.
"We were infants. That doesn't count."
Lin sighed and moved to sit on one of the boulders that enclosed the cave path. Tenzin approached after a moment and sat down beside her.
"Do you - Well, do you think it meant anything?" He inquired tentatively, not wanting to say the wrong thing.
"I don't know, Tenzin... I honestly never even thought about it until today." As soon as these words slipped from her lips, she could see the disappointment in his eyes. "Have you?"
"No!" He lied quickly. "I - I mean..."
Lin tried not to smile; he was cute when he was nervous.
"It was - nice." She said truthfully as she averted her eyes and blushed.
"Really? I mean - do you think so?" Tenzin asked anxiously and turned to face her.
"Yeah." Lin answered, "It was weird, but - good weird."
Tenzin sighed with relief. "Glad it wasn't just me."
They regarded each other for a moment and then Lin tilted her head toward the path. "We should probably go to dinner." She stated practially.
"Right - of course..." He agreed and stood, pursuing her lead.
"Let's go." She said sweetly and nodded for him to follow.
In a brave move, Tenzin reached out and took her hand to halt her stride for a moment. "Also, before I say this, you have to promise not to punch me, okay?"
"Okay...?" She responded skeptically.
He took a breath and said, "You look - you look really, very pretty tonight. I mean... You always look pretty, but tonight specifically."
Lin smiled, a sense of warmth rushing through her. "Seems to be a popular opinion tonight." She said wryly and interlocked their fingers. They walked this way until they reached the pavilion.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Aang, Katara, Toph, and Sokka proceeded into more relevant conversation after the girls left for their walk.
"So, how's work, Toph?" Aang asked as always.
"None of your business, as usual, Aang." She responded with annoyance and plucked a cherry tomato from the salad bowl then popped it into her mouth.
"No work talk tonight, please." Katara interjected and then kissed her husband on the cheek before placing some leftover bread in the oven.
"Fine. How have the girls been? That seems like a safe topic..." Aang said, mumbling that last bit.
Sokka chuckled, "After what happened yesterday, I'm sure they're both in big -" he stopped abruptly as soon as he noticed the angry scowl coming from the woman to his left. "Big - uh - spirits! Because everything's great!" He finished unconvincingly.
"Thanks Sokka, that was compelling." Toph sneered.
"What happened yesterday?" Katara asked with concern.
Toph sighed out of frustration, losing the option of keeping this dinner drama-free. "I got two calls during the council meeting that Su had skipped school...again... Later I found out that Lin also missed her morning classes. We fought, we yelled. Business as usual."
"Oh Toph, this can't go on anymore." Katara stated from the top of her high horse.
"Don't you think I know that? I am just trying to give them space and freedom. That's all they need..."
"No. What they need is for you to be firm." Katara said smartly.
"Hey! Don't tell me how to raise my kids." Toph snapped. "I'm doing the best I can."
"It's not enough! You have to be more involved with their lives."
"Oh really, parenting master? Heard from Kya lately?" Toph sniped out of spite.
Katara fell silent and stepped away, knowing that she might cry if provoked further on this topic. Aang sighed and hugged his wife.
"That was cold, Toph." Sokka said aloud.
"I'm sorry." She said immediately and her facial expression changed from angry to regretful. "I - I shouldn't have said that. It was way over the line! I didn't mean to - spirits..." She stumbled with the words, then gave up and caught her head in her hands, knowing she couldn't just take it back.
"Well, you apologized. That's new." Katara said, brushing off her hurt feelings.
"I know. I'm so off lately." Toph said, inciting a chuckle from her friends. "It's just - between working all day and training the girls - we don't have a lot of extra time..."
"Being a single mother - you knew it was going to be difficult."
"Yeah, I guess. Can we change the subject now?" Toph replied, defeated.
"How long do you think Tenzin will be? I'm starving." Sokka complained.
"You're always starving. He should be back any minute." Aang answered.
"I hope he's feeling alright." Katara interjected and pulled the steaming rolls out of the oven. "He slept through his classes this morning."
Toph laughed a little. "I'm not surprised. He came over pretty late last night."
"What?" Aang responded with confusion.
"No, no. Tenzin was here all night." Katara said and confirmed with a look from her husband. "Wasn't he?"
"I don't think so. He and Lin were hanging out in Lin's room - for quite a long time actually. Are you telling me you didn't know?" Toph asked, amused by this situation.
"I don't understand. My son would never leave the island without permission." Katara declared.
"He snuck out." Sokka said to state the obvious. "If he asked to visit a friend on a school night, you wouldn't have let him go."
"He still should have asked." Aang said, shaking his head. "Why would he try to get away with something like that?"
"Oh, come on. It's so obvious." Toph said and chuckled.
"Apparently not so some people." Sokka said to her with a smirk.
"Will you please just tell us what is going on?" Katara demanded.
"They like each other." Toph said quickly through a laugh.
"Big time." Sokka added and nodded.
"What? How can you tell?" Aang asked, dumbfounded by this information.
"Some earthbender you are. Can't even feel your own son's heartbeat. Every time he sees my Lin, his heart races like crazy."
"Wait," Katara began with a hint of temper in her voice, "Let me get this straight. My teenage son and your teenage daughter spent the night alone in her bedroom, without any supervision? What were you thinking?"
"Are you kidding me? They were just hanging out!" Toph said with exasperation, losing the amusement factor when the tables were turned back on her.
"What if something happened?" Katara worried.
"Nothing happened! Don't you trust your son to be responsible?"
"Not when he lies to us about his whereabouts." Aang chimed in support of his wife.
"Honestly, Toph, you can be so irresponsible." Katara fussed.
"Hey, at least I know where my kids are!" Toph shouted, again poking at the Kya situation.
"Didn't Su run off yesterday?" Sokka asked.
Toph spun around, her finger pointed in his direction. "Who's side are you on?" Sokka held up his hands and dropped out of the conversation. Toph took a second to calm herself before turning back to Aang and Katara. "Look, I guess I wasn't worried because your kid is the most respectful and level-headed teenager I've ever met, present company included. I trust them to be smart and careful. Besides, wouldn't you rather them get together at one of our houses, rather than sneak off somewhere we can't watch them?"
"I would rather them be honest with us." Katara said after a moment of contemplation.
"Well, that's not going to happen. They're teens. It's against the teen code to be honest with their parents about love interests. Sometime you are going to have to let go and realize you raised them to make smart decisions. Give them some freedom and allow them to make their own choices."
"Freedom isn't always the answer, Toph." Katara stated blatantly. "You have to set clear expectations, and rules, and follow through with consequences."
Toph stood up, her blood boiling now from the stress of this pointless argument. "There you go again, trying to tell me how to raise my kids!"
"She's right, Toph." Aang said, stepping in. "And I don't appreciate you being so cavalier about this situation."
"What do you want from me, Aang?" She asked, arms waving.
"I want you to think more about how your parenting affects my son."
"I don't have to take this." Toph said angrily and knocked her chair to the side. "The girls and I are leaving."
"Leaving? Why?" Lin asked as she and Tenzin reentered the kitchen, confused looks on their young faces. An awkward hush came over the room while everyone searched for words. Ultimately, it was Katara who broke the tension with a well-meaning lie that she hoped would not push anyone away.
"N-Never mind that, kids. Just a - family disagreement... Dinner should be ready soon, if everyone will please take a seat at the table."
"Alright..." Lin uttered suspiciously. "I'll get Su."
"I'll help." Tenzin said and followed Lin back outside.
Everyone lingered in the room silently for a few seconds after the kids left.
"Toph..." Katara started in a softer voice, but was cut off by the stubborn metalbender as she stormed into the hallway toward the dining room.
Sokka shot a disappointed look at his sister, feeling that she should know Toph better than this by now. Though she always put up a tough front, Toph was very sensitive to personal attacks and often handled them by not handling them. He followed her into the hall and stopped her stride by placing his hand lightly on her shoulder.
Toph stopped at his touch, shrinking in demeanor until she sqeaked out in her smallest voice, "I'm doing the best I can..."
"I know..." Sokka responded immediately and pulled her in for a hug. She sunk in to his embrace, allowing her small frame to get wrapped up in his strong arms. It was a good minute before she tilted her head upward to speak.
"You want to get together after this and blow off some steam?" Toph asked, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Sokka smiled. "What do you have in mind?"
"I think you know." She stated and smirked in his direction. "What do you say?"
"I say yes, but what about the girls?"
"They're not five. They can stay home alone for a while."
"Sounds good." He replied and kissed her on the temple before they continued into the dining area.
"Can you help me get the food out, sweetie?" Katara asked as if nothing is wrong and opened the oven.
"Yes - but - what just happened? I thought we were angry with her." Aang replied with confusion.
"Of course I'm angry, but I invited them over for a nice meal and I'm not about to let a stupid argument ruin that." Katara said with exasperation and practically threw the metal sheet pan onto the stovetop out of frustration.
Aang backed off immediately and went into loving husband mode. "It's going to be okay." He said as he hugged her softly from behind and kissed her on the cheek.
"It's not okay... Tenzin lied to us and that is a direct result of how Toph handles her household. She doesn't set any boundaries! And she allows her kids to run rampant and treat people with disrespect."
"Katara... You know as well as I that Lin is not that way."
Katara sighed and nodded. "I guess that's true... She has grown up to be a very responsible young woman. But, I stand by what I said before; Toph is handling this the wrong way and I don't want my kid thinking he can get away with whatever he wants."
Aang thought for a moment, "Well..." he began reluctantly, "we may have slightly overreacted."
Katara whipped around and stared him down with a devastating glare. "So, all of a sudden you're on their side?"
"I'm not on anyone's side." He responded quickly. "I just think that - maybe - Toph might be right about giving our son some freedom. Tenzin - well - he's not a kid anymore. He's eighteen."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing!"
"Our son is a bright, talented, and responsible young man and Toph's right - we should be treating him that way."
Katara shook her head and crossed her arms, not wanting to admit it. Aang approached her again and lowered his voice. "I just want what's best for him."
"What are you saying?"
"I think it's time for Tenzin to complete his airbending training." He said, bringing up a conversation they had only a short time ago.
"He's not ready..."
"No, we're not ready... He's been ready for a few years now. If we really want him to become the airbender and the man he can be, we have to let him go."
"He'll be gone three years, Aang. Living as a monk, not able to see his family or his friends... I'm not so sure it's the best decision."
"I have already been in contact with the spiritual leaders of the Southern and Eastern Air Temples. They assured me that they will take good care of him. Not to mention, Tenzin wants to do this. He has such respect for our culture and heritage and he is prepared to do what it takes to become a master."
Katara sighed for a long time. "I know..."
"And - if you're worried about he and Lin staying out of trouble, this will be a sure-fire way to prevent it." Aang continued, sharing the same concern as his wife as he wrapped his arms around her once again.
"That's true." She agreed thoughtfully.
After a few more minutes lost in thought, Katara nodded. "Okay... You're right..."
"Really?" Aang asked, overly ecstatic about the prospect that his son was to become the second airbending master in the entire world.
Katara smiled. "Yeah. Let's just do it quick. I don't think I can deal with keeping this a secret."
"How about we make the announcement...tonight?"
"What? That's too soon!"
"Think about it! We make the announcement and tonight becomes a celebratory dinner with all of the people we care about." He prodded hopefully.
"It does feel - right." Katara paused, "Okay. I'm with you. We tell him tonight."