The Beauty of Her Blindness

The Right Time

Sokka's POV:

I'm so confused with this energy. I take one small step away and now everyone's whole mood has changed. Now I really like Toph more than Suki, she would never do this to me. "Now get up... buddy." She encouraged me. I stood up only to get punched in the arm by Toph. "That's my meathead." She made me smile, and my stomach flutter.

Just as that was over, Aang and Katara came sprinting back to us. "I WON!" Aang yelled. Katara fell when she arrived and so did Aang. Their laughter made Toph and I laugh too. If only my life was that simple. "Have a fun time?" Toph smiled. "Yes, it was so pretty! Literally nothing could ruin it." Katara said all giggly. "Where's Suki?" Aang asked us. "She's not in a very nice mood right now." I whispered. "Oh? What happened?" Katara wanted more gossip. "Oh, nothing. I think she got a little upset because I spilled water on her." I admitted. "Sokka, why'd you do that?" Katara said annoyed. "It really wasn't his fault, trust me." Toph assured her. "Well okay." She said back. "Thanks for getting the fire going!" Aang grinned. "I had fun doing it." Toph said. Suki stepped out. She changed from her damp outfit. She walked over to us. "Sorry for dumping water on you." I apologized. She didn't answer. I didn't think I did anything that bad. "You okay?" Katara directed to Suki. "I'm fine." She solemnly me answered. Katara gave me a quick look. "What do you all want for our dinner?" She asked. "Anything you cook is good!" Aang kindly replied. "Yeah, whatever we have." Toph agreed. "Well I'll get started on some soup, and we have left over bread." Katara announced. We all just sort of sat around and made small talk while Katara was making our food. The sun was setting, and Suki still had a look in which I couldn't tell if it was more of a disoriented or traumatic look. I just can't comprehend why she's acting like this. Maybe it's for the better, Toph is doing all she can to help. Maybe the world is now on my side, finally shifting Suki away from me without me having to tell her about what I've been up to. Although, Toph seems down in the dumps as well. "I'm sorry guys, Zuko could have boiled the water in no time. They're almost finished, I know you're hungry." Katara told us. "I don't have much of an appetite." Suki murmured. Was she sick? Toph looked worrisome. "I know I'm starving." I said to Katara. Suki gave me a nasty look. I'm never good enough for anyone. "Aang, give Sokka the first bowl." Katara ordered. Aang handed it to me. "I don't know what's in this, but it looks great!" I tried raising the mood. "Look, everyone seems upset, if it's about us leaving, we're going to a more central location and it'll be hotter!" Aang smiled. Still no one said anything. "Here Toph, try some!" I handed her a bowl. She seemed weary and I thought she was almost going to push my offer away. "Oh.. thanks Sokka." She crammed some soup in her mouth. It looked like she did a forceful swallow. Maybe she didn't like it? "Well, guys I'm going to bed early." Suki stood up with her arms crossed. "Hey, Suki?" Toph proceeded. "Hope you feel better." She wished for Suki. That brat of a girl ignored her and went in the tent. She wasn't even going to sleep near us. I heard Toph sigh. "Toph, I'm sorry, she's being a real jerk." I moved beside her. "No Sokka, she's not." She avoided turning her head to my direction. What had possessed her? Any other day, Toph would've punched Suki if she did that to her. I looked at Katara and Aang who were having a conversation about something. I leaned near Toph's ear. "So, are we going back tonight?" I asked. She waited a moment. "Actually, I was planning to get a good nights sleep tonight." she responded. Somethings up with her, but I'll let her get some rest. "Okay, I just want to thank you for everything you've done in the last couple of days." I whispered. "Thank you Sokka."

We all sat around the fire some more, you know the usual. "I think Appa's well rested, should we leave tomorrow night, or tomorrow morning?" Aang threw out to any suggestions. "It'd be kinda nice to do a night fly under the stars." Katara answered. She was right. If only Toph could see the beauty of this world, or even more her own beauty. "I'm really tired." Katara yawned. "Okay! Well let's go to bed, let me help you take your hair down." Aang went behind her and undone her hair. Katara let out a laugh. "Aang, if you ever did anything terribly, horribly wrong, I still couldn't be mad at you." I told him. I love how Aang treats my sister, even Katara deserves it. She's all I have left of my mother. Toph sat her half empty bowl on and earth table. "I'm going to go find some water." Toph starting walking over to one of the water canteens. I watched Katara and Aang love each other. I aspired to love Toph like that, but I also wanted to know what I did to Suki. About five minutes passed, and Toph was still over there drinking water I suspected. "Well we're heading to bed, don't stay up too late." Katara walked passed me. I figured I'd check on Toph. I looked behind me, but she wasn't there. I walked behind the tent I saw her last beside. I walked around to her hands on her knees throwing up. "Toph? What's wrong?" I rushed over to her and grabbed a hold of her hair. "What's the matter? Are you sick?" I said hastily. She looked really pale. "Sokka, I'm not feeling well at all." Her legs looked limp. I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder. Katara and Aang were already out, fast asleep. I laid her down in a sleeping bag beside me. I handed her water. "Was it the noodles? Be honest." I muttered. She gave me a half smile. "No Sokka." "Maybe you and Suki have some kind of virus." I thought it was a good theory. "Maybe." She put her head back and shut her eyes. I laid beside her. "I don't want Suki getting mad." She coughed. "She can't get mad over me making sure my best friend is okay." I shut my eyes as well and we drifted off.

Toph's POV:

I heard Sokka snoring before I tried to sleep. I didn't have a virus, it was just guilt mixed with a bit of sorrow. I couldn't even sleep, because of what happened. I promised myself that in early morning, I'm telling Sokka before anyone wakes up. I don't even think I deserve Sokka anymore. He is such a nice guy, and will hate my guts after he discovers what I've done. I doze on and off throughout the night with the pressure of my thoughts. It was a misty morning. Everyone was sleeping so soundly. It was still dusky, I could tell because of the creatures I heard. I decided to man up, and have the conversation. I hope he doesn't get mad about me waking him up early. Here goes nothing. I rise up and put my hands on his right arm attempting to shake him awake. "S-Sokka?" I quietly said. I repeated when he didn't wake up. He stretched both his arms. "What is it? Did you have a nightmare? Do you need to throw up?" He was prepared. "No, I'm sorry to wake you." I apologized. "No it's fine, what do you need?" He asked. "I need to talk to you." I significantly said. "Let's get up and go out of the range where we could possibly wake anyone up. He knew I couldn't see well in the dark, and he helped me up. My legs were a little wobbly from nerves. I followed him until he stopped a little ways after we got to where Appa was snoozing. We were able to speak louder than before but still kept quiet. "So what  is it Toph?" He asked. I think he could see my discomfort and was anxious. I felt a sun ray on my leg. The sun is rising. I need to get this over with. "I didn't tell you something that happened yesterday." I started off saying. "Oh no, what is it?" He said. "I'm the liar Sokka, you're going to hate me." I voiced. "Toph, nothing could make me hate you." He tried showing sympathy. He didn't know that he would be able to hate me. "I just.. I had to tell her." I dropped the words. "Tell who what?" He said a little surprised. "S-Suki. She deserved to know Sokka. She was having fun with us and I felt so bad for doing it to her." I faced down. "I- don't know what to say? I don't understand why you'd do this.. to me." His heart rate shot up. His poor heart was pounding. I've done it to another person. All I do is destroy everything. "Sokka, I couldn't let it go on and I." "I WAS GONNA TELL HER!" He said in a whisper scream also in a panicky tone. "I thought-" I stumbled. "You thought what? I was trying to find a way, and you ruined it Toph. She hates me now and all she thinks is that I'm one of THOSE guys. I wouldn't like to call what I was doing cheating because, I have real feelings for you Toph, and I was trying to find a way to tell her. Maybe I should say I HAD feelings for you." He argued. Had feelings? I burst into tears at what he just said. He doesn't even have feelings for me after this? "I'm sorry I was trying to do the right thing." I sniffed. "You think sorry will fix any of this? Do you realize how big of a deal this is?" He fired back. "I do, and I.. I can't believe what I just did to you and Suki. I hurt you guys so bad." I cried. "AND you lied to me the whole day about it." "I didn't want to cause a scene Sokka, I wanted to talk about it, but my mouth wouldn't let me." I tried saying. "Whatever Toph." He turned around and walked towards the mountain we hiked on a couple days ago. The sun was now casting on my cheek. I broke down on my knees and buried my face into the ground while sobbing so no one could hear my muffled cries. What did I do? What do I do next? I thought he'd understand why I did it, but I turned him and Suki against me. I walked in front of Appa feeling my way around him with my hands. He licked my fingers. After a few minutes of thought, I figured they'd be waking up soon, because Aang was sort of an early riser. This isn't over yet. Off I go to find Sokka.