DISCLAIMER:I don't own ATLA or any of its characters

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"What I'm about to teach you is not the standard curriculum, but what I think is the best way to learn earthbending. The foundation of this bending form is called neutral Jing." Aang sat in the grass below the gigantic pile of boulders on the campus. It was his first day of earthbending, and so far, it was going great. He was understanding the concept of waiting and listening before striking, and Bumi seemed like a great teacher. He didn't have any friends in this class (Toph wasn't taking earthbending) but he was feeling optimistic.

"Now let's practice moving a rock." Aang's heart leapt with anticipation. Bumi modeled the physical motion of the earthbending move, which Aang understood. His stance was perfect, his form was perfect, but when all the other students were able to earthbend, his rock didn't budge.

"I just don't see what's wrong," Aang complained at lunch. Toph had once again brought a huge picnic basket and was sharing it with the rest of them, "I'm doing everything right."

"No you aren't," Toph popped a strawberry in her mouth.

"Toph, that's rude. I'm sure Aang will get it eventually," Katara said.

"Well, you aren't going to learn earthbending if you don't fix the problem. You can meet me after school if you're free, and we could practice."

"Sure. I'm going to plan a school dance with Katara at five o'clock, but I'm free until then."

"Wait a minute. You're planning a school dance?!" Sokka's food almost fell out of his mouth, "Doesn't Azula have to approve all that stuff before the school pays for it?"

"Well," Aang and Katara glanced at each other, "The school's not going to pay for it. We are."

"You don't have any money," Sokka said flatly. Katara sighed.

"I guess we'll figure it out."

~~~

Aang met Toph after school, and they headed towards the pile of boulders.

"So what is that I'm doing wrong?" he asked.

"Easy, you're thinking like an airbender when you should be thinking like an earthbender."

"But you haven't even seen me earthbend before!" Aang protested.

"I don't need to see you earthbend, because you act like an airbender in all aspects of your life, including," Toph grinned, "Your love life."

"What are you talking about?! What does my nonexistent love life have to do with earthbending."

"It'll have something to do with your homework."

"Wait... There's homework?!"

Toph took the whole 'tutor' thing very seriously. From 3:30 to 4:30 that day she showed Aang how to have an earthbender mentality. She threw rocks at him, yelled at him, and belittled him, and it wasn't exactly fun. At the end of their afternoon they sat on top of pile of boulders and talked.

"So, do you think you learned anything, Twinkle Toes?" Toph asked.

Aang shrugged, "Not really. I'm just really really sore."

"Stop acting like such a baby and listen up. Your homework tonight doesn't involve any physical exertion whatsoever. First of all, since you're seeing Katara today, tell her I'm going to get my parents to pay for your school dance."

"Really? That's great!," Aang paused, "Is that it?" Toph laughed.

"No, your real homework is to tell Katara how you feel about her."

"Wait... I don't like K-Katara in that way," Aang started fidgeting nervously.

"You know I can tell you're lying," Toph smirked, "And you don't think I haven't noticed how your heart rate goes up every time you and Katara are in the same room together."

Aang sighed, "Ok, maybe I am in love with Katara, but I don't how I would ever tell her, and I don't want to ruin our friendship if she doesn't feel the same way."

"Look, Twinkle Toes, the best way to become an earthbender is to think like one. If I were you, I would go right up to Katara and tell her how I feel, and between you and me, her heart rate isn't exactly steady when she's around you either."

"I guess, but Katara has said she's a hopeless romantic and-"

"No buts! Class dismissed!"

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Aang soon arrived at Katara's apartment with Appa in tow, and gulped. Did Katara really feel the same way. She probably didn't. Before he went in, he decided to take off his hat and shoved it into his backpack. People had said he looked better with hair.

"Aang. You've been standing out here for ages. Come in!" It was Katara.

"Oh! Um, yeah! I'll come in!" Aang had been to her apartment before. It was small, but it felt warm and comforting. Katara and Sokka's grandmother stood by the stove, and was cooking something that smelled delicious.

"You should stay for dinner," Katara remarked, "I don't think there's any meat on the menu tonight." Aang thanked her and they went into the living room. Pages of notebook paper were sprawled across the coffee table, with ideas for school events.

"Um, Katara?"

"Yeah Aang?" she plopped onto the couch and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Before we start, I need to tell you something," Aang looked at Katara. She was the most amazing person that he had ever met, and he was truly, truly in love with her. If she didn't feel the same way, their friendship wouldn't be the same, and Aang wasn't sure that he could live with that.

"Um, Toph said she would get her parents to pay for the school dance," he found himself saying. Katara seemed almost... disappointed for a moment, but then she was smiling brightly.

"Aang, that's amazing! That means we can schedule for march instead of May! I'm thinking it should be outside, fairy lights, we can get the Jasmine Dragon to cater..." Aang sighed. Should he have told her? No, he decided. He knew that he would tell her soon, but he would do it on his own terms, not Toph's, or anyone else's.

~~~

"So did you tell her?" Toph asked the next morning. Aang faced her.

"No." Toph raised her eyebrows. "It wasn't the right time, but I will tell her soon, and you can't bully me into telling her when I'm not ready!"

Toph smiled, "That's fine. Now earthbend."

"What?"

"Twinkle Toes, I never expected you to tell Katara how you felt. You're too much of a wimp for that," Aang frowned at this, but stayed silent, "But you acted like an earthbender just now, and I respect that. So earthbend already, and get out of my hair." Aang didn't know why or how it happened, but he planted his feet in the ground, perfected his stance, and to his surprise, the boulder in front of him lurched forward.

"I- I did it!"

"Yes, you did it," Toph said dryly, "but just because you can earthbend now doesn't mean you aren't going to confess to Katara."

Aang nodded, "I think I just need to build up my confidence."

"Well that," Toph said, "Is going to take all year." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a packet of gum. She handed some to Aang before heading off in the opposite direction, humming some nameless tune all the way there.

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