Chapter 4

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Chapter 4 We've finally landed and we're setting up camp for the night. I can't wait to go to sleep! What's Toph doing? We're all setting things up and she's stretched out on her back, relaxing. I can't believe she–okay, Katara, wait, calm down. She's not used to being in a group. She's always been a loner. Just explain to her how we work and I'm sure she'll pitch right in. "So, Toph, usually when setting up camp we try to divide up the work." "Hey, don't worry about me," she replied. Worried? Can she possibly be this clueless? "Actually, some of us fetch water, while others set up the fire pit, or put up the tent." "Katara, I'm fine," she said impatiently. "I can carry my own weight. I don't need a fire, I already collected my own food, and look"–SWOOSH–"my tent's all set up." Unbelievable! This is NOT okay; she's part of this group now. She has to pitch in. "That's great for YOU. But we still need to finish–" "What's the problem here?!" Now she's giving me attitude! It's time to tell her

just how selfish she's being–but wait, Aang needs her. I can't run her off. Just calm down and walk away. "Never mind." Okay, you're calm; it's time to make peace. "Hey, Toph, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I think we're all just a little tired and getting on each other's nerves." "Yeah, you do seem pretty tired." HMPH! She is just infuriating. She won't admit that she was wrong. She just turns it back on me. "I meant ALL of us were tired!" I'm so frustrated, I could scream! Now she's slipping into her tent like nothing happened. We might have to travel together, but we don't have to be friends. It's unfortunate, because it would have been nice to have another girl to talk to, even though she's not that girly. But this was her choice, not mine. I had just fallen asleep when Toph woke us up. "There's something coming toward us!" she cried. Her hands were pressed against the ground, feeling the vibrations of whatever it was. So we took off. Now that we're up on Appa, we can see something steaming across the land, chugging out smoke. Is it following us?

Finally, a safe-looking spot to set up camp. Let's see if Toph cares to help this time around. "See you guys in the morning," said Toph. I guess that's a no, then. She's sprawling out again, like some kind of princess. "Actually, Toph, can you help us unload?" "You need me to help unload Sokka's funky- smelling sleeping bag?" "Well, yeah," I said. "And everything else. You're a part of the team now, and–" "Look, I didn't ask you to help unload my stuff. I'm carrying my own weight." Well, I don't care if she IS Aang's teacher–she's got to start acting like part of this team. "That's not the point. Ever since you joined us, you've been nothing but selfish and unhelpful!" "Look here, Sugar Queen. I gave up everything I had to teach Aang Earthbending, so don't talk to me about being selfish!" "Sugar Queen!" How rude! I can't believe her. SHE'S the one who grew up in a rich mansion with two living parents who love her and protect her, and I'M the Sugar Queen? I grew up in ice huts, my mother was captured and my father left to go to war! And I've been fighting the Fire Nation for the past year. What has SHE done? Competing in secret

Earthbending competitions doesn't make you tough, sweetheart. Facing a war does. UGH! She is the most maddening person I've ever met. I'm just asking her to do her fair share. She's acting like it's some great imposition and– Okay, Katara, once again, you're way too wound up. She's not worth it. You know you're not a Sugar Queen, you know how strong and brave you've been. Don't let her tear you down. Just calm down… deep breaths. "That thing is back," Toph called out. I guess we have bigger problems than Toph's selfishness. That thing IS following us. Time to head out… again. The tank thing followed us up this cliff. Aang wants to see who they are and what they want. The tank is opening.… It looks like three girls, riding on mongoose-dragons. Hey! "It's those three girls from Omashu!" "We can take them!" Toph announced. The three riders charged toward us. Toph put up a thick wall of rock to stop them, but one of the girls blasted the wall open with fire that looked like lightning! She is one powerful bender. We're way too exhausted to fight these girls. Time to get going,

again.… "Appa can't keep flying forever," Aang said. Just then Appa crashed down in a clearing. "We've put a lot of distance between us and those girls, so let's get some sleep," Sokka said, collapsing to the ground. "We could have gotten some sleep earlier if Toph didn't have such issues," I pointed out. "What?!" she shrieked. Must have hit a nerve. "All right, everyone's exhausted. Let's just get some rest," Aang said. "No, I want to hear what Katara has to say. You think I have issues?" "If you had helped, we could have set up our camp faster and gotten some sleep." "You're blaming ME for this?" Toph asked in disbelief. "No, no," Aang chimed in. "She's not blaming you." "Yes, I am blaming her!" And I'm right. This needs to be settled if we're going to be a team. "Hey, I never asked you for anything," Toph shot