a/n: I've been neglecting Taang. It's so awesome, I really should write about it more.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE SECOND EPISODE, "THE HEADBAND".
You've been warned. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea.

-x-

They were dancing.

It wasn't like the sound of a million feet stomping and echoing through her eardrums were enough, but even far worse than that, was the thumping of their racing hearts.

Sitting numbly at the earth table she had created herself, she sipped her punch as her chin rested in her palm.

The drink tasted sour.

All the noise was driving her crazy, all the way to the point she was ready to scream and rip her hair out. Twinkletoes had the idea of having a dance party for his classmates, and it was starting to seem like the worst mistake ever. Should they have listened to Sokka? She was starting to agree. Every single time he leaned near those girls, and every single time those girls giggled and blushed, and every single time Sugar Queen frowned and blushed along with them, and every single time he leaped into the air, she grimaced.

Toph hated the churning feeling in her stomach.

She blamed the punch.

Alone, and terribly bored, she sat at the table. Holding the punch in one hand, she barely noticed when Sokka excused himself to get some more snacks. Or to check out one of the older girls in the corner, she didn't really care. Feet planted firmly on the ground, she carefully watched every action that belonged Twinkletoes. It was hard, it really was, with all those people dancing (with terrible rhythm, Toph thought) as she bit her lip. But she did it.

After all, nobody but her could determine Aang's light and fluffy footsteps a mile away.

Each time he flipped into the air, his feet lifting from the ground, she would hold her breath.

Toph wasn't able to see him, and it scared her. But he would always come back down to earth, gravity pulling him down (or was it because she was staring at him so hard?) and she was able to breathe again. Impressed giggles from those snotty girls made her scowl into her punch, as she continued to watch him.

It wasn't until she saw him come toward Sugar Queen, when she felt her heart stop.

"Take my hand."

And when she did, Toph frowned.

They were united, dancing in perfect unison. Even if she couldn't see it like the others, it felt…beautiful. The crowd stopped and began to watch. From behind, she could feel Sokka rolling his eyes, and if she could, she would have done the same.

Something burned through her veins, something felt heavy in her throat as she turned her head away. Tightening her grip around the cup (why me? why me?) she let out a low sigh.

It hurt.

They were dancing, and it hurt her.

Even during the loud party, with nearly every guest dancing and stomping their feet, their heartbeats were the loudest of them all. Racing, speeding, heating up when they were near each other. It exploded in Toph's ears, causing her to shake her head and hold her breath. The sound of Sugar Queen's and Twinkletoe's thump, thump, thumping hearts drilled against her cracked heart.

During the middle of the dance, the one where they seemed so happy and complete, their faces had neared so close to each other she could have sworn they were going to kiss.

Toph dropped her cup when it happened.

Back on Appa's back, after the (terrible) party, she sat next to him and wanted to scream a single question at him.

Why didn't you dance with me?

But all she did was listen to his thumping heart when Katara kissed him on the cheek.