The Next Avatar (On Hold)

Chapter 11

I stand in front of everyone, my hands gripping tightly at my robes. On my shoulder is Mio. After saving him and nursing him back to health, I decided to name him. Not being good with names, I figured a simple name was best. Time to go. Conner runs up to me, his small arms wrapping around me tightly. "Don't go O!" He cries. I wrap my arms around him, bringing him closer and leaning down to kiss his forehead softly.

It's been 2 weeks after the incident with Andrew, and although I want to say I've completely forgotten him, I haven't. I stare at Wei and Wing. The two brothers I never had. Then look back down at Conner. Tears slip from his eyes as he begins to cry. I gently stroke his hair and try to comfort him.

I knew Conner had taken a liking to me and wanted to be friends, but I didn't know he had formed such a strong attachment. I felt bad. So bad I almost thought of staying. It wasn't right of me to show up in his life, tell him I'd be his friend, and then just leave. I have to come back soon.

Opal sees my internal struggle and quickly comes to my rescue. She walks towards us and places her hand on Conners shoulder. "Olive promises she'll come back. She has to do a few things before she can officially be with us." He nods and wipes his face. "Promise you'll come back!" I smile and pat his head. "I promise."

He steps away sadly allowing Opal, Kali, and Bolin to say goodbye. After saying goodbye to them, Huan and the twins walk up to me. "When you come back I'll be sure to greet you properly. I'll even give you a suprise if you can make it back in less then 3 months." Huan chuckles, giving me a quick hug. I nod.

I haven't talked much because I feel as if I will choke on air if I speak. My emotions will get the best of me and before you know it, I'll be sobbing like a small child. I can't cry in front of them. Wei and Wing each give me a hug and wish me luck. "Oh man. I'm really gonna miss you! Having Opal as a sister is terrible." Wei sighs

"It's too bad we can't switch her out." Wing adds on chuckling. I chuckle softly before I hear Suyins voice call out. "Enough you two. How many times must I remind you that you are no longer tennagers!" They laugh before heading back towards Opal and Huan. Suyin sighs before smiling lightly.

"I swear, they never act their age. No wonder their wives left them." My eyes widen slightly. "They were both married?" She nods. "Yes, they both have children as well. Unfortunately, they don't get to see them very often."  I never really pictured Wei or Wing as fathers. I don't want to ask anymore then I should, so I nod briefly.

"I'm glad you found us Olive. I really am. I hope you will succeed in your mission and come back to us quickly." I smile "I-I'll come back as soon as I can." She nods.

"Make sure you do your job, young Avatar."

~Flashback~

The door shut behind us as we all walked inside the house. After thanking Wei and Wing for taking me out to eat, I trudged up
to my room to take a shower and get some sleep. When I had finished my shower and was just about to jump into bed, I heard a light knock on my door. I had opened my door to find Suyin standing there with a tray in her hands.

"I'm sorry, I know it's late but I thought you would like some tea. It was pretty cold out there tonight." She smiles. I nod. "I-It's fine. Thank you." We sit down on my bed and she begins preparing our drinks. "I just thought you needed a friend to talk to. I heard about what happend with Andrew." I tense when she begins to mention him.

Handing me the hot cup of tea she continues "I understand how hard this must be for you. Your only friend attempted to kill you. Not everyone could handle it the way you are now." I nod, my hands gripping the cup so tight, it's almost painful. After a few minutes of silence Suyins speaks again.

"Olive, why are you putting up a wall against me. If you keep your emotions pinned up in a bottle it'll only make it worse. It's okay to be sad. It's okay to cry." No...it's not. It's not okay. A part of me wants to tell her how I'm feeling while the other part wants to stay protected behind the wall. But in the end, I give in.

I feel the tears slide down my face as I tell her the thoughts and feelings I'm dealing with. Maybe I'm just being overdramatic. It's not like I knew Andrew that long. The embarrassment of crying in front of Suyin is almost overwhelming. To open up and show weakness. She must think I'm pathetic.

I told her everything. By the time I was done, I was a red puffy mess. Suyin rubbed my back the whole time, similar to how a mother would if their child fell and scraped their knee. After I was calmed down, I looked over to see a light frown on Suyins face. "W-What's wrong?" I asked, my voice sounding a bit hoarse. "You said he claimed you were the Avatar, right?"

"Yeah, he did." I reply. "How did he find out?" She sighs. I frown. "What are you talking about?" She looks over at me, then pulls a crinkled white envelope out of her pocket. "This is a letter from my mother. Of course it was sent here 5 years ago. I believe you were about 11 then. "My mouth drops open. "That's...from Toph?" I say staring at the crinkled piece of paper in front of me.

"Yes." She replies. "In here is a letter describing that she had found the avatar. It states how the young girl she's been looking after has finally started showing potential in bending other elements. Of course, she knew you were the Avatar the moment she found you in the desert." She chuckles softly.

My heart begins to speed up. W-What? First Andrew and now her. She studies my face intently. "W-What are you talking about!" I jump up quickly. "Not just anyone could survive in the desert as long as you did."

"Olive, you are the Avatar."

~End of Flashback~