Senior Year

I slumped in my seat during Mrs. Vols class, relishing the high I was on from the past few days.  Everything was going smooth as could be.  The date with Mako was a success, because you know I can pick out some really nice clothes, and I had a great feeling that it was going to get even better.  Classes were as easy as could be for my senior year.  Turned out that my favorite classes ended up being Shop, of course, and the two classes I had with Korra, Language and Math.  She’s becoming more comfortable to be around.  It’s great to hear her laugh…God Asami, could you be any more of a flirting idiot?  You’re practically officially/not officially dating Mako now!  QUIT FAWNING OVER KORRA!  YOU DON’T ROLL THAT WAY!

I shook my head as Korra entered the room.  She smiled as she took her seat next to mine and proceeded to pull out her homework.

“You’re extremely happy looking,” she commented as she dug through her bag for a pencil.

I shrugged and smiled. “Mako’s meeting my dad tonight, and I have a surprise lined up for him.”

Korra managed to find a pencil and put it on her desk before turning her attention to me. “Oh?  Do tell,” she said, a mischievous smile on her face.

I rolled my eyes and leaned forward. “You’re getting just as bad as Opal is in regards to trying to hide your true intentions, Ms. Spark.”

Korra laughed and shrugged. “That’s what you get what I hang out with you guys for five days straight, Ms. Sato.”

I smiled at her laugh, handing up my homework when Mrs. Vols called for it.  I flipped through my notebook to the next clean page, writing down today’s date on the top corner for future reference. “So how’s the practices going?”

Korra shrugged.  After attending a couple of the bending team practices with Opal and I, Kuvira had suggested that Korra practice with them.  Korra didn’t waste a minute taking up her offer, and she had been practicing with them every practice since.

“Why don’t you stop by later today?  Kuvira’s changing up the practice today, so it might be interesting watching Hasook get the shit kicked out of him,” she suggested, a smile on her face.

I rolled my eyes.  Ever since she had joined, Hasook had worked a bit harder to out duel her for the waterbender spot on the junior varsity, but everyone could see that he was literally no match for Korra.  I mean, how hard was it to see that the most talented one deserved the spot, even if it was on the junior varsity?...I’m doing it again.  Damn it!

It wasn’t until my internal monologue was finished that I noticed Korra staring at me, waiting for an answer. “Uh…sure!  Why not,” I said, smiling at her.  Smooth, Asami.  Real smooth.

Korra smiled that smile that always made me feel weird as she turned her attention back to class.  I tried to do the same but found that it was useless.  My stomach was churning as my brain battled itself in wanting to think about that smile and reminding me that I was practically dating Mako.  It’s not like I like her that way.  She just…makes me feel really weird, especially when she smiles that one smile.  Which, thinking about it, she only does for me…STOP IT.  You’re with Mako; hell, you’ve had the biggest crush on him since the moped accident, and you’ve been waiting FOREVER to finally date him, which is happening right now!  She’s just a friend, Asami.  JUST A FRIEND.

Before I knew it, I had subconsciously drawn a name at the top of my open page.  I didn’t know how to feel about it as I looked at it.  I knew what my mind was telling me, but the rest of me?  Not so much.  Because at the top of the page, in very flowery letters, I had written Korra Spark.  I quickly switched to the next page in my book before Korra could have seen it, hopefully.  I hadn’t missed much of the notes that Mrs. Vols, so I quickly wrote down the ones she currently had up on the board.  Maybe this would help take my mind off of the internal conflict.  Of course, becoming so focused in my attempt to work on the notes caused me to miss that ever so cute smile Korra had on her face as she watched me before returning her attention to class.

The rest of the day flew by, and before I knew it, I was standing outside the locker room with Opal as we waited for Korra to catch up to us.  Mr. Arlin had asked her to stick around at the end of the class to ask her something.  I don’t care if it’s only been a few days, he still gives me the creeps.  I was deep in my I-don’t-like-Arlin thoughts when Korra sped around a corner and headed towards us.

“Sorry!  I didn’t mean to keep you waiting,” she said, not at all out of breath from the sprint.

Opal smiled. “We’re not the ones you should be apologizing to.  Vee’s already inside, so you better hurry.  You don’t want to be doing planks while everyone else is having fun, now do you?”

Korra nodded and sped into the locker room.  I shook my head as Opal and I turned to head towards the spectator’s bleachers.  We had begun the climb to our usual seats when the team came out of their respective locker rooms.  We saw Kuvira exit first with Korra right behind her, no doubt explaining why she was late to practice.  I looked up at the farther door as Mako and Bolin exited.  I smiled, waving at Mako, who returned the wave and smile.

“You two are getting pretty close,” Opal commented.

I kept my eyes on Mako as everyone gathered in a circle around Kuvira to stretch. “I hope so; he’s meeting Dad tonight after all.”

Opal leaned forward onto her knees. “Right, right.  So, you going to tell me about this surprise or not?”

I rolled my eyes. “Still trying to get it out of me, huh Opal?” I said, pulling out my camera out of my bag.

“Well you won’t tell me!  Usually you’ve had hinted about something or just flat out told me by now.  You’re being too stubborn about it this time,” she said, pouting as she watched me adjust the settings on my camera.

I lined my camera up and took two quick practice shots. “That’s because I want it to be a good surprise tonight.”

Opal huffed in response, leaning her cheek into her palm as we watched Kuvira line everyone who was practicing up into a line.  That got both of our attentions.  I set my camera on my lap as I watched Kuvira count the number of people in the line, a smile playing on her face.  Korra had said that Kuvira was planning something new for practice, but this was beyond different than her usual approaches.  She looked up at us and waved us down.

“She wants us to be closer.  I wonder why,” I said as I gathered my things, keeping my camera out of my bag as I swung it onto my back.  Opal shrugged, as clueless as I was at the moment.

We took our seats on the bench that was closest to the stage.  Kuvira began to walk over to us as I dropped my bag gently beside my feet, a smile wide on her face.

“Asami, did you bring both of your cameras today?” she asked, her helmet twirling on her hand.

I nodded, pulling out the camera I used mainly for video along with its stand. “Course.  You did ask for me to.”

She looked at Opal and asked, “Do you know how to run that camera?” Opal nodded, as confused as I was.

Kuvira smiled at both of us. “Good.  Asami’s got the pictures, and Opal’s got the video,” she said, turning her attention back to the other benders. “Today’s practice is going to focus on one-versus-three combat, seeing as the junior varsity keeps getting themselves into such situations during tournaments.”

Bolin looked down at his feet in embarrassment; Mako narrowed his eyes at Kuvira.  Hasook was…Hassok.  Not even caring when he was called out for something that was usually his fault in the first place.

Ignoring Mako’s glare, Kuvira continued as she made her way back in front of everyone. “Asami was gracious enough to bring her camera to record the battles, which we’ll use to study and get better.  Opal will be running that camera, while Asami will take pictures as she always does at practices.  Any questions?” There were none. “Good.  Now, the first team of three will be the varsity team.  Any volunteers to be the first one up?”

A silence enveloped as the remaining varsity members high-fived each other and moved to Kuvira’s side.  Oh great, she’s going to pick someone to be the first to fall.  And of course, it’ll be Bolin because she absolutely loves to pick on the poor boy.  I was in the midst of telling Opal to be ready for Bolin’s upcoming beat down when a hand was raised in the air.

It was Korra’s, a smile of confidence gracing her face. “If no one else wants to go first, I’ll go,” she said, moving forward out of the line.

Kuvira smirked at Korra. “You sure about that, rookie?  We won’t hold back.”

Korra shrugged then smiled her cocky smile. “Wouldn’t expect you to.  So, are we going to get started or not?”

Opal and I looked at each other in amazement before hastily getting the equipment together and ready.  To take on the defending champions by yourself was nothing short of gutsy to say the least.  To beat them, well that was going to take a miracle.  Mako, Bolin, and Hasook made their way over to us as the lower level of the stage retracted, revealing the pool that laid beneath the stage.

Mako came over to me as he kept his eyes on Korra. “Is she crazy?” he whispered to me.  I shrugged.  Who knew, especially with her.

“Mako!” Kuvira called from their side of the stage, causing Mako to jump. “You’ll be the judge.  Hurry over so we can get this started.”

Mako looked at me, giving me an apologetic look.  I rolled my eyes and smiled, leaning up and kissing his cheek. “Get going before she starts yelling,” I said.

He smiled, a slight blush to his cheeks, as he ran over to the judge’s spot.  I smiled as he ran off before turning my attention to Korra.  My heart thumped hard against my chest at the look I saw on her face before she quickly made it disappear.  It was one of disappointment, of disheartening.  Did I do something wrong?  I’ll have to ask her after practice before I leave.

As Mako began to climb the stairs towards the judge’s spot, Kuvira put her helmet on and began to talk to Korra. “Same rules apply as if this were a real match.  Means you only get to use your waterbending,” she said, a small smirk on her face.

Korra smiled that cocky smile again, putting her helmet on. “Fine with me.  Just try to keep up.”

Irritation ran through Kuvira’s face, and I could hear Opal giggle at the sight.  I couldn’t help but smile.  It was rare for someone to get Kuvira this irritated, especially when it came to bending contests.  Mako had finally reached the judge’s platform, which stood higher so that the entire stage could be seen.

“Benders ready?!” he announced as he looked from side to side.  All contestants nodded. “Begin!”

Everyone took a different stance, but Korra’s was the one I was more interested in.  I had watched her practice before, but this stance was so much different than her typical stance for waterbending.  Her concentration was different as well; it was more focused than usual.  Soon enough, the varsity team began their barrage, led by Kuvira.  They were relentless in their attacks, one of the reasons why they were favored to be repeat champions, but it didn’t seem to phase Korra.

It didn’t take long before she was backed up into the second zone, but the amount of attacks didn’t stop there.  As Korra moved, dodging each attack but not offering a counterattack, it was as if we were watching her float on air.  Each attack was meticulously dodged, but none had given her the opening she was clearly looking for.  Soon enough, the fire and waterbenders for the varsity team were starting to lose steam, and Korra saw her chance to counter.

First she dodge a combined attacked from Kuvira and the waterbender.  She dodged one, landed on her right foot for a second before launching herself into the air to dodge the second attack.  Waterbending the water out of the stage, she threw a hit that landed square into the firebender’s chest, sending her flying backwards into the third zone.

Kuvira and the waterbender upped their attacks to allow for the firebender to recover.  It was as if I was watching Korra perform a dance as she dodged each attack.  Another opening presented itself, and Korra struck the waterbender, sending her backwards into the third zone and tripping up her partner.  Kuvira didn’t relent on her attacks, but the lessened amount of attacks gave Korra enough time to hit the firebender and the waterbender one last time, knocking them both back into the water.

Now it was just Korra and Kuvira.  Attack after attack, counter after counter.  It was as if they could read each other’s thoughts, a dance with two partners that had known each other forever.  I had stopped taking pictures of the battle long before the two varsity players were knocked out, enthralled by the battle that had erupted before me.  Fifteen minutes later, and the battle was still going on, neither side relenting.  They moved from zone to zone, neither getting close enough to the edge to be knocked out quite yet.

Another attack and another counter later found the two breathing hard as they stared at each other with a determination that rivaled the other’s look.  Kuvira was running out of earth plates, and Korra was running out of water to use.  Both sensed it as they began to reengage each other, throwing all they had left at each other.  Attack, then a block.  Another attack, another block.  Back and forth.

Finally, Kuvira was down to her last plate, and Korra was down to her last amount of water.  They both stared at each other intensely before they each shot their respective attacks at the other.  Both shots hit their marks, causing the two benders flying to their respective ends and into the pool.  I couldn’t believe it:  it was a draw!  That was so amazing for Korra to hold her own against Kuvira for that long!

“Wow.  No one’s lasted that long against Vee like ever, let alone end the match in a draw!” Opal breathed in amazement as Korra and Kuvira were both helped out of their respective teammates.

“THAT WAS AMAZING!” I heard Varrick shout from behind me.  I turned and found him and Zhu Li standing on the bleachers, amazement also in their eyes.  When did they get here?

I watched as they sat on the stage to catch their breaths, Varrick clapping like a wild man and Zhu Li staring at Korra clapping slowly as she tried to process the end of the match.  The junior varsity were ecstatically congratulating Korra, while the varsity knelt beside Kuvira, worry on their brows.  Korra smiled at the compliments; Kuvira watched her with a neutral face that was calculating.  Then a smile appeared on her face.

“Well done, Korra.  I seem to have underestimated you,” she said, her smile transforming into a smirk.

Korra smirked back. “Same to you, Kuv.”

They stood on their own, approaching each other and shook hands.  To say that to Korra took a hit to Kuvira’s pride, I was sure, but Korra deserved it.  That was so…amazing and…and…wow.

The rest of practice went on as expected, even with Korra and Kuvira not at their best.  The junior varsity, excluding Korra, got their asses handed to them when it was their turns, and the varsity easily knock the competition into the water when it came to their individual turns.  It came to no one’s surprise when Kuvira began to yell at Hasook for his lack of engagement in practice, which he in turn brushed off.  He’s never going to change.

After practice, I was waiting for Mako to come out of the locker room when Korra exited the girls’ locker room first.  I ran over and hugged her close. “That was so amazing, Korra!” I told her, pulling away slightly to look at her reaction. “Where’d you learn to move like that?”

She blushed and hugged me back before releasing me. “It was nothing, really.  I’ve been working with an airbending teacher, Tenzin, and he’s been pushing for me to be more focused.  I guess it just started to click during practice,” she said softly.

I smiled. “Well that was some focus then,” I said as I adjusted my book bag, heavier due to my camera equipment, on my back, starting to turn back towards my waiting spot when she spoke up again.

“Um, Asami…can I ask you a question?” she asked just as softly.

I turned to face her. “Yeah; what’s up?”

Her cheeks started to turn a shade of light red, and she looked down at her feet. “Well, they’re doing this gala next week, and I was-“ she began to say when Mako burst out of the locker room.

“Hey sorry!  I didn’t realize what time it was until I put my stuff away.  If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss that meeting with your dad before the reservation,” he said as he jogged over to me, kissing my cheek as he reached me.

I looked at my phone.  Shit!  We gotta run!  I looked at Korra. “I’m sorry, but we have to go.  I’ll call you tonight, and you can ask me again.  I’m sorry!” I said as I grabbed Mako’s hand and began to run towards the front doors and towards my car.  But it bothered me, A LOT actually, that Mako interrupted our conversation.  I could only hope that Korra would ask me again when I called her later tonight.