Last Summer

Korra didn’t know what to think. Most Friday nights, Korra liked to go out with “the crew”. It wasn’t like she normally stayed in on such a nice summer evening. One where all the stars seemed to want to play and the wind is just warm enough to not need a jacket. But especially after everything that has happened this year, she needed a day in the summer to herself. Ever since the last day of classes, it had been a lot of partying, getting drunk, catching up with old friends. And then there were finals, which was a nightmare she didn’t want to revisit. Honestly, Korra was exhausted after all of that.

The crew went to the lake near their old high school, something that they had always done in their senior year of high school. For old times sake. And of course, Asami was going to be there like she always had been. Asami who could take on the world, Asami who was top student of her faculty, Asami who broke up with Korra. Things were fine between them but it was still hard sometimes. Korra couldn’t really trust herself to drink and not do something stupid. So she decided that this is for the best and that Naga can be the body that warms her tonight.

Besides, this wasn’t so bad.

“Naga, move! This is the best scene!” The giant white dog stares at her owner blankly and Korra resorts to physically nudging her massive fluffy butt. Which her faithful dog interprets as a command to sit and complies easily. Korra groans, the screen of her TV effectively blocked while one of the two most gayest characters in the world finally kiss. It was a real tragedy. Naga wags her tail and barks at Korra, demanding praise for her compliance. Korra opts to falling sideways onto her couch and burying her face into a pillow, trying to block out the noises of her two gaybies kissing.

“I hate everything.” Naga whines in response and Korra only offers a glare. They were all probably already thoroughly drunk and all having a lot of fun, reliving old high school memories. Maybe Mako and Asami were even hooking up. Not like that bothered Korra at all. Nope. They could live their life however they wanted.

“Maybe I should go out and get some wine or something. I still can’t believe mom and dad drank everything…” Korra got up to check the pantry once more, making sure that all the booze in the house was effectively gone. Naga grunts.

“I’m not an alcoholic Naga. If anyone’s the alcoholic here, it's you. I bet you’re the reason that everything's gone.” Naga barks in response and leaves Korra in the kitchen alone, what dog was going to take these verbal accusations passively? Not this dog. Korra almost feels lonely.

“Great, now I’m actually talking to myself.” Korra mumbles to herself. Truly, the only way to get some relief from this isolation was to go to the liquor store and get something for herself. It wasn’t cold so Korra just grabbed the car keys and got into her blue pick-up truck with Naga in the back. It’s not like she could actually leave her only companion home alone to suffer the same fate.

It really was a perfect night. Even with all the windows rolled down, the temperature was perfect and summer nights here were always a little brighter than they should be. While Korra was away for University, this was what she missed. Driving on empty streets at night, that silence, that feeling of content and peace. Since it was summer, there was that smell of cut grass and flowers everywhere. There was no such thing as an empty street back at her University, it was always moving, something was always awake, something was always lurking. And there was always something to do. A paper to write, an email to read, someone to talk to. But here, everything was perfect and still. It was the best place to come back to after a hectic first year at University. The only thing missing was that warm hand on her leg, that sweet smell of vanilla with a hint of oil, those vibrant green eyes that flashed in the dark no matter what. Those bright red lips that could spark a fire in Korra’s soul. That voice that could tame the darkest seas that raged in Korra’s head. That kiss that could bring Korra’s body back to life.

Korra didn’t turn to her right. She knew what she was looking for wasn’t there anymore.

It didn’t take that long to get to the liquor store even though Korra took the long way around. As soon as she parked her phone rung for the first time that night. It lit up her dashboard like a beacon against the dark glass. It was a perfect reflection and Korra could read that even from here that it was from her. Korra had to tell herself that they were all drunk and that alcohol is capable of turning geniuses into bumbling idiots. The phone kept ringing. Naga shifted in the back. The fluorescent light bulbs from the liquor store flickered.

Korra breathed, and picked up her phone.

“Hello?”

“Heeyyyyyyy wonderful ex! Have I ever told you that you’re the best ex that I’ve ever had??” Korra ignored the sharp pain that rung through her body.

“Asami, you’re drunk.” Korra hoped that Asami couldn’t hear her heart thumping in her chest, threatening to break out and kill her.

“No, no nonoono. You’re nurt litsening to me.” Asami was slurring every possible syllable together and she was acting like a child. Korra had to laugh at that.

“I am, and you’re very very very drunk.” Korra could almost see her pouting. There was a bit of commotion and distant protests from Asami before her voice was replaced by a deeper and definitely more sober voice.

“Korra?” It was a little disorienting. There was nothing more confusing than being on the other end of chaos.

“Uhm, hi? Is that you Bolin?”

“Oh, of course she called you.” Bolin sounded exasperated and Korra instantly sympathized. Hearing her friend's voice alone made her regret choosing to stay back at home.

“Bolin, it’s fine. Did you guys need something?”

“Yea, actually. We’re short one seat, Varrick showed up later with a bunch of people and now he’s puking everywhere so he can’t drive everyone back. Can you come to the lake and take someone?” There was distant shouting and Bolin didn’t wait for Korra to reply. “Okay, thanks! I gotta go.” And the line went dead. How many times had Korra heard that beeping coming from this phone number and left feeling like a hollow, broken machine.

Korra glanced wistfully at the bright glitter of rows and rows of inexpensive alcohol just two meters from where she sat. If there was any point in the night where she needed a glass of red or white or anything, it was right now. A small voice in the back of her head told her it was a bad idea, which sounded a lot like Asami herself, so Korra turned the ignition and just drove away.

The drive to the lake was nostalgic. Since moving back, Korra hadn’t been back there. How many times had Korra driven this same path during her high school years, she couldn’t even begin to count. Memories had tied themselves to the black concrete and looming trees. Kisses, long talks, sunsets.

When she got there, it looked like some people had already left with their own methods, only Mako, Bolin and Asami were left. Seeing them sitting on the curb waiting... How many times had they all piled into this truck and sung to radio songs? It had just been the four of them and the rest of the world. They were always so invincible to the strings that seemed to be attached to everyone else.

Naga jumped out the back before Korra could even get out, greeting her old friends with vigor. Bolin stood, walking up to Korra with a sheepish look on his face and Korra immediately didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“Uhm so my car is full already and Asami is really insistent on riding with you.” Asami and Mako were on the ground laughing, knocked over by Naga who was eagerly licking their faces. Asami who’s drunk and not thinking properly. Asami who broke up with Korra. Asami who still looks beautiful even with her messy hair and smudged make up.

Fuck.

“Bolin…” Korra wavers and Bolin knows it.

“C’mon Korra. I know that this is hard I mean… I remember exactly what it feels like for someone to break up with me.” Korra winced at that but Bolin wouldn’t let her look away, his olive eyes brimming with understanding. Not a hint of malice or envy, just compassion. His large hand landed on her shoulder and he squeezed it. “I know you’ve been avoiding her but you guys need to talk. It’s been months. She wants--no needs to talk to you. It might help.” Korra took in a deep breath.

“Okay fine.” It was barely a mumble but Bolin gave her an enthusiastic smile anyway.

“Just call me if you need me okay?” He took her shoulder and gently pushed her towards Asami and Mako. Naga seemed to finished greeting Mako and Asami, now with her whole torso across the both of them in a mess of bodies and limbs. It was hard to tell where one of them started and where one of them ended.

“Naga! Come!” As always, Naga came to Korra as readily as she always had and bounded up to her owner as eagerly as she had to Korra’s friends. Bolin gave her a sympathetic smile that still looked a little sheepish while carting off a drunk Mako. She couldn’t help but feel like he was plotting something and then she remembered who Bolin was. Bolin would never do that.

After Asami and Naga were secured in the car, Korra let Asami sit in there by herself a little bit. Hoping she would sober up even a little bit. She watched Bolin’s headlights disappear into the darkness, the sound of gravel crunching under his tire fading into the distance. All that was left was the lapping of the water and the sound of her engine running. It was like she was back on the street, in a state of stillness except with an astounding feeling of brevity settling in the space between her ribcage and lungs. In the clearing, she could see the moon and stars reflected on the surface of the lake, surrounded by dark trees hiding the secrets of the earth. Korra made sure all the coals in the fire were stomped out and headed back to her car, the lake behind her and only the road to travel back on. Korra thought for a moment that things could start and end so quickly.

Asami was half asleep when Korra got into the car. Her leather jacket lay across her lap as a makeshift blanket, shirt rolling off her shoulders, silky fabric slipping off the swell of her chest. Korra swallowed thickly. She briefly wondered why Asami chose such an expensive looking shirt to wear. Asami’s head was lolling around, listening to music no one else could hear, dark wavy hair curtaining her face from the bright car lights. Korra fingered her own ponytail, not as wavy and silky as Asami’s was. Her hair was damaged and rough from swimming in a chlorine pool, a consequence of being in the swim club. Korra tucked back a strand of hair to see Asami’s face, brushing a knuckle against that smooth olive skin, making Asami stirr. Korra froze and drew in a sharp intake of air. Emerald eyes peeked out from under her lashes, glazed with sleep and inhibited by her drinking.

“Korra.” It was just a soft murmur, a little slurred, but Korra fell right back into that familiar mold she had always belonged in high school. Asami sounded as quiet as the night surrounding them, nothing but the endless sky and mysterious forest to pay witness to this moment. Asami turned inward, her red lips brushing against knuckles she knew so well, lips ajar as if she were to spill all her secrets to that hand. Korra didn’t know if it was on purpose or if it was an accident. As still as the lake, Korra became a reflection of the starry night sky.

“Asami?” Eon’s might’ve passed. The earth could have died and been reborn again, Korra wouldn’t have know. It might’ve been forever and Korra wouldn’t have known. The apocalypse could start and Korra wouldn’t care. If things could be like this forever, she wouldn’t mind. But Naga shifted, her claws clicking against aluminum and Korra knew she couldn’t stay like this for that long. Hand cupped around Asami’s neck, Korra gently pushed her so her head was pressed against the truck window, just to get a better look at her, to evoke a response from Asami’s numbed lips.

Korra scoffed. Asami wasn’t just half asleep, she was knocked out cold. Korra’s shoulder relaxed and she started heading back down that dark road, only the sound of Asami’s breathing and gravel crunching to accompany her.

“Let’s get you back home.”