"There you are, Korra! I've got some... um.. news," Tenzin announced in a slightly nervous tone.
"What is it?" Korra asked as one of her eyebrows raised in suspicion.
"President Raiko is in the process of issuing a new law. It would require anyone from the ages of five to twenty-five to attend an education center that will be called school."
"What?! Why would he do that?" Korra's face went from confused to aggravated instantly. She just restored the city's damage from Kuvira's attack and finally had some down time. Now she had to attend some educational center?
"A lot of the parents are actually in agreement, I'm afraid. It looks like you'll be starting school in about two weeks if Raiko's plans go through."
"Does everyone know about this?"
"No. A few higher-ups of the city know, but word hasn't gotten around to everyone yet. The word should be out in no time with all of the journalists snooping around, though."
"I've got to go tell Mako and Bolin."
With that, Tenzin nodded his head in an understanding manner and left Korra by herself. She headed towards her room and shut the door behind herself. Then, she stripped out of her pajamas and threw on her typical water tribe get up. She stood in front of the mirror, and ran her fingers through her short hair. She actually missed her long hair suprisingly. It had grown a little bit since she defeated Kuvira, but it was still too short to put it in a ponytail. She sighed at the memory of that night and a few mistakes that she needed to fix. After she was done getting lost in her own thoughts, she put her brown fur boots on an ran out the door.
Korra wasn't sure where to find Bolin. Mako was at work, but Bolin didn't have a job since he stopped working for Kuvira. Korra decided to find Mako first; he might even know where Bolin is.
The avatar was just in time for the ferry. It was about to leave as soon as she was aboard. After the ferry reached it's destination, Korra slowly exited it behind the other passengers. She took off for the police station. She wondered what would happen to Mako's job as a police officer if Raiko went through with his new law. A familiar voice broke her thoughts.
"Oh what do we have here? Is that the uh-vatar?" Tahno smirked as Korra turned around and looked at him with a slightly annoyed face.
"Haven't seen you in awhile, pretty boy," Korra smirked.
"Maybe we'll be seeing more of each other pretty soon. I heard the president is starting up some kind of forced education center."
"How did you hear about that?" Korra raised her eyebrows in shock.
"All of the current pro-benders know. They're going to incorporate pro-bending into the school some how," Tahno said in an uninterested voice. He looked up into Korra's eyes and smirked. "You still banging that Sato girl?"
"What?! You're such a pig!"
"It was only a question, uh-vatar. I never saw you as the lesbian type," Tahno smirked and creepily looked into Korra's eyes.
Korra looked down and sighed. "That's probablly because I'm not."
"What?" Tahno's voice actually seemed to show interest for once. He was suprised by her words. "Aren't you dating her?"
"I can't talk about this right now, Tahno. I'm busy," Korra mumbled as she walked past the tall waterbender.
Korra got back to walking towards the police station. Korra's head was filled with mistakes she had made again. A lot of people were looking at Korra as she walked. Korra had gotten used to being in the limelight a long time ago. When Korra reached the steps heading into the station, she slowly opened the door. She didn't want to interrupt Mako at work, but she was too impatient to hold off on telling him the bad news.
"Korra?" A voice close to Korra's heart called out.
Korra looked over to where the voice came from. Mako was sitting down at a desk looking at Korra with a smile. Korra and Mako had become a lot closer after they defeated Kuvira. Korra was glad that they were out of their awkward stage, and back to being close with each other.
"Hey, Mako! Have you heard the news?"
"If you're referring to the new school then yes. I've heard." Mako said in a tone that made it clear that he didn't really like the idea of it.
"So what's going to happen to your job?"
"I don't need it anymore. The school provides everyone with a place to stay and food."
"A place to stay?" Korra's face was confused for about the millionth time that day.
"I'm guessing you haven't heard all of the details yet."
"Nope. I guess the avatar isn't important enough to be filled in on this stuff," Korra said bitterly.
Mako chuckled at Korra's expression. "Well just let me be the one to fill you in then," Mako smiled.
"That would be nice," Korra returned his smile.
"Okay, well, we're all getting dorm rooms. All student's will have a curfew, but president Raiko hasn't set that yet. No one can be out past that curfew, or there will be consequences I guess."
"Wait, what?! No one told me that we would be living at this educational center. When is Raiko going to release this information?"
"I'd say it won't be much longer. It could be tomorrow or the next day."
"Damn.. this is crazy! Does Bolin know about this yet?"
"Yeah, I told him about it just a little bit ago. He was actually pretty excited about it. We're going to Narook's in a bit to talk since today's my last day of work. You should come, too," Mako smiled.
"I don't know.." Korra looked down.
"Asami won't be there; don't worry."
"You know me too well, city boy. Okay, yeah that sounds fun. When are we going?"
"It'll be less than an hour. You should just stick around here. Bolin is coming here to pick us up."
"Okay. So what are you working on?"
"Nothing. I'm just gathering my belongings, and turning in some forms since I have to quit. I'm guessing you haven't had any progress with Asami yet," Mako said placing his hand on Korra's shoulder before speaking again. "I know it's hard, but you just have to get it over with. The longer you wait, the more painful it's going to be."
"You're right. I can't pretend like I have feelings for her anymore, but she just lost her dad. I don't want to put her through more pain."
"It's been three months Korra. The longer you wait, the more pain you put her through. You can't stay in a fake relationship for the rest of your life," Mako explained as he squeezed Korra's shoulder lightly before removing his hand from it.
"I'm going to make things right." Korra paused and looked into Mako's eyes. "How do I break up with her? What do I say?"
Mako couldn't help but chuckle. "Just be honest with her. You're the avatar; you can do this."
"So by being honest you mean I should tell her that I never had feelings for her, and I felt like she forced me into a relationship by turning what I thought was a friendly adventure into a romantic voyage?" Korra stretched her sentence out in irritation.
"Okay, maybe you shouldn't be completely honest then," Mako scratched the back of his head while he filled out some paperwork.
"Why does this have to be so complicated? I never even wanted this! I just wanted a girl friend, not a girlfriend! I'm just going to bullshit my story a bit and finally end this mess."
Mako looked up at the loud avatar and frowned. "Korra, why don't you just practice what you want to say to Asami on me?" Mako stood up from his desk, and got close to Korra. "Go ahead."
Korra blushed a little, but she tried to hide it. "Okay, that might help. Here it goes." Korra took a deep breath. "Asami, I- I don't think this is working. We've just been friends for too long, and I think it's time for us to see other people."
"What?! So one day we're doing great, and now you want to break up with me?!" Mako acted like he thought Asami might act as an ornery grin formed on his face.
"Um.. I-"
"There's something you aren't telling me! Spill it!" Mako said in a sassy Asami-like tone.
"I'm just not into you anymore, okay?!" Korra yelled, playing along.
"There you go. You've got this, Korra," Mako smirked at her before returning to his desk to fill out the last few papers.
"You think so?"
"Definitely!"
"So, what's with all of the paper work, officer Mako?" Korra teased.
"Well, it's mostly me agreeing not to let out any police-only information since I'm leaving. If I refused to sign these then I'd be either thrown in jail or forced to keep this job," Mako explained as he finished his final signature on all of the paperwork. "I'll be right back; I have to turn these into Beifong. Wait here, and don't snoop through my stuff," Mako said as if he were talking to a child.
"You got it, team captain," Korra said sarcastically. She had so many nicknames for the firebender. She was glad that they were close again. He was the only person that knew about Korra's true feelings for Asami. Korra had become best friends with him.
Suddenly the door swung open, and Bolin entered the police station in a casual, yet expensive-looking, suit. Ever since Republic City had been rebuilt and expanded, Bolin had starred in three more of Varrick's movers, which had gotten even more popular. That resulted in Bolin having a bit of extra spending money.
"Hey, Korra! Asami and I have been looking everywhere for you! Did Mako invite you out to eat with us?" Bolin blurted out.
Korra's stomach filled with butterflies at the mentioning of Asami. "Oh.. um.. yeah. Mako invited me. Is Asami coming, too?"
"Yes. She said if I could find you that she'd join us. She's outside waiting in the car. You excited for this new educational center- A.K.A. party central?" Bolin smiled widely.
"Party central? We're going to be stuck in a building with limited freedom. Where's the party in that?"
"Come on, Korra. Think about it. Mako said there are going to be three different schools based on age groups. A place with hundreds of teenagers can't be all that boring."
"Well... I didn't think about it like that. Maybe you're right. This could be a fun break from my avatar duties," Korra smiled.
"Bolin, you made it bro. Let me grab my stuff, and we'll get out of here! Oh, and Korra's coming, too," Mako explained.
"Yeah, she told me. I'm gonna go tell Asami that you guys are on your way!" Bolin bolted out the door before he could see the shocked expression on Mako's face.
"Shit. How did that happen?" Mako asked.
"Long story. I can't break up with her now. Great," Korra grumbled.
"Wait until we get to Narook's. Then, it's Korra time! You've got this."
"Korra time? Really?" Korra smiled at Mako and she walked out the door with him directly behind her.
They walked over to the car and got in. Korra was suprised to see Asami scowling at her when she got in the back seat and sat down beside of her. Mako took shotgun. Everyone buckled up, and Bolin began to drive to Narook's.
"Is there a problem?" Korra whispered to Asami.
"Oh you know. You've only been avoiding me for almost a week. No problem!" Asami whisper-shouted sarcastically.
Korra didn't even realise it had been that long. "I've been busy.. I-"
Asami cut Korra off. "Busy hanging out with Mako and not your girlfriend?"
"I was talking to him about the new educational center. You don't have to make a big deal out of something so stupid." Korra whispered angrily.
"Yeah, okay! I'm sure all you two were doing was talking," Asami shouted loudly causing Bolin to look in the rearview mirror at Korra and Asami, and Mako to turn his body slightly to look at them also.
"We're done! Go bitch at someone else!" Korra shouted at the top of her lungs. People from the street could even hear her. They stared at the car as it drove past them.
"What? So you were cheating on me with Mako!"
"No! I never wanted this! I'm done with you, Asami," Korra yelled.
"What's going on?" Bolin asked no one in particular.
"Just let me out, Bolin. I don't want to be around these two!" Asami angrily said.
"Asami-" Mako started in a slightly angry voice.
"I don't want to hear it you jerk! First you ruin our relationship, and now Korra and I's!" Asami shouted before getting out of the car that Bolin had pulled over. She stomped off, and Bolin continued driving.
"Is there something that I should know about, guys?" Bolin asked. He was still a little shocked. He thought that it was weird for Korra and Asami to date, but he always thought they were happy.
"Nothing happened! Mako and I were just talking. I'm glad that relationship is over with. It was her fault for ruining our friendship in the first place," Korra stated angrily.
The rest of the car ride was filled with music from the car's radio since the silence made Bolin feel awkward. Korra started regretting her choice of words more and more during the car ride, but Asami really made her mad by accusing her of cheating. Mako was Korra's best friend. She wanted to stay friends with Asami, but now she knew that probably wouldn't happen. When the friends arrived at Narook's they started to feel less awkward. Bolin lead them to his favorite place to sit, and they all ordered their food.
Bolin was the first one to break the silence. "So.. I think school is gonna be pretty fun. I wonder how it's gonna work, though."
"I just hope that it won't be too strict," Korra said, no longer sounding upset at all.
"Making me quit my job sounds strict to me," Mako sighed. He really did love his job.
"I know what you mean. I won't be able to star in as many movers with that curfew." Bolin added. "Varrick won't be happy about this. I hope he doesn't replace me," Bolin had worry in his eyes.
"No one could replace you, Bolin! Don't worry," Korra reassured.
The friends continued to discuss their thoughts on the new school for awhile. After about an hour it started to get dark, and everyone was ready to go home. They all had a great night, and Korra didn't think about Asami the entire time.
"Are you sure you don't want a ride home, Korra?" Bolin asked.
"I'll be fine, Bolin. It's only a ten minute walk to the ferry," Korra laughed.
"Come on, Korra. It's late; just let us give you a ride." Mako insisted.
"I'm the avatar, not a little girl!"
"Fine, then let me walk with you at least. It's not like I have work anymore anyway," Mako sighed.
"I'll be fine. Go home with Bolin," Korra laughed.
After arguing for a bit, Korra decided that Mako wouldn't take no for an answer, so she agreed to let him walk her home. Bolin waved to them as he drove towards his apartment. The waterbender and firebender began walking. It was a beautiful chilly night. The stars were shining down leaving a beautiful reflection in the water.
"I hope Tenzin's not too mad. I didn't tell him that I'd be out all day," Korra said breaking the silence.
"Maybe we should walk faster then," Mako chuckled. The two benders picked up speed.
Korra and Mako reached the ferry spot after a couple minutes.
"Umm.. I don't think the ferry is coming," Mako said.
"That's okay. I missed it; I can just swim." Korra stated casually.
"You'll catch a cold, dumb ass!" Mako yelled.
"It's a two minute swim! You're so overly protective."
Mako sighed. "So.. are you good with the way things turned out with Asami?"
"Actually I am. I've been thinking, and it would have been a little weird to stay friends. I never had feelings for her, but she had them for me. You never lose feelings for someone, so it just would've been weird." Korra explained, not even thinking about what she said.
Mako blushed. "Oh.. Yeah. I guess Asami won't want to be friends with me either considering what she accused us of."
"You just had to bring her into team avatar, didn't you, lover boy?" Korra teased. She was somewhat serious, though. She would miss Asami being in the group, but she didn't want things to be weird. "Maybe it can all go back to normal some day," Korra mumbled while looking down. Thoughts of Mako and her together pushed into her mind.
Mako took Korra by surprise when he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. "Everything will be okay." He let go of her before saying, "Stop by Bolin's tomorow around 12:00, and we'll all chill." Mako smiled.
"Okay, I'll be there," Korra smiled and blushed. She turned around and dove into the water and swam ferociously to Air Temple Island.
"I'll see you then," Mako whispered as he watched Korra swim off.