It was a hot day in Republic City, and Mako, Bolin and I were laying on the beach. I was so far in that every time the water came around, it went up to my neck. But I liked the way it felt, it reminded me of home.
I can't say the same for the others, though. Boling was only as far as the water being up to his knees, and Mako hardly ever got a sprinkle of this salty H2O. I felt that they could both use a little of the ocean so I water bended it so they were soaked. Bolin laughed about it and splashed some water at me, but Mako was downright pissed.
"What's the matter with you?" He yelled as he stormed off.
"Can't he take a joke?" I asked Bolin once he was out of hearing distance.
"You get used to it," he replied.
"Korra!" I heard a group of children screaming. I turned around and saw Tenzin and his kids rushing towards me. All of them having that cute little white spot of sunscreen on their noses. Tenzin was following shortly behind. They dropped their supply of shovels and buckets and rushed over to hug me.
"Hey kids," I stood up and gave them all hugs, "What brings you down here?"
Tenzin finally caught up to us and gathered his children. "They wanted to come down to the beach and swim."
Meelo dived right into the water and when he came up he screamed. "The water's cold. daddy!" All the kids laughed including Bolin and I, and I remembered that Mako left. He probably went back to his shabby little attic. Wanny.
Now all the kids were soaking up the water by the time Mako came back.
"You are just like a cat!" I realized, "Always cocky, but when it comes to water you head for the hills!" Everyone laughed except Mako, who flashed me a glare.
"Trust me, I'm not here for you. But it's such a nice day, I'm not going to let you get to me."
"Oh good excuse," I leaped into the ocean to play with the kids.
"C'Mon bro," Bolin said as Mako sat down next to him, "Lighten up."
"I am light."
We were at the beach, basically all day. It was four by the time we decided to all head home.
"Kids," Tenzin motioned towards the house, "Meet me at home within the next five minutes." He set off to his house on his island.
"But daddy!" Meelo complained, "I don't wanna go!" But Tenzin was already out of hearing reach.
"Don't worry kids," I stated, "We can still play. For a while, at least."
Everyone cheered happily as they splashed back into the water. I glanced over to Mako and Bolin, only to see that they were drying off.
"We're gonna head back. That okay?" Bolin asked. Of course, Mako was going back no matter what, but I could convince Bolin to stay. I'm not being left with these three kids under only my supervision!
"Please stay!" I asked Bolin as I got out of the sea, "I really need some help with these kids."
Mako spoke for his brother, "We're going."
I glared at him and teased around Bolin, rubbing his bare chest.
"Please," I extended the word so it sounded like it had a million "e"'s in it.
Mako looked disgusted and started walking away. "See you at home, bro."
Bolin blushed, "Fine, I'll stay. But only for a while."
"Yay!" I exasperated. When I turned around, the most horrible, most terrifying, most powerful thing crawled into my eyes. Jinora and Ikki were screaming at me to save him.
"Go get Tenzin!" I yelled at Bolin, "Go!" He ran off as I dashed into the water. Meelo was a good twenty feet out into the ocean, unable to swim, and almost buried under a tidal wave charging towards him.
I swam as fast as I could out into the deep blue, willing to risk anything to save this little boy's life.
Ten feet.
I swam faster, watching Meelo's head bob in and out of the water.
Five feet.
I reached out my hands to grab him, but the tidal wave came sooner. It plowed us both under the current and I opened my eyes to see where Meelo went.
I ignored the pain of saltwater flushing in my eyes enough to spot him about ten feet away from me, his lifeless body floating at the top of the water. God no. God, please no!
I swam closer and grabbed him tightly, my feet now able to touch the bottom of the water. I ran up as fast as I could to shore, the kids still screaming, and Tenzin finally arriving.
Not today. Not today.
I layed Meelo down on the sand, plugged his nose, and pushed down on his chest. Two times. Three times. I could hear Bolin telling my softly that it was too late, but I wasn't giving up on this poor child's life. Ten times. Eleven times.
Bolin pulled me away kicking and screaming. I tried to fight him off but couldn't, facing the horrible facts. Jinora, Ikki, and the rest of us were all crying as Tenzin softly picked Meelo up and carried him away.
"W-Where are you taking him?" I asked, screaming at the top of my lungs.
"Home." Tenzin replied, still shaken up, but trying to be strong.
As they were carrying Meelo's lifeless body to the boat that will drive them to their little island, I fell into Bolin's arms. He wasn't crying anymore, but I could tell he wanted to. I was bawling my eyes out, chanting, "It's all my fault. It's all my fault."
Bolin tried to comfort me, telling me it wasn't my fault, but it didn't work.
It was all my fault.
It was all my fault.
Meelo is dead.
Because of me.