Author's Note: As promised :) I also have a BIG SECRET!

..

Lia is a nickname.

My REAL name is Kaitlyn.

My friend started calling me Lia, so I stuck with it.

So, call me Kaitlyn, call me Lia, I don't care.

Honestly I hate my real name, so Lia is preferred.

Disclaimer: What's that thing I don't own? Oh yeah, Legend of Korra

Chapter One

Korra's POV

(Bold - Korra narrating)

When I was young, I wasn't so clear on the whole gravity thing. And my imagination got me in a lot of trouble.

Flashback (Six year old Korra)

I slowly climbed up the mountain of haystacks. I was wearing my favourite pink fairy wings. I had my hair in a bun. I smiled as I looked out onto the open plains of the grassland by my house. I spread my arms out and took a deep breath.

But there was this one moment, when time stopped, and everything made sense.

And I jumped off the haystacks.

Then I landed and broke my wrist. But from that day on, I've always known that, in another life, I could fly. And thats why, in this life, I dance.

End of Flashback

"Korra!" I stopped dancing and took my headphones out. My dad was sitting in his car, about more than a dozen sheep in front of him.

"Sorry!" I yelled, opening up the gate to where we kept the sheeps. Dad whistled.

"Go on!" he scolded the sheep. "Auntie Portia just called. Post's on it's way." A smile appeared on my face. Dad turned to me and smiled.

"Go." I quickly ran past some sheep, headed for the house. Right now in the back of a van, there's a letter that could change my life.

"Move," I said, pushing the sheeps out of the way. I passed Ivan, our farm boy, who was currently shaving a sheep. I ran out to the front of the house, put on my helmet, and climbed onto my motorcycle, and started driving to our mailbox. Because, see, I don't just dance. I want to be a principal dancer. And three weeks ago, I auditioned for the top school in the country. And I got in.

The National Academy of Dance. It is my year, my one shot. And I thought I was ready for anything. I didn't have a clue.

I walked throughout the locker rooms. Two girls squealed and hugged each other. I looked down at my paper, turning a corner. I stopped by a window where there were ballerinas in black tutus. I watched them in awe. I checked my phone time before quickly leaving the show in the window.

SMASH!

"You think you're funny, don't you? Aw, wipe that smile right off your -"

"Right, excuse me, dressing rooms?" I interrupted the girl yelling at a vending machine.

"Uh," the mysterious girl grabbed the papers from my hand.

"Are you auditioning as well? Isn't it exciting?" A huge smile was currently on my face.

"I just peed a little in my pants," she joked. "Okay, so you are, you're here," she pointed to a random spot on the map. "Just go straight down that corridor, turn left, and it's the second door on your left."

"Thank you," I thanked. She smiled and I walked away.

"Don't mention it," she called after me. I heard a grunt. She went back to hitting the vending machine.

I quickly dropped my bag onto a bench and quickly took off my shirt. Underneath the grey sweater I was wearing, was my black sports bra. I quickly dropped it on the floor and went to take off my shorts. I picked up my shirt and folded it up nicely.

"Don't let me stop you," I gasped and turned to the male voice. I quickly covered myself up and ran behind a small island.

"I have pepper spray in my bag and I'm not afraid to use it!" I told him. He gave me a weird look before advancing over to me.

"Well, I was just standing here minding my own business." he replied.

"In the girl's dressing room?" I asked. He smirked.

"Pretty sure those are urinals in there," he pointed behind me. I walked to where he was pointing. "Unless you can go standing up." Sure enough, urinals. I scowled.

"You, uh, might need this." My eyes landed on him, he was holding my shirt.

"Can you turn around, please?" He held out my shirt, and I quickly grabbed it. He turned around and continued to talk.

"So, is it an attention thing?"

"What?" I stuck my arms into the holes of my shirt.

"You know, stripping in front of strangers. 'Cause that's cool. I mean, I'm sure they have support groups." I scoffed.

"If you're looking, I swear I'll hurt you." I started to put my shirt on. I turned around to make sure he wasn't, but then I saw another boy. He had the black hair and and blue eyes, but he was shorter and less muscular.

"Sorry, guys. I'll come back later." He started to leave.

"Oh, no, we weren't…" The other guy snickered and I glared at him, pulling my shirt over my head. I quickly grabbed my bag and left.

"Wait!" I called out to the second boy when I saw him walking. He turned around. "That wasn't anything. I mean, you know, obviously, it was something, but it wasn't what-"

"Hey," he interrupted me. "No judgement."

"Please, can you take me to the girls' dressing room?" I asked him. "It's an emergency."

"Come on," he said, shaking his head in a random direction. He started walking. I smiled and caught up to him. He finally broke the five second silence.

"So audition week, huh?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"No. Well, you did have that whole wide-eyed Bambi thing going on. And I'm pretty sure your top is inside out," he said, picking up the bottom of my shirt. "But hey, it's a good look. Here," We walked into some room. He pulled off his shirt, and I saw his muscular back. A guy wolf whistled as he walked by.

"Put it back on, Tahno." Tahno. Nice name. He put his shirt back on before smiling. He pointed to a dark blue door.

"This is you," I smiled at his kindness.

"Thanks,"

"Good luck," Was all he said before leaving. I watched him walk away before walking into the room.

"Welcome to the National Academy of Dance, one of the most elite training institutions in the world." I was late. I could hear the announcer guy speaking from the other room. I walked up to the door and took a deep breath. I walked in. "You all have been chosen from amongst thousands of dancers." I noisily dropped my bag and got in line.

"Sorry," I apologized. My eyes scanned the room until I saw him. The guy from the dressing room. Crap. He rolled his eyes at me.

"However," the announcer continued. "We only have room in first year for just a few." I smiled at a lady instructor from across the room. She rolled her eyes and continued to listen. "It'll be your job over the next few days to make sure you're among them." People nodded and began to warm up after the suited man left and an instructor passed out numbers to every one.

"Can the boys finish warming up and follow me to the next door?" An instructor asked. asked. "Girls, you're staying here with Miss Panicola."

"Uh, Cade, can I have a word?" Miss Panicola asked. I started walking up to the boy from the locker room, who was standing by my bag. "This young man didn't bring any tights!" I rolled my eyes. He started walking with Miss Panicola and "Cade" to a mini room thing. I bent down to get my bag and looked at the poor boy. I watched them talk, not being able to understand what they were saying.

You wanna play, you wanna stay, you wanna have it all

You started messing with my head until I hit a wall

I looked up at the girl who was yelling at the vending machine earlier. She was dancing crazily.

Maybe I should've known, maybe I should've known

That you would walk, you would walk out the door, hey!

"Hey, did you find the dressing rooms okay?" the girl asked, walking up to me. She didn't even care if she got in trouble.

"Fine, thanks." I lied. I started to walk away. The song continued, and it had a good beat.

"Come on, dance!" The girl pulled on a guys arm.

"Um…" he mumbled. She twirled herself around, holding onto his hand.

"So you met Asami?" a voice from behind me asked. I turned and nodded. "We were all at junior school together. Asami's lots of fun." I looked behind me. She was currently trying to get the poor guy to dance. "But if the staff knows that if you're friends with her, then you're not taking dancing seriously."

"Bad impression to make in audition week," the girl's friend said.

"Got it," I replied.

"Nice leotard!" the other girl told me.

"Oh, thanks, my mom made it." she gave me a smile before I turned around and started walking away.

"I'm Kuvira," she said, smiling. "This is Jinora,"

"Oh, I'm Korra Duan." I replied. She had a shocked look on her face.

"You and I are roommates," she declared.

"Oh yay." I replied, not sure how to respond. She smiled and I looked way. I gripped the pole and was about to practice when she started speaking.

"So I know it sounds ridiculous, but I have this thing-" Kuvira was cut off by Jinora.

"Kuvira always stands at the front of the bar," Jinora hissed at me. I held in the urge to roll my eyes.

"Oh, yeah, yeah. Of course, sorry," I moved back a few inches. Kuvira and Jinora got in front of me.

"This is going to be such a great week!" Kuvira squealed. "I can feel it." I smiled a bit before starting to practice.

We were all practicing and Miss Panicola was walking around.

"Developpe," she said. We all squatted, holding one leg in the air. "And sustain your turnout to the end, girls. This is about proper placement, not height." I was 5"1. Kuvira stuck her right arm and leg perfectly in the sky when Miss Panicola walked by.

"Good," Miss Panicola said. "It's Kuvira, isn't it?" Kuvira smiled and nodded. She continued to walk around, closer to me. I stuck my leg in the air, kinda bent.

"Does that look like a nice line to you?" Miss Panicola asked. I looked behind me and she pushed my leg down. "Forget the flourishes, concentrate on your technique. I nodded and smiled.

Girls were spinning around on one foot, going across the room.

"Hey, uh, whoops about this morning. I'm really crappy about giving directions." Asami said.

"Korra," Kuvira walked by, grabbing my arm and pulling me to the line.

"Hey, I've never done these before," I admitted, feeling woosy.

"Really?" Kuvira asked. "How long have you been dancing?" I didn't answer.

As I was terribly spinning around, Miss Panicola was sharply clapping at me. I finished and she gave me a glare before writing something down. I sighed and walked away.

Pretty soon it was dark. I was sitting on my bed in my dorm, looking at my scabbed up toes. Kuvira was working out on a yoga ball.

"I need air," I quickly said, getting up.

"But it's after 10:00," she pointed out. "You'd be breaking curfew,"

"Seriously?" I asked. "I'm not allowed outside?" She didn't answer and I sighed, sitting back down on my bed.

"Yeah, Mom. The girls here are amazing. Some of them are stronger than I am, but that's, you know, that's to be expected." Girls giggled as they pranced down the stairs I was sitting on. I moved out of the way.

"Uh-huh," I continued. "It's definitely everything I thought it would be." Our conversation didn't last long, and pretty soon I was in bed.

Kuvira and Jinora made me apart of their crew. They told me I had to get rid of my pale blue leotard and wear a hot pink one instead. I didn't like it at first, but I got used to it.

We were walking to the cafe, our arms linked. A girl was practicing her spinning.

"Can't turn," Kuvira said, looking at the spinning girl.

"Low extensions," Jinora added, looking at another girl as she passed by. A girl was painting her toe nails and Kuvira scowled.

"Terrible feet." Jinora nodded. I saw two girls bouncing up and down, their boobs going everywhere. Jinora and Kuvira looked at each other.

"Breasts," I looked down. I had breasts. They both chuckled and we sat down at a small table outside the cafe.

"Who's that?" I asked, looking at a boy stealing Asami's cake.

"Tahno Sasaki," Jinora said. "He's going into third year." Kuvira grabbed a dirty plate and walked over to put the plate away.

"Are he and Asami together?" I asked.

"Half brother," Jinora replied, grimacing.

"The better half," Kuvira replied when she came back. Asami lifted her hand and smacked Tahno in the face.

"Every year, girls come into this studio thinking that wanting to dance is enough to make them dancers," Miss Panicola said. She looked at me and glared. "It isn't. You have to face your physical limitations." Miss Panicola continued. "Not everyone is born a dancer. And, prepare yourselves for a lifetime of hard work, sacrifice, and, more often than not, disappointment."

"Ow!" Jinora landed on the floor with a thud. "Oh!" she started groaning and everyone went over to help her, except me. She started whimpering.

"Don't crowd!" Miss Panicola hissed. "Don't crowd!" Jinora started making this ugly crying face whilst she held on to Instructor Cade's hand. "Where does it hurt?"

"My achilles," Jinora answered. She continued to whimper and she rubbed her foot. Miss Panicola gave Cade a look. Cade picked her up bridal style slowly.

"If it snapped, she's out." Kuvira said, appearing behind me. Kuvira went back to work and Cade carried Jinora out.

"Back to the beginning!" Miss Panicola declared, clapping her hands. We went back to doing those stupid jumping things.

After practice, people went up to Miss Panicola and said thank you.

"Miss Panicola?" I asked, walking up to her. "Hi, number 45, Korra Duan. Do you think Jinora's going to be okay?"

"I'd be more focused on my own future, if I were you." Miss Panicola answered.

"Right, um… see, I don't know what's wrong with me this week," I told her. "It's-it's probably nerves. I'm not usually this bad."

"Duan, isn't it?" she asked. I nodded. "You're seventeen?" She walked over to a chair and grabbed something. "Your technique is what we'd expect of a twelve year old. Physically you have potential, which I assume is why you're here, but so do a lot of other girls. I don't think you're ready." And with that, she walked away.

The sun was setting when I got out. I walked down the stairs and sighed.

"Problems: shoulder blades, weak ankles," I looked over the railing to see a boy, named Bolin, talking.

"Behind, technically," I told him.

"At least you can catch up," he said. "I need to be genetically reprogrammed." I didn't know if he was joking or not.

"Great. You are coming with me." Asami said, appearing out of no where.

"What? Where?"

"Uh, third-years are having a party on the company rooftop," Asami answered, grabbing my hand.

"But I'm not really in a party mood."

"Uh, negative, bun head. What have you got to lose?" We started walking down the rest of the stairs.

"But can I go like this?" I asked.

"Uh, no." Asami responded. I waved goodbye to Bolin.

We walked into the party. I was wearing a white longsleeved shirt, a bright blue skirt, and white Converse. She walked off to some people, came back, grabbed my hand, and dragged me off.

"Have you met Mako?" Asami asked, standing next to a familiar guy. Oh no. It was the guy from the locker room who saw me in my sports bra! "He's auditioning as well." When 'Mako' saw me he smiled.

"Sports Bra," he said. Wow, I've already got a nickname. "Didn't recognize you." I rolled my eyes. Of course. He smiled as he walked by me. Asami walked up to me.

"What did he just call you?" she asked, holding in her laughter.

"Nothing," I replied.

"Hey, Mako!" she called after him, leaving me alone again.

After a while it was already dark. I was standing by myself, holding my punch glass. I looked over at Asami and Mako. She was talking and Mako seemed to be completely ignoring her, because he was staring at me. I started walking up to the punch bowl, feeling his eyes follow me. I put it next to a bunch of other ones and took a deep breath. I started to walk towards the door, until I ran into someone on the mini staircase.

"Ooh, sorry!" I apologized. I looked at the person. It was Tahno. He stared at me for a few seconds before speaking.

"Hi," he said. He started to walk down the stairs.

"Um, Asami invited me, but I'm just gonna go." I started to walk away again.

"No, stick around." Tahno insisted. "I'm Tahno."

"I know." I replied.

"Hey, who's your friend?" some random guy asked Tahno. He saw me and continued to speak. "Oh, no way! You're her!"

"Who?" I asked.

"This is the newbie who got undressed in our changing rooms." I resisted the urge to punch the guy in the face.

"It wasn't like that-" a random Asami cut me off.

"Brilliant story. When I heard I-"

"Asami," Tahno said, giving her a look.

"I was like wow," Asami continued. "You are practically famous."

"But I would never, ever deliberately do something like that." I said.

"All newbies should be more like you," the unnamed guy told me. "Bonus points for enthusiasm." Asami chuckled as the guy walked away.

"Um, I'm just gonna go." I said. When I turned around, something cold splashed onto my shirt. Someone ran into me and spilled their drink on me. The guy bent down to get his cup without saying sorry. I saw Mako laugh and I angrily walked up to him.

"What did I ever do to you?" I asked before leaving.

I groaned and plopped down on my bed, in my pajamas: a Rolling Stones T-Shirt and short shorts.

"I am never leaving this room again." I stated. "It wasn't meant to be this way." Kuvira was currently reading.

"What way was it meant to be?" she asked me.

"I don't know," I replied, sitting up. "Like a dream come true." I looked over at Kuvira and she laughed.

"It's everybody's dream." She said. "No one's gonna hand it to you. If you want to stand out, you have to prove that you're special."

"I would if I knew how," I told the brunette. Kuvira shrugged her shoulders.

"I can show you." I gave her a look and she smiled at me.

I tightened my grip on my shoes.

"In the last week, we've been assessing your technique in the classroom. Tomorrow, for your final audition, we're looking to see how you perform a real dance. How you tell a story." Miss Panicola said.

"Hey, sorry about last night," Asami said, leaning over to me. "It got a little bit hectic."

"The ballet is Sato's "The Ugly Duckling", and the solo you'll be doing is when the duck discovers she's actually a swan." I looked over at Kuvira and smiled.

"First group get ready to do a run-through." Miss Panicola announced. Kuvira grabbed my hand.

"Front row."

"But she'll see me."

"That's the idea!" Kuvira pulled me up to the front. "On a rare occasion I get nervous, I picture myself onstage." I nodded. "You should probably imagine yourself somewhere." I nodded again. "Failing that, follow me." The music started and we started to dance. I imagined myself in my backyard at my house. I didn't know if I was doing good or not, but I didn't care enough.

I lifted my head up from my leg when I heard footsteps by me. It was Miss Panicola. I looked around and realized I was the only one on the floor. I stood up.

"Duan, isn't it?" Miss Panicola asked. I nodded and smiled. "You altered the choreography. Why?" I gulped.

"Um, I don't remember," I replied. Her eyes widened.

"Kuvira," Miss Panicola called. "There was a coldness now. I want to see what's beyond the steps. You could learn something by watching Korra." I gasped. "It was surprisingly good." I smiled. Finally! "Next group get ready!" she shouted. I gave Kuvira a smile.

~~~After class~~~

I changed into a plain grey T-Shirt, a blue skirt, and white converse. I walked up to Kuvira.

"Hey, I was looking for you. Great class."

"I need my leotard back," she stated.

"Okay," I replied. "But do you still wanna practice later?" She slammed the door loudly.

"Guess not." Asami's voice said next to me. I sighed and walked away.

It was 3:44 in the morning and I was wide awake. Kuvira was snoring, sound asleep. I tried to block the sirens, train, jet, and Kuvira's snoring out. I sat up in my bed. I checked my phone and had a voice mail. I got out of my bed and grabbed my combat boots, careful not to make noise. I slowly left the dorm

Hi, sweetheart. I guess you're not there. Um… I've been thinking about what you said, about not being strong enough. Seems to me you've already forgotten where you came from. Think of me putting a crop in during a drought year. Takes courage to back yourself. But, then, you know that. Anyway, uh, I feel like a goose talking into a machine. Night, princess. Good luck tomorrow.

It was from Dad. I smiled as it played in my head as I went to a small chapel thing. I walked up the stairs into it. I started to dance, and I wasn't caring if I got into trouble.

The next morning I was late. I quickly ran up to Kuvira and fixed my hair.

"I overslept," I told her.

"I'm not an alarm clock," she said bitterly. I tightened my bun and breathed.

"Number 45," Miss Panicola's voice rang through my ears. "Come with me,"

"But I'm meant to be last." I said, confused.

"We'd like to see you now," I nodded and turned to Kuvira.

"Thank you so much, for everything," I said giving her a hug.

"Break a leg," she told me as I walked in. I set down my bag and walked up. The old announcer guy, Arthur, was there.

"Hello, Korra," he said. "We have some questions." Oh no.

"You are aware it's against school rules to leave the boarding house after hours without permission." Miss Panicola said.

"You must understand that we're responsible to your parents." Arthur said. "And of course there is a serious safety issue, which could impact the entire academy.

"Korra, and allegation has been made, and if it's true, we'll have no choice but to cancel your audition." I looked into the mirror behind them and saw Asami standing at the door, looking through the small window. Just great.

"They're talking about breaking curfew," I heard Bolin say.

"Why would they be asking her about that?" Asami asked. I saw her look at Kuvira.

"Hey, everybody, call off the witch hunt," Asami said, walking in.

"You have something to contribute, Asami?" Miss Panicola asked.

"No she doesn't," I answered for her.

"Korra, don't be silly," Asami told me. Miss Panicola's eyes widened. "Uh, ah, well, Kuvira was snoring last night. Seriously, that girl needs to do something about her nasal passages."

"Your point?" Miss Panicola asked.

"Uh, my point is, Korra bunked in with me last night," I mentally thanked her.

"Really?" Arthur asked. Asami gave him a 'really' look.

"Would I lie, sir?" she asked. Arthur and Miss Panicola looked at each other.

"Miss Duan?" Arthur asked.

"Um, I was in Asami's room last night." I said.

"Excellent," Arthur said. "Then I'd like to see the solo that Miss Panicola has been telling me about. I nodded and moved to the back of the room.

"Don't mention it," Asami told me as she walked by. I saw Kuvira scowl as Asami left.

"Have you warmed up?" Miss Panicola asked from behind me.

"Sorry?"

"Are you ready?"

"Um.." I bent down and tied my ballet shoes. I stood back up and smiled at Miss Panicola. She started the music and I began to dance. Somehow I forgot everything then…

Flashback

I drove down the dirt road to our mailbox. All the things I didn't know, how there's way more to surviving in the academy, than just ballet. I stuck my hand into the mailbox. I forgot about my audition and what would come next. I forgot everything but dancing. I searched through the mail until I found my letter. Because in that moment I remembered that just to dance is all that matters. And no one can take that away from me. I opened my letter and took a deep breath. I'm ready for the dance academy, at least I think I am. I had got in.

Author's Note: So tell me what you guys think, and if I should continue. Bye!