16. Brand New Neighbors au
She almost didn't hear the doorbell ring as she focused on the screen, her thumbs moving the analog sticks at super speed.
"Korra, get the door," said Bolin in a strained voice, as he shouldered Mako, who was sitting cross-legged next to him completely engrossed in the game.
"You just want me to leave so that you stand a chance against me. Lets face it, it's the only way you'll ever beat me." Nevertheless Korra stood up after pausing the game and made her way towards the door, but not before sticking her tongue out at a grumpy-faced Bolin.
Korra opened the door, expecting their pizza, but was completely taken back by what she saw. The girl standing in her doorway was gorgeous, her raven hair cascading around her sholders, her green piercing eyes looking into Korra's blue ones.
"Hi. My name is Asami Sato," said the stranger, her voice bringing Korra out of her daze. "I just moved into 302, and figured I should meet the neighbors," she said sheepishly.
Korra, pink-cheeked, and still mesmerized by the beauty in front of her, stammered at a loss for words.
"Korra, is it the pizza?" Mako approached her from behind. He walked up to the door, placing his palm on Korra's shoulder, looking over her.
Korra felt his hand clench down hard on her shoulder as he took in the sight, his face rivaling the color of the scarf he wore so often. The pressure from his hand jostled Korra and she quickly regained her composure, knocked Mako's death grip from her shoulder, and extended her hand to Asami.
"Hi, I'm Korra." The girls shook her hand and Korra couldn't help but notice how soft it was in her own.
"I'm…uh…M-Mako," the flustered boy said softly from behind Korra.
Suddenly Mako surged forward, pushing into Korra, as his brother pounced on him to see what all the commotion was, "Hey! You're not the pizza guy!" The surprise in his tone made Asami chuckle; Korra nearly melted at the sound.
"It's nice to meet you all!" Asami said sounding genuinely excited. "Well I didn't really know what to get you, so I brought this." She held up her free hand to display a case of beer.
"Oh, you didn't have to," the tan girl replied, as she realized that she was still holding her hand, quickly releasing it.
Asami also seemed to become aware of just how long their embrace was and a slight tint of pink crept up on her pale cheeks, "No, it's no problem, I just felt awkward coming to your doorstep empty handed."
"I don't mind!" said Bolin enthusiastically as he grabbed the case from her hand. "You should come in, we're just playing some shooters today, and we need a fourth player!"
He pushed his brother back, walked past Korra and put his arm around their neighbor, guiding her in.
"It's ok, really. I don't mean to intrude."
"Intrude? You brought us beer. You're more than welcome! And I'm Bolin by the way," He walked her past the doorframe, and past his brother, who was dusting off his hoodie, bringing her to their living room. Korra closed the door and they all gathered once again in front of the screen, Asami sat next to Bolin while Korra pushed Mako away from the tall pretty girl subtly and took a spot next to her, while Mako, defeated, joined his brother.
The sun was long set by the time the crew finished up their little gathering. Pizza boxes lay opened and empty on the floor and beer bottles were strewn around the room. Bolin sat on the couch stroking his ferret, content with life, while Mako started cleaning up the mess.
"Thanks for today," said Asami as she approached the door. "Today was really fun."
"Yeah, I'm glad you decided to say hi to us," replied Korra as she fumbled with the locks.
As Asami walked out, Korra gathered her courage and tapped her gently on her back. Asami turned around and looked directly into Korra's eyes again, a questioning look on her face.
"Um, so I have these two tickets to a kickboxing match for tomorrow and Bolin canceled last second, and Mako has work tomorrow. I was wondering if you wanted to come?" She steeled herself for her answer.
"You mean like a date?" Asami asked enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling in the lights of the hallway.
"If you want to…I mean…Yeah, a date!" Korra figured that it was better to just get it out there instead of stuttering and mumbling like a fool.
"I'd love to."
"Great, I'll pick you up tomorrow at 5."
With that Asami once again started walking towards her apartment, while Korra went back into hers with a goofy grin resting on her face.
"You owe us, ya know," said Mako with an unimpressed face, as he stood by his brother and watched Korra lock the door.
"Yeah I was really looking forward to tomorrow," whined Bolin, "and now we have an extra ticket too."
"Thanks guys."
Korra really did owe her roommates big time, seeing as they had been planning to go to tomorrow's match for nearly a month and a half, before the brothers told Korra to ask Asami to go with her alone.