A/N: Thank you for checking out my twist on the LoK. This story is a no bending, college AU, taking place roughly after season 2, though, the timeline of the show doesn't really matter with this fic.
Now with this being my first fic, there may be some shortcomings, and for that I apologize. Feel free to leave reviews and PM me with ways I can improve my writing. I'll be sure to take any advice, into consideration when writing this fic or any others.
With that being said enjoy!
Chapter 1
Korra, was a very simple person. She didn't ask for much. As long as she had a decent amount of sleep, some food in her belly, and wasn't being outright annoyed, she was a happy girl for the most part.
But I guess today she was asking for too much.
As she sat in class, sleeping while everyone was leaving, her professor tried to awaken her, "Korra." No response. He frowns and leaves his desk, to get closer.
"Miss Korra." He says, louder in a stern voice. Still no response. He sighs in frustration and walks towards where she's seated. He stands over her and starts clapping very loudly. She awakens, with a jolt and starts clapping along, before her eyes open and she looks around, noticing the empty room.
She groans, finally catching on, "Oh hi, Tarrlok."
"Professor Tarrlok." He says, emphasizing professor, while she rolls her eyes. "Miss Korra, you've been late to every class for a week, which I've excused, but in addition to your tardiness, you have been asleep ever since you first sat in that chair this morning. This is inexcusable. You may think this class is an appropriate time to catch up on sleep, but your grades say otherwise." He sighs, crossing his arms.
"You excel at anything regarding The Southern Watertribe, but when it comes to the North, you lack greatly. You've failed almost every quiz I've given on The Northern Watertribe. We have a test coming up soon, which you know. If you don't pass this test, you will fail this class." He says, as he walks back to his desk.
Korra slings her bag over her shoulder, and takes a deep breath, "I've just been busy with work. Don't worry, I'll pass." She says, walking past his desk.
"You'd better. I'd hate to have to fail you."
"Thanks, Professor." She says sarcastically, as she walks out of the door.
"Asami?"
"Asami."
"Asami!" Asami blinks, rapidly, as her eyes focus on the figure of Varrick in front of her holding, some kind of device.
"I'm sorry. What did you say?" She asks, massaging her temples. This was his fourth time in her office, this month. This was getting ridiculous! She had better things to do, than sit and listen to him all day. Well, she didn't, but she'd much rather do nothing than listen to his wild ideas. It wasn't that he was a bad guy or anything like that. He was just, very annoying and over the top. More than she'd like to deal with.
"I said, take a look at the future, Asami! What I'm holding in my hands, is going to innovate the world of communication forever! I call it the 'VarriPhone'." He brings the phone inches from her face, twisting, turning, flipping, and pulling it. She notes that it looks like an old flip phone.
Asami, pushes it out of her face, shaking her head. "Varrick, people stopped using flip phones years ago."
"Exactly! That's what they want you to think." He says, looking around the office suspiciously. "This isn't just a flip phone. Flip this knob and press this button, then boom! You've got, holographic imaging! Flip this knob and twist this antenna and bam! You've got… uhh," He stops, scratching his head. "Zhu Li, what else we got?"
Zhu Li, adjusts her glasses and clutches her clipboard tighter to her chest, "Nothing sir. This is as far as you've gotten, with the first prototype."
"Well, why didn't you tell me?! Now I look like an idiot!" Varrick spins around, and walks right out of Asami's office, Zhu Li right behind him, without another word.
Asami sighs, checking her phone, and notices a text from Mako.
Mako: Hey, wyd
Asami: Leaving work in a few
Mako: Meet me and Bo at Narook's?
Asami: I'm tired. Maybe next time
Mako: Psh. "Next time". Yea right.
She clicks the button on her intercom and speaks to her assistant, "Hey, Li. Do I have any more meetings scheduled for today?"
Three seconds later, "No, Ms. Sato. Your schedule is clear for today. Would you like to add on?"
"No, thank you. I'm heading home. Have a good day."
"You too, Ms. Sato."
Asami, walks out of her office, into the elevator and down to the garage. She gets in her car and is driving home when she notices, a tanned woman, running full speed down the sidewalk, like a mad woman. She would've offered her a ride but the woman was moving too fast.
Oh well. It probably would've been an awkward ride anyway. Ever since her mother died, Asami had a hard time letting people in. There were a few people here and there, that she'd met who she had no problem getting along with, like Mako and Bolin. But once her dad got arrested, last year, she'd found it even harder and started pulling away from everyone. She even broke up with Mako. There were no hard feelings, and they remained friends, but Asami needed space. From everyone. She rarely socializes, but when she does, it's only when necessary, such as at school or work.
"Excuse me! Coming through!" Korra, was sprinting down the sidewalk, trying to make it to her job in time for her shift, at Narook's, before she was too late. She could always have someone cover for her, but she'd promised, she'd meet Mako and Bolin, after her classes were over.
As she rounds another corner, she glances at her watch, "Crap, I'm gonna be late!"
She adds more speed to her sprint and makes it there, with three minutes to spare. "Heeey Korra! Why do you always come in here, like a bat outta hell?" The other waitress, Opal asks, watching her friend, move through the place, amused.
Korra breezes past her and into the employee bathroom, to change into her uniform. When she comes out, she shoots a playful glare at Opal, "Opal, you know I just got out of class. Are Mako and Bolin here yet?" Opal shakes her head. "Good go find them a table, close by the kitchen, so I can see when they get here." Korra says, as she heads towards the kitchen. She comes back out and hands Opal a bowl of seaweed noodles.
Whenever they have free time after class, all four of them, hang out at Narook's cafe, until Korra or Opal finish their shift.
Mako and Bolin, have been trying to get Asami to join them, for months, but they still haven't had any luck. Ever since her father was arrested, she was rarely seen outside of school, which she hadn't attended for a while.
Fifteen minutes later and they finally arrive. Bolin gives Opal a quick peck and she hands him the bowl of seaweed noodles. "Oh, I'm starving and this smells, looks, and tastes delicious! Thanks, Opal!" He looks for Korra and then spots her, handing someone a glass of some drink, "THANKS, KORRA!"
She waves her hand in his direction, as customers shoot him looks.
She keeps handing everyone their drinks, and plates until a different waiter comes in, a few hours later "Hey, Iroh." Korra waves, tiredly.
He chuckles as he waves back, "How's it going Korra?"
"I just wanna go home and go to sleep." She groans as he walks into the kitchen.
"What? Go to sleep? Aren't you going to Wing and Wei's party?" Bolin asks, eating his seventh bowl of noodles.
Korra shakes her head, "You know how hectic Saturday mornings can get. I don't want to get run over on my way over here, in the morning." She chuckles, sitting in an empty seat at the table. "Plus, working with a hangover, is never a good idea." She sighs, tiredly.
Bolin pouts, "Aww. It won't be as much fun without you."
Opal clears her throat and mock glares at him, "Excuse me?"
"What I meant to say was: Opal's not going and Mako's a killjoy?" He looks over at Opal and sees her smiling, "I'll just have to drink double the amount, since you won't be there."
Mako shakes his head with a slight smile, "Not a good idea, bro. Remember the last time you drank too much, at one of their parties? I'm sure Su does."
Opal laughs, "She's still making them clean toilets and scrub floors."
"I'm surprised she's even letting them throw another party." Korra laughs, remembering a barfing Bolin.
"She's not. She's out of town for a while and they're using it to their advantage." Opal says.
"Tell them I'm sorry I couldn't make it, and to make it up, I'll give them a rematch on the field." She says, getting up from the table and throwing her bag on her shoulders. "I'll see you guys later."
A chorus of farewells ring out in the air, as she leaves the cafe and heads out into the night, towards her apartment.
As she walks down the sidewalk, she rotates her shoulders and massages her arms. She wishes she could've stayed a while longer, but she really was tired. She had worked a double the night before and the only sleep she had gotten, was an hour before she went to her classes and the few minutes she'd gotten, while Tarrlok blabbered on.
Sometimes she wonders, if she should've just taken the money her parents offered, when she moved to Republic City a year ago. But then when she accomplishes things, she realizes it's all worth it. It was worth, all the long, tired, and achy nights. She did it herself, with her hard work and determination. And nothing could be better than that.
As she's thinking, she starts crossing the road when a car comes out of nowhere, driving like a maniac, heading straight for her, faster than she can move. As she stares into the headlights, with wide blue eyes, her thoughts move a mile a minute, adrenaline kicking in and her heart beating against her rib cage like a drum.
Should I run? No, not enough time. I can't stand just here and get hit, either. Only one option. Jump!
As the car comes barreling towards her, she jumps, narrowly avoiding the bumper, and crashing into the windshield.
Great.