Rin followed Asami quietly through the building. She looked around, eyes wide in amazement. So this was where the pro-bending matches went on? She had never been to a match, but Asami had told her all about them.
"Come on, Rin, keep up," Asami called, quickly grabbing a shirt off of the stack in Rin's arms. She pushed the door open to reveal Korra, Mako, and Bolin huddled in the middle of the room.
"We're ready!" Korra and Bolin exclaimed, most likely in response to a question Mako asked.
"Not quite, you'll need these." Asami walked toward them, holding up the shirt she had taken from Rin. It was just a regular Fire Ferret uniform but in the chest was a Future Industries logo.
"Hey Asami!' Mako walked toward her, smiling brightly and looking like an enthusiastic puppy.
"Good morning, sweetie." Rin looked around her sister and her boyfriend, waving at Bolin with a small smile. She noticed the annoyed look on Korra's face and bit her lip.
"These uniforms look great!" Mako held one up, examining the logo.
"You look great, champ."
Rin rolled her eyes, then giggled as Bolin pulled a face and Korra pretended to gag herself. Her expression changed back to normal when Mako turned to look at them.
"Well teammates," he said, eyes shining with the excitement of his girlfriend and the upcoming tournament. "I'll see you before the match tonight. Asami and I have a lunch date." His arm wrapped around her waist and they walked out, causing Rin to sigh. Well, it looked like she was walking home again. She walked toward the lockers with the new equipment. There was a stray earth disk on the floor, which her foot found. The shirts scattered across the gym. An annoyed sigh left her lips as she began to gather them together. It was suddenly aware to her that Korra and Bolin were still in the room. Her cheeks grew hot with a blush and she hurried over to a bench, setting down the crumpled pile of clothes and starting to fold them again.
"Hey Rin!" Rin jumped at the voice, falling to the ground and letting out a sigh of relief when she saw an amused Bolin standing next to her. "Well, someone's a little jumpy today." He offered her a hand.
"Yeah. I've been that way for awhile…" She took his hand, pulling herself to her feet.
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Well, it happened when I was young. Two men broke into our house while my mother and I were alone. She hid me in the closet and I had to listen while they killed her." A fist reached up and rubbed at her eyes to get rid of the stray tears.
"Oh. I'm so sorry." The kindness and understanding in his voice made her look up. His eyes met hers, shining with pain and compassion. "I lost my parents too. Mako and I are all that we have left." His face filled with the terrible memories of his past. Rin stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him tightly, wanting to show that she understood and was there to comfort him. He hugged her back, head resting on top of hers.
"I'm sorry," she said into his shirt. After a few more seconds she pulled back, dropping her arms to her sides again.
"I'll see you later, Rin," he smiled and waved, walking out of the gym.
Rin walked home, hands in her pockets. As she entered the house, she found her father standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Where's Asami?" he demanded.
"She's on her lunch date," Rin didn't look up.
"And where's the car?"
"With her."
"Good," he sneered. "I'm glad you have your priorities straight." He turned and walked up the stairs. Rin watched him go, gritting her teeth. Why wouldn't he just accept her for who she was? She knew why and she knew he would never accept her. She walked to the backyard and over to the lake. For a few hours she stayed out there skipping rocks, letting her mind wander to the memories of her mother.
"Mommy!" Rin ran over, tears running down her face. "Mommy the turtle duck chased me!" The small child gripped her mother's skirt, peeking out one eye to watch as the animal waddled back over to its ducklings.
"Well that's because you were scaring the babies." Her mother's airy laugh surrounded them. "Moms don't like it when you scare their children. Do you understand sweetheart?" Rin nodded slowly, fists still holding tightly to the fabric. "Go on darling. Go play with your sister on the playground."
"Rin!"
She turned to see Asami running toward her, waving a hand. Asami's foot hit a slick spot and she gasped, falling forward. Rin ran over and caught her, helping her back to her feet. "Are you alright?!" Please don't be hurt, please don't be hurt…
"Yes, yes I'm fine. Come on! We're going to be late for the match!" Asami ran to the house and hopped into the car. Rin smiled brightly and climbed in. She loved it when it was just her and Asami. It meant she could actually be herself.
"So how was your lunch?" She asked, lounging in the passenger's seat.
"It was delicious. Mako is such a gentleman. I feel like we're really clicking well. He's a little self-conscious about where we go to eat though. He seems to tense up when we go to more expensive places."
"You think it's because he's not as wealthy as we are?" Rin asked, glancing over at her.
"Most likely, but I don't mind going to less fancy restaurants." Asami smiled.
"Well that's good. As long as he's treating you right and you are both happy." Rin said.
"Thanks Rin!" Asami exclaimed. She pulled into the parking lot and jumped out. "Lets go find out seats!"
They ran into the arena, quickly sitting in their reserved front row seats. The match began. The Future Industries Fire Ferret quickly won all three rounds. Asami grabbed Rin's hand and ran into the changing area. The tension was as thick as jell-o. Pabu jumped up into Rin's arms. She held him quietly, petting his soft fur. Asamia ran over to Mako and Rin just stood there observing the scene. Korra and Mako just looked really awkward, so something happened. By Korra's face Rin guessed it was a confession of feelings. She walked over and sat next to the girl.
"You tell him you liked him?" she asked softly, letting Pabu scrambled across the bench to Bolin.
"What—How did—Am I that obvious?" Korra gulped, glancing at Mako and Asami.
"No. I've just gotten really good at reading people." She placed a hand on her leg. "But it'll work out for the best in the end. You'll see. Good things come to those who wait, right?"
"I guess so." Bolin sat next to Korra and Rin rose, turning and leaning against it so she would be able to see everyone in the room. She managed to catch Bolin and Korra's conversation.
"So, Korra, I was thinking, you and me, we could get some dinner together, sort of a date situation." Bolin tilted his head to look at Korra's face, making Rin smile. She waited for Korra's answer.
"Oh that's really sweet," Korra smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "But I don't think so. I don't feel very date-worthy." She looked up at Rin who had her brow furrowed, giving her a what-are-you-doing look.
"Are you kidding me? You're the smartest, funniest, toughest, buffest, talentedest, incrediblest girl in the world!" Bolin exclaimed.
Korra chuckled. "You really feel that way about me?"
"I felt that way since the moment I saw you!" Bolin's arms waved in emphasis. "Trust me, I know we're gonna have so much fun together."
Korra looked up at Rin who nodded and gestured to Bolin. "You know what? I could use some fun. Okay, sure!"
Bolin practically jumped out of his seat. "Yes! Who's the luckiest guy in the world? Right here, Bolin!" Rin smiled but it quickly disappeared. She felt a pang of jealous twist her stomach into a knot. Oh no… she thought. No, no, no, no. I do not want to get involved in this stupid love triangle.
