Before Mako could make it back to the locker room his head was already spinning with thoughts of the next match. The Fire Ferrets had barely weaseled out of this one, how would they win the next? He knew there was not a likely chance if Hasook continued to act the way he was.

Bolin had run in front of Mako to revel in excitement with the girl who had been in the locker room before. She was still there? Mako had nearly forgotten about her being there. His thoughts immediately switched to lecture points he'd have to share with Bolin later.

"Well," Hasook snorted beside Mako, "I'm glad that's over with."

Mako couldn't believe his ears? Was Hasook really that comfortable to laugh over the match? It was not a joking matter. Mako's patience was nearly over with Hasook's bad attitude and lazy work ethic.

"You did more harm than good out there. You nearly cost us the match!" Mako yelled.

"We won, didn't we?" Hasook grumbled.

"Barely!" Mako exclaimed. If Hasook would show up to practice, physically and mentally, the waterbender wouldn't mess up nearly as much in the matches.

"Get off my case, pal!" Hasook yelled as he stormed towards the locker room door. The door quickly shut behind him.

Mako was right about what he had said in the attic earlier. "Useless," he muttered.

"You guys were incredible out there!" said the girl that wouldn't leave, "especially you, Mr. Hat Trick!"

Mako assumed she only wanted to stay around for an autograph. Bolin would eventually sign something for her and then she might leave. The match was over but the team still couldn't use any huge distractions. Mako didn't look at the girl because he didn't want to give her the satisfaction of being noticed.

"Oh, you're still here?"

The girl's voice became harsh, "Oh, you're still a jerk?"

Bolin must have liked the girl's comment because the two shared a quick laugh but Mako didn't care. Ignoring them, he walked to his locker to begin putting up his gear for the next match tomorrow night.

"Anyway," the girl began, "I've been immersed in bending my entire life but I never learned how to move like that! It's like there's a whole new style here. Think you could show me a few tricks?"

"Absolutely!" Bolin quickly exclaimed. Mako didn't have to see Bolin's face to know how excited he was.

"Right now? Come on, Bolin" Mako huffed. He began to wonder what Bolin was thinking, or if he was even thinking at all. They had one match to go win before the tournament and there was no time to be showing anyone anything.

Mako could hear the annoyed sigh come from his brother. "Just ignore him", Bolin persisted, "Yeah, I could show you the basics. I'm just not sure how my earthbending would translate to your waterbending. But we'll figure it out."

Yes, Mako thought while beginning to untie his wrist straps, even more of a waste of time.

The girl's tone turned confident and Mako could almost hear a smile with her voice, "Won't be a problem, I'm actually an earthbender."

And this was the first statement from the girl that caught Mako off guard. He had remembered seeing a blue outfit on the girl when he had caught a glimpse of her before the match. Why would she be dressed that way and not be a waterbender? He tried to make his curiousity vanish because the girl did not matter to him. Clearly she was crazy.

It wasn't long before Bolin asked Mako's question for him, "I'm sorry, no, no. I didn't mean to assume. Cause I, ya know, I was just figuring, with your Water Tribe getup... that you are... a water tribe... gal."

The girl was an idiot to walk around in clothes that weren't of her bending background, what was she trying to prove to the brothers?

"No, you're right I'm a waterbender... And a firebender" The girl said proudly.

Mako immediately stiffened and he could almost hear the puzzle pieces clicking in his head. His hands dropped to his sides from untying straps on the uniform.

"Mhmm…" Bolin pondered, "I'm very confused right now".

But Mako wasn't confused at all. He was wrong about the girl. The girl was not just another fangirl seeking autographs and she was not an idiot. If anyone had been an idiot, it had been him. She was the Avatar. Avatar Korra. He had heard her on the radio just recently.

He had just been rude to the Avatar, of all people.

"You're the Avatar," he began while lowering his head, "and I'm an idiot."

"Both are true," the girl quickly agreed.

It was then that Mako turned to face the girl for the first time. She had beautiful dark skin and hair and indeed wore water tribe clothes. And her blue eyes… Mako was indeed taken back by her.

"No…way…" Bolin threw a glance in Mako's direction, hiding his lips, and whispered, "The Avatar!"

The girl- No, Korra- began to smile at Bolin's utter surprise.

Bolin shifted towards Korra to shake her hand. "I'm sorry I didn't realize it earlier! It's a total honor to meet you! I'm a big, huge Avatar Aang fan!"

"Uh, thanks, I guess," said Korra on behalf of her past life nervously laughing, "you can stop shaking my hand now."

Bolin's face turned red and he immediately let her hand drop. "Right, right! Sorry!"

The tables had turned and Mako wondered just how far Bolin was from asking for Korra's autograph.

Instead he once again turned to Mako, loudly whispering, "She's totally the Avatar!"

Mako saw Korra laugh and roll her eyes behind Bolin, "So are you going to show me anything or not?"

Bolin ran to link arms with Korra and began lugging her out of the locker room, presumably towards the gym. It took Mako a second to realize he was alone in the locker room. He wondered what this would mean for him and Bolin. Surely she wouldn't stick around. After all, who were they?

He was debating whether or not to go to the gym or the attic as he walked out of the locker room into the hallway, closing the door behind him. For once he was not worrying about what would happen when he would enter the next time.

Hello! I'm sorry this is a short chapter. I didn't have very much time to write today and I couldn't resist ending the chapter on this note. It ends in a good spot for Mako. It leaves him thinking positively, although he does not realize it. Also, I added a few lines from the book "Revolution". I put my own twist on them but I thought they were great for the chapter. I've already got some work done into chapter 4 and I'll post it probably tomorrow. Thanks for all the awesome reviews you guys, they've been great!