It was 6 o' clock when Tenzin finally got to his bookshop; he looked around to see that everyone else was closing up for the day, heading home to their loved ones.
"No point of opening now." he sighed as he began straightening out the shop for tomorrow. Another hour had passed before he finished and he might try one last time finding a tea shop before heading back home.
On he went, making casual small talk with shopkeepers as he walked past. The sun began to set when he finally found a cozy little tea shop down the road. I have I passed this place before? It is on the way to my shop? He shrugged off the thought and walked in. It was cozy, nothing big and fancy, just a couple of tables scattered. It was nice Tenzin thought, nice and humble. He sat down at a table nearest the window and looked over the menu.
"Oh…the variety." He mutters under his breath, while scratching his chin. Just as he finished looking over their dessert section a woman came up to him. The woman was stunning; with her long brown hair tied loosely and her ember eyes took Tenzin's breath away.
"May I take your order or are you just gonna stare at me all night?" She asked with the sweetest smile he had ever seen.
He snapped back into reality and came flustered, blushing like crazy.
"A-ah yes…o-of course. Um I-I'll have…um..." he stuttered. "Well w-what do you recommend?"
She stood there thinking for a while before she finally spoke.
"Well how about I start you up with the mint tea with shredded chocolate? Shop speciality." She said with a dazzling grin.
"W-wonderful! I'll have that."
"Wait here. It'll take a few minutes." She said with a wink as she walked off to the kitchen while Tenzin stared longingly after her.
"Well! Look at this! Tenzin is interested in a girl!" yelled a voice from behind Tenzin.
The airbender jumped and frantically turned to see who said that and saw him.
"Aiko.." he sighed "What on earth are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the Earth Kingdom? At your job?"
Aiko was a childhood friend of Tenzin's. His parents were Ty Lee and Haru, which Katara and his aunt Suki had a strong relationship with. So of course they were forced to play with each other when they visited. Aiko considered Tenzin one of his best friends while Tenzin only considered him as good company…sometimes. Aiko had been working closely with the Earth Kingdom guards for a couple years, teaching new earth bending techniques and some metal bending Toph had shown him.
"Yea. I'm taking time off, for the wedding and all." He said "But never mind about that! Who's that waitress you have the hots for?" he asked eagerly.
Tenzin began to turn red for embarrassment, eyes frantically darting across the room and pulling on his cloak.
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about! She was t-taking my order!" he said in a hushed whisper.
Aiko leaned back, giving Tenzin a smug look.
"Well, you have two choices right now Tenzin." He said, brush his hair out of his green eyes. "Either you tell me the truth, or I tell her that you're in love with her."
"Okay! I'll tell you the truth!" Tenzin exclaimed a little panicked. "I just met her, and I think I really like her. But I don't know what to do."
Aiko's smirk slowly turned into a grin at Tenzin's words.
"And that's why." He replied, raising his arms. "That's why I'm here Tenzin."
Lin was back at the police station, filling out paper work, as usual. But today she couldn't concentrate. Since that afternoon all she could think about was Tenzin and her feelings towards him. Sure she may have had innocent crushes on him as a kid but that usually ended with him being a complete bore when they were alone. But this time…it was different. She didn't want to tune him out or just have him around to practice earth bending on. She wanted to listen to how his day was, and just sit and talk with him. Lin had a warm feeling when thinking about it. She didn't like it. Lin Bei Fong, daughter of Toph Bei Fong, the greatest earthbender ever, next in line to be the Police Chief, conflicted by feelings for an airbender? Can't be true.
She slammed down her pen and began pacing back and forth, trying to figure this all out.
Why now? Lin thought why after all these years of knowing him? Why is he so interesting all of a sudden?
"Well look who its is." said a woman's voice from the doorway. Lin looked up to see Kya, her best friend.
"Kya!" Lin ran to give her a hug. "How are you? What time did you arrive? It's been so lonely without you here!"
Kya laughed as she hugged Lin. "I've missed you Lin, I'll tell you everything once we're back at the temple. But for now, tell my why you were pacing that way."
Lin's smile fell as she looked away from Kya's blue eyes, down to the floor.
"Um…well it's just…" She stammered, while pulling on her uniform.
Kya gave her a smile. "Is it about Tenzin?" she said with a giggle, seeing the shock on Lin's face.
"W-what! No! I-it's not that at a-all!" Lin stuttered, her face going bright red.
Kya placed her hand on Lin's shoulder. "Lin, you really think I haven't noticed anything between you two over the years?" she questioned, watching her best friend's eyes find the floor again. "Come on, you can tell me all about it once we get back."