It's been at least 20 minutes and Asami hates to admit she's walked herself right into the heart of the dangerous parts of Republic City. But she's been here before; countless times even. On a particular block, furthest on the corner, stands a mere convenience store that Asami has learned the in's and out's of. Usually at this hour the clerks name is Tahno, who progressively flirts with her even though she's told him numerous times the exact words: "You're not my type." Yet she always finds herself having a good time with him. Well, the times she's remembered. The cheap liquor she glugs every time she goes really has her memory in a haze. Is that her fault though? With her pressuring father, who assumes she's practically perfect and needs everything done when he needs it to be? And her teachers, especially Beifong, who pester her about 'what are you planning to do with your life? An engineer? Please, you're not going to become one that easily', and most recently, Korra. Oh no, Korra wasn't pressuring her, or pestering her in any way. She was harmless; technically speaking, it was Mako's fault. He just had to go ask Korra out right when she confesses. And for what? To play her? To look tough? She's confused and her head hurts and by God, she just wants to forget! As if on cue, her minds decides to remember the time when Korra 'almost sort of' confronts her:
It was a night like any other, really. They were playing games, snacking, and laughing along the way. Of course, the conversation was inevitable. "So." Korra starts, and Asami knows right where it's going. "Mako and are I dating now…" Is that all she's going to say? Asami replies with a silent nod. Suddenly Korra perks up and points her finger, "You're doing it again!" Now Asami is confused. "Doing what?" She puts a hand to her chest with utter confusion. Has Korra caught onto her façade? Korra shakes her head, "Whenever I mention Mako, like EVER, you have that look on your face. And you're completely silent! Do you like him? I hope I didn't steal him from you, or-" Asami would've kissed her to shut up. She would've, if she hadn't of been such a chicken. "Korra! It's okay, I don't like him. I'm honestly really happy for you." She manages a smile as she waves her hands, though to Korra it's minor. Blue eyes seem to dull with worry, "Asami." She says firmly and grabs her manicured hands with her rough, tan ones. Asami tries so hard to maintain her blush as she does. "I want you to know that I care about you. A lot. Okay? If there's something wrong, you can tell me." Korra's leaning into her now, and the Sato girl can't help but crack a soft smile. "I know. Nothing is wrong, trust me."
Korra remembers that night. The night where she now realizes her actions were unintentional; she didn't mean to grab Asami's hands. She didn't mean to add 'A lot', and she most certainly didn't mean to lean in. But know it was a slap in the face and she might as well be holding up a sign that says: 'I'm a complete idiot'. Asami liked her! That's why she was so upset. Her hands were in her jacket pockets as Korra walks the empty back-streets of Republic City. She doesn't know why, but her mind decides to remember that night. Come to think of it, there were more nights like that. Where each night Korra would find yet another reason she fell in love with Asami and now had barely realized it. Like the time when Bolin had (now figuring it was intentional) begged Mako to stay with him as he had 'suspiciously gotten ill', leaving Asami and Korra to watch a scary movie, ALONE, TOGETHER. It was then Korra realized she wanted to hold Asami's hand, and maybe cuddle with her. Had Asami wanted the same thing? Why didn't she say anything? Korra shakes her head and growls. Stupid! You were with Mako! How could've Asami told you? Now Korra remembers a night she won't ever forget:
*ding!* Korra rolls herself over in her bed and slaps at her cell phone. She hisses as the bright light blinds her, and it takes her a least a minute for her eyes to adjust. 1:00 in the morning?! Who the hell is calling her at this time? Her eyes settle on the contact name. Asami? Why was Asami Sato calling her at one o'clock in the morning? "'Sami?" Korra slurs as her voice fills the speaker. "Korra?-" Asami hiccups, and Korra finally sits up in her bed. "Asami? Are you okay?" She's fully awake now. Silence on the other end, until Asami's faint voice speaks. "No. Can-Can I come o-over? I mean, you can s-say no-" Korra cuts her off there, "Of course! I'll meet you outside, okay?" She says into the phone, and can practically here Asami nod.
It's a few minutes after and Korra can see Asami's headlights coming down her street. Immediately after Asami parks and steps out of the car with smeared make-up and ruffled hair, Korra is pulling her in her arms. "What's going on?" She asks into the tall girls shoulder, and Asami instantly starts to cry again. Damn-it! Why can't she be strong like Korra? "I-I can't live u-up to my father's e-expectations anymore!" Is what Asami manages to get out and sobs into Korra's neck as she clings to her. Korra's completely stricken. Asami has always been so cool and collected, this must have been her breaking point. "It's okay 'Sami. You don't have to. You're great the way you are. No one can tell you otherwise." Korra mumbles softly, though enough so the green-eyed girl can hear it.
Asami is silent for a minute, and pulls back to look at Korra's face. Her azure eyes shine with compassion and worry, and her face says it all. 'She's worried about you, Asami', Asami says to herself in her head. She's worried about you and she's right. "Do you want to stay here the night? It's a Saturday tomorrow, so you don't have to worry about school. We can just sleep in." There it is. That smile. It's different though, Asami notices. It's a smile of compassion, a smile of true happiness, and smile of…. Love? "You don't care if I sleep with you?" Asami hiccups after a moment, her face turning red. Korra seems to notice, and smiles. "Not at all. Let's go in now, and get you cleaned up. Okay?" Asami doesn't have to say another word because Korra's already pulling her inside her house.
Asami smiles faintly. That night she slept better than she had ever slept before. In Korra's arms. And even though she had been crying half the night, she calmed down considerably and had fallen right asleep in her friend's arms. Friend. Friend that now probably thinks she's creepy, weird and totally not her friend anymore. Asami steps into the convenience store and listens for the familiar 'Ding!' of the bell as she walks in. "Hey, here again sweet lips?" A man with his hair curled on his forehead smiles with his blue eyes. "Unfortunately, Tahno, yes I'm here again." Asami rolls her eyes as the boy laughs. "I'm just joking around, doll. What're getting this time?" He asks and stands behind the register with his apron on and a lollipop stick dangling dangerously off his lips. Asami shrugs, "Not sure. Might go for something stronger, though."
"Rough night?"
"More than you know."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not really. Just forget."
She barely hears the door ding again as she's leaning into the fridge door for her liquor. "Welcome. Looking for anything today sir?" Asami hears Tahno speak. "Ah, yes actually. I was hoping you'd give me the money in the register there." Suddenly Asami perks up at the stranger request, and looks to see a gun planted in his hand, aimed right at Tahno. Tahno's blue eyes slide to Asami's emerald ones, and panic strikes them instantly. "Don't think about callin' the police. I don't want to shoot anyone here. Especially that sweet looking woman over there." His hands move to Asami, and Asami stops in her tracks. This wasn't going to be good. All she wanted was a drink to forget her worries, and now it's turned into a total scary mess.
"Where were you last night? I called you at least five times." Korra says to her one day after school is over. Asami shrugs, "I was busy. Late night." But Korra doesn't buy it. "Really? Busy doing what?" Asami sighs and shuts her locker, turning to Korra.
"Doing homework."
"What class?"
"Physics."
"How much?"
"Two pages."
"What about?"
"Does it matter?!" Asami winces as she puts fingers to her head in pain from her outburst. "I knew it! You totally have a hangover!" Korra squeaks as Asami puts her hand to her mouth. "Shut up! Do you want the whole school to find out?!" She hisses and Korra pulls her hand away. "Why?" She asks, and Asami sighs. "I do it everyone once in a while. It just helps me de-stress, you know?" Korra raises a brow. "Where do you get it?" "Just a convenience store downtown." Asami says while rubbing her forehead. Korra shakes her head, then puts a hand on her shoulder. "Is something bothering you? Because it's probably better talking about it, rather than drinking…" Blue eyes search in a green sea, and Asami diverts her gaze. "It's nothing. I'd rather not talk about it actually. Can you take me home now?" Korra is silent for a moment, before she removes her hand. "Yeah, I guess."
Korra suddenly jumps in her step. That's it! That's where Asami would be! Getting a drink at that store! She's practically running now as she whips around a corner, her feet pushing her forward an inch further than the last at each step. She needed to get to Asami before she did something she was going to regret. She needed to hold her, tell her she was creepy or weird, and tell her she loved her so much. She was going to tell Asami the truth that had been kept buried for far too long.
There ya go! Chapter four! I can't wait for what happens next! Thanks to everyone for reviews! I read them all :D I would thank you personally, but I don't have the time. Next time I will! Keep smiling and remember who you are. Read on! If you have any more comments, please don't be shy and tell me what you think! Also, you should check out my others stories if you like this one.
-PMI
Thanks to Lovely and my favourite gal(You know who you are) for being so great to me and giving me the idea's of which I wouldn't be able to come up with myself. Love you guys!
