As soon as Korra entered the classroom, she quickly zigzagged to the last seat by the window, as usual. What changed was that today her unfairly beautiful roommate decided to sit next to her instead, when she usually would sit up front in the first sit of that same row. (In the time they knew each other, Korra had noticed a pattern. Usually, when they had classes together, Asami would sit on either of the first two sits of Korra's row, more often than not, the one by the window).
Asami must have noticed her confusion because she raised her notebook again tentatively, giving the tanned girl an apologetic smile "If it bothers you I can move… I just thought that now that we're roommates we coul-"
Korra shook her hands in front of her to stop her. "I was just caught off guard," she grinned, patting the chair Asami had just vacated. "after all, goody two shoes usually sit in the front."
Asami gave her a playful shrug, retaking her spot next to her "You can't be afraid to mix it up a little sometimes". The sits started to fill all around them, a couple of people giving Asami curious glances. The quiet, aloof girl usually sat in the first row so it turned quite a few heads to see her there.
Korra burst out laughing "You call sitting in the back of homeroom 'mixing it up'?" she raised her hand to pat Asami's head softly. "You're entirely too cute once in a while."
The taller girl swatted Korra's condescending hand away with a light scowl. "It's a gamble! My grades may magically drop because I decided to sit next to my notorious trouble maker of a roommate."
Korra rolled her eyes, "I resent that comment. I punched someone in the face once and they peg me as a troubled child."
Asami grinned, shaking her head. She opened her notebook on a blank page and wrote the date. "You've punched someone in the face more than once, Korra."
Exasperated at the girl's playful tone, Korra groaned, shutting her eyes tightly. "You know what I meant! I'm not usually picking fights, but I gotta defend myself." She waved her index finger a couple of inches away from Asami's nose. "And before you start, that was like the only fight I sorta maybe started."
Asami blinked, he cheeks powdered with a faint shade of pink. "I- I actua-" The door flew open as Asami started uttering a reply.
A gust of wind followed Tenzin to his desk, making him look way more dramatic that he actually was. "Quiet down, please."
The Water Tribe girl huffed, dropping her face to her hand lazily. "Great Tenzin's here…"
Tenzin cleared his throat obnoxiously, making the teens face the front reluctantly. "I hope you all had a pleasant break, now I will proceed to hand you your schedules." He looked down at the list for a second and then to the back of the classroom. "Anik."
Yay, I'm the first one on the list again… Korra stood up slowly, dragging her feet as her boots echoed with each step. She did it partially because it annoyed Tenzin (he'd often grumble: "Oh, yes for THIS she has patience...") and partly because it got her nasty looks from some of her classmates and that was always entertaining. Once she plucked her schedule from his hand she gave Tenzin a cheeky grin and went back to her desk.
She sat, taking a look at her schedule. She tuned everyone off as her eyes quickly scanned the paper. Right, as a junior, this year they had an extra class… an optative that would help her find a job when she graduated. The thing was that she had no idea what she'd do after. She still had until today at the end of the day to decide.
7:40- 8:10 Homeroom
8:10-9:00 Math
9:00- 9:50 United Republic history
9:50-10:10 Break
10:10-11:00 biology
11:00-12:30 Waterbending Training
12:30-1:10 Lunch
1:10-2:00 Water Tribe culture and literature
2:00-2:50 Chemistry.
2:50-3:40 Optative (STILL PENDING)
Chemistry, fuck her! Korra crossed her fingers, hoping that Asami would be in her class, maybe she'd like to be her partner. Spirits knew she was useless in chemistry…
Asami returned with an excited grin, nearly throwing her schedule in Korra's face. "Here, check if we have more classes together." Korra remained silent for a few seconds, studying both pieces of paper intensely. This was more than Asami could handle. "What? What is it?"
Blue orbs kept darting between the papers in her hands, not at all certain of how she felt. "Uhhh…."
From there on her day was pretty uneventful. As per usual people kept their distance from Korra. Nothing new. She took her lunch on the roof alone and relaxed letting the wind play with her head as she watched the boys play soccer on the field. Ever since she started high school she'd eat her lunch alone. At first it was because she didn't have any friend and the roof seemed like a safe place to eat, away from all the social stigma that was associated with eating alone. Now she loved it. The roof was her place. She'd loosen her tie, take off her blazer, and roll up her sleeves for a glorious thirty seven minutes.
Her last three classes went by in a breeze. Professor Kya was really nice and only had them read the syllabus and then they had an embarrassing and time-wasting introduction game. Those in which they had to say three things about themselves or some shit like that and Korra never knew just what to say. She ended up muttering that she was in the school's Pro bending team, the Fire Ferrets, she moved here from the Southern Water Tribe two years ago, and if anyone had a problem with her then she'd be by the gym afterschool. Yeah, she panicked… After an awkward moment of silence, the next person introduced themselves and slowly, ever so slowly, Kya's piercing glare moved to the boy currently talking about cabbages.
Just as she was collecting her stuff at the end of the class she decided on her optative. She. Herself. With no outward influence at all, she decided to go for the Debate Class. The fact that a certain firebender would be there had nothing to do with it. At least she wouldn't be alone in a boring class. So with that in mind she made a detour to Tenzin's office just before chemistry began… making her late for chemistry and earning her a beautiful Saturday detention warning courtesy of Mr. Bataar.
Korra was doing her warm up laps around the gym when Mako and Bolin finally came out of the changing rooms. "Korra!" Bolin's expression lit up when she waved at them, one would think that they hadn't seen each other in ages. She chuckled good-naturally, good old Bolin.
"So how was your day, Korra?" Bolin grinned, quickly jogging beside her, Mako close behind them.
Korra shrugged, thinking back to her classes. "It was ok I guess, could've been a lot worse."
"No classes with Azula, then?" sometimes Bolin knew her so well.
The water tribe girl gave him a cheeky grin, picking up her pace. "Nope, but I have two classes with Iroh, though, and that's always good." Bolin chuckled weakly next to her, rolling his eyes and not quite looking at her. "Really, it's funny how twins can be so different."
"Tell me about it."
"Yeah, he's almost as nice as Asami, which reminds me that she's in 7 of my 8 classes, including chemistry! Which is awesome because I suck at Chemistry and Asami's a geniou-"
"What!? We only have like 2-"
"It's actually 3." Mako muttered, not missing a beat. What was up with him?
"Ok, 3 classes with you! So no fair."
Mako scoffed. Korra and Bolin turned to look at him. "You jealous, bro?"
"Jealous? She not only gets to be her roommate, she has most of her classes with Asami! Of course I'm jealous of her, she gets to spend so much time with Asami!"
"I'm right here…"Korra muttered, increasing her pace.
"Well," Bolin starts, looking from his brother to Korra. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"
"How's that a good thing, bro?"
Indeed. How's that a good thing Bolin?
"She could be your wingwoman! Or a secret agent! See if she's actually Mako material."
Bolin, shut up.
Everything had gone to hell after that comment. There was a tangible awkwardness between Mako and Korra and Bolin had been caught in the fray. The seed had been planted on Mako's brain and it's only a matter of time before he asked her. So, as soon as training was over she fled.
"FINALLY" Korra muttered as soon as her face hit the soft pillow. She heard a chuckle next to her and opened her eyes partially to glare at Asami. "I thought this day would never end!"
"It's only the first day, Korra." Asami's head was back into the chemistry book on her pillow. The afternoon light was grazing her features in a way that made Korra frown. There was no way she could ever look as pretty as Asami.
She looked down at her pillow, biting her lip. Sharp edges and muscles would never compete with soft, womanly curves. Against Asami she didn't stand a chance. In this race of elegant, beautiful, prissy, perfect personality, nice, smart and any other gorgeous adjective she was the underdog. "Training was really…- rough today."
Asami hummed, turning a page of her book. "You do sound tired." She finally raised her eyes and smiled mischievously back at Korra "want some ice cream?"
"You... you've got ice cream? Where? More importantly, how!?" Korra looked around the small room. She knew she wasn't what people would call observant, but how could she miss a fucking fridge? Those things were huge!
"I've got a mini microwave/fridge" Asami's voice was full of excitement as she led Korra to a corner of the room by the bathroom. At first it'd seem like some furniture but now that Korra looked closer she saw the tiny fridge and an even tinier microwave on top of it. The whole thing wasn't even 3 feet tall. She opened a small door and took out a pint of some expensive looking chocolate ice cream. Even her food seemed so expensive…
Korra's head turned to Asami so fast she nearly had a whiplash. "Holy shit! This is fucking heaven!" she could make her cup noodles at any time without people judging her! What? She was on a scholarship and it didn't cover lunch or dinner, just breakfast.
"I know! I built it last winter break and it's been a life saver, especially for all-nighters."Of course, Asami's first thought was all-nighters. "You can use it too, if you want" she added quietly, with a hint of pink in her cheeks.
Asami was so full of pleasant surprises. Korra could already tell that rooming with her would be oh so bittersweet. She hoped against hope that Mako wouldn't come between them.
"That's really sweet of you." Asami gave her an unguarded smile. No wonder Mako was so taken by her…"I wish I were more like you." She hadn't meant to say it out loud, goddamnit! It was barely a whisper, but by Asami's burning cheeks she knew she'd heard it.
Asami blinked, looking down at her hands. "Uh, what do you mean?"
Korra waved her hands in front of her. "Nothing, forget I said that."
"We're very similar actually. You're a little brash, but other than that we're made of the same stuff."
"Asami, we've nothing in common!"
The taller girl seemed a little reluctant for a second, as if braving herself to answer. Or something "We'll… we're both made of stardust, we have the same core elements. It's a scientific fact that our bodies are made of remnant of stars. We have at least that in common." …or just remembering sciency stuff…
Korra stayed quiet for a few seconds, until a slow smile appeared on her face. "You're such a nerd." Asami had definitely misunderstood her. They were nothing alike, she was not rich, nice, or smart or incredibly gorgeous. But it seemed as if Asami didn't take that into consideration. "Let's eat that ice cream before it melts.
She liked to gaze at the stars. Life was too complex, too complicated, and watching the stars always calmed her. They didn't expect anything from her. An existential crisis suddenly felt dumb, illogical. How could she feel troubled when up there, millions of light years away stars burned, and kept burning? They would keep burning long after she's gone.
Stars were comforting.
If science, and by consequence Asami, was right, she was made of stardust too. She could forget big roles and purposes for a few hours and just be. If only humans could live without the delusion of a privileged position in the universe, if only there was no need to seek some sort of greatness. If only we could live happy doing what we loved. If only people didn't have to fill the shoes of a roll that was thrust upon them just because they were born.
Korra thought briefly of Asami and the way she wasted her life away just because she was born a Sato. Was that why she seemed ashamed of her drawings?
She'd be happy, enjoy her short lived youth for a while longer, the world could wait a little bit.
This was the only moment her life stood still for a while.
The rusty door gave a little creak and her little existential moment was over. She knew it was Tahno, the boy had trouble sleeping sometimes, too.
"Fancy seeing you here this late, Koh-rra" he looked at his wrist watch in fake concern. "it's well after midnight."
"Leave me alone, pretty-boy." She cooed, not taking her eyes from the stars. Tahno ignored her, coming to sit next to her on the edge of the roof, taking out a cigarette and leaned into Korra's extended arm to light it. He inhaled deeply as the water tribe girl shook her hand to put out the light. It was very common for them to accidentally meet on the roof, especially at lunch or after all the lights were out. Like tonight.
"Aren't you gonna smoke that?" he nodded at the white cylinder stashed behind her ear.
"Later" she didn't want the smoke to cloud her perfect view of the stars.
Tahno shrugged, "Suit yourself." He then smirked, little puffs of smoke escaping from the gaps between his teeth. "By the way, take a shower, you reek of desperation."
Korra did a double take. Stupid Tahno and his stupid piercing stare. "What the fuck are you talking about Tahno?"
The boy in question shrugged, taking another drag of his cigarette. "Nothing. I saw you at practice today. You're still not over that stupid school girl crush. Pining over some firebender who wouldn't even know you existed if you weren't his teammate."
Korra looked terrified "What? H-how can you…" Was she that obvious!? Did Asami know she was crushing on her potential boyfriend? Did Bolin know she had the hots for his brother? Was Mako aware of her feelings!?
Fuckitty fuck fuck.
If she was that obvious then she was completely screwed.
Tahno rolled his eyes, taking out another cigarette. He inched close to Korra's hand again, speaking with his teeth shut over the cig. "Oh, please. Anyone with half a brain cell can tell. You tend to wear your heart on your sleeve, dumbass." He raised his eyes to Korra's face and couldn't stop the chuckled that burst out. "You looked like you just short circuited. Relax, not many people actually have a brain cell here. It's a school for benders, not geniuses."
That didn't really help. Asami was a genius. "Shut the fuck up, I'm not pining after anyone…"
Tahno stared at her for a long second and then shrugged. "Suit yourself, Anik. Don't come crying when you get burned."
They stayed in an almost comfortable silence after that. Korra needed a place to think in peace and Tahno one where he could smoke.
They coexisted in peace. She even ventured to call it friendship.
She finally lighted her cigarette. Today had been a roller coaster. Asami being super nice, Mako being a jerk then being nice, Asami and Mako again. When they finally decide to take the next step she was sure it would break her. Asami was too perfect for Mako, and Mako was just another hormonal teenager… such as herself.