Korra's phone buzzed. Asami giggled as Korra dug it out of her pocket and answered. It always seemed like something was getting in the way whenever they were alone. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Tenzin. Korra put a finger over her mouth signalling Asami to be quiet. "Hi, Tenzin. What's up?"
"Hello, Korra. There was a terrible car accident. I don't know how long it will take to get cleared up, but it looks like it's going to take a while."
"Oh, okay. Don't worry Tenzin, I can just crash on the couch."
"Thanks, Korra. We'll pay you extra for staying overnight." In the background, Korra could hear honking and sirens. Tenzin huffed. Korra held back a laugh. She could see Tenzin clearly in her mind, white knuckles grasping the steering wheel and Pema trying to calm him down.
"No problem, drive safe. Bye."
"Bye," The call ended with a click and Korra leaned back on the couch that was now her bed for evening.
"Staying the night?" Asami asked as she leaned back toward the opposite corner of the couch. She languidly let her legs slide between Korra's and they lay there silently for a moment. Korra's head was growing foggy from the close contact with Asami and the fact that she was starting to get very tire. All of the kids were in bed and they'd sent Kai off just moments before. Korra looked at her phone for the time. It was just past eleven, and that was much too early to be sleeping.
"Yeah," Korra broke the silence, "Tenzin and Pema are stuck in traffic, so I've gotta stay. I don't have a key, so I can't lock up on my own."
"I doubt Jinora is sleeping yet, she could lock up." Asami suggested while caressing Korra's calf with her toes. Korra smiled. Asami's attention felt nice.
"Nah, it's alright. Plus, they pay me extra when I stay overnight."
"Oh, I see." Korra looked down at where Asami's bare feet were gently moving to and fro along her legs. She pulled her sweatpants up to the knee so that skin could touch skin. A chill went down her spin and she suddenly looked up at Asami who was smiling widely at Korra.
"You should probably head home, though…" Korra's voice wavered. She didn't really want Asami to leave. Asami sat up and put her on the ground, depriving Korra of the touch she was so enjoying. Korra sat up in response. She hoped she hadn't hurt Asami's feelings with the suggestion.
"I live just around the corner, Korra, I can stay. But if you want me to leave-"
"No!" She yelped and placed a hand on Asami's thigh to stop her from getting up, "no, I don't want you to leave. I just thought you might have to get home. It's getting late."
"Don't worry," Asami said placing her hand over Korra's, "I already sent my dad a text. Everything is fine."
"Oh, okay then, please stay," Korra said with a grin. She was happy that she was starting to be able to keep her confidence up while Asami was around. She still felt nervous, but it wasn't the same as the urge to run from Asami, like when they first met.
Asami released Korra's hand and leaned back on the couch again. "So, did you want to talk about anything?" Korra leaned back and this time let her legs settle against Asami's. Korra had been thinking about what was holding her back from having more with Asami, but being asked about it directly made all her previous thoughts about the topic drift away.
"Not really," Korra answered her and yawned. She looked away from Asami, feeling like a bit of an ass. Asami was being so patient with her, and Korra was shutting down. Korra took a deep breath and reminded herself that it was only talking. She had nothing to worry about. Not only that, but she wasn't making much progress figuring her feelings out on her own. She hoped that talking to Asami would set her thoughts in a more productive direction.
"Can I ask you some questions, then?" Asami asked.
"Sure," Korra said glancing back Asami's way and found her eyes locked in an intense, ernest stare.
"What scares you the most about the thought of liking a girl?"
Korra sighed at the question. "It's not just the thought of liking a girl that scares me Asami," Korra paused and ran her hands through her hair before returning her eyes to Asami. "The thought of liking anyone scares me." She stopped and waited for a Asami to say something. Anything. But Asami seemed content to stare at Korra and listen. "I've always been really independent. The thought of putting someone before football, before me, is hard."
"You don't have to put someone you love before you. You just have to make a little time and space in your life for them. It's hard at first, but it gets easier with time."
"When I talk to you I feel so childish," Korra admitted with a frown tugging at her lips. "You have all this experience. Why would you wanna be with someone who doesn't know what the hell they are doing?"
"Korra, you can only get experience one way," Asami smirked and her eyes sparkled. Korra was sure it was the same twinkle she had in her eyes when they had first kissed.
"Yeah," Korra laughed, "I know."
"Can I come over there?" Asami asked and Korra felt her face getting hotter. She figured her face must look like a rainbow with the red added to all the other colors of her bruise. Korra felt her stomach twist in fear. It was a fear she didn't understand. She didn't have to worry about rejection from Asami, so why couldn't she just say yes? Even as she was struggling with her thoughts, Korra saw Asami's eyes soften and she smiled. "It's okay. I understand what you are going through." Korra nodded at Asami and held out her hand. Asami took it and Korra pulled her into her arms. The couch was wide enough for both of them to fit on it comfortably side by side, so they lay back on the couch together. Asami rested her head on Korra's chest and closed her eyes. Korra had no idea how Asami was able to stay so calm when Korra's heart was beating out of her chest. "You're so stiff, Korra," Asami laughed and reached under Korra. She found some exposed skin on the small of Korra's back and lay her hand there.
"Sorry," Korra said looking down at the beautiful woman lying there with her. She had no idea what to do, but she felt a strong urge to stroke Asami's hair. Korra reached behind Asami's head slowly and deliberately. She ran her fingers through her hair once and the smell of Asami's hair products wafted into Korra's face. She breathed in the lavender smell deeply and sighed.
"See?" Asked Asami. "Isn't this nice?"
"Yeah," Korra said, "it is…"
...
"Korra," Korra was awake, but her memory of the previous weekend had taken total control over her. She couldn't hear her English teacher calling her name.
Someone gripped her shoulder and shook her hard. "Korra! Snap out of it!" Korra looked over at Wing and realized that the entire class had stopped on account of her.
"Oh! Um, yes?"
"Mr. Roberts is talking to you." Wing filled Korra in on what she had missed and point up to their teacher. He was holding the corded classroom phone in his hands.
"Sorry, Mr. Roberts. What's up?"
"Korra you're mother's on the phone," Mr. Roberts said holding the phone out to her. Korra jumped out of her seat and grabbed the phone from her teacher's hands. Mr. Roberts returned to his lecture and Korra spoke hurriedly to mother.
"Mom? What is it? Is everything okay?" Korra dreaded the worst. Her mother never called school.
"Sweetheart, Naga is really sick. I'm at the vet with her now. I had you called out, please meet me here."
"What!?" Korra could feel the tears forming in her eyes. There wasn't much that could make her cry, but the thought of losing Naga was one of those things. "I'll be right there." Korra slammed the phone back on the receiver before her mother could say anything else. She ran back to her seat and threw all of her stuff into her backpack. She was out the door before anyone could even ask her what had happened.
…
Korra sat on her living room floor with Naga at her side. She gently stroked her friend's head, but Naga didn't look up. She just slept.
"How is she sweetheart?" Korra's mom asked peeking around the corner.
"The same," Korra frowned and leaned down, nuzzling her head into Naga's neck.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, the vet said she'd be fine. I still have no idea what she could have gotten a hold of to cause that kind of reaction…" Senna wondered aloud.
"I know, but I'm gunna be worried until she gets back to normal." Korra's phone rang. "Hold on Mom, it's Opal. Hey Opal, what's up?"
"Hey, how's Naga?"
"She's doing alright. She's a strong girl, she'll make it." Korra tried to sound sure of herself.
"That's good to hear, but how about a break from doggie-sitting? I'm having a spirit party for the cheer squad. Why don't you come by?"
"I dunno, Opal," Korra couldn't think of a good excuse fast enough and Opal continued.
"Oh, come on, Korra. Besides, Wing and Wei went around to your classes and picked up all your homework for the past few days. Even if you don't wanna stay long, you need to pick that up, right?"
"That's true."
"Plus, Asami said she really wants to see you."
"What is she saying?" Korra asked. She couldn't keep the concern out of her voice.
"Nothing," Opal said and laughed, "Geez, Korra, Asami is much more discreet than you give her credit for. She wouldn't just go spouting out random details about your relationship to anyone. She just said she wants to see you." Korra contemplated Opals words. "Your relationship," she'd said. Korra didn't know they were calling it that now. The thought of making it official like that scared her, but on the other hand, the thought of Asami falling asleep in her arms again made her feel very excited. Korra was not the kind of person who liked to go backward. She would keep moving forward, even if she wasn't quite ready.
"Okay, okay, hold on, Mom," Korra lowered her phone and called out.
"Yes?" Senna poked her head around the corner again.
"Can I go over to Opal's tonight. She's having a party. Oh, and Wing and Wei have my homework."
"Of course, honey, go ahead. Just let me know when you'll be home."
"Got it," she said to her Mom and put the phone back up to her ear, "okay Opal, what time should I come over?"
"Dinner starts at six."
"I'll be there. Later, Opal."
"See you later, Korra." Korra ended the call and curled up next to Naga. There was plenty of time for a nap before heading over to Opal's house.
…
Korra pulled up to Opal's house at six forty. She figured that she would nap with Naga for an hour and then head to Opal's party early, but instead she had slept for nearly three hours. She blamed it on the fact that she had been getting up in the middle of the night to check on Naga. Her stomach grumbled and she hopped out of the jeep. She really hoped they had saved some dinner for her since she hadn't eaten since lunch.
She walked up the driveway, counting cars as she went. There were over a dozen, including Asami's motorcycle. Korra had no doubt that the entire cheer squad was here. Korra rang the bell and waited in front of the massive wooden door. Opal's house was even bigger than Tenzin's, though Korra was sure that Asami's place had them both beat. Opal had once explained how her family had become so well off, but Korra couldn't remember now. It had something to do with the metal industry. Korra shook her head and cleared her thoughts, none of that mattered. What matter to her now was getting to see Asami again. She smiled as the door flew open.
"Korra!" Wing and Wei yelled and practically jumped into her arms. "Save us!"
"Save you? Oh come on," Korra said eyeing the brothers with suspicion, "you have the whole cheer squad at your place and you want to be saved." Korra lowered her voice, "I know you two love it."
"We might, if they didn't want us to play their girly games with them…"
"Girly games?" Korra asked and rolled her eyes.
"Just come and see." Wei said pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "Everyone's this way." Korra followed the brothers into the house. She been there many times before, but the beauty of their home took her breath away every time. They walked straight ahead and into the backyard. All of the girls were sitting in a circle.
"I don't get it…"Wing said into her ear.
"It's like some sort of strange cheerleading seance," Wei said coming up behind her on the other side.
Korra facepalmed, "you're both crazy."
"Korra!" Opal waved at her and walked over. "Glad you made it." Her smile was wide and she gave Korra a big hug.
"Yeah, sorry I'm so late. I fell asleep next to Naga. I can't believe I slept so long…"
"It's okay. You must've needed it. You're here now, that's all that matters." Korra nodded and smiled at Opal's words. She was alway so forgiving with Korra. "Now, you should probably get your homework from the boys before we start our games. I don't want you to forget about it later," Opal winked at her. Korra didn't blush, she just gave Opal an annoyed look.
"Good idea," Korra agreed. Opal knew how distractible Korra could be sometimes. With Asami here, she was bound to get distracted very quickly.
"There's some leftovers in the kitchen, too. Come out whenever you finish and we'll get the games started!"
"You're waiting on me?" Korra asked.
"Well, for the fun games, yeah. And maybe you can convince Wing and Wei to play."
"Not a chance," Wei said begrudgingly, crossing his arms.
"Seriously," Wing agreed.
"Well, I'll see what I can do," Korra said to Opal and laughed. Korra caught Asami's eye as she was turning back toward the house with the twins. She smiled at her, trying to act cool and nonchalant, "By the way, what game are we starting with?"
"Never Have I Ever." Opal said.
"Cool," Korra responded. It was a game she almost always won. Now, though, she wasn't sure if she could win. She'd certainly be one of the last few people in the game, but she wouldn't win. She wasn't as innocent as she was just a few months ago, but she was glad for the change.
Author's Note: What do you all think? Let me know :)
