Chapter 10: One Chance

As we both released each other's lips, Korra and I looked at each other speechless. I swear, I wanted this sort of thing to happen just much later when I was ready! But it's too late, whatever hit me on the back of my head, certainly decided it was time for the opportunity. Ughh….

"Korra, I…" I began, but suddenly I was cut off by Korra looking angrily behind me.

"Meelo!" she cried, "what's the big idea?!"

Meelo cracked up into a hearty laugh, ignored her words, and ran away to join with his sisters nearby. All three of them were laughing in triumph like they accomplished their mission.

"Korra I'm really sorry about that! I didn't think that would happen," I apologized, hoping she wasn't angry or upset with me too.

"No it's fine," she said shyly not giving me any eye contact, "perfectly fine."

As she walked quickly past me, I saw a hint of red in her cheeks. My heart stuttered a bit. She said it was fine that I kissed her?! I started to feel a rush. Oh wow, how do I take that? Even if I dated girls back then, I never made it to giving them a kiss, just holding hands. What should I do now? How am I supposed to act normal around her?

I turned back over to the direction she was walking to and saw her approaching Tenzin nearby the temples. Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo followed right behind her while they mocked smooch sounds with their lips. Korra tried her best to ignore them. I rubbed the back of my head, "I guess I should act normal then…" I thought as I walked over in their direction.

So as long she doesn't treat me any differently, I could act normal, but she said it was fine right? Does that mean she has feelings for me too?! I felt myself light up inside.

"Bolin?"

"Huh?" I blinked and saw Tenzin looking right at me.

"We were wondering if you would like to join us to investigate Mr. Sato's factory?" Tenzin asked calmly while his kids wandered off down the hall way.

"Wait, what for?" I asked while acting surprised. Did Mako just tell him what was going on? I thought we were supposed to be quiet about it till he figured something out?

"Lin apparently received an anonymous tip from a phone call," Tenzin explained, "They said that Mr. Sato has been creating technology to take down all Benders."

"Oh man, that's definitely bad news," I exaggerated while pretending I was just hearing this for the first time, "and Mr. Sato of all people!"

"He helped sponsor our team though," Korra spoke, "you sure this isn't some kind of prank?"

Korra had a point, which I realized. Why help us if you were against Benders this whole time?

"Prank or not, we still have to take this accusation seriously, it could be a good lead," Tenzin suggested.

He turned around and began walking down the hallway. Korra and I followed right after him. "We'll ride Oogie and fly over there," Tenzin said.

"Flying?" I beamed, "I haven't done that before!"

I gave a slight jump of happiness. Korra smiled towards me and said, "It's definitely worth the experience!"

It definitely was. I looked below and gazed upon the cityscape. I saw how quickly the scenery changed from the apartments to the industrial part of the city. Korra laughed behind me and tugged on my shirt.

"Be careful, you wouldn't want to fall!" she advised as I lowered my head even more.

"It could be worth the jump," I joked as I turned around, "well that is if you will catch me."

"Haha, you mean if Tenzin catches you," she said as we both watched Tenzin, who was concentrating on flying Oogie.

"We're almost there," Tenzin said not listening to our conversation.

When we neared the factories, I saw smoke coming out from one of the multiple smoke stacks down below. Covering the entire area, Chief Beifong's officers patrolled the entire place. Mr. Sato's workers stood outside and lined up while they were getting interrogated by one of the other officers. As Oogie landed nearby one of the factories, Chief Beifong approached.

"We can't find anything," she said sounding frustrated, "all of the workers seem clueless about Mr. Sato."

While Chief Beifong, Tenzin, and Korra talked, I looked to my right and spotted Mako and Asami approaching us too. When they neared, Mako instantly grabbed my arm and pulled me along. I didn't have a chance to say hi to Asami, so instead I waved over to her, which she politely waved back in return.

"Hey! Mako!" I said while trying to tug back my arm, "a decent hello would have been nice!"

"I think this is all a façade," Mako said with great suspicion while keeping his voice low.

I pulled back my arm and rubbed it a bit. He really took a tight tug at it.

"Does Asami know? Did you tell her?" I asked as I watched her. She appeared to look uncomfortable as Tenzin and Chief Beifong began questioning her. Suddenly I saw her furrow her eyebrows a bit.

"My father wouldn't do such a thing!" she said out loud, enough for us to hear from far away.

"She doesn't know it was me who made the call," Mako replied as I turned my head over to him, "I've been acting just as defensive as she is in front of the police and the workers."

"All right, but you know you can't hide forever. She's going to find out at some point. Who knows how upset she'll be once she knows you made the accusations," I with concern.

"And if I'm right?" Mako questioned while crossing his arms, acting as if he's right.

"Then, she won't be as upset?" I guessed, "Look I don't know Asami as well as you do! Whichever way the situation turns out I just hope she's ready for the truth."

"I hope so too…" Mako said trailing off his words as he began to be in deep thought.

"So, what's it like living the rich life?" I joked as I nudged his arm to try to help lighten the mood.

"I might investigate the Sato Mansion myself," Mako said cutting me off.

"Wait what?"

"I'll try giving the place a search and I'll try to spy on Mr. Sato for more clues," he suggested with a serious face.

"Mako, are you serious? What if he uses his new technology on you? Then what? Or what if you don't find anything on him?" I asked feeling a bit skeptical.

"I know Asami will forgive me," he replied like it was no big deal.

Being the oldest, he certainly does hold some standard of almost always acting like he's right.

"Have you practiced Metalbending at all?" Mako asked changing the subject. Really Mako?

"Um well no not yet," I admitted, "I don't know how convinced Chief Beifong would feel teaching me."

"Why not ask her right now?" Mako suggested acting as if it isn't a problem.

"I feel like she'll say I'm not cut out to learn," I replied quietly.

"Bo it might help us out against Mr. Sato if he does have something up his sleeve," he pressed on.

"Yeah but…"

"Here I'll help you out."

Mako walked away from me and quickly said out loud, "Chief Beifong! I have a question to ask you."

"Yes? What is it?" Chief Beifong replied sounding a bit agitated.

"MAKO NO!" I urged as I ran up beside him and tugged his shoulder, "Look I'll ask another time!"

"QUIT IT!" Mako yelled back at me as he shrugged off his shoulder away from me. What's gotten into him? He really got this investigation going to his head! I didn't want to ask at a time like this, it wasn't appropriate.

"Chief Beifong, with the circumstances going on right now with Amon, would it be possible for you to teach my brother how to Metalbend?" Mako asked politely.

"That's a random question to be asking at a time like this," Chief Beifong replied with a raised eyebrow, "why? And this better be a worthwhile answer. I just don't teach anyone how to Metalbend."

Mako didn't respond and he turned his head over to me for an answer. I sighed and gathered up some of my courage. Fine, I'll admit it right now.

"I want to protect Korra," I replied as I swallowed, easing the dry part that collected in my throat to remove the nervousness.

Korra's eyes grew wider as she stared back at me. I gave her a slight smile in return. Silence dragged for a moment as Chief Beifong appeared deep in thought. Then she plainly replied, "the answer is no."

My heart sank.

"WHY NOT?" Mako and I spoke in unison.

"Because you're not ready," she replied coldly, "especially if you're having your older brother ask for you." I felt deeply insulted.

"Lin, you can't be serious," Tenzin spoke in defense, "a little lesson wouldn't hurt."

"I don't teach people who have a soft side, especially romantic ones," she said straightforwardly and into Tenzin's face, "I don't have time to teach or the patience. Protecting this city is my first priority. Not teaching a newbie how to Metalbend. I have enough officers to win against Amon."

"Chief Beifong!" Korra began determined to argue back, but Tenzin moved his arm in front of her. He shook his head towards her; giving her the expression that arguing back wasn't worth it.

Chief Beifong walked off right away. "If you excuse me I have some business to take care of," she replied stubbornly.

I felt so defeated and I tried my best to hide how much hurt I was expressing. What am I going to do? I'm running out of time. The words that hurt me the most wasn't the insults that Chief Beifong inflicted. It was when she said "especially if you're having your older brother ask for you." It brought back those old bitter thoughts and feelings I've had towards Mako when he treated me nothing but as a little brother. No equal treatment, nothing. He shouldn't have gone up and ask. Has he already forgotten our talk days ago?

Mako pulled me aside once more away from the group.

"It's okay, you'll just have to train as best as you can," Mako said while putting his hands on my shoulders to try to comfort me.

What kind of advice is that? Metalbending is the strongest form of Earthbending, something years in advance for me to learn and here he is, acting as if his encouragement would help me?

"Mako stop," I replied gently, pushing away his arms, "I get that you're trying to encourage me to make me feel better, but let's think realistically."

"Bo, don't give up just yet. If anything I can protect Korra too," he quickly suggested.

"Mako! Seriously! After all I've said to you. Quit looking down on me like this. I want to be able to take care of things on my own without having you breathing down my neck!" I admitted while raising my voice.

He took a step back from me. This was the first time I've yelled back at him.

"What you did back there asking Chief Beifong like that, you think I'm incapable of asking or moving forward with what I want or with my decisions?" I questioned letting out all this frustration. I'm tired of holding back. Despite our talk days ago where he said would want to see me mature myself and take responsibility, he went back on his word. He still took a measure to treat me differently and at the lowest point.

"Look those weren't my intentions!" he replied defensively, but I knew he was only saying that to calm me down. I guess he forgot what we talked about.

"I don't want to hear it! Quit giving me your false promises. Just take my words to heart and listen to me," I said keeping my front up, "I understand that you're trying to be my older brother, but you have to remember I'm just as capable as you. Remember that!"

Mako gave a deep sigh and as he was about to say more, I walked away. I've had enough of his words.

"Bo!" he called after me.

I continued ignoring him. The only way I can prove Mako how responsible I am and mature I've grown to be can't be expressed in how much I can yell at him. It can only be expressed through action. "This will have to be my first step," I whispered to myself.

~to be continued…