Korra

" She has to be part man or something, I've never seen a girl with so many muscles before."

I ignore the typical locker room comments, as I switch into my P.E uniform.

The other colored girls get made fun of while changing too, but at least they aren't entirely alone. With all my classes being honors, none of my friends' schedules align with mine. I don't mind it too much. I did at first, but now I either walk the track or find something to occupy my time.

Today we're having our first mile test of the year. I wasn't aware of this until the coach posted it onto the bulletin board when we walked in.

If I knew about this prior, I might've jogged around the neighborhood to condition.

After changing, I head out of the locker room and see the boys already stretching as if they were training for the Olympics. I find it humorous that boys are thrilled about a challenge to test their speed, when the girls are dreading such test.

If there is any consolation , it's just the first mile. The last one of the year is the one that truly counts. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try our best.

Despite the lack of diversity, I was honored to have Mako in my gym class. Clearly that was a joke. I find his character repulsive, but he's the only person I actually know.

I've heard the other boys make distasteful comments about me, but never have I heard him lead it. Which is odd, given his bully complex. He might add a chuckle here or there, but that's not the same. A part of me thinks his intimidation on Sokka, might be reflected upon me due to my closeness to his competition.

And that information, just makes me more curious about him. I've already heard his family history, and can understand why the pressures of him proving himself can cause his behavior. But there is something else about him, I can't understand.

"Don't try too hard, Mako. I'm going to leave you in the dust." One of his friends says, while the runner sneers, and laces up his sneakers.

"In your dreams, Pretty boy. Ain't no boy beat my score nor can run better than me." Mako defends.

"That colored boy sure did, on the football field." Another boy adds, which just gets Mako to glare.

The coaches come out, and the boys quickly separate.

Coach Lin is the girl's track coach and Coach Zhao is the boys'. They both had promising careers competing in their field. Coach Lin was in the 1928 Olympics, and was one of the first girls to be able to compete in the 300 meter dash. She got silver.

She tried for gold, four years later, but ended up tearing her acl. Then she was never able to run the same after the recovery. Once she gained the courage to get back into sports again, she settled to coach a mediocre high school track team. Which brings us here today.

I don't know much about Coach Zhao, other than he looks creepy and like a frog.

The rest of the girls finally make their way out of the dressing room, and our coach looks upset they took so long to exit.

The fact Coach Zhao made a comment about ladies always having to come fashionably late, didn't make who I believe is a feminist, Lin too happy.

We all split into co-ed like usual, and I roll the sleeves of my shirt, so I can have more room for my arms.

The comment from the girl in the locker room, echoes in my head.

I don't think I've a lot of muscles.

While in a huddle, Coach Lin explains that we'll have to wear a number on our back, so when we jog by ,she can remember how many laps we ran and our time. I've never had to wear a number doing the mile back in Chicago. Our gym teacher knew our names by heart, but I can see why this might be an original approach for her.

As the girls start passing the numbers around, one of them skips me.

I don't have to say anything, because the coach speaks for me. "Claire? Why didn't you give her a number?" Claire looks over at her friends while they start snickering. "Well, Coach. She's the only colored girl. She's not too hard to miss. Why does she need a number?"

I guess the boys overheard such comment, and they end up laughing too.

It's not the feeling of feeling humiliated that bothers me, it's the whole idea I've to just accept it. I'm the one that has to keep the peace, but they're the ones causing the problems.

It isn't fair and doesn't make sense.

Both coaches silence their students, and Coach Lin nods. "You're right, Claire. I think I can remember Korra Wilson. As well as I can remember you. You don't need a number either." Claire smiles and hands her number to someone else.

After a short debate, the girls will be running on the track first. Usually everyone runs at once, but the boys complained about the girls getting in the way of their run, which could alter their time. The girls weren't too thrilled about this, because the boys would be waiting and watching from the bleachers. And quickly their insecurities kicked in.

Now thinking about it, I'm glad I didn't have to wear a stupid number. The last thing I need,is something getting in the way of my already fitted shirt.

We all get behind each other, and wait for the coach to start the time. Once she says go, we all take off.

I already planned it out.

I'll try my hardest on the longest portion of the track, then slow down half way, jogging into the curve. Most people sprint the longer part of the track, then slow down on the curve. I think I know my body well enough to work with this different approach.


After getting off the track, I feel like my legs are on fire.

I most certainly have to head to the nurse to get my bandage replaced. Luckily my cut is not as sore as before, so that didn't interfere with my running. But I can feel the sweat and the fabric irritating my wound now. I get in line to hear my time, and don't fret when the girls cut in front of me. I can use the time to catch my breath.

I think I did a pretty good job, wouldn't say my best. But given the randomness of this test today, I did what I could.

"8:49." Coach Lin tells Claire, whom looks upset.

"That can't be so! Jackie and I ran together and she got "7:42."

The coach checks her clipboard again. "You mean Jackie who was #26? Nope. I didn't see you. If only you didn't walk your last lap."

"I didn't walk my last lap. I only walked when I was done, just like you told all the girls who finished." She whines.

"Maybe if you had a number, I could remember your laps. You waste my time, I waste yours. Better luck next time." She says, getting Claire to stomp off to the bleachers.

When I finally walk up to the coach she looks down at my leg. "You injure your leg?" She asks.

"No, Coach. Just a minor cut."

She nods, then flips her sheet over to where my last name should be. "You're pretty fast, you know that?"

"I think I used to be, I haven't ran much since I moved here." I answer, honestly.

"You must be from up north. I hear it in your accent. Only the best runners are from the South. They know what real sweat and heat feels like. No cool air, to protect you here. Just your drive and passion. Your time is 5:23." She tells me, which I'm even shocked by. Especially after her being from the North insult.

I find myself smiling a little, and when I realize I probably look silly for being proud of myself. I notice Coach Lin looking at me smugly.

"Go sit on the bleachers." She tells me, which I do so gladly.

Asami

As I'm getting my books out of my locker, A terrible stench, causes me to look up from my locker. "Did your heart tell you I was here?" Mako asks, leaning against the other lockers.

"No, your awful smell did!" I defend, pushing his armpit away from my face.

My friend chuckles, while smelling himself.

"That's the smell of a winner! Guess who not only kept his position as the fastest senior, but beat his score last year?"

I stick my entire head back into my locker, to protect my nose.

"And for what exactly?" I ask to clarify.

"The mile! I did outstanding for the mile today!" He whines.

"So you were the first boy to finish?" I ask.

"Yes! That's what I'm telling you."

"So? You were the first boy to finish, but couldn't make it in time to shower?" I tease, which just gets him to shut my locker.

"I don't smell that bad. I smell even worse after practice. "

As he proceeds to ramble about whatever nonsense he has, my attention is placed on the girl I've been thinking about all day, coming down the halls. Her face is glistening, but that doesn't take my focus.

She doesn't have on a cardigan,which she sometimes wears to hide her shoulders. Her arms are fully out, and they look gorgeous and even more toned than usual.

Despite not coming from such a run, I find myself getting hot. Which also causes the memory of us kissing two days ago to play over in my head. I knew I lost my continuous fight to behave myself, when I made the first move. And it wasn't just one move, it was a collection of them. I thought I could handle just a touch, but when my heart was filled with fear. My honesty/control went out the window.

When the deed was already done, and she told me she saw Suki the other day. That was the only thing I was confused by. Kissing Korra didn't give me answers, they just validated my feelings more. When she pulled me back into her capacity after such statement, I thought I was dreaming.

It turned a chaste kiss, into a common want. And I wanted nothing else but to continue it too, but the concern in her eyes after mentioning my friend's name made me pull away.

And from there, she told me about the entire Halloween night. How they went to visit a supposed haunted house. In a county, I wouldn't even go into myself. I listened as she went over the horror and fear, Sokka and her experienced. And for her to be alone with one of those cowards too? Fear and anger went through me. Anything could've happened to her.

How she described the person under their hood, made me believe it was who she thought it could be.

But her explanation had no physical description, so how could I know for sure? She told me the person didn't talk, just pointed. When I asked her for more details, she started to get more worked up again. Saying that, it probably wasn't Suki and she was mistaken. But deep down, I know she knew what she saw.

And I'm torn by that.

Her knowing who it was, was reassuring to her. But challenging what she believed, made her become anxious again.

And I don't blame her. To know that, whomever that person was, could still be out there. Has to be traumatic.

I've been thinking about this all week. Suki said she couldn't stay the night, that very day, but there would be no reason why she would be in that county. Also, she's the last person I would ever think to be apart of such hate group. I wouldn't be surprised if Azula or Ginger had involvement with the klan. But Suki? The person who thinks almost similar to me? Who has no time but to watch her siblings all day? There is no way.

After such thoughts, I had to postpone my happiness of Korra and I sharing such an intimate moment. But now, that I no longer have the urgency to be there and listen to her speak and comfort her. I can't stop thinking about our kiss. How her lips felt, and how she'll adorably tilt her head while it pressed against my forehead.

It was remarkable.

"Asami!?"

"WHAT!?" I shout, which gets him to look at me confused.

"How come whenever someone talks to you, you never pay attention to them?"

"I do." I answer.

"It's like your mind is elsewhere."

I wished my nose was elsewhere too!

It took only two seconds to address Mako, and I lost Korra in the crowd.

It's not that I don't care about my friends' problems. It's just…I have things I would like to talk to them about too. But they don't make the greatest space for me to do so. And I don't blame them entirely. How can a normal person possibly understand me, when everything they know is almost a lie?

Sometimes I wonder if they knew about my mother's true nationality, would they treat me the same? Or maybe if they knew how I might feel about a particular person, would they still love me for who I am?

Whether they found out the real me or not. The factors I'm not disclosing, literally has nothing to do with how I treat them. So them knowing shouldn't matter.

But it does, and it does in every way.

"I'm sorry, Mako. My father has been working so much lately, and I worry about him. You know he can sometimes bury himself in his work, to avoid his feelings." I answer.

"Yeah. If only my pops did that. If that was the case, he would be too tired to hound me all the time." He teases.

The bell rings letting us know, we need to be heading to class. Mako and I say our goodbyes. And as I make my way to the science hall, I see the familiar arms I was eyeing, head into the bathroom.

Everyone in their right mind knows, there is no way you can use the bathroom and get to class in time when the second bell goes off. Korra has been here long enough, to be aware of this student law.

I quickly make my way through the running students of the halls, and into the restroom too.

When I enter almost vacant room, I find Korra leans against the sink with a smile on her face.

"Shouldn't you be getting to class?" She asks.

"I was going to ask you the same thing." I answer back.

"I've crazy news to tell you." She says, which just gets me excited even though I don't know what she's about to tell me.

"You know coach Lin, the track coach?"

"Yes."

"She wants me to try out for the girls' track team."

I look at her dumbfounded, but in a good way. The girls track team is very exclusive. Azula tries out every year, and never makes it. And she has cheer experience! Korra

being personally offed to try out, is an automatic slot.

"That's amazing, congratulations!" I greet, while pulling her into a hug.

Even though she ran a mile, she smells just as heavenly. I'm sort of jealous, Mako has P.E with her and I don't. I swear boys get everything we want easier.

"I don't know if I want to try out though."

"Why not?" I ask, concerned. This is an amazing opportunity for her.

With her amazing grades, and adding a sport with that, colleges would be fighting for her. I know how much getting into a great college means to her, why wouldn't she take on this boost?

"Is it because you think you aren't fast enough?" I ask.

She laughs, and grabs both of my hands, which makes me happy.

"With more training I think I can be."

"So that means you're willing to try out?"

"No. It means I'm willing to think about it. She said the fact I had so much energy taking out the longer parts on the third and fourth laps,shows that I've amazing endurance. And just from looking at me, I probably have the strength to compete in the field portion of track too. "

"I could've told you that." I reply, admiring such topic.

"Can I be honest?"

"Please do." I reassure.

"It's not competing that I'm worried about, it's what will come from me doing so. To be the first colored girl to compete in track? That's another load of pressure I'm put on. I don't think I've the strength like Sokka, to deal with the spectators and people going against me."

That same look of fear, that was taking over her on Saturday comes back, and I quickly help her change her mentality.

"No one is asking you to take on such role. You should only try out, if you enjoy it. I highly doubt, Sokka tried out just to solely break a social barrier. When you've heart for something, you are destined to be great. You don't have to decide right now. You've months to decide. Don't stress too much over something you learned just a few minutes ago."

A smile reappears on her face, and who knew simple honesty could be so rewarding.

"How do you always know the right things to say?"

"Maybe I just want an excuse to show more school spirit, and come and watch you?" I tease, which gets her to laugh.

"I just told you I don't want track to put more pressure on me. Yet, you watching me does just that."

"Ohhh. So, I make you nervous? I think that's a good thing. I was told running helps butterflies in your stomach. I could be your secret weapon, to make you run faster."

Even though we couldn't be any better, I'm still curious.

"How's Sokka and the others'?"

Korra

The others and I haven't talked about Halloween. It was too traumatic living through it, let alone talking about it.

No one but Asami, knows about the Klan member sparing my life. Apart of me thinks I'm wrong about it maybe being Suki. It was dark, and it could've been anyone. But something just tells me it was her.

How can you explain such a gut feeling?

I made Asami promise, not to ask Suki about any of this. She told me I had her word, but I knew she was concerned. I could tell she was even more upset at Sokka through all of this. But I told her how he saved everyone in the end, and it was okay.

"They're doing okay." I answer.

"And how's this doing?" She asks, touching my leg with a mischievous smirk.

"It's fine!" I reply, blushing and pulling my skirt back down.

"So what were you and Mako talking about?" I ask, remembering seeing him talk her ear off. Which isn't a surprised sight to see. He did have the shortest time out of our entire class. Even I was impressed by his dedication and time. Of course I would never compliment him personally, but I admire talent where it's due.

I'm curious to see how Sokka does on his test, but I would have to ask him when his gym period is.

" You saw me with Mako?" She asks, with a playfully raised eyebrow.

"Just answer the question."

"Nope. Not until you tell me why you want to know so badly."

I sigh.

"Because…You looked truly invested in what he was saying."

She laughs, but I'm not sure what's so funny.

"I'm not sure. I had other things on my mind." She replies, before inching towards my face, which I move away from.

"I'm sorry. Was what I did wrong?" she asks, more frightened than offended.

I haven't' really thought much about what we did back near the lake. With school, and getting over my still slight fear of a few nights ago. Time to reflect, hasn't been a priority of mine.

I didn't expect her to make such a bold move like that. But I'm glad she did. Something about her, draws me in. And I can now say, that feeling has been there all this time.

Which makes sense now, because I would find myself just drifting off into whatever we're sharing. Either if it's space, conversation, or silence. There is this closeness that feels bigger than us both combined.

Not just her words are free, her movements are too. She's such a free person, but she doesn't flaunt independence. Most people think freedom and being independent are the same, but they aren't.

She has shown in many ways, she's not like other people. Just like how I'm not.

"No. You did nothing wrong. It's just…."

I throw my hands up to empathize our location.

"We're in school, and anyone can walk in here and see us." I explain.

She nods, clearly embarrassed. And I wished I didn't have to let her know this. I wished I could allow her to be her honest self, like she constantly allows me. It's just a lot to consider.

I'm not even comfortable enough to talk to her in the halls or class, and it has nothing to do with my insecurities. I just don't want her to face the backlash I receive. I don't want her life to change because of I need to get over that, and I plan to.

But we both need to gradually create a safe space.

I'm in an integrated school, and we share a class together. Being seen together shouldn't be a problem. This is why we're being found in the girl's bathroom all over each other isn't the greatest way to do it.

"You're right. But can I ask you something, Korra?"

"Go ahead."

"Did you like what we did near the lake?" She asks, with a voice of hesitance.

"And what did we do near the lake?" I ask with a smile, while walking towards her again.

"You know. What we did." She replies, trying to pretend to be annoyed, backing away.

"The picnic? Yep. I liked it a lot." I explain, progressing on my target.

"No. I'm not talking about that." She giggles.

"Us practicing how we're going to present in English, Thursday ?" I guess incorrect again.

"Nope. Not that either." She replies, with nowhere else to go, but right through the pink wall tiles.

"What about me telling you my deepest darkest secret?" I reply, getting right on her. I look down at her lips, and the temptation is too strong. Because I can feel that same energy of being drawn to her. "I don't think you told me that yet." And that's because I don't want to tell it, I want to show her. But I can't, not here. I don't want all our moments to be shared in this place I dread so much. I press my forehead to her's and take a deep breath,because this is the best I can do in our environment."My secret is how badly, I want to kiss you."

"Like we did at the lake?" She asks, with her voice almost giving out.

"No. Longer this time." I reply, while taking a few more seconds to appreciate our closeness, before backing away to retrieve my backpack from off the floor.

"Let's not make it just a lake thing then?" She suggests, which gets me to turn around with a small smile.

"I didn't plan on it."

Author Note

I hope everyone is staying safe and has the supplies they need to make it through this. Let's not see this pandemic as a change, but a temporary accommodation period. I know it sucks having to adjust our lives. But regardless of your talents, abilities, or mindset, we all are doing our part in this.

And sacrifices can turn into something just as beautiful too. When all of this is over, I think we all will learn something from this. Maybe not right away, but we will.

Sure! We all can use our time to watch the shows we always wanted, learn a hobby, update a story more (Don't get too excited lol.) Anything we didn't have the time for before.

Just think of all the future stories or movies that will be based on this time period. I can see the Rom-Coms now. Two lovers met during Quarantine, and they exchanged their love through TikTok dances and streaming shows. What a love story for the ages.

Regardless of what you do with your time, make sure it's helping you in a beneficial way. Because there is so much out of our control at this moment. And uncertainty, isn't reassuring. But you personally know yourself. So take care of yourself and those around you. Because we aren't in this together, if you aren't in it with yourself too.

Just remember my pen name. It takes talent to stay calm, and you've to practice your talent everyday to be an artist.

You're way too beautiful in your own way, to stop working on your masterpiece (yourself).

I hope you enjoyed this update. Please be safe out there, and I will do the same.