Asami
Who knew a school play would clear out the streets? With Mako and I are sitting in the back of Sokka's aunt's car, I occasionally look over at him. Noticing how he's still uncomfortable."I can't wait to get my hands on a fresh strawberry cream cone." Sokka says, as he cruises down the dirt road. "Doc doesn't sell strawberry cones, and you passed the shop miles ago." Mako replies, irritated.
"Oh no! Why didn't you warn me!? You know a colored boy like myself can't do anything right!" Sokka replies, frantically. Which makes Korra laugh, before turning around to address my friend's question. Informing him that, Doc's stop serving coloreds after 4pm. I wasn't aware of this, nor was Mako who becomes defensive. "That's not true! I've seen colored workers there past 3. You're lying."
"And why would we be lying?" Korra asks, calmly. It's not like she's attacking him. She seems genuinely curious.
The boy beside me, shrugs ."Maybe you just want to kill us."
"Kill ya? What good would that do us? And besides. I know it must be shocking to hear, but. Your kind rather have us work for them, instead of us sitting at the same quite frankly doesn't make sense. Taking in consideration, the women of my people helped raised the majority of your folks. They could breast feed ya babies, but Lord forbid their mouths touch a cup of yours. "
"It's different." Mako defends.
"Boy if you don't just...! " "OKAY! Maybe we should listen to some music."Korra interrupts , while reaching for the radio knob.
"We don't get many stations out here, the clearest one is the police scanner." Sokka explains while coming across an intersection, then making a right.
"I thought those were illegal?" I find myself asking.
I know this because, my father's clients request for them, which he kindly denies.
" They are, Miss Smith. However, a police scanner is a colored person's best friend. Without them, we wouldn't know which areas to avoid. There are books being made on routes safe for us to travel through. But that's only for certain ears and eyes to see." He replies, looking directly at Mako who rolls his eyes.
Luckily, Korra finds a station that doesn't have too much static. With us being so away from town, I'm surprised we found a station at all. I've also been desperately searching for a telephone pole, so I can call my father.
Not that I want to head home anytime soon, I just don't want him to worry. I push the search to the back of my mind, and pay attention to the woman a seat up from me. I can't help but want to be closer to her. I know we're together, but it's not the same. The feeling is similar to, opening your home to guests you personally invited over. You don't mind the company, but you know the feeling of relief and almost excitement, once they start to pack up.
"You've any plans for Thanksgiving, Asami?" She finally ask, while staring me down in the rear side mirror.
"Other than get passively judged for not cooking correctly by Estelle. Nothing much." I tease.
"Your grandmother doesn't yell at you." Mako says, through a chuckle.
"That's where you're wrong, she very well does." I argue.
"She's just doing what all grandmothers do."
"And what's that? Make me into a perfect housewife?" I reply back to him.
"Oh! I think that's long passed. Estelle is a strong woman, she's persistent. It's just a matter of who's going to cave first." This comment, get's Sokka to laugh.
"I agree with you slightly on that one, Man. This next generation of women are very outspoken. Take my sister for example, she'll tell you what she's not doing, more than actually doing something."
"And what's wrong with women being independent?" Korra asks.
"Hey! I'm just telling it like it is. You know I respect women, but sometimes I think it would make a man less tense if they just listened from time to time. Not everything has to be debated or challenged." He defends.
"Exactly! We don't ask for much. Just dinner, a clean home, and..."
"Children. You want us to bear your children. So they can watch the responsibilities we must a hold, for society. Which just continues the cycle." Korra adds, cutting Mako off again.
" What's wrong with that? All women want to be mothers." Sokka adds, which gets both Korra and I to laugh. "Is that what you think all women want to be when they grow up?" I ask.
"You laugh, but my mother wanted to be a mother." Mako defends.
"But that's not everyone." I stress,
"Tell me. Did you want to grow up to be a father?" Korra asks.
"Who me!?" Both Mako and Sokka reply in unison, freaking out.
"Yes. Either one of you? We're you trained to live that lifestyle? Learn to cook, clean a house, change diapers, etc?" She adds.
"No. But we were raised to learn how to repair things. Hunt. Make a living to support our family. Whether you cook or build. I don't see what difference it makes? I don't think my father wanted to be a dad. But he knew he was raised to be a man and step up. That's just how it is. Its a system, and it's been working for ages. I don't see a reason to change it."
Korra opens her mouth to say something, but suddenly decides not to.
I know she has a counter for Mako's words. She always does, But her compassion is showing tonight. Compassion for a teen boy who thinks happiness is sacrificing your life.
We come across a shack, with the words reading 'Ann's Shop' on the front. There is one picnic table on the side, but that's not where my attention is on.
It's the lack of lighting and cars in the lot, that's concerning.
"Are you sure it's open?" Korra asks,directly at Sokka.
"They don't close till ten, It's eight now. Let's go take a look."
Mako opens the door, but the driver stops him. "Um. I know you've this whole 'I'm white and I own the world' thing going on. But, I think it would be less intimidating if Me and my gal here just got out."
"What do you mean intimidating? This is a colored owned shop. I'm the outsider." He argues.
Despite the confusion and seriousness in my friend's voice, Korra's laughter is still too sweet for my ears. I appreciate how comfortable she's being in this situation. Who would of thought such a group, would be spending their time outside of school together?
Sokka wipes the smile off his face."Tell you what. How about you keep Miss. Smith here, safe. It's late, and you know us coloreds like to cause havoc during these hours of the night." Sokka replies, before opening his car door.
I watch how Sokka and her giggle, as they make their way to the back of the shack. Leaving me alone with my curiosity of whether they would've invited me inside, if Mako wasn't present.
"Did you see any telephone poles for a payphone?" I ask,Mako, who just looks over at me annoyed.
"What!? You can't tell me you're upset you couldn't go inside?"
"That's not why I'm upset. It's your willingness to get in the car with these people."
"That didn't stop you from tagging along, did it?" I defend.
"It's different. I had to."
"Let me guess. It's your inner man, that made you tag along. I don't need your protection." I stress once again.
" Yes you do! They can't defend or fight for you."
"What makes your protection any different than their's. Other than your skin, tell me how you could protect me from trouble?"
I wait anxiously for his response, because I truly want to know how he could protect my life. How he can take away all my fears, just by his presence.
"Remember back at the horse race? That man wouldn't stop hitting on you."
I laugh at such a terrible example.
"Mako! That happens to me all the time. Whether you're with me or not. And those two inside, have far more to fear than me. If they're taking a risk bringing us here, something tells me we'll be okay. If you really wanted to protect me, you would put your attention on how you can be less threatening to them."
Mako crosses his arms. "They aren't scared of me." He says, lowly.
"No! But I think they're frighten with who you can be when you're trying to prove something . You aren't on the football field, we're just getting ice cream. Yes, we're away from home. Yes, this is the same person who maybe costing your football dreams. But, I promise you if you asked what they feared the most, losing a football scholarship wouldn't be an answer. Remember, I'm giving you a second chance. Aren't you happy I'm talking to you?"
"Yes! I missed it so much and I'm grateful. I'm trying, I really am. I'll continue to win back your trust. But I can never see them as my equal. We're just not the same. What can I do, that can make a little of a difference?" He asks, desperately.
His response isn't what I wanted to hear, but I manage to say "Be yourself. Your real self."
Korra
Sokka holds the door open for me, and I've never been inside Ann's before. Usually when the gang and I come out here, they bring my cone out to me. We're in the predominately colored part of the county. This is also where my uncle lives too, but my family rarely has the time to visit him. The drive isn't too far, but with most cop cars patrolling heavily, I'm not a huge fan of the area. At least in Franklin, they're somewhat lenient. But here, you've to be colored and nothing else. My schooling and my father means nothing here.
"Hello!? Is anyone here?" Sokka calls out, while messing with some wind up toys on the counter. I notice the ice cream freezer all covered up. Which is disheartening.
"We're closed." A gentleman around our age answers, while stepping out from the back.
"How? It ain't but eight." Sokka questions.
"Sorry, Brother. I don't work here. I'm just helping out a family friend who had an emergency and needed someone to close up shop early. I'm guessing I didn't do too much of a great job locking up, noticing how ya got in here. He teases, while walking towards us. "My name is Parker by the way."
"Sokka and this is Korra."
Parker is quite handsome. With his chestnut colored skin, and dark brown eyes. He almost favors Sokka a bit. However, his muscles set my friend and him apart greatly. "Ya must not be from around here." He says, looking us up and down.
"What makes you think that? We're colored aren't we?" I reply back, which gets a cheeky grin from him."Well, just by the way ya just waltzed in here yelling. "Is anyone here?" Tells me so. Where ya from?"
"Franklin." Sokka replies, still checking this Parker fella out.
I don't know why, but I always find it strange how men acknowledge each other. My father does the same thing. Especially when it comes to other colored men. Sometimes there is this natural love and respect, but other times there is this resentment. Strangely, my father get's the latter a lot. Some folks despise my father. Some of them, his very own people. You would think they would be appreciative, or happy he's working to help make a change in our community. But there are still a minority of colored folks, who think my father is hurting everyone. Creating trouble by having a colored corner shop. That he's placing a bigger target on the Franklin colored community. I can never wrap my head around that.
"Okay. That explains a lot." Parker states, while shaking Sokka's hand, even though he never offered it to him. When he takes the moment to address me, he gives me a giant smile. "You ain't from Franklin, because I've never seen a gal as fine as you."
"I'm not. I'm from Chicago." I defend, while putting my hands into my striped blue and ivory dress pocket, to avoid shaking his hand. I don't know what it is, but I'm not a fan of this gentlemen. His energy is off, and doesn't sit well with me.
"Well, that explains the accent and the coldness." He replies, before heading back behind the counter.
" I can't lock the shop up until you two lovely people leave. So, what can I do for you two?"
"We wanted some ice cream, but it looks like you already stored it up." Sokka answers, while looking around the aisles.
"Yeah. Sorry about that. You're welcome to purchase anything else you see."
As we go down different aisles searching for anything that might be decent enough. I see a silver bracelet that would look nice on Asami. I wish she was able to come inside, that way I could ask if she really liked it. But after meeting Parker, I'm glad she stayed in the car.
"Look what I found!" Sokka says all giddy like, while holding two bottles of a dark liquid. There is no label on it, so I've no idea what it is.
"I think we found something better than Ice cream." He says, while taking out his wallet and heading to the register to pay.
"Looks like someone is about to have fun tonight." Parker states, while putting the purchases into a brown paper bag.
"What's that?" I ask, joining the boys at the counter.
"You don't know what moonshine is?" Sokka asks.
"No, what is it?"
"HowI feel so small how the boys are looking at me like i'm silly.
I know I'm not foolish. You're only stupid, when you don't ask questions. I want to be informed, and they're treating me like I'm Bozo the clown.
"Okay, Miss Chicago. Moonshine is illegal alcohol." Parker explains.
"If it's illegal why are you selling it!?"
The clerk just smiles, and hands Sokka his change. "You best be on your best behavior young man. You've a special one." He says, with a wink to my friend. But instead of Sokka giving him his common smile back, he just looks at Parker in disgust.
"I think you should just worry about closing up shop." Sokka spits back.
Parker steps back with his hand up playfully. "Come on now. I'm just messing with you, Brother. I swear you Franklin folks can't take a joke."
"Don't get me wrong, we can take a joke. As long as it's funny, and so far... You seem to be the only one amused."
Parker leans forward over the counter, so he's inches away from Sokka's face. "Here's a question for you since jokes aren't your cup of tea. What do ya do after you fuck them white women? Do you pick your own grave, or do paint your skin white and try to raise ya cursed children." After such comment, Sokka lashes at Parker, who backs away just in time.
"You folks are weak. Can't even take a joke. All because you think you're a head of your time. Thinking an integrated school will make them white folks accept ya. All that don't mean jack shit around here. All I see when people from your town scroll through here, is a tombstone. You all are weak! You should never keep your guard down." He calls out, as I drag Sokka out of the store.
"You should've let me punch him." Sokka says, opening the bottle quickly, then taking a long chug.
"He knows nothing about us. Folks like him are the problem, not us. We want change just as much as him. What makes us any different!?" He adds before another sip.
"Here, have some." He offers.
I look down at the bottle and shake my head. "I'm fine. Go on ahead."
"Trust me, it'll do you some good. All those worries and fears you've, will feel like like they stopped for awhile." He reassures, while shaking it at me. I stare at the bottle offered to me, then up at my friend who gives me the most sincere eyes. "Trust me, Korra. I got you."
I finally take the bag, and take a sip and nearly choke at how much it burns down my throat. "You're okay. Try again."
"No! It's disgusting."
He then smiles, and takes back the bag.
"You don't drink for taste, Korra."
"How can you drink this? The illegal part is one thing, but not knowing what's inside is far more concerning." I defend, as I watch him take another long drink. "We've two white folks in our car. One, that actually wants to kill me. Illegal is the least of my worries." He offers me the bag again, and this time, aware of the taste, I take a drink. I don't cough this time, but I did have to shut my eyes.
"There you go! I knew you could do it." He says, all proud which gets me to smile, as we walk again.
"What did you want to talk to me about? You know? Before my parents stopped us from sitting together?"
We end up stopping, but I can still see our vehicle in the distance.
"Does doing something you're unsure of, make you less of a man?" He asks.
"Ugh! You're still on the whole man thing? Sure, I agree we're taught things at a young age to make us ready for life, but I don't think playing with building blocks makes you destined to be a construction worker." I tease. But despite my humor, he looks serious. Almost, fearful.
"Are you okay?" I ask, now officially concerned.
"Yeah. It was just a question." He replies, while taking another sip.
Even though he says he's okay, I can't help but take his question a little more seriously.
"I understand sometimes in life, we don't have a choice in certain things. But having options doesn't make it any less difficult either. There are risks in everything we do. Even if we do those things every single day. What i'm trying to say is...Knowing yourself, makes you not just a great man. But a great person. Because at the end of the day, your decisions are what counts."
"But what if doing what's best for you, affects those around you? Might even hurt them even? "
"How can doing what's best for you, hurt them? It might disappoint someone, but I don't think it'll change how they think of you. What's this all about?" I ask, hopeful to get some insight on such a deep question.
"It's about doing what's best for me." He answers.
"You're surely beating yourself up, for already knowing what's good for you." I tease, while bumping his shoulder.
"Huh. I guess you're right."
As we continue to walk towards the car, I can see he's giving my words some thought. But not in a negative way. Almost like, he seems more at peace. " I think I'm done drinking." He states, while handing me the bottle.
Once we get to the car, Asami sticks her tongue out at me, which gets me to giggle while opening her car door. "Hm. That doesn't look like ice cream" She replies, while taking the bottle from me, with a smile.
"They were closed, but we got something better. "
Sokka tosses the second bottle to Mako, who examines it happily. Opening it, to smell it's aroma."It certainly smells like a good time. I ain't have moonshine in a minute, there is no way we can drive back to town sober with this in our system." The ticket seller says, before taking a drink.
"You don't have to worry about me, I drank enough." Sokka replies, before getting into the driver seat. I watch as Asami drinks with no problem, and I'm certainly glad she didn't see me have my first drink. Let alone, not know what it was.
"This is actually good, I've had worse batches before." Asami says.
"I never took you as a dark liquor girl, Asami." Sokka says, impressed.
"Oh, I'm not. But it's been awhile since I had a drink, and I think I need the break, before I'm dragged into family functions."
"Tell me about it." We all say at once, which gets all us to laugh.
"I wish there was a place we could go to enjoy this." Sokka says, as we pull out of the makeshift parking lot.
"We could go to my uncle's? He lives just a few roads down." I offer.
"That would be great! But wouldn't that interfere with his night?" Asami asks.
"He's not home. When my father and him last spoke, he was going to spend the holidays with his new girlfriend. He usually keeps a spare key in a tree trunk."
"I don't feel too comfortable about that. It's late, and Asami needs to call her father. " Mako adds.
I turn around to look at my girl, and she rolls her eyes at her friend, before putting on a smile to address me. "Don't worry about my father. He knows I'm safe. A phone would be great, but I'm not too worried about it. I wouldn't mind spending a little more time with you though. Since we're already out, I mean." She adds.
I find myself smiling, even though I don't think I need to supply so much energy to it. It's almost like, all my emotions are being displayed without my consent. I'm so relaxed right now. I can't believe I even offered my uncle's place as a refuge. Let alone, tell them about the spare key.
Where has my control gone?
Asami
Sokka pulls up into the grass, and turns it into a driveway.
I burst open the car door, and step one foot out, then the other. With them carefully placed on the ground. Korra sprints past me, heading towards this giant tree with a tire hung from a solid branch.
I lean against Sokka's aunt's navy blue 1943 Chrysler Coupe, watching happily.
"I got it!" Korra yells, which gets me to clap clearly proud.
Mako stumbles towards me, and giggles. "I think I might've had too much."
He's just about to hit his head on the headlight as he stumbles, but Sokka catches him in time. "Yeah..I think you had too much too, Buddy. " Korra finally reaches us, and holds out this giant brown key. "See. The secret key." She states, while holding it out for us to examine.
"How magical is it, if we're still outside?" Mako teases, while we make our way towards the entrance of the home. It's a tiny home, with a orange tint to it. With the place not being heavily lighted, you could've easily passed it.
With the moonlight's help, we're able to get inside. Sokka quickly finds a light switch, and I spot the telephone on the table. As I dial my father's number, tapping my foot impatiently for him to pick up. Sokka lies Mako onto the kitchen floor.
Korra looks into the fridge, then hands sokka a pitcher of what looks like ice tea. They've a conversation, that I can hear. But they're smiling at one another. I want to smile, and be glad to see their shared happiness. But for some reason, I don't feel that way right now. I'm growing fondly jealous of the interaction I'm witnessing.
I'm so focused on these two, that my father's third attempt of asking if I'm okay is almost forgotten.I tell him I'm fine, and I don't see myself coming home too late. He tells me to call him,if I need anything, then I hang up the phone, and make my way into the kitchen with everyone.
"Try this, and tell me this has no flavor." Korra says.
I take a sip directly out of her cup, ignoring the one she purposely poured for me, then spit it out.
"What is that?" I ask, in disgust.
"Apparently Iced tea. Korra and I were just talking about it." Sokka explains.
I set the cup down, and watch as Sokka goes through the cupboards. "I said we could come here to sober up, not tear up my Uncle's place." Korra scolds.
"Oh relax, Woman. I'm just seeing if I can make us something to help us sober us up quicker. If you didn't forget, I do have to get up early for North Carolina." He answers to her.
"Asami. Feel my head. I think I'm sick." Mako whines from the floor. I giggle and kneel to him. Touching the over dramatic man child. "It's not a fever, maybe it's just a hangover driven headache?"
He places his hand on my knee, and smiles. "You always take care of me. You know you're my world."
"Pfft. Get a room." Sokka says to himself, while pulling out some odd ingredients.
From the way he's looking at me, I start to feel uncomfortable. I always knew he had a crush on me, but these eyes of his, tell me they might be something stronger.
"SOKKA!" Mako yells, which gets me to cover my ears, due to how close I was, when he randomly yelled.
"Yes, Mako Dear?" Sokka says, while tying his apron ."You're one hell of a football player. You know that?"
Sokka looks over at us, then smiles clearly amused. "Am I just a great football player?" He hums.
"No. You're also quite handsome. I wished I could get biceps like yours. They aren't normal. It makes me wonder about what other features you might have." "OKAY! Asami let me give you a tour of the home. Sokka you think you can watch pretty boy, here?" Korra asks, already dragging me towards the exit of the kitchen. "Don't worry, I think I'll be enjoying my time. You girls do your girl stuff." He replies, while i'm led out.
As I'm pulled through the halls, I look at the numerous family photos. Trying to guess which one is Korra's father. This factor is important, because without him, I would've no connection to his daughter. His decisions led me to her, and my curiosity of what made him make such a beneficial decision, might be embedded in these images.
There aren't many rooms. But with her hands in mine, it feels like we've been walking forever. She tries to show me something about a lamp, but I end up letting go of her hand and walking towards the back room. Something about it, just drives me to it. I reach the screen door, and stare at the wild grass that has taken over the backyard. All I can see, are trees out in front of me. Why would he come back to this?
Wasn't land all my mother saw too? Did she see a better life for me here, or would she have kept me in her home country? Especially knowing what America really offered me. "There you are. Running off is my thing." Korra says, coming into the room, to accompany me in the door way.
"What is it like in Chicago?" I ask, still staring at the forest in-front of me.
"Hm. It's very busy. Not New York busy, but there is a congestion to it. Why do you ask?"
"Because you never talk about it. You talk about the people there, and how things are different. But you never talk about the scenery or places you like and don't like to go."
She starts playing with a chipped piece of wood, sticking out from the screen door. Like my question doesn't seem important. I know she cares, but it's probably an empty question to her. "I liked the oddness of the streets. I liked how a taxi and a horse could share the road, and all the commotion didn't interfere with their destination. Regarding places... I didn't really have a favorite. My place was where ever I was supposed to be...Now thinking about it. I only liked Chicago, when I was away from it."
"Do you think I would like it?"
"What's with all this Chicago talk?" She asks amused, while finally pulling the annoyance of the wood off.
"I'm just curious that's all."
" Why? Would you like to live there?" The smirk she holds just from that question, makes me want to melt.
"Only if there's an invitation involved." I reply.
As we move closer to one another, all I can think about is that night we almost pushed our unspoken limits. How I stopped it from progressing. And how I wonder if I made the right choice. Her hand touches the side of my face, then it drops, turning to face the door. "Yes?"
"Oh. Um... I was just letting you know I've your drinks." Sokka says very flustered, while walking back down the halls towards us again.
He hands us both a drink, and it tastes terrible. But I know if we want to feel like ourselves again, we have to finish it.
"How's Mako?" I ask, trying to finish it down.
"He's okay. I made his batch extra strong, so he can come to it quicker."
I nod, while we hand him back our empty glasses.
"You two gals, alright?"
"Yeah, we were just talking." Korra replies. Which once again, oddly offends me. Because we haven't been talking. We're enjoying each other's company, but aren't connecting. I know I shouldn't be upset, we both had a long day. But I am.
"I'm going to go back and keep an eye out for Mako. If you need anything, I'm in the kitchen. " He says, while touching her shoulder, then giving me a nod. Despite his exit, the girl in front of me, still watches him make his way down the hallway.
"If I touched your shoulder, would I get that same amount of attention?"
"What are you talking about? It was just a simple gesture."
"Simple? Talking and exchanging words are simple. I've been doing that the entire day, and I don't get even half of the time you give him."
"Don't act like you don't give that same amount of attention to Mako. And you don't need me to list his track record. At least Sokka hasn't hurt you."
That part was unfair to use against me. But It's like, I can't stress my jealousy enough. And I'm not entirely sure, I really feel this way. "Would you've agreed to get ice cream with me, if I asked while you were with your parents too?"
There it was.
Me finally admitting my internal fear that Korra might not enjoy my company if others were around. I told myself, I would never think like this. But here I am, doing so. With no control, or any indication where all of this is coming from.
"You're being foolish." She says, walking out of the room, but I follow her. "Am I? Or am I being true.? You can tell me if you have feelings for him. I get it." She keeps moving throughout the house, which makes following her easier, because I've no idea where I'm going..
"I get it! I really do. You might've liked us before. But you don't want this. You don't deserve this! This is why I didn't want us to take such a step in the woods. You need to listen to yourself, and know what you want. I want something real. What do you want!" Before I could finish, I'm pulled into a room that I don't remember passing on the tour, with the door being slammed behind me.
Not wanting another word to be spoken by me, is expressed by the pressure she's putting on my lips. She presses her upper body against mine, with the same amount of anger and frustration my words caused her. My heart is racing because I wasn't expecting this rush of physical contact so quickly. She pulls away, so I can finally catch my breath. And the anger displayed in her blood shot eyes, makes me feel very small. But I also want to see, how small I can really be under her glaze. "I never said those thoughts you're thinking. I haven't been talking to you, because I don't want to talk to you." She grips the side of my neck, squeezing it a little to keep a better hold. My head tilts back, as she tugs at the skin on my neck. The moonshine in my system, just enhances the experience I'm feeling.
I've never seen this protective side of her before. The closest example I've of it, is that time she saw Mako talking to me in the halls. But that was just a look. These are actions being displayed "I want to hear you. But not about these false ideas of what I feel or think of you."
She slides my shirt completely off, then places her hands onto my waist. She presses her forehead against mine, as we catch our breath. But it feels more like, we're saving it. "I don't think I can wait any longer. So I need you to tell me to stop, if you don't want this." She says, with her focus on to the ground.
God! She can't even look me in the eyes.
That's how bad she wants this.
How bad she wants me.
With her hand is still on my waist. I admire her dedication for not moving them. I know my confirmation can change that, but I don't know why I can't answer her. I know my answer is yes, but I just want to use this moment as clarity for everything. To give her the chance, if she wanted to change her mind. "Korra." I say, lowly. "You want me to stop?" She asks, ready to lift one hand off, but I bring it not only back, but her entire body closer to me. " I don't want you to stop, Especially not here." I answer.
I didn't think my body could be lifted from across the room to the bed, quick enough. We've to take a moment to unzip her dress, but once she's free I get a view of the the body I've always dreamed about one day seeing. She climbs on top of me, then drunken kisses turn into a exploration. My senses all over the place, but when she touches me, I know where I am. I run my hands slowly up and down her back, feeling their toness , as she grinds her hips between my legs. Her bare chest hits against mine as she continues to rock against me, and I regret preventing this feeling back in the woods. I can feel her start to lose her rhythm, so I start to move my body to replace it. I don't know how, but her climax happens so quickly. I'm met with a passionate kiss, before she stands over me on her knees. My head hits the back of the pillow, when I feel the cool sensation of her face between my legs. It's so overwhelming, I start to squirm, but she just pulls me closer into her.
So much is being done to my body, with and without my control.
My chest rises up and down, as I try to reach for something to hold onto.
I'm being pulled in so many directions, I want nothing more than to feel relaxed
My heart races, fearing what the end will bring.
/
Once again, my hands tries to reach for something
but there is no contact point.
All I see are sheets around me
and determination.
\\\
My inner fight starts to kick in.
Begging for the release I hope they give me.
/
I clench my legs together
feeling the tightness.
/
I know they have to feel this
they're the one making
me go through this.
/
Soon.
I find myself encouraging the actions
being done to me.
Not allowing anything to prolong.
/
My body is lifted higher
and my back arches.
/
Tears overcome my eyes
due to such an intense feeling i'm experiencing.
/
She ropes her arms around me
and holds me as I try to get my breathing under control.
As I try to hang in there.
Korra
"Hey! Asami and I exit out of the room, and I've a killer headache. But at least I know the moonshine is wearing off. "Look who's feeling a little better." Sokka says, while holding a bucket for Mako who's throwing his guts out.
"How long has he been at it?" Asami ask, slowly sitting on the couch, clenching her head.
"What? Ya didn't hear him barfing!? He started no later than you two going into that room an hour ago."
"We've been here for an hour!?" Mako groans.
"An hour and a half. That being said, I think it's time we head home."
"I second that." Asami replies, while we start to head out the door. Mako holds his bucket, while I'm the last to make sure everything is exactly where it was. I could leave a note, but that's too much trouble.
I find Sami waiting for me, and I squeeze her hand as we make our way to the car. Once we get there, I find Sokka listening to the radio intensely. "Colored male wanted for stealing. Last seen in a blue Ford. Maybe armed and dangerous. Take precaution."
"Ah. Shit. We gotta go." He says, frighten.
"Why are you worried?This car isn't a Ford. And we're four people, not one. Relax." Mako states.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! THE KLAN DON'T CARE ABOUT DESCRIPTIONS, Colored IS Colored. THEY'LL KILL ANYTHING THEY CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON!"
Sokka freaking out, won't do any of us any good. Especially, if he thinks he's responsible for all of us ".We know these roads. It's common for coloreds to be out this late, this is where we're mostly at."
He nods, trying to follow along.
"All we have to do is drive slowly, and not give anyone a reason to pull us over. You worrying ,will draw attention to us. We don't want that. Right?"
He nods again, trying to put on a smile.
"I just have to drive like I usually do."
"That's right!"
We all quickly get into the car, and I make sure the police scanner is turned at it's highest volume. They just announced a better description of the male, and that he was last seen in Franklin. This new Intel, just makes Sokka more jittery. Especially since where in route there.
"Ughhh. Can this car go any slower? Mako groans.
"Ignore him." I tell Sokka, who's no longer finding comfort in my words. It has to be about eleven now, and I know there's truly no business for any of us to be out on the roads during this hour. But now isn't the time to argue my logical thoughts. I'm supposed to be the reassurance.
"Maybe I could drive?" Asami says.
"Ain't no way I'm letting you drive. A white woman driving at these hours, will draw even more attention." The driver argues.
"What is that?" Asami asks, leaning forward and pointing up the road. Even though it's hard to make out from our position, I can see something blocking our path. "It looks like a rally." Mako says, squinting his eyes.
"Oh Lord. This is it. We're dying today." The driver says, while burying his head into his lap. He can barely move now. I'm just as worried too, but having a car stopped dead in the middle of the road, just causes more suspicion on our part.
"Let Asami drive." I state, while undoing my seat belt.
"No! Don't you see how many whites are in that mob, they're going to stop us regardless." He says, with tears coming down his eyes. "I knew this would happen. I kept playing with my luck." I shake his shoulders, trying to pull him out of whatever guilt and doubt he has. This moment feels similar to what I experienced on Halloween night. But this time, I know we can beat this. If we did it once, I know we can do it twice. We just have to not think as much. We don't have the time for it. There is no set aside minute for us to form a plan. What we've right now, is a choice of the least noticeable.
"Sokka. I know you don't feel comfortable with me driving, but this is the only way. Please."
Mako pulls out something from under his seat, and hands it to him. "Maybe ya can hide under this blanket in back?" He offers, which is actually a good idea. "Good! That works. Come on Sokka, we're switching. It'll be okay." I reassure, while the driver slowly gets out the car. I squeeze to the bottom of the flooring with Sokka, and Mako covers us tightly. As long as there is no one looking directly inside the car, we should be safe for passing.
I stare at my friend, who mouths a 'I'm sorry.' but I'm the one who's sorry. The thief, could very well be Jet. And I knew about it. I knew, and I didn't tell anyone. If anything happens to us, it'll be my fault.
Asami
I try my best to drive calmly, but my hands are nearly shaking, while they clench the wheels. It would be less odd if Mako drove, but he's still recovering. I know he's more of himself now, but I can't bank on it.
My first thought was to speed pass the mob, but this car looks like it can't go past 40 mph. And causing a chase, just might encourage a bigger target on us. What a terrible time to be out right now. I've no idea where I am, and once we get through. Which way do I go? There are two roads, at the end. One heading back home, and the other taking us further to possibly get lost. Gosh, I wished we thought this through before my foot pressed onto the gas. I end up stopping, because I can't do this. There is no way I can look normal going through this large crowd. The feeling of someone placing their hand onto my knee, causes me to look up. "You got this. Just keep on going." Mako encourages.
"I don't think I can. Look at all those people ahead. We can't handle of em all!" I defend, already accepting my defeat. "I'm scared."
"You're scared all because you're trying to be someone you're not. Just be yourself." He says, with a smile while placing my hands, back onto the wheel.
I take a deep breath and remind myself how normal driving through a crowd of angry white folks is. I remind myself, I'm just trying to get home. I remind myself, I've the person I love in the back. Who's counting on me, and I promised to always keep her safe. With those things in mind, I press on the gas again, and we start going through the crowd. People start looking through our car, as I'm forced to slow down, so they can make room for me. They've the most ugliest faces, with their smiles of delight, as they huddle to socialize.
"There goes the telephone pole you were looking for." Mako says, as we get closer to the front of the mob. And what I see, makes me want to gag. I try to bring my hand to my mouth, but Mako quickly pulls my hand down. "Don't you look disgusted! They will sense it." He then rolls the window down, and sticks his body out entirely. Waving at the white folks as they wave and cheer with him. Despite most of the folks in their regular clothing, some of them are actually in their Klan robes. I make eye contact with one of them, and it sends shivers down my spine. I've never been to a rally, and just from driving through one. I know I never want to come close to one again.
The same Klan man, who looked me down, throws his torch onto the dismantled body, before a group of men pulls a rope sending it up the telephone pole. The smell makes it even harder to keep my stomach at bay, but I do so. Once we get through the crowd, I speed a little.
We approach the intersection I was worried about, and I notice a police car sitting between it. "Which way, Sokka? I'm at the middle of the intersection. " I whisper to him.
"I've to see, let me come up."
"NO! There is a cop car facing me. He's also giving me the right away, but I don't know where to turn."
"Left." He answers.
I make the turn. And as we drive, I notice we made the wrong turn. when you lived here all your life, you can tell the difference between dirt roads. And this one isn't familiar. "What's wrong, why are you slowing down?" Mako asks.
"I think we made the wrong turn." I reply, getting nervous all over again.
"No! He said left. That's what we did. Keep going!"
I back up, and put the car in reverse. I know the common thing to do, would to be go back. But we can't do that. We can't afford the risk. The cop was curious already on why it took me so long to turn. A lynching mob wouldn't waste their time looking through a car, but a cop would.
I decide to go through a wheat field that has a drive thru. Probably from some past Halloween event. The terrain is rough on the wheels, but I've been around cars long enough to know it won't cause too bad of a damage.
"I'm taking a detour, you two okay?" I ask.
"Yeah, are you?" Korra asks. I want to breakdown and tell her no. Tell her what I saw, but I can't. I don't want her to know, what we almost became a victim of. So I collect myself enough to answer "Yes."
The wheat begins to come to an end, and I see the road again. As I speed up, I see lights in the rear mirror. I can see the intersection up ahead, and no longer see the cop car. Which tells me, it has to be him. "Shit!" I tell myself. The cop car isn't too far behind us.. But I do see it coming through the loop. There is no way we can keep going, because we already left tracks.
"Why are we stopping? Sokka asks, still under the blanket.
"We were followed. Do you've a trunk?" I ask.
"Yes."
"You think you two could fit?"
"If that's our only way of living, we're going to make sure." Sokka replies, while getting. Mako gets out, to help Korra and Sokka into the trunk. He quickly shuts it, then gets back into the passenger seat.
I put the car in reverse, to position it so it's facing the cop car whenever they arrive.
With us parked like I wanted, I quickly take off my seat belt and start to undo a few buttons on my lavender blouse. The teen in the passenger seat looks over at me confused, as I mangle my hair a little. "We need to give him a reason on why we're out here." He doesn't question my statement, and quickly picks up on what I'm trying to say.
As he undoes his belt, I've stop him from pulling them down any further. "Fine!" He says under his breath, before reaching behind me, to grab the blanket that was shielding Korra and Sokka. The blanket looks almost equivalent to the one Suki carries in her car, but that thought doesn't last long in my mind. Especially with the patrol car, directly in front of us now.
"This is only happening once." I say, before pulling him into a kiss just long enough to hear the sound of knocking on my window.
We quickly pull away from each other, and our actual fear, helps our performance.
"And what might you two be doing at 11:00pm?" He asks, flashing his light between Mako and I.
"Um. We're just...getting some fresh air." Mako answers, trying to block the light out of his eyes. The cop is an older man in his 50's, who looks too heavy to still be on the force. Which explains why he might be on the night shift. Either way, he's certainly no friend of ours..
"Fresh air, huh? Those look mighty fresh." He replies, while flashing his light directly onto my neck, where you can see the marks made earlier fully shown. "Someone must be starving before Thanksgiving." He says.
His radio goes off, and he tells us to hold on.
"Did you get a hold of the blue vehicle?" Dispatch asks. The cop looks at us, then sighs before returning the call. "Yes. It's just two teens hooking up in the wheat field again. No Coloreds in sight."
"Copy that."
He returns his attention back onto us, as I start to quickly rebutton my blouse. "Where ya kids live?" He asks.
"Franklin, Sir." Mako answers, which makes the cop laugh.
"Damn. I know my parents are strict, but I ain't drive out of my county for some hanky panky. Come on now, Son. Be classy. Do it in the barn like most kids do." He says, completely forgetting I'm here.
"Sir. I am classy. Your county has the greatest wheat fields of the land." He jokes, which just makes the cop laugh even louder.
"You're a crazy kid, Son. I hate to ruin your night, but it's not safe for you two to be out this late. Especially heading to Franklin. There is a stealing nigger on the loose. I also heard, he rapes anything he lays his eyes on."
I gasp.
"Is that so? We didn't know."
The cop nods, while taking off his hat to show the little bit of brown hair he has left.
"I believe it's true, Miss. The boys and I are doing our best to hunt him down. But it's like those Niggers blend in with the dark. But that's okay, we've tons of fire to handle all of that. Tell you what, let me tell dispatch that I already cleared ya. As long as you flash ya pretty white faces when you see a cop car down your path, you'll be fine." He says, with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Sir. Your service is always appreciated." Mako says, sticking out his hand from under the blanket for him to shake. But he gets an uncertain look from the cop instead.
"Your words do well to me. You two have a safe night." He says, before patting the car's hood, and walking off. Once his car backs out, and heads back down where he came from, I can breathe again.
"We should get goin..."
I don't even take the moment to listen to Mako, I'm too busy rushing to the trunk. And once I open it, I'm faced with a trembling Sokka, shielding Korra with a pocket knife pointed directly at me. The sight, is enough to make me drop onto my knees.
I look over at Mako who has his hands over his head, trying to fight back his tears. And that's when he knew, what a real threat felt like. I found out, what a real threat felt like. Korra joins me on the ground, and holds me as I sob into her shoulder. Telling me to.. hang in there.