I throw a jab, causing her to duck out of the way avoiding it. I continue throwing punches, cornering her into the cage. Even with sparring gear on, I don't hold back my power. She knees me into the stomach, making me back away, creating an escape for her.

My opponent ignores my constant shouts of 'Keeping Your Guard Up' and instead of hitting her in the face to prove my point. I opt for a sweep, knocking her onto the ground.

I quickly get on top of her, and just when I'm about to send an elbow to her face, Tenzin pulls me off of her.

"That's enough, Korra. I think you showed your opponent she should always keep her guard up." He replies.

I stand up to catch my breath, while my opponent glares at me.

"You did well today, Suki. You were able to last 4 rounds with the Champ. You will have no problem with your fight in two weeks." Tenzin tell her, as he helps her up.

"Thanks, Coach." She replies.

"I agree, Tenzin. Besides dropping her hands, Suki did lovely." I add.

The fighter says something in French, then exits out of the cage.

Why is she mad?

I exit out of the cage and start taking off my sparring gear.

It has almost been a year since my retirement, and I feel great. I enjoy helping Tenzin train the other upcoming champions. It's like I can be hands on, without having hands on me, trying to kill me. Don't get me wrong. I do miss fighting professionally. It's just time for me to help others make a legacy too.

"I'm heading out, Tenzin." Suki shouts.

"Alright, stay safe." He replies.

"You got it, Boss."

"Bye." I call out, getting a smile in return.

Suki is a wonderful fighter, she will certainly perform well when her time comes. I can tell she hates it when we spar together. My pressure is nothing personal, I just want her to be at her best.

As soon as she walks out the door, I rush to the window. A task I always do when she leaves the studio.

Just like I expected. I see a dark green Mustang parked, with the owner of the vehicle standing near it.

Once the fighter approaches the car, the two embrace. I watch as Suki runs her hand down her lower back, making the woman pull away in laughter. I can't help but feel enraged by this action, but I have no right to be. So I feel guilty as well.

"Hey, Korra? Come help refill these boxing bags." Tenzin calls out.

"Sure, be right there." I reply, watching them drive off.

Jinora and I walk down the streets of New York City on this beautiful spring day.

"You don't have to stay with me every time I go to art class, you know? "

Is this girl crazy? Tenzin pays me 50 dollars just to do so.

Even though, I'm financially stable due to my successful career and all. Who doesn't want a little extra cash to waste on junk and not feel guilty about it?

" I love spending time with you." I reply, wrapping my arm around my buddy.

"Mmmhm. I doubt it. You're only here to make sure I don't run off with Kai."

Again, it's for the money!

We get to the familiar building where my future artist take her classes, and I hold the door open for her.

This place was once a local coffee shop, now the owner inputted some computers and transformed the building into a digital design class. It was a very smart business decision and move, due to the huge art scene here.

Jinora greets some of her friends, then rushes to her computer. I'm glad she's socializing with kids her age. Which is another reason why this place is amazing.

I usually sit in the back along with the other parents, either playing Angry Birds or checking UFC rankings. I feel like such a soccer mom, every time I come here. All the adults act so uppity, while they drink their espresso and rant/rave about their child. I truly don't belong here.

Seriously.

None of the parents talk to me. Jinora says they all think I'm going to kill them. She also said I supposedly I have a resting 'B Word' face, which I don't by the way. But according to my track record, I could most likely kill them.

I'm just joking. I would never harm those who don't harm me first. Using dark humor, isnt a norm for me. I blame Meelo, he's obsessed with that type of genre and he's just a kid!

I put on my headphones, and start playing some Kendrick Lamar. I got into this artist all thanks to Bolin. I wished I knew about him before, Humble would have been my entrance song.

The clean version, of course.

As I nod my head to the beat, I watch as Jinora gets to work. I wished I could draw. I guess I was only blessed with the hands to punch, instead using a pencil beautifully.

I steal a glance at the teacher, and notice she's working on a piece, herself. Which is nothing new, because she's always sketching in her book of hers.

Of course she gets up to check on her students, or to address a question. But other than that, she's usually occupied with her own work. This class is practically a free for all. Independence and creativity are the foundations of this place.

Sadly, I haven't been able to tell the teacher how beneficial this class has been for Jinora. Can you believe that? I have been coming here for months, and have yet to utter one word to her.

It's pathetic, I know.

With the music still blasting in my ears, I use the opportunity to admire her beauty. Pink is a nice color on her. Actually, any color looks great on her. I'm sure she enjoys the freedom of wearing what she likes, and not having to deal with business casual attire back at her old job. This job suits her much better, she now has the independence to be creative, just like this place's values.

Sometimes I find myself going through my closet, just to look nice when I come here. Isn't that foolish? Like? Who am I trying to impress? It's not like she pays attention to me.

You two never make eye contact, EVER.

And on days you feel bold. You may get up to stretch. Knowing darn well the hem of your hoodie will ride up doing so, exposing your stomach. A part of your body, you remember her admiring before. But despite this known fact, she never looks. Of course you feel defeated, but never ashamed. It was always a long shot.

A student raises his hand and Asami gets up, causing me to look back down at my phone.

I start to lose signal, which stops my music from playing. Instead of keeping my headphones on to pretend I have music, I strike up a conversation with one of the art moms.

"Isn't the weather nice? " I say to the woman beside me.

"My son Giovani is allergic to pollen, therefore it's not that nice."

I put on a fake smile and nod.

"Good to know. May he have my condolences?"

I return my attention back onto my phone, as the teacher answers whatever question her student had.

As I wait for her to return to her desk, she turns and looks in the direction where I'm at. Of course there is no eye contact, because my eyes are glued to my screen. But I can feel a pair of eyes on me.

"Mrs. Richardson, are you alright back there?" The teacher asks.

"Not At all Miss." The woman replies, politely.

"Great. Let me know if anything or ANYONE is bothering you."

What?

Did she just imply that I was some type of problem? I wasn't harassing Giovani's mother, I was just talking to her! This place is so uptight!

The teacher makes her way back over to her desk and reopens her sketch book.

I hate feeling like this. I hate not being able to communicate with her, and it's all my fault. Why should I come back into her life?

These past few months have been life changing for me. From my career to everything. It's like I'm finding everything I been missing, and I just want to feel complete again. I also know this feeling won't change, until I make it.

I forcefully take off my headphones, slide my phone into my pocket, and get up.

Taking a deep breath, I start to remember why my action is so important, putting me more at ease. One step is better than, none.

I finally take the 7 steps up to her desk, and she doesn't even notice me or look up from her book.

"Hi!" I start.

What am I doing? Jesus, please help me.

"Good Afternoon." She replies, still not looking up.

What is she drawling that's more important than this new converstion? I don't mean to come off as self-centered, but this is kind of important!

I try to sneak of peak of whatever she's working on, and spot a ring on her finger causing my heart to drop.

Completely forgetting about my nerves, I try to form a connection with her.

"Is that a purity ring?" I tease.

"Now you know better than I do, that I'm no virgin." She replies, coldly as she continues to sketch.

I scratch the back of my neck, trying to find a way to relive myself from that unexpected attitude of hers.

"I know, I was just joking." I reply, embarrassed.

I didn't mean to offend her, I just want to make a reference back to the time she thought my purity ring was an engagement ring. I guess she really did forget about me, including our first interaction. I don't blame her, I would forget about me too.

"Sorry, I didn't get the joke." She says, as an apology.

"It's okay."

" I know. It's an engagement ring." She adds, which makes me lose it.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS? IT'S ONLY BEEN 274 days, 12 HOURS and .."

I pull out my phone to check the time.

"AND 36 minutes!" I add.

My sudden outburst causes the students along with the parents to look up at me in alarm. I guess my action gets to the teacher's attention too, because she shuts her sketch book.

Before I could apology for disturbing her classroom, she speaks.

"I don't appreciated how your tone is affecting my students' work! "

"I know, please forgive me. That wasn't my intentions at all. I was just shocked by the fact you were engaged, so quickly."

My statement causes her expression to switch.

"You can't yell when you're upset by something, Korra. Did you hear me raise my voice when you said the incorrect amount of days?"

"What?" I ask confused.

She finally looks up at me with those emerald eyes of hers, and I never knew such a simple action could cause so much emotions to go through my body.

" You're wrong. It has been 273 days, 12 hours, and now 38 minutes since we last spoke." She replies.

She counted too!

I honestly feel like I'm about to cry. The fact she didn't forget about me, is exciting. But suddenly, my excitement turns into despair because she getting married.

It's a short time in my opinion to get married, but Suki and her always had a connection. Regardless of the situation, I know I need to be honest with her.

"No I'm correct. I didn't count the final day we spoke, because I never got to say everything I wanted to tell you. And now I think it's too late, because you're getting married!" I reply.

"What your name, your full name?" she asks, standing up.

"Korra Waters." I reply quickly, before she sees me hurt.

I don't want her to see me disappointed, because love is a beautiful things. I always wanted what's best for her. If she found it, I'm happy for her.

I'm just not happy right now. I need a day to take all of this in.

"So...Not Ferrets?" she asks.

"No, why would it be Ferrets?"

Finally hearing those words exit out of my mouth, I realize what she meant by her question. And at that very moment, I never been so proud of my last name.

I shake my head.

"No and I don't think it will ever be."

She slowly sits back down into her chair and reopens her book.

"I'm sorry to hear that." She replies, disappointed.

I can understand why she's upset, maybe she wanted me to be happy just like her and her fiancée.

"Don't be. It was for the best. I'm happy for Suki and you." I reply.

"And why is that?"

Um, marriage is a beautiful thing? Who wouldn't want to be happy?

"You two are getting married, aren't you? That's who gave you the ring, right?" I ask, anxious.

"I don't think now is the most appropriate time to discuss this, Miss. Waters."

Judging from where her eyes are directed, I turn around and see the whole room watching our conversation with fascination.

It's like we're in a soap opera.

"You're right, I'm sorry." I reply embarrassed.

This is a business, not a place to have a heart to heart moment. What was I thinking?

"You should be. I rather us discuss this while you take me to dinner later tonight."

"Dinner?"

"Yes,dinner. And if it's not too of a problem... could you save your strength so you can help me take off Bolin's engagement ring for Opal, It's stuck." She replies, trying not to smile.

"Yeah! I can take off whatever you want."

The sound of whistles and commentary, causes my face to heat up, and judging from Asami's face she's loving it.

I no longer admire art.

Author's Note

This story is supposed to be reality based, and in reality a lot of people choose security over love. Originally, that what I was trying to capture in my past chapter. The majority of you all didn't like the ending, especially since I usually have happy ones.

I respected the feedback you gave, and could understand the pain you all felt when you read it. I mean? You all read and connected with the characters, so it's normal for all you to want things to work out for them.

Previously, I never mentioned if Korra said yes to marrying Mako. Or if Asami would date Suki. I wanted to leave that up to your interpretation. Now I think it's time for some answers and that's exactly what these two chapters are made for.

This is not an alternate ending!

The reason being is, just like in real life, we all have the option to change things for ourselves. I believe us as humans all make mistakes, and can choose to learn from them.

When it comes to our feelings, we sometimes hold off from expressing ourselves completely. Only allowing minor things to come into the light at times. Because if we don't, what else do we hold onto?

The time gap was appropriate because it allowed both Asami and Korra to really think hard about what they really wanted. We'll find out exactly what that is in the next chapter.

In this day and age, I think we're doing a lot better expressing ourselves, despite the response we may receive.

I know first hand about that, because at one point in time, I told my best friend she was my first love. I no longer had feelings for her when I told her, but it was still a huge thing to tell someone.

Here I was, telling her everything I always wanted to tell her. Knowing in the back of my mind, it would change everything.

Most people wouldn't had disclose such information, since they moved on. But I can't tell you how beneficial that was for me to get that off my chest.

It wasn't that my secret was such a huge burden, that I had to tell her. It was just... I no longer felt a connection with her. It was also unfair for the both of us, because hanging out together was no longer the same.

I choose to tell her because I didn't want her to think she was doing anything wrong or that I was mad at her. I was just over my love for her. A love that was disguised as a friendship. Without that love, there was no friendship. That's truly what it was tbh.

We grew apart way before all of this, I was just using my past feelings as reminder to continue our friendship. That choice wasn't the smartest, it just made everything even more difficult. Which left me with the only option of telling her.

After my huge announcement, she told me she didn't know, but deep down, I knew she did. Her tears were proof enough.

Till this day, I don't know if those tears were due to her knowing she hurt me, or because in a way she knew she lost that part of me. A part, which was her security of knowing I would always be there for her.

I'm not even sure if she felt the same way, and due to my confession, I doubt she would have told me if she had in that very moment. Taking in fact, I made it clear I no longer felt that way.

Maybe months or years from now, my friend will finally tell me how she really felt when I told her. If not, that's cool. I just hope she doesn't have any regrets, because I don't.

The point I'm trying to make is, in real life it sometimes takes awhile for you to realize exactly what the problem is, or what you want for yourself. In my case, I wanted the freedom of letting her know that it's okay for us to move apart. It took me being 100% vulnerable to get that freedom.

That's exactly what going to happen in the next chapter. Nothing but vulnerability. Nothing but Heart to Heart! Better late than never, right?

P.S I'm good. Lol

Please don't feel sorry for me. Not to brag or anything (Brush off my shoulders) I'm doing pretty good in love department.

Next chapter coming soon. :)

Thoughts are appreciated.