Model Behavior
Summary: Modern/AU. Korra thought it was an ordinary day of art class at Republic School for the Gifted. But then, the art model Asami Sato walked into the room... Korrasami
Chapter 2: Common Ground
"So, how did you become a model?" Korra asked around a mouthful of sandwich. She was seated at her usual table in the Four Elements, Republic's school cafeteria aptly named after the famous restaurant in all Four Nations. She lifted her empty bottle of soda in the air. Across the room at the ice cream counter, Bolin caught the movement and nodded.
Korra, Mako, and Bolin were eating a late dinner after their pro-bending practice. Mako, who was able to receive Asami's phone number (much to Korra's annoyance), had kept in communication with her throughout the day while they were in their classes. He found out whenever she would model for the art classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she would be on campus for a majority of the day up until around dinner time. So, he invited her to join them which she greatly accepted.
"I'm not a model," Asami dismissed. She smiled up at Bolin as he took his seat. Korra smile-thanked him as he placed her soda on the table in front of her. "Well, not in the actual sense. I just do this to pass the time when I'm not working. It pays well but I'm not in it for the money."
"Where do you work?" Mako questioned. He folded up a napkin and placed it onto his empty tray. He leaned back in his seat and crossed a leg over the other.
"Oh, in the city," she said with a shrug. "Nothing too fancy. That job, though, helps pay for my apartment. I really like it."
"How old are you?" Bolin asked around a mouthful of ice cream. Asami handed him a napkin. She wrenched her arm back in shock when she noticed a black nose pop up from under the table. A small pink tongue stretched out and licked the ice cream off of his chin. "Knock it off, Pabu. We don't want you to get caught," he muttered.
"Eighteen," Asami answered, shaking her head at how foolish she acted.
"Where do you go to school?" Mako wondered.
"Republic Institute of Technology Academy for Girls," she listed off. Korra scoffed. Asami looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. The Avatar ignored her gaze while taking another big bite out of her sandwich. She quickly chased it down with her soda. "We call it RITA for short."
"Wow, you must be very smart," Bolin complimented her.
Asami shrugged and waved away the notion. "I just enjoy science. Always have. My dad kind of got me into it."
"Are you related to Hiroshi Sato, by any chance?"
She felt the corner off her eye twitch. Shoot! How could I have been so careless? She cleared her throat twice before offering up a small smile. "No, it is a very common last name."
"Are you sure?" Korra interjected. Asami turned to look at her. The Avatar was staring hard at her, her blue eyes squinted. "I mean your dad is a well-known engineer and you are going to a school for science and technology. Seems a little fishy to me."
"Well, no one asked you," she shot back. Bolin swallowed a large mouthful of ice cream in one gulp. Mako, who was moving a glass of juice to his lips looked at her in surprise. He inadvertently started to pour the drink into his lap and on the chair than into his mouth. He jumped before starting to clean up the mess.
Korra, on the other hand, didn't even flinch. She dropped her sandwich onto her plate and peered closely at Asami. She gave her a once over, starting from her roots down to the points of her shoes. Asami didn't shift or waver under gaze. In fact, she glanced back with confidence.
"You know, you look familiar," Korra finally said after the moment of silence.
"I have one of those faces," Asami muttered. Korra narrowed her eyes even more. A second later, recognition lit up in her eyes. Before Asami could say or do anything, Bolin interrupted their stare down with a loud yell. Mako laughed heartily as he watched his brother grab his head with both hands and whimper about brain freeze.
Asami broke her gaze and started to laugh herself. Korra slumped back in her seat and tapped her chin.
The next day, Korra had the morning free of class. After waking up in Tenzin's and Pema's house, thanks to three rambunctious children jumping on top of her, she changed into a tight fitting tank top and some long sweat pants. She grabbed her mp3 player and slipped on some tennis shoes before rushing out of the house.
Playing her music on loudly, she place her ear buds into her ear and started her run. Moving swiftly and like the wind, she avoided dog walkers, mothers running with strollers, and the usual "I want to keep my summer weight" crowd. Korra ran all the way to Avatar Park and only stopped as she neared LookOut Point.
The LookOut Point was split from Avatar Park by a roadway stretching through it, but it was stil considered part of the park nonetheless. LookOut Point was a place in Avatar Park that overlooked the bay, Avatar Aang's giant stature, and Air Temple Island. During most of the school year, Tenzin and Pema along with their children resided in faculty housing set up by Republic School for the Gifted to stay close to their work. During the other parts of the year, like summer vacation, they would go back to Air Temple Island and reside there.
After slowing down her breathing, Korra started to practice her bending. She let out loud grunts and yells as she moved through all of her formations. Gradually, she worked up a sweat, which she also used for practice. She shot the stream of sweat over at various onlookers who shot her glares and disgusted looks the louder and noisier she got.
Asami jogged into Avatar Park. She didn't follow the lined path that runner's usually took, but cut through exactly through the center at a diagonal. She liked to change up her routine with different terrains and scenery. As she ran around a giant tree, she spotted Korra in the distance. She slowed her pace a bit as she watched her shoot air at the bay and caused a wave of water to rush up and crash against the fencing of LookOut Point.
"Korra," Asami called out. When she noticed the Avatar hadn't stopped her practice, she crossed the park with large steps. She reached out and tapped Korra on her muscular arm. The next second, she felt a tight grip on her wrist and her body weight shift as Korra grabbed a hold of her and threw her over her shoulder towards the ground.
Asami planted her feet on the ground, her back bending low as Korra continued to grip her wrist. She twisted around and then swung her leg out, hitting the Avatar on her ankles and swiping her feet out from underneath her.
Korra quickly jumped back up to her feet. She brushed off her clothes before glaring at Asami. The glare quickly faded when she noticed the raven haired girl was wearing a black sports bra with matching black shorts. Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and her skin glistened with sweat.
"Looks like we had the same idea this morning," Asami said as she straightened up. "Morning workouts help clear my head and get me ready for the day."
"Whatever," Korra muttered. She ran a hand through her hair and shifted her gaze. After a moment of silence, Korra surprisingly found herself asking, "Where'd you learn how to do that?"
"Oh, I've taken self defense courses since I was six," she admitted. "It was my dad's idea."
Korra nodded once. She gazed at Asami one more time before pivoting on her heel. "I have to go." She was about to resume a jog, but stopped once Asami grabbed her by the elbow and held her back. "What are you-" she quickly stopped as a satomobile roared by. She felt her adrenaline began to pump rapidly. "That was close."
"Satomobile X92," Asami muttered as she watched the car race by. "Great acceleration and gas mileage, but terrible handling."
"How do you know that?" she asked.
"I designed it." Korra turned and noticed that Asami had bit her lip, hard. The raven haired girl slowly shook her head and let out a slow breath.
"You designed that?" the Avatar asked. She looked back at the car before it disappeared around a corner. "That?"
"Well, I helped," she answered slowly. Asami shrugged before running a hand through her hair. "I just entered a contest. I didn't think I would win. It was just something I came up with when working on my car."
"You fix cars?"Korra's eyes widened in surprise.
Asami placed her hands into the pockets of the back of her shorts. She slowly twisted from side to side as she smiled shyly. "And I race some new models from time to time." She winced. "At my school," she quickly added.
"You race cars?" Korra asked. "What else is there to you?"
"My friends know a lot about me," Asami said cooly. "Mako and Bolin sure seemed interested."
"When did they ask?" she demanded. "I was with you guys at dinner yesterday."
"We got into the topic when we hung out last night." Asami glanced at Korra with a raised eyebrow. "We missed you at the bowling arena." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"You went bowling without me?"
"We invited you." Asami crossed her arms and cocked her head to the side. Korra turned away and began stretching from side to side. "Come to think of it, I asked for your number from Bolin and I texted you numerous times. Let me guess, you either didn't recognize the number or your phone was off," she said coyly.
"I don't keep my phone on when I'm sleeping."
"Do you always go to sleep around eight o'clock?" Asami asked. "What are you, six?"
"Are you implying something?" Korra demanded.
"Yes, you're avoiding me," she said bluntly. "I know it may be strange for you to have another girl in the group. You must be used to acting like a guy all the time and being tough, but every girl needs a girl friend to talk to." She placed a hand on Korra's shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze. "Guys don't understand a lot of the things that goes on in girl world."
Korra slowly relaxed underneath Asami's gaze. She straightened back up and sighed hard, casing Asami's hair to move a bit in the wind. "You're right. Mako is my best friend but I've haven't been able to tell him about-" She instantly stopped talking and bit the inside of her cheek.
"About who?" Asami asked gently.
"It's a what, actually," Korra admitted quietly. She looked down at her feet and Asami noticed her light blue eyes turning a slight shade darker.
"What's wrong?" Asami asked with concern. Korra bit her bottom lip before lifting her head and staring at her. "I won't say anything to anyone else. Real friends don't do that sort of thing." Korra regard her. "I like you, Korra. When I watched you in class the other day you made everything feel okay."
"What are you talking about?" Korra asked. Asami dropped her hand from her shoulder before taking a small step back.
"I don't know if I should tell you," she said teasingly. "I only trust those closest to me with that information."
"Well, maybe we could start off slow?" Korra asked. Asami felt herself smile widely as the words sunk in. "I guess it won't hurt me. Let's grab a tea sometime. That is what girl friends do, right?" Asami couldn't help but chuckle at the face Korra made when she used the term "girl friend". It was clear she was not used to the term or the idea of having one.
"That depends, are you actually going to try and be my friend this time?" Asami asked. She held up her hand and pulled all of her fingers to her palm except for her pinkie. "For real?"
"Friends don't have to try. I either like your or I don't," Korra said. Asami nodded once before slowly dropping her hand. "You're lucky enough to be on my good side for right now. I've never seen anyone tackle those pickled sea urchin noodles just to show me up." Asami widened her eyes in shock. "Yea, I notice you were trying to impress me. Not a bad way to get my attention."
"So…"Asami lifted her hand again, her pinkie standing straight up in the air.
"I'm not shaking pinkies," Korra said with a sneer. She raised an eyebrow before spitting on her hand. She then held it out in front of her, a few drips slid off of her hand onto the ground.
"Fine." Asami shrugged. She then licked her right hand and then placed it into Korra's before squeezing it tightly. They pumped their hands up and down once. Asami started to pull her hand away but Korra tightened her grip. "What?"
"Did you actually like the noodles I made you eat the other day?" she asked.
"Not at all," Asami deadpanned. "They tasted horrible."
Korra threw her head back and laughed. Asami felt warmth spread over her body as she heard the familiar laugh that caught her attention the other day. "Okay, since you're honest, I'll give this a shot. Whatever this is."
"It's a start of a fantastic friendship," Asami insisted.
"Whatever you say."
Asami was so happy that she couldn't help but blurt out, "Why don't we celebrate by going out for dinner?"
"A little eager aren't we?" Korra asked before chuckling. "Anyway, I can't. I promised to watch Tenzin's and Pema's children tonight."
"The head of Republic? How do you know him?"
"He's looked out for me since I was a kid in the Southern Water Tribe." Korra smile softly at the memory. Asami could tell that she thought fondly of Tenzin and his family. "Originally it was because I'm the Avatar but I think he grew to care." Korra shook her head as if she were trying to get rid of gnat-flies from hovering near her face. "Anyway, his kids are pretty sweet. You should know, you seemed chummy with Pema the other day."
"She knows my dad," Asami said. She quickly looked away as Korra raised an eyebrow.
"Who's your dad?" she asked lightly.
"No one important." A loud clock chime rang over the city. Asami looked down at her watch and cursed softly as she noticed the time. "I have to finish my jog and then head off to work. I'll catch you later in class tomorrow?" she asked before jogging a small circle around Korra and heading off in the direction she came from.
"See ya," Korra called out. She then noticed Opal Beifong walking in her direction, a book grasped tightly in her hands. "Hey Opal!"
Opal paused. She looked up from her book to see who was calling out to her. She gave a big wave before rushing up to the Avatar. "Hey Korra, what's up?"
"Do you still read those fashion magazines?" Korra asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah, all the time."
"Great, bring one to school tomorrow for me."
Opal let out a squeal of excitement. She dropped her book and grabbed Korra on her upper arms. "Are you finally getting interested in all things girl?" she asked. "I could really use a shopping buddy."
"No," Korra quickly denied. "I just need to check something."
"What's in it for me?" Opal placed her hands on her hips. "Every time you ask me for a favor, I deliver, but when I ask you, you don't fulfill it until months later."
"You bring me the magazine and I will give you any three Bolin related facts you want," Korra smiled knowingly. Opal felt her cheeks flush as she thought over the suggestion. "Plus, you can sit next to him at lunch tomorrow."
"Deal!"
AN: Chapter 2! I was inspired by the great reception of the first chapter to put up another one. I'm trying to weave in thoughts and ideas from the show even though it is a modern take and/or an alternate universe. I was trying to find a good way to start the Korra and Asami friendship while also bringing in Opal since she's going to be a pretty big part of the story as well. What do you all think?
