A/N: *edits have been made* I apologize profusely for how long it took me to upload this next chapter. I've had a very difficult few weeks. I won't go into it, but my wife and I had a lot on our plate. I also recently started spring semester at my university. My schedule is jam packed, so unfortunately this fan fic isn't high on my priority list. I will be trying to get something out every two weeks if I can. I write very long chapters, so at least I have that going. :)

We've experienced a few paranormal happenings-all very terrifying-that have inspired certain elements to add into the story. Don't worry, I'm not going to turn this into a knock-off Scooby-Doo Mysteries. Lol. Anyway, on with chapter two! I hope you all enjoy!

SN: I really liked when other authors would give a brief disclaimer of what to expect in the chapter so here's the forewarning: This chapter is Asami's POV and is pretty angsty; Asami and Bolin flail emotionally, which inspired the title of Ch. 2, and Mako acts like an incorrigible doucheee.

–beanie

PS: did I mention this is a slow-burn korrasami fic? :p

~x~

Chapter 2: Diffidence

"Nice to meet you," Korra mumbles nervously, as Asami retracts her hand, noting the underclassman's gentle, yet, calloused grip. Her mischievous grin droops when she's greeted by an ineffable emotion. What's this feeling? It's almost like…dread? Why am I feeling this all of a sudden? Without wanting give it more thought, the young vixen nervously withdraws her hand and clears her throat, before turning on her heel and walking down the hall.

"Follow me," she beckons, leading Korra to the opposite side of the building towards the supply room. She felt a noticeable shift in the atmosphere from a jovial one to that of an apprehensive nature. This is weird, Asami thought as they continued. Trying to appear casual, she glances over her shoulder, "So, how did that fight between you and Kuvira go down?"

"I didn't start it if that's what you're getting at," the underclassman replied curtly.

Asami put her hands up innocently, "Hey, I'm not saying that you are; all I'm saying is that there are mixed rumors going around school. Some say that Kuvira attacked you, while others claim that you were the one that lunged at her first," the emerald beauty took another peek at Korra, who noticeably cut her eyes before scoffing.

"I tripped over some kid's foot and fell into her," she sighed, "I tried to help her up, but that's when she turned hostile and kept asking me if I knew who she was or if I had a 'death wish.' It was all pretty stupid, until she sucker-punched me." Korra placed her bruised hand over her swollen left eye as she clenched her jaw in acute frustration, "That bitch."

Asami looked over to Korra with an impressed smirk, unknowingly ingesting her gallant jaw-line, "Yeah she really is something else. I'm glad that someone was finally able to take her down a peg. That girl is teeming with insecurities." The upperclassman noticed a tiny smile appear on Korra's lips, which in turn, made her smile. They finally rounded a corner, and stopped in front of a solid oak door with a plaque that read 'Rm. 408' above the entrance.

"We're here," Asami announced, as she creaked open the door and switched on the light revealing a dusty classroom that looked as if it hasn't been used since Republic City was founded. Asami peeped Korra's blanketed expression as she scanned barren the room; instead of making a failed attempt at cracking a wise comment to make light of the situation, she continued, "we just need to grab these few crates, and the equipment piled over there," she said added with a wave of her hand. Asami and Korra were about to head inside, when they heard obnoxious laughter followed by a loud grunt coming from the next hall over.

Korra turned towards her senior and began pensively stroking her chin, Asami couldn't help but stare, captivated by the almond beauty, "Sounds like the laughter of this Borgin kid I met when I was at the main office waiting to see the principle."

Asami snapped out of her trance and knitted her eyebrows together in confusion, "What? Borgin? Do you, by any chance, mean…Bolin? Bolin Nakamura?"

"Yes, Bolin," the young teen snapped her fingers in realization and glanced up at Asami nodding her head suavely. Asami began laughing, as she glanced down the hall to see the Nakamura brothers rounding the corner engaged in their usual frolics: Bolin laughing entirely too hard and Mako looking overly annoyed. She gave them a friendly wave, catching their attention, which encouraged them to go from a stroll to a slight jog until they were close enough to exchange personal greetings.

Asami parted her lips preparing to give her junior a formal introduction, when she heard a muffled yelp emit from Bolin's mouth, followed by an over-stimulated and loud "Korra!" causing both she and the cerulean underclassman jump in surprise. Korra glared at Bolin with her eyebrows furrowed in both confusion and appall.

"Bolin," Asami declared placing distinct emphasis on his name, "why the shit are you yelling?"

"Yeah, man" Korra chimed, "we literally just met a few hours ago. Seriously, why are you so excited to see me?"

"For real, bro. She's standing a couple feet from us. There's no need to yell." Mako added shooting his younger brother a familiar condescending look.

Bolin looked over the trio with a dispirited glint casted in his mint green eyes; he then straightened his posture and cleared his throat, blushing fiercely. Does he have a small crush on Korra? Asami thought to herself with a smile, I can see that; she's pretty cute. Asami immediately cleared the thought from her mind with a quick, barely noticeable shake of her head. I mean...she's relatively cute. Meaning, some people may find her cute, while others may not. But, a lot of girls are cute, so it's not weird to think that Korra is cute-which she's just okay...I guess. Wait-why the hell am I trying to explain myself to myself? The emerald beauty nervously clenched her jaw and swallowed loud enough to emit a quick glance from Mako, which she quickly redirected towards Bolin.

Before Asami could continue her inner dialogue, the younger Nakamura then pointed his index finger up, objectively, and cleared his throat, "I see what you guys are doing here," he eyed each of them with an exaggerated upturned frown. Mako rolled his eyes, "you're trying to make me feel ashamed for being excited about seeing Korra. However, you don't understand the connection—no—the deep bond that Korra and I share. You see, Korra is a bro, and when I see bros—not the Mako kind—I get a little excited. I believe that it would be disrespectful, and dare I say, a little uncouth for me not to greet fellow brethren with only the appropriate zeal. Which translates to a boisterously prideful greeting upon each and every interaction." Bolin fell silent, eyeing each of them with a pompous smirk.

"Um, why have I never received this 'bro' greeting for as long as I've known you? We get along well enough." Asami remarked drly, placing her finger in the air matching Bolin's pointed gesture.

The younger brother held his barrel chest and tossed his head back in hardy laughter, before quickly recovering with what Asami assumed to be his serious face and placing a hand over his heart, "My dear Asami, you cannot be a bro since you are dating my bro. Aaaand, bros can't date bros."

"Since whe—"

"Always!" Bolin cut her off with another pompous smirk so stupid and smug that Asami felt like she wanted to personally pull of his equally stupid lips and shove them up his incompetent stupid butthole. Lying little shit.

"You're dating this angry lug nut?" Korra chimed in with a laugh. Asami didn't know why, but she became seriously frustrated at the young native's remark. She noticeably cut her eyes at her, receiving a nonchalant shrug in return. What's with her? Why am I letting her get under my skin? Asami briefly closed her eyes, releasing a calming sigh, while Korra continued to chuckle unphased.

Mako awkwardly averted his eyes, causing Asami to lift her eyebrow in suspicion, before stepping towards his brother, "Bo, this is the first time I've heard you talk about being bros with anyone—" he was suddenly cut off by Bolin placing a sweaty finger on his lips. He jumped back in disgust, "Gross! Bolin, why the fuck is your finger wet?" Mako began fervently wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Yeah, this is getting weird, Asami concluded before she and Korra exchanged glances. Bolin regained their focus by pointing yet another knowing finger in the air to interject his brother.

"Mako, you and I both know that I am a moist individual," he leaned towards his brother and comically pouted his lips and continued in almost a whisper, "don't act any different just because you're in front of your girlfriend." He shot a glance at the raven haired teen, and gave her a pouted smirk.

"Okay, stop doing that with your mouth—while you're making eye contact with me," Asami squints her eyes in frustration deciding that she'd rather skip sticking his lips in his butt, and would much prefer punching him so hard that his skin fell off. Why the hell am I so frustrated? The young beauty just decided that it was due to being in that creepy building too long, and continued, "and we get it, Bolin; you couldn't contain your excitement, because you have a crush on Korra. It's very cute, but we have supplies to move to the club room. So can we just…." Asami gestures towards the forsaken classroom, her chartreuse eyes widening with urgency.

The younger Nakamura stood paralyzed with what Asami assumed to be embarrassment, as Korra walked past her and entered the dingy room. Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh on him. But, Spirits, he's just like an annoying little brother. Always getting on my nerves. Asami rubs her temples as Mako closes the distance between them coming in for a hug. He gently places a light kiss on her forehead, "You know how Bolin gets, babe. Guy gets a crush on someone, and acts like Pabu when he sees a satchel full of Fire Flakes." Mako chuckles lightly, his soft tangerine eyes gazing into her emerald pearls, "Take it easy on him?"

She jokingly rolls her eyes and responds with a quick, yet gentle, peck on his lips. Mako smiled again before breaking their hug and entering the room and asking Korra which items she was comfortable with carrying. Korra's response was inaudible, but Asami's eyes widened with surprise when the almond goddess reached down and lifted two crates full of supplies with ease. Well, damn. Asami thinks to herself as she feels her own face heating up. Her slight smile turns sour when she notices Mako lightly blushing and awkwardly moving to the side as Korra swaggers out the room, walking past Asami and down the hall. The emerald beauty cuts her eyes at Korra's back; her eyes travel down to the underclassman's taut round ass, and Asami noticeably blushes as she looks away. She even has a nice ass. Damn her. Asami finally turns back toward Bolin, who was still standing statuesque in the hallway blushing so hard that his even his ears were beginning to fade into light hues of red.

I hope I didn't rattle him too much; Asami thought as she walked over to Bolin and gave him a light, but sturdy tap on his shoulder, "Come one, Bo. What I said wasn't that bad, was it?" No response. "Hey, I'm sorry. I don't think she even heard me she didn't even look phased at all. You're good, Bo." She noticed a slight smile appear on his lips, as he turned toward her and let out an uncharacteristically deep sigh; almost as if he were holding his breath the entire time. She gave him a gentle smile, noticing that he appeared much more relaxed, "Now, let's move this crap, so we can go home."

"Yeah," Bolin agreed with a grin, "I do really like her, though, Asami. I'm not sure why, but I really like her vibe. I wasn't playing when I said I felt a connection between us."

Asami's eyes softened as she peered into his youthful, yet unwavering, mint green eyes, "I know, Bo Bo." They entered the classroom and each quickly grabbed a crate of supplies, since Mako and Korra probably already arrived at the clubroom. Asami and Bolin rounded the corner entering another passageway. The raven haired teen was trying to give Bolin some much needed advice about the appropriate and acceptable methods of conveying romantic intent to a girl when she noticed Mako and Korra were laughing a little too much further ahead. She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Bolin to stop and shift his gaze from her to the jovial pair ahead with a nonplussed disposition. Why aren't they closer to the clubroom? Were they walking this slow because they were caught up in a deep conversation or did time just go by faster than I thought with Bolin? Why the hell does Mako keep making that face? Asami wrinkled her eyebrows with concern as she tried to calm her flooding thoughts, "I wonder what they're laughing about," she muttered to herself, "Hey what's so funny?" she practically blurted out, her face revealing a light blush. Great, now I'm shouting. The emerald teen lightly shook her head in disbelief.

Bolin gave her a smirk, raising his eyebrows with suspicion, "Looks like someone's a little jelly."

"What?"

"Jealous."

"I'm not jealous, Bo," she adjusted the box in her arms with a slight bounce, "I just want—I am curious about their conversation…and I want to laugh, too. That's all." Bolin narrowed his mint green eyes revealing a cheeky grin; Asami rolled her eyes, reconsidering whether or not she really should punch his skin off just so he would stop pestering her with that idiotic grin.

Bolin took the hint revealing an apologetic smile, "Well, let's catch up to them. I need a good laugh." Asami gave him an appreciative smile, before their pace hastened. When the pair finally caught up with Mako and Korra, they had already reached the clubroom and were placing the crates down before heading back into the hall.

Asami quickly followed suit, before she hurriedly jogged back out into the hall to catch up, "Wait up," she called out. Korra turned around and greeted Asami with a crooked smile that briefly quickened Asami's already pounding heart, until she noticed Mako avoiding her gaze and instead waving Bolin over. What the actual fuck.

"So what were you guys laughing at earlier?" Asami inquired with a smile that was forcing itself entirely too hard to appear casual.

Mako remained silent with his gaze fix ahead, until Korra playfully nudged him in his side, causing him to awkwardly clear his throat with a slight smile. This bastard really is blushing. The almond teen, appearing to not notice the sudden outbreak of tension, chuckled, "Mako told me that these supplies are for the Paranormal club, and then I started talking about how I sucked ass at understanding the spiritual realm, it's one of the things I've never really been that good at. I much prefer training in the ring," Korra flexes her right bicep to emphasize her point. Asami tries to appear unimpressed, but ends up stealing a quick glance, anyway. Okay, that's a little impressive. She fixes her emerald gaze, once again, on the almond beauty's chartreuse orbs. Damn her fantastically bright eyes. Out of nowhere, Asami is suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of dread, same as earlier. What is this feeling? Asami hesitantly averts her eyes to subdue the uncomfortable pressure as Korra cooly continues, "This lug nut here," she gave Mako another playful, yet power, jap in the rib causing him to slightly wince, "said that his connection to the Spirit World is shit, too, and we should form our own secret club of fighters who just want to train without worrying about the paranormal. The club would only have one rule, too, which would be not to discuss the club. Only certain people would be able to join, because the club would involve real fights with just fists and blood," Korra beamed at the idea.

"So, like a...fight club?" the raven haired teen replied with a deadpan expression.

"Exactly! Isn't that wild?" Korra's chuckle turned into a laugh as she entered the dilapidated classroom to grab a couple more crates.

"You know that entire concept is a movie, right? Just remove the paranormal, add Brad Pitt and an affinity for soap, and you have the movie Fight Club." Asami reached down to pick up a few of the scattered supplies left on the ground.

"It is? I have to check that out, now," Korra replied suavely as she exited the classroom.

Asami practically drilled a hole into Mako's eyes with a piercing berating glance, to which he responded by nervously avoiding her eyes. He just as swiftly left the classroom with the last crate awkwardly positioned in his arms. Fight Club is one of my all time favorite movies. That bastard. He definitely is trying to put the moves on her by referencing it… Shit, that's how he got me, too… Does she… does she like him, though? Is she falling for it? Asami was seething, confused, and slightly hurt, when she noticed Bolin peeking his head into the failing the classroom with a sheepish disposition, concern clouding his budding mint green eyes. She relaxed her face and released a heavy sigh as he approached her to grab a few of the items from her slender arms before ushering them both to the hall to head back to the clubroom.

"Bolin," she sighed.

"I know, Asami," he whispered gingerly, before giving her a friendly smile, his eyes still filled with worry. She can see that Mako's behavior towards Korra not only affected her, but Bolin, as well. He just met the girl today, but was already smitten. Even if Korra hadn't realized it, both she and Mako are well aware of it this fact. How can he do this to his own brother? It's clear Bolin is crazy about Korra… Asami eyebrows wrinkle in deep thought, she redirects her focus when Bolin gives her a solid, yet gentle, nudge with his broad arm. She glances up and returns the slight smile he gave her. They continue to walk together in silence until they reach the clubroom.

Korra and Mako are standing by the doorway once they return to the hallway after dropping off the last few supplies in the clubroom. Asami firmly closes the solid oak door behind her, reaches for the bundle of skeleton keys attached to her jeans' pocket, and begins fumbling through the set , before she calmly speaks up, her expression slatted, "I appreciate everyone's help today, we got everything transported much faster than if I was doing it by myself," she trailed off momentarily as she locked the door, twisting the knob a few times to test its sturdiness, "anyway, you guys are free to go. I guess I'll see you all tomorrow," the disgruntled beauty immediately began to walk in the opposite direction of her normal route to the main building, just so she could avoid the walk back with Mako and his awkward interactions with Korra. It seriously bothered her. It's not like she's in love with him or anything, but she's definitely comfortable with him. He's the nicest guy she's dated, so she doesn't have to worry about him treating her with anything other than respect which was reassuring. Mako's also one of the most good-looking bad-boys in the school, which definitely boosts the young beauty's ego. She loved surrounding herself with beautiful things. But, she was more worried about whether or not Korra reciprocated Mako's feelings. She was surprised that she isn't upset about the situation that she believes she should be. Maybe it's because Korra is also beautiful. Asami's thoughts are interrupted by Bolin's heavy uneven footsteps approaching her.

He gives her a morose smile, as he matches his pacing with hers. They walk in silence for a few minutes, until Bolin lets out a burdened sigh, "I can tell he likes her, too," he sullenly casts his eyes towards the ground.

"...Yeah."

"...Are you going to be okay?"

Asami notices his barrel chest rising and falling with each deep breath her friend makes. Bolin looks up at her with genuine concern flickering in his diming mint green eyes. Oh, Bolin… Asami says inwardly, she can she that he's heartbroken over this. She began to think about how much she cares about Bolin when realization hit her like a elephant-ostrich. Wait, is Bolin becoming my best friend? She quickly pondered over the fact that they talk about everything, and always hang out together during school festivities. He's pretty much the best straight guy-friend to discuss girl-friend topics with. Hm, probably. She concluded as she lightly cleared her throat before answering, "Surprisingly enough, I'm not really upset. Just...shocked by it all," Bolin slowly nods, "I honestly didn't expect Mako to flirt with Korra so willingingly, and in front of me. His girlfriend. We've been together for a little over a year, so I'd like to think that I earned at least a little courtesy, you know?"

Bolin gave her a quizzical look, "Courtesy? That's all you're upset about? Not Mako flirting with Korra, clearly digging her, but the fact that he didn't have the tact to do it when you weren't around? Seriously?" The younger Nakamura lifted his brow in disbelief, before giving his head a slight shake and glancing forward. Asami bit her bottom lip in thought, wondering whether or not she really didn't mind all that much that her boyfriend is smitten over the new transfer student within a few hours of meeting her. Both of the Nakamura brothers are entranced by her rustic charm and raw feminine beauty. Is it because she understood why that she wasn't upset? Korra is pretty charming, Asami thought inwardly trying to be objective of the situation.

"Bo Bo, all I know is that the situation has me feeling irritated, but the only thing is that I don't know why," Asami glances over at Bolin with knitted eyebrows.

He stares at her briefly, "Asami, are you in love with my brother?"

"What," the emerald teen's eyes widen, "no, I'm not in love with Mako. I'm...comfortable with him. He's a very sweet guy."

Bolin matches her furrowed brow, "Comfortable?"

"Is that a problem, Bolin?" she replies slightly irritated.

"Hey, no problem here," the younger brother tosses his hands up innocently, flashing an innocuous grin, "I'm just wondering why you two are still together if you're both just comfortable with each other, is all."

"Wait, Mako said the same thing about me?" Asami lifted her brow in surprise.

"Almost exactly as you said it," he rubbed the back of his head with a tired smile, "man, you guys sound really boring. Have you done...anything? You know… together?" Asami lifted her brow even further with shock, as she noticed how Bolin's face began to slowly flush from embarrassment. She couldn't help but laugh. Yeah, he's definitely becoming my best friend.

"You mean have we had sex?" Asami inquired between chuckles. Bolin bashfully nodded, "No, we haven't had sex, but we did make out a lot. We almost had sex at my place one time, but it was interrupted when my father came home from work early. Another time, I honestly didn't want to and Mako just got upset and went home. That's about it."

"Um, wow."

"What?"

"My brother seriously left, because you didn't want to have sex?" Bolin asked with his mouth practically hanging open in disbelief.

"Um, yeah," Asami replied casually, "now that I think about it, he didn't talk to me for two whole days after that incident. And, I believe that's around the time when we began to argue more often."

"I love my brother, but he's a...I'll say it-he's a effing douchebag!" Bolin clenched his fists in anger, as his eyes met Asami's, burning with a green ember she hasn't seen before.

The young beauty opened her mouth to respond, before she heard a familiar amorous voice up ahead, "Asami, how's life treating you, sweetheart?" Asami's eyes widened to an attractive girl with olive green eyes complimented by her smooth caramel complexion, and an impish smile teasing her lips.

"Opal, what are you doing here?"

Chapter End.

AN: Again I will do my best to have the next chapter out in about two weeks. Hopefully before then. I got a little of Ch 3 complete, because I had to cut this chapter down so it wouldn't just stop in the middle of an interesting encounter. I almost forgot to mention that the LoK characters are somewhat like their canon portrayal on the show, but I gave them my own little twist. If that bothers you please stop reading now. If you like it I'll see you in the next chapter. Please leave comments to let me know what you think.

-beanie