Asami got to school early the next day. Her father had been upset at her for skipping school on Tuesday, not buying for one second that she had actually been sick. Because of that, she was now required to get up and leave an extra half-hour early so that her father could make sure she left for school before he left for work.

His words echoed in her mind. You are making it very difficult to trust you, lately. Her nails dug slightly into her thighs through her jeans as she fought to keep from wincing.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice that was becoming all-too-familiar. "Asami! You're back!"

Asami looked up to see Korra bouncing over to stand to the left of her desk, giant smile still plastered onto her face. "Hey, Korra," she replied, coughing when her voice cracked on the other girl's name.

Korra immediately frowned. "Are you okay? Bolin said you weren't feeling too good yesterday. You sure you're ready to be back at school?"

The concern on her face made Asami's heart flutter, catching her off-guard enough for Mako to speak up—she immediately felt guilty for not even realizing that he had come in with Korra.

"Yeah, she's fine," he said in answer to Korra's inquiry. He took his own seat to Asami's right. "Asami's immune system is crazy. This is the first time she's gotten sick in, like, ten years, probably." His eyes were glancing weirdly between the two of them, but he sent her that crooked smile she told him she loved so much.

But Asami was underwhelmed by it. Then came more guilt. She smiled back, anyways, before turning back to Korra. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you, though."

Korra's smile returned, though smaller than before.

The bell rang, and Dr. Varrick's sudden presence caused Asami to immediately relax—in a few moments, she could focus on the lesson instead of wishing she could see that sunshine grin again.

Then she noticed that Korra was still standing, searching the classroom with slightly wide eyes. Dr. Varrick noticed after a few awkward seconds.

"Oh, yes, Korra! I guess they still haven't found me an extra desk to sit you in! No matter, you can take my chair for the day—I never use it. Too confining for my taste." He started rolling said chair in her direction as he continued, "I'm sure Miss Sato won't mind sharing her desk with you for the day—you two seem to have formed quite the budding friendship!"

Korra's cheeks turned slightly pink, and Asami could feel that her own were worse. All she could do was hum her agreement as Dr. Varrick practically shoved Korra into the desk chair.

Then Korra turned on that blinding smile, and Asami knew it was going to be a long lesson.


Mako's next class was located in the opposite direction of Asami and Korra's math class, so they were to part ways outside Dr. Varrick's room.

"I'll see you at lunch?" he asked Asami, who smiled and nodded in answer.

Then he kissed her goodbye.

She tried not to react as if something was wrong—but how could anything be right, when Korra was looking at them like a wounded puppy? For a split second, foolishly, Asami thought that there might be a chance that this meant Korra had feelings for her. But when those ocean-blue eyes followed Mako as he left, Asami's heart dropped to her stomach.

Korra liked Mako. Not her. Of course. What was she thinking? What would it have even mattered if Korra had a crush on her? Nothing could ever come of it. She was with Mako. And her father….

Nothing could ever come of it.

"Come on," she said, trying to act as if she didn't notice Korra's reaction, "we're gonna be late if we don't get moving."

Korra visibly shook herself out of the trance she had entered. "Um. Right, yeah." She gave Asami a small smile, but Asami could barely return it and had to force herself to look forward.

Halfway through the walk to class, Korra suddenly called out, "I'll meet you in class, gotta pee!" and before Asami could even fully turn around, she had disappeared into the girls' bathroom a few feet away.

Asami shook her head and kept walking, smiling a bit at Korra's goofy nature. It wasn't until she was outside the classroom door that she realized she'd been daydreaming about Korra's face—her dorky grin, the way her eyes would almost glow when she laughed, the crinkle of her nose when she was concentrating on a difficult trig problem—the entire walk over. She choked down a frustrated groan at herself.

Walking into the classroom and seeing Bolin, she wondered why she couldn't just be normal. She really did care about Mako—she even found him attractive, truly. Liking boys was no problem.

But why did she have to like girls, too? Why couldn't she focus on her boyfriend instead of being distracted by a gorgeous, athletic, dorky, cheesy, sweet, perfect new girl?

Bolin waved at her excitedly once he noticed her presence, so Asami shoved all of her frustration deep down and smiled in return, like she always did.

She had to be normal.


So stupid, Korra chastised herself throughout the walk to math class. How could you not notice that they were together?

Korra was hurt. Her chest ached with sadness, but her face burned with anger. Jealousy. One moment, she felt her nails biting into her palms as she gripped the shoulder straps of her bookbag—the next, smoke was seeping from between her fingers. Now panicked, Korra looked around to see that there was a bathroom a few feet away. "I'll meet you in class, gotta pee!" she quickly called to Asami as she dashed to the restroom. She didn't dare look to see her reaction.

Once safely inside, Korra immediately tossed her bookbag as far away as she could. Black palm-prints were now singed into its blue straps. She found herself pacing the length of the restroom, cursing herself for not being able to control her emotions. She really, really wanted to punch something.

Oddly enough, the image that came to mind when she thought of things to punch was Mako's face.

Korra shook her head at herself. Why was she mad at Mako? She should be mad at Asami—or at least jealous of her, for preventing Korra from being with him. But, no, Korra was most definitely feeling mad at Mako.

The bell rang, meaning that she was now late for class. Korra groaned in frustration and leaned against one of the sinks, turning on the tap in the hopes that the cooling sensation would act in a metaphorical sense for her emotions, as well. After a few moments, it kind of worked, and Korra found that her chest didn't ache so much. She let the water run between her fingers and over her palms. Just watching it fall had always been soothing for her. With a twirl of her finger, a few droplets separated from the steady stream and floated upwards, dancing around each other in front of Korra's face. More drops joined them, until they all combined into a shape-shifting bubble of water hanging in midair.

Then a stall flung open. Losing her concentration, Korra dropped the water she'd been bending, which splashed into the sink and all over her shirt as she whirled around to face the intruder.

She looked vaguely familiar—then Korra realized that she was another student in the math class they were currently missing. She had a birthmark under her right eye that Korra remembered noticing before, but she couldn't recall the girl's name. Her mouth was agape, and Korra said nothing. Maybe she would be able to convince the girl that she hadn't seen anything….

Then the girl's mouth slowly shifted into a grin, and Korra was officially scared.

"You're a waterbender," she said breathlessly. Korra felt her eyes widen, but before she could respond, the girl continued, "I can't believe it. I never thought I would meet one of you—I don't even know another earthbender!"

Korra could only stand there, now scared and shocked and confused all at once. Apparently sensing her discomfort, the other girl spoke again.

"I'm sorry—I promise, I won't tell anyone if you won't." She grinned again and held out her hand for Korra to shake. "I'm Kuvira."


Review and let me know what you think! I haven't quite decided where I want this story to go, yet.

Also, the Clexa fic I mentioned earlier is Lightning Only Strikes Once by fiona_249 ! Y'all should definitely check it out!