Stripped
It was hot with a cool breeze. Such perfect weather could not be denied your body in the midst of it. So I ventured out into the court yard, squinting my eyes against the glare off the sparkling pond.
My breath caught slightly when I saw her back to me. She sat with perfect posture, her little pink clothes sodden and plastered to the curves of her body like a second skin. Her hair was out of the braid, dripping and gathered into her fist as she squeezed the little dropplets out of it. She was humming loudly, something I wish I could do without feeling embarrassed. Her humming, as plain and innocent as that sounds, was more beautiful than the sound of water bubbling around pebbles, or wind rusting the leaves of trees. You are far too perfect for your own good, I thought, slightly angry. Or jealous. I rarely could distinguish emotions around Ty Lee.
She looked over her shoulder when she heard me approach, the hum falling off her lips as she broke into a smile brighter than the sun. She called my name and stood, rushing to me to throw her arms around me. I normally wouldn't let anyone, under any circumstances, who was dripping hug me, but I enjoyed these little harmless hugs from her.
She pulled away and started commenting on the weather, happily looking up at the birds crossing through the sky. Ty Lee was always doing something with her gift of flexibility. She balanced on the toes of one foot, catching the other and pulling it up over her head. There was something in the way she could move that shouldn't be allowed. She continued to babble away, dropping her foot and pulling me over to the pond, instructing me to jump in. I told her I wouldn't.
It's fun, she said.
No thank you, I said, more firmly. She shrugged and jumped back in, rippling the water. I decided this weather was at least worth me taking my shoes off. I sat on the edge and dangled my feet in the water, watching Ty Lee without a care in the world.
Aaaaazuuuuulaaaa, she sang from the pond, beckoning for me to get in and join her. I wanted to, very much.
No, I said despite myself.
Please? she asked, pouting her lower lip and gazing up at me. I rarely smile, but this made me break into a grin. I shrugged and slipped in, feeling water close over my head and pull my hair out of its bun.
Ty Lee giggled and swam over to me. We both floated there, treading water and looking at each other. I wasn't quite sure what to do next, until Ty Lee pulled her shirt off. Next her pants until she was just in her underwear. I avoided staring at her chest and realized that my clothes felt uncomfortable submerged. I quickly stripped as well, and our clothes lay in a dark, wet pile in the grass. Once again I didn't know what to do next, but that was because my mind was blank. A strangely calm blank. Ty Lee floated closer and closer to me, and I floated closer and closer to her. We were like magnets.
I didn't know what it was, but suddenly we were very, very close. I could feel her breath, slightly shaky and heightened. My hand found the slick curve of her hip, and hers rested on my shoulder. We both pulled each other closer until our mouths touched. It lasted a few seconds, but made my heart pound dangerously.
We pulled away quickly and said nothing of it.