Chapter 5- On the verge of friendship

A few weeks had past by since Jinora and Kai became friends, but the true idea of friendship was missing entirely. Jinora found herself feeling awkward, stressed, and uncomfortable around Kai due to his subtle advances. While Kai felt annoyed having to listen and learn about books from Jinora. Kai knew why the friendship wasn't working, since Jinora wasn't opening up to him as he would like. Whenever Kai met a girl he wanted to get to know, they often opened up to him after a bit of persuasion and flirting. But with Jinora it was different. All of Kai's advances on Jinora failed, making Kai begin to think she had some kryptoniyte force field around her, protecting her from falling for any guy.

''What am I going to do?'' Skoochy complained to Kai in a frustrated manner. Kai and Skoochy were hanging out in their regular hangout which was the abandoned park. They were both spraying graffiti on the wall, in black chinese inscriptions, while talking over about how the plan was going. ''Look Skoochy I told already told you. If you want to date Ikki, your gonna have to be patient. Jinora is like a ice queen. She doesn't let anything or anyone get closer to her.'' Kai tried to reason with Skoochy, while spraying the walls, ''Well Ikki told me she made a friend called Opal. So I guess she doesn't close off herself to everyone.'' Skoochy went on, now deciding to sit down on a dirty bench as Kai went to accompany him. ''Yeah well Opal must be a girl in that case. Because judging on what Ikki told us about Jinora, she has a problem with us guys in general.'' Kai puffed sitting on the bench angrily. Skoochy decided to give Kai a few words of encouragement, ''Kai look I know you can get Jinora to like you. Do the same thing you do with every other girl.'' ''I did. I used my charm on her.'' ''No. Besides that around other girls you be yourself.'' Skoochy said ''Because you know they will fall for you, there is no reason for you to do anything extra to woo them. But because it's Jinora you keep doing extra things.'' ''So?'' Kai said confusingly ''Kai instead of acting all extra, act like yourself. I bet that's what would wheel Jinora in. She knows your being fake because Ikki says she's observant.'' ''Figures.'' Kai deadpanned ''So be real, and I assure she will like you better. I know what you could do, you asked Jinora for her number right?'' Skoochy asked ''Well yeah it's apart of the plan.'' Kai replied ''So why don't you give her a call and ask her to hangout at school or something.'' Skoochy said happily while Kai turned towards him suspiciously ''Ok I will…Your sure optimistic Skoochy?'' Kai said ''Well I have to be if I wanna date Ikki.'' ''What is it about her that is making you do all of this Skoochy?'' Kai came out and asked ''I dunno, but what I do know is the more I hangout with Ikki, the more I want to know her. She's like the perfect dumpling.'' ''What? So your comparing her to food now?'' Kai asked confusingly as Skoochy shakes his head smiling ''Well yes and no. See dumplings are pretty from the outside, just like most girls are. But when you take a bit out of the dumpling, you get to see how great it tastes.'' Skoochy went on ''So how does Ikki taste?'' Kai laughed '' Unexpected. She has a unexpected taste that I can get enough of'' ''Well I could say the very same for Jinora.'' Kai said now standing up, giving a brief sigh. This statement of Kai caught Skoochy's attention as he looked up at Kai quickly to make a response ''Oh really? Well do you like Jinora now or what?''

Kai felt a big lump stabbing at the back of his throat, after realising what had come out of his mouth. There was no way he could take it back in, which got him thinking. Why did he even say such a thing? Jinora got on his nerves, she's stubborn, closed off, too observant, and skeptical over every little thing. But he couldn't deny that he did feel how Skoochy felt about Ikki. In terms of his dumpling analogy. Jinora did do the unexpected and this interested Kai in the slightest manner. However it never mean't he liked Jinora at all, he thought but he did have some interest in her. ''No. I'm just saying that Ikki and Jinora are kinda alike in that metaphorical sense of yours. Anyway I can never bring myself to like her. Never…''

''So Jinora have you made anymore friends since you've started'' Pema asked gracefully, with big gleaming eyes at the dinner table. Jinora and Ikki were having dinner with their mother and father, Pema and Tenzin. And their two younger brothers Meelo and Rohan. The bunch were eating stuffed vegetable casserole with koi salad at the side, and a jug full of leechie juice. Dinner was normally quiet since Pema and Tenzin kept an eye on all their kids activities, since they were all home schooled. But with Jinora and Ikki going to public school, it only left the youngest two home schooled. ''Um just one since Opal. But I really wouldn't call him a close friend'' Jinora asked her mother, while trying to avoid eye contact by playing with her food. ''Oh really honey that's great. I knew making you go to a public school would make you social.'' Pema went on ''So what's their name'' Jinora stopped playing with her food, and looked at her mother ''His name is Kai''. Ikki head automatically shot up in response to what Jinora said, a big smile grew on her face, knowing that Kai had to be doing his job right. While Ikki was happy to know the plan was somewhat working, her father Tenzin on the other hand was furious to learn Jinora was friends with a boy. ''Y..yo..you made friends with a boy?'' Tenzin's voice cracked as he stared with open eyes making him look more concerned than he should be ''Yes. However I didn't really want to be his friend, but he kept insisting I should so I did. '' Jinora said flatly ''Phew'' a relieved Tenzin said while Pema smacked his shoulder ''Jinora's got a boyfriend!'' Meelo yelled to the top of his lungs, causing the room to go deep silent as Ikki was grinning like crazy. Jinora looked displeased but tried to act calm ''No Meelo, I don't.'' she said avoiding eye contact, while her other younger brother started to go on ''Jin, Jina and a boy!'' Rohan yelled now splashing his food around. Rohan was at his toddler stage so he still had trouble announcing some words, but besides that his comment just made Jinora even more annoyed. ''Ugh! Mom, Dad, I think I'm going to excuse myself from dinner.'' Jinora said now getting up with to empty her plate ''Oh honey don't be mad, they were just teasing.'' Pema tried to reason but Jinora just wanted some time alone, so Pema let her daughter go.

Now in her room Jinora was on her bed, laid down reading a sci-fi fantasy book, about an hero in a apocalyptic future. She didn't want anyone to bother her about her so called friend, but what she found surprising was why she felt bothered. Jinora barely knew Kai however she felt like he had some sort of weird effect on her, and this was new for Jinora. While trying to read she heard Ikki coming through the door, knowing Ikki she would probably ask million questions about Kai [in which she did] ''Jinora you never told me you were friends with a boy.'' Ikki asked in a excited tone ''Sorry but If I did you would just tease me.'' Jinora said still keeping her eyes on her book., ''Ok I know I would have teased you, but you still could of told me. So how did you guys become friends.'' ''We met in the library, and then again on my way home from school. He tried to hit on me, but after I turned him down he wanted to be friends.'' Jinora went on still reading, as Ikki took the book out of her hands, causing Jinora to flinch and look confused. ''Ikki what are you doing?'' Jinora asked ''Jinora a guy asked you out, and you turned him down?'' Ikki practically yelled with the book waving in her hand, ''Ikki I didn't want to date him. Emphasis on the date. He flat out hit on me like a piece of meat. He probably done that to many girls.'' Jinora went on ''He asked to be friends so I agreed, since I'd rather be that.'' ''Oh ok. Well is he cute?'' Ikki came flat out and asked. This hit Jinora like a tun of bricks, as her eyes looked straight to Ikki in surprise. Jinora could feel a bit of sweat drop down at the corner of her face, as she tried to swallow down but her throat will not let her. ''Why does she do this to me'' Jinora thought trying her hardest to remain calm. Jinora did hate Kai a lot, and did merely consider him a friend, but she couldn't deny that he wasn't so bad looking. Jinora started to think about his eyes, his green emerald eyes that shined like a lantern in the night. ''He's okay I guess'' Jinora said slyly ''Really?'' Ikki looked surprised at her sisters response, because she didn't think Jinora would be saying this in a million years. The plan had to be working if Jinora thought Kai's okay.

Jinora and Ikki kept on talking about school for a while until Jinora heard her phone ring. Jinora turned to her working desk and picked up the phone, and saw who was calling. It was Kai. ''Curses! Why did I give him my phone number'' Jinora thought before turning to Ikki ''Ikki Opal is calling. So I'm just going to take this call in the bathroom so I wouldn't annoy you.'' Jinora said rather quickly, taking her phone and zooming out of the room. Jinora quickly ran to the bathroom, and went to close the door slowly. Jinora decided to leave the room, so Ikki couldn't tease her about Kai calling her, and after taking a small breath, Jinora picked up the phone. ''Hey!''. From the sound of Kai's voice, Jinora knew he sounded different. More relaxed. ''Hi.'' Jinora replied back, ''So how are you?'' ''I'm fine'' Jinora replied feeling skeptical of why Kai sounded so calm. ''That's great.'' ''So…is there anything you wanted'' Jinora asked impatiently, while Kai thought how impatient and straight forward she was ''Yeah there is. Jinora can I ask you a question?'' Kai asked calmly , Jinora was a bit shocked at what he said ''Um sure, what's on your mind?'' Jinora asked. The line between the two was briefly quiet, and there was a bit of tension in the air. Jinora was wondering what he was going to say, while Kai was thinking of how to phrase the question. ''Jinora, why won't you let me in?'' Kai asked slowly and seriously. Jinora heart stopped for a second, as she bit her lip in order to release some sort of stress in response to his question. For once Jinora was speechless. ''Jinora? Jinora? Okay look I'm sorry if I offended you. I would really like for us to be friends, but the only way it can happen is if we both want to be friends.'' Kai went on. In terms of his feelings, Kai did really want to know why Jinora kept herself distance. He wanted a answer, and wanted one now. ''I….um….'' Jinora struggled to answer, and seeing this Kai changed his mind and changed the subject instead. ''Jinora just forget it. I'm stupid for asking. Anyway I was wondering if you wanted to hangout with me at lunch tomorrow? And after we have lunch we could go and spent the rest of of our break at the library.'' Kai went on, while Jinora still felt a little uneasy ''Sure.'' Jinora said almost in a whisper ''Ok that's great. Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow.'' Kai now said but was interrupted by Jinora '' I'm scared!'' Jinora cried breathless. Jinora didn't know why she answered Kai's question, but she did. It sort of felt like a tie between a hormone impulse, and a sign of fear. All she knew was that, she had just opened up to Kai. Kai on the other hand felt oddly happy. Jinora opened up. He finally cracked a bit of the Ice queen, and this felt like victory. But on the other hand he felt a little sympathy for her, which he tried to ignore ''Your scared? What are you scared of? Kai said with a little sympathy ''I um. I…hmm…I've had some bad relations with people in the past. I just don't want that to happen again so I keep myself closed.'' Jinora said now practically whispering. Kai now felt sad, but he could also relate to Jinora. He too had bad relations with people, and didn't want to get hurt. But instead of closing himself away from people, he turned to drugs and alcohol. ''I kinda know how you feel…'' Kai said sincerely ''You do…'' ''Yeah sometimes you it feels better when you don't get close to people, so you don't get hurt again. But it hurts to be all alone at the same time.''. Jinora could not agree more with Kai, which made her wonder how Kai knew all of this. ''Exactly…How did you know?'' Jinora gasped ''I've experienced it.'' Kai said honestly. After that tension rose between the two, as the line went a bit quiet again. Kai actually wanted to talk to Jinora more, but he could tell it wasn't easy for her to open up, so he decide to end the conversation. ''It's getting a bit late, so I'm going to duck out. It was nice talking to you.'' ''You too…goodbye.'' ''Later.'' and the line cut.

Jinora was in a bit of a daze after the phone call, she didn't even know what to do with herself as she was just standing in her bathroom staring at herself in the mirror. However she could help but feel happy that there was someone out there, who experienced the pain she felt. At least she wasn't alone anymore, which gave her a sense of hope. But she had to wonder how someone like Kai, would feel like alone. To her Kai seemed like a self assured person. With this thought in her mind, Jinora pictured him sitting on the bus alone on her first day of high school, and how he could remove himself from the crowd and still standout. Although Jinora didn't really think there was a friendship between herself and Kai, she was on the verge of a friendship which she considered to be a good thing. There was a lot of things about Kai surprised Jinora, but today she saw him in a new perspective…