Hey everyone! So this chapter was a little short, but I guarantee it's still eventful.

Korra sighed as she glanced at the paper on her desk, which was turned face-down. Next to her, Asami flipped the paper on her own desk.

"An 85%," the raven-haired girl said, relieved. She glanced at Korra. "Are you going to touch that?" Asami asked, pointing to the chemistry test paper on the athlete's desk.

Korra groaned. "Better get it over with," she muttered, quickly taking the corner of the test and flipping it to reveal the grade.

"…A 92," she breathed, surprised. "I actually got an A!" Turning to Asami, the girl shoved the paper in her friend's face, ecstatic.

"That's amazing!" Asami congratulated, leaning over and hugging Korra. "Looks like tutoring sessions with a certain broody basketball player is helping," she added, her voice hinting a teasing tone.

The blue-eyed girl shrugged, smiling. "I guess they are."

Korra was about to fall asleep.

Math class was such a waste of time. Not because of the math part, but because of the 'being surrounded by morons' aspect of it.

Rolling her eyes as the teacher went over the homework for the thousandth time, Korra pulled out her phone, entertaining the idea of playing a game or two to pass the time.

However, two text messages appeared on the main page. They were both from Iroh and had been received a couple of minutes ago.

Frowning, the girl unlocked her phone, reading the messages.

10:34- Iroh

Hey, I know you don't work tuesdays but I really need your help tonight

10:36- Iroh

the manager is coming in

Korra typed back her response, quickly thinking over her schedule before clicking the 'send' button.

I can work tonight, sure. What time?

A second later, Iroh's response lit up the phone.

10:42- Iroh

the usual 4-7. Please be on time! Thanks

Tucking her phone in her pocket, Korra couldn't help but wonder why Iroh was so frazzled. Was the manager that bad of a guy?

Puzzled, the senior tried to focus back on the equations her teacher was writing on the board.

"Hey."

Korra looked to her right, seeing Tahno smirking back at her. He hadn't even touched the Shakespeare sonnet they were supposed to be working on.
"So it seems like you enjoyed my party on Saturday," he started.

Korra glared at him before turning her attention back to her work. "Did you really feel the need to add a bunch of shit to that punch?"

"Why not? Getting drunk's fun," Tahno responded, "Especially when you're a huge lightweight."

Korra pouted. "I am not a lightweight."

"You had about two cups before you were gone."
"Four!"

"Break it up back there!" The teacher demanded from her desk at the front of the classroom, making Korra and Tahno quiet down.

"Well, I was glad you came," Tahno said quietly, glancing at his notebook as he picked up his pen. "I was sort of expecting you not to."

"Why?" Korra asked, intrigued.

Tahno shrugged, still not looking at her. "Just because I didn't think you'd really give it the time of day."

Korra punched him lightly in the shoulder. "You're not that annoying," she muttered, getting a smirk out of him.

Settling back in her seat, the girl couldn't help but notice that the seat to her left- where Mako usually sat- was empty.

"You're finally here," Iroh said, relieved, as Korra entered into the employee room.

Korra frowned. "I came 10 minutes early."

Iroh shuffled a hand through his hair, standing up. "Okay- get in uniform. Remember to be all smiles to the customers, and-"

"Dude!" Korra interrupted. "I know how to do my job." She glanced at him. "You okay?"

Iroh sighed. "No."

Korra awaited a further explanation.

"This guy- the manager- he's a really strict person. And if he doesn't like you, you're fucked." Iroh's eyes met Korra's. "I'm overstressing, aren't I?" He admitted, chuckling.

Korra laughed. "Just a little bit." She laid a hand on Iroh's shoulder. "We'll be fine. Relax."

Iroh smiled at her. "I'll try," he responded.

Just then, Amon's head popped from the door of the employee room. "Mr. Tarrlok's here," he said, solemn.

Iroh breathed out, turning back to Korra. "Ready for this?" he said.

"Yep," She responded, walking with him as they headed out.

"And how old did you say you were?"

"Close to 17, sir," Korra responded.

Tarrlok looked up. "Iroh here told me you were almost 18," he stated, giving a pointed glance at the man.

Iroh cleared his throat. "Uh- I guess I just-"

"I'm a senior. He probably got confused by that," Korra said, saving Iroh. "Started school early when I was a kid," she added to Tarrlok's skeptical look.

"Hmm." Tarrlok shuffled his papers. "Well, it looks like we're about done here. Good job tonight," he added, sticking out a stiff hand.

Korra shook it firmly. "Thank you."

Once Tarrlok had gone, Iroh surprised Korra by tackling her in a hug. "You did great," he said, pulling away and grinning.
"Thanks," she smiled, untying her apron. "Told you it wasn't anything to sweat over," the senior teased.

"But, uh, I didn't know you were 16," Iroh added, raising an eyebrow quizzically.

"I skipped a year," Korra replied apologetically. "Sorry- I guess I forgot to tell you. But my birthday's close anyway, so I didn't think it was anything major."

Iroh shrugged. "Nah, it's fine." He patted the girl's shoulder. "Thanks for working today. You can take tomorrow off." Giving her a last smile, he turned to go back to the employee room.

A certain senior glanced down at the address at her phone before looking back out the car window to the house in front of her.

Korra threw her head back. This was possibly the worst idea she'd had in a while. What if Mako wasn't home? What if he didn't want to see her? No, that was stupid. She hadn't done anything wrong.

Korra couldn't ignore that her stomach was full to the brim with butterflies. It's just Mako, she told herself, but for some reason, Mako had the girl all in a tizzy for no reason at all.

Besides the kiss.

And the fact that he took care of her when she was drunk.

And the way he smiled, and the way his hair stuck out, and-

Korra shook her head, grabbing the plate in the car seat adjacent to her and getting out of the vehicle. She really had to stop overthinking when it came to the amber-eyed idiot.

Ringing the bell, the girl stood with her plate, waiting for someone to answer the door.

The person who opened it was just who she was hoping for.

"Korra?" Mako muttered, confused. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey," Korra greeted. "I sort of have something to give you," she added sheepishly.

Mako raised his eyebrows. "You wanna come in for a bit?"

"Sure," the blue-eyed girl responded, smiling at him.

"Thanks," Korra said as Mako passed her a can of coke.

"Sure thing," he responded. "So, what's up?"

Reaching into her bag, Korra pulled out her test with a 92% written on the top of it. "I aced my first chem test today," she said, grinning at Mako.

The amber-eyed guy looked at the test. "That's fantastic, Korra," he complimented with a smile. "I guess that's what the cookies are for?" Mako added, his eyes flitting back to Korra's.

"Yeah," she replied. "The tutoring really helped me out, so thank you."

A question suddenly came to Korra's mind. "Hey, why weren't you at school today? You don't look sick."
Mako coughed. "Uh, yeah. I had some court stuff to do."

The girl raised her eyebrows. "Court stuff? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Mako assured her, glancing away. "I just had to go through some…ownership contracts. Since I'm of-age to own my own place and stuff, you know. Legally an adult and all that."

The blue-eyed girl stared at Mako, confused.

"It's my 18th birthday today," the stoic teenager finally replied, his amber eyes meeting Korra's.

"What?!" She exclaimed. "Why didn't you say anything?" Not waiting for an answer, the girl grabbed Mako's hand and pulled him up. "Come on."

"What- what are you doing- Korra!" Mako had no time to say anything as Korra pushed him through the door of his house.

"We're going to celebrate," the girl responded, closing the door behind her and pulling Mako to her car. "I'm not going to let your pissy mood get in the way of your 18th."

Mako sighed. "There's no convincing you out of this, is there."

"Nope."

The teenage boy pouted. "I'm not 'pissy'."

Korra rolled her eyes, turning her key. "Believe what you want to, cool guy," she responded, chuckling at his defensive look.

Bolin shook his head, grinning. "I honestly don't know anyone who could have gotten Mako to get out for his birthday," he said. "But then, Korra comes along."

Korra grinned back. Just then, Asami came through the door of the restaurant, rushing to the booth.

"How did you manage this?" the raven-haired girl said after she had hugged her friends. "Mako never celebrates his birthday."

"I literally forced him out," Korra responded somewhat sheepishly. Bolin and Asami laughed, commenting on how that was just like Korra.

Korra turned around, seeing Mako come out from the bathroom and make his way back to the booth. "Whoa- how many people did you invite?" he asked Korra, scowling.

Korra waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry, birthday boy. It's just us."

"Breath a bit, bro!" Bolin added, shuffling Mako's hair. "Let yourself have some fun for an hour or two."

Asami nodded in agreement. "You deserve this, Mako," she said.

The amber-eyed teenager turned back to Korra.

"This is all your fault," he muttered, but at Korra's mischievous grin, Mako couldn't help but let out a small smile.

"Had fun?" Korra said as they reached Mako's place.

Bolin and Asami had left a couple minutes ago, carpooling. Which left the kidnapped Mako to go back home with Korra after the dinner. Korra felt especially proud of herself- it felt like everyone had enjoyed the night, even Mako.

The teenage boy shrugged. "If you disregard the part where I was forced out of my own house," he joked, smirking at Korra with a light laugh at his lips.
"I had to get you out of there somehow!" The girl defended, although she, too, was laughing.

Mako glanced at Korra. "Well, I guess I should finish some homework," he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow," Korra said, turning to face Mako. She gave him a smile. "Happy birthday."

Mako glanced around, suddenly nervous. "Um-" he cleared his throat, reaching to scratch the back of his neck again. "I wanted to-"

Korra arched an eyebrow, waiting for Mako to finish his sentence.

And Mako suddenly grabbed her face with his hand, pulling her towards him as his lips touched hers.

The kiss wasn't like the first- it was much lighter - but somehow, it left Korra just as fazed.

Their lips broke, but Mako rested his forehead against hers. "Thanks, Kor," he muttered, before turning around and getting out of the car.

Korra stared after him, extremely muddled.

But she was still smiling like an idiot.

The next day, however, Mako was nowhere to be seen.

"He has college applications to do today," Bolin told Korra. "Last-minute deadlines and stuff."

"Pulls a lot of weight around, huh."

Bolin nodded. "Yeah, he does. He has work today, too. That guy needs to give himself a break sometimes."

"Where does he work?" Korra asked, out of curiosity.

Bolin responded, "at a movie theater near Winnea Street. They actually pay pretty good for a movie theater. But then again, on weekends he does work at that gym, so I guess he pulls money from everywhere."

Korra raised her eyebrows. "He works a lot for an 18 year old."

The green-eyed friend glanced down. "Yeah…Hey, do you know where I could get better basketball shoes?"

Korra noticed the quick change of topic, but decided not to mention anything about it and continued the conversation.

"Iroh!" Korra called from the supply closet. "Could you bring a stool?"

The senior was trying to reach for a bottle of windex, but some idiot had put it on the highest shelf, making it difficult to reach.

Luckily, her boss arrived with what she had asked for. "It's kind of broken," Iroh said, pointing to one of the legs of the stool, "but it's all we got."

Korra groaned. "Could you stand behind me?" she asked as she tested out the stool. "In case I lose my balance or anything."

Iroh nodded, allowing Korra to grab the windex quickly.

But suddenly, the stool gave away, nearly causing Korra to topple over.

"Whoa- watch your step," Iroh breathed, catching the girl and steadying her.

Korra glanced up, about to thank him, when she noticed how close they were. Iroh's face was literally inches away from her own.

Korra's eyes quickly glanced at his lips.

"Um-" The girl pushed away slightly, giving some space between the two. "Thank you," she said, pretending like nothing had happened.

"Uh, yeah. Sure thing." Iroh ran his fingers through his hair, pausing for a moment or two, before deciding to exit the room.

The senior breathed out, somehow not surprised that she had contemplated kissing the guy when they were so close.

But it was just in the heat of the moment, Korra told herself. You don't actually feel anything for him.

She couldn't tell if she was lying about that last part or not.

Mako got the most votes, but Iroh was a very close second. Tahno came in third!

VOTING RULES RECAP (please read- new stuff sometimes)

Please vote for one person in particular!

It's not as much a 'vote' as it is a popular voice.

No negative votes will be counted (ex: 'I just don't want her to end up with Tahno!") you have to vote for a person in specifics.

You can vote a new person each chapter if you want. You can also vote for the same person each chapter. And of course, you have every right to vote for each chapter (that's kind of the idea :P).

Also, please make sure you vote under Chapter 6 if you want your vote to count for chapter 6! if you vote under the most recent chapter counting votes will be a lot easier :) Message me if you have any trouble with anything!

And please, please don't vote under 'guest'. Make an ff account or give yourself some sort of guest nickname if you can't/have trouble with it. I don't want one person to vote 3000 times under a guest account. It's not fair to the rest of us. Some of you guys had voted for a person more than once under different nicknames- that trick doesn't work. I didn't count those votes since they're cheat votes.

(Also, guys, don't slam other ships in your comments. Be respectful of everyone.)

Prominent love interests (you can vote outside of this if you want to) :
Mako

Iroh

Tahno

Asami

Bolin

***by voting outside, I mean voting for someone like Amon, Beifong, etc.