this chapter is...interesting.
History was a bitch.
Korra was staying in for the weekend, deciding to study for her huge history test coming up on Monday instead of going out and enjoying the days off (like she was supposed to. Freakin' school.)
Both her parents were out for a couple of hours, leaving the girl home alone. Her hair tied in a low bun; Korra was not expecting any company. So it surprised her when her doorbell rang.
Pouting, the girl took a peek out her window and saw a familiar-looking car in her driveway. Guessing that she knew the person, Korra walked downstairs and opened the door, patting her dog, Naga, on the way.
Standing in her doorway was none other but Iroh.
Automatically, Korra panicked inwardly. She wasn't looking too hot- she was still wearing her pajamas, for god's sake- and wasn't planning on receiving any surprise visits from her boss. The senior didn't even know why she was freaking out about her appearance; usually she wouldn't give a shit.
"Iroh?" Korra said, surprised. "Not to be rude or anything, but what are you doing here?"
Korra's boss winced, apparently just realizing the bluntness of the situation. "Sorry," he said. "I should have called."
The senior nodded, amused. "That would have been a good idea, yeah."
Iroh smirked, and then extended an arm to hand something to Korra. It was some holiday-styled t-shirt.
"We're supposed to wear this at the café with holiday season coming up, so I just stopped by to give it to you."
"Thanks," Korra responded, taking the shirt. She glanced up at Iroh, suddenly feeling awkward. "…Well, I'll see you around," the girl said when the conversation seemed dead.
Iroh ran a hand through his hair. "Yep. Oh, and by the way," her boss added, "Nice pajamas."
He was referring to Korra's Peanut-decorated pajama pants. Korra stuck her tongue out at Iroh, grinning.
"I hate you, braniac."
"Don't be jealous, Korra," Bolin teased, grinning. "My super history skills are amazing, and you just gotta realize that."
Korra frowned, crossing her arms. "Fuck that."
They pair were seated at their usual lunch table, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the group and discussing the previous history test while at it. Korra hadn't seen Mako since the impromptu birthday dinner- and something told the senior that his absence from the week wasn't just because of adulthood legalities.
She wasn't nervous to see him; in fact, she was anticipating it. Korra had decided that it was time she got some straight answers from the guy.
Asami arrived in moments, with Mako standing beside her. It seemed like the two had talked about something touchy before their arrival, judging by the way they suddenly stopped their conversation as they reached the table.
Asami cast a quick glance at Korra, and then focused her attention on Bolin.
"Hey, Bolin," the raven-haired girl greeted, taking guy's arm. "We should…we should check out the art project I did! Yeah. You should come. Let's go." And without anything else, Asami whisked a very confused Bolin away.
Leaving Korra and Mako alone.
The amber-eyed guy sighed, setting his lunch on the table as he sat across from Korra. "…Hi," he finally said, not making eye contact.
"Hey," Korra responded, unsure what to say.
For a couple of moments, they just silently sat there, not bothering to meet each other's gazes. Korra, deciding she had enough waiting, was the first to break the silence.
"Why were you gone all week?" She started.
Mako finally looked up, meeting the blue of Korra' eyes. "I told you. I had stuff to do at the courthouse."
Korra rolled her eyes. "I'm not an idiot, you know," she said, resting her face on her hand. "You were trying to avoid me, weren't you?"
The stoic teenager glanced away. "No…well…sort of," he muttered.
"Why are you so confusing?!" Korra suddenly exclaimed, annoyed. "You- you kiss me, you make me feel like you actually like me- and then you act like you regretted the whole thing! I'm not someone you want to fuck around with, Mako," the girl warned, "and I seriously need some answers. If you can't 'afford' to feel anything for me, why the hell do you pretend like you can?"
For a couple of seconds, Mako just sat there, silent. Suddenly, he stood up, grabbing Korra's hand and leading her out of the cafeteria.
"…I'm- I'm sorry, Mako," the girl said, laying a hand over his.
The boy had pulled Korra out of the cafeteria and into some abandoned hallway. At first, Korra was really puzzled; however, Mako had then told her about his past, and, in the process, answered some questions she had about him. Korra hadn't known that Mako and Bolin were orphans, or that their parents had died in front of them. She didn't realize that Mako had to support the both of them as they struggled to fight for the money their parents had left behind, and how their distant uncle finally stepped in to indirectly support the brothers. Korra knew that Mako hadn't wanted to tell her (or anyone, really) about his past for a reason; he didn't seem like the type who liked pity parties.
Mako looked down. "I'm focusing on school and basketball right now. It's the only way I can get into some sort of college. And throwing a girl into that mix-" he sighed. "It just makes the whole thing…unstable. You're just too…I'm sorry, Korra," Mako continued, "But I don't think we should date."
Korra glanced away, lifting her hand from Mako's. "I guess I get it," she responded. "Forget I… I ever said anything."
It made sense in a way, but the senior still felt rejected and embarrassed. Mako was turning her down. He was ignoring the fact that they both felt something towards each other, all in the name of 'stability'.
The shrill of the bell gave Korra an excuse to walk away; and so she did, without saying anything else.
The Feller Ferret basketball team was on a winning streak.
The team had pulverized nearly every opposing force that stepped onto the court. The entire group worked exceptionally well; but everyone knew that most of the wins were thanks to the power trio of the team- Korra, Bolin, and Mako.
However, two of those three were screwing up the entire game.
"What kind of pass was that?!" Korra yelled to Mako as they walked off into the locker rooms for the ten-minute halftime briefing.
"A quick one!" He said back. "And apparently, one you weren't up to speed with!"
"Oh, stop trying to cover up your shitty throws," Korra responded, ferociously glaring at Mako as she re-tied her shoes.
"Why don't you start trying to actually catch them?!"
"Calm down, you two!" Tenzin's powerful voice suddenly cut in, interrupting the argument. The seniors finally broke gaze, angrily focusing on their Coach instead.
"Now, I think we can all tell that something is going on between the both of you, but you need to refrain from bringing that onto the court," Tenzin stated. "Mako, you will be benched for the entirety of quarter three."
"What?!" The teenage boy sputtered. Korra smirked in victory.
"Not so fast, Korra," the Coach continued, catching her victorious look. "You will take Mako's place on the bench for the last quarter."
Now it was Korra's turn to be shocked. "But- the team needs me- I've never been benched that long!" She remarked, her hands on her hips and her blue eyes indignant.
"It is the price you two must pay for your immature actions on the court today," the Coach responded, "And hopefully, you will learn from it. Now get back out there and play without the bickering."
"Thanks, Pissy Pants," Korra tossed at Mako as they walked out, frowning.
She didn't catch his response, however, because as they exited the locker room, she caught a glimpse at the bleachers and saw Iroh, giving her a smile when he saw her come out.
"Tight game," the amber-eyed boss commented as he came up to Korra at the end of the match.
The score-board read 42-40. Korra sighed, shaking her head.
"It was supposed to be an easy win, but for some reason…" she glanced down. "I don't really feel the greatest right now."
"What're you talking about?" Iroh said. "You guys still won. And from what I saw, you played great. I mean, you were benched for a while, but anyone can tell that the team's fucked without you."
Korra met Iroh's eyes, grateful for the word of encouragement. "Thanks, man," she said, smiling. "I'm glad you think so."
Iroh smiled back. "So…" he started. "Do you have any plans right now?"
The senior raised her eyebrows. "No. Why do you ask?"
Iroh ran his hand through his hair, biting his lip. "Maybe…you and I could grab some food?"
"Like a…date situation?"
Iroh glanced away. "Erm. Yeah."
Korra paused, taken by surprise. Iroh was asking her on a date- and what was stopping her from saying yes? She liked the guy, and it wasn't a bad idea. Besides, Mako had already made it clear that he didn't care much for her, and Korra was never the type to hang over one guy for a while.
"Sure," Korra accepted with a grin. "Where to?"
Laughing, the senior accepted the jacket as Iroh laid it over her shoulders on the way back to his car.
"I am so glad I didn't know you in high school," the girl teased, elbowing Iroh in the ribs. "Your stories make you seem like a total idiot."
The guy laughed back, stopping in front of her. "Accurate description."
The two had grabbed dinner at an Asian grill that Korra immediately fell in love with. The place was a little crowded, given that it was a Friday, but Iroh had connections, and they were served almost immediately.
"That was fun," Korra stated, smiling at Iroh. "We should do it again sometime."
The guy smiled back. "I have nothing against that."
A silence fell between the two; it wasn't awkward, however, just…comfortable. And, in an almost natural way, they both were leaning in, lips meeting.
Iroh was an exceptionally good kisser.
"He kissed you?!" Asami shrieked none too quietly as Korra recapped what had happened to her friend that following Monday.
"Jesus, Asami, keep it down," Korra joked as she walked with the raven-haired girl.
"Damn, girl, you're getting around," Asami teased, winking. "First Mako, now Iroh…"
Korra glanced away, suddenly solemn at the mention of the certain basketball player.
The green-eyed friend suddenly noticed Korra's change in mood, laying a hand on her arm. "Well, Iroh sounds great. Are you guys officially dating?"
Korra gave a small smile, about to respond-
Before she saw Mako move from behind them, angrily walking towards whatever class he was going to.
Asami's eyed widened as both girls realized that Mako had been close enough to hear at least part of their conversation.
"Well, shit," Korra muttered, clenching her jaw.
The girl had no chance to talk to Mako for the majority of the day- with the lack of common classes, his absence at lunch, and the stoic teenager already bent on ignoring her, it was hard to find time to fit in an explanation to the guy.
However, when English class finally ended, Korra was determined to keep Mako from walking away from her without at least having her get a word out.
"Dude," Korra said to him as he quickly tried to stuff his things in his bag. "You can't keep on ignoring me without hearing me out."
From their right, Tahno cast a side-glance at the scene. "Trouble in couple-heaven?" he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Korra stuck a middle finger at Tahno, not even bothering to turn her head to face him as she tried to get a response from Mako. Scoffing, Tahno finally grabbed his stuff and left the two alone.
Unable to take Mako's silent treatment, Korra slammed a hand on his desk, effectively getting him to pause his actions for a moment.
"You told me we couldn't go out, so I moved on and you have to deal with it!" She exclaimed, furious. "You can't expect me to wait until you find me fucking 'stable' enough, you moron!"
Mako glared at her, zipping his bag up. "Whatever, Korra. Date whoever the hell you want."
"Yeah, well, I will!" Korra yelled after him as the amber-eyed boy walked away.
"Good!" He said back, eyebrows scrunched in anger as he exited the room.
The blue-eyed girl felt melancholy settle in on her as she prepared to head to her next class.
Although Korra was aware that she and Iroh had something, she felt as if she wasn't enjoying it as much as she should.
And Korra knew that Mako was to blame for that.
Angsty chapter :( All the votes were either for Mako or Iroh- Mako was in the lead.
Someone asked for Mako/Iroh tension, which you will get more of soon if the votes continue to go where they're going so far.
Also, next chapter will probably be happier :)
VOTING RULES RECAP!
Please vote for one person in particular!
It's not as much a 'vote' as it is a popular voice (no one gets 'voted off'- they can come back as love interests whenever they get votes.)
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Prominent love interests (you can vote outside of this if you want to) :
Mako
Iroh
Tahno
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Bolin
***by voting outside, I mean voting for someone like Amon, Beifong, etc.