"No, Pabu! This way!"
I heard Bolin's voice from the hall. Walking into the dining room, I saw him training Pabu to lean yet another trick. "He'll never learn if you keep yelling at him like that." I said. "Then how do you suggest I teach him?" Bolin challenged me. But it wasn't much of a challenge. "Use gentler, kind words. Encourage him instead of going off like a bomb each time he makes a wrong move."
"Will try, smart airbender child!" He said said, determined.
"Hey, Bolin. Jinora." Korra walked in.
"Hey Korra," Bolin and I said in unison.
Looking at Korra, Bolin appeared as if he were in a trance. His eyes were softer, and when he spoke, his voice was lighter. It was obvious he had fallen for her. I feel sympathetic since she doesn't feel the same way.. or at least doesn't know it yet.
"So, Bo, you wanna go for a walk around the island, get to know the place better?" His eyes lit up like the sun and he quickly nodded his head. "Sure Korra, of course I would."
"You wanna join, Jinora?" She offered.
I could go for a walk, but I think I will leave them alone. "No thanks." I answered as I gave them a smile.
They left and now I was alone, except for Pabu, who soon scurried out the window.
I entered the study to find Mako there, just sitting quietly, leaning against the far wall.
He didnt say a word as I entered and chose a chair close by. I opened a book and began to read, and that's when he spoke.
"Do you ever feel lonely?" The question surprised me. I looked up away from book, and toward him. Was he lonely?
"I'm sorry, I know its a random question, but it just seems that no matter the situation, I always feel that no one listens. That no one is understanding on my level." He looked deep in thought, with his hand gripping his chin.
I wanted to help.
"Don't be sorry. Its natural to feel lonely. I get that way sometimes, too, but I think about the people that are there for me, the people that have never truly let me down, and it vanishes. The key is not thinking about it too much, because it just leads you to worrying more than you should."
He thought for a minute, then looked as if he felt almost guilty for ever feeling lonely. "Bo.. he would never leave my side. And Korra.. shes always there, whether I know it or not."
"What about Asami?"
"Asami keeps me stable.. I cant really explain it other than that."
"And don't forget, my family and I are also here for you."
"You know, you're pretty wise for your age. Thank you." He was already sounding better.
"No problem." I was glad he felt better.
Changing the subject, he said, "I think its time I visited some friends of mine. Care to join?"
"Of course I would," I said smiling.
We left the island and went to the park, where Asami and I were a couple days earlier.
As we were walking , Mako spoke.
"I think you'll like him. My friend, I mean. Hes a very interesting person. I don't see him much anymore since I started probending."
We came to a fountain towards the center and stopped. I could see a group of people in the distance talking, laughing, and having fun. One of the figures in the group waved in our direction. "Hey! Mako!"
The voice sounded too familiar.
He called out back at him "Skoochy! What you been up to?"
Skoochy.
I backed up a bit as he walked over to Mako.
"You know, the usual."
I couldn't help but smile and zone out. Was it the way his dark hair fell so perfectly, that charming smile, or the way he carried his words so carefully? Maybe those were all contributors.
"Hey, is that you Jinora?" He asked calmly.
"Hey, Skoochy!" I chirped and smiled in his direction.
Someone else from the group called Mako over and he quickly joined them.
"You know.. ive seen people waterbend, earthbend, and firebend, but I have never seen anyone airbend..." it was a hint.
"You want a demonstration?"
I turned towards the nearest tree, got in my stance, took a breath in, and then back out as I fluidly went through the movements and released a gust. Leaves drifted down to the soft grass underneath.
He smiled. "Wow, not bad. Pretty sweet stuff."
"Thanks, but I really should be careful about showing my bending off in public." He nodded in agreement. "True."
We talked for a while until Mako came back.
"We should probably get going soon." He announced.
"You're pretty cool, Jinora. We should definitely hang out sometime. Nice seeing you.. You too, Mako."
"See you around," I called to him as I waved in his direction.
We left the park , as it was getting darker outside.
"Looks like you made a friend." He laughed softly. "Told you you would like him."
"Actually, we met a couple of days ago when I came here with Asami. He kind of hit me in the head with a rock..." I chuckled.
"Ouch, haha." Mako was actually enjoying himself, a great change from earlier today.
"Mako, I used to think you were always serious. But now I see that you like to have fun and just enjoy life, too." It was a true confession.
He smiled. "I'm glad you went with me today. I learned the same thing about you."
We both climbed into the boat and sailed back to the island.