"Thanks for everything today. I had fun." She said as Bolin walked her home with Nyla walking besides them.
"I did too." Bolin answered as he fed Pabu some treats. "A lot actually. We should do that again. We're young, we're gorgeous, and we need to show the world our awesomeness!" He exclaimed.
She covered her smile with her hand. She did enjoy today, but she couldn't be selfish. She had to make sure their budding friendship stopped here.
But why did she get this feeling, this weird awful feeling in her chest when she thought of pushing Bolin away?
It wasn't right.
"I don't know, Bolin." She said honestly.
"Come on! We had fun didn't we, Pabu?" Bolin asked as he scratched him.
"Yeah, we did but..."
"Wait a minute! I know what this is about!"
She panicked. What did he know about her? He could've lied about seeing nothing when she passed out, her body vulnerable to the moon.
"Yeah, you're afraid of the dark!" He exclaimed proudly.
Her face contorted in confusion until she saw the playful expression on his face which caused her to smile.
She was afraid but not of the dark. She sure wasn't going to correct him either.
"Something like that." She murmured softly as they continued to walk.
"Well, I guess we could hang out in the morning but I usually practice with my brother and Korra for the tournament." Bolin said thoughtfully.
"Well, then. I guess we should just stop until after your tournament."
And by that time, she'll have left to another place.
"Are you kidding me?! You can come to practice. It'll give me a chance to introduce you to my brother and Korra. It'll be perfect."
She grabbed her arm around from her elbow and looked away. This wasn't going to work. She had to think.
"You'll come and after practice we'll hang out and I'll bring you back home before dark. Everybody's happy!" Bolin said as Pabu jumped down and ran towards Nyla.
She sighed. If only she could tell him.
She had to think of something to push Bolin away.
Think, Aylin. Think!
"So, what do you say? Wanna come by and meet my fellow members.?"
Spirits! Why did he have to look so hopeful, so childlike that it made that stupid fluttering in her stomach grow again?
She couldn't do this to him. He was so nice but she couldn't say no.
But she also couldn't say yes.
"Bolin..." She sighed.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" He said excitedly waving his arms for emphasis. "Don't say no just yet. You need time to think about it so I'll give you at least 3 days. Come on by and say Bolin invited you. Or don't. But I'm really hoping you do come."
She looked at him, trying to decipher if what he meant was true.
How long had it been since she had a friend, a real friend she could talk to and not worry when she was out in the dark?
Too long. And she could never risk a person's life when she was under the moon's influence.
She had bloodbent those firebenders who killed her parents. She had to say no now before she regret it.
"I don't know..."
"Just think about it, okay. Really, really, really think about it." Bolin begged, his green eyes hopeful and innocent.
How could she say no and crush him?
"I'll think about it." She said softly.
Bolin whooped in victory and she smiled, but it was a tense smile.
Review please!